Bill and Ted's Tavern was owned by William J. Harris and Alfred G. Perella who also owned Bill and Ted's Restaurant, which was located next door. Interior view of Bill and Ted's Tavern in August of 1949; men are sitting along the long bar. Cigarettes, cigars and combs are located behind the bar, and a jukebox is in the background. Photo ordered by Mr. Pickering of the State Liquor Board.

Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; City & town life--Tacoma--1940-1950; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beer halls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bill & Ted's Tavern (Tacoma);

Murphy's was located at 938 Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma; the beer parlor was owned by Leland C. Lund, who also owned the Drift Inn Tavern. Interior view of Murphy's tavern; pin ball machines with signs indicating "No Minors" on right side; men and women are sitting at long eating counter, a waitress and cook are behind the counter.

Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; City & town life--Tacoma--1940-1950; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beer halls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Murphy's (Tacoma);

The Olympus hotel had just finished a two year remodeling project, initiated by the hotel manager, Virgil West. The new Mirror Room would offer dinner and dancing, and would feature the popular organist, Edith Stern with Ray Edwards. Interior view of the Mirror Room restaurant and night club, located in the recently remodeled Olympus Hotel (T.N.T., 8/29/49, p. 4-5).

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dance floors--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Hotels--Tacoma; Mirror Room (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

The Washington State Tavern Association hosted a luncheon for women of the association and members' wives at the Top of the Ocean during the three day convention held in Tacoma. The large group of women are seen in front of and on the covered ramp up to the unique restaurant built in the shape of a ship. A sign advertises: "Smorgasbord Daily". (TNT, 10/21/1952, p.2)

Restaurants--Tacoma; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Washington State Tavern Association (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A Viking warrior, ready for battle, stands above the large neon sign for the Viking Restaurant. Apparently the restaurant offered exceptional food with dining available from 5:00 p.m. It was situated in a rectangular building with large plate glass windows; a striped awning hung over the main entrance. The word "cheese" is painted in large letters on a tall triangular column near the corner of the restaurant. The Viking Restaurant had previously been known as the Viking Smorgasbord, specializing in Scandinavian and American foods. TPL-2510

Viking Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Awnings--Tacoma;

Dupont Works, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. - annual dinner and 25 year club at the New Yorker. Eight five pensioners and 25 year men were honored at the dinner at the New Yorker. C.H. Miller, service manager of the explosives department, paid tribute to the DuPont old timers. (TNT 10/30/1953, pg. 3-- see article for names)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Business people--Tacoma--1950-1960; E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. (Dupont)--People;

The interior of Avenue Cafe shows the cooking area in the left foreground with the lunch counter further along the left side. Tables and benches are placed along the right. The long room is divided with pillars that have been faced with mirrors. The newly remodeled cafe held a grand opening January 31, 1952. The cafe was opened in 1921 by Vittorio "Bimbo" Perniconi and John Teglia. It was named Avenue Cafe in 1935 and renamed Bimbo's Avenue Cafe in 1953. The restaurant closed in 2001 when the City of Tacoma bought the property to make way for the new convention center. (TNT, 1/31/1952, p.12) TPL-6414

Avenue Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The exterior of the Avenue Cafe is shown at night with neon signs in the front windows, above the upper windows and on the sign perpendicular to the front of the cafe. Another neon sign spelling "Cocktails" over the entrance is not lit. The cafe advertises food to go. Vittorio Perniconi owned Avenue Cafe at 1516 Pacific Avenue and Reno Rose served as manager. The cafe was renamed "Bimbo's Avenue Cafe" in 1953. (TNT, 1/31/1952, p.12) TPL-3841

Avenue Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

New Yorker. This portion of the "new" New Yorker spotlighted the cocktail lounge, called the "Manhattan Room," with its subdued lighting and lighted replica of the New York City skyline. The "new" New Yorker, at Sixth & Cushman, celebrated its grand opening on November 16, 1951. It was owned and operated by Pat and Mike De Voto. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11-alt. photo)

Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma);

Dining room with band in center right on elevated stage and dance floor below. This was the "Coney Island" room of the "new" New Yorker restaurant prior to its grand opening on November 16, 1951. Operated by Pat and Mike De Voto, it featured "big time floor shows and dancing nightly" and well-prepared food. The spacious "Coney Island" room had two stages with a permanent platform. Art Mineo's 10-piece orchestra performed there as well as special guest entertainers. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11)

Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

According to the 1953 City Directory, Frank A. Johnson owned and operated the Turf Restaurant, Smoke Shop, and Bar, all located at 911 Commerce St. View of interior of bar portion of the building; murals of horses and their riders decorate the walls. Apparently the bar was also known as the Tack Room, in keeping with the horse riding motif. There is a jukebox in a corner of the room in front of a mural showing a horse and rider jumping a fence. (TNT 11-7-51, p. 26)

Turf Bar (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Murals--Tacoma; Jukeboxes; Johnson, Frank A.;

Art Mineo, at left kneeling with hat in hand, and a group of raucous, laughing musicians. In the top row, third from left is the great jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. This photograph was taken at the opening of the newly remodeled New Yorker Cafe in November of 1951. Peterson, tenor saxophonist "Flip" Phillips (standing, far right) and trombonist Bill Harris (front row center) came down from Seattle, where they were appearing with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show, to sit in and jam for the opening.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mineo, Art; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson, Oscar;

Attilio (Art) Mineo on bass, Dick Morehead on drums, Oscar Peterson on piano, Joe (Flip) Phillips on saxophone and Bill Harris on trombone "jam" in the Coney Island Room on the opening night of Mike DeVoto's New Yorker, in November of 1951. Peterson, Phillips and Harris were performing in Seattle with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show when they saw a notice for the opening. They called Mineo and asked to sit in. Musical history was made as they jammed until closing, leaving Mineo's hired orchestra in the audience to enjoy the music. Art Mineo's career in music began in the 1930s with dance bands on the east coast. He moved to Tacoma after the Second World War and stayed after he married Toni Lento, whose father was a well-known Tacoma musician. The Art Mineo Quartet performed three nights a week at the New Yorker, 1501 6th Ave., for over 20 years. (TNT 11-15-51, C-10, 11& firsthand information supplied by Art Mineo)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mineo, Art; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson, Oscar; Phillips, Joe "Flip"; Harris, Bill; Morehead, Dick;

Six men take a break from their duties at the Top of the Ocean. Three of the men wear white uniforms and chef's hats. Magazines and an ash tray are seen on the table in front of them.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Men--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Dick Bevington's new Triple XXX Barrel drive-in restaurant. Six waitresses and six carhops lined up in front of building with neon trim and giant barrels on roof. The restaurant offered booths, counter service, car side service and XXX root beer on draft. TPL-1514 (T. Times 6/4/1940, pg. 7)

Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma; Bevington's Triple XXX Root Beer Restaurant (Tacoma); Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Dick Bevington's new Triple XXX Root Beer Barrel drive-in. Exterior of restaurant at night, giant root beer barrels on top of building, neon signs on cornice, automobiles parked in front. The restaurant was built at a cost of $29,000. Mr. and Mrs. Bevington resided in an apartment on the premises. The restaurant had booths, counter service, car hops and round the clock service.

Fast food restaurants--Tacoma; Bevington's Triple XXX Root Beer Restaurant (Tacoma);

Interior of Bar-B-Q Inn at Tillicum. Made for Pabst salesman. Three men, one is a soldier or marine, sitting on bar stools. Woman behind bar. Bottles of Pabst beer displayed.

Bar-B-Q Inn (Lakewood); Beer--Eating & drinking; Diners (Restaurants)--Lakewood;

Six uniformed waitresses pose with a woman in a dark dress at the Husk Cafe, 1211 Pacific Ave., in January of 1943. The women wear little caps, almost like a small nurses cap, pinned in their hair.

