From Ye Old Corner Bar to The Neighber’s

March 18, 2024

An old-time bar whose life has always been threatened by Saddle Creek, the creek-turned-road, The Neighber’s somehow continues to survive. This is the story of the building that sits a little too close to the intersection for comfort.

Sitting at the southeast corner of Saddle Creek Road and Leavenworth Street, the building now home to The Neighber’s has been a bar dating back to at least 1935. While that makes it among the oldest bars in town, the building itself goes back decades further. According to the Douglas County Assessor, the front portion nearest Leavenworth was constructed in 1868. While I can’t find evidence that it goes back that far, I do know that John and Lena Boyer purchased the lot in 1915 and filed a building permit. Perhaps that accounts for the back portion of the building that extends southward toward Marcy Street.

Looking at the front of The Neighber’s. It got a refresh recently with the gray siding and stone facade.

In addition to residing at this address from 1915 until they divorced in 1928, the Boyers also operated a boarding house and restaurant. After the divorce, John continued to work at the meat packing plants in South Omaha while Lena continued to operate the business. Lena lived here until 1946, including for a time with her son William, who worked at nearby Omaha Steel.

Looking at the eastern side of The Neighber’s with Saddle Creek in the distance. Notice how close that intersection is to the northwest corner of the building. Sidewalk improvements are definitely warranted.

After closing the boarding house, Lena allowed Miriam Holland to open the Ye Old Corner Bar at 4689 Leavenworth Street starting in 1935. Despite having divorced her husband Guy in 1932, the two remained business partners and operated the West Side Pharmacy next door. This was before 48th Street was bisected by Saddle Creek Road, causing the two buildings to the west to be demolished. Things turned nasty after Miriam opened the bar, as Guy sued to dissolve their partnership claiming she had not paid him his share of the profits. I suspect that played a role in the bar closing just two years later in 1937.

Looking at the west side of The Neighber’s showing how close the intersection is to the building.

Thomas Lanning, who had operated bars elsewhere, opened Lanning’s Bar in this building. He operated it for decades before retiring around 1962. Afterward, John Bukacek opened Zest Bar. When Saddle Creek was widened in 1964, the bar was moved 25 feet east to get it out of the right of way. Jim Harm opened yet another bar, cleverly named Harm’s Way, in this building.

In 1988, Dottie Howell opened the bar that we all recognize today, The Neighber’s. Adding a patio may have been the biggest change to the building’s exterior since it was enlarged. Originally, she wanted it built on the east side of the building, but plans changed after neighbors whose backyards would have faced the bar complained it would be a nuisance. Instead, the patio was constructed on the west side.

Looking at the patio on the west side of The Neighber’s.

I suspect the bar has always been popular with nearby shift workers at Omaha Steel, Union Pacific, and the Med Center. That tradition continues today as the bar opens at 6 AM every day to accommodate third shift workers who want a drink after getting off work. Dottie also made the bar a popular destination for College World Series crowds despite the bar not being particularly close to either Rosenblatt Stadium or Schwab Field.

A look behind the bar. Photo courtesy of Neighber’s Bar.

Over the course of its long life, this building has continually overcome the challenges of its location. From being moved further east at a time when Saddle Creek was still a creek to its western neighbors being demolished when it was covered with concrete to transform it to a road. More recently, the threat comes from the ever-growing Med Center which has jumped Saddle Creek Road to the northwest. Through it all, the building still stands and remains a go-to spot to quench the thirst of those who live and work nearby.

A look inside at the pool tables. Photo courtesy of Neighber’s Bar.

If you’re wondering about the unique spelling of its name, The Neighber’s, drop in and ask while you still have a chance.

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