Hinky Dinks - the Midlothian (close to Chicago) connection? - General Tiki

I ikitnrev Tiki Socialite D.C. / Virginia Joined: Jul 27, 2002 Posts: 1325	I ikitnrev Posted posted on Wed, Apr 7, 2010 6:59 PM I think most of us know that the name of Victor Bergeron's original restaurant was 'Hinky Dinks' - which he later named to Trader Vics - way back in 1937. The following current article has nothing to do with tiki or Bergeron or Trader Vics - but it is about a man who has taken a job at a local Chicago dive bar named 'Hinky Dinks' to supplement his income. There is one photo, which shows a neon 'Hinky Dinks' sign in the window. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/07/unemployed-man-scrubs-toi_n_528636.html So, this article got me thinking - why would a current Chicago bar name itself 'Hinky Dinks?' (and also, why why would an Oakland bar name itself Hinky Dinks?) It turns out that 'Hinky Dink' was a nickname of a notorious Chicago alderman named Michael Kenna (1858-1946) - the nickname presented because of his diminutive size (5 foot, 1 inch). Here is a brief snippet of his wikipedia biography .... In addition to being an alderman, Kenna ran a saloon, The Workingman's Exchange, located on Clark Street. Kenna doled out meals to the indigent in exchange for votes. Kenna and his partner, fellow First Ward alderman "Bathhouse" John Coughlin, were known as the "Lords of the Levee," a district included in their ward which provided them with the support of prostitutes, pimps, tavern-owners, and gamblers. Coughlin and Kenna were also known for hosting the First Ward Ball, an annual fundraiser which brought together gangsters, safecrackers, prostitutes, politicians, businessmen, gamblers, and other types as well. The event raised more than $50,000 a year for the two men until it was closed down in 1909 by Mayor Fred Busse. By the time it was banned, the ball was so large that it had to be held in the Chicago Coliseum, the city's major convention center. Besides its notoriety in attracting many unsavory characters it often ended with the police having to curb disorderly conduct bordering on rioting. A more in-depth (and entertaining!) look at Hinky Dink and the low life Chicago of the First Ward in the early 1900's can be found here ..... http://www.prairieghosts.com/graft.html When Hinky Dink passed away in 1946, both Time and Life magazine had significant articles about him (google 'Hinky Dink' and each magazine name to read them) Obviously Hinky Dink was a well known personality in Chicago - could his fame/notoriety have reached the West Coast, and the name chosen to attract people to a new bar?? The original Hinky Dinks restaurant was built in 1932 with $700 and the help of his wife's brothers. Was his wife from the Chicago area? (Victor himself grew up in the San Francisco area) We may never know, but it is interesting to ponder on the possibilities. Vern [ Edited by: ikitnrev 2010-04-07 19:27 ] [ Edited by: ikitnrev 2010-04-08 16:54 ]

I think most of us know that the name of Victor Bergeron's original restaurant was 'Hinky Dinks' - which he later named to Trader Vics - way back in 1937.

The following current article has nothing to do with tiki or Bergeron or Trader Vics - but it is about a man who has taken a job at a local Chicago dive bar named 'Hinky Dinks' to supplement his income. There is one photo, which shows a neon 'Hinky Dinks' sign in the window.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/07/unemployed-man-scrubs-toi_n_528636.html

So, this article got me thinking - why would a current Chicago bar name itself 'Hinky Dinks?' (and also, why why would an Oakland bar name itself Hinky Dinks?)

It turns out that 'Hinky Dink' was a nickname of a notorious Chicago alderman named Michael Kenna (1858-1946) - the nickname presented because of his diminutive size (5 foot, 1 inch). Here is a brief snippet of his wikipedia biography ....

*In addition to being an alderman, Kenna ran a saloon, The Workingman's Exchange, located on Clark Street. Kenna doled out meals to the indigent in exchange for votes.

Kenna and his partner, fellow First Ward alderman "Bathhouse" John Coughlin, were known as the "Lords of the Levee," a district included in their ward which provided them with the support of prostitutes, pimps, tavern-owners, and gamblers.

Coughlin and Kenna were also known for hosting the First Ward Ball, an annual fundraiser which brought together gangsters, safecrackers, prostitutes, politicians, businessmen, gamblers, and other types as well. The event raised more than $50,000 a year for the two men until it was closed down in 1909 by Mayor Fred Busse. By the time it was banned, the ball was so large that it had to be held in the Chicago Coliseum, the city's major convention center. Besides its notoriety in attracting many unsavory characters it often ended with the police having to curb disorderly conduct bordering on rioting. *

A more in-depth (and entertaining!) look at Hinky Dink and the low life Chicago of the First Ward in the early 1900's can be found here ..... http://www.prairieghosts.com/graft.html

When Hinky Dink passed away in 1946, both Time and Life magazine had significant articles about him (google 'Hinky Dink' and each magazine name to read them)

Obviously Hinky Dink was a well known personality in Chicago - could his fame/notoriety have reached the West Coast, and the name chosen to attract people to a new bar?? The original Hinky Dinks restaurant was built in 1932 with $700 and the help of his wife's brothers. Was his wife from the Chicago area? (Victor himself grew up in the San Francisco area) We may never know, but it is interesting to ponder on the possibilities.

Vern

[ Edited by: ikitnrev 2010-04-07 19:27 ]

[ Edited by: ikitnrev 2010-04-08 16:54 ]

Post #522704 by ikitnrev on Wed, Apr 7, 2010 6:59 PM