Los Angeles Historic Bars & Pubs A-D

LOS ANGELES HISTORIC BARS, PUBS, DIVES, SALOONS & TAVERNS OF THE 30's, 40's, 50's & 60's (A-D)

Below you will find a number of excellent bars or restaurants that have nice bars. Remember DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE. Unless you are staying at a hotel within walking distance - do as I do and enjoy the ambiance and conversation while drinking an O' Doul's or a Perrier. It's not worth risking your life or the lives of others! A few places listed are complete dives. I make no representations whatsoever about the safety of any place on this site. You need to check around before going into any bar (especially women) - look at reviews on the internet and talk to people who have previously gone there. I have visited everyplace on the site, but I often go at times early in the morning when there is no one there. Just because I had a good experience does not mean you will!

(Freddie's) 35er, 12 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 626-356-9315 since 1962 Monday-Friday 12:30pm-2am, Saturday & Sunday 10:30am-2am

Rumored to be the oldest bar in Pasadena. Mostly remodeled, it has some remnants of old wood here and there. Nice place to hang out with the crowd. Can't beat their neon sign out front.

Near DeLacey's Club 41 and not far from Monty's Steak House (closed), El Cholo (Pasadena branch) Mexican Restaurant, Gus's Barbeque Restaurant, the Fair Oaks Pharmacy and the Rialto Movie Palace. You can't beat Pasadena for a time machine tour!

36 36 Club, 3636 E. Broadway, Long Beach, California 562-438-5365

T T

I went here during the day when it was virtually empty. Old bar counter, interesting wooden ceiling. Mildly old feel. Obviously a nice neon sign out front. People seemed friendly enough. I have no idea what kind of vibe this place has at night. Lot's of pool tables, which is hard to find these days. Long beach has quite a collection of old bars.

Near the V Room bar, the Reno Room bar, Clancy's bar, Haskell's Prospector restaurant and bar and Joe's Jost bar.

The Airliner Bar, 2419 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031 (323) 221-0771

T T

If one has to remodel a classic bar, this is the way to do it. Very tastefully freshened up but much of the original interior remains. I stepped in right when it opened and no one else was there, so I can't tell you about the vibe at night. Nice Art Deco pictures. I guess this area is called Lincoln Heights. First time I've been there, but it looked like an interesting area.

Alhambra Cocktail Lounge, 216 W. 11th St. San Pedro, CA 90731 310 548 4000

(since 1936) T T

Over the years I've past by a number of bars in San Pedro with interesting neon signs. I've been tempted to go in given their ancient appearance, but frankly I'm too much of a wimp. I recently summons up the courage, asking myself - How bad can things be on a Sunday morning around 10:00AM (while also being surprised these places were open and people were imbibing at that hour and day) ? On the particular day I went at least, the answer was not bad at all. Rather pleasant in fact. Of course, there was only one other rather elderly gentleman in the bar at the time. However, I make no representations that my experience can be replicated by anyone else at any time or date. See my warnings page. It's also a good idea to check out reviews of the place on the internet. That being said, the bar tender was very nice. She explained that the bar dates from the '30s (the oldest one San Pedro) and it used to be the city's jail. Apparently, the jail still exists under the bar (with a sealed entrance under the juke box). The health department made them seal it up. Talk about a great place for a reality TV show! You've got to figure also that Bukowski living out his last years in San Pedro must have visited all of the San Pedro dives. Glad I stopped by!

(The) Arsenal - 12008 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 575-5511 Mon-Fri 5pm-2am, Sat-Sun 6pm-2am

T T T (see home page for explanation)

Nice physical ambiance. An increasingly rare old bar and restaurant on the West Side. Probably a good stop after eating at the Apple Pan. I did not get a chance to eat here, but I'm sure it's a nice restaurant. This is for a younger crowd than oldsters like me. I know the current generation loves music so loud you have to shout when talking, but I find it hard to carry on an intelligent conversation that way. I imagine there are times when the music is not so loud here, as the Friday night I visited. Whatever these classic places have to do to remain viable, I certainly don't blame them. The place certainly looks nice. Don't know much about the history. The original owners: Leon and Ginny Hyatt.

Not far from the Apple Pan restaurant, and Billingsly's Restaurant.

Barney's Beanery

See the Restaurant page.

Bar 107, 107 W. 4th St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 213-625-7382

T T T T

origins (one source says 1896 and another 1910 for this interior).

