The Copper Bar History
The Copper Bar’s namesake antique copper bar was constructed in 1928 for The Marine Room Lounge in Terre Haute House III hotel, located at the corner of 7th Street and Wabash Avenue.
During the “Sin City” era, notorious gangsters including Al Capone and John Dillinger would frequently visit Terre Haute and stay at the iconic hotel. The Marine Room became a favorite spot following the end of Prohibition. The Copper Bar’s angled corner was the seat of choice for Dillinger, providing the best escape route through an adjacent private lounge. “Jackrabbit” as he was known for his quick get-a-ways, would disappear through a secret hotel door in order to access tunnels running below Wabash Avenue. Dillinger famously said we would never rob a bank in Terre Haute because he would be railroaded trying to escape.
Originally opened on April 17, 2006, the Copper Bar found new life on September 8, 2026 when it reopened with new partners. Current owner, Greg Gibson partnered on the reimagining of The Copper Bar with successful restaurant owners and operators, Cheyne and Nikki O’Laughlin.
The Terre Haute House III was open from 1928 to July 4, 1970. The building sat empty until 2006, when local entrepreneur Greg Gibson acquired the property with plans to revive the site and continue hotel redevelopment and tourism.
The 4th generation hotel opened in 2007 as The Terre Haute House IV Hilton Garden Inn. The rebirth of the hotel was critical to downtown Terre Haute and served as the catalyst to re-energizing new development and businesses, including a new life for the antique Marine Room bar to become The Copper Bar at 810 Wabash Avenue.
Relocating a block from its original birthplace, The Copper Bar added a chapter to the already rich history of 810 Wabash Avenue. Constructed in 1870, the building’s design is architecturally significant as the city’s best surviving example of small scale commercial Italianate design.
The building has housed numerous restaurants, bars and nightclubs; The Flamingo Club, the Office Bar, the Chase, Benedicts and Frog’s Bistro.
O’Laughlin Hospitality
Cheyne and Nikki O’Laughin are no strangers to the restaurant industry. The couple moved to Terre Haute in 2013 to purchase the legendary Charlie’s Pub & Grub; keeping the business in the O’Laughlin family.
Partnering with local entrepreneur Greg Gibson, the couple revitalized The Terminal Public House, re-opening the bar/restaurant in 2023. What was once a popular downtown bar, the location sat empty for many years until the group of entrepreneurs turned their vision into reality. In 2025 the group partnered again, opening Ladybird Cafe in the former Clabber Girl Bakeshop inside downtown Terre Haute’s Hulman Building.
Operating three successful restaurants isn’t easy. Both Cheyne and Nikki bring experience from different fields, plus a passion for business and the community. Nikki has a background in HR and is the eye behind the interior design of each of the group’s restaurants. Cheyne leads with experience in management to keep the back of house organized and on time.
When the couple isn’t working, they’re happiest spending time with their kids and traveling the world.
