Title supplied by cataloger. Al Levy (1860-1941), one of the earliest famous Los Angeles Restaurateurs, got his start selling oysters out of a cart on gala nights at the old Grand Opera House at First and Main Streets in the 1880's, eventually opening an oyster house at Fifth and Spring streets (now the site of the Alexandria Hotel). Levy relocated to Third and Main streets, where his restaurant soon began to thrive. Due to the popularity of this establishment, he opened an even larger place - the Al Levy Grill, at 617 S. Spring Street, between Seventh and Eighth streets. Famous celebrities such as Mary Pickford, Doug Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Francis X. Bushman, Thomas Ince, Roscoe Arbuckle, and Mabel Normand among numerous others frequented this establishment. When Hollywood surpassed Los Angeles as the center of nightlife, Levy once again went to work, building Al Levy's Tavern, at 1623-1627 N. Vine Street, where celebrities once again flocked. Sadly, Levy died on March 24, 1941 at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, at the age of 81. Al Levy is credited with being the first to create the Oyster Cocktail. Fire trucks, cars, and fire hoses, along with a crowd of people are around Al Levy's Tavern and Lounge, located at 1623-1927 N. Vine Street. The fire hoses snake around to the back of the building on both sides and some smoke can be seen on the right side of the picture. The name of Levy's Tavern in painted on the front window along with the family crest, and the words "Now catering to the third generation of my old patrons"; Venetian blinds on the inside keep out the sun. The sign for CBS Radio Playhouse can be seen peeking from behind the Vine Street Theatre on the left.; Photograph similar to #00007149.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;11 x 14 cm. on sheet 21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Al Levy's Tavern (Hollywood, Los Angeles, Calif.) Los Angeles (Calif.).--Fire Department Bars (Drinking establishments)--California--Los Angeles Restaurants--California--Hollywood (Los Angeles) Streets--California--Hollywood (Los Angeles) Engine companies--California--Los Angeles Fire engines--California--Los Angeles Levy, Al Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.)
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