Immersing in the Glittering Bars and Vibrant Nightlife Scenes of the Iconic 1950s to 1970s

The history of bars in the USA during the 1950s to 1970s was marked by significant changes in trends, culture, fashion, and drinks.

This era saw the emergence of various bar styles, including the tiki bars and cocktail lounges of the 1950s, the counterculture bars of the 1960s, and the disco bars of the 1970s.

The 1950s was a period of post-war prosperity, and the bar culture of the time reflected this. Tiki bars and cocktail lounges were the popular bar styles of the era, and they attracted a well-dressed, sophisticated crowd.

Tiki bars were inspired by the Polynesian lifestyle, and they featured tropical decor, live music, and rum-based cocktails such as the Mai Tai and Pina Colada.

Cocktail lounges, on the other hand, were more upscale and catered to a more mature clientele. Patrons would often dress in their finest clothes and sip on classic cocktails such as the Martini and Manhattan.

Arizona. Royal Road’s Victorian Room, Cocktail Bar, Nogales

One of the most famous bars of the era was the Copacabana nightclub in New York City. The Copacabana was a glamorous nightclub that was known for its live music, celebrity sightings, and high-class clientele.

It was also one of the few establishments of the time that allowed black and Latino patrons, making it a popular spot for civil rights activists.

As the 1960s dawned, the counterculture movement began to take hold, and bars and nightclubs began to reflect this shift.

The Whisky a Go-Go in Los Angeles and The Fillmore in San Francisco became famous for hosting some of the most influential musicians of the time, including Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.

These bars had a more relaxed atmosphere and attracted a younger, more bohemian crowd. Patrons would often dress in casual, comfortable clothing such as tie-dye shirts and bell-bottom jeans.

Arizona. Superstition Inn, Apache Junction

The 1970s saw the emergence of disco culture, and bars and nightclubs embraced this trend with open arms. Disco clubs like Studio 54 in New York City and The Loft in Chicago became legendary for their flamboyant fashion, pulsing music, and non-stop party atmosphere.

The fashion of the disco era was all about glitz and glam, with sequined dresses, platform shoes, and bell-bottom pants becoming the norm.

Drinks during this era often featured bright colors and were designed to be sipped while dancing. Cocktails such as the Tequila Sunrise, Blue Hawaii, and Sex on the Beach were popular, and many establishments offered drink specials during happy hour.

Arizona. Wahweap Lodge, Page

California. Brookdale Lodge Burl Room Rustic Cocktail Lounge, Santa Cruz County

California. Cirque Room Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco

California. Crown Room Cocktail Lounge, Fairmont Hotel and Towers, San Francisco

California. El Cortez Hotel Starlite Roof, San Diego

California. Mermaid Room Cocktail Lounge, Fresno Hacienda

California. Sierra Room, Nicely’s Restaurant, Lee Vining

California. Tonga at the Fairmont, San Francisco

Florida. Blue Horizon Cocktail Lounge and Restaurant on the ocean at 89th Street, Miami Beach

Florida. Bob Darch Bonanza Room, Escape Hotel, Ft Lauderdale

Florida. Castaways Wreck Bar on the ocean at 163rd Street, Miami Beach

Florida. Club Wally Musical Bar and Night Club, Miami

Florida. Gold Room Ridgewood Hotel, Daytona Beach

Florida. Kon Tiki Bar in Harris’ Imperial Lounge, Pompano Beach

Florida. Rum House, Galt Ocean Mile Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

Florida. Starlight Room, Belleview-Biltmore, Belleair

Florida. Sun Castle Club and Motor Hotel, Pompano Beach

Florida. The Everglades Roof 18 stories above Miami

Illinois. Coq d’Or Cocktail Lounge, Drake Hotel, Chicago

Illinois. Stouffer’s Top of the Rock Prudential Building, Chicago

Maine. Eastland Motor Hotel, Portland

Massachusetts. Avaloch Five Reasons Steak and Ale House, Lenox

Massachusetts. Harborside Inn, Martha’s Vineyard

Massachusetts. Merry-Go-Round Lounge, Sheraton-Plaza Hotel, Boston

Michigan. Devon Gables Starlit Cocktail Lounge, Bloomfield

Nevada. Top O’ The Strip, Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas

New Hampshire. Eastern Slope Inn, North Conway

New York. Nevele Country Club Mardi Gras at the Safari Lounge, Ellenville

New York. Purple Tree Lounge, Manager Hotel, Rochester

New York. Purple Tree Manger Vanderbilt Hotel

Pennsylvania. Gaslight Lounge Fernwood in the Pocono Mountains, Bushkill

Pennsylvania. Mount Airy Lodge, Club Suzanne, Mount Pocono

Pennsylvania. Rock Lodge, Bavarian Room, Lake Harmony

Washington DC. Manager Annapolis Hotel

Washington DC. Manger Hamilton Hotel Cocktail Lounge