Friar's Inn

Friar's Inn (also New Friar's Inn ) was a nightclub and speakeasy in Chicago and one of the most legendary venues of Chicago jazz of the 1920s.

The Friar's Inn was in the basement of 60 East Van Buren and 343 South Wabash in the Loop district; the establishment belonged to Mike Fritze. Occurred in the Friar's Inn, the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, which originally Friar's Society Orchestra were called, and the Austin High Gang ( the first of the Blue Friars called themselves ).

Famous musicians of the era, which occurred in the Friar's Inn, were Frank Teschemacher, Bud Freeman, Steve Brown, George Brunies, Merritt Brunies, Emmett Hardy, Paul Mares, Leon Roppolo, Bee Palmer, Lou Black and Mel Stitzel. At the beginning of her career worked there also the actress Joan Crawford.

The Friar's Inn, which was sometimes called Friar's Club is not to be confused with the Friars Club in New York City.