Pauly’s
401 W. 78th Street
Chanhassen
Pauly’s flew under the radar for a long time. It first appeared in the Minneapolis papers in April 1973, and for years, the only evidence was want ads for cooks – for a “top scale” restaurant.” Country music must have been the first attraction, as it was mentioned in the Upper Midwest Country & Western magazine in September 1973. Kevin Staffa and his Super Side Men, Denny McGire and Glen Markin were to start a run there on September 6, 1973. Nancy Brown described it as a “fun place.”
An article in 1975 revealed that the name came from Chef David Pauly. (Minneapolis Star, June 25, 1975)
It wasn’t identified by its street address until July 1981 – Chanhassen wasn’t a big place back then, apparently.
Finally, on April 6, 1990, it was listed in the Minneapolis Tribune‘s nightlife calendar, with Sandy and the Hitmen providing the entertainment. A variety of bands followed, up until 1996.
On October 13, 1996, Pauly’s posted an announcement in the Minneapolis Tribune of an auction on October 22, saying that the City would be tearing the building down.