This was the crowded Little J.E.M Dining & Dancing Cafe parking lot on July 16, 1958. Every Wednesday night from 8-12 was "Teen-age Hop" night with admission at 75 cents. The place was packed that Wednesday, crammed with kids anxious to listen and rock to the sounds of the Bluenotes, one of first rock bands in the area. In July of 1958 the Bluenotes included Robin Roberts on vocals, Bill Engelhart on guitar, Buck Ormsby on bass, Frank Dutra on sax and Lassie Aanes on drums. The Little J.E.M. was located on Highway 99 just past the Puyallup Bridge, and outside of Tacoma's city limits. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Little J.E.M was opened from 11 am to 2 am for dancing with live music. (TNT ad 7-23-58, A-10)

Little J.E.M. Cafe (Tacoma); Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. Interiors of Steve's Gay Nineties Restaurant. Whenever the old famous structures of Tacoma were in danger of the wrecking ball, owner Steve Pease was first in line, with cash in hand, to purchase as much of the past as possible; and most of it ended up in his Gay Nineties Restaurant. This staircase came from the Hewitt mansion at 501 No. 4th St., once considered to be the most beautiful home in Tacoma. When it was razed in 1957 to make way for a parking lot, Pease purchased this staircase and panelling, among other things. To see a photograph of the staircase in the Hewitt home, see D97664 image 7.

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

Viafore's, a new restaurant located at 2409 Pacific Ave. The restaurant was owned by Edward Viafore and Matt Allegro. This is either the cocktail lounge or a quick service food area.

Viafore's (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior of Cliff House Restaurant. A busy floral patterned carpet greets customers of the remodeled Cliff House Restaurant in this February, 1960, photograph. Near the entrance is the kitchen/serving area where an enormous black fan catches the eye. It would provide excellent ventilation of cooking odors. The kitchen area appears well equipped with shiny metal appliances.

Cliff House Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Dining room of Cliff House Restaurant. Empty tables with starched tablecloths and napkins await diners of the remodeled Cliff House Restaurant on February 15, 1960. Picture windows facing the Tideflats have their shades removed to the side so that patrons can enjoy the beautiful views. A display of large ferns complements the leafy pattern of the dining room carpet.

Cliff House Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A young family waits to select from a menu at Steve's Gay '90s as their hostess smiles in this July 27, 1960, photograph. Three can-can dancers and the m.c. are on the stage behind them in the restaurant's Opera Room. Mrs. LeRoy M. Curtis enjoys a free dinner at Steve's as Steve's Gay '90s was one of ten restaurants where Dine Out Every Month Club members utilized the "Buy one, get one free" method of receiving free meals. For $5.00, Dine Out Every Month Club members would receive a coupon book good for ten meals at participating restaurants. With Mrs. Curtis is her husband and daughter Terry; assisting the Curtis' family is Steve's hostess Vicki Tran. (TNT ad 8-2-60, p. 8)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Families--Tacoma--1960-1970; Curtis, LeRoy M.; Curtis, LeRoy M.--Family; Curtis, Terry; Tran, Vicki;

The cast of "The Drunkard" posed for a variety of shots on February 27, 1967. The 1890's melodrama, directed by Dorothy Jean Heffernan, was held at Steve's Gay '90s, 5238-40 South Tacoma Way, in March and April of 1967. Kathie McCulloch, as Mary Wilson, is pictured above with her hands aloft and mouth open in dismay at the appearance of the play's mustached villain, Jack Richardson, who stars as Lawyer Cribbs. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s. (TNT 3-3-67, A-6)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Melodramas; Richardson, Jack; McCulloch, Kathie; Actors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Actresses;

ca. 1967. Doughnut Shop at Fort Lewis. Fort Lewis was, in essence, a miniature city. The Army military base provided its soldiers and their families with goods and services that could normally be found off-base. Here in 1967 soldiers could enjoy doughnuts at the Doughnut Shop pictured above or "take 'em home." Color photograph ordered by Puget Sound Area Support Center, Fort Lewis.

Restaurants--Fort Lewis--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

Banquet for "Pop" Reed at Rau's Chicken Diner. Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp.

Restaurants--Graham; Banquets--Graham--1940-1950; Group portraits; Rau's Club (Graham);

At 10 till 1 on a hot day in July of 1942, it's time for a cold refreshing Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. Two business men and a soldier wait their turn to be served by the waitress at the Bar-B-Q Inn, Lakewood. Bottles of Pabst beer are on the counter, but the cooler behind also contains Rainier and Canadian Club. Pabst under a variety of owners has been brewing beer since 1840. Photograph ordered by Pabst.

