Trader Vic's at the Beverly Hilton... closed?

VivianRegan · May 2, 2007

According to Defamer, it is so.

Anyone frequent this place? Was it intact or a regurgitation?

We have a brand new one in Scottsdale where the young and rich go to feel "retro." I wondered what a real one was like.

http://defamer.com/hollywood/breaking/trader-vics-last-gasps-update-256533.php

Feraud · May 2, 2007

I hope not. I had a nice dinner there with Matt Deckard and Senator Jack last year and hoped to do so again..

The last thing that area needs are more condos. The traffic conditions in Beverly Hills are horrible.

Dagwood · May 2, 2007

Good news! Trader Vic's is moving to a new location - the pool level at the Beverly Hilton. From the press release: "The new Trader Vic’s Lounge will be located next to the new Circa 55 restaurant and the Aqua Star pool area. The menu will feature Trader Vic’s signature drinks including the world-famous Mai Tai, invented by Victor 'Trader Vic' Bergeron, the Scorpion Bowl and appetizer plates that are ideal for sharing with friends....Our loyal patrons and hotel guests can be assured that while the atmosphere may be more casual, our new Beverly Hills offering will continue to reflect the finest of our company’s island-style service and culinary quality."

The "new" Trader Vic's is set to open on May 3, 2007.

On the downside, the use of the word "casual" in the press release sounds like change is a coming. I hear that it will be smaller and less tiki-ish (is that a word??).

VivianRegan · May 2, 2007

If it's moving, how original is it going to be?

I hope to hear a report from someone out there!

Feraud - your traffic's GOTTA be improving because all of California is moving to Arizona (I did so in '89, so I am grandfathered in). New Mexico is looking better and better to me everyday

Marc Chevalier · May 2, 2007

VivianRegan said:
We have a brand new one in Scottsdale where the young and rich go to feel "retro." I wondered what a real one was like.

In L.A., "real" is relative.

Trader Vic's was a ripoff of Don the Beachcomber, a tiki bar/restaurant right in the center of Hollywood. It opened in 1934! Closed many years ago. The original restaurant's location in Hollywood (which looked like a tropical colonial house, complete with palm trees and hanging vines) was demolished in the '50s.

However ... in 2005, full scale Don the Beachcomber restaurants opened at the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; another is slated to open at the Royal Lahaina Resort in Lahaina, Hawaii by 2007. There are rumors that a Don the Beachcomber may soon open in Las Vegas.

Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_the_Beachcomber

.

Dr. Shocker · May 2, 2007

Sad news to be sure.....over on TC here are some pix
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=6957&forum=2&14

and a discussion http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=23912&forum=1&77

Flying Scotsman · May 7, 2007

We were just there about a month ago. Hope it hasn't closed already.

And yes, I'll bet the "casual" description really means "sloppy" and "trendy", as opposed to "classy". I'll reserve judgement, but...

Feraud · May 7, 2007

Flying Scotsman said:
And yes, I'll bet the "casual" description really means "sloppy" and "trendy", as opposed to "classy". I'll reserve judgement, but...

How ironic. There was a Trader Vic's in NYC that Donald Trump closed in the 80s due to it being "tacky".

Absinthe_1900 · May 7, 2007

Trump & tacky.

Tomasso · May 7, 2007

The Trader Vic's in Chicago's Palmer House Hilton lost its lease in 2006 after 50 years at that location. The interior was salvaged for use in its reincarnation at another location.

Matt Deckard · May 7, 2007

I loved the place... we featured it in Classic Style issue #1.

I miss it already. Talked the modcom Christmas party into having their after party at that place. It's a shame.

Marc Chevalier · May 7, 2007

What's left?

The Tiki Ti bar ("since 1961") in Los Feliz/Silverlake, California. And you can smoke there: http://www.tiki-ti.com/

Damon's Bar and Steakhouse ("since 1937") in Glendale, California.

Both of them have been around for many decades, so they're 'authentic' enough for Tinseltown.

.

Dagwood · May 7, 2007

Marc Chevalier said:
What's left?

I will add the Tam O'Shanter Inn in Los Feliz. Been in business since 1922.

