On a spring night in March of 1957, a bar and dance-hall called the Zodiac Lounge went up in flames; Though luckily no one was hurt in the blaze, the building and its contents were a total ruin.  From all accounts mentioned, the loss was quite upsetting to the residents of the small town of Eau Gallie, Florida, as well as, the surrounding city of Melbourne.  You see, the Zodiac was not your typical juke joint.  Actually containing two bars in one, the front room (the Zodiac Room)  showcased a rich and contemporary decor and boasted a grand stage with one of the largest dance floors in the county.  It's said top notch acts, entertainers and performers from all over the country made stops here on their way to Miami and Cuba.

The other room, known officially as, Cosmos' Back Door, was the local, ten a.m. to one a.m., everyman's watering hole and neighborhood meeting place.  With a superb menu featuring local seafood as well as strong, well mixed drinks, for several years the

Zodiac was thee place to be in Brevard County.

"It [the Zodiac] just went up so fast.  Mr. Palma, was a shell of a man afterwards.  He'd put his whole life into that place​ and all his blood, sweat and tears went up in smoke that night.  From then on, things here in Eau Gallie were just never the same.  There has never been a club since to live up to the history of the Zodiac Lounge.  Connie Burkewood - Zodiac Lounge waitress, 55' to 57'

As for the demise of the Lounge, it was presumed faulty wiring was the culprit. However, it came to light several weeks later arson was to blame.  It seems Zodiac manager, Eddie Brendell, known for his womanizing, spurned a young bank teller, Gladys Krapinski, who was not willing to share him with anyone else.  Earlier on the fateful night, Gladys was seen confronting Eddie inside the Lounge, as a new woman sat at his side.  A loud arguement ensued, Gladys was ushered out with quite a commotion and well, the rest they say, is history...   

Though the Zodiac is long gone, artist and local historian, Stephen Lomazzo and local poet Joe Snyder have resurrected its memory from the ashes of time for one night, and one night only.  On March 14th, 2014, The Zodiac Lounge Event takes place one block from its original location.  Please spread the word and join us as The Eau Gallie Civic Center becomes the Zodiac and  your passport to an age of style, fashion, social dancing, magic, burlesque, live music and more!