JOHN-O's Las Vegas (& Honolulu pg 8) Thread

Where to drink during the Las Vegas graveyard shift (yes, there).......

http://www.lasvegascitylife.com/articles/2009/08/20/eat_and_drink/crawl/iq_30681514.txt

Freaky Tiki Beach Party at Krave (the "alternative" night club in Planet Hollywood).

http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/events/2009/aug/21/8377/

I guess Tiki and gay culture were bound to collide at some point. It's probably the kitsch appeal.

Do any Vegas locals know if this was more Tiki than Freaky, more Freaky than Tiki, or equally Freaky and Tiki ?

What ever it was, I'm sure it was better than the defunct Trader Vic's.

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2009-08-30 14:59 ]

Here's a before and after history of Las Vegas Tiki. I know this is old hat for the Tiki hardcore but newbies might find it informative.

1. 1960 - The Aku Aku Room opens at the Stardust hotel. Admire the Aku Aku's giant Moai (carved by Eli Hedley) and African spear sign juxtaposed with the Stardust's fabulous mondo atomic signage. I think it's one of the most iconic images of early 1960's Las Vegas and is definitive "Tiki Modern". I was too young to have experienced this place but the Aku Aku's interior was recreated for the film "Casino". I don't know how accurate that was but maybe some of TC's senior citizens can comment. The Stardust was blown up in 2007 for Boyd Gaming's new resort, Echelon Place. All construction on Echelon Place was put on hold last year due to the down economy. What a waste of a perfectly good hotel casino !! They should recreate the Stardust's 1960 exterior instead of building yet another generic hotel/casino/shopping complex. That would be cool !!

--->

2. 1963 - Don the Beachcomber opens at the Sahara hotel. Unlike the Aku Aku, pictures of this place are pretty scarce. As you can see from the postcard image that I poached off this site, almost the entire 2nd floor was dedicated to the restaurant. Eli Hedley did the Tikis for this place too. The current theme for the Sahara is Nascar racing (??).

--->

3. 1970-2000 - A 30-year Tiki void with the exception of a small footprint at the Tropicana.

4. 2001 - Las Vegas neo-tiki begins with the opening of Taboo Cove at the Venetian hotel. Lot's of cool carvings by Bosko (who grew up in Rosemead, CA just like me). This place got off to a good start but then went "disco" when it tried to cater to the club kid generation. Taboo Cove lasted for almost 4 years and then was reinvented into a porno-themed nightclub. The current space is occupied by the the uber-popular club Tao. You won't see any Aloha shirts in this place but you will find one of the most smoking hot looking crowds in Vegas (if the doorman deems you worthy enough to enter).

--->

5. 2007 - Trader Vic's opens at Planet Hollywood. And then closes within 2 years. Even for Vegas, that's fast. I didn't care, corporate Tiki sucks.

Sammy Hagar is opening a branch of his restaurant Cabo Wabo here.

--->

6. 2008 - Frankie's Tiki Room opens. Along with Forbidden Island in Alameda CA, this has to be the most perfect realization of neo-Tiki to date. Bamboo Ben, who is Eli Hedley's grandson (!!), did the design. In 2020, Frankie's will be purchased by Sammy Hagar who will appropriately reinvent it into Sammy's Fern Bar. Don't be depressed, this is the natural lifecycle of Tiki.

--->

As you can see, nothing stays the same in a place like Las Vegas.

The following however is a JFK-era exception that I recently discovered. Here's a postcard image of the Tod Motor Motel as it looked in the early 1960's vs. today. The exterior has hardly changed and is one of the few Las Vegas Googie-style vintage motels where you won't get shanked by a crack whore. Maybe they should put a big Tiki in the front.

--->

Stay there while you can.

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2009-12-15 11:46 ]

Here's a blog about a blog.....

http://www.casinoguide.com/blogs/lifeinvegas/blog/neighborhoods/ghetto-custard/

Anyway I guess my favorite stretch of Las Vegas (Dino's/OG/Tod/White Cross/Luv-It) is indeed a "dangerous ghetto".

Please don't try walking to Frankie's from the Strat (or Tod) after dark. :(

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2009-11-07 12:45 ]

Las Vegas Trip Report

We started out the weekend in search of Davy Jones Locker. The first stop was the Mermaid Lounge in the Silverton Casino. This bar faces towards a 117,000-gallon saltwater aquarium where rumor has it, a swimmer in a mermaid body suit makes regular appearances. We waited for a while and then finally asked the bartender where the mermaid was. He answered "Oh, you just missed her". Somehow I got the feeling that was the standard reply. :(

The next stop on the agenda was the famous Neon Boneyard. This is where old Las Vegas neon signs go to die (or wait to get refurbished). It's a mix of the vintage obscure and famous. I'm glad to see that the signs for the Moulin Rouge and Algiers Motel were rescued in time. Also check out the relocated La Concha Motel lobby, it's going to be the Neon Museums's visitor center !!

Next was a stop at Tiki Lee's, a place I've been meaning to visit for quite some time. His space located in the Charleston Antique Mall might be small but every item appeared to be a hand-picked treasure. There was Tiki stuff like mugs, carvings, albums, paintings, etc. as well as vintage Las Vegas items like ash trays and match books. Nice !!

