Tacoma's Rudder Club offered their members a number of social activities throughout the year. Hat and style shows, stag and doe parties, children's events, dinner and cocktails at the club's facilities, and many other functions for their members and guests. Interior view of private dining room at the club's facilities, located at 735 Commerce Street; a lovely table is set with five unidentified waitresses ready to serve at the private party.

Table settings & decorations; Dining tables; Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

The exterior of Bill and Ted's Cafe for the liquor board, Mr. Pickering. The tavern stands on the corner of Puyallup Avenue and D Street East. The neon sign is set at an angle to be seen along both streets. "No Minors Allowed" is painted in the window. There are two more stories above the tavern and they appear to be apartments. A fire hydrant and light post can be seen on the left. TPL-6533

Bill & Ted's Cafe (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire hydrants; Street lights--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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;

Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by Tacoma Actors Guild. Two men and three women, acting as restaurant staff, at bar. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by the Tacoma Actors Guild.. Man at microphone addressing audience seated at tables around dance floor. Two of the columns in the room have sea shell decorations near top of column. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--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;

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;

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;

Several exposures of after remodeling of Manning's Market. This angled view of the serving area of Manning's Market's cafe section shows a large container of crushed ice where cold salads and other foods could be displayed and several units for holding hot dishes. Looking through the long horizontal windows, a customer could easily see and then order his selection for the day. The breakfast menu on the wall shows that cereal, fruit or juice, toast and coffee could be purchased for 50 cents and an egg, potatoes, toast and coffee meal would only cost 45 cents. TPL-9506

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Manning's Inc. (Tacoma); Cafeterias--Tacoma;

Several exposures of after remodeling of Manning's Market. The coffee counter in the remodeled Manning's was situated between the Jackson Brothers Meat Market and the Bakery. There were an abundance of stools for weary customers to refresh themselves with cups of Manning's coffee or tea. TPL-9508

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Manning's Inc. (Tacoma); Jackson Brothers Meat Market (Tacoma); Stools;

Several exposures of after remodeling of Manning's Market. Manning's Market, at the corner of 11th and Commerce, was part of Manning's Inc., a multi-million dollar food chain. Manning's in Tacoma contained a coffee store, cafe, bakery, meat market as well as a beauty salon and gardening supplies. This photograph, taken on July 31, 1950, highlights the coffee and bakery sections of the store. The gleaming showcases contain a selection of tea selling from 33 cents per quarter pound to 65 cents per half pound and a variety of coffees starting from 74 cents a pound. There is a lone two layer, heavily frosted, cake along side the coffee and tea. And, if a customer had a craving for peanuts, Manning's also supplied freshly roasted bags of peanuts for year round enjoyment. TPL-9507

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Manning's Inc. (Tacoma); Showcases; Coffee--Tacoma; Tea--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Crawford's Sea Grill, located at 505 Broadway, opened its new Star Room Terrace in August of 1950. Owned by Jack Meaker, Crawford's was built on the site of the Nelson Bennett Mansion in 1946. It was a very popular restaurant with Tacoma residents and visitors alike who enjoyed the unique Terrace which was completely enclosed in glass to take advantage of the view of Commencement Bay. The Town & Country Shop and the Wild West Veterans Club (Post #91) shared space at the same location. Crawford's closed in the early 1950s. (TNT, 8/30/1950) TPL-9848

Crawford's Sea Grill (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Town & Country Shop (Tacoma); Wild West Veterans Club (Tacoma);

Exterior of Dandy Cafe. Located at 917 Tacoma Avenue South, the Dandy Cafe shared a building with the Dandy Barber Shop in 1950. Owned and operated by Fred and Louise Fries, the Dandy Cafe was a small eating establishment. As the signs on the building advertised, they offered Coca-Cola and Flett's Ice Cream as part of the menu.

Dandy Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Fries, Fred; Fries, Louise;

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;

The interior of the Golden City Cafe showing a counter and stools along one side of the room and two rows of booths along the other side. Selection boxes for the juke box can be seen along the counter. TPL-9067

Golden City Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jukeboxes;

An unidentified couple is shown entering O'Brien's in April of 1971. The restaurant, located on the fountain level of the new Bank of Washington Plaza, opened on February 1, 1971. It was built in a semi-circle around the plaza's fountain and accessible by the curving staircase shown above and also through the bank tower. Photograph ordered by Ballard & Cannon, Inc.

