Omaha Exploration

A hidden gem along Leavenworth Street is The Down Under Lounge. The bar opened more than four decades ago three blocks west of its current location. Robert (Bobby) Goodwin opened his bar in the Fireside Restaurants basement space that was called The Pirate’s Den starting in 1954.

The building on the northwest corner of 38th and Leavenworth Streets was sold to a developer in 2014 and bulldozed a couple years later to make way for The Cosgrove Apartments which offered much needed density along Leavenworth particularly given the growing Med Center to the west. 

After the Side Door Lounge announced its closure in 2015, John Nosal, The Down Under’s new owner took the opportunity to move his bar into the building at 3530 Leavenworth Street. The rectangular brick building without windows dates back more than a century when it was the Stockton Grocery. Its names and uses would change over the years including Hannegan & Company grocery, R. C. Lucke Drug Company, Stewart Drug Store, Benson-Williams Williams Drug Company and finally home to Birman Warrick’s blade sharpening business. 

The coveted corner store on 35th Avenue and Leavenworth had its own 20-stall parking lot, unusual along this stretch of road particularly after the city widened the road in 1982 and eliminated on-street parking. This caused many of the businesses in the area to close. By 2010, however, this building would find new life as the Side Door Lounge. The lounge opened by Steve Jamrozy was popular for its live music and art exhibits. Steve was also the owner of the Flatiron Cafe which had developed a reputation for being one of Omaha’s finest restaurants.

After Tyler J. Johnson took over the Side Door in 2013, he turned it into a boutique nightclub that showcased live performances including music, visual art, movies, psychic readings, poetry readings and open mic nights. The concept never really took off in the way that the owner expected and he closed the business in 2015. 

As the Down Under Lounge, the main floor of the small building offers a unique and intimate space to enjoy live music. With its interior walls painted black, the small space has a few rugs in front of the Side Door Stage as well as high and low top round cocktail tables and a dozen or so seats at the bar. It’s easy to see why this friendly and accepting yet nondescript bar is a popular gathering spot for not only live music but karaoke, open mics, movies and other events. The space also includes an outdoor patio on the west side of the building and a basement speakeasy that contains half of the original bar from the old location as well as a grand piano. In 2024 Omaha Magazine named The Down Under Lounge one of the best neighborhood bars. 

I’d love to hear what you have to say so please feel free to comment. Until next time, keep exploring!

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