History of Los Angeles Historic Bars, Pubs, Dives, Saloons & Taverns Q-Z

HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES BARS, DIVES, PUBS, SALOONS & TAVERNS OF THE 30's, 40's, 50's & 60's (Q-Z)
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!
Rebel's Cocktail Lounge, 2216 S Pacific Ave San Pedro, CA 90731 T T T	See my write up of the Alhambra Lounge and my warning page (the comments apply to this place as well). I went in here early on a Sunday morning and the place was packed with a lively crowd. Pretty typical working class neighborhood bar (definitely NOT upscale! - I'm not an upscale fan). Really nice neon sign out front. Fairly old feel. The star attraction here is an ancient full sized shuffleboard (the real wooden kind - not the dumb game played on the floor). These are extremely hard to find in bars these days. Probably also a good idea to read the reviews of this place on various sites on the internet before checking it out.
Red Lion Tavern, 2366 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, 90039-3209, 323-662-5337, since 1959. T T T	Green leather booths, an old German bar and restaurant, where people are known to actually speak German on occasion. I have not actually eaten here yet, but it’s on the to do list. Interestingly enough, this place once had the same owners as Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet downtown - Ted Mandekic and Edward Pagliano. During that period, the Red Lion Tavern was an English Pub with darts and all the fixings! It took on its German theme in 1963. Not far from the Roost bar, the Tam O'Shanter restaurant, Club Tee Gee bar, the Astro Family Coffee Shop, Dinah's Fried Chicken and the former site of Algemac's restaurant.
Redwood 2nd Street Saloon, 316 W. Second St. Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-617-2867 (since 1943 - 1970-2005 for its present location) T T T Photos of the original Redwood Bar and Restaurant.	Very historic bar, although it has moved over the years. Long time hangout for Los Angeles Times staffers. Past visitors include Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy and Mickey Cohen. Various pay parking lots in area. Good place to get the inside scope on what's going on in Los Angeles politics. Not far from Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet, Clifton's Cafeteria, the Yorkshire Grill, the Original Pantry Cafe and the Bradbury Building. UPDATE : The original Redwood pictured here had been closed for a while. A great loss to downtown and Los Angeles Times history. The "Redwood" reopened in September 2006 by means of the folks who reopened the Golden Gopher (I think). I hear they have a fun new Pirate theme, and from pictures it looks like some of the original wooden bar is still there. At least downtown is coming alive again at night. Los Angeles Times staffers still hang out here!
Reno Room Bar, 3400 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803 562 438-4590 (since 1950) T	Another place I know nothing about. I was driving by and liked the sign, so I stuck my head in and took a picture. Seemed like it only had a few traces of its original interior.
Rick's Tavern on Main, 2907 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310) 392-2772 T T	A nice upscale place with remnants of a much older joint. Nice old back bar. Professional staff. Lot's of nice pressed tin on the ceiling. In a pleasant area to stroll around and observe the very fashionable Santa Monicans. One would swear that many people from Santa Monica are genetically altered to look perfect. Maybe that's just the view of someone who spends a lot of time in cheesier Las Vegas (although there's a more limited, but abundant type of bodily alteration going on there as well!). Near the Circle Bar, Chez Jay's bar and restaurant and the Galley Restaurant.
The Roost Bar, 3100 Los Feliz Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 323 664-7272 (since 1930) T T T	A admirable old bar. It's dark, it's cheap and it's got a hypnotic red glow inside. Sort of rustic. Peaceful place in the afternoon. Friendly staff. All in all a nice place. Not far from the Tam O'Shanter restaurant, The Astro Family Restaurant, Club Tee Gee bar, the Red Lion Tavern and the former site of Algemac's restaurant.
Rustic Lite Bar, 14019 Hawthorne Blvd. Hawthorne, CA 90250 310-973-5454. T T T	Don't know anything about this place. I was driving down Hawthorne Blvd. on a weekend afternoon and saw the great neon signage - had to stop. At least in the early afternoon it seemed like a friendly working class neighborhood bar. Very polite bar tender. Not a lot of older places in the area, so this was a happy surprise. They advertise themselves as over 50 years old.
Short Stop Bar, 1455 Sunset Blvd. 213-487-4942 (since 1940) T T T T T You've got to love a place with an exterior this subtle.	I've driven by this place many times, noticing the nice neon "cocktails" sign. There is no other indicator outside as to what lies behind the door (probably not very good for business, although admirably hip - I guess this is the big trend these days). This is a classic old bar in really great shape and nicely very dark. A young crowd. The bartender the day I went in was very friendly and quite an expert on other old bars in Los Angeles and country music. Very friendly crowd as well (one patron very generously brought in homemade Guacamole). The place obviously has a lot of history connected to baseball and police (while no longer a "cop" bar - it still has gun lockers). Why baseball players do not hang out here is beyond me, given the proximity to the stadium. Highly recommended, although I went during the day. Near the El Cid dinner theater, the El Chavo Mexican Restaurant, Millie's Restaurant, the Brite Spot Restaurant, Taix French Restaurant, and the Tiki Ti bar.
