This book examines the concert saloon from the American Civil War to the early twentieth century.Brooks McNamara explores the world of the concert saloon in New York from the Civil War to the early years of the twentieth century. A concert saloon is defined as an establishment offering various kinds of entertainment, including alcohol, with some also providing gambling and prostitution. McNamara focuses on the theatrical aspects of the concert saloon and examines the sources of saloon shows, the changes in direction during the century, the peforming spaces and equipment, as well as the employees and patrons.Brooks McNamara explores the world of the concert saloon in New York from the Civil War to the early years of the twentieth century. A concert saloon is defined as an establishment offering various kinds of entertainment, including alcohol, with some also providing gambling and prostitution. McNamara focuses on the theatrical aspects of the concert saloon and examines the sources of saloon shows, the changes in direction during the century, the peforming spaces and equipment, as well as the employees and patrons.A concert saloon is an establishment offering various kinds of entertainment, including alcohol, with some also providing gambling and prostitution. Brooks McNamara explores the concert saloon in New York from the Civil War to the early years of the twentieth century. He focuses on the theatrical aspects of the concert saloon and examines the sources of saloon shows, changes in direction during the century, performing spaces and equipment, and employees and patrons.List of illustrations; Foreword; Preface; Acknowledgements; Prologue: sources of the concert saloon and its shows; 1. Where the devil's work is done: New York City concert saloons during the Civil War era; 2. Changes in direction: the concert saloon after the war; 3. Concert-saloon acts; 4. Concert saloons: spaces and equipment; 5. Employees and patrons of the concert saloon; 6. Related forms;l