Ike Bloom

Ike Bloom (c. 1865 – December 15, 1930) was an American businessman, cabaret and nightclub owner in Chicago from the turn of the 20th century and throughout Prohibition. An early organized crime figure in Chicago, he was an associate of "Big Jim" Colosimo and owner of some of the city's most popular nightclubs such as Midnight Frolics and Freiberg's, a well known dance hall in The Levee vice district at 20 E 22nd St. The Midnight Frolics was the club in which comedian Joe E. Lewis began his career in 1926.

Biography Born Isaac Gitelson Bloom, he ran numerous social clubs after opening the popular Frieburg's Dance Hall in 1895. Although Freiburg's closed in 1914, it was later reopened during Prohibition and renamed Midnight Frolics among other speakeasies during Prohibition. Known as "King of the Brothels", he was involved in white slavery as well as prostitution as a partner with Colosimo and others in the Everleigh Club following its grand opening in 1911.

He and his brother-in-law Sol Friedman were ensured a monopoly on the sale of bulk whiskey in the Levee by Aldermen "Bathhouse" John Coughlin and Mike "Hinky Dink" Kenna in exchange for making collections for the two Aldermen.

Bloom gave the eulogy at Colosimo's funeral, which was attended by more than 5,000 people. He would later become involved with John Torrio and Al Capone, with Capone later owning 25% of the Midnight Frolics.

Active in local politics, he eventually became head of the First Ward Democratic Organization before his death on December 15, 1930, following a two-year illness.