The afternoon ended appropriately with a stop at Frankie's Tiki Room just down the street. There the beautiful Tawnya mixed us up a tasty batch of Mai Tais, Navy Grogs, and Zombies. Check out how good she looks in that Bavarian beer hall serving dress. If this is Tiki devolution then I like it !! :)

I'll end my trip report on that high note. The Tiki gods might have been watching over me during the day but later that night at the craps tables, Lady Luck was nowhere to be seen. :(

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2009-11-03 07:07 ]

More Boneyard pics. You might be asking the same question that I did. So where's the Aku Aku's shield and spear sign? It was nowhere to be found. The closest thing was the Stardust's original mondo-atomic signage stacked in clumps. :(

The mermaid at the Silverton Casino does exist !!

Are mermaids considered part of classic Tiki-style ? I sometimes find them floating inside my tropical cocktail.

I'm gonna have to review my BOT with a magnifying glass to see if I can identify any mermaid iconography among the flotsam and jetsam. :)

Sorry, John-O, but no mermaids in there. There were several mermaid and pool window bars in the 50s and 60s, but none of them were expressively Tiki. They were mostly more nautical theme related, and though nautical style is a facet of Tiki style, I did not spend too much ink on it in the BOT, because that book's foremost purpose was to establish TIKI as a style in its own right. However, now that that has been achieved somewhat, I do like to point out the value of nautical elements to Tiki.

GREAT sign photography, by the way!

Las Vegas Trip Report

What JOHN-O, you're been road tripping out to Sin City again ?? !! Don't worry kids, I'm doing it all for the cause of urban archeology. It has nothing to do with the boozing or the gambling (but since I am there…..)

This particular post is about Las Vegas on the cheap. Let's say you've had a bad streak of cards or dice and you're down to your last $20 bill. You still want to get your drink on and you still need to eat. That $20 might get you a couple of cocktails at Frankie's plus maybe a hot dog at Circus Circus but you'll probably still be left wanting. Don't worry, that $20 will take you a lot further at either of these places.

1. Davy's Locker - A few posts ago, I joked about looking for "Davy Jones' Locker". Little did I know there actually is a Davy's Locker in Las Vegas. Their super cool neon fish sign suggests a vintage nautical theme waiting inside. After being buzzed in, I was a little disappointed to see the absence of that decor. No wooden ship's wheel, no portholes, no puffer fish lamps, no flotsam and jetsam, just a standard nondescript dive bar (but nevertheless still very cool). I did however find one great 24x7 deal which might make Davy's Locker the greatest bar in Las Vegas:

$3.00 for a shot and a beer !! :)

And it's not rotgut, you get the booze of your choice. Who needs a starfish (or even a Tiki) when $20 at Davy's is enough to happily render you unconscious? Davy's Locker is located a 1149 E Desert Inn Rd.

Ellis Island - You might consider this small casino a smokey dump but to this mid-century dive bar loving Tikiphile, it's the greatest place south of Sahara Blvd. It's hard to believe I was only 2 blocks from the Disneyfied glitz of the Strip. It felt like I had traveled back in time to a 1970's-era Downtown grind joint.

This place isn't about the table games (the 2x craps odds suck) as it is for the fantastic beer and food deals. How much were those tall micro-brews that we ordered at the bar? $1.50 each if I can remember correctly. One thing I'm sure about though is the $6.99 steak dinners that we ate. Yes, those steaks were as tasty as they look in the picture. I was astonished !! I hear they have the same deal for Prime Rib too. Ellis Island is located at 4178 Koval Lane.

So for those of you who mourn the loss of the cheap and delightfully seedy Las Vegas, it's still there. You just have to look a little harder. :)

(On a side note, I won a quick C-note shooting craps at the Palms. Thanks George Maloof, for funding the rest of a very cheap weekend. I love taking your money and spending it elsewhere.)

You don't need an Andrew Jackson to enjoy the Las Vegas Stripper-Mobile, it's free !! Or at least it was.

I hope you got a chance to enjoy it while it lasted. It was shut down this last weekend on the grounds of poor taste. :(

In search of Las Vegas "ghosts"……

And I don't mean like Casper the Friendly Ghost. Here's a blog posting that I recently discovered. It's a great read, I wish I had written it.

http://monkeygoggles.com/?p=1498

It discusses the old motels along East Fremont as it becomes the Boulder Highway. This area looks to be a prime spot for some mid-century urban archeology.

Who knows, maybe there's an authentic Tiki or two waiting to be discovered.

Just be careful and watch your back, this ain't the best part of town. I've driven around here at night and it is pretty spooky.

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2009-11-21 13:31 ]

Las Vegas Trip Report (Part 1)

You know here on Tiki Central, I don't think we spend enough time talking about science. You're in luck because my latest post is about my recent visit to the Atomic Testing Museum.

This museum documents the history of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site in the desert north of Las Vegas. The exhibits focus on the science and technology aspect but also the cultural impact of the Cold War.

