DREAMLAND LOUNGE OFFERS EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK ON VALENTINE'S DAY DURING "DANCING INTO DREAMLAND" FUNDRAISER

First public glimpse of historic cocktail lounge before official late-2026 opening; limited preview for event ticket holders only

LITTLE ROCK, AR – February 11, 2026 – On Valentine's Day evening, February 14, 2026, ticket holders to the annual "Dancing into Dreamland" fundraiser will be the first to step inside Dreamland Lounge, the highly anticipated cocktail and coffee lounge taking shape on the first floor of Little Rock's historic Taborian Hall.

From 6:00 to 7:30 PM, guests attending the black-tie ballroom competition and fundraiser will have exclusive access to preview the lounge before doors open for the main event at 7:00 PM. This marks the first time the public will see the space that's been generating buzz since October 2025, when a century-old art deco bar from Cicero, Illinois (with ties to the Al Capone era) was installed as the lounge's centerpiece.

"This is a special moment for us," said Kerry McCoy, owner of Taborian Hall and founder of Dreamland Lounge. "We're not fully open yet, but we wanted to share this milestone with the people who support our mission to bring this building back to the community. It feels right to do it on Valentine's Day, in a space that's all about connection and celebration."

A Valentine's Evening with History

The preview will feature two classic cocktails (a French 75 and an Old Fashioned) served on a donation basis as the lounge awaits its full liquor license. Guests will enter through Taborian Hall's grand front entrance for the first time in years, check in at the historic foyer, and have the opportunity to explore the evolving Taborian Hall Museum before heading upstairs to the third-floor Dreamland Ballroom for the 8:00 PM show.

While the lounge is still a work in progress, the 24-foot art deco bar, rich Roycroft Bottle Green walls, and brass accents offer a glimpse of the intimate, elegant atmosphere that will define the space when it opens fully in late 2026.

Bringing the First Floor Back to Life

This preview marks a significant milestone in the restoration of Taborian Hall. While the building once housed bars and gathering spaces (including the long-gone Doc's Pool Hall in the back and a basement speakeasy during Prohibition), the front section of the first floor has never operated as a bar until now.

"Taborian Hall has always been a place where people came together," McCoy said. "The Dreamland Lounge brings that tradition full circle. It's not just about cocktails. It's about creating a space where Little Rock can gather, connect, and honor the legacy of West 9th Street."

Dreamland Lounge will officially open in late 2026, offering craft cocktails and coffee in an art deco setting from 4 PM to midnight (later for special events). The lounge honors the legacy of the third-floor Dreamland Ballroom, which hosted Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, B.B. King, and other legends during the golden age of West 9th Street in the 1930s through 1950s.

About "Dancing into Dreamland"

Now in its 15th year, "Dancing into Dreamland" is an annual black-tie fundraiser featuring a ballroom dance competition, live music, and celebration of Taborian Hall's storied past. Proceeds support the ongoing restoration and programming at the building, which serves as a cultural anchor for Little Rock's historic West 9th Street district. The 2026 event takes place February 14 at 8:00 PM in the Dreamland Ballroom.

Tickets are still available at www.dreamlandballroom.org/dancing-into-dreamland-2026-tickets.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: FEBRUARY 14, 2026

Media are invited to attend the Dreamland Lounge sneak peek from 6:00 to 7:30 PM on February 14, 2026. No ticket required, press credentials welcome at the door. This is a rare opportunity to document the lounge before its official opening and to speak with Kerry McCoy about the vision for the space and the ongoing restoration of Taborian Hall.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, February 14, 2026 (Valentine's Day)
• Time: 6:00 to 7:30 PM (bar service ends 7:15 PM)
• Location: Dreamland Lounge, First Floor, Taborian Hall, 807 W. 9th Street, Little Rock, AR 72201
• Access: Open to "Dancing into Dreamland" ticket holders and credentialed media
• Cocktails: French 75 and Old Fashioned (donation basis)

About Taborian Hall

Built in 1916 by the Knights and Daughters of Tabor as their international headquarters, Taborian Hall was entirely funded and erected by Arkansas's African American community. The building served as the heart of West 9th Street (known as "The Line"), Little Rock's thriving Black commercial and entertainment district. The third-floor Dreamland Ballroom hosted some of the greatest names in American music during the 1930s through 1950s. After decades of decline and near-demolition in the 1980s, Kerry McCoy purchased and began restoring the building in 1991. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

About Dreamland Lounge

Opening late 2026, Dreamland Lounge will offer craft cocktails and coffee in an intimate art deco setting inside Taborian Hall. Open evenings from 4 PM to midnight (later for special events), the lounge honors the legacy of the Dreamland Ballroom and West 9th Street's golden era. The lounge is anchored by a 22-foot restored 1920s art deco bar originally from Cicero, Illinois.

Media Contact:

Kerry McCoy
Owner, Taborian Hall & Dreamland Lounge
501-664-7667 (mobile)
Kerry@flagandbanner.com

Location:

Taborian Hall
807 W. 9th Street
Little Rock, AR 72201