The longtime fixture that is the Elbow Room got its start in Blackstone in 1946. That’s when Joseph Carville opened the bar after returning from World War II. The popular bar was prominently located east of the Blackstone Hotel at 36th and Farnam.
After Kiewit announced plans to build its headquarters at the same intersection, Joe relocated his bar to a building constructed in 1920 that had originally housed Hyman Goldenberg’s Standard Grocery at 50th and Center. After obtaining approval to transfer his liquor license, he remodeled the space. Joe continued to operate the Elbow Room until his death in 1973 at the age of 63.
At 27 years old, Fred Dettmer opened Dettmer’s Bar at 1512 Dodge in 1966. He was forced to relocate to 1415 Douglas in 1970 when Union Pacific constructed its office building. After the city acquired that property to build its downtown library in 1975, Fred was forced to move again. Neighbors complained when he attempted to transfer his liquor license to a former service station in the Field Club neighborhood at 36th and Center.
Known as “Filthy Fred” because of the atmosphere of his bar on Dodge, he once claimed the slow-pitch softball team he coached and sponsored had won eight straight league championships with a cumulative record of 107–5. He once showed up to manage the team in a tuxedo.
Fred relocated his bar to the former Elbow Room at 4973 Center in 1975. Accounts describe the bar as having a large projection screen, and one person recalled watching the entire first season of Saturday Night Live there. After taking bets from a police officer in 1977, Fred was charged with operating a bookmaking operation from the bar. That marked the end of Dettmer’s Lounge. The commercial corner, which included the bar along with two other brick buildings and an apartment, was listed as a package deal for $130,000 in 1980. It briefly operated as Rich Ruffcorn’s Ruff’s Lounge before Larry Morrow restored the Elbow Room name.
Like its counterpart to the west, the Fan Tan Club, street-widening projects have left the front door perilously close to traffic rushing by on Center Street. As a result, the main entrance was moved to the back of the building, where there is a small parking lot. In recent years, Eric Gates has turned it into a fun, clean, and comfortable neighborhood dive considered among the best in town. Often referred to as “The Bow,” it has earned a reputation for serving one of the best Bloody Marys in Omaha.
In 2014, dive bar expert Steve Gates said the Elbow Room looked like a “classic American dive bar.” While it appears small from the outside, there is actually a fair amount of elbow room inside. Patrons will also find plenty of entertainment options, including a television, pool table, jukebox, dartboards, pinball machine, and shuffleboard.
Content written by Omaha Exploration. If you enjoy my content, you can follow or subscribe on my Facebook page, sign up to receive emails or make a donation on my website. Thank you and keep exploring!
Bonus pics
Subscribe
Type your email address below to be notified when a new story is posted.
Follow me on
As a “grower” for Mustaches for Kids, I am raising money for our 2024 charity partners listed below. If you’re unfamiliar with M4K, we are a group of guys who grow mustaches each May and raise money for local children’s-focused charities. Our motto is, “Absurdity Meets Philanthropy”. Last year, the entire chapter raised $1,110,923 for Completely Kids. This year, with your help, we’re hoping to raise even more. Please consider supporting these fine organizations by donating here until May 31st.
https://m4kfundraiser.org/WymanPatrick89
Omaha Exploration 
Leave a comment