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Washington Post
4 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Gay history was made in D.C. At times, it was dispiriting — but also uplifting.
1. Lafayette Square At night during the Roaring Twenties, men strolled the 'old square' and sat in the benches under the grand magnolias and blossoming crabapples of Lafayette Square, across from the White House. Their felt hats slightly lowered, they locked eyes with others looking for something that couldn't be sought in the light of day 100 years ago. 'It happened like this: I went to Lafayette Square and found a seat in the deep shade of the big beech. It was the best bench in the park,' an author with the pen name Jeb Alexander wrote on Aug. 23, 1920, in a diary chronicling gay life in D.C. A man sat down beside him, 'in a green suit with a blue dotted tie. He has beautiful eyes and sensuous lips. He wants to become a diplomat …' The nation's capital was quietly a gay mecca in the early part of the 20th century, when LGBTQ people closeted in their small towns escaped to work for the government. The New Deal expanded the federal workforce, and the nation's capital became a city for fresh starts. That changed when Lt. Roy Blick was promoted to head of the vice squad in the D.C. Police Department. On June 19, 1947, the Evening Star reported Blick's arrest of 41 men after a 'routine cleanup' of Lafayette Square. Lt. Roy E. Blick was head of the D.C. police's vice squad. He oversaw the arrests of hundreds of gay men and lesbians. (Anthony Camerano/AP) That year, the U.S. Park Police began a 'Sex Perversion Elimination Program' and regularly updated President Harry S. Truman on the arrests. In 1948, Congress passed D.C. Public Law 615, 'for the treatment of sexual psychopaths,' which cleared a path for the arrest and punishment of LGBTQ people in Washington. The growing arrest list became fodder for blackmail and purges known as the Lavender Scare, which was named for Sen. Everett Dirksen's (R-Illinois) label for gay men in 1952 — 'lavender lads.' The Lavender Scare mirrored McCarthyism's Red Scare targeting suspected communists, but its impact was larger. 'While more widely remembered by history, the Red Scare produced few results,' the National Park Service wrote. '... Conversely, the oft-forgotten Lavender Scare victimized Americans in their workplace and beyond for the latter part of the 20th century.' Story continues below advertisement Advertisement In 1953, a 25-year-old University of Chicago student was arrested after allegedly soliciting an undercover detective. It was Lester C. Hunt, Jr., the son of Sen. Lester Hunt (D-Wyoming). Hunt had been publicly feuding with Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-Wisconsin). Senate historians said Hunt called the Red Scare architect a 'liar' and 'opportunist.' The charges against Hunt's son were dropped. But two Republican senators agitated to have them restored and Hunt Jr. was tried and fined, according to a letter the son wrote to the U.S. attorney general in 2015 asking for a formal review of his father's case. The senators told Hunt that his son's conviction 'would become a major campaign issue' unless he dropped his reelection campaign, according to the Senate's official history. Hunt abruptly withdrew from the race, citing health reasons. Sen. Lester Hunt (D-Wyoming) killed himself in 1954 after his son was arrested and outed in the Lavender Scare. (William J. Smith/AP) But Hunt believed the torment of his son and the election wouldn't end because he dropped out of the race, according to Senate historians. On June 19, 1954, he hid a .22 Winchester rifle under his coat and headed to his Senate office. Minutes after he got there, he sat at his desk and shot himself in the right temple. McCarthy was censured by Congress later that year. The Hunt family didn't speak about the affair until 2013, when Wyoming historian Rodger McDaniel interviewed Lester Hunt Jr. for a biography of his father, 'Dying for Joe McCarthy's Sins —The Suicide of Wyoming Senator Lester Hunt.' 2. The Mattachine Society Gay rights activists Jack Nichols, Frank Kameny and Lilli Vincenz protest with others outside the White House in 1965. (Bettmann Archive) It was Frank E. Kameny, a suit-wearing scientist in D.C., who led the first public protest of discrimination against LGBTQ people in the United States. A Harvard University graduate, World War II veteran, astronomer with the Army Map Service and professor at Georgetown University, Kameny was quiet and studious. Then, the federal government fired him for being gay. And a radical was born. On April 17, 1965, Kameny gathered 10 people to take a public stand. The men had crewcuts and suits, the women wore dresses and stockings, and they picketed outside the White House at 4:30 p.m. — quitting time at federal offices. They were fighting President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Executive Order 10450, which made ruining the lives of queer people a government policy in 1953. The order said 'sexual perversion' was