The South Boston Lithuanian Club has a new manager and his name is Peter Gailunas
Labas! *
Maybe you’ve passed by West Broadway, attended a Gold Dust Orphans show, or seen one of our posts about the kitchen being open. The South Boston Lithuanian Club has been a fixture at E and West Broadway since the 1960s. In fact, the South Boston Lithuanian Citizens Association is the oldest Lithuanian American community organization in the New England area – it was founded in 1899. So, this place has roots in the neighborhood. And the Lith Club now has a manager from the neighborhood, one Peter Gailunas – lifelong Southie resident, Boston firefighter, and contributor to our own Caught in Southie.
Gailunas, whose great-grandparents were from Lithuania, has been a member since 2012 and his parents, Susan (McGuire) and Peter Gailunas (Sr.), met at a dance at the Lith Club, so when he received an email from the historic social club looking for a manager, he jumped at the opportunity.
“When I got the email from the Lith Club looking for a new manager, I felt like it should be me. I’m a proud Lithuanian American, and I’ve had plenty of great memories in this building. Every year at Christmas, as a student at St. Peter’s, my family and I would attend the Christmas Bazaar, and my own children performed at St. Peter Academy’s Christmas shows at the Lith Club,” said Gailunas. “Plus, it’s a hidden gem that I know other people from the neighborhood would love as much as I do,” he added.
One of Gailunas’ goals as the manager is to have more people from the neighborhood be a part of the Lith Club community. A great way to do that is to come by and check out the Lithuanian Kitchen, located in the basement of the building, for a few drinks and some traditional Lithuanian food, in addition to some of the best bar pizza around. It will be open this coming weekend on Saturday, January 20th and Sunday, January 21st from 12pm-7pm. It’s like taking a trip back in time with an old-school, almost dive bar (in the best way) vibe. Cheap drinks, delicious food, and the friendliest people around! Plus, NFL games will be on the TVs.
In addition to the kitchen, there are also two large function rooms available to rent for parties, get-togethers, and celebrations, and it is home during the holiday season to the Gold Dust Orphans – a wildly popular, award-winning, Vaudeville-inspired comedy troupe!
So stop by this weekend and say hello to Peter (and yours truly by his side, sipping on Lithuanian vodka). We’d love to see you and welcome you to the Lith Club!
The South Boston Lithuanian Club is located at 368 West Broadway in South Boston.
Follow the Lithuanian Club on Instagram here for the latest, including upcoming events.
*Labas is the Lithuanian word for hello.
Maureen Dahill is the founder of Caught in Media. Once a longtime wardrobe and prop stylist for brands such as Rue La La, TJ Max & Hasbro, she is a devoted lover of vintage clothing, Martini Mondays, Castle Island, AND a 4th generation South Boston native.
My old stomping grounds.
This is awesome. So retro and a departure from the rest of West Broadway. Best of luck Peter!
That’s awesome. Congratulations. Looking forward to visiting the Lith Club.
All the best Peter. Great memories there. Just hope they have bathrooms for Ancient Dummies ??
Wishing all the best. Looking forward to trying out the food. Old stomping ground. Many great memories there with true friends then and still are.
Welcome Peter! Best of luck to you!
Best of luck Peter, looking forward to stopping by soon, with a few of my friends.
congratulations sir ! I was born up on east Broadway at 546. the funeral home. I spent many wonderful times in the hall and basement. text any time you want. Joe lubin
What’s on the menu?
Traditional Lithuanian food like peroigis, kielbasa, potato pancakes – but pizza!
Congrats Peter! When I was a kid growing up in Southie I remember a girl named PAULA GAILANUS? Is she
a relative. I visited Lithuania in 2002. What a beautiful country.
Had my wedding shower there in 1979. My three children’s christenings. My sons and his two cousins high school graduation party there plus many other family functions all on the third floor. Good times and good memories best of luck Peter Hope to see you soon. Also enjoyed many a good lunch there. Looking forward to another one.
Congrats Peter.
Thanks for all you do.
Linkiu sekmes.
Nino
My uncle had his wedding reception there in the late 50’s- early 60’s
Speaking for the Board of Directors of the Lith Club, we couldn’t be happier having Peter on board as our new manager. We look forward to working with Peter for many, many years to come. Welcome, Peter!
Lithuanian Club was formerly South Boston Savings Bank original building. I worked at the Bank from 1966 until it was taken over in 1996. I remember someone coming in the Bank one day in 1968 and saying Blinstrubs was on fire. —- Bob Lee
I had my wedding reception there in 1970! I’ve since been to the hall for many St. Peter’s events. Have fun; will be to restaurant soon.