Wilebski finds a new Blues Saloon

The blues bar will reopen in the former Club Cancun site in St. Paul in two weekends.

August 3, 2010 at 8:32PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Ted Wilebski won't have to climb the stairs to get to his Blues Saloon anymore. / Photo by Tom Wallace, Star Tribune
Ted Wilebski won't have to climb the stairs to get to his Blues Saloon anymore. / Photo by Tom Wallace, Star Tribune (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

With its current trouble-spot location becoming too troublesome, Wilebski's Blues Saloon is moving a couple miles away to a new location that has its own history of problems: The home of the former Club Cancun, at 1638 Rice St. in St. Paul. Founder Ted Wilebski said he plans to open the new venue by Aug. 13. In the meantime, he is moving this weekend's pair of shows with California blueswoman Laurie Morvan to Valentino's, 200 Concord Exchange N., South St. Paul (9 p.m. Fri. and Sat., $10). He made the decision to move even before Wednesday's public hearing over the liquor license at the bar's Frogtown location, where it was a hot spot in the '80s and reopened this year amid growing neighborhood concerns for its downstairs neighbor, the Moonlight Magic Bar. "There was just too much uncertainty there," he said.

As at the old Blues Saloon, Wilebski said he will operate the new place using the building owner's current liquor license. Wilebski said he is not worried about the problems that precede him there, which included several violent incidents and reports of under-age drinking when it operated as Club Cancun. "Those problems solely had to do with it being an 18-and-over hip-hop club," he said. "We're obviously a completely different thing, and I think we're a great fit in that location."

about the writer

about the writer

Chris Riemenschneider

Critic / Reporter

Chris Riemenschneider has been covering the Twin Cities music scene since 2001, long enough for Prince to shout him out during "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)." The St. Paul native authored the book "First Avenue: Minnesota's Mainroom" and previously worked as a music critic at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas.

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