I can't believe I just found this place. My soldiers - you have let me down. When I first started this site around 2004, people constantly wrote me with suggestions for new places. Now that the site has 100s of places, the suggestions have slowed down (and I have slowed way down on following up on them big time). This place is incredibly well preserved and may well be the oldest bar interior left in Los Angeles (I'll have to research it sometime). As an old fart and for the purposes of this website, I wish they would leave it in an unadorned, austere original look but I realize that would be suicide in attracting young people. Hence there are a lot of knic knacks in the place (including a lot of interesting kitschy paintings I liked). Lot's of TV's and big screens for watching sports events. Hip bartenders and very reasonable drink prices (specializing in Busch beer - much appreciated for someone with genealogy origins in St. Louis). I don't believe the name is mentioned out front (as is de rigueur for hip places these days). I think the sign says Heilmanns (sp?) and also says Sports bait and tackle (which might be the reason an inept person like me never visited before). Hope they leave it that way. The entrance is an interesting key hole shape. I'll have to go back and take pictures. In the historic Barclay (originally Van Nuys) Hotel. This is a very important historic interior for Los Angeles. Remember Bar 107 stands for 107 W. 4th st. downtown!

The Barrel Sports Bar, 4547 Van Nuys Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, 818-990-2095

T T T

Relaxing, well maintained older bar in a nice area that is easy to access from the 405 and Ventura Blvd. Friendly people and staff. They have Karaoke here on the weekends I need to check out in the future. An all around nice place. It has a rare old shuffleboard (the quasi-mechanical ones - not tiles on a floor).

Boardner’s Bar, 1652 N. Cherokee Ave. Hollywood 90028-6212, 323-462-9621, 11:30am to 2:00am daily, since 1942

Rating: T T T T (but recently remodeled)

Below is the new look for Boardner's:

Venerable and historic old bar and restaurant. It appears this location was first known as the "Cherokee House" in the 1930s. When Steve Boardner first took it over it was called the "52 Club". Stephen L. Boardner was born around 1914 and married at least three times, including a very brief marriage to actress Crystal Reeves.

Boardner's was featured in the movie "Ed Wood". The crowd at nighttime is definitely more interesting. It's funny how the ambiance of a bar, like this one, improves dramatically at night. This place is nice and dark. Generally a young crowd, and apparently very crowded on Goth night. Despite the young crowd, this place doesn't make the mistake of playing music so loud, you can't have an intelligent conversation. The current owner, Tricia La Belle, is very nice and very civic minded. Don't waste your time in the so called new, hip and trendy clubs sprouting up in Hollywood - this is the place to be!

UPDATE: The place has just undergone a complete remodel in an art deco style. I'll keep it on this page in any event, since the owner is very nice and it's an attractive remodel and still a very pleasant place. Despite the changes, it still feels like the Boardner's I've always loved.

Near the Frolic Room bar, the Pantages Theater, Miceli's Italian Restaurant, Musso and Frank's Restaurant, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Grauman's Chinese and Egyptian theaters, and the Power House bar.

Big Dean's Muscle-In Cafe and Bar, 1615 Ocean Front walk, Santa Monica 310-393-2666 since 1902 (the building).

T T

Well I finally made it out to Santa Monica and in the afternoon, this is about the only classic bar open. You don't want to get trapped in Santa Monica past 4:00pm if you need to end up back downtown before 7:00pm on a week day (I guess I exaggerate) . I'm still not used to Los Angeles traffic (although people have met on highways out here and eventually married due to the parking lot type conditions some days). Despite being fairly austere and full of knick knacks, this place is friendly and right off the beach. The place looks like it was originally made with the wood from crates, now with a nice patina. If my information that it was built in 1902 is correct, I would think that makes it the oldest bar in the LA metro area (although I don't think it was always called Big Dean's). If anyone is aware of an older one, let me know. By the way, this is not on the pier, it's the walkway or sidewalk that goes along the beach near the pier. If you are lucky, you'll run into the former long term owner who hangs out with a former mayor of Santa Monica and a Hollywood stunt man/double at the bar. They are a treasure trove of information about the real "Bay City" before it became the "People's Republic of Santa Monica"!

Near the Galley restaurant, Snug Harbor restaurant, Rae's restaurant, Casa Escobar Mexican restaurant and the Circle bar.

The Blue Room Bar, 916 S. San Fernando Road Burbank, CA 91521 323-849-2779

10AM-2AM Daily (since 1947)

T T T T T

This picture doesn't really get the blue color right, but it's the best I could do with a flash.

This was quite a find for me. A pristine 50s bar with a great neon sign. Seemed to have a friendly crowd in the afternoon and at night gets taken over generally by a younger crowd (although lacking quite as much affluence of Westsiders). I have always found that indirect dark blue lights put me in a great introspective and relaxed mood, so I definitely have a bias for this place. It's the kind of blue lighting I like to call "David Lynch blue". David Lynch uses that sort of lighting brilliantly in his movies and this bar would make a great movie set, right out of "Mulholland Drive ". Highly recommended.

