From Schlitz Tied House to Hall 31 Venue

March 29, 2024

Once a neighborhood bar, a historic building now stands mostly alone between railroad tracks and the interstate at 31st and A Streets. What was once a thriving residential area is now surrounded by industry, with only a handful of old houses remaining nearby, some predating the turn of the century. While the county assessor claims the building was constructed in 1925, the timeline doesn’t quite add up.

1949 Omaha World-Herald advertisement for Whitcomb Tavern

Sitting at 3602 S. 31st Street, the building is just south of the Hanscom Park neighborhood and at the northern edge of what was once the city of South Omaha. It appears to have begun its life as a Schlitz Tied House, a saloon that allowed breweries to sell the beer they produced.

1976 Durham Museum photo taken during the standoff.

The oldest listing I can find for this address dates to 1923. Due to Prohibition, it was described as a soft drink parlor with living quarters in the back. That was when John W. Woodward purchased the building and attempted to operate a speakeasy. As a result, he was fined $100 in 1925.

1976 Omaha World-Herald photo of the standoff.

After Prohibition ended, the establishment became known as Halfway Tavern and was advertised as a place where one could dine and dance the night away. In 1936, Joseph Mostek opened Mostek’s Tavern, which operated until 1945. Neville Whitcomb and her husband, Charles, later returned the business to its earlier name, reopening it as Whitcomb’s Halfway Tavern.

The neighborhood bar suffered from a series of tragic incidents for decades afterward, perhaps stemming from its location next to the railroad tracks and cut off from much of the surrounding residential area after the interstate was built. In one of these incidents, Charles Whitcomb shot a customer during an argument inside the bar in 1951. While both Charles and Neville were originally found liable, the ruling was reversed and only Charles was deemed responsible after an appeal to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

It was also the target of multiple attempted and successful robberies. An incident in 1960 saw an impatient customer demand a beer during a robbery attempt, which caused the stunned would-be robber to simply walk out. Still operating as Whitcomb’s in 1968, it was hit with two bullets that were fired into the tavern window. Miraculously, none of the 35 people, including several children, were injured. Most notably, it was the site of a 16-hour standoff in 1976 that left one person dead and its new owner, Rosemarie Aikens, severely wounded after her throat was slashed.

Photo of JD’s Circle-In before it was renovated and turned into Hall 31.

By the time Donna Hannum bought the bar in 1988, it had been renamed twice, first as Stooge’s Bar and then JD’s Circle-In. Once again, it was the victim of violence when customers chased three robbers, one carrying a sawed-off shotgun, from the building by throwing beer bottles, ashtrays, tables, and chairs. It was the site of yet another shooting in 1993 when someone was shot in the leg. JD’s Circle-In finally closed in 2020 after its manager was arrested for operating it as a front for illegal drug trafficking and sports betting.

Sept 2023 photo of Hall 31 at 31st and A St.

Fortunately, the old building with a long and nefarious history found new life later that same year as Hall 31. New owners including Marrissa Flegg purchased the building and completed a renovation of its exterior as well as an extensive remodel of the interior from the roof down to the electrical and plumbing systems. One feature that makes the space unique is a custom dance floor made from six bowling lanes donated by Chop’s Bowling Alley. For all of the changes, there’s one thing that remains: the original Schlitz-style mahogany bar, which has since been restored and serves as a focal point.

A look inside Hall 31 at the original Schlitz mahogany bar. Photo courtesy of Hall 31.

Despite being the site of acts of violence for decades, the building has come full circle as an event venue. Now it serves as a place to celebrate some of life’s best moments, from baby showers to graduations and wedding receptions. It’s been quite a ride for the old-timer who still stands even as trains pass by on the tracks to its south and vehicles on the interstate to its north.

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