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There's a new speakeasy entering Orange County's nightlife. Beach Blvd Club has now opened its doors inside the Pirate's Dinner Adventure show. It is a 1920's themed speakeasy with a dueling piano show.  As with any speakeasy, there needs to be a secret entrance and Beach Blvd Club did not disappoint. The entrance is inside the lobby in the form of a secret wooden armoire. Open its doors to take you back in time into the roaring 20s. The decor is 1920s and even the waitresses are in flapper dresses. Once inside, you may enjoy the dueling piano show and order one of their themed drinks; which are appropriately named; Paino Man, Harmony Tea, Moonlight Sonata, Mozartini...just to name a few. You may also request songs and sing along. Watch my experience here: I highly recommend making a reservation before you visit, to secure a table. Beach Blvd Club is open Thursday 7pm-11pm, Friday and Saturday 8pm-close. Pricing at the door is $15 (this may change, visit their website for changes and/specials).
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Exploring the Underground Tunnels of Los AngelesDid you know there’s underground tunnels in Los Angeles? There’s over 11 miles of tunnels underneath the city. During the Prohibition era these tunnels were used to run illegal drinking spaces. These spaces were nicknamed speakeasies because the owners did not want to attract law enforcement’s attention and asked the customers to whisper or “speak easy”. And if the speakeasies were raided everyone had access to the tunnels to make their getaway. There’s a bunch of modern day speakeasies all over Los Angeles and Orange counties that are fun to check out but did you know you can actually step down into the abandoned underground tunnels? Here’s how I got access: 1. Cartwheel Underground Tours Cartwheel Art Tour conducts the “Underground LA” tour. This is a 2&1/2 hour walking tour. The tour guide talks about famous prohibition era crimes, murders and haunts that occurred in LA. They also have exclusive access to these closed off areas. We were able to enter the abandoned speakeasies and the tunnels. Here's a glimpse...  This was the first underground speakeasy we entered. It is located under one of the hotels in DTLA. We entered through the lobby of the hotel and were lead to the basement. The photo above is the entry to the speakeasy.  Close up photo of the artwork on the glass.  The lighting was great inside, though the emptiness of the space felt eerie.  There were also newspaper clippings with old black and white photos inside an enclosed glass. Within the same building, we were guided down some more stairs that led to the tunnel entrance. It was pitch black when we reached the end of this tunnel. The tunnels are haunted and feels very eerie. The sounds alone had me a little freaked out.  After this tunnel we walked a few blocks over to a bar. It seemed like an ordinary modern day bar until they took us to the secret stairs in the back of the bar. Hidden underneath was another abandoned Prohibition era speakeasy.   Close up of the original mural.  Another mural on the opposite wall I learned so much on this tour and highly recommend it. You should definitely wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to get spooked. 2. Mob Bar LA  Mob Bar LA is a fun modern day speakeasy located in downtown Los Angeles. The bar just opened up in February 2020. It has a fun photo line up backdrop for pictures, prohibition drinks, live performances from jazz singers and burlesque dancers. The best part of this bar is their underground tunnel tour they do every hour. When it was my turn to experience the tour I was guided to the secret stairs that led to the basement. The tour guide gave the history of the hidden speakeasy and tunnel hidden underneath the building.  This underground space had a panic room, a bar, a safe and access to the tunnel.  Here is a close up of the safe door, riddled with bullet holes from people trying to gain entry.  Photo of the entry to the tunnel. These tunnels were used for a quick getaway.  This is definitely a fun bar to check out once it opens again. I would definitely recommend to pay the extra fee to take the underground tour. Also, please wear comfy shoes; the stairs are narrow and spiral down.