In the early days of the atmospheric tests, Las Vegas used it as a tourist attraction where visitors could take time away from the tables to view the atomic blasts. Our government assured the public there were no health risks, so why not celebrate with Atomic parties serving Atomic cocktails. Look it's Miss Atomic Bomb of 1958 !!

The museum doesn't allow photography of the main exhibits, but I've included some images of the building, lobby, and temporary exhibits. Here's a picture of a nuclear test at the Bikini Atoll.

Who knows what the effects of this testing were? :)

So what else does this have to do with Tiki? Well classic Tiki-style did originate during the 1950's Atomic Age. I might also argue that the mid-century popularity of Tiki was an escapist cultural response to the growing threat of Cold War nuclear annihilation. Could it be that Nikita Khrushchev was as much an influence on Tiki culture as Don Beach or Trader Vic? :)

Also did you ever notice that while the beginning of the Cold War gave birth to classic Tiki-style, it was just after the collapse of that threat when the current Tiki Revival began. The Soviet Union fell in 1991 and the following year, BigBro gave his first public lecture on Tiki-style. Is this just a coincidence or is there some strange relationship between Communist world domination and Tiki? I'll leave that philosophic discussion for another thread.

So fellow Tikiphiles, I encourage you to visit this fascinating place. Afterwards, you can go straight to Frankie's where you can raise your Tiki mug to toast Tiki's perseverance over nuclear armageddon. You can then make it a complete atomic afternoon by ending the day at Atomic Liquors on East Fremont.

(BTW, contrary to popular belief, Atomic Liquors never hosted blast viewing parties on the roof. :()

The Atomic Testing Museum is located on 755 E Flamingo Rd, just 1 mile east of the Strip.

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-05-01 14:36 ]

Las Vegas Trip Report (Part 2)

City Center Review

Did you ever see the 1976 movie "Logan's Run" where people live in a domed city sealed off from the post-apocalyptic world? Mankind lives only for hedonistic pleasures and everyone is young, thin, and beautiful. To me that's the theme of the recently opened City Center and Aria Casino.

This would be a great place to hole up in the event of a worldwide viral epidemic or a zombie invasion. I'm sure the place is hermetically sealed and the glass is zombie-proof. I could imagine armies of the dead banging against the Aria's 24-hour cafe's glass walls as I enjoyed my $18 bacon and eggs. Service is so attentive and congenial, it was almost like MGM Mirage had created a staff of "Stepford Wives" robots or clones. When we ordered drinks in the Aria's Deuce lounge, the smoking hot cocktail waitress sat right down next to me to take our $15 each (!!) mixed-drink orders. As she closely leaned forward (giving me an eyeful of her beautiful décolletage), I thought maybe she was going to offer to come to my room afterwards. I guess service is good only up to a point. :)

I was surprised to see $10 minimums at the craps tables. Compared to similar upscale competitors like the Wynn LV and Caesars Palace ($25-$100 minimums), that's pretty reasonable. As I was the only one toking the pit crew (what's wrong with these cheap rich bastards?), they happily chatted me up.

Base Dealer: "So sir, what do you think of the Aria?"
Me: "It's pretty but it has no soul"
Base Dealer: "What places do you consider to have soul?"
Me: "I love the El Cortez and Golden Gate"
Base Dealer: "Huh?, Those places are dumps"
Me: "Hey those places give me 10x odds, can you do same?"
Base Dealer: "Uh, no"

Despite the less favorable Strip odds, I caught a hot roll and walked away with more money than I showed up with. That paid for drinks at Frankie's Tiki Room plus I bought a Frankie's T-shirt. :)

Overall the Aria was a nice place to visit but I doubt that I'll return (unless that zombie invasion happens).

Now I know all of TC is asking the same burning question.

"So JOHN-O, are there any Tikis at City Center?"

The answer is NO. :(

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2009-12-21 19:50 ]

This is a great thread!

Ive been meaning to get to the Atomic Testing Musuem, my grandfather worked for the Atomic Energy Commision and was in Nevada for quite a few years. Pretty sure he worked at Area 51 for a bit also. But i like the tie in with tiki!

This is where mid-century loving Tikiphiles should be eating for breakfast and lunch....

The Huntridge Drugstore Diner is open from 8am to 3pm on weekdays and from 10am to 2pm on weekends. It's located at 1122 E. Charleston Blvd just 1.5 miles down the street from Frankie's Tiki Room.

After your meal you can buy sundry drugstore items and then get drunk in the adjoining bar, all without having to leave the building.

This is the real "City Center" !! :)

Here's the definitive expose when the town was run by the mob. This book wasn't written decades after the fact but rather when those events were actually occurring. You still might be able to find it for a few bucks in a used book store as I did.

It's fascinating background to supplement your nostalgia for the Aku Aku, DTBC, Congo Room, and the Sahara when Elvis was doing Ann-Margaret there in the 28th floor Presidential Suite (during the filming of Viva Las Vegas).

This was the real "Jungle-style" Las Vegas. :)

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-04-02 16:51 ]

Is it that time of year again ??......

Are you a Soc or a Greaser ?? I think Tikiphiles would be the former. :D

My hair's full o Royal Crown. I'm definitely a greaser!

