While October brings us closer to Halloween, Southern California continues its tradition of warm autumn nights. For those looking to embrace the spooky season, even if it's still warm enough for a t-shirt, several establishments across Los Angeles offer more than just a stiff drink; they come with a few spirits who may never have left.
L.A.'s history might not stretch back to the ancient Celtic festivals, but over a century of Old Hollywood glamour and its darker corners provide plenty of material. These popular drinking destinations carry pasts hidden behind their present-day allure, frequented by both stars and specters.
Take Boardner's at 1625 N. Cherokee Ave. in Los Angeles, where commitment to the job apparently extends beyond the grave. Allegedly, co-owner Kurt Richter, who died in the bar on Christmas Eve 1997, and bartender Al still show up for their shifts. There's even a rumor that former patron Elizabeth Short, famously known as The Black Dahlia, occasionally stops in, suggesting some ghosts enjoy a good bar crawl.
In Beverly Hills, the nearly century-old Beverly Wilshire at 9500 Wilshire Blvd, known from films, also has a long-term resident. Staff at the posh hotel, which opened in 1928, have reported seeing a woman in white roaming the top-floor corridors. They believe it could be Barbara Hutton, an heiress who lived her final years there as a recluse after her only child died in a plane crash.
El Carmen, opened in 1929 by Encarnación Elias Gomez at 8138 W 3rd St in Los Angeles, became a hub for a mix of artists, directors, and actors, including Diego Rivera. It’s also where Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham reportedly first discussed joining Fleetwood Mac. Staff say that “Mama” Encarnación still oversees her restaurant, and her stepdaughter Martha, who once worked the till and handed out candy, sometimes rewards staff with sweet treats of their own.
Another venerable spot is the Formosa at 7156 Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood. This low-lit, red-hued classic, partly fashioned from an old Pacific Electric Railway trolley car, is lined with signed photos of stars like Sinatra and Bogart. Mobster Mickey Cohen once ran a betting scam from here, and co-owner Lem Quon, who died in 1993, is said to still be around, especially in his favorite Booth No. 8. If you happen to see an elderly man in a cardigan, staff recommend a friendly greeting.
The Biltmore, a Historic Core hotel opened in 1923 at 506 S Grand Ave in Los Angeles, holds its own dark distinction. While it was a filming location for Taylor Swift's “Delicate” video and featured in 1984’s Ghostbusters, it’s also the last place Elizabeth Short was officially seen alive before her murder in 1947. The hotel’s Gallery Bar honors her with a cocktail named in her memory.
For a different kind of mystery, the Magic Castle at 7001 Franklin Ave in Los Angeles combines elements of a museum, library, theater, and private club for magicians. With five bars and live shows, the venue itself feels like a haunted attraction. Beyond the theatrical séances, bartender Loren Tate has reportedly been seen serving drinks and conversing with guests at the Hat & Hare Lounge, despite having passed away years ago.
Perched above the Magic Castle is Yamashiro, a Japan-inspired “mountain palace” at 1999 N Sycamore Ave in Los Angeles. This over 100-year-old establishment, once a showcase for Asian treasures, has its own rumors, including a secret smuggling tunnel. Former owner Thomas Glover’s ashes are interred in the garden courtyard, and a ghostly lady is said to eternally wait for her husband or lover at table No. 9 in the Sunset Dining Room.
Musso & Frank, the over 100-year-old Hollywood institution at 6667 Hollywood Blvd, has hosted nearly every luminary from Charlie Chaplin to Brad Pitt. Chaplin’s favorite booth, No. 1, reportedly yielded a photograph years ago showing a circular flash of light with an angry-looking man’s face, believed by some to be Chaplin himself. Staff also recount stories of “la mujer sin cabeza,” a headless woman. It’s a place to grab a gin martini with olives and keep your eyes peeled.
Moving south to Long Beach, the Queen Mary ocean liner, which first set sail in 1936, is another site of persistent paranormal activity. Thousands visit for its annual Halloween event, Dark Harbor, but many passengers and crew, including soldiers who died aboard when the ship was used for military service in WWII, are believed to have never left. Whether you're seeking a stiff drink or a spectral encounter, Southern California’s history offers plenty of options this season.