Husk Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Diners (Restaurants)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The cooks and waitresses of the Husk Cafe at 1211 Pacific Avenue posed at 3:30 pm on January 25, 1943 following the lunch hour rush. They are standing behind the lunch counter with its miniature juke box selectors. Mrs. C. Isabelle Hardwick and Thomas C. Hardwick opened the Husk in 1934. According to a posted sign under the clock, customers could not get counter service unless they were prepared to spend at least 10 cents. For 20 cents, you could get a bowl of hot chili or some pie and ice cream to go with your coffee. The Husk Cafe closed in the late 1950s.

Husk Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Diners (Restaurants)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cooks; Counters;

Scene from the Grand Opening of the Gay Nineties Room at Steve's Cafe (later commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s.) Customers and employees pose in Nineties costumes, the women in elaborate picture hats. Steve's was the brainchild of Steve Pease and John Stanley. It incorporated good food, cocktails and entertainment in a unique and imaginative setting. The restaurant became a tourist attraction in the fifties and sixties, and grew from a 20 person coffee shop to swallow up all surrounding businesses and become a huge facility that seated up to 725 at a time. Mary and Steve Pease are standing at the middle of this group shot, Dorothy Jean Pease is seated at the far right. William and Harriet B. Fowler, parents of Mary Pease, are also included in this photograph. Mrs. Fowler is standing next to Mrs. Pease and her husband is seated before her. Another daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pease is Mary Lou (Pease) Torgeson who is seated between Mr. Fowler and John Stanley. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg B6-B7) (Additional identification provided by two readers) TPL-10448

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1890-1900; Pease, Stephen O.; Pease, Mary; Pease, Dorothy Jean; Fowler, William; Fowler, Harriet B.; Torgeson, Mary Lou;

A banquet is being held at the Viking Smorgasbord. A group of 20 people are grouped in front of the large painting of a Viking ship at the restaurant. (Format 5' x 14")

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A man, probably John E. Berglund, stands by one of the dining tables at the Viking Smorgasbord holding one of the new restaurant's menus. John E. Berglund was president and manager of the incorporated business. He had started his career in 1916. He had worked in some of the finest hotels and restaurants throughout the world in Paris, Nice, London, Cairo and the old Waldorf Astoria in New York. He managed the "Bit of Sweden" in Hollywood for more than 10 years. Miss Maja Lisa Lindberg joined the restaurant at vice president. Other officers included Mr. and Mrs. Charles O. Anderson and Mr. and Mrs. David Benson. (TNT, 4/14/1951, p.C-5)

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma; Menus; Men--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Publicity photo for the opening of the Gay Nineties Room of Steve's (Gay '90s) Cafe at 5238 South Tacoma Way. Steve's was owned by John J. Stanley and Stephen O. Pease. The restaurant offered cocktails and American food served smorgasbord style for a nominal charge, with dining music and entertainment provided. This long shot of the "Gay Nineties" dining room shows the smorgasbord table on the right and booths on the left decorated to appear like "surreys with fringe on top." Checked table cloths and wagon wheel chandeliers complete the down home look. Steve's Gay '90s operated from 1950 to 1977 and was one of Tacoma's most popular night spots. It grew from a 20 person cafe to a huge complex that could seat up to 725 at a time. In the mid fifties, Steve's added to their unique treasure trove an actual cable car, converted to street driving, bought at auction in San Francisco and driven to Tacoma. The Cable Car Room then opened with replicas of Tacoma and San Francisco cable cars as booths in the cocktail lounge. The crowning gem was the Opera House, opened in a mid fifties expansion, furnished with antiques from the South Tacoma mansions and featuring a twice nightly floor show with can can girls, among other performers. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg. B6-B7)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

