Published October 30, 2024 | Updated July 24, 2026

In 1966 partners Morrie Shapiro and Marvin Richards opened one of the city’s classic cocktail lounges: Interlude Lounge. With its old-school martini sign along Pacific Street, it looks like something from Mad Men right here in Omaha.

Morrie’s introduction to the bar business took place after taking over the Bungalow Inn (present day Meadowlark Lounge) from his father Aaron. While a fixture at Interlude, Marvin isn’t quite as well documented as his partner. Regardless, they opened their first lounge together in the far western bay of a strip mall at 7643 Pacific Street. The interior was designed by none other than Sam Mangiamele whose work included Ross’ Steak House, Angelo’s, and Trentino’s among others. He designed the new lounge in a Spanish motif.

Its owners knew exactly what they were doing as it soon became a popular spot in west Omaha for cocktails and working lunches. Likely finding it difficult to keep up, the owners hired veteran bartender Joe Siciliano a year later. Joe had 27 years as a bartender under his belt which included Harry Neesman’s Key Club, the city’s first piano bar, at 1819 Farnam Street. The bar business at the Interlude was so good they no longer needed the liquor package section. After removing it in 1969, they expanded the seating inside the lounge.

Morrie and Marvin opened a second lounge that was described by the Omaha World-Herald at the time of its opening in 1970 as both sophisticated and psychedelic. Located at 90th and Maple, it was called Image 90. It didn’t have the staying power of the Interlude Lounge, which found its next owner in Ann Coffman in 1989. She also had extensive experience in the bar industry and ran the Interlude Lounge for the next 19 years, during which she started an annual tradition treating her customers to drinks and sweet corn to express her gratitude. During that time, her bar also became known for its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

After Coffman passed away, Scott Piotrowski, the bar manager at the Dundee Dell, took over in 2009. Since that time, it’s become a popular holiday gathering spot. During my visit, the Interlude Lounge remained true to the era. It was dark and cozy and featured archways, lanterns on the wall, mirrors, red chairs, and a large MCM chandelier.

I’ve read that the Interlude Lounge has a diverse set of regulars, some of whom have been going there for decades. In addition to those that live nearby, it attracts professionals and college students especially as it gets later, likely due to its proximity to UNO.

Piotrowski told the Omaha World-Herald, “We take pride in pouring a stiff drink.” It’s a fitting motto for a bar with an authentic retro aesthetic. To this day, it remains a place “Where Friends Meet.” That’s just the way Marvin and Morrie would have wanted it.

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Sources

• Omaha World-Herald archives
• https://www.interludelounge.com/
• https://thereader.com/2020/01/23/cozy-hideout-bars-part-1/
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44941122/morris-j-shapiro