Tulagi, Boulder, CO (bar)

Name:Tulagi
Type:bar
Street:1129 Thirteenth Street
City:Boulder
State:CO
Zip:
country:USA
Phone:
Status:defunct

Description:
I was reading about The Astronauts Surf/Frat band and came across this info. Apparently they were the house band at a club named after a Polynesian island and bands also performed in the Reef room of the bar:
Tulagi had originally been opened by Ray Imel and Rex Bailey as a 3.2 beer establishment in the location of the former Rialto movie theater, which is now the Fox Theatre. In 1951, they constructed a new nightclub in the same block and named it after a South Pacific island which had been involved in the infamous World War II battle at Guadalcanal. A large wall mural of a South Sea island scene graced the the backstage. After 50 years, Tulagi recently closed its doors forever - with the sound of music and dancing feet replaced by the patter of retail customers in the remodeled space.

[ Edited by: Otto 2014-09-10 00:53 ]

Wow! A never before heard of place with an undeniable WWII connection! Great exterior with that 1960 Pontiac. Now I want to see more of that place,

On 2014-09-11 21:28, bigbrotiki wrote:
Wow! A never before heard of place with an undeniable WWII connection! Great exterior with that 1960 Pontiac. Now I want to see more of that place,

And the 1960 Comet in front of it!

I used to go to Tulagi's in the 1970s to see bands perform. At that time it wasn't anything like a tiki bar. It was a place for college students to drink 3.2 beer and listen to music.

"In 1943, a "soft drink and dancing place" called the Anchorage had opened in a theater building first called the Rialto and later the Fox. In 1948, owner Ray Imel changed the name to Tulagi--for the island in the Pacific where his son died during World War II.

In 1951, Tulagi moved to a new building next door, where a vividly colored painting depicted Tulagi Bay. Known at the time as a "beer tavern," the establishment also served 3.2 percent beer and began booking nationally-known live entertainers. Herb Kauvar purchased the business in the early 1970s."

Tale of Tulagi

Following are some highlights from Tulagi's colorful past:

1947: Businessmen Ray Imel and Rex Bailey launch Tulagi.

1950s-60s: Tulagi is a sometimes-rowdy beer joint, selling 3.2 beer to the 18-and-older, largely fraternity crowd.

1969: Would-be promoter Chuck Morris, a University of Colorado student, convinces the owner of the Sink to buy the then-bankrupt Tulagi and install him as manager.

Late December 1971: The Eagles play five nights at Tulagi.

1970s heyday: Tulagi hosts Linda Ronstadt, the Doobie Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, ZZ Top, the Flying Burrito Brothers, John Lee Hooker and Miles Davis.

2003: State tax agents seize the club; Tulagi owners sell the business and its liquor license to the owners of the neighboring Fox Theatre.

2004: Pete Turner, owner of Illegal Pete's, submits a plan for a Cuban restaurant and music venue that is heavily contested by area neighbors. The Planning Board ultimately rejects the plan.

2005: Rockrimmon Real Estate, the property's owner, puts four buildings up for sale, including the one formerly occupied by Tulagi. Rockrimmon starts remodeling the Tulagi building to serve retail purposes.

2006: The venue hosts a handful of live music performances that are part of the Radio & Records Triple-A Summit.

2007: A Which Wich sandwich shop becomes the former music venue's first retail tenant.

[ Edited by: MaukaHale 2014-09-12 09:33 ]

Here is a link to the Astronauts article and more photos of the interior Here.

A color photo of the exterior.

DC

Here's a video from a TV station with the story of Tulagi and the Astronauts.

Sweet Lunacy 1: Tulagi Opens & the Astronauts Soar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgnY98vWZgA

It begins with the son of the owner telling the story. It seems that the son that died, and had the club named after where he died, is a myth. There are some good pictures of the original club.

I picked up a cool die-cut matchbook from Tulagi that shows some Tiki influence.

The cover gives us no doubt about the main student attraction at Tulagi... BEER!

the other side with a nice rendering of the building front and a great font on the Reef upstairs.

Back of the matchbook shows a Tiki mask with The Reef.... and more BEER!

DC

[ Edited by: Dustycajun 2015-01-10 12:49 ]

Bingo! Good find!