grounds for outing and firing federal employees. Thousands were targeted — including Kameny, who was fired in 1957. His appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court. He wrote dozens of letters to lawmakers and presidents. A 1950 report concluded that gay people were "unsuitable for employment in the Federal Government." (Records of the U.S. Senate) In 1961, Kameny founded the D.C. branch of the Mattachine Society, an organization with several chapters across the United States that was named for the French society of masked dancers who criticized social norms with pointed satire. Although other chapters were primarily support groups, Kameny turned his into a vehicle for radical activism. His brick Colonial house in Northwest Washington became the national headquarters for a growing civil rights movement. At first, it was mostly White and male. Then women like Eva Freund joined the group and bucked the sexism within it. Eva Freund is one of the last surviving original members of the D.C. Mattachine Society. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) 'The men in Mattachine thought the women were just there to take care of them,' Freund said in a 2019 interview with The Washington Post. She became fluent in Robert's Rules of Order, ensuring that lesbians were heard and acknowledged. They printed newsletters and pamphlets and continued their protests outside the State Department and Pentagon. They joined marches in Philadelphia and New York. In 1971, Kameny became the first openly gay American to run for a seat in Congress. He didn't win, but in 1973 he advocated for the passage of Title 34, the nation's first citywide human rights ordinance making it illegal to discriminate against LGBTQ people in the areas of employment, education and housing. 3. Gay Corner In Congressional Cemetery The grave of Leonard P. Matlovich, the first gay service member to fight the military's ban on homosexuality. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post) A cluster of tiny rocks always sits atop Leonard Matlovich's headstone in Washington's Congressional Cemetery, placed as prayers and gratitude by visitors. It's a pilgrimage made by thousands. The engraving in black granite reads: 'WHEN I WAS IN THE MILITARY THEY GAVE ME A MEDAL FOR KILLING TWO MEN AND A DISCHARGE FOR LOVING ONE.' Matlovich was a closeted airman who had earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart until March 6, 1975 — the day he handed his Air Force commander a letter. 'After some years of uncertainty, I have arrived at the conclusion that my sexual preferences are homosexual,' it began. Matlovich had been inspired by Frank Kameny and offered to be the test case to challenge bigotry in the military. (Doug Chevalier) That fall, Matlovich's face was on the cover of Time magazine. 'I Am a Homosexual,' the headline stated. Matlovich had been inspired by Frank Kameny's activism and offered himself as the test case to challenge bigotry in the military. They carefully crafted Matlovich's coming-out letter. Despite his combat medals and continued exemplary service, Matlovich was ruled unfit for the military and discharged. (The Air Force was forced by court order to reinstate him and offer back pay, but he didn't return to the military.) Instead, became a vocal advocate for gay rights over the next decade. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement In his final act, Matlovich created what may be the only LGBTQ section of a cemetery in the world. And it started as a wry joke. A stone's throw from what is now known as Gay Corner is the grave of former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, who died in 1972. Hoover led a program compiling thousands of pages of information on the sex lives of Washington's powerful. Near his plot is that of his close adviser, Clyde Tolson. There has been speculation that the two were more than co-workers, but historians have never found evidence to confirm the rumors. Matlovich was buried at Congressional Cemetery in 1988 after his death from AIDS-related complications. (Ira Schwartz/AP) Matlovich bought two plots near Hoover and Tolson. He died in 1988 at 44 after being diagnosed with AIDS. 'It was his way of having the last laugh,' said A.J. Orlikoff, Interim Executive Director of the cemetery, "forcing FBI Agents visiting Hoover's grave to walk past the grave of someone so openly gay.' The corner has since expanded to be the final resting place of dozens more LGBTQ Washingtonians. It's a popular stop on gay history tours and the occasional setting for same-sex weddings. 4. The Furies Collective The June-July 1972 edition of The Furies, a radical magazine that was published by a lesbian collective. (The Furies Collection, courtesy Rainbow History Project Archives) 'We call our paper The FURIES because we are also angry,' Ginny Z. Berson wrote in 1972, in the inaugural edition of a radical, feminist newspaper run out of the basement of a brick rowhouse on Capitol Hill. 'We are angry because we are oppressed by male supremacy,' Berson wrote. 