Post #95974 by tikivixen on Fri, Jun 11, 2004 6:14 PM

I WAS pleased they mentioned SF's legendary "Embers" (how lucky was I to have gone there a few times before they closed! my pal Paul even has a couple of their barstools). It was the creepy clown bar to end all creepy clown bars, the owner was a genuine, crusty-as-hell WWII vet, the juke (done by the aforementioned Paul) featured an incredible selection of vintage 45s, and the clientele was actually INTERESTING.

Not to mention, there was that black and white TV playing old movies...

I still miss it.

But I was surprised the "Ivy Room" (aka Divey Room)and its amazingly cool juke merited no word at all in that article, and there wasn't even an amused mention of the best bar NAME of all..."The Hotsy-Totsy Club"!!!(well I think there wasn't...)

Plus, they also completely omitted Oakland's "Fifth Amendment" and its excellent live music scene. Hmph.

I perversely miss some of the East Bay's most cheerfully depressing nitespots, many of which have died in recent years...like Oakland's "Bird Kage", a 60's-era lounge run by an old-time football hero. Bathroom doors read "Hawks" and "Chicks" I believe. And there was some great aquarium action, I believe...not to mention 60's funk and soul on the juke. What is that pickup song about the astrological signs...argh, can't remember.

And does anyone recall the original "Manhattan Club" on Grand, now the obnoxious "Lucky Lounge"? It was a little scary, but if you went in on a weekday afternoon and made nice, there were some very cool bartenders there. And who could forget the FABULOUS hot pink leatherette stools, the mirrors, the glittering chrome everywhere? Dang. Worthy of Superfly.

I am happy that Vallejo has at least two great dive bars, (yeah I know, I've plugged 'em before) the 30s era "Valano Club" and the '53 vintage "Golden Bubble". Both well worth a field trip, folks. Enjoy 'em before the frigging developers take 'em down!!!

I know this is an older thread, but I've been out of the loop for a while and just wanted to share some memories...

XOX Tikivixen