Tag Archives: Speakeasy

World Famous Bob’s Java Jive

Bob’s Famous Java Jive at 2102 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA‎ 98409 is indeed a Tacoma landmark. It was constructed in 1927 and it was originally known as The Coffee Pot Restaurant. It has functioned as a drive through restaurant, a speakeasy during prohibition, a go go bar and a place for karaoke. Between talking to the bartender and online research, I learned a couple of things. At one point the Java Jive had two chimpanzees — Java and Jive. When it was a speakeasy the liquor and gambling was hidden away behind a secret door behind the men’s room urinal. But it was the secret room in the ladies room which had the illegal supplies for the mayor and other VIPs. The structure was built in the tideflats and then the sections were bolted together on the site. Two movies were filmed there: I Love You To Death with River Phoenix and Say Anything with John Cusack. Nirvana and The Ventures have both played here. And it is on the Tacoma Historic Register.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2977

 

Balinese Room


Balinese Room

Originally uploaded by Gexydaf

Today I stayed in the house all day with a rotten head cold. But I hate to skip my new place of the day. So I’m looking back to an old place and calling it good. This photo is of the Balinese Room in Galveston, Texas. The building had a colorful history of gambling and being a speakeasy. The website devoted to the building says ” Headliners (at the property) included Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Duke Ellington, Mel Torme, Jayne Mansfield and Gene Autry.” In September 2008, Hurricane Ike destroyed the building.

http://balineseroom.net/index.htm