The
origin of Gluek´s Bar & Restaurant can be traced back to 1855, when brewer
Gottlieb Gluek arrived in Minneapolis from his native Germany. By 1857, he
established the Mississippi Brewery at Marshall and 22nd Street NE, and later
changed the name to the Gluek Brewing Company. As Minneapolis grew, so did
the brewery, producing a variety of beers including Gluek’s Beer, Glix Beer,
Gluek’s Stite, and Pioneer Beer.
The
Gluek Building, designed by the architectural firm Boehme and Cordella, was
built in 1902 in the Minneapolis Warehouse District on Sixth Street between
Hennepin and First Avenue North. The facade received national awards for
its terra cotta detailing.
In
1933, as Prohibition ended, the business was sold to its current owners
and reopened as Fransen’s. It served as a working man’s bar through the
1970’s, when it was renamed Gluek’s. A 1979 renovation of the interior
and exterior restored the building to its original design.
Tragically,
just a decade later, much more extensive restoration would be required.
In April 1989, a massive fire completely gutted the interior, claiming
the lives of three tenants living upstairs. After nearly 90 years of service,
a charred brick shell was all that remained of one of Minneapolis’ oldest
and most recognized restaurants.
The
past decade has been a period of rebirth for Gluek’s Bar & Restaurant.
While the bar remains as popular as ever, the restaurant is emerging as one
of the most comfortable and satisfying dining experiences in the Warehouse
District. Our special blend of history, culture, and contemporary spirit
has made Gluek’s a choice meeting place for generations.
The
decision to rebuild was immediate. Construction proceeded with the intention
to recreate as closely as possible the distinctive Bavarian beer hall design,
including the floor plan, detailed woodwork, stained glass, and famous vaulted
ceilings. The exterior was restored by November 1989 and the interior renovated
in time for a February 1, 1990 reopening.
Early interior of
Gluek's Restaurant and Bar
(Click to enlarge)
All
Photos © 2004 Gluek's Restaurant
and Bar
