O'Shaughnessy's Song Hall was conceived in 1978 as an alternative for music lovers to the then Disco and Country Western crazes.. The original ideas was to open a small piano bar where patrons could hear and sing all their old favorite tunes. An inspired idea at the time was that if waiters and bartenders were needed, why not have ones who could sing.
The success of that idea forever cancelled the small neighborhood piano bar idea.
Years later, and now in a larger establishment, with kitchen facilities, O'Shaughnessy's guests could dine while hearing and singing their favorite songs from any number of our 10-12 singing bartenders, busboys, and waitpersons. The supper club concept was enhanced by the arrival of Mr. Charles Kerr. "Charles", head maitre'd at restaurants that accumulated over 35 Mobil Oil 5 Star medallions, brought a touch of class and elegance to an already successful restaurant and song hall. Continental dining from an international menu, with tableside cooking while the waiter was singing the guests' favorite song, made O'Shaughnessy's unique.
With the legendary Ray Whittaker, from Tommy Dorsey and Glen Miller fame, and Bob Linesch, Piano Bar Maestro on the keyboards, O'Shaughnessy's quickly became the most fun entertainment place in Tucson. This popularity quickly spread throughout Arizona and the southwest.
National T.V. and talk show host Jim Ferguson and radio personality Paul Harvey featured O'Shaughnessy's in their TV specials and radio commentaries. With a full singing staff, using cordless microphones songs are sung from 27 countries and in 11 languages. Some of the songs done, on an almost nightly basis are, Granada; Danny Boy; N.Y.N.Y.; Hava Nagila; God Bless America: Fiddler on the Roof; Oklahoma score; Que' Sera Sera ; Ghost Riders; Geo. M. Cohan Medley; My Way; Sweet Caroline; Cabaret; Somewhere Over the Rainbow; Cuando Caliente; Thats' Amore'
Our menu is very international in its scope and continental in our approach. Several of our dishes are prepared tableside
while others are cooked by the guest on the table. We prepare both hot and cold dishes and some dishes that are both hot and cold. With entrees such as Tournedos Tipperary, Cioppino, Bouef Bourginonne, Braised Quail, Sautee'd Frog Legs, Mesquite broiled T-Bone steaks and chicken, Cornish Game Hen , lamb and seafood dishes, Caesar Salad and Bananas Foster Flambe’ we tend to reach the 4 corners of the world. Our menu entree` prices range from $9.95 to $19.95
O'Shaughnessy's became the subject of magazine and newspaper articles from the Arizona Daily Star to the Detroit Free Press. ABC News, with a national telecast from O'Shaughnessy's, ended one New Year's Eve show by saying "Live from O'Shaughnessy's, Tucson Arizona, possibly the finest floor show in America." Scores of other local TV specials and magazine/newspaper articles about O'Shaughnessys helped build the reputation as the place to go for a dining experience and musical adventure.
Past guests of O’Shaughnessy’s that have enjoyed our home are Bishop Moreno of Tucson,Former Mayor Lew Murphy, Robert Ludlum, Lee Marvin, Officials Emmet Mc Loughlin and Conrad Joyner, JosephWambaugh, Ernie Banks , Herb Score, Jamie Farr , Shirley McLaine, Burt Reynolds, Buck O'Rielly, Jim Click, Don Emich and a host of others. But more importantly, we have had the best guests of all - over 500,000 great friends and neighbors from all over the world.
Through the 90's, while not ensconsed in their own music hall, the O'Shaughnessy's singers performed at many benefits and special holiday functions. The O'Shaughnessy's staffs' love of singing and cooking and of making our guests evenings memorable ones, has not diminished, one bit , over the years.
So with a reunited singing and cooking staff, we are once again looking forward to filling the halls and our guests hearts with the "Sound of Music."