'We are working to change the system which has kept us separate and powerless for so long.' The Furies Collective was a group of 12 lesbians who said it all out loud. Their newspaper, in an age of mimeographs and hand delivery, reached 5,000 readers across the nation. They organized meetings and ran workshops on car repair and self defense. They had film festivals and softball games. They wanted nothing to do with men and little to do with straight women. 'We considered ourselves a revolutionary cadre, and our intention was to overthrow the patriarchy and capitalism,' Berson, a member of the collective, said in a recent interview. D.C. was 'a hotbed of political activism' in the early 1970s, and the lesbian feminists Berson met led to an epiphany. 'You mean, I don't have to live my life in order to please men?' Berson said. 'It was astonishing. It was a liberation.' The rowhouse in Southeast D.C. was perfect, with room for wide layout tables for publishing and space for meetings. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement 'Women have been kept down in many ways,' Lee Schwing wrote in one of the pieces about her new karate habit and how her strong, thickening torso and sculpted arms challenged the beauty standards of the day. 'Women are rarely encouraged to be strong, because it is undesirable to men,' she wrote. The collective adopted an ethos that 'any woman who's sleeping with a man is basically sleeping with the enemy.' Berson recently laughed a little at that radical thought: 'We were a little extreme.' 5. Gay Clubs Revelers dance at the ClubHouse, a gathering space for Black gay men in D.C. that attracted gay and straight celebrities. (Courtesy of John Eddy) Washington was a buttoned-up, bureaucrat's world during the day. But at night, the scene was vibrant. At least 200 LGBTQ clubs have operated over the past 100 years in D.C. The Rainbow History Project, an organization that has amassed a thorough history of LGBTQ D.C. history, plotted the often-segregated clubs on its mapping archive. The Chicken Hut was the hot spot for gay White Washington in the 1950s. A block away from the White House, it operated from 1948 until the 1970s, hosting drag shows and piano tunes. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement For queer Black Washington, discrimination was twofold: The government was actively hunting homosexual men and women in workplaces, bars and parks at a time when racial discrimination was still codified by federal law. In 1953, a rowhouse on Kenyon Street NW in Columbia Heights became a word-of-mouth house party and sanctuary for gay Black men. It opened its doors wide to the public in 1957 as a club called Nob Hill. When it closed in 2004, it was acknowledged as one of the longest-operating LGBTQ bars in the nation. But nothing bumped like the The ClubHouse in the 1970s. Inspired by New York City's Loft and Studio 54, it was the epicenter of Chocolate City's gay nightlife, tucked in a residential neighborhood near a high school. At the time, Black people 'got hassled getting into the white clubs. You needed two or three IDs and all of this stuff,' said Kwabena Rainey Cheeks, who was working construction when John Eddy and other friends recruited him to turn a gutted commercial garage into one of the hottest scenes on the East Coast. In the 1970s, the scene flourished in the D.C. warehouse district surrounding South Capitol Street. Cinema Follies was where largely closeted, queer men came for adult films. It was equally popular with police for raids and arrests, becoming a rallying point for activists who fought police profiling. In 1977, a fire engulfed the theater and killed nine people. A former Marine and Republican congressman outed themselves as survivors. It took days to identify the victims. Many of them were married with children. There was a pastor, a congressional aide, an Army major, a hairdresser and an economist with the World Bank. 6. The National Mall The entire AIDS quilt was on display from Oct. 11 to 13, 1996, on the National Mall. It contained more than 48,000 panels. (Frank Johnston/The Washington Post) The AIDS epidemic hit the United States in 1981, the year President Ronald Reagan took office. Washington was frigid to the gay community. 'If we take a look at the Federal Government's response to the AIDS crisis it leads unavoidably to the conclusion that within this administration, there is a sharp contrast between the rhetoric of concern and the reality of response,' Virginia Apuzzo, executive director of the National Gay Task Force, said during a congressional hearing in 1983. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement A year later, a gaunt Rock Hudson came to the White House for a party. Nancy Reagan was alarmed by his appearance and wrote him a letter urging him to get a mole she spotted on his neck checked out. He was diagnosed with AIDS, and the Reagans distanced themselves from him until his death in 1985, according to Kate Andersen Brower's biography, 'Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit & Glamour of an Icon.' In Washington, the Gay Men's VD Clinic — later rebranded the Whitman-Walker Clinic — opened a full-time AIDS clinic by 1986, following similar facilities in San Francisco and New York. The Whitman-Walker Clinic — first known as the Gay Men's VD Clinic — opened its doors to Washingtonians in 1986. (Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post) The federal government finally began to step up in the wake of a 1986 report issued by the National Academy of Sciences titled 'Confronting AIDS.' Public health campaigns reached out to the gay community with condom-promoting posters featuring scantily clad men. That riled some on Capitol Hill. The AIDS quilt, shown above in 1996, was officially unveiled on the Mall in October 1987 with panels honoring 1,920 victims. (Larry Morris/The Washington Post) Then-Sen. Jesse Helms (R-North Carolina) said the disease was a result of 'unnatural' and 'disgusting' behavior. But Helms's 1987 purity campaign was eclipsed when a memorial the length of two football fields was unfurled on the nation's front lawn on an October morning. The AIDS quilt, with panels honoring 1,920 victims of the disease, showed the nation the tangible scope, size and humanity of the crisis. The massive, growing quilt was unfolded on the National Mall several more times. 'I can't do anything for the patients but watch them die,' Suzanne Phillips, a medical student from Brooklyn, told The Washington Post in 1987 as she watched the quilt being unfurled. 'I can't stand it anymore.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Art Deco Girl Names That Radiate Vintage Glamour Charisma
If you've ever admired the sleek, glamorous vibe of The Great Gatsby or wandered through buildings with intricate geometric patterns and metallic finishes (the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building are two of the best-known examples!), you've experienced the magic of Art Deco. A design movement that gained popularity in the 1920s and '30s, Art Deco is known for its bold geometric shapes, luxurious materials, and a sense of modern elegance. Art Deco was all about embracing the future while still honoring the past, blending both with a touch of glam that made everything from architecture to fashion feel sophisticated. And its easily-recognizable mix of sharp lines and soft curves showed just how harmoniously different things can work together. But Art Deco wasn't just about high style — it was also, in itself, a whole vibe. It was a reflection of the time, catching the rebellious spirit of the Roaring Twenties and the Jazz Age. It was the era of extravagance, jazz, and a new kind of optimism, which is exactly why Art Deco had such staying power. Think about the sleek lines of a vintage car, the glitter of a jazz club, or the elegance of a 1920s ballroom — the style was as much about setting trends as it was about making a statement. We've put together this list of girl names inspired by the Art Deco era that embody the same sense of boldness, refinement, and timeless elegance. Each name is a nod to an aesthetic — but also a reflection of the sophistication and strength that defined the period. If you're looking for a girl name that's chic, glamorous, and full of character, you've come to the right era. More from SheKnows The Newest List of Most Popular Baby Names Was Just Released - See What's Topping the Charts Now Best of SheKnows There's Something So Beautiful About the Bond Between Brothers Tween & Teen Slang 2025: A Definitive Guide to 'What the Hellyante' Your Kid Is Saying Right Now Celebrity Moms Who Were Honest About Miscarriage & Pregnancy Loss — Because It Matters The meaning of Athena remains uncertain, but the name is most famously tied to the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, who also served as the patron deity of Athens. It's believed that her name likely originated from the city, rather than the city being named after her. Zara first appeared in William Congreve's 1697 tragedy The Mourning Bride, where it was the name of a captive North African queen. It's believed that Congreve may have drawn inspiration from the Arabic name Zahra, meaning 'shining' or 'brilliant.' In 1736, the name gained popularity when English writer Aaron Hill used it as a translation for Zaïre in his adaptation of Voltaire's French play Zaïre. Lenore is derived from the Old French version of the Occitan name Alienòr, and its roots stretch back to one of history's most powerful women: Eleanor of Aquitaine. As the 12th-century queen of both France and England, Eleanor wielded immense influence, and was initially named Aenor after her mother. To distinguish her from her mother, she was known by the Occitan phrase alia Aenor, meaning 'the other Aenor.' Opal comes from the English word for the iridescent gemstone, a dazzling birthstone for those born in October — but it's beautiful any time of year! The name itself traces back to the Sanskrit word उपल (upala), meaning 'jewel,' capturing the essence of something precious and radiant, and it's a vintage gem that's poised to make a comeback. Vera