Not far from the Smokehouse Restaurant, Genio's restaurant (now closed), Bob's Big Boy Restaurant, the Safari Inn, Chili John's Restaurant, Bella Vista Italian Restaurant, Frank's Steakhouse and the Fox Fire Room bar.

LOS ANGELES TIME MACHINE AWARD: Best Neon Sign in the San Fernando Valley.

Brass Monkey bar and Restaurant, 659 S Mariposa Ave , Los Angeles, CA 90005 (213) 381-7047

I don't know much about the history of this place. Apparently the space was once a bank vault. This gives it an interesting shape. When you walk in it's a bit of a surprise to see the dark wood and old feel, since the exterior is a fairly modern office building (the historic Tishman building). Time machine? I'm not sure, but nice bar with a very friendly staff. Nice analog cash register - always the mark of a good place. I hear the Karaoke is great here, although I haven't been to it yet (it's the kind of Karaoke place where a lot of the participants actually are very good singers). If you're into it, you have a good chance of seeing the occasional Movie or TV star here.

Near the HMS Bounty restaurant, Frank 'n Hanks bar, Langer's Deli, Taylor's Steakhouse, the remains of the Brown Derby Restaurant Hat and the Prince Korean Restaurant.

Buccaneer Bar, 70 W Sierra Madre Blvd Sierra Madre, CA 91024-2434 626-355-9045

Nice old theater near the Buccaneer

The Buccaneer started out a few doors down. It apparently moved some 15 years or so ago to the present location, but the owner had the great intelligence to save and incorporate the incredible Frank Bowers artwork. Frank Bowers has become my favorite painter. His work (that I describe as being a cross of Vargas and Tamara de Lempicka - but what do I know about art??) is also seen at the Embers Lounge and Foc'sle bars (if anyone knows of any other bars that have his paintings - please let me know. I hear one of his paintings was stolen from the Colorado Bar - are there any left?). The faces he uses in his paintings often are inspired by movie stars. There is a very obvious Victor Mature in this mural and I believe Charles Laughton as well (not pictured due to "G" rating of this site and the pretty wench next to him.). Who do you recognize?

This bar is not what I would call a time machine due to its "recent" move, but it is a very pleasant place and highly recommended.

Sierra Madre reminds me a bit of Montrose - a really wonderful old downtown area that has become somewhat upscale. Nice place to walk around with a nice old theater. Looks like a great place to live. Wish I could afford to live here!

The Bull Pen Restaurant and Bar, 314 Avenue I, Redondo Beach, CA 310-375-7797

T T T

Sorry for the blurry picture, but it does give you a feel for the place (and yes - I still had my standard O'Doul's here).

Ya gotta love Redondo Beach and this place fits right in with the pleasant vibe. It seems like a very local place. Laid back and relaxing. I'll have to go back to try the food.

Not too far from Thelen's Mermaid restaurant, Uncle John's Pancakes restaurant, the Lighthouse bar, and the Alpine Inn restaurant and supper club.

Casey's Irish Pub (Casey's Bar & Grille) - 613 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA (213) 629-2353

(since 1971)

T T T T

This great bar and grill is a perfect example of how one can successfully recreate an excellent time machine. If I have my information right, most of the old fixtures here were actually imported antiques from Ireland. They had me fooled - everything looks like it has been there since the 1930s (instead of the early '70s). Good food and outgoing staff. Very convenient downtown location. This is a must see for those who want to live out their "MAD MEN" fantasies! One of the best bars downtown. Owned by the very progressive "213" corporation.

Casey's Irish Pub is used as the filming location for Mad Men when they are supposed to be in New York at someplace like "P.J. Clarke's" if I'm not mistaken. See Season II, Episode one for one of the scenes.

Not far from the Yorkshire Grill ,The Standard Hotel, the Broadway Bar, the Eastern Columbia Building, the Los Angeles Theater, Clifton's Cafeteria, the Original Pantry Cafe, and Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet French Dipped Sandwiches.

The Chalet Bar,1630 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323) 258-8800

This bar is actually only a few years old, but they have done a great job of recreating an old classic lounge. A good variety of eclectic music is played here - including true ultra lounge music. The classic neon signs out side lured me in, without realizing what a nice place loomed inside. It looks like they spent a fortune on this place. Dark and cozy with a fireplace. My only fear is this place is so cool, the unwashed masses may not "get it" (I am at least occasionally washed). Hope they do, because this is a nice addition to Eagle Rock.

