Town Tavern (Las Vegas) facts for kids
| Address | 600 Jackson Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada United States |
|---|---|
| Opened | July 5, 1955 |
| Closed | 2010 |
The Town Tavern was a famous club located at 600 Jackson Avenue in West Las Vegas, Nevada. It was a popular spot for entertainment and games for many years.
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A Look Back: The Town Tavern's Story
The Town Tavern first opened its doors on July 5, 1955. It quickly became known for its lively music lounge. A talented musician named Earl Thurman often performed there. Besides music, the club also offered games like blackjack and craps.
A Popular Spot in the 1950s
In the late 1950s, the Town Tavern was a very popular place to visit. Many people would go there after their work shifts. They would stay late, enjoying the music and fun. Lots of famous performers and celebrities visited the club. These included Louis Armstrong, The Ink Spots, Little Milton, and Ed Sullivan.
The original owner of the Town Tavern was a Black individual. However, around 1958 or 1959, the club was owned by Chinese individuals. This was when Sarann Knight-Preddy started working there. She was known for running the first club licensed to a Black woman in Hawthorne, Nevada.
Changes Over the Years
On July 6, 1959, the club was renamed the New Town Tavern. It continued to be a very popular place. Before the Vegas Strip became integrated, many famous people visited this club. Some of these well-known visitors included Cab Calloway, Chubby Checker, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., and Sonny Liston.
The club changed owners several times. It closed on December 30, 1970.
Reopening and Final Years
The Town Tavern reopened in 1981. The owner soon sold it to a group called Green and Associates. This group included Cubie Bush, Elijah “Baboo” Green, Clarence Ray, and five others.
By this time, the integration of the Vegas Strip had changed things. Many businesses in West Las Vegas began to decline. The Town Tavern was licensed for games like blackjack, craps, keno, poker, and slot machines. It also offered soul music for entertainment. The club operated until 1993, when it was sold again.
The new owners renamed the bar the Ultra New Town Tavern. They advertised that they had 36 slot machines and 2 gaming tables. In 2003, part of the ceiling collapsed. Finally, in 2010, the city closed the club. This happened because the building was in very poor condition. The owner could not find money to fix it up.
