Opened on August 9, 1972, Grendel’s Lair was a popular 160-seat theater in South Philly.

Jazz musicians were showcased weekly, including Charles Mingus, Mose Allison, Buddy Rich, Charles Earland, The Crusaders, Roy Ayers, Lonnie Liston Smith, Jimmy Smith, McCoy Tyner, Pat Martino, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Regina DeAngelo, a technical writer with Keeley DeAngelo LLP, shared her story:

It was around 1987. I was 22. I brought my mom with me to see Dizzy Gillespie at Grendel’s Lair. As Dizzy warmed up on stage, he looked out at the audience. “A lot of young people,” he said. “I don’t see any old people like me.” My mom lifted her bourbon into the air and shouted “I’m old!”

After the show, we waited at 4th and South for my father to come and pick us up. He must have been late because we were still waiting when Dizzy and the band came out. They crossed the street to a busted old white station wagon. They opened the doors, sat sideways facing the street, and had some fun blowing off bottle rockets.

Grendel’s Lair closed its doors in March 1987.