The Snake Pit, 7529 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046-7417 (323) 653-2011 T T	Not really a dive. Kind of an old feel. I did appreciate that the bar tender didn't grimace when I ordered a diet coke (and didn't charge $3.75 for it - like some other places!). The day I was there a strange looking forlorn cowboy walked in, sat at the bar, but refused to order and soon left. Almost ghostlike - but I don't believe in such things. Given the Melrose Ave. location and the sort of hidden status of the place, it brings in a few celebrity's now and then. It's kind of nice that this place hasn't sold out and become phony. A nice refuge if you become overwhelmed with the cutting edge pop culture that surrounds the place. Melrose Ave. at certain times of the day and week makes for a great anthropological site to study Los Angeles pop culture and fashion. Now gone is the nearby great Italian restaurant Chianti, which was so dark, waiters had flashlights to escort you to your table. I hope the interior of the place is still in tact and someone buys it and reopens it. I think I saw it gutted however when driving by.
Maui Sugar Mill Saloon,18389 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356 818-344-0044 (since 1976)	I'll break my 1970 rule here because this place has a great interior. I haven't been here yet, but from talking with the owners and looking at the pictures they sent me, this looks like a great place. The new owners are very aware how important the original interior is and with the exception of restoring a few elements of the original interior, nothing is being changed. According the owners Tim & Linda this place has a "very cool hammered copper bar, with pennies inlaid. Carved Indian elephants, goddesses and cherubs throughout the bar area and fireplace. Stained glass entry area. Older but enthusiastic crowd. They know they have a hidden treasure here."
Tamarack Inn, 9257 Slauson Ave., Pico Rivera 562-949-1668 established 1962. T T T T These pictures do not do the place justice. You'll have to see for yourself.	Talk about a hidden gem, this was quite a find. You would not expect much from the exterior, but it has a fantastic rustic, dark wood interior. Very unique. Super-friendly staff and regulars (and a beautiful bartender the last time I went there) with great American comfort food. I don't know much about the history of this place, but you must check it out. You may become a regular yourself. Not far from Dal Rae (and you can visit the nearby incredible "exterior" of remains of Harvey's/Johnie's Broiler -(recently destroyed except it's large sign), as well as the world's oldest McDonald's (in its original Googie form), both in nearby Downey. You can probably check out Bahooka Ribs and Grog, Goody's Coffee Shop and Clearman's North Woods Restaurant on the same trip.
Tattle Tale Room, 5401 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230 310-390-2489 T T	This place was endangered for a while by eminent domain but the bartender told me that the problem has been solved. Popular local spot with Karaoke. Not far off the 405 in Culver City.
T C's Cocktail Lounge, 694 W 9th St, San Pedro, CA 90731 (310) 514-1691 T T T T T	Beautifully preserved wood and cork curving bar. Original antique cash registers. The vibe was quiet on the afternoon I went in, with a very friendly owner and clientele. Don't know what the vibe is like at night. Undoubtedly the most beautiful bartender I've ever seen (bartendress?). The place was originally called Mirrors. Looks like it dates from the forties or so. Would be an excellent locale to film a period piece. Unless things change quite a bit at night, this sure seems like a real "hidden gem". Surprisingly little mention of it on the internet. Interior designwise probably one of the most beautiful retro bars in the U.S. LOS ANGELES TIME MACHINES AWARD - Best "hidden gem" bar south of "the 10" Highway.
Three Clubs, 1123 Vine Street. Hollywood CA. 90038. 323 462 - 6441 T T T T	I passed by this place a thousand times without noticing it until a reader of this site pointed it out to me. No sign with the name (required for hip places) other than a classic neon "cocktails" sign. Before 8 o'clock you have to knock on the door and just like a 1930's speakeasy, the bartender opens a slot on the front door and checks you out first (got to love that!). Really beautiful and well preserved interior. In the 60's this was Knight's Restaurant. It looks like it dates from the 40's or 50's. Of particular interest to me, the Mad Men series was filmed here twice. One scene was from the "Maiden Form" episode where Peggy joins "the guys" at a stripper club. It was also used as the bar where Betty first cheats (revenge is sweet) on Don in an elegant bar. I need to go back and take pictures. A little loud for old farts like me once the music starts playing later at night. Plenty of parking in the area (and a good idea to park close by - be streetwise).