UPDATE: I hear this place is packed most nights and very successful. I guess the people still do like classic lounges.

Not far from Colombo's Restaurant, the Capri Restaurant, the Bucket Restaurant, the Casa Bianca Restaurant and all the great Pasadena places.

Chez Jay’s Bar, 1657 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, 310 395-1741 since 1959

T T T

This bar and restaurant is beloved by a multitude of people, who feel passionately about it. It apparently has a long history of being a celebrity hang. The name comes from being a French Restaurant. The bar looks fairly un-remodeled, although the restaurant part looks like it has been fairly recently redone to look more upscale. The neon sign outside is truly excellent. One of the great quirks of the bar is that is wobbles a bit when you lean on it. If the story I heard is correct, it got this way when an elephant they had in the bar for a promotion, hit the bar with his trunk (hope that's correct!). Very nice Norwegian bar tender. Plenty of free parking. Classic neighborhood joint.

Not far from the Galley Restaurant, Snug Harbor Restaurant, Casa Escobar Mexican restaurant , Big Dean's bar, Rae's Diner, Dolores coffee shop and the Circle Bar.

Chimneysweep bar, 4354 Woodman Ave, Sherman Oaks, (818) 783-3348

T T T

Old bar with a friendly, well worn feel. Very well maintained and very clean. Warm staff and good old regulars. Similar to the Fox Fire Room bar.

Not far from the Ventura Blvd tour of Sportsmen Lodge, Art's Deli, Dupar's restaurant, (former) Barone's Italian Restaurant and the La Frite French restaurant.

The Cinema Bar, 3697 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 310 390 1328

T T T T (since 1947)

Great find in Culver City. This bar is in excellent shape despite the knick knacks. Very friendly bartender the day I visited. Wonderfully un-remodeled exterior and interior. I hadn't been in Culver City for 15-20 years and was surprised how nice the whole city looks. They have really put some money into this city (which once produced more movies than Hollywood). In the early years of Hollywood, the city was a big star hangout because it did not have the Los Angeles liquor laws and was a really rowdy town. This bar will not disappoint you!

Near Dear John's Restaurant, Tito's Tacos, Johnie's Pastrami restaurant and Dinah's family restaurant.

Clancy's Bar and Restaurant, 803 East Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802 562-437-1836

T T T T (just for the near future)

I've only come in once to this nice old bar and restaurant. The oldest Irish bar in Long Beach. Very nice interior, especially in the bar area.

UPDATE: The place has been remodeled. Don't know how extensively.

Club Tee Gee Bar, 3208 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90039 323 669-9631

(since 1946)

T T (but looks older)

Pronounced like the names of the letters "T" and "G" .This bar has a great neon sign in front and plenty of parking in back. Although the interior was redone around 12 years ago due to a fire, they have done a great job of recreating the old feel. Excellent bartenders (although somewhat puzzled by my ordering Perrier). They were playing Frank Sinatra on the jukebox when I came in which is always a plus.

Not far from the Roost bar, the Red Lion Restaurant, Astro Family Coffee shop, the Tam O'Shanter Restaurant, Dinah's (Atwater Village) and Algemac's former site.

Coach & Horses Bar, 7617 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90046 323 876-6900 since 1937

T T T T

Very well preserved classic bar. Very dark and nice old time feel. For a while it in the 70's it became a Mexican restaurant called Viva Tirado (Tirado being the name of the owner, a former Matador). At night it's a young crowd. I need to visit this place in the daytime when I hear it has a different ambiance, but nevertheless I do highly recommend the place. The juke box is almost completely the present generation's music.

Near Crossroads of the World and not too far from Taix French Restaurant, Millie's restaurant, Tiki Ti, the El Cid Restaurant, the Short Stop bar, the Brite Spot and El Chavo Mexican restaurant.

Cole’s Buffet, 118 E. 6th St. Los Angeles 90014 (213) 622-4090, since 1908. Mon-Fri 9am to 7pm, Sat. 9am-5pm

Original interior

The Pacific Electric Building was constructed by Henry Huntington. The Jonathon Club originated here.

Arguably the oldest continuously (well except for the restoration) operating bar and restaurant in the same location in Los Angeles. This place battles with Philippe’s for the claim of inventing the French Dipped Sandwich. Located in the Pacific Electric Railway building that once ran all the great trolley cars (which by the way can still be seen and ridden in in a unique museum in Perris, California). I thought the food was very good here, in a part of town that had a rough reputation but is rapidly gentrifying (not to say that's always a good thing!). The site of the "Night Owl" from LA Confidential is across the street. The Los Angeles Conservancy has had many positive things to say about the remodeled place.

