Mels

Mel's Tavern 105 North 3rd Manhattan KansasThe saga of Mel's Tavern began in 1951 when Jimmy Ross purchased the hoseshoe-shaped bar which stood in a tavern at the stockyards in KC. On August 1, just two short weeks after the "Great '51 Flood" Jimmy cut the bar in half to move it into Jimmy's Tavern. Jimmy had to rent the whole buiding, owned by Wilma and Thelma Holbert. Since he lost his house to the flood, his wife and two sons moved in above the tavern.In 1958 Mel's got its name whe Mel Brewer bought the tavern and the horsehoe bar it contained. Mel's has since been a tradition when it comes to beer, especially for the Sears and Southwestern Bell employees who frequented the bustling establishment.Doug Long bought the tradition in 1976. Through ten Kansas winters and ten hot summers, the beer at Mel's was always cold. Since 1976, the curved bar has been decorated with frosty fishbowls of ale. Shortly after Doug purchased Mel's the plans for the Manhattan Town Center were in the making. Over 73 businesses stood in the way. In preparation for the downtown development, Mel's was condemned in 1985. For over a quarter of a century patrons enjoyed great company and cold beer at the well-known location. But at midnight on March 8, 1986 the last beer was poured and the original Mel's was closed. Doug wanted to stay in the downtown area, so in 1987 The Fishbowl was opened at 105 North Third Street, and the Manhattan tradition continued.Mel's has been missed. It brings back many fond memories for students and Manhattanites alike. Doug wanted to return to those memories. It was not until December 31, 1994 that this wish became reality, when The Fishbowl gladly closed its doors to make way for the return of Mel's Tavern. The tradition of frosty fishbowls and familiar faces continued with the help of Wayne Winfrey. Wayne, a native Kansas and former Kansas State University football player, owned the bar from October '98 to December'06.The current owners, Brett and Charla Henry plan to keep the tradition of Mel's Tavern going for at least another 50 years. Though the interior of the bar has changed, and may continue to change, the horseshoe shaped bar still stands as it did over 50 years ago.