Dr. Shocker · May 7, 2007

The reports of the new location of Vics inside the hotel aren't to good......

Tiki Ti is my all time favorite Tiki Bar best drinks in the world

Marc Chevalier · May 7, 2007

Dagwood said:
I will add the Tam O'Shanter Inn in Los Feliz. Been in business since 1922.

Great place! Ah, the great Irish-theme pubs of California ... the topic deserves its own thread!

.

Rafter · May 7, 2007

Feraud said:
How ironic. There was a Trader Vic's in NYC that Donald Trump closed in the 80s due to it being "tacky".

The Trader Vic's in NYC was located in the Plaza Hotel.
Feraud, Don't balme the Donald for closing it. It was Ivana Trump that was given carte blanche to the place.
She put an end to the Vic.

NYC also had the famous Hawaii Kai on Broadway & 50th Street.

My Great Aunt has told me about one of her experiences at that place. She's one great lady, but loves to tell stories that go on and on and can go into way too much detail if you give her an ear.
I'm one of the few family members that doesn't mind listening to her tales from the past.
What can I say she's actually a blast from the past!!

One Wednesday afternoon she went to the 'Hawaii Kai' and sat at the bar with a concoction intended for two (but she said that she made it for one).....and if her memory serves her right it was called.....
'The Volcano'.....
.....a great ceramic bowl of rum punch, colored aquamarine to represent the ocean, with a ceramic cone rising from the middle. Sterno was placed in the cone, and then ignited. The entire thing was served with a long straw, which kept my great aunt from singeing her eyebrows, while the flickering purple flame enabled her to admire the bamboo-and-batiked interior of the Hawaii Kai, which was otherwise inordinately dark.

Anyway, at approximately 2:15pm she remembered that she had a matinee ticket for 'Sly Fox' with Robert Preston.
Luckily she got to the theater just before curtain time, but it was not easy missing the feet of those she had to scramble through to get to her seat. I'm glad I wasn't sitting there!!lol

BTW, The Hawaii Kai is now an

Mike in Seattle · May 8, 2007

Marc Chevalier said:
What's left?

There's always the Formosa Cafe as featured in L.A. Confidential and other films, and the hangout of lots of stars since the 30's or 40's.

Exley: A hooker cut to look like Lana Turner is still a hooker.
Vincennes: She IS Lana Turner.

And Musso & Frank's still there.

Marc Chevalier · May 8, 2007

Mike in Seattle said:
There's always the Formosa Cafe ... And Musso & Frank's still there.

Boo ... I thought we were focusing on old tiki bars.

Okay ... several of L.A.'s surviving 'Asian/Oriental exotica' bars are:

-- The Formosa
-- The Good Luck Bar
-- Yamashiro's

'British' pubs:

-- The Cat and Fiddle (but after a few pints, we call it 'The Fat and Kiddle')
-- The Pig n' Whistle (see above, 'The Wig n' Pissle')
-- Musso and Frank's Grill

'Irish' pubs:

-- Molly Malone's
-- Tom Bergen's
-- The Tam O' Shanter

'Mexican' cantinas:

-- El Cholo
-- El Chavo
-- El Coyote
-- La Casita del Campo
-- El Conquistador

And many more ...

.

TM · May 8, 2007

One of the all-time great Tiki Bars in Los Angeles is somewhat east in Rosemead: The Bahooka. If I remember correctly, the interior was entirely illuminated by fish tanks!

http://www.geocities.com/bahookarestaurant/welcome.htm

Doh! · May 8, 2007

Marc Chevalier said:
Boo ... I thought we were focusing on old tiki bars.

'Irish' pubs:

-- Molly Malone's
-- Tom Bergen's
-- The Tam O' Shanter

'Mexican' cantinas:

-- El Cholo
-- El Chavo
-- El Coyote
-- La Casita del Campo
-- El Conquistador

And many more ...

.

Marc, slight correction on your Irish pubs: it's spelled "Bergin's"

http://www.tombergins.com/

Also, I would add El Compadre on Sunset to your cantina list -- they serve some mighty fine margaritas.

http://search.cityguide.aol.com/losangeles/restaurants/el-compadre/v-100086541

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