Carusi's Saloon was a social venue in Washington, D.C. that operated during the 19th century. According to the White House Historical Association, it was a popular destination that hosted notable inaugural balls for several American presidents.
History The venue was founded and operated by Gaetano Carusi, a Sicilian and member of the U.S. Marine Band. In 1837, it was located at 11th and C Streets NW in Washington.CHRISTIAN, R. (2016). William Metzerott and the D.C. Music Trade. Washington History, 28(2), 54–63. The venue remained popular into the late 1850s but eventually ceased standard operations around that time.Tindall, W., 1914. STANDARD HISTORY OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON: FROM A STUDY OF THE ORIGINAL SOURCES, H. W. Crew & Co. Knoxville, TN. p. 503. – via Google Books.
Notable performances In 1837, the inaugural ball for Martin Van Buren took place at Carusi's. In 1841, the inaugural ball for William Henry Harrison took place at Carusi's.
In 1843, Polish officer Gaspar Tochman gave a lecture at Carusi's. He was described as a "patriot" who lectured on the tenuous relationship between Poland and the partitioning powers at the time."MAJOR TOCHMAN'S LECTURE: POLISH REVOLUTION OF 1830". The Sun. Baltimore. January 31, 1843. p. 1. The Baltimore Sun described his reception in Washington as "glowing." In 1845, one of the inaugural balls for James K. Polk took place at Carusi's. Tickets were priced at $10, and a piece in The New York Times described this event as meant for the "aristocracy of Locofocodom".“A HISTORIC PROMENADE: STORIES OF PENNSYLVANIA-AVENUE IN WASHINGTON.” The New York Times. February 7, 1881. p. 1.
In 1853, Thackeray gave lectures on English humorists at Carusi's. The Washington Star described his performance as being monotone.
Abraham Lincoln attended a minstrel show by the Ethiopian Serenaders at Carusi's.Epstein, D. M. (2009). The Lincolns: Portrait of a Marriage. United States: Random House Publishing Group.
See also History of Washington, D.C.
References