Los Angeles Time Machines

Before you venture forth looking on your journey through history looking for the Brown Derby Restaurant (good luck unless you're in New York or Florida!), a few caveats, warnings and disclaimers (is that redundant or what?). I’m sure there are many pre-seventies places I will fail to mention. Some may been missed simply because I have yet to discover them. Others may be left out or found on my non-time machine page due to a strong bias I have. If an interior has been substantially remodeled or if a restaurant has recently moved to a new location, they no longer qualify as time machines for me (unless they’ve done a good job of imitating the original interior – like the El Capitan or Damon's). I want to be able to sit in an interior and be able to look in at least a few directions (avoiding TV’s at bars and computer cash registers) and still be able to feel like nothing has changed. Some restaurants "established" before 1970 no longer have an authentic look.

The second caveat is I am a very Bohemian person. Therefore, while I am very picky about the authenticity of interior design, I am not picky at all about food, service and the quality of the neighborhood that surrounds any given place. In fact, food comes secondary to me after ambiance. If the ambiance is good, I’ll put up with barely edible food (although most places do not stay in business for 40 or 50 years in less there's something interesting about their food). I don't even mind sitting next to the occasional drunk or nut case - as long as they are well behaved and interesting (a derelict gave me advice that lead me to meet my wife - but that's a long story). So those of you who are fastidious – beware! You probably will not like my recommendations. I’ve tried to provide current phone numbers and addresses, but I’m a little lazy on that (and information seems to vary a lot on the Internet). Make sure to call before going anywhere (especially since overnight all traces of these places may disappear into history – try to find where Nickodell’s used to be!).

Great sign off Hwy 15 near Yermo, CA

Finally, a word on safety. In the modern world, no place is completely safe, and in a big cities like Los Angeles (and its metropolitan area), San Diego, San Francisco Baltimore, D.C. and Vegas (even perhaps in the small towns I mention) you have to be street wise and be very cautious about crime. Many old hotels, bars and restaurants are in relatively dangerous neighborhoods (at least by my suburbanite standards), so I leave it to you to research, ask around, and find out if any given place is safe for a visit by your own standards. I make absolutely no recommendations or representations about the safety of any place on this site (and some places are real dives that are definitely not safe at certain times or with certain types of clientele, especially women). Some old bars and restaurants may have B or C health department grades (or worse in places that don't do inspections) - I leave it to you to check before you go in. I have no information as to how to get access to some of the buildings mentioned and some may be closed to the public. Obviously, one should check with owners and/or guards before entering such places. And please do not disturb the residents of any apartments or houses that are pictured. Observe these places from the same distance you would observe anyone's house or apartment.

Please remember - DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!! We'd like to have you around a little longer. If you are not in walking distance to a bar or restaurant, do as I do and just order an O'Doul's or Perrier or Seven Up. The ambiance and conversation is still every bit as nice (and you save a few bucks to boot). Bartenders are happy to serve you a coke, Perrier or even soda water!

Even a Los Angelesophile like me has to admit not all of Los Angeles is wonderful. Be aware of your surroundings - especially if you are hiking the beautiful Los Angeles River pictured above (not recommended).

With that – it’s time to travel back in time and history!

BROWN DERBY RESTAURANT HISTORY | LA EXTINCT RESTAURANTS A-F | MUSSO'S - WORLD'S GREATEST BAR

LA EXTINCT RESTAURANTS G-L | LA EXTINCT RESTAURANTS M-R | LA EXTINCT RESTAURANTS S-Z |

San Francisco Historic Bars & Restaurants A-L | San Francisco Historic Bars & Restaurants M-Z |

SAN DIEGO RESTAURANTS & BARS | CENTRAL VALLEY AND N. CA | LAS VEGAS BARS & REST.

RENO & NE NEVADA | MARYLAND & D.C. | PHOENIX RESTAURANTS Great Restaurateurs of Los Angeles |

The Philosophy Behind Los Angeles Time Machines | Retro LINKS

Killer Books on Los Angeles Pop Culture | Miscellaneous cities- Historic Bars & Restaurants

Historic Los Angeles Bars & Restaurants I have Yet to Explore | Area Tours of Los Angeles Metro Area History

Readers of this Site Suggest Places and Reminisce About Historic bars & Restaurants | Old Restaurants of Los Angeles that are Remodeled

WARNINGS! | MAD MEN LOS ANGELES BARS & RESTAURANTS - FILMING LOCATIONS

Awards and Recognitions for Los Angeles Time Machines | RENO NEON SIGNS | CHRONOLOGY

My Choices for Top Ten Best Los Angeles History Time Machines for Various Categories

Miscellaneous Facts on Los Angeles bar and restaurant history | Photos of Old Town Historic Pasadena | Matchbooks & Historic Images

Misc. Pictures of Historic Oakland and San Francisco buildings | Misc. Pict. of Baltimore/D.C. | MOVIE PALACES

TIKI/GOOGIE/ART DECO/NEON | Misc. FUN FACTS RESTAURANT HISTORY |

MORE READER MEMORIES OF LA | CONTACT ME