Big Kahuna, you might find this interesting.

Elvis vs. Jesus…...

• Jesus wore a crown of thorns in the style of royalty.
• Elvis wore Royal Crown hair styler.

http://snapshotsofgod.com/Elvis-Jesus.htm

A slight derail but it is MY thread.

Plus my next Las Vegas trip report will be chock full of Poly-Pop goodness. :)

On 2009-12-21 17:33, JOHN-O wrote:
Las Vegas Trip Report (Part 1)

You know here on Tiki Central, I don't think we spend enough time talking about science. You're in luck because my latest post is about my recent visit to the Atomic Testing Museum.

This museum documents the history of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site in the desert north of Las Vegas. The exhibits focus on the science and technology aspect but also the cultural impact of the Cold War.

In the early days of the atmospheric tests, Las Vegas used it as a tourist attraction where visitors could take time away from the tables to view the atomic blasts. Our government assured the public there were no health risks, so why not celebrate with Atomic parties serving Atomic cocktails. Look it's Miss Atomic Bomb of 1958 !!

The museum doesn't allow photography of the main exhibits, but I've included some images of the building, lobby, and temporary exhibits. Here's a picture of a nuclear test at the Bikini Atoll.

Who knows what the effects of this testing were? :)

So what else does this have to do with Tiki? Well classic Tiki-style did originate during the 1950's Atomic Age. I might also argue that the mid-century popularity of Tiki was an escapist cultural response to the growing threat of Cold War nuclear annihilation. Could it be that Nikita Khrushchev was as much an influence on Tiki culture as Don Beach or Trader Vic? :)

Also did you ever notice that while the beginning of the Cold War gave birth to classic Tiki-style, it was just after the collapse of that threat when the current Tiki Revival began. The Soviet Union fell in 1991 and the following year, BigBro gave his first public lecture on Tiki-style. Is this just a coincidence or is there some strange relationship between Communist world domination and Tiki? I'll leave that philosophic discussion for another thread.

So fellow Tikiphiles, I encourage you to visit this fascinating place. Afterwards, you can go straight to Frankie's where you can raise your Tiki mug to toast Tiki's perseverance over nuclear armageddon. You can then make it a complete atomic afternoon by ending the day at Atomic Liquors on East Fremont.

(BTW, contrary to popular belief, Atomic Liquors never hosted blast viewing parties on the roof. :()

The Atomic Testing Museum is located on 755 E Flamingo Rd, just 1 mile east of the Strip.

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2009-12-21 19:20 ]

So you figured it out John-O, I was born at the times you are mentioning, my TC name is Atomic Tiki Punk, I am a Radioactive slam dancing
cold warrior and those Atomic Tiki pictures need to be my logos!

can you keep a secret?

OK, not one of my LV trip reports but a heads up on a current exhibit in Los Angeles for fans of mid-century Las Vegas (circa 1968).

It's at the MOCA branch in the Pacific Design Center (the "Blue Whale" of West Hollywood) and runs through June 20th.

http://www.moca.org/museum/exhibitiondetail.php?id=427

The show will highlight photographic records never seen before from the archives of Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown.

Will there be any previously unpublished photographs of the Aku Aku or the LV DTBC ??

I'll let you know. :)

On 2010-03-31 12:17, JOHN-O wrote:
...

amazing pic !

"...Viva Las Vegas Weekend's TIKI Pool Party

Check out the vintage swimwear on the ladies
at Viva Las Vegas Weekend's Tiki Pool Party at the Orleans.
Wind down from a fun weekend with a relaxing day by the pool.

When: Sunday, April 4, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Orleans Hotel-Casino, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas
..."
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/mar/30/viva-las-vegas-rockabilly-weekend-guide/

Great thread, John. May I add a couple comments: When you call areas "dicey" I hope the readers understand it means there are pimps, prostitutes, junkies and criminals carousing in those areas. The Atomic Lounge is known for violent drug related crime. Now, some folks may not fear this, but I wouldn't take my wife there. Dino's and White Cross Drugs are in an area known for junkies, prostitutes and hustlers. Sure, its interesting, but watch your back when in those parts of town. On a positive note, the Golden Steer Steakhouse is a classic. Tony Spilotro (Joe Pesci in Casino) leased a space in the stripmall next to the Steer during the 70's. It was kind of a Sopranos 'clubhouse'. Spilotro's crew was called the 'Hole in the wall gang' because they would rob businesses by smashing a hole in the wall. I agree, the Double Down is a cool place.

Dicey: "Involving or fraught with danger or risk"

I'm not too worried. It's just like Issac Hayes sang.... "Man, Tiki people are some bad mutha... (Shut your mouth !!) But I'm talkin' about Tiki. (Well we can dig it !!)" :)

Hey, that's some interesting stuff about Tony the Ant !! I read he owned a retail business back in the day but I had no idea it was in the same strip mall as the Golden Steer.

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-04-15 23:08 ]

Las Vegas Trip Report (Part 1)

"Ever since I was a young boy
I've played the silver ball
From Soho down to Brighton
I must have played them all..."

