The concert saloon was an American adaptation of the English music hall, and a precursor of variety and vaudeville theater. As in the music hall, alcohol was served. The entertainment at the saloon was to hold the imbiber's attention so they would imbibe more.
Zellers, Parker R. (Dec., 1968). "The Cradle of Variety: The Concert Saloon".Educational Theatre Journal, Vol. 20, No. 4, 578-585