Starting its bar life as the Nifty Beer Tavern, the throwback era building that sits on the eastern fringes of Benson has a history that dates back to 1929.
Located at 4721 NW Radial Highway, the building that is now home to The Nifty started its life nearly 100 years ago as a fruit market in 1929. The market was founded by Farris Nasr, a Syrian immigrant who landed in the U.S. in 1899. He first found work as a laborer to support his family and opened his own restaurant at 16th and Jones Street a few years later. He continued to operate the cafe until 1929, at which point he built a bungalow at 4701 Military Avenue. It was in this building that he opened the Nifty Fruit Market. His sons, Fred and Phillip, helped him run the family business.
After Prohibition was repealed, Farris expanded his store and converted the business into Nifty Beer Tavern in 1935. Active in his community, Nasr was chosen as the most outstanding Syrian by the Phoenician Club, which was founded in 1936 to promote understanding of Middle Eastern heritage. He died unexpectedly in 1938 from a heart attack. Guests stood up in his honor for a minute of silence at the club’s annual dinner the following year.
His brother Joseph operated the bar in his absence and even remodeled it the following year. Louis Pribyl, a bartender by trade, would take over the family business after marrying Farris’ daughter Emaline in 1946. He was forced to move the bar one block west while NW Radial Highway was being constructed. Meanwhile, an application was filed to relocate the original building to 1311 North Saddle Creek Road.
The new location drew some protests due to potential traffic concerns, but opened at 4721 Military Avenue in 1952. Because the new building had a kitchen, the name changed to Nifty Bar & Grill. The grill was well received with a large, moderately priced menu. The long bar allowed regulars to converse over drinks. For those that didn’t want to belly up at the bar, there were booths along the wall. The interior was complemented with light wood paneling and Christmas lights that hung above the bar.
Though the bar hadn’t moved, its address was changed to 4721 NW Radial Highway in 1974. The city council said the change was to eliminate confusion and was at the request of citizens in Benson. The bar became the victim of a string of robberies over the next couple of decades. In one particular incident, the owner at the time was shot in the head at close range after closing the bar. He had only opened the bar to help someone asking for change. After opening the door, the shooter forced his way in, cleaned out the register, and stole the owner’s wallet, watch, and wedding ring before shooting him. He fortunately survived and later identified the shooter.
While the bar recovered from those turbulent years, it suffered a decline in its lunch business, which led its current owner to remove the kitchen in 2009. This provided the opportunity to renovate the bar in such a way that it could add additional seating and entertainment options. In addition to seating at the bar, there are tables and chairs and even leopard-print benches. Outside is a covered patio that is heated when the weather turns. The inside maintains a retro vibe that is both cozy and inviting. The walls still have that wood paneling and are decorated with old black-and-white photographs of the bar, signs, flags and other decor. Entertainment includes pool, darts, shuffleboard, foosball, and a claw machine. While the renovations have removed many of the original features of the bar, the actual bartop remains and is adorned with nameplates honoring its regulars.
The Nifty Bar is a gathering spot for those celebrating the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps in a tradition that started with veteran Patrick Peterson and continues to this day. It was originally planned as a quick toast to life as a Marine, but it turned into a night of cocktails and conversation. It also doubles as a fundraiser. The Nifty is also known for its annual bar Olympics.
The bar that claims to be “Benson before Benson was Benson” is located on that section of NW Radial Highway that shifts from the east to the south. While its entrance remains on its northwest corner, parking is on the southern side of the building which is only accessible through the alley. Its unusual configuration is one of those things I love about old-time bars and buildings in general. Not only is the Nifty among the oldest bars in town, it’s also considered to be among the best, with its cheap drinks, lively conversation, and karaoke.
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Sources
- Omaha World-Herald archives
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