Chez Paree
| Company type | Nightclub |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Nightlife |
| Founded | 1932 |
| Founder | Mike Fritzel, Joe Jacobson |
| Defunct | 1960 |
| Fate | Closed; briefly reopened in mid-1960s |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois , United States |
Area served | Chicago |
The Chez Paree was a distinguished nightclub in Chicago, celebrated for its lavish setting, intricate dance performances, and premier entertainers. Operating between 1932 and 1960 in the Streeterville district at 610 N. Fairbanks Court, it represented the pinnacle of entertainment during its era, showcasing a diverse lineup ranging from vocalists and comedians to vaudeville artists. A short-lived reopening took place in the mid-1960s at 400 N. Wabash Avenue and was featured in the film Mickey One starring Warren Beatty.
History
Established in 1932 by Mike Fritzel and Joe Jacobson, the Chez Paree changed ownership in 1949 after encountering financial challenges. The new proprietors were Jack Schatz, Don Jo Medlevine, Al Kaiser (distinct from the MLB athlete), and Dave Halper.
The club occupied the third floor of a 1917 loft building crafted by architects Marshall and Fox, renowned for their work on the Drake Hotel and Blackstone Hotel. The second floor housed the School of Design, founded by László Moholy-Nagy, who previously led Chicago's New Bauhaus School.
From 1951 until its closure, Chez Paree functioned as the remote broadcast location for WMAQ (AM)'s The Jack Eigen Show.
Current use
Today, the site is home to Chez, a modern event venue named in honor of the original Chez Paree, alongside Domu, an online apartment listing platform.
Notable performers
Performers who appeared at Chez Paree included:
Musicians
- The Ames Brothers
- The Andrews Sisters
- Louis Armstrong
- Pearl Bailey
- Tony Bennett
- Cab Calloway
- Rosemary Clooney
- Nat King Cole
- Sammy Davis Jr.
- Duke Ellington
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Judy Garland
- Billie Holiday
- Lena Horne
- Mahalia Jackson
- Eartha Kitt
- Peggy Lee
- Liberace
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Dean Martin
- Johnny Mathis
- Carmen Miranda
- Louis Prima
- Tito Puente
- Nina Simone
- Frank Sinatra
- Sarah Vaughan
- Dinah Washington
Comedians
- Allen & Rossi
- Milton Berle
- Joey Bishop
- Red Buttons
- Sid Caesar
- Jackie Gleason
- Buddy Hackett
- Bob Hope
- Danny Kaye
- Alan King
- Jerry Lewis
- Martin & Lewis
- Moms Mabley
- Red Skelton
- Danny Thomas
- Mae West
- Henny Youngman
Dancers and other celebrities
- Carmen Amaya
- Bill Baird's Marionettes
- Edgar Bergen
- Ray Bolger
- John Boles
- Louise Brooks
- Lynne Carter
- Cyd Charisse
- Jack Cole
- Carmen De Lavallade
- The DeMarcos
- Paul Draper
- Katherine Dunham
- Bob Fosse
- Zsa Zsa Gabor
- Tess Gardella
- Lita Grey
- Harriet Hoctor
- Geoffrey Holder
- [Betty and Jane Kean|Jane Kean]
- Peter Lawford
- Gypsy Rose Lee
- [Jeni Le Gon]
- [Hal Le Roy]
- [Marie McDonald]
- [Butterfly McQueen]
- [Ann Miller]
- [The Nicholas Brothers]
- [Ann Pennington (actress)|Ann Pennington]
- [Eleanor Powell]
- [June Preisser]
- [Sally Rand]
- [Bill Robinson]
- [Mickey Rooney]
- [Janice Rule]
- [Peggy Ryan]
- [Ethel Shutta]
- [June Taylor]
- [Lupe Vélez]
- [Señor Wences]
- [Veloz and Yolanda]
- [Janet Todd]
In popular culture
In the movie The Bridges at Toko-Ri, there is a notable moment where William Holden tunes into an Armed Forces Radio Service broadcast featuring music by Henry Busse, performed at "the Chez Paree in Chicago with a view of Lake Michigan."
References