OK, on my last trip report we visited the Atomic Testing Museum. I thought I'd continue on that same Las Vegas high culture note and explore another unique and fascinating place - The Pinball Hall of Fame. The Pinball HOF is located in a non-descript 10,000 square foot building and features several hundred pinball machines dating from the 1950's through the 1990's. It's the realized dream of Michigan native Tim Arnold who operates it as a non-profit organization, all excess revenues go to non-denominational charities.

This being Tiki Central, I thought I'd focus on the existence of Tiki-themed pinball machines. After all, what would be a better mid-century accessory for your home Tiki bar? My Internet research came up with only one related item, the ultra-rare "Bali Hi" machine.

That was the holy grail that I sought as I searched through the many rows of pinball machines, pausing occasionally to play a few games. Sadly it was nowhere to be found, but I did find these two Poly-Pop related machines:

Being the avid urban archaeologist that I am, I went snooping around in the back area where there were machines waiting to be repaired or restored. One particular machine caught my eye as it had some vague abstract Tiki iconography.

As I turned the machine's base around, the following graphics caught my eye (mind you it was upside down). Wait, could it be? Is that really what I think it is? Those look like Tikis !!

Had I just discovered some lost undocumented Tiki pinball machine? With the permission of the floor manager, I dragged out the machine's nearby headboard to get a more detailed look. Hoping to see the word "TIKI" running across the graphics I instead saw the word "TOTEM". Rats, this wasn't a Poly-Pop Tiki theme but rather a Native American theme. :(

BUT if you think about it, "TOTEM" seems like an odd word to use for a Indian pinball machine. Also if you squint your eyes, you could almost imagine the Indian brave as King Kamehameha, the totems as tikis, the brightly colored masks as PNG masks, and the word "TIKI" instead of "TOTEM". Could this have originally been designed with a Tiki theme but with the waning Tiki interest and devolution of the 1970's, the graphics altered at the last minute?

I submit that to you as my anthropological Tiki theory. (C'mon people, work with me here) :)

After that great disappointment, I exited into the parking lot. Just several yards away, the following establishment caught my eye, "Hawaii Massage".

Cool, a Poly-Pop massage parlor !!

As I entered though that door, I asked the receptionist "Excuse me, do you have any Tiki here?" Her response was "Sure honey, but that costs extra." Totally baffled by that remark, I decided to leave and go get a stiff drink.

The Pinball Hall of Fame is located on 1610 E Tropicana Ave just 4 miles East of the Strip (note this is the Pinball HOF's new location).

Las Vegas Trip Report (Part 2)

Where to go for that stiff drink? I was hanging south of Sahara this trip so no Frankie's for me. I heard there was a new rum bar that opened last year at the Mirage so I had my friend drop me off there. Appropriately it was named the RHUMBAR.

This was an interesting place. With it's bright white decor and counter, it heavily vibed ice cream parlor. Cool, an ice cream parlor that serves rum !! I started out with the 1944 Mai Tai. Not bad but a tad on the sweet side for me. Also kind of pricey at $14 but that's status quo at a rip-off, um I mean high-end joint like the Mirage.

I asked the bartender if they did any Tropical drinks off the menu. She said sure, we can make whatever you want. I asked for a Navy Grog but she said she never heard of it. Looking it up in something titled "The Bartender's Black Book", she responded "Sorry we don't do blended drinks". (?? !!)

After hearing that I said "Never mind, I'll order off the menu". I selected something called a "Latin Manhattan". It was pretty tasty, one of the ingredients was Ginger beer so it reminded me of a "Dark and Stormy". Unlike that drink however, it also had falernum and bitters to give it some added complexity.

Later that night was the big Surf and Punk show at the Double Down Saloon featuring The Swank Bastards and the Hard Riders (with TC's Sperm Whale).

Go here for the show reviews and more pics...

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=36104&forum=4&start=15&24

Afterward I hit a hot craps roll at the Palms which paid for the weekend.

:)

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-04-23 19:17 ]

Yet another Las Vegas "Rum" bar.

Nope, you won't find a 1944 Mai Tai but they will serve you a Bacardi and Coke. :)

There's no Tiki here but they do have shuffleboard !! Plus it's the last place on the list in order to qualify as a Las Vegas rum bar completist (i.e. Rum Jungle, Rhumbar, and Frankie's).

The Rum Runner Lounge is located at 1801 E Tropicana Ave.

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-04-29 19:01 ]

Las Vegas Trip Report....

Which has absolutely nothing to do with Tiki, but it does have a Bilge connection. Read this first:

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=36260&forum=13&start=45&56

So I'm ready to roll the dice at the El Cortez when these two guys take the rail right next to me.

Guy 1: "These Orientals are really good with the dice."

Guy 2: "You shouldn't use the term Oriental, Asian is the appropriate term."

I then proceed to make 5 straight points !!

Moral of the story: It's better to be a lucky Oriental than a (politically correct) Asian. :)

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-05-09 22:54 ]

LOL You crack me up. btw thee swank bastards are playing again at the DD in two weeks. Pardon the grammar, I had some Havana Club tonight.

John-O, thanks for this awesome thread, what a trip guide.

