JOHN-O's Mid-Century Guide to the San Gabriel Valley, CA - Tiki Travel

J JOHN-O Tiki Socialite Dogtown, USA Joined: May 16, 2008 Posts: 2721	J JOHN-O Posted posted on Mon, Aug 16, 2010 7:09 PM OK, I'm a little embarrassed about this latest entry, it flew low and under the radar for this Rosemead native son. It look a surf show recommendation from BigTikiDude to bring it to my attention. Spike's is the oldest bar in the San Gabriel Valley, having opened in the late 1940's. A little research and a conversation with the owner brought to light some of these following facts. Originally it was called the Dew Drop but later changed to Andy's Alibi in the mid-1950's when it became the SGV's first "titty" bar. In 1965, it became Patrick's Cocktail Lounge and remained that way for 3 decades. In the mid-1990's, it became Spike's. Over the last decade, a small stage was put in and bands were booked. For those of you familiar with Silver Lake's Spaceland club, it has a similar 1970's "down and out" disco vibe. Very cool !! From what I could tell from my visit, this has become a hub for a hoppin' Mexican-American Rockabilly scene. Latino Elvis's and Chicana Bettie's filled the room decked out like "Happy Days" extras and took over the dance floor with their hep-cat moves. I was there to see a couple of international Surf bands that BTD had booked for his Surf Guitar 101 convention. The kids politely listened to the live surf sounds but obviously were there to swing to the Rockabilly DJ spinning between the band's sets. I couldn't help thinking of Paul Lemat's hot rod greaser's line in "American Graffiti":"I don't like that surfin' shit. Rock and roll's been going down hill ever since Buddy Holly died." :D Spike's is located at 7813 Garvey Avenue in Rosemead, about 4 miles south of the Bahooka. [ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-08-16 19:10 ]

OK, I'm a little embarrassed about this latest entry, it flew low and under the radar for this Rosemead native son. It look a surf show recommendation from BigTikiDude to bring it to my attention.

Spike's is the oldest bar in the San Gabriel Valley, having opened in the late 1940's. A little research and a conversation with the owner brought to light some of these following facts. Originally it was called the Dew Drop but later changed to Andy's Alibi in the mid-1950's when it became the SGV's first "titty" bar. In 1965, it became Patrick's Cocktail Lounge and remained that way for 3 decades. In the mid-1990's, it became Spike's.

Over the last decade, a small stage was put in and bands were booked. For those of you familiar with Silver Lake's Spaceland club, it has a similar 1970's "down and out" disco vibe. Very cool !!

From what I could tell from my visit, this has become a hub for a hoppin' Mexican-American Rockabilly scene. Latino Elvis's and Chicana Bettie's filled the room decked out like "Happy Days" extras and took over the dance floor with their hep-cat moves.

I was there to see a couple of international Surf bands that BTD had booked for his Surf Guitar 101 convention.

The kids politely listened to the live surf sounds but obviously were there to swing to the Rockabilly DJ spinning between the band's sets. I couldn't help thinking of Paul Lemat's hot rod greaser's line in "American Graffiti":"I don't like that surfin' shit. Rock and roll's been going down hill ever since Buddy Holly died."

Spike's is located at 7813 Garvey Avenue in Rosemead, about 4 miles south of the Bahooka.

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-08-16 19:10 ]

Post #548892 by JOHN-O on Mon, Aug 16, 2010 7:09 PM