Don the Beachcomber, Palm Springs, CA (restaurant) - Locating Tiki

D Dustycajun Tiki Socialite Santa Barbara, CA Joined: Nov 16, 2007 Posts: 5295	D Dustycajun Posted posted on Fri, Feb 5, 2016 12:19 PM Name:Don the Beachcomber Type:restaurant Street:1101 North Palm Canyon Drive City:Palm Springs State:CA Zip: country:USA Phone: Status:defunct Description: There have been numerous threads that included information on the Don the Beachcomber restaurant located in Palm Springs. There is no separate entry in Locating Tiki so I figured I would start one. Palm Springs opened as the third Don the Beachcomber restaurant in March of 1953, following the Hollywood (1933) and Chicago (1940) locations. The restaurant was located in the newly constructed Sunset Towers building on Palm Canyon Drive. These articles from the Desert Sun document the opening with Donn’s ex-wife and owner Sunny Sund, manager Bud Bachtold, and host Pat O’Dea (both of whom came from the Hollywood restaurant). The building featured a modest A frame flanked by two Tiki poles. A rendering from Sabu. A few more news photos of the restaurant exterior and interior. Photos from Bigbro of the closed building from the 1990s. Here is the original sign that was spotted some years ago resting somewhere in the desert. "Hank Riddle (left) and waiter at the Palm Springs Beachcomber's, circa 1979" The restaurant became popular with the Palm Springs in-crowd, including Frank Sinatra. And Hoagy Charmaichael who was card carrying member of the club. Sunny seemed to be a regular. This photo from 1962 shows that Palm Springs also had the chopstick case for local celebrities similar to the Hollywood location. Another article shows the Aloha Nui Beachcomber certificate that was handed out to important customers. I have seen a few of these but have not been able to purchase one. This photo from the 1960's shows the Tiki mugs in action, including the Don the Beachcomber bust mug. I think this is the first time I have seen that mug in situ. Cantonese Cuisine indeed. The article from the Desert Sun shows that Sunny Sund sold the interest to the Don the Beachcomber restaurant to the Hilton group in 1961. A few more ads from various years. The last ad I found for Palm Springs was from 1978. It featured a rendering of the Marina Del Rey UFO building and a nod to manager Nash Aranas and host Mark Pinion. I am assuming it closed in that year. Part of the restaurant is now fittingly occupied by Bootlegger Tiki. DC [ Edited by: Dustycajun 2016-02-06 07:41 ]

Name:Don the Beachcomber
Type:restaurant
Street:1101 North Palm Canyon Drive
City:Palm Springs
State:CA
Zip:
country:USA
Phone:
Status:defunct

Description:
There have been numerous threads that included information on the Don the Beachcomber restaurant located in Palm Springs. There is no separate entry in Locating Tiki so I figured I would start one.

Palm Springs opened as the third Don the Beachcomber restaurant in March of 1953, following the Hollywood (1933) and Chicago (1940) locations. The restaurant was located in the newly constructed Sunset Towers building on Palm Canyon Drive.

These articles from the Desert Sun document the opening with Donn’s ex-wife and owner Sunny Sund, manager Bud Bachtold, and host Pat O’Dea (both of whom came from the Hollywood restaurant).

The building featured a modest A frame flanked by two Tiki poles.

A rendering from Sabu.

A few more news photos of the restaurant exterior and interior.

Photos from Bigbro of the closed building from the 1990s.

Here is the original sign that was spotted some years ago resting somewhere in the desert.

"Hank Riddle (left) and waiter at the Palm Springs Beachcomber's, circa 1979"

The restaurant became popular with the Palm Springs in-crowd, including Frank Sinatra.

And Hoagy Charmaichael who was card carrying member of the club.

Sunny seemed to be a regular.

This photo from 1962 shows that Palm Springs also had the chopstick case for local celebrities similar to the Hollywood location.

Another article shows the Aloha Nui Beachcomber certificate that was handed out to important customers. I have seen a few of these but have not been able to purchase one.

This photo from the 1960's shows the Tiki mugs in action, including the Don the Beachcomber bust mug. I think this is the first time I have seen that mug in situ.

Cantonese Cuisine indeed.

The article from the Desert Sun shows that Sunny Sund sold the interest to the Don the Beachcomber restaurant to the Hilton group in 1961.

A few more ads from various years.

The last ad I found for Palm Springs was from 1978. It featured a rendering of the Marina Del Rey UFO building and a nod to manager Nash Aranas and host Mark Pinion. I am assuming it closed in that year.

Part of the restaurant is now fittingly occupied by Bootlegger Tiki.

[ Edited by: Dustycajun 2016-02-06 07:41 ]

Post #758518 by Dustycajun on Fri, Feb 5, 2016 12:19 PM