Names for 1920's Jazz Bars

Queen_Dopplepopolis · May 10, 2005

I'm running a 1920's era modern game... my PCs are just rolling into Chicago and I need some names for jazz clubs - most of which are questionable establishments.

Any ideas?

Ankh-Morpork Guard · May 10, 2005

Awww...can't it be 30s in China? Then you could have Club Obi-Wan!

Werther von G · May 10, 2005

Queen_Dopplepopolis said:
I'm running a 1920's era modern game... my PCs are just rolling into Chicago and I need some names for jazz clubs - most of which are questionable establishments.

Any ideas?

Combine a color with a common noun or musical term. "The Blue Note," "The Black Cat," "~~The Yellow Sign~~". That should do it.

Queen_Dopplepopolis · May 10, 2005

Werther von G said:
Combine a color with a common noun or musical term. "The Blue Note," "The Black Cat," "~~The Yellow Sign~~". That should do it.

Most excellent process!

Thanks!

Farganger · May 10, 2005

Wodehouse used "The Mottled Oyster" in a few places, I think.

Warrior Poet · May 10, 2005

You could use the name of an actual bar that is still in existence, and still a good place to hear jazz.

The Green Mill.

It's up on North Broadway, and has been around since at least the 30s (don't know if it was around in the 20s). In fact, it belonged to Al Capone, if I'm not mistaken. It has a bar shaped like a question mark, seats about 100 (at most), and has a stage very close to the audience. They have live jazz every night, I believe (it's been a few years since I was there). It's actually a really nice place, so I don't know if that fits what you're looking for (though I have no idea what it was like in the 30s).

Try Club names, as well (The Cotton Club was perhaps the most famous nightspot in New York during the Harlem Renaissance -- not Chicago, but you get the idea). The Jump Club, Club Lucky, The Catfish Club, etc.

Proper names are always good, too. Jimmy's. Frank's Place. Harry's Lounge. Pop's.

Pair 'o' Dice, The Spot, The Redhead (an actual Chicago piano bar), Rags, Hoppin' John's, etc. Werther von G had a good suggestion.

Warrior Poet

Hand of Evil · May 10, 2005

Why not the real thing...the internet is your friend.

http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/su/cja/clublist.html

What you will find...sample...notice NPC names!

Apex Club [28]
35th St. between S. Calumet and S. Prairie Avenues c.1926-28
Was the Club Alvadere c. 1920-22; the Nest Club c.1922-26

Junie Cobb
Johnny St. Cyr
Dave Nelson
Joe Poston
Johnny Wells
Earl Hines
Jimmy Noone

Bacon's Casino [27]
E.49th at S. Wabash c.1927-45

Jimmie Noone
Joe Williams
Floyd Campbell
"Scoops" Carry

Blue Heaven Ballroom [26]
6 W. Garfield

Century Club [8]
49th at Michigan (?)

Ciro's [16]
317 E. 55th Street (Garfield Blvd.)

Alvin Dinsant Hall [25]
51st at Michigan

Dave's Cafe [6]
51st and Michigan until c.Jun/Jul 1934
343 E. 55th (Garfield Blvd.) c.1934-36
Becomes the Swingland Cafe c.1936- c.1940
Becomes the Rhumboogie c.1940-1947
Becomes the Premier Studio c.Aug.1949- c.Nov.1950

Ray Nance
Fletcher Henderson
Coleman Hawkins
Carroll Dickerson

Dreamland Ballroom [13]
3618-20 S. State, at 35th Street. c.1912 - early 20's
Became Dreamland Cafe c. early 1920's

King Oliver
Johnny & Warren "Baby" Dodds
Louis Armstrong and Hot Five
Alberta Hunter
Sidney Bechet
Lawrence Duhé
Ethel Waters

Dreamland Cafe (aka Dreamland Gardens) [11]
3518-20 S. State St.c. early 20's to 1928
4700 S. State Street c. 1933-46
Was Dreamland Ballroom 3518-20 S. State Street c.1910-early 1920's

Louis Armstrong
Jack Johnson
Ethel Waters
Alberta Hunter
Cab Calloway
Joe Oliver
Honoré Dutré
Johnny and Warren "Baby" Dodds
Freddie Keppard
Doc Cheatham