Just got back from Vegas yesterday, sorry we could not meet up.

We managed to hit Frankie's, the Pinball Hall of Fame, the Charleston Antique Mall (thanks for the cool cocktail glasses Lee), the Attic (vintage store), several downtown bars since we were staying at the Golden Nugget (best of which were Sidebar and Downtown). On the strip we hit Rhumbar at the Mirage - very drinkable Mai Tai and other cocktails in a great outdoor setting. We wandered around City Center (wow), had the Sterling Brunch at Ballys (WOW) and saw Barry at the Paris (yeah, I know).

We also stumbled across "First Friday" which I recommend as an addition to this thread. Several galleries open up and random artists turn out on the first Friday of each month for a big block party about half way between the Strip and Downtown - food for sale, vendors, bands, just a great local scene pretty much unknown to tourists.

EDIT - oh yeah...Harvey Wallbangers at the Peppermill, rum punches at sunset on the outdoor rooftop terrace at the Rio VooDoo lounge, old fashioneds at Napoleons, buckets of beer at the Cabo Wabo formerly known as TVLV...............must sleep.

I'm not an alcoholic, I'm an enthusiast.

[ Edited by: leisure master 2010-05-11 14:24 ]

Great read, John-O! I have had the pleasure of haunting some of those places, but I have yet to experience Frankies -- I am more than ready!

I definitely love retro dives. But...I went to Peppermills for breakfast and I could not wash it off of my body quickly enough. Nonetheless, I'll give the place another go around next time I am in Sin City.

Here's some interesting history that I recently uncovered on Tony Cornero, the West Coast mobster responsible for "financing" the Stardust Resort and Casino in the late 1950's.

In the late 1930's, Cornero ran 3 gambling ships off the coasts of Santa Monica and Long Beach. He argued that 3.1 miles off the U.S. coast constituted "international waters" and that he was exempt from California law. For 25 cents you could ride on a water taxi which would ferry you from the Santa Monica Pier to the S.S. Rex, the most palatial of his 3 ships. There guests could enjoy gambling, gourmet food, a full orchestra, and most likely other unadvertised vices. Raymond Chandler used the "Bay City" gambling ship as background in his 1940 novel "Farewell, My Lovely" and it was also portrayed in the 1975 Robert Mitchum film of the same name.

This link provides a pretty comprehensive background on what would be remembered as "The Battle of Santa Monica Bay" - http://laist.com/2009/08/08/laistory_the_battle_of_santa_monica.php

Now here's the part that was news to me. After the Coast Guard and local authorities eventually shut him down, Conero relocated to Las Vegas in 1945 where he leased the bottom floor of Downtown's Apache Hotel. There he opened up a casino and named it the S.S. Rex Club. That venture only lasted a year and the casino changed hands to become the more well remembered Eldorado Club. The Eldorado stayed in business for 4 years until it was acquired by Benny Binion in 1951 who opened up his iconic Horseshoe Club. (You can go to page 1 of this thread to read about the interesting background on that.) I love to shoot craps at Binion's (Harrah's stole the "Horseshoe") for its old-school flavor and so I was amazed to learn the physical space had a Noir connection to my home of Santa Monica.

Cornero later purchased a 40-acre piece of land on the Las Vegas Strip with plans to build a major casino resort. After borrowing major money from the Jewish Mob, he ran short and had to ask for more. Cornero never did get to see the Stardust open (or eat at the Aku Aku) as he had a fatal heart attack shooting craps at the Desert Inn several years prior to the Stardust opening. Rumor had it he was slipped a lethal mickey in his cocktail but that was never proven.

Polynesians invented Tiki and LOUNGE !!......

Credit Bigbro's "The Sound of Tiki" CD for bringing this significant Las Vegas (and Poly-Pop) fact back to light.

Now when you think of a classic Las Vegas lounge act, who first comes to mind? Well most people would say the Rat Pack but actually they played the "Big Room" (i.e. the Sands' Copa Room). For fans of the mid-century Las Vegas Swing sound, Louis Prima and Keely Smith would be the obvious choice. They were a popular fixture in the Sahara's Casbar Lounge, but they weren't the first to play that kind of venue.

Enter the Mary Kaye Trio.

Mary Kaye, her brother Norman, and (non-sibling) Frank Ross were Las Vegas' first official "lounge act". Mary Kaye ("Ka'aihue") and Norman grew up in St. Louis, Missouri but were both of Hawaiian descent. Mary's father was Hawaiian Hapa Haole performer Johnny Ukelele (who Mary and Norman toured with) and her grandfather was Prince Kuhio, brother of Queen Liliuokalani. That's two generations of Hawaiian "royalty" !!

In the "Sound of Tiki" liner notes, Bigbro writes:

"In 1950, her trio's engagement at the New Frontier Casino's main showroom in Las Vegas was coming to an end, but the owner wanted to keep them on. Mary suggested to add a small stage in the bar and call it a 'Lounge'."

The rest is history. :)

Here's some additional facts that I got in a fascinating book "Cult Vegas" by Mike Weatherford.

