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Lauzus Hotel

This page is dedicated to the former Lauzus Hotel and the good times that were had there. If you have a remembrance, a story or a picture, please share it.

This building was originally built around 1884 by Frank A Rieker as a showplace for his brewery and called the West End Market Hotel. It has passed through several owners and between 1967 and 1991 was know as the Lauzus Hotel owned and operated by the late Wilhelm and Fredericka Lauzus. It was a showcase of Victorian architecture and decor. with 12 foot high ceilings with pressed tin panels, Itali

an inlaid tile floors, gingerbread trim and a hand carved back bar. Wilhelm stocked hundreds of brands of imported and domestic beer and introduced thousands of people to a variety of quality beers. Wilhelm also made sure the jukebox was well stocked with German beer hall music. There was also live music regularly from an upright piano frequently played by John "Knuckles" Beamesderfer. Also In it's heyday there were live bands performing on Friday and Saturday nights. The Hotel has since passed through several owners under the name Historic Blue Star starting with Cate Maloney who invested in restorations and improvements. However, through bad management, while owned by Teddy Petropoulos, the liquor license was revoked by the PLCB and the building was allowed to fall into disrepair. Reportedly Petropoulos has also stripped the interior of it's Victorian accoutrements including the tin plate, gingerbread and the bars, and sold them for a quick profit. At the time of this writing the property has been condemned.

12/22/2025

10/21/2021

A History of Brewing in Lancaster County, Leagal or Otherwise, is now available for download from LancasterHistory.org.

04/12/2020

Found buried in a "junk drawer". These key fobs were used with the room keys with return postage guaranteed if dropped in a mailbox.

01/24/2020

Trivia: The wall sconces and ceiling lights which once graced the dance floor were salvaged from the Hotel Pennsylvania prior to its demolition. The Hotel Pennsylvania was located on the second block of North Queen Street which was razed to make way for the Lancaster Square urban renewal project in the 1960's.

12/23/2019

Lancaster New Era, December 24, 1971

11/07/2019

This Paul Gross original was once proudly displayed behind the bar. Paul was a regular at the Hotel and sold these on the side via the classified ads in the local papers.

11/04/2019

October 1978 after the Rathskeller was remodeled. Regulars John "Knuckles" Beamsterfer and his sons Wayne and Dave provided the entertainment.

10/22/2019

Could be part of the bootleg hose from Rieker's

07/15/2019

Another article about "Vic the Pretzel Man" who was one of the regulars at the Hotel.

It was an ordinary day. Reviewing all the comments I had solicited on the FaceBook page "The Lancastrian." My story today is about a guy w...

06/18/2019

07/19/2018

Paul Gross was one of the regulars at the Hotel where his artwork for the Cabbage Hill coat of arms was proudly displayed on the back bar.

Dear Dr. Scribblermug:

06/21/2018

Now on tap from our friends Wacker Brewing Co....
Berliner Weisse!

This beer was famously served with raspberry syrup across our bar when it was known as Lauzus Hotel.

Come by for a Growler or Crowler of Berliner Weisse either plain or with raspberry (or peach or passionfruit) syrup, just like the Lauzus' made it!

Address

602 W King Street
Lancaster, PA
17603

Website

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