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

ca. 1941. A carhop served a foaming mug of Root Beer to a "woody" station wagon at the Kruger's Triple XXX Root Beer Barrel drive-in restaurant in South Tacoma. Frank J, Kruger had opened at this location in 1936. If car service was not for you, the restaurant also had booths and stools indoors.

Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Triple XXX Barrel (Tacoma); Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Steak House interior of dining room. TPL-9326

Restaurant workers--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Waitresses--Tacoma; Uniforms; Steak House (Tacoma);

With its large, U-shaped bar down the middle of the room, the Kit-Kat Tavern was a fixture on Pacific Ave., across the street from the Olympus Hotel, from 1947 to 1971. In this photograph from March of 1952, a large crowd of men and women fills every booth and stool. The Kit-Kat claimed to have the "best draft beer in town", and a large California wine was only 25 cents. TPL-8249

Kit Kat Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma; Bartenders--Tacoma;

Interior of the Silver Dollar Cafe, 1554-56 Jefferson, for the liquor board. The cafe was owned by Mrs. Dorothy Harradine. The cafe is set up like a classic diner. Booths line the right hand side of the picture. A lunch counter, with mirror behind, is on the left hand side of the picture. Three waitresses stand behind the counter ready to refill coffee cups or take orders. At the rear of the picture, a rectangular opening can be seen in the wall where the chef can pass out prepared plates for delivery to customers.

Silver Dollar Cafe (Tacoma); Diners (Restaurants)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Counters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This building at 3812 So. Yakima was originally built in 1930 as a post office. In 1951, the year of this photograph, it was converted into a restaurant, the Golden City Cafe. Originally owned by George Lew, Lung F. Louie, and Jung Git, the Golden City Restaurant is still in business at this address.. TPL-9066

Golden City Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior view of Fife's Poodle Dog restaurant taken in August, 1951, shows waitress serving area, comfortable upholstered bench seating, and a variety of murals on the restaurant's walls. The Poodle Dog is a long-time Fife mainstay; originally opened in 1933, it was demolished and rebuilt on the same site in 1949 and then replaced by the current building in 1967. Richard's Commercial Photography would decorate the walls with photo murals, including a copy of a large backlit illustrated Washington State map, shown on the right hand side of the photograph. (TPL-3231)

Diners (Restaurants)--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Murals--Fife; Equipment;

911 Commerce Street housed the Turf Smoke Shop, Turf Bar and Turf Restaurant. View of empty restaurant at 11:27 a.m.; glimpse of Smoke Shop portion can be seen through the arched doorway. There are plenty of stools at the counter for casual dining, along with booths for those who chose to have more space and privacy. The restaurant celebrated a grand reopening in November, 1951, as the dining area doubled in size. A customer could order a roast turkey special with all the trimmings for only one dollar. Frank A. Johnson is listed as the owner of the Turf enterprises according to the 1953 City Directory. (TNT 11-7-51, p. 26)

Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Turf Restaurant (Tacoma); Turf Smoke Shop (Tacoma); Stools; Johnson, Frank A.;

The "Corral Room" at the Olympus Hotel. Wood siding, a rough beam ceiling and pastoral paintings give this banquet room a rustic feel. The impression of being in a barn is assisted by the painting of a horse peeking out a stall door. The table, chairs and flooring are very simple. The Corral Room was also used as a coffee shop and served cocktails.

Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Cocktail lounge with New York skyline against mirrored wall and upholstered boothes and chairs at tables. This was the "Manhattan Room," the cocktail lounge of the "new" New Yorker, located at Sixth & Cushman. Subdued lighting, comfortable seating and a eye-catching replica of the NYC skyline made the "Manhattan Room" a good choice for quiet reflection and conversation. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11)

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

Jane Powers is at the Hammond organ and Arnold Leverenz is holding the microphone at Steve's (Gay Nineties) Cafe. Jane Powers entertained diners with music during the dinner hour and Leverenz was the featured song stylist of Gay 90's music. These two performers both wear costumes from the 1890's to match the Gay Nineties theme of Steve's Cafe. A sign board lists the show times behind Arnold Leverenz. A scroll painting decorates the back of the organ and a mural of Mount Rainier has been painted on the wall by Knabel. (TNT, 1/10/1952, p.21) TPL-4542

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1890-1900; Powers, Jane; Leverenz, Arnold; Musicians--Tacoma;

In 1951 there were five taverns on Pacific Avenue between South 11th and South 13th streets. One of them was the Rainbow Tavern located at 1221 Pacific Avenue. The bar was crowded on this June, 1951, night with patrons at the counter and one woman intently playing on a shuffleboard bowling machine. According to the 1951 City Directory, the Rainbow Tavern was owned by Francis E. Bailey.

