Omaha Exploration

The Underwood Bar in Dundee is among the oldest continually operating businesses in the neighborhood. The strip mall in which it is located was built in 1952 and originally housed Walter Griffith’s Photographers Associated before becoming a long-running bar a decade later.

The location began its long life as a neighborhood bar in 1963, when Carl Buda opened the Golden Buda Lounge. Carl was the son of Italian immigrants who operated a grocery store at 2204 S. 13th Street, more recently known as the home of 13th Street Brickhouse.

Carl was a standout athlete while attending Omaha’s South High School. He began his collegiate football career playing guard at Creighton University. An All-American, he transferred to Tulsa after Creighton dropped its football program. While at Tulsa, he played in the 1943 Sugar Bowl and the 1944 Orange Bowl. He appeared in the Collegiate All-Star Game against the Green Bay Packers that same year. Drafted in the 11th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1945, he played three games before retiring.

After returning to Omaha, Carl worked briefly at Boys Town before entering the bar business. He operated bars at several locations, including 2965 Dodge Street, 724 S. 13th Street, and 503 S. 11th Street, before the Mercer family turned it into The Old Market.

In 1963, he opened the Golden Buda Lounge at 4918 Underwood Street. Advertisements described it as Omaha’s newest and most unique cocktail lounge. He continued to operate the bar until retiring from the business in 1975.

The Dundee bar changed hands several times afterward and operated as Heads or Tails Tavern and later as Sports Tyme Tavern. During that period, the bar and grill featured a sports ticker with instant scores from college and professional games and hosted a daily sports quiz.

The current iteration of the neighborhood watering hole, Underwood Bar, opened in 1981. Despite several ownership changes over the years, it remains in its rightful place in the heart of the business district along Underwood Avenue.

Over the years, “The Wood” has built a reputation for friendly service, affordable drinks, and a laid-back atmosphere. While the surrounding businesses have changed, it, like the Golden Buda before it, continues to serve the Dundee neighborhood it has called home for more than four decades. It remains a place to unwind, enjoy a drink, play pool or foosball, and take part in music bingo or karaoke.

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