1619 West Poplar

Historic performance venue in San Antonio, Texas September 2025 November 2021 1619 West Poplar is a historic performance venue in San Antonio, Texas. From 1950 to 1964 it was Don Albert and Willie "Red" Winner's Keyhole Club. Albert helped manage and hosted musical acts. It was adorned with neon lights and signage.https://digital.utsa.edu/digital/collection/p9020coll008/id/10968/ Exterior of Keyhole Club, 1619 W. Poplar, San Antonio, Texas, ca. 1950 The building now hosts the Sociedad Fraternal Cruz Blanca and is used for weddings and wrestling events. Albert opened the Keyhole Club at 628 Iowa Street in 1944. It was moved to Poplar in 1950.https://books.google.com/books?id=6tTaDwAAQBAJ&q=keyhole+club+san+antonio&pg=PT164 San Antonio 365: On This Day in History 9781595349170 Davies David Martin Benavides Yvette D. 9 June 2020 As the Keyhole Club, it was integrated despite operating during the era of segregation. It drew police raids. It was part of the so-called Chitlin Circuit.https://www.expressnews.com/sa300/article/Poplar-Street-venue-has-a-rich-musical-past-12875975.php Poplar Street venue has a rich musical past 14 April 2018 Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington were photographed among an entourage at the club.https://digital.utsa.edu/digital/collection/p9020coll008/id/10995 Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington at Keyhole Club, 1619 W. Poplar, San Antonio, Texas, November 1955 Albert hosted, managed, and co-owned the venue. He was photographed performing at it.https://digital.utsa.edu/digital/collection/p9020coll008/id/10991 Don Albert on stage with female vocalist, Keyhole Club, 1619 W. Poplar, San Antonio, Texas, early 1950shttps://digital.utsa.edu/digital/collection/p9020coll008/id/11029/ Dance team performing on dance floor as Don Albert plays trumpet with band members on stage during floor show at Keyhole Club, 1619 W. Poplar, San Antonio, Texas, early 1950shttps://books.google.com/books?id=AbkwDwAAQBAJ&q=keyhole+club+san+antonio&pg=PA239 Jazz on the Road: Don Albert's Musical Life 9780520229839 Wilkinson Christopher 30 October 2001 Hort Hudge and his orchestra also performed at the venue.https://books.google.com/books?id=ptp5jx6BKXoC&q=keyhole+club+san+antonio&pg=PA376 Texas Blues: The Rise of a Contemporary Sound 9781585446056 Govenar Alan B. 9 October 2008 Clifford Scott refined his skills on the tenor saxophone at the club.https://books.google.com/books?id=nCsEAAAAMBAJ&q=keyhole+club+san+antonio&pg=PA138 Texas Monthly December 1991 After closing, the Keyhole Club briefly re-opened around January 1965 for the holidays, with a "last show until further notice" being hosted on January 2.Don Albert reopens his Keyhole Club 2 Jan 1965 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64503902/don-albert-reopens-his-keyhole-club-2/ 9 November 2021 Express and News 2 January 1965 10-A References Category:Buildings and structures in San Antonio