John Stanley poses in a publicity photo for the opening of the Gay Nineties Room of Steve's (Gay '90s) Cafe, at 5238 South Tacoma Way. The restaurant featured a smorgasbord every day of the week and was owned by John J. Stanley and Stephen O. Pease. It was decorated in 1890's style and offered music from a Hammond organ, dining, dancing and employees in Nineties costumes.The mural at the rear of the buffet table depicts local 1951 businesses in a "Gay Nineties" setting.The smorgasbord was open from 12 noon - 9 p.m. every day of the week for a nominal charge, reminiscent of the Nineties "free lunch." John Stanley, well known South Tacoma restaurateur, was in charge of all culinary matters and Steve Pease, the "unofficial mayor of South Tacoma," headed up the lounge end. People travelled from all over the Northwest for the unique dining and entertainment offered. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg. B6- B7)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stanley, John;

Tables at the Viking Smorgasbord sit ready for the restaurant's grand opening April 14, 1951. A large painting of a Viking sailing ship, created by Oke Ockerman, a Swedish immigrant to the Northwest, is seen against the far wall. Tables in this area that can be separated into a banquet room are spaced comfortably throughout the area and are set with white tablecloths and napkins folded decoratively. The restaurant featured Swedish smorgasbord as well as a la carte dinners. (TNT, 4/14/1951, p.C-5)

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma;

The interior of the Viking Smorgasbord showing the main dining room in the foreground and the banquet room at the rear that could be separated using a Modernfold door. The banquet room had a separate outside entrance and displayed a large mural depicting a Viking ship under sail in heavy seas. (TNT, 4/14/1951, p.C-5)

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma;

Richard Wagner (center) won this handsome turkey at the Pharaoh Club's 5th annual Thanksgiving dance held on Thursday November 24, 1949 at the Top of the Ocean. Holding Mr. Wagner's turkey, while Miss Janet McMath tickles its breast feathers, is Gene Nelson. The Pharaoh Club was a young men's social group organized by a small number of students in 1939; by 1949 the groups membership had grown. Since Mr. Wagner did not win his turkey until Thanksgiving evening, we must assume that he kept it as a pet - at least until Christmas. (TNT 11/13/1949 p.D-4; 11/27/1949 p.D-1)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nightclubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pharaoh Club (Tacoma); Turkeys; Nelson, Gene; Wagner, Richard; McMath, Janet; Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Banquet for 25 Year Club and Pensioners at Towers, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Mr. George Collins. DuPont Works Annual Dinner, Pensioners and 25 Year Men. The Grasselli division of E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company began manufacturing lead and calcium arsenates for fruit, cotton and ground crops in May 1944. They also warehoused millions of pounds of agricultural chemicals manufactured by its eastern plant. The company had another plant for the manufacture of high explosives in Dupont, Washington. Names were listed in the newspaper November 18, 1949. (TNT, 2/17/1949, p.6-A; 11/18/1949, p.B-9; T.Times, 1/30/1946)

Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. (Dupont)--People; Towers Restaurant (Tacoma);

Interior and exterior for submitting to Liquor Board, Valley Cafe, Sumner, Frank Guisti. Swivel stools with back rests line the counter. Booths line the opposite wall and open sided booths create a center seating area.

Cafes--Sumner--1940-1950; Valley Cafe (Sumner);

On Friday the 13th of January, 1950, the worst blizzard in years hit Tacoma. The gale brought five foot snow drifts, twenty degree chills, several hours of 40-60 mph winds and an estimated million dollars worth of storm damage in Tacoma. As pictured, the bulkhead near the "bow" of the Top of the Ocean, the Tacoma Athletic Commission's Ruston Way nightclub shaped like a ship, collapsed. However, the club itself did not suffer extensive damage. Waves 20 feet high broke over Ruston Way during the storm. The freezing temperatures brought in by the storm stayed until the middle of the following week. In the background is the Henry Mill. Ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. TPL-8836

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts; Storms--Tacoma--1950-1960;