Black Entertainment: Chicago's Historic Palm Tavern Restaurant and Music Club

Photo: The Palm Tavern in Chicago's Black metropolis-Bronzeville, cir. 1941

The Palm Tavern was a "must do" performance stop for the Who's Who of Jazz performers. It was located in Chicago Landmark Black Metropolis-Bronzeville District at 446 East 47th Street in Chicago, Illinois from 1931 to 2006.  

THE HISTORY OF THE PALM TAVERN

Established in either 1931 or 1933, the original owner of Palm Tavern was James Knight. Gerri Oliver purchased the Palm Tavern from the original owners in either 1951 or 1956, the later date is reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. Nearby the Palm Tavern was the Regal Theater, the mid-south mecca for Black music performers who passed the word that when playing a Chicago gig at the Regal Theater, Oliver's red beans and rice were not to be missed.

An unbelievable number of musicians performed at this Bronzeville community establishment for more than 75 years. The many names and stories of which are in private photograph and memorabilia collections, such as the Gerri Oliver Collection, Abbott Sengstacke Collection, and Getty Images Collection.

THE BLACK CHICAGO RENAISSANCE AND THE PALM TAVERN 

Historians will often disagree on when a Renaissance begins and ends. The Black Chicago Renaissance occurred around the same times as the Harlem Renaissance, namely in the 1920s and 1930s. Most commentators mark the beginning of the Black Chicago Renaissance as the early 1930s, fueled by the Great Migration of African American Americans from the South.

The Palm Tavern attracted artists from music to writers. The Palm Tavern was home away from home for the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, the Ink Spots, Josephine Baker, and other notable musicians. It was frequented by Richard Wright and Langston Hughes. The famous late poet and writer Gwendolyn Brooks resided in this South Side community.

Photo: Early Palm Tavern postcard

The Palm Tavern was also rest and relaxation place of choice for Chicago's Black middle class. Its era during the Chicago Renaissance is preserved in the priceless collection of sepia photographs and memorabilia enshrined along the walls, as a testament to the history of its service to the community. Gerri Oliver will cheerfully indulge curious customers with aging scrap books. Before purchasing the establishment she served as a waitress for many years at the Palm Tavern.

Photo: Palm Tavern patrons pose for the camera

This historic photo notes the patrons are at the Palm Tavern on April 12, 1939. The night of the inauguration of members of the City Council of Chicago. Beginning left to right: Alderman Earl B. Dickerson, 2nd Ward; Alderman Benjamin A. Grant, 3rd Ward; Kathryn Dickerson and Erma Grant.

THE PALM TAVERN IN RECENT HISTORY

In 1983, Chicago's Palm Tavern hosted the grassroots fundraiser that would result in the election of Chicago's first Black Mayor, Harold Washington. The history of the Palm Tavern did not live on as this blogger notes that the legendary establishment was demolished. According to another blogger, the picture below was the state of the Palm Tavern in the spring of 2006.

Photo: Palm Tavern, cir. spring 2006 with blogger noting that

Gerri Oliver was still operating the business a few years

before this picture was taken.

Photo: Palm Tavern grounds photo cir. October 2006

Black Chicago and the Regal Theater

Photo of Regal Theater: "Movie theater, Southside, Chicago, Illinois"

(1941, Library of Congress)

It is hard for many young people to imagine the kind of vibrant and bustling community life that surrounded the former site of the Regal Theater. The Savoy Ballroom complex, which would included the Regal Theater, opened on Thanksgiving night in 1927 at 4719 S. South Parkway (later known as 4719 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive). The Regal Theater opened on February 24, 1928, giving birth to a new Black Chicago nightlife.

Photo: The Regal Theater: "In front of the movie theater, Chicago, Illinois"

(1941, Library of Congress)

Photo: An Exterior View of Chicago's Regal Theater

(ca. 1941, Library of Congress)

Built by the National Theater Corporation, the Regal Theater was one of the first theater halls that was built specifically for the African American community's entertainment. From 1928-1971, the Regal Theater offered patrons live performances and films.

Regal Theater acts included Louis Armstrong, County Baise, Cab Calloway, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Lena Horne, the Ink Spots, Moms Mabley, the Mills Brothers, and Bessie Smith. The great historical acts of the theater is commemorated by the community with a mural at the northeast corner of the intersection of 47th Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.

 

Photo: "Crowd coming out of Regal movie theater, Southside of Chicago, Illinois"

(1941, Library of Congress)

Built in 1926-27, the Regal Theater architect was John Eberson. Its architecture was the talk of the town. Its Spanish Baroque-revival facade and interior was based on the Moorish designs of North Africa and Spain. The auditorium ceiling was designed to affect the underside of an Arabian tent. The sky and distant castles were painted into the interior facade.

The theater featured act was typically a 22-piece jazz band, the "Regalettes" chorus line, and a Barton House organist. Chicago's Bronzeville community is fond of noting that the history of its community theater predated New York's Apollo Theater and held twice its capacity.

"Art exhibit in the lobby of the Regal Theater, Chicago, Illinois"

(Library of Congress, 1941)

THE NEW REGAL THEATER

In 1973, the Regal Theater, located at 4719 S. King Dr. Street, was demolished. the New Regal Theater, originally named the Avalon, was opened by a group of community investors in 1985. The project was spearheaded by Edward and Bettiann Gardner, founders of the Soft Sheen Products Company in Chicago.

The New Regal Theater Building

New Regal Theater Interior

The New Regal Theater sought to recall the Moorish architectural legacy of the Regal Theater in its close to $10 million dollar renovation. The restored theater was designed with a grand "Persian courtyard" to showcase theater and musical concerts. This South Side entertainment center is located in the South Shore community of Chicago at 1641 E. 79th Street.