Jazz Musician Buys Popular Boise Bar

Raising the bar

By Jennifer Gelband, 1-30-07

Word is he spends most of his time in Manhattan, but Boise-bred jazz singer and saxophonist Curtis Stigers can’t stay away from the City of Trees. Stigers just bought Pengilly’s, a dark and boozy but popular and bustling downtown watering hole.

Pengilly’s, facing the world with an unassuming storefront window on Main Street, is actually a rich and smoky haven for local jazz enthusiasts with a regular Thursday night jazz session featuring the popular ensemble, Frim Fram Four.

The Four, though excellent, still ought to be thrilled to play for Stigers, oft considered one of music’s best-kept secrets even though he’s sold like a zillion albums, including his most recent, 2005’s “I Think It’s Going to Rain Today,” which features jazzy covers of tunes by Sting, Randy Newman, Willie Nelson, and others.

Pengilly’s, one of the few “grown up” bars in the 6th and Main vicinity, is a favorite for locals who like their drinks stiff and their carafes full of peanuts. Rumor has it that the wood bar itself is at least a century old, which is likely the same age as some of the regulars who fill the place before the sun goes down.

In addition to jazz, the bar also features open jam Mondays and nightly performances by other local music stars ’neath the spotlight over a corner stage.

According to a report by KTRV, the 30-year-old joint closed Tuesday and will reopen with Stigers at the help on Wednesday, but the official grand opening is still a few weeks off.

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By Jennifer Gelband, 1-30-07 | comments (15) | email story | print story

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Comments

By Jill Kuraitis, 1-31-07

HOW COOL IS THAT???

By Sysiphus, 1-31-07

This is indeed an exciting transition for the old place. In the hope we have for the new owners and the changes they will bring there is much to remember about the tavern under the management of Faye and John Pengilly. The place is rich in history as folks celebrated their accomplishments or sought solace for the bad things in life in the comraderie they found there. Laughter was joined, tears were consoled, successes were congratulated, and losses endured. Being downtown many business and political leaders used it as a meeting place. Deals were consummated, bargains struck, bets made and paid for, and bullshit confronted. Now this may or may not change under the new management (Allen Ireland of Neurolux is actually the new proprietor, Jennifer) but the efforts of Faye and John in making the place a collegial albeit smoky atmosphere should not go unsung. The Pengilly family will be missed and not soon forgotten.

Thanks Jennifer. You're old enough to have a place on a blog, good for you. When you become an adult you might actually go in the place and chat with the good folks down there instead of relying on rumors. Then you might qualify as a real reporter.

By NuclearShadows, 1-31-07

This sale has been being talked about for quite a while at the Nurolux. The reason being is that Allen Irland who owns the Lux it has been reported was going to be partners with Cutis in this venture. Why no mention of that in this article or the one in the stetsman? Maybe Allen wants to be a silent partner??

By Jennifer Gelband, 1-31-07

Hey NuclearShadows,
I did hear that Stigers was teaming with a partner during the rumblings of the story over the last week, but I hadn't heard anything confirmed about it when I posted the story. Please let me know if you do hear something more concrete!

And Sysiphus,
I'll be adult enough to go to a bar if you'll buy my drinks, gramps.

By Jill Kuraitis, 1-31-07

Sysiphus,
Please also keep in mind that a writer may not include certain details by choice. Not every New West reader is a downtown-Boise-bar-insider (in fact, most aren't) and really couldn't care less about the precise set-up of an establishment. I am not saying that's how this piece was written or not written - but it is the prerogative of every writer to leave things in or out. When commenters have something to add, we love it - but why not just add it instead of personally berating the writer for not including it?

I can always call your mother for a reminder that you need a refresher course in basic civility, you know. :)

By Sysiphus, 1-31-07

Oh now you're trying to sweet talk me. Many of us "geezers" would would welcome the prospect of buying you drinks upon your arrival if we can get better press. You might be surprised what you find in there. But you might have to help some of us with our walkers.

By NuclearShadows, 1-31-07

Sysiphus and Jennifer:

First I would like to apologize for any discomfort my post may have generated. I in no way meant to sound dismissive of Jennifer’s report, only curious as to why Allen was not mentioned. Thanks for clarifying for me Jennifer. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Second, I love your screen name Sisiphus. I have always had a fondness for the plight of the myth of Sisyphus. Now as far as Pengillys goes I too am one of the “old geezers”. I might even know you Sisiphus. Until about 6 years ago I was a 2-5 day a week patron for about 18 years. After John died I quit going as much basically because Faye chose not to carry what I like to drink, so I ended up going to Neurolux more and have now embraced it as my primary watering hole… I would be glad to buy Jennifer and you a drink when the doors reopen. I love that place…

By Sysiphus, 1-31-07

Sorry Jill. But she got personal with a story without all the facts. I wasn't berating her for omitting the Allen aspect, that fact just butressed my contention. Rather I was miffed that she referred to the after work crowd as older than the bar. Sure it adds color to the story but hardly the height of civility. I've talked to a couple of "oldtimeers" about the reference and they are taking it kinda personal. And not every writer has that prerogative, journalists and lawyers come to mind. But yeah I've been cranky lately. And if you can figure out how to call my mother get me her number will you because she died and I have had a bad connection ever since. But she may have agreed with you.

The point of the story is that we'll have a great little jazz bar downtown and I appreciate you all spreading the word.

And nuclear shadows, I have you at a disadvantage, we do know each other. I look forward to seeing you down there again soon.

By NuclearShadows, 1-31-07

well Sysiphus, I just might have to put new rubber footsies on my walker and come down there and seek you out. You would be the one with the boulder on your back, right? :)

By Jill Kuraitis, 1-31-07

Sysiphyus, your mother says you've been calling the wrong number and to clean up your room. And hey - being called "old" is no insult. I'm old, and that's just a fact. Why fight it? And "oldtimer" is even better. It means you have wisdom, experience, and history, and can be relied on for the best b.s. at the bar. Why, I think you should be honored.

I spent a fair bit of time at Pengilly's in the early '90s, when Democratic politicos ran campaigns from there. If it wasn't for the smoke I'd come in and say hello, wearing a "Geezer" nametag.

By Jennifer Gelband, 1-31-07

And Sys,
Just so you know, I wasn't talking about you when I referenced folks likely the same age as the bar. (I call everyone gramps, gramps.)
In fact, I wasn't even talking about the older folks when I referenced the older folks. I was talking about the ghosts.
So you and your "oldtimeer" friends shouldn't take offense.
There you have it -- the facts.

By NuclearShadows, 1-31-07

I was at the bar last week and tried to encourage some of the regulars to come down to the Lux while the bar was closed for a new perspective.. None seemed too taken with the idea... Made me laugh but I love 'em... :)

By Sysiphus, 2-01-07

Point taken. I admit there were better ways for me to express myself. Let us bury this hatchet.

By Iselda Acosta, 2-06-07

My husband just e-mailed me the article about the sale of Penquilly's. I enjoyed many a stiff martini at Penquilly's when I lived in Boise (1997-2002). They made the best Bombay Sapphire Martini in town (yes, better than at the Owyhee). I have many fond memories of the place. In fact, my first official date with my current husband, Robert Beal, was drinks at Penquilly's.

By NuclearShadows, 2-06-07

Robert "Bob" Beal once an enviornmentalist activist involved with the Nothern Rockies Presevation Project??

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