is a name that means 'faith' in Russian, carrying a sense of deep and unwavering strength. It's said to stem from the Latin word verus, meaning 'true.' With its simple yet striking sound, Vera channels the clean lines and timeless sophistication of the Art Deco era. Maeve is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Medb, which means 'intoxicating,' evoking a sense of allure and power. In Irish legend, it was the name of the legendary warrior queen of Connacht — known for her fierce leadership and commanding presence. Eloise originates from the Old French name Héloïse, which itself is likely derived from the Germanic name Helewidis — combining the elements heil, meaning 'healthy' or 'whole,' and wit, meaning 'wide.' This timeless name is sometimes linked to the Greek word ἥλιος (helios), meaning 'sun,' symbolizing light and brilliance. Greta is a short form of Margaret, which originates from the Latin name Margarita, itself derived from the Greek word μαργαρίτης (margarites), meaning 'pearl.' It's got a classic silver screen vibe and glamorous feel. Vivienne is the French form of Vivian, which is derived from the Latin word vivus, meaning 'alive.' This vibrant name carries an aura of energy and vitality, with a bit of sultry sophistication mixed in. Daphne comes from the Greek word for 'laurel,' a symbol of honor and achievement. In Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph transformed into a laurel tree by her father to escape the relentless pursuit of Apollo, making her a figure of strength and independence. Clara is the feminine form of the Late Latin name Clarus, which means 'clear,' 'bright,' or 'famous.' This name radiates elegance and brilliance, perfectly capturing the luminous charm of the Art Deco era. Iris means 'rainbow' in Greek, and in Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess who personified the rainbow and served as a messenger to the gods. The name also connects to both the vibrant iris flower and the colored part of the eye, symbolizing both beauty and clarity. Genevieve is said to be derived from the medieval name Genovefa, and its origins are somewhat uncertain. It may be derived from the Germanic elements kunją ('clan' or 'family') and wībą ('wife' or 'woman'), or it could trace back to Gaulish roots, with the Celtic element genos meaning 'kin' or 'family.' One of the most famous bearers of this name was Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. Lola is a diminutive of Dolores, meaning 'sorrows,' which originates from the Spanish title of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores ('Our Lady of Sorrows'). Although the name carries a solemn meaning, Lola has taken on a lively and glamorous persona, especially since its rise in popularity during the Jazz Age of the 1920s and '30s. Celeste is the feminine form of Caelestis, a Late Latin name derived from the word caelum, which means 'heaven' or 'sky.' This name evokes the celestial beauty of the stars, carrying with it a sense of elegance and grace that makes it a perfect Art Deco name. Esme comes from the Old French word meaning 'esteemed' or 'loved,' which is the sweetest name meaning we can think of! With its elegant simplicity and gentle sound, Esme evokes the refined sophistication of the Art Deco era, where beauty and grace were celebrated. Gisele is derived from the Old German element gisal, meaning 'hostage' or 'pledge.' Originally (and sadly!) it may have been a descriptive nickname for a child who was pledged to a foreign court. Fortunately for modern times, though, it's just a beautiful name choice. Delilah comes from the Hebrew word meaning 'delicate,' 'weak,' or 'languishing.' In the Old Testament, Delilah was the lover of the powerfully strong Samson, whom she betrayed by cutting his hair — the source of all his strength — leading to his downfall. Despite the complexities of her character, the name Delilah gained popularity among the Puritans in the 17th century. With its sultry sound and dramatic history, Delilah perfectly captures the bold, glamorous spirit of the Art Deco era. Marceline is the glamorous-sounding French feminine form of a name derived from Marcus, a Roman praenomen (given name) which likely originates from the Roman god Mars — the deity of war and strength. Yvette is the beautiful French feminine form of Ivo, a Germanic name that originally served as a short form for names beginning with the element iwa, meaning 'yew.' The yew tree, known for its longevity and strength, symbolizes resilience and endurance. Florence comes from the Latin name Florentius or its feminine form Florentia, both derived from florens, meaning 'prosperous' or 'flourishing.' This name evokes a vibe of growth and success — not to mention a cool vintage feel. Lyra is the name of a constellation in the northern sky, home to the brilliant star Vega. The constellation is said to be shaped after the lyre of the legendary Greek mythological musician Orpheus, evoking a sense of harmony and celestial beauty. Selene means 'moon' in Greek and was the name of the Greek goddess of the