Introduction
Ernest Koetz operated a bar at this address in the years 1887 through 1889, according to the Camden City Directories of that year. Koetz, an immigrant from Germany, had operated a beer saloon on Front Street in 1880. The 1890–1891 directory indicates that the bar was then run by a John Beck, and that the premises was then known as the Exchange Hotel.
John Francis “Pop” Daly owned the bar by 1911, and would remain its owner until his death in 1942. Married to Catherine Turley, John Daly and his family lived above the bar, which was located adjacent to the North Camden Theater. Pop Daly was a well-known and popular member of the community, and served as a freeholder in Camden’s city government in the years before 1923, when the commission form of government was instituted in Camden. After Pop Daly had passed, his son James took over the bar and ran it, eventually turning it over to his nephew Joseph E. Kohm.
There is a telephone listing for James F. Daly at 201 Vine Street in the 1970 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory. By the mid-1970s the listing had been discontinued, and in all likelihood the bar itself had followed suit. By 1976 the building was gone.
Daly's Cafe — 1941
Daly’s Cafe, 201 Vine Street, 1941.
John F. Daly — 1939
John Francis “Pop” Daly, 1939.
1926 Aerial Photograph
Daly’s Cafe at 201 Vine Street, where Vine meets North 2nd and Main Streets — 1926 aerial photograph.
Daly's Cafe and the North Camden Theater — 1941
Daly’s Cafe and the North Camden Theater, 201–207 Vine Street, 1941.
Daly 'Treats' Dry Agents; They Find Beer 'Very Good'
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Federal agents yesterday raided the saloon of James Daly, 201 Vine Street, and a farm at Sicklerville, where a 100-gallon still was seized and destroyed.
When the agents entered Daly’s saloon they attempted to purchase a glass of beer. But Daly, who was tending bar, wouldn’t let them pay for it.
“The beer’s not so good today. Have one on me,” he said, according to Agent Frank A. Billig.
The agents then produced an ebulliometer and tested the beer. They found it to be “very good today,” instead — 3.27 percent.
Daly, who first gave his name as Shay, was arrested. Taken before U.S. Commissioner Wynn Armstrong he admitted his identity and was held in $1000 bail for a hearing. Fourteen halves of beer were seized at his place by the agents.
According to the Federal men, the farm at Sicklerville was owned by George Huber, although no one was around when the raid was staged.
Besides the still the agents seized and destroyed 700 gallons of mash and 26 gallons of alleged “moonshine.”
Man Stabbed Outside City Bar
Camden Courier-Post —
A 30-year-old Camden man was listed in serious condition today in Cooper Hospital’s intensive care unit after being stabbed last night outside a bar.
Camden police said Felipe Nogueras Colon of 428 Vine St. was admitted to the hospital with stab wounds of the left side of the abdomen. They said his family brought him in and reported that he had been stabbed about 8 p.m. yesterday outside a bar at 2nd and Vine streets.
The North Camden Theater Site — Summer 2002
The North Camden Theater (also known as The Standard), 203–05 Vine Street, Summer of 2002. Daly’s Cafe was at 201 Vine Street, adjacent to the theater.