Tiki Ti, 4427 W. Sunset,, Los Angeles, 90027-6017, 323-669-9381, since 1961 T T T	[This was once a garage - wrong - see below]. It started out with six bar stools. Still small but extremely authentic Tiki bar (one of the only really authentic one’s still existing in Los Angeles that is not a re-creation, along with the Tonga Hut), and still run by descendents of the original owner, Ray Buhen, who was perhaps the greatest Tiki bartender at Don the Beachcomber (or anywhere else) in the 1940’s. I hear that Disney's California Adventure has a new Don the Beachcomber. Would someone inform me is it pronounced Tiki "Tee" or Tiki "Tie" (I usually hear Tiki "Tie"). Next door to El Chavo Mexican Restaurant. Not far from Taix French Restaurant, the Short Stop Bar, El Cid and Millie's restaurant for a nice Sunset Blvd tour. You can continue on Sunset to the Coach and Horses bar, the Hollywood Athletic Club, the Crossroads of the World, the Sunset Grill, Greenblatt's Deli, the former site of the Garden of ***, the former sites of the Trocadero Cafe, the Mocambo and La Rue, Myagi's (Players) the Chateau Marmont, Mel's Drive-in (Ben Frank's), the Rainbow Bar and Grill, the Argyle Hotel, Duke's Tropicana coffee shop, the Bel Age Hotel and the Beverly Hills Hotel. Update** - My source indicating this was once a garage is dead wrong. This is what an associate of the Tiki Ti points out: Sorry guys, I don't know where you got your info, but the Tiki-Ti was never a garage, it may only be big enough for two cars, but it was never a garage. It stated off as a family owned Violin Repair Shop that was built in the 1930's and owned by the father in-law of the original owner, Ray Buhen. Ray was originally going to open a Bar-tending School in the old Violin Repair Shop, that had been previously rented out as a meat pie manufacturing shop, and Republican Head Quarters in the 1950's. Fortunately he listened to his wife and opened a real bar instead. And the rest as they say is history. Gil A. tiki-ti web master
Tin Horn Flats, 2623 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank 91505 818-567-2470 T T T	Quirky and pleasant old bar with a Western theme. Friendly place with yummy food as well. Sort of the last of the old West in the Los Angeles Metro area (although I don't believe statements like "Howdy Partner" would be welcome here). Not quite as rustic on the inside, as one might imagine from the swinging old Western doors. On the Magnolia Blvd. tour with Tony's Bella Vista Italian Restaurant, Monte Carlo Deli and Pinocchio Restaurant, Sitton's North Hollywood Diner and the Fire Fox Room bar, and near Chili John's Restaurant, Frank's Steakhouse Restaurant, Genio's (now closed), the Smoke House restaurant and the Safari Inn.
Tom Bergin’s, 840 S. Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles, 90036-4421, 323-936-7151 since 1936 T T T	Nice bar and restaurant. Very historic. Moved in 1949 from Wilshire Blvd. Bing Crosby was once an owner. It was originally known as the Horseshoe Tavern. When they changed location, they not only changed addresses, but they disassembled and reassembled the place at the new location. Great idea. Lot's of extremely loyal fans of this place. Love the neon sign. Not far from Molly Malone's pub, the El Coyote Mexican Restaurant, the Farmer's Market (Patsy D'Amore's Pizza) and Canter's Delicatessen.
The Tonga Hut, 12808 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91606, (818) 769-0708 T T T T	Quite a good Tiki find. I could be wrong but I don't remember this place mentioned in "The Book of Tiki" or "The Tiki Road Trip". Very well worn dive - definitely not remodeled - although shockingly, I might not be opposed to some careful restoration here (removing some knick knacks and repairing the fountain behind the bar). During the afternoon the place was pleasant enough and the bartender and patrons very friendly (although the neighborhood looks like you should use caution). UPDATE: There are rumors that this place has new owners who realize what a unique property this is. It sounds like they may do the careful restoration I suggested. Someone let me know the current status of the place. Not too far from the Smokehouse Restaurant, Dimples Restaurant, the Blue Room bar, Frank's Restaurant, Chili John's restaurant, Genio's Restaurant (now closed) and Bob's Big Boy restaurant.
The Townhouse, 52 Windward Ave., Venice 310-392-4040 (since 1915) T T	This place was fairly crowded the night I poked my head in. It has a nice old tiled floor, apparently from an older place that occupied the site. Not far from the beach and the famous Venice columns. Very large bar in wild and wooly Venice beach - one of the most interesting areas of Los Angeles metro. One of the oldest bars in LA metro if their 1915 date is accurate. UPDATE: Stopped back during the middle of the day. The place was empty but the bar was much more attractive and interesting than I had remembered. Will have to check it out again some day. Right off the interesting cement "boardwalk" area of Venice Beach.
V Room Bar, 918 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802 562 437-4396 (since 1940) T T	Don't know much about this place, but the bartender the day I went was extremely friendly (always a plus when you have to order a Seven Up!) She would occasionally pick up a harmonica and join in on a blues number while donning a security guard hat. The place has not been maintained with history in mind, but there are still some traces of the past here. Pretty typical of old Long Beach bars. Don't know what the place is like at night.
Ye Rustic Inn, 1831 Hillhurst Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027, 323 662-5757 since 1971 T T	I'm breaking my pre-70 rule here. This place is generally packed like sardines. Very dark. Generally a young crowd and nice owners. Plenty of parking in the area. This dive bar is highly recommended for the under 40 crowd (and the very young at heart for any age). There are a number of good bars and restaurants in the area to go hopping around. Not far from the Dresden Room restaurant, and the Derby (the former Brown Derby).