moon, a Titan who radiated beauty and mysticism. Often associated with the goddess Artemis, Selene was depicted driving her chariot across the night sky, illuminating the world with her celestial glow. Cleo is a short form of Cleopatra, derived from the Greek word κλέος (kleos), meaning 'glory.' The name evokes the regal power and timeless beauty of the legendary queen, who remains one of history's most iconic figures. It has a sleek, confident sound perfectly befitting of the Art Deco era. Isolde is the romantic-sounding German form of the name Iseult, made famous in the 13th-century German poem Tristan by Gottfried von Strassburg. The origins of the name are uncertain, but some sources suggest it may be of Germanic origin, derived from a name like Ishild, which is composed of the elements is ('ice') and hilt ('battle'). Juno is a name of uncertain origin, but some sources say it's related to an Indo-European root meaning 'young' or derived from Etruscan influences. In Roman mythology, Juno was the wife of Jupiter and the queen of the heavens, revered as the protectress of marriage, women, and even finance. Odessa takes its name from the Ukrainian city on the north coast of the Black Sea — which was named after the ancient Greek city of Odessos, though its exact meaning is unknown. The name evokes a sense of mystery and timeless beauty. Evangeline comes from the Greek εὖ (eu), meaning 'good,' and ἄγγελμα (angelma), meaning 'news' or 'message,' together signifying 'good news.' The name was popularized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his 1847 epic poem Evangeline and later appeared in Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) as the full name of the character Eva. With its elegant flow and rich literary history, Evangeline embodies the timeless glamour of the Art Deco era. Paloma is a soft and melodic-sounding name — and it means 'dove' in Spanish, symbolizing peace, love, and grace. Lucienne is the sophisticated French feminine form of Lucien, which itself comes from the Roman family name derived from the praenomen Lucius. The name is linked to Lucianus, a 2nd-century satirist and author from Samosata (the modern-day town of Samsat, in Turkey).
The Age
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Places to go West hollywood
Barney's Beanery is a modest-looking shack, with a gaudy striped awning, that has sat on humming Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles for almost a century. And its unique placement on the famous Route 66 means it came up with an equally singular way for its luckless customers to pay for a bowl of its famous chilli back in the day. 'The road outside the Beanery is Santa Monica Boulevard, but it also used to be the end of Route 66, before the highway went all the way down to the Santa Monica Pier,' says Jon D'Amico, owner and tour guide of Sunset Strip Rock 'N' Walk Tours. Once the end point of Route 66, Barney's Beanery is on Santa Monica Boulevard. Credit: Julie Ansiau 'Remember, 100 years ago, the people who were coming to California were getting away from the Great Depression, or the Dust Bowl, and they wanted to start their life over. They were destitute, so Barney said: 'I know you're broke but here's the deal. I will feed you a bowl of my chilli, and you can give me your front car licence plate as collateral'. And to this day, the bar is covered in the licence plates of the people who did not get their collateral back.' Now, when you open the door to Barney's Beanery, and your eyes adjust to the dim light, you will see hundreds of car plates, shiny, scratched, dinged up. They cover the roof, interlaced with fairy lights sitting above muted televisions that never stop showing sport. Multicoloured booths run from the door down to the pool tables at the back, and rock 'n' roll plays just loud enough to shout over. Steaming bowls of the venerable chilli still come out of the kitchen with numbing regularity. The original Barney's Beanery was opened in Berkeley, California by John 'Barney' Anthony in 1920 but a few years later the diner burnt down. Barney moved his chilli house to the current building on State Route 2, also known as Route 66, in 1927 and the place had a reputation. Falling just out of the jurisdiction of the LAPD, what we now know as West Hollywood was home to speakeasies and other ne'er-do-well establishments during the Roaring Twenties. This lawlessness was the basis for how the Sunset Strip got its party reputation right up to its hair-metal heyday in the 1980s. Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles. Credit: Getty Images Each of those number plates hanging over your head has a story, but they just scratch the surface of the tales that the Beanery has been associated with. 'I start and end my tours at Barney's Beanery for a reason,' says D'Amico. 'There is a lot of music history here and some of it is literally written on the walls and on the ceiling. 'And it is still a hotbed of music activity; it has recently seen everyone from Taylor Swift to Slash here, and it remains an iconic spot in LA.'
