The Mile High (originally called Eli’s Mile High Club) opened in 1974 by Eli and Alberta Thornton as a West Coast Blues venue. The club changed owners in 1979, however, after Eli’s mistress (a Blues singer) shot him while he was tending bar in this Depression Era building.
Several months later, Troyce Key leased and eventually purchased the bar from Alberta Thornton. Following Troyce Key’s death in 1992, the club came into other committed hands, but eventually fell on hard times, closing its doors on most nights of the week.
To prevent the property from being redeveloped, Lisa Nola met with members of The Claremont Group to keep live music within the walls of The Mile High. Lisa's hope, shared by her partner Mike, is to contribute to an Oakland Renaissance already in progress...