Monte Proser's Beachcomber, New York and Other Locations - Locating Tiki

T TikiTeddie Member Montreal, Quebec Joined: Mar 02, 2017 Posts: 45	T TikiTeddie Posted posted on Sun, Mar 26, 2017 10:37 AM I can add some info on the Boston location - a description from September 23, 1940 : "The Beachcomber, Boylston St., is one of the most startling replicas of a thatched roof hut on a Hawaiian beach and presents a floor show, dancing, entertainment by native Hawaiians, and food prepared by native chefs." Interestingly, Monte Proser's name was listed above the name of the restaurant up till August 1941, when his name no longer appears, and the name is just listed at the Beachcomber. Tommy Maren is listed as the owner in December 1941. In April, 1942, it was noted - "The Beachcomber has been enlarged. The kitchen was dropped to a lower floor and additonal tables have been set up near the bandstand to accommodate 100 more patrons." After the deadly fire at the Cocoanut Grove Restaurant in 1942, it seems that many of the bars in Boston changed decors and much of the "tiki" style was removed including the artificial palm trees, the rattan walls and hanging decorations - in December, 1942 it was noted that panels in oil had been installed at the Beachcomber replacing the rattan walls - "the panels by Miron in the Beachcomber are exceptional." I have no idea if these were carved panels of a tiki theme or what. Maybe someone can shed a light on this. The bar went through some changes in the menu in early 1943, and then vanishes from the radar then so I suspect it might have closed that year or shortly after. Some ads from the Beachcomber, the Home of the Zombie, from the Boston Globe - 1941-04-30 1941-06-11 1941-08-06 1941-09-25 - A savage dance spectacle - 1941-10-23 1941-10-29 1941-12-28 - Some areas of the bar : the Zombie Room and the Tropical Garden 1942-10-28 [ Edited by: TikiTeddie 2017-03-26 11:13 ] [ Edited by: TikiTeddie 2017-03-26 13:18 ]

I can add some info on the Boston location - a description from September 23, 1940 : "The Beachcomber, Boylston St., is one of the most startling replicas of a thatched roof hut on a Hawaiian beach and presents a floor show, dancing, entertainment by native Hawaiians, and food prepared by native chefs."

Interestingly, Monte Proser's name was listed above the name of the restaurant up till August 1941, when his name no longer appears, and the name is just listed at the Beachcomber. Tommy Maren is listed as the owner in December 1941.

In April, 1942, it was noted - "The Beachcomber has been enlarged. The kitchen was dropped to a lower floor and additonal tables have been set up near the bandstand to accommodate 100 more patrons."

After the deadly fire at the Cocoanut Grove Restaurant in 1942, it seems that many of the bars in Boston changed decors and much of the "tiki" style was removed including the artificial palm trees, the rattan walls and hanging decorations - in December, 1942 it was noted that panels in oil had been installed at the Beachcomber replacing the rattan walls - "the panels by Miron in the Beachcomber are exceptional." I have no idea if these were carved panels of a tiki theme or what. Maybe someone can shed a light on this.

The bar went through some changes in the menu in early 1943, and then vanishes from the radar then so I suspect it might have closed that year or shortly after.

Some ads from the Beachcomber, the Home of the Zombie, from the Boston Globe -

1941-04-30