Mar-Thel’s Lounge was located at 110 W. 98th Street in Bloomington.  It was started by Marv and Thelma Pahl in October 1956.

Not sure to what extent music was an integral part of this establishment, but:

• There was a dance floor, and
• In 1963 Marv advertised for a pianist to lead singalongs.

In 1969, the Mar-Thel’s softball team won the State Championship and competed in the regionals.  In 1970 the team was taken over by George’s in the Park.

In 1963-63 Marv was in a pickle when he tried to get a liquor license, newly-available in Bloomington.  City ordinance said that his bar would have to be at least 1,000 ft. from a school, and his establishment was only 500 feet from a new school.  He was allowed to continue letting his customers bring their own liquor and spike their drinks, however.

In 1975 it was advertised as Mar-Thel’s Pizza Pit.

The Pahls retired and sold the place in 1979.  Thelma died in November 1994.

The corner of 98th and Nicollet is now a Holiday gas station, built in 2002.