**The underground tunnels are closed off to the public and the last open entrance has been sealed off. The only way into these tunnels are if you know someone that may guide you in. Venture with caution. Comment if you know of any other underground tunnel tours. It's still uncertain when the day will come when Disneyland will once again open its doors, so in the meantime I've rounded up all the Disney related spots, walls, and photo ops for you! These locations may be closed now but they could be open sooner than Disneyland, so it may give you a little Disney magic until then.... 1. Bowers Museum - Exhibit of " INSIDE THE WALT DISNEY BARN  First stop, Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA. The 'Inside the Walt Disney Archives" opened in the beginning of March. The exhibit has a lot of vintage pieces, movie props, wardrobe and cars. The exhibit was originally scheduled to end August 20, 2020, but it may be extended. 2. Walt Disney Barn  Walt Disney Barn is located in Griffith Park. This is Walt Disney's original barn, where he worked on his love for trains. It holds a bunch of memorabilia. The barn is normally open once a month...check their website for dates. 3. Founders's Park - Walt Disney's modeled the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse after the Moreton Bay Fig pictured here  Founder's Park in Anaheim, CA is a historic park with a victorian style house. It is also home to this Moreton Bay Fig, that was said to have been Walt's Disney model for Swiss Family treehouse (now the Tarzan Treehouse). The home is only open a few times a year for tours, check their website for updates. 4. Stanley Ranch Museum & Historical Village - home to Walt Disney's Garage  Stanley Ranch is located in Garden Grove, CA, just a few miles from Disneyland. It is the garage Walt used as a studio to work on his animation machine. It was transported here from Walt's uncles' home in Hollywood. There's pictures and a few Disney things inside. The museum is only open twice a month. Keep an eye out when they open back up. 5. Walt Disney Studios  Walt Disney Studio is located in Burbank, CA. The studio is closed to the public. D23 usually offers tours and special events that lets you in. We attend their Christmas event every year and its amazing; you even get access to their exclusive gift shop. 6. El Capitan Theatre  El Capitan Theatre is located in Hollywood, CA. It is the best place to watch new Disney movies. They usually have, special performances, photo ops and/or props and costumes from the movies. They also show older films throughout the year. We went to their 4-D Nightmare before Christmas show in October and the downstairs had props from the movie. 7. Hollywood walk of Fame  The Hollywood Walk of Fame has several Disney stars: Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Snow White, Tinkerbell, Winnie the Pooh, Kermit the Frog, The Muppets... 8. Funko Pop Store Hollywood  Funko Pop Store in Hollywood, CA. This store is so amazing. It has huge size Funko pops, many are Disney: Little Mermaid, Star Wars, Frozen, Disney villians. They also have lots of disney merch for purchase and admission is free. 9. Los Feliz Passenger Station  Los Feliz Passenger Train Station located in Griffith Park. It takes you for a train ride around the park and I caught this Disney surprise. It only costs a few dollars to ride and it's fun for the kiddos. 10. Walt Disney Concert Hall  Walt Disney Concert Hall is located in Los Angeles, CA. It was designed by Frank Gehry. It is the home to the Los Anagles Philharmonic. The building itself is beautiful, it's also great for photo ops. There's a hidden little garden too. Sometimes they have art exhibits. I went when they had 'Nimbus' on display. 11. Hollywood Museum  Hollywood Museum in Hollywood, CA. This museum has so many props and costumes from so many different movies. Their website says they have High School Musical costumes on display. I didn't catch a photo of that so that is why there's the Batmobile photo. Once the museum reopens I'll have to go again to update the photo and let you know what else I find. 12. Peterson Automotive Museum  Peterson Automotive Museum is located in Miracle Mile in Los Angeles. It has a various amount of amazing cars on display. A couple of them happen to be Disney cars including Herbie. (This photo was taken at the Inside Walt Disney Archives exhibit not at Peterson Museum). Check their website for opening dates and to confirm the Disney cars are still on display. This posts is only the beginning. My next posts will include all the restaurants, bars and cafes. There's also a bunch of Disney murals scattered around SoCal. Stay tuned.... ***Also, please remember due to the stay at home orders, these locations are temporarily closed. Once the orders are lifted, check these locations' websites for opening dates, Stay safe everyone. Comment if I missed anything.
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AuthorHello, I'm Brenda-Follow me through my Serendipity Adventures IG: www.instagram.com/brenda.in.wanderlust ArchivesCategories |
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