E. R. Hughes Zoo Bar and Theatre

The theatre was under the ownership of Edwin R. Hughes and was composed of a saloon, Variety Theatre and ‘Boarding House’. The advertised address was 530 & 532 Craghead Street. For some reason in the 1886 Sanborn Maps the address is shown as 524 Craghead Street. In the 1890 Sanborn Map the address is shown correctly again.

Located in what was the industrial heart of the city and a known red light district, the Hughes Zoo Bar and Theatre was likely a very rough place. Almost all men exclusively as it was in the red light district and the waitresses often offered more than drinks (tease) without the full deal. With a boarding house out back you can imagine.

Across the street at that time where Imperial Tobacco Building is was the Dry Prizery of G.S. Hughes and the Plug and Twist Factory of J.H. Schoolfield and Bros.

During the mid to late-1800’s variety shows were often very raunchy and included everything from circus acts to bawdy comics. Owners called them palaces, museums, free and easies or wine halls. Performers referred to them as slabs, dumps, and honky-tonks. Blue Acts were common in such establishments. It wasn’t until the late-1880’s that a majority of variety shows turned to “polite” variety shows known as Polite Vaudeville.

Get Movie Tickets & Showtimes

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.