Hotel Congress
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The Hotel Congress was built in 1919 and is located in downtown Tucson, Arizona. The Hotel Congress is a historic building that sits across the street from the musical venue Rialto Theatre. In addition to being a hotel, the building also houses a restaurant, bar and venue.
The Hotel Congress building was added to the National Historic Register in 2003.
On January 22, 1934, a fire started in the basement and spread up to the third floor. After a series of bank robberies, the Dillinger Gang came to Tucson to lay low. The gang resided on the third floor under aliases. After the desk clerk contacted them through the switchboard the gang escaped by aerial ladders. On the request of the gang two firemen retrieved their luggage, identifying who they were.
When captured, John Dillinger muttered, "Well, I'll be damned".
[edit] Club Congress
In 1985, a music venue was opened in the hotel, and has become a prime venue for touring bands playing in Tucson. In February, 2005, the stage was completely redesigned by local latino artist Daniel Martin Diaz.
Club Congress hosts Retro-Lution Monday nights and The Optimist Club Thursday nights, with various drink specials every night of the week.
