mid-century nightlife in denver

Sid King’s Crazy Horse Bar, famous as the coolest
location in Clint Eastwood’s monkey movie Every Which
Way But Loose. Ad is from 1963.

Everyone misses Celebrity Sports Center, one of the two
Disney related entries into Colorado entertainment.

Pogo Poge! This famous Denver radio DJ pogoed on a pogo stick
from Boulder to Denver, if I am not mistaken.

Hadda Brooks, a ’40s-era jump-blues belter who transformed into a chanteuse
by the time of this show at the Melody Lounge in 1959.

Denver Drumstick, known for having model railroads circulating
around the ceiling interior. This is why they had the railroad theme
with the Box Car of Burgers shown above, from 1963.

Taylor’s Supper Club on West Colfax. The Taylors were
Denver’s equivalant to Martin & Lewis!

The Taylor’s Supper Club building is now Lakewood Endoscopy Center.

Chez Paree, a block or so south from the Brown Palace.
One of the premiere strip clubs of old Denver in 1963.

Bob Hansen put out an obscure comedy lp in 1962. The repellant casual bigotry
on this record makes you very aware of what passed as acceptable in those days.

The Cooper Theatre designed by Richard Crowther. This Denver architect also designed two sister Cinerama theaters in Omaha and Minneapolis. Crowther designed much of Lakeside Amusement Park.

Anita O’ Day is one of the all-time top jazz female vocalists.
This picture is advertising her Melody Lounge show in ‘59.

By the time Anita O’Day visited in 1963, the Bandbox was the
hot spot for jazz. Today this is Annie’s Cafe.

Denver’s Oldest Bar at 17th & Market!

The tropical Acapulco Lounge with a jazz quartet fronted by Joe Lucero.

Lakeside Amusement Park, admission for adults: 10 cents, children
under twelve: 5 cents! That was ‘63, today this is up to $2.00!

Lakeside Speedway 1959! Jumping new Fords over other new cars!
Crashing cars and motorcycles! This historical, unused track is still there!

CDR! Continental Divide Raceway near Castle Rock on the 85. The lines of the track are still faintly visible on Google Maps. Too bad they plowed up all the pavement! Ad from 1964.

Big Al’s Gashouse was not a strip joint, but they told racy jokes,
hence the 21 and over.

Apparently Big Al, Diamond Lil, and clarinetist Punky Cadwell were all humongous!
Next installment in this category will be Elvis’ first Denver show!
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