Rainbow Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma;

A view, taken in June of 1951, of the interior of the Rainbow Tavern showing customers seated at the counter, at booths along the far wall and playing amusement machines placed in the middle of the floor. Jukebox listings are available from a selector box at the counter and in the booths. The jukebox is standing along the far wall between two booths.

Rainbow Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Jukeboxes;

This photograph of the Poodle Dog restaurant, owned by E. J. "Jim" Zarelli and Rocco "Mac" Manza, was taken in May of 1951 after it was rebuilt for the second time in 1949. The pair opened the original Poodle Dog as a 13 stool hamburger and short order cubicle in 1933. In 1939, it was torn down to accommodate a new Spanish style building. As materials became available after World War II, that building was torn down in 1949 and replaced by the one pictured, designed by Thomas Albert Smith. The building's interior design was a model of labor saving devices. In 1967 this building was demolished and yet another, new Poodle Dog was built. (TNT 11/08/1949) TPL-9690

Poodle Dog (Fife); Restaurants--Fife--1950-1960;

The Dixie Ball was the Spinster Club's annual spring event. The Ball was held at the New Yorker Cafe's Rainbow Room. Three couples are shown relaxing at a table decorated with miniature mammy dolls. The women are wearing strapless evening gowns and rhinestone jewelry. Two of the men wear white dinner jackets. Ordered by the Tribune, Dolores Busch. (TNT, 6/28/1951, p.24)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma; Single women; Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Spinster Club (Tacoma);

Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by Tacoma Actors Guild. Group of men and women seated at tables with Bingo cards. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

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

Vaudeville Party at Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by Tacoma Actors Guild. 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;

The Rathskeller, located at 950 Pacific Ave. in the ground floor of the Rust Building, was the newly opened restaurant in Tacoma, the Annex was previously located at this site. The facilities have been completely remodeled, George A. Sample Jr. is the manager of The Rathskeller restaurant. Interior view of The Rathskeller's food and booze bar, alcohol bottles are displayed above the cash register, beer taps behind the bar, stools are lined up around the bar (T. Times, 11/18/48, p. 7).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma; Barrooms--Tacoma; Alcoholic beverages; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Stools; Rathskeller (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma);

Tacoma Athletic Commission moved their facilities to the Top of the Ocean facilities since the restaurant opened in December 1946. The club bought the Top of the Ocean restaurant in October 1948. Interior view of lounge located on the second floor, this area was restricted to "TAC Members Only". The mirror behind the main bar was painted with an image of the "Top of the Ocean" during the cold and frosty season; bar glassware and liquor bottles under the counter top (T. Times, 1/23/49, p. 21).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Decorations--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma; Lounges--Tacoma; Murals--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Interior view of the Tacoma Athletic Club's second floor lounge, the bar area is festively decorated for the celebration of the New Year, the Tacoma Athletic Club's anniversary, and the Tacoma Athletic Club's purchase of the Top of the Ocean restaurant. The club would be hosting a grand celebration for members and their guests (T. Times, 1/23/49, p. 21).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Decorations--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma; Lounges--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

An unidentified waitress offers a fireman something to eat, outside a badly damaged diner, in this photograph from April of 1949. On April 13, 1949, at 11:55 a.m. a 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked the Puget Sound basin. The quake was felt over 150,000 square miles, and killed eight people. This unidentified restaurant is believed to be in Puyallup, one of the hardest hit towns in the south sound. Photo ordered by Life magazine in New York (Life, 4/25/49, p. 34-35 & T.N.T., 4/13/49, P. 1, 12 & 4/14/49, p. 1-2). TPL-5461

Restaurants--Puyallup; Waitresses--Puyallup; Fire fighters--Puyallup; Rescue work--Puyallup; Earthquakes--Puyallup; Disasters--Puyallup; Life (New York, N.Y.);