Historic Manhattan Casino

Description

The vision is for Historic Manhattan Casino to once again become a key venue for cultural arts along 22nd Street. The historic Manhattan Casino has been one St. Petersburg's premier event facilities for decades. The facility offers affordable elegance in the heart of St. Petersburg. The historic Manhattan Casino is ideal for your special event. Built in 1925, the Manhattan Casino is significant for its contribution to entertainment and the culture in the African American community for more than forty years. The Manhattan Casino is located along 22nd Street South in what was once a thriving "main street" of the City's African American community. The Manhattan Casino was a showcase for local African American artists as well as a haven for traveling African American entertainers who would stop in St. Petersburg during their tours. Some of American music's most legendary performers played at the Manhattan including James Brown, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn, Fats Domino and the Ink Spots. After the era of the big bands, the Manhattan Casino hosted dances featuring local artists; rock and roll and blues singers popular in the 1960's also performed at the Casino. Goldie Thompson, local minister and radio personality, booked religious programs at the Casino, as did Father Divine, a spiritualist. The venue closed its doors in 1968. The doors reopened in August 2013 and is n