Established by Harry Cole. Previous owners were Ted and Mike Mandekic (Mandecik?) and Jimmy Barella was a bar tender here from 1925 to 1970.

UPDATE: The place was completely restored but with care not to change the historic character of the place. The food here is excellent (perfectly following the Gordon Ramsey model of doing less items but doing them in an excellent fashion and exceedingly fresh. They have a new "speakeasy" that's generating a big buzz in town. Used in a scene for the "Mad Men" series that I rave about all over this site (the scene where Peggy picks up kind of nerdy younger guy in a bar). The bar is owned by the very progressive "213" corporation that is doing wonders to bring downtown back to it's former forefront in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES TIME MACHINE AWARD: BEST CAESAR SALAD IN LOS ANGELES

Not far from Clifton's Cafeteria, Casey's, the Original Pantry Cafe, Cosmo's, Hop Louie's and the Yorkshire Grill and their arch rival, Philippe the Original restaurant.

Colorado Bar, 2640 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 449-3485

T T T

This place was originally a Vita Sleep Furniture store. Fairly large and dark bar. Cheap prices. People talk about this place warmly. Don't know what kind of vibe it has at night, since I was there quite early in the day. Not many places in this area of Pasadena. I've heard rumors this place may have a Frank Bowers painting - I'll have to check it out.

Craby Joes Bar, 656 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 213-622-7384

T T T

Ali reminded me to visit this place and assured me I would survive it. My main interest was that it appears in the opening credits of the "Barfly" movie. I'm not sure if that means that someone identified it as a Bukowski hang or not. I can only recommend this place to brave Sociologists intent on studying the varied strata of society (see my warnings page). However, with the evolution of downtown, some far sighted investor may someday restore this place to its original glory.

Strangely enough, back in the '80s, U2 did a concert on the roof of this place (in the style of the Beatles in "Let it be").

UPDATE: This place apparently closed on 12-24-07. Adios mundo cruel! If you crave ultimate dives as a sociologist, perhaps the King Edward's bar (at least on a Saturday morning around 10AM) may be your best alternative.

Curley's Cafe and Bar, 1999 E Willow St, Long Beach, CA 90806

T

I believe this place claims to be the second oldest bar in Long Beach after Joe Jost's. Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of the place is that it has an oil rig/pump in the parking lot. Being on Signal Hill, one of the earliest places in LA Metro for oil to be discovered, the oil rig fits right in. This is a very friendly place and the food is a real bargain. My father, who is a Chili fanatic, loved the chili here, which is served in a humongous bowl. Good luck finishing it! Definitely a nice "hidden" place in Long Beach.

Delacey's Club 41, 41 S. DeLacey Ave. Pasadena, CA 626-795-141

T T T (probably the highest rating for a recreation outside of the El Capitan)

Beautiful recreation of a turn of the century bar and restaurant, with a real carved wooden old bar manufactured in Chicago in that time period (I'm not sure what bar they actually got it from). Great happy hour food specials. The nice thing about a good recreation is they are often not spoiled by "knick knacism" like many of the original places. If you like these original wooden bars from the turn of the century, you can't beat Nevada as a source - there are similar bars in Boulder City, NV, Goldfield, NV, Tonopah, NV, Reno, NV and perhaps 10 concentrated in Virginia City, NV (and I'm missing quite a few more - there's a great book on old Nevada bars that I unfortunately have forgotten the title of). Also check out Fat City in San Diego.

UPDATE: This place has changed ownership and name. It has a somewhat changed interior design from Delacy's but still has that great original saloon back bar.

Not far from Monty's Steak House, Freddie's 35er, Gus's Barbeque restaurant, El Cholo's Pasadena branch Mexican Restaurant, the Rialto and the Fair Oaks Pharmacy.

Dresden Room Restaurant, 1760 N. Vermont Ave. 323-665-4294,

T T T T T

This address was first a paint store and then it became Pucci Cafe owned by John Pucci around 1937. It became the Dresden Room (at this location at least) in the 50's. This bar and restaurant is perfectly preserved interior and the best Cobb Salad I’ve ever had. As you might know, Cobb Salad is named after Bob Cobb, former owner of the Brown Derby and inventor of the salad (the Cobb Salad recently played a role in the plot of a "Curb your Enthusiasm" episode). The Dresden room is featured in the movie "Swingers". The restaurant area reminds me of the last version of Perino's. Killer steaks and very professional and personal service. This place is quite famous and much beloved by the hipster crowd. Valet Parking in the rear. This is true old school.

Los Angeles Time Machines Award for BEST COBB SALAD

Not far from the Ye Rustic Inn and the Derby (the former site of the Brown Derby).