The 19 Bar

The 19 Bar is a gay bar at 19 W 15th Street in Minneapolis's Loring Park neighborhood. Founded as a bar in 1952, it is described as the oldest gay bar in Minneapolis and one of the oldest continuously associated LGBTQ bars in the United States. Its identity is rooted less in large-scale entertainment or luxury hospitality than in its role as a durable neighborhood gathering place: a cash-only dive bar with a jukebox, pool tables, dart boards, and a relaxed, traditional atmosphere. The property predates the bar. In 1922, the architectural firm Magney and Tusler, later associated with Minneapolis's Foshay Tower, developed the building as a laundry service. Harry S. Kirshbaum subsequently converted the site into the 19 Bar and sold it in 1952 to life partners Everett Stoltz and George Koch. The business has remained LGBTQ-owned since that transaction, giving it an unusual degree of continuity in a hospitality sector where ownership and venues often change frequently. During its earlier years, the bar operated under a Minnesota 3.2-beer license, permitting the sale of beer with an alcohol content of 3.2 percent or below. The license enabled it to remain open later than some other establishments, particularly on Sunday nights, when bars subject to earlier closing requirements could not serve customers. The resulting late-night activity helped establish the 19 Bar as part of Loring Park's nightlife ecosystem. Its licensing status changed in the 1990s. The bar's history also reflects the social pressures faced by LGBTQ venues. In 1961, it was robbed during a shooting spree associated with Charles Brown and Charles Kelley. In 1963, law enforcement closed the 19 Bar and other 3.2 bars in Loring Park after complaints that they attracted public drunkenness; a contemporary police licensing official also identified the venue as a gathering place for homosexuals. In the 1980s, neighborhood redevelopment proposals threatened the site, although a proposed demolition for a shopping mall did not proceed. The bar was remodeled in 1983, including relocation of its entrance to the north wall, and it suffered a temporary closure after targeted arson and vandalism in 1986. By the early 1980s, The 19 Bar had become a recognized neighborhood alternative to larger Minneapolis gay nightlife venues such as Gay 90s and The Saloon. Gary Hallberg acquired the business in 1992 and later purchased the building, expanding the premises and maintaining ownership for more than three decades. Local recognition continued into the twenty-first century; the Minneapolis Star Tribune selected it as Minnesota's best old-school gay bar in 2012. On March 22, 2024, a collision involving a garbage truck and a nearby utility pole led to a fire that forced the bar to close. Hallberg filed a $2.8 million lawsuit against the waste company, alleging losses that included a cancelled potential sale. The establishment reopened in February 2025 after nearly a year of closure, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Soon afterward, ownership transferred to manager Craig Wilson. The reopening preserved The 19 Bar as an active LGBTQ venue while marking a transition from Hallberg's long ownership period to new management.

The building at 19 W 15th Street was developed in 1922 by Magney and Tusler, an architectural firm later known for its work on Minneapolis's Foshay Tower. The original use was a laundry service. Harry S. Kirshbaum later converted the premises into a bar, which he sold in 1952 to Everett Stoltz and George Koch, life partners whose purchase established the site's long LGBTQ ownership history. The early 19 Bar operated as a 3.2 bar, selling beer at or below the alcohol limit permitted by its license. This status had practical effects on its place in Minneapolis nightlife. Because certain other bars had to close earlier on Sunday nights, the 19 Bar could remain open later and receive customers after those venues shut. The license was eventually changed in the 1990s. The venue's history was shaped by both violence and official hostility. In February 1961, it was robbed during a shooting spree involving Charles Brown and Charles Kelley. Two years later, Minneapolis law enforcement closed the 19 Bar and several other Loring Park 3.2 bars following complaints that they drew intoxicated people to the neighborhood. A police license inspector used explicitly homophobic language to describe the venue, illustrating the stigmatization faced by gay bars at the time. The business became more firmly established as a neighborhood venue by the early 1980s. It offered an alternative to larger gay nightlife destinations, including Gay 90s and The Saloon. In 1980, the Loring Nicollet Community Council pursued a redevelopment concept that would have demolished the bar for a shopping mall. Gay activist Robert Halfhill criticized the proposal, while alderwoman Barbara Carlson denied that such a plan existed and cited complaints about the bar's late hours. The demolition did not occur. Owner Ray Onstine remodeled the property in 1983 and moved the entrance to the north wall. The bar then experienced a brief closure in 1986 after targeted arson and vandalism. Gary Hallberg bought the business in 1992 and acquired the building several years later. He expanded the space and remained associated with the bar for more than 30 years, making his tenure one of the longest ownership periods in the establishment's history. The 19 Bar's reputation as a traditional Minneapolis LGBTQ neighborhood bar continued into the 2010s. In 2012, the Star Tribune named it the best old-school gay bar in its Best of Minnesota series. Its format remained deliberately informal, centered on cash-only service, a jukebox, pool tables, dart boards, and regular social interaction. A major disruption occurred on March 22, 2024, when a garbage truck collided with a nearby utility pole and a resulting fire damaged the site. The bar closed while the consequences were addressed. Hallberg sued the waste company for $2.8 million, arguing that the incident caused substantial losses, including the collapse of a potential sale. The bar reopened in February 2025 in a ribbon-cutting event held almost a year after the closure. Soon afterward, ownership passed to manager Craig Wilson. The reopening and ownership transition continued the venue's operation while ending Hallberg's extended period as proprietor.

