Post #461428 by 7echo on Sat, Jun 13, 2009 9:27 AM

I grew up in Santa Monica in the fifties. There used to be a nightclub called Horace Heidt's, (Hideaway, I think) on 3rd St. which later became the Santa Monica Mall. It was at the end of an arcade on the west side of the street. I remember walking past it while shopping with my great grandmother, which was a regular occurrence. I was impressed with how dark and mysterious the arcade was, even on the brightest, sunniest days. There was a waterfall outside the entrance with a tiki, fake palms and plants mysteriously lit with green lights from beneath. Granny used to want to pass by quickly, apparently she frowned on the alcohol abuse inherent in such a place. I believe they had night club acts, possible Horace himself, as there was often a sandwich board advertising musical acts out front on the sidewalk. I went in once years later after I was 21, it was early in the day and I don't remember the inside being as cool as the outside, but it could have been that it was just opening for the day. I haven't been to the Santa Monica Mall in years, SM is now a grotesque monstrosity compared to the tranquil beach city I grew up in. Does anyone else remember this place? I searched this site and only found the apartments in the valley.