Sydney Morning Herald
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
The modest shack where Hollywood stars eat before they're famous
Barney's Beanery is a modest-looking shack, with a gaudy striped awning, that has sat on humming Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles for almost a century. And its unique placement on the famous Route 66 means it came up with an equally singular way for its luckless customers to pay for a bowl of its famous chilli back in the day. 'The road outside the Beanery is Santa Monica Boulevard, but it also used to be the end of Route 66, before the highway went all the way down to the Santa Monica Pier,' says Jon D'Amico, owner and tour guide of Sunset Strip Rock 'N' Walk Tours. 'Remember, 100 years ago, the people who were coming to California were getting away from the Great Depression, or the Dust Bowl, and they wanted to start their life over. They were destitute, so Barney said: 'I know you're broke but here's the deal. I will feed you a bowl of my chilli, and you can give me your front car licence plate as collateral'. And to this day, the bar is covered in the licence plates of the people who did not get their collateral back.' Now, when you open the door to Barney's Beanery, and your eyes adjust to the dim light, you will see hundreds of car plates, shiny, scratched, dinged up. They cover the roof, interlaced with fairy lights sitting above muted televisions that never stop showing sport. Multicoloured booths run from the door down to the pool tables at the back, and rock 'n' roll plays just loud enough to shout over. Steaming bowls of the venerable chilli still come out of the kitchen with numbing regularity. The original Barney's Beanery was opened in Berkeley, California by John 'Barney' Anthony in 1920 but a few years later the diner burnt down. Barney moved his chilli house to the current building on State Route 2, also known as Route 66, in 1927 and the place had a reputation. Falling just out of the jurisdiction of the LAPD, what we now know as West Hollywood was home to speakeasies and other ne'er-do-well establishments during the Roaring Twenties. This lawlessness was the basis for how the Sunset Strip got its party reputation right up to its hair-metal heyday in the 1980s. Each of those number plates hanging over your head has a story, but they just scratch the surface of the tales that the Beanery has been associated with. 'I start and end my tours at Barney's Beanery for a reason,' says D'Amico. 'There is a lot of music history here and some of it is literally written on the walls and on the ceiling. 'And it is still a hotbed of music activity; it has recently seen everyone from Taylor Swift to Slash here, and it remains an iconic spot in LA.'
The Age
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
The modest shack where Hollywood stars eat before they're famous
Barney's Beanery is a modest-looking shack, with a gaudy striped awning, that has sat on humming Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles for almost a century. And its unique placement on the famous Route 66 means it came up with an equally singular way for its luckless customers to pay for a bowl of its famous chilli back in the day. 'The road outside the Beanery is Santa Monica Boulevard, but it also used to be the end of Route 66, before the highway went all the way down to the Santa Monica Pier,' says Jon D'Amico, owner and tour guide of Sunset Strip Rock 'N' Walk Tours. 'Remember, 100 years ago, the people who were coming to California were getting away from the Great Depression, or the Dust Bowl, and they wanted to start their life over. They were destitute, so Barney said: 'I know you're broke but here's the deal. I will feed you a bowl of my chilli, and you can give me your front car licence plate as collateral'. And to this day, the bar is covered in the licence plates of the people who did not get their collateral back.' Now, when you open the door to Barney's Beanery, and your eyes adjust to the dim light, you will see hundreds of car plates, shiny, scratched, dinged up. They cover the roof, interlaced with fairy lights sitting above muted televisions that never stop showing sport. Multicoloured booths run from the door down to the pool tables at the back, and rock 'n' roll plays just loud enough to shout over. Steaming bowls of the venerable chilli still come out of the kitchen with numbing regularity. The original Barney's Beanery was opened in Berkeley, California by John 'Barney' Anthony in 1920 but a few years later the diner burnt down. Barney moved his chilli house to the current building on State Route 2, also known as Route 66, in 1927 and the place had a reputation. Falling just out of the jurisdiction of the LAPD, what we now know as West Hollywood was home to speakeasies and other ne'er-do-well establishments during the Roaring Twenties. This lawlessness was the basis for how the Sunset Strip got its party reputation right up to its hair-metal heyday in the 1980s. Each of those number plates hanging over your head has a story, but they just scratch the surface of the tales that the Beanery has been associated with. 'I start and end my tours at Barney's Beanery for a reason,' says D'Amico. 'There is a lot of music history here and some of it is literally written on the walls and on the ceiling. 'And it is still a hotbed of music activity; it has recently seen everyone from Taylor Swift to Slash here, and it remains an iconic spot in LA.'