• 2025

  The bar reopens and changes ownership

  [1]The 19 Baren.wikipedia.org

  The 19 Bar reopened in February and subsequently transferred ownership to manager Craig Wilson.

• 2024

  Fire forces a prolonged closure

  [1]The 19 Baren.wikipedia.org

  A garbage-truck collision with a nearby utility pole led to a fire and closure on March 22.

• 2012

  Recognition as Minnesota's best old-school gay bar

  [1]The 19 Baren.wikipedia.org

  The Star Tribune included The 19 Bar in its Best of Minnesota recognition as the state's best old-school gay bar.

• 1992

  Gary Hallberg becomes owner

  [1]The 19 Baren.wikipedia.org

  Gary Hallberg acquired the business and later purchased the building, expanding the premises.

• 1986

  The bar temporarily closes after arson and vandalism

  [1]The 19 Baren.wikipedia.org

  Targeted arson and vandalism caused a temporary closure.

• 1983

  The premises are remodeled

  [1]The 19 Baren.wikipedia.org

  Owner Ray Onstine remodeled the bar and moved its entrance to the north wall.

• 1980

  A redevelopment proposal threatens the site

  [1]The 19 Baren.wikipedia.org

  The Loring Nicollet Community Council pursued a shopping-mall proposal that would have required demolishing the bar, but the demolition did not proceed.

• 1963

  Law enforcement closes the bar

  [1]The 19 Baren.wikipedia.org

  The 19 Bar was closed with other Loring Park 3.2 bars after complaints about public drunkenness and neighborhood activity.

• 1961

  The bar is robbed during a shooting spree

  [1]The 19 Baren.wikipedia.org

  The 19 Bar was robbed during a crime spree associated with Charles Brown and Charles Kelley.

• 1952

  The 19 Bar is established

  [1]The 19 Baren.wikipedia.org

  Harry S. Kirshbaum sold the converted bar to Everett Stoltz and George Koch, beginning the venue's documented LGBTQ ownership continuity.

• 1922

  The building is developed as a laundry service

  [1]The 19 Baren.wikipedia.org

  Magney and Tusler developed the property at 19 W 15th Street, which initially served as a laundry service.

A historic, LGBTQ-owned Minneapolis dive bar positioned around neighborhood familiarity, affordable casual drinking, and continuity with traditional gay-bar culture rather than upscale dining or large-format nightlife.

• Beverage service

  Beer and alcoholic beverages

  The 19 Bar operates primarily as a traditional drinking establishment, serving beer and other alcoholic beverages. In its earlier history it was known for operating under a 3.2-beer license, which shaped its hours and role in Minneapolis Sunday-night nightlife. The reference material does not identify specific current beverage brands or a complete menu.

• Entertainment amenities

  Jukebox, pool tables and dart boards

  These amenities form part of the bar's informal neighborhood experience. The jukebox supports customer-selected music, while pool tables and dart boards provide low-key recreational activities associated with the venue's dive-bar format.

• 2025

  Reopening after fire-related closureStrategy

  Background

  The venue had been closed since the March 2024 fire.

  Action taken

  The 19 Bar reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in February 2025.

  Aftermath

  The establishment resumed operations and soon afterward transferred ownership to manager Craig Wilson.

  Source

• 2024

  Legal action following the fireOther

  Background

  A utility-pole accident involving a garbage truck caused a fire that closed the bar and disrupted its operations.

  Action taken

  Gary Hallberg sued the waste company for $2.8 million, citing losses including a potential sale that did not proceed.

  Aftermath

  The bar remained closed for nearly a year and reopened in February 2025. The source material does not state the lawsuit's final disposition.

  Claimed damages. $2.8 million claimed (2024)

  Source

1. 1The 19 Baren.wikipedia.org