O'Brien's Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fountains--Tacoma;

O'Brien's Restaurant, operated by Jim O'Brien, opened in early 1971 in the Bank of Washington Plaza complex at 1201-23 Pacific Avenue. Six of the restaurant's waitresses dressed in shimmering outfits and glossy shoes posed for a group portrait on January 29, 1971. At far left with her long hair pinned up is Carol Clark (now Yokes). The lady fourth from the right is Edreane Anderson, and the lady second from the right is her sister, Brynda Frazier, both graduates from Lincoln High School. According to a reader, owner Jim O'Brien had scouts out searching for the perfect women for his new restaurant. These six women were handpicked by him out of 200 applicants. Miss Clark had been waitressing at the Top of the Ocean when discovered. O'Brien's Restaurant was located below street level, accessible by a curving staircase and illuminated by the glow of a large fountain. Photograph ordered by O'Brien's Restaurant. Additional info provided by Ms. Frazier's daughter.

O'Brien's Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Waitresses--Tacoma--1970-1980; Clark, Carol; Yokes, Carol;

Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House in city's "Old Town." The "pub" style wood-framed restaurant was scheduled to open in March of 1972. It was designed by Tacoma architects Robert Billsbrough Price & Associates and built by the Rome Co. on pilings over Commencement Bay. The unusual name of the restaurant came from names common in 18th century London. The interior of the restaurant would be decorated with heavy wooden tables and sturdy tableware and employees would be dressed in the fashions of England past. The restaurant changed hands several times; in 2006, it is now called "Duke's Chowder House." Photograph ordered by Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House. (TNT 3-12-72, D-11)

Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House located at 3327 Ruston Way opened in March of 1972. The $350,000 "pub" style restaurant was built on pilings over Commencement Bay. Red Baron, Inc., were the owners and operators of the building, designed by Robert Billsbrough Price & Associates. The interior was decorated with heavy wooden tables and sturdy tableware, and the waitresses wore costumes reminiscent of the clothing worn in Elizabethan England. The restaurant has changed hands several times since 1972; in 2006 it became "Duke's Chowder House". (Photograph ordered by Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House.) (TNT 3-12-72, D-11)

Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980;

The three new can-can dancers at Steve's Gay '90s (l to r) Vickie Conner, Kathy Tamburelle and Pamella Conner posed while on stage in December, 1967. They were photographed while performing a special Christmas holiday stage show which was presented on weekends.The dancers had a variety of costumes but all featured tall plumes, ruffles and fishnet stockings. The new dancers replaced the can-can trio of Connie Moisio, Callie Mathews and Hazel Gjerde, who retired in November, 1967, after 14 years at Steve's. Steve's Gay '90s was a longtime South Tacoma fixture that offered reasonably priced cuisine along with entertainment harking back to the America of the 1890's. (Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s.) (TNT 11-9-67, D-11, TNT 12-22-67, p. 20) TPL-9874

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Dancers--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Costumes; Conner, Vickie; Tamburelle, Kathy; Conner, Pamella;

Two entertainers at Steve's Gay '90s; photograph taken on December 8, 1967. Both are dressed in the fashions of bygone days. The woman seated at the piano was identified as "LuluBelle" in a News Tribune ad later on February 19, 1968; she carries a paper fan. LuluBelle was proclaimed being "back in town," and entertaining each Saturday evening at the Old Piano Table. The man is believed to be Jack Richardson, "King of the MCs." Steve's Gay '90s was a very popular restaurant in South Tacoma that offered family-styled entertainment. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s.

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Entertainers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fans (Accessories)--Tacoma;

Bar area of The Old Spaghetti Factory. Turn-of-the-century memorabilia was found in abundance within The Old Spaghetti Factory, located in the 1700 block of Jefferson Ave. The restaurant itself was located in a 1904-vintage building, former home to the Tacoma Biscuit & Candy Co. and the Blake, Moffitt, & Towne warehouse. Included among various antiques was the 24-foot oak bar and backbar from the Savoy Hotel, then 75 years old. in addition, booths and benches were made from old bed stands. The Old Spaghetti Factory, opened on July 19, 1971, had a floor space of 10,000 square feet and could seat 200 diners. Color photograph ordered by The Old Spaghetti Factory. (TNT 7-18-71, B-7 - article on opening of restaurant) TPL-6394

The Old Spaghetti Factory (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma;

Interior view of The Old Spaghetti Factory. Vivid colors of red and yellow attract attention to the turn-of-the-century interior of The Old Spaghetti Factory as pictured on January 17, 1973. Hardwood floors, wood furniture, and even the utilization of iron headboards create a comfortable, "homey" feel while dining. A 30-foot, completely refurbished trolley car, parked in the middle of the restaurant and colorfully painted in the same yellow and red tones prevalent throughout the room, surprisingly does not seem out of place. Color photograph ordered by The Old Spaghetti Factory. (TBT 7-18-71, B-7 - article on opening of restaurant)

The Old Spaghetti Factory (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Street railroads--Tacoma;