• "Norman remembers that chorus girls from neighboring hotels 'would bring the whole line in,' and with the girls came the boys. The trio employed a versatile arsenal to keep the regulars entertained. 'We never did the same act twice,' Mary says. 'We could put any song anywhere. They came back night after night, because they never knew what we were going to do, and we didn't either.'"

• "Mary's progressive guitar playing and their complex vocal harmonies - often compared to the Hi-Lo's - gave the trio the ability to tackle almost any song. But the secret weapon turned out to be Ross' comedy..."

• "Frank Ross was probably the inventor of what they call lounge comedy today... He's the guy who started the whole concept of tumult comedy, of not having routines and jokes... Even the gents who eventually became known as the Rat Pack took a cue from Ross. They used to sit and watch the lounge shows, and started to incorporate spontaneity in the main-room set..."

• "The Mary Kaye Trio soon had all the hotels rethinking their lounges, booking larger and louder outfits to play small stages that had been designed for organists or piano trios...The pump was primed..."

Here's my favorite YouTube clip of the trio. Not Vegas, but it's taken from the movie "Bop Girl Goes Calypso" they appeared in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThhM75nKomA

And you know the whole Tiki/Exotica/Latin connection that's been popular here as of late, here's Mary Kaye performing a Latin number.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9edra7yQFnE

This is a Nevada KNPR radio discussion that followed Mary Kaye's death in Feb 2007. It's pretty comprehensive.

http://www.myspace.com/marykayetrio/music-player?sindex=-1.0&shuffle=false&amix=false&pmix=false&plid=19837&artid=12577907&sseed=0&ptype=3&stime=8.333&ap=1&rpeat=fals

It's too bad there's no recorded footage of them playing in a Vegas lounge, but that can probably be said for all the Vegas lounge acts. :( Oh, to have today's portable technology back then.

Bigbro summarizes it like this:

"Mary Kaye personifies the convergence of American mid-century modernism and Polynesian history... To be descended from Hawaiian royalty and originating from the Las Vegas Lounge tradition clearly makes Mary and her brother, Norman Kaye, inhabitants of the cosmos of Tiki Modern."

So the next time you're enjoying Rat Pack-era Frank, Dino, and/or Sammy, remember the children of "Tiki" were doing it first !!

You the man, John-O!!!!!! Great post!

If you're into Exotica music, then you're probably also a big fan of Juan Garcia Esquivel, aka "The King of Space-age Pop".

Now I was aware that Esquivel sometimes opened for Frank Sinatra back in the day, but I never realized the true extent of his performances in Las Vegas. What I've recently learned is that he had a regular lounge act at the Stardust from 1963 to 1971 !!

Mike Weatherford quotes Esquivel in his fantastic book "Cult Vegas":"I foresaw that the big bands were going to end, so I was preparing a small show", Esquivel said of his strategy that brought him to Vegas. "I presented the show (and) talked to the audience. I explained to them the reason why I was with a smaller group, because it was impossible to have such a large group as I had. Just imagine lodging and plane tickets for thirty people."

With smaller musical resources, Esquivel became even more inventive. He came up with devices like "boo-booms", his name for 24 bongos, chromatically tuned (??). He also added a visual aspect to the show with four female singers sporting tear-away dresses. Each singer was a different nationality - Japan, France, Switzerland, and Italy, and performed in the style of their country (The Swiss girl would yodel !!). In addition to the ladies, there was an elaborate light show which was timed to the musical chords.

The show was called "The Sights and Sounds of Esquivel", which interestingly is the name of an available compilation that has nothing to do with his Vegas days ( :( ).

There is however a bootleg CD that covers this period:

It all came to an end when the Stardust decided to replace the lounge with a new gaming innovation at the time, the Sports Book.

Anway can you imagine visiting the Stardust in 1963 or 1964? You could start out the evening with dinner at the Aku Aku, and then see Esquivel performing in the lounge for the price of a cocktail.

It boggles the mind !! I wish someone would invent a time machine.

Dude this is so rad Love your info post , man killer .

Las Vegas Trip Report

After making 4 straight points shooting craps at the El Cortez (my 2010 hot streak remains unbroken), I stumbled upon a Tiki slot machine !!

Just locate the nearest Men's Room closest to the craps tables and you'll find it in that corridor.

Here's the real highlight of the weekend, the grand opening of Mr. Smiley's and InkyLouises's home Tiki bar - Hubert's Huli Huli Haus. I can just see the place being dubbed the "4H Club" for short.

I don't want to steal Mr. Smiley's thunder and post the detailed images myself (Click here for that) but it's an amazing Tiki bar in an super-cool Mid-century home in great Mid-century neighborhood. I met a lot of interesting kindred souls and had a fun time. Thanks Mr. Smiley and InkyLouise !! Forget the Strip, true Las Vegas soul starts north of Sahara Ave.

