The Havana Club, a longtime basement nightclub, built its success on a reputation for excellent food, service, and atmosphere. Like Bismarck's McKenzie—later Patterson—Hotel, it was a place where many political and business deals, both legal and otherwise, took place. Leo Guon left the business to his son when he died in November 1961, but the son was less enthusiastic about the food-service industry. Without close oversight, the club's reputation deteriorated. Finances tightened, federal payroll taxes went unpaid, and the Internal Revenue Service closed the club in July 1964.
Barry and Esther Davis bought the Havana Club and reopened it September 14, 1964. Interested parties, including creditors who wanted the establishment to remain open, approached the couple and helped finance the purchase. Barry had provided musical entertainment at the club for years, and Esther had worked as a food hostess at another local nightclub.
The Davises needed to distance the business from the Havana Club's declining reputation. They remodeled the interior, adding a miniature waterfall, fish tanks, and koi—brocaded carp—to the waterfall's pool. A contest produced a new name: the Seven Seas.
Area friends helped promote the club, and patrons slowly returned. Its warm atmosphere attracted area businesses for luncheon meetings and other gatherings, and many of the same business and professional customers returned in the evenings. Over four years, Friday and Saturday dinner service grew from 10–12 meals a night to 165–175.
The club's largest events were its annual New Year's Eve parties. Despite the hectic pace of the capacity crowds, the owners shared a midnight champagne toast with the kitchen and service crews in recognition of their work. The Seven Seas remained downtown until fire destroyed the building in 1970.
After the fire, the Davises opened the Seven Seas Motor Inn, Restaurant and Lounge in northwest Mandan. The motor inn opened in April 1971; the hotel now operates under the Baymont name.
The Society thanks Esther Davis for contributing to this feature article.