Magic Bar
This page covers the venues at 2609 – 26th Ave. So., in the “Hub of Hell,” (26th and 26th). They include:
- The Magic Bar
- Mr. Nib’s
- Mirage
- TNT
THE MAGIC BAR
In an undated, unsigned memo, the owner of the Magic Bar is identified as Minnie Ryan, but it is suspected that the deed was held by gangster Tommy Banks.
“Mailing Souvenir” (from Facebook) shows the front of the bar.
The three images below are from another “Mailing Souvenir,” generously donated by Chris Dysterheft! Thanks, Chris!!
MR. NIBS’/NIBS’
NIBS’ BAR
For Mr. Nibs’ we have to back up to the end of Prohibition (April 1933), where we find Nibs Martin (Norbert Lowell Martin) running a neighborhood bar called Nibs at 35th and Cedar.
Not likely a music venue, just one of many places in the neighborhood to hang out. What made this place special was that, just before he left, Nibs invented a hamburger with the cheese on the inside that was so famous that President Obama dropped into what was now Matt’s Bar to try one in 2014.
Dick Youngblood’s column, Minneapolis Tribune, September 3, 1984
In 1954, Nibs Martin sold Nibs Bar to Matt Bristol, and Nibs’ Bar became Matt’s Bar.
Meanwhile, Nibs was gradually changing the Magic Bar into Mr. Nibs. On June 2, 1960, Will Jones of the Tribune reported that first it retained the Magic Bar name. Then in July 1956 it was called Nibs’ Magic Bar.
Minneapolis Tribune, December 23, 1957
Now, in June 1960, it was going all the way, and the sign was going up that said “Mr. Nibs’.”
On August 1, 1963, a large ad in the Tribune announced the “Big All New One in the Twin Cities, a wonderful new world of pleasure.” It was newly remodeled and renovated, with air conditioning. Entertainers in the ad were Patti Sherwood, the comedy team of Fraser & Nevers, and Jerry Vaughn.
In 1967 a band was Dave Major and the Minors.
1969: Parafunalia, the Swinging Ambassadors.
Photo courtesy Brian Carlson
Photo courtesy Hennepin County Library Special Collections
Mr. Nibs became a country bar, featuring Sherwin Linton.
The building burned down on February 27, 1989. At the time it was owned by Gary and Darlene Stark. A band called Rockets Red Glare lost all of their equipment.
Bryan P. Bjornson salvaged this coatcheck token from the fire.
MIRAGE/TNT
The building was rebuilt as the Mirage Nightclub, which opened on October 28, 1989. Performers at the new club included Alvin Lee of Ten Years After and Loverboy.
Posted by Lawrence Hurley on Old South Minneapolis Facebook page
John Kass’s Mirage T-Shirt
The liquor license was revoked in April 1997 and the club closed.
NEW FRENCH BAKERY
The New French Bakery started in Uptown and expanded into this building in 1997.