You're probably asking the same question I did. So who's Hubert ?? I was told he's a Sog Mongy (?? !!) which I'm assuming is some kind of Polynesian deity that I'm not familiar with. :)

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-07-11 20:59 ]

On 2009-12-21 17:33, JOHN-O wrote:

So what else does this have to do with Tiki? Well classic Tiki-style did originate during the 1950's Atomic Age. I might also argue that the mid-century popularity of Tiki was an escapist cultural response to the growing threat of Cold War nuclear annihilation. Could it be that Nikita Khrushchev was as much an influence on Tiki culture as Don Beach or Trader Vic? :)

Also did you ever notice that while the beginning of the Cold War gave birth to classic Tiki-style, it was just after the collapse of that threat when the current Tiki Revival began. The Soviet Union fell in 1991 and the following year, BigBro gave his first public lecture on Tiki-style. Is this just a coincidence or is there some strange relationship between Communist world domination and Tiki? I'll leave that philosophic discussion for another thread.

There needs to be a book written, from a strict cultural materialism perspective, that ties the communists, capitalists, cargo cults, and the caloric value of rum drinks served in pagan god statues all into one coherent explanation of the twentieth century. Alas Marvin Harris is dead! That said..."Communists, Capitalists, Cargo Cults, and the Caloric Value of Rum Drinks" is nearly as good a title for a book as "Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches" is.

In case anyone is following up on my recommendations and visiting these places, don't bother with the diner inside the Huntridge Drug Store. It closed down a couple of weeks ago due to lack of business. The adjoining bar however is still serving up cheap drinks 24x7.

Go can still visit White Cross Drugs if you want to eat a hamburger inside a mid-century Las Vegas drug store.

Hey John-O I just wanted to thank you for this thread!! I really love your pic's and LV history lesson!!! Rock On Bro!!!

We just visited Las Vegas for a few days and are currently in the air half way to Atlanta. Just reading about Mister Smiley's Tiki bar, I can say it is an Awesome place, Thanks Bruce. There is NO Room left for mugs or Anything and yet there are Still boxes of stuff to be placed on display there. I Suggest a Visit if you can, Thanks again Smiley.

While in Vegas I had an opportunity to visit the Redwood Lono I had carved for the Tropicana in 1989, The one which originally was 13 feet tall but was knocked over by a Maintenance man coating it with oil.

And THEN I had the Total Surprise of being invited to the private home where I was to photograph another redwood carving,, the 13 foot Maori, carved in 1990. However when I arrived I found along with the Maori piece, the Giant KU (13 feet tall) as well as 5 other palm and hardwood tikis, I was Totally blown away and beside myself with excitement.
Thanks again Mr Smiley who volunteered to take me on this excursion and who also shared the experience with me and Mrs Benzart.
I will post photos when I get home. Those old tikis DO EXIST!!!!!

The Tropicana Tikis were reputed to be haunted (or at least the large Tiki mask was)...

http://www.spookhunters.com/spookhunt/vegas/Tropicana/hunt.php

The story goes that Tropicana management removed the Tikis because people were winnng too much money.

I'm assuming those were the Benzart Tikis. Fun story anyway.

We need more haunted or cursed Tikis around here. :)

Are there still Tikis at the Tropicana?
Benzart's post suggests that they remain, but JohnnyO's indicates that they were removed based on those who feared their mana.

The Tikis would match with the "Hot,Hot,Hot" song which I believe used to be played there as a theme.

There are no Tikis at the Tropicana.

I'm not sure where this private residence is. Is it Wayne Newton's house ?

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=37233&forum=4&vpost=544417

:D

It's not Wayne's house.

Las Vegas Trip Report

Here's some updates for you...

1. RumJungle in Mandalay Bay was shut down because they weren't paying their bills !!...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/aug/12/mandalay-bay-club-closes-after-court-allows-evicti

Were Tikiphiles even patronizing this place ??

2. Here's a new cool addition to East Fremont. Emergency Arts is a combination coffee house and gallery arts center. Since burlesque is a part of the Tiki Revival (right?), it might be of interest that the "Burlesque Hall of Fame" is a tenant there. I spoke with one of the curators, Laura Herbert, and she mentioned she's worked with Tiki Oasis co-founder Baby Doe (??) on past burlesque events. There's your Tiki connection. :) I love the fact that Emergency Arts stands in the shadow of my beloved El Cortez Hotel & Casino. Check it out if you're downtown.

3. Frankie's Tiki Room. The more I visit this place the more I love it. Not just for the Tiki factor, but because Frankie's (pre-Tiki Room) is such an anchor back to old-school Vegas. Originally I thought the bar opened in 1964, but speaking with several of the long time patrons, they insist it dates back to the 1940's. I believe them. This would make Frankie's even older than Atomic Liquors !! Also I like the fact that Frankie's is more of a locals' hang-out than a tourist destination. One barfly that I recently chatted up, said she'd been coming to Frankie's since the late 1960's. When it was remodeled to Tiki, she hated it and stopped coming. Eventually she came back, warmed up to the place, and says it's now her favorite bar in Las Vegas. I think it's this interesting mix of long time locals, hipsters, Tikiphiles, and (yes) tourists that makes Frankie's such an eclectic place.

When I mentioned the Aku Aku, she said "Pffft... That place was a lounge for the tourists. Frankie's (back in the day) was where the real people went !!" I'm glad to see that's still the case. :) Also did you know the arched Spanish entrance is not original? It used to be square but then it was remodeled in 1968.