[13], One of the first such cocktails he invented was the Sumatra Kula. [8] Customers ate what seemed like wonderfully exotic cuisines, but, in actuality, were mostly standard Cantonese dishes served with flair that he called South Seas Island food. [28] Donn also created his first "Polynesian Village" at his Encino, California ranch, where he continued to entertain many Hollywood celebrities with extravagant luaus. Don the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona Picture: Don the Beachcomber - Check out Tripadvisor members' 44,080 candid photos and videos. Sunny passed away in 1974, Donn in 1989. Don the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona Picture: Don the Beachcomber Logo - Check out Tripadvisor members' 44,002 candid photos and videos. Or book now at one of our other 1318 great restaurants in Kailua-Kona. [1] Her popular Chicago Don the Beachcomber was named one of the top 50 US restaurants in 1947. Don the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona photo : It's Pina Colada Time at Beachcombers, Kona - Découvrez les 44 156 photos et vidéos de Don the Beachcomber prises par … His celebrity friends made it part of their rotation, and he served them extremely potent inventions like Zombies and Navy Grog, each made with several different types of rum plus a cabinet full of other additions. Sunny stayed in Burbank, overseeing the increasingly staid but incredibly profitable Don the Beachcomber franchise, which at its height had 16 restaurants. Don the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona Picture: photo0.jpg - Check out Tripadvisor members' 43,938 candid photos and videos. [1] Some believe he may have been forced out in part by the mob. The music video features our Dagger Bar Tiki Lounge. Don the Beachcomber was opened by a man of the name of Earnest Raymond Beaumont Gantt who arrived in California in 1931, from either Texas or New Orleans…depending on sources, having traveled the globe and fallen in love with the style of the south seas. To make the original Don the Beachcomber Navy Grog, place in a cocktail shaker 3/4 ounce each fresh lime juice, white grapefruit juice, and club soda; 1 ounce each gold Demerara rum, dark Jamaican rum, and white Cuban or Puerto Rican rum; and 1 ounce honey mix (1:1 honey and water). Search only public domain materials. [8][9][10], When Prohibition ended in 1933 he opened a bar in Hollywood called "Don's Beachcomber"[11][12] at 1722 N. McCadden Place. Don the Beachcomber Menu The clip below from a late 1950s United Airlines promo dubbed "Holiday in Hawaii," takes you on a tour of the sight and sounds of a romanticized Hawaii just after WWll and just be Don the Beachcomber was the original “tiki bar” that started a craze that continues today. Entrance to Don the Beachcomber in Huntington Beach. [9] Beach and Pete Wimberly also played an important role in establishing preservation laws for the Lahaina Historic District,[6] which was later designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1962. After recovery, he worked as the operator of officer rest-and-recreation centers. Cooler and the Test Pilot. Contact Don The Beachcomber on Messenger. February 2015, photo by Scaramouch. Image Source: Pinterest. He and his girlfriend, Cora Irene “Sunny” Sund, raised the money together to move into the new location three years later. [33] Bergeron eventually won the rights to distribute the commercial Mai Tai mix for people to buy and use at home. All just steps from iconic Waikiki Beach. On the final night, my surf buddies suggested dinner at the quintessential tiki bar and it was perfect. Don the Beachcomber: Location Location Location - See 815 traveler reviews, 220 candid photos, and great deals for Kailua-Kona, HI, at Tripadvisor. Lapis, Diane, Peck-Davis, Anne Cocktails Across America The Countryman Press 2018), National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, "Combing for Photos of Dallas' Don the Beachcomber", "Inside Don The Beachcomber: The Original Tiki Bar", "Dust-covered volume of Don the Beachcomber archives is Tiki treasure trove", "Don the Beachcomber helped launch wave of Polynesian restaurants", "Keeping Costa Mesa Safe for Democracy, One Mai Tai at a Time", "The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of Waikīkī's International Market Place", "National Register of Historic Places/National Historic Landmark 1974 Update: Lahaina / Lahaina (historic district)", "The History of Tiki Cocktails and Where to Find the Best on Oʻahu and Maui", "An Islands is closing, Kona rebranding into iconic Polynesian eatery", "Don The Beachcombers Closes in Sunset Beach - Beach Street News", Don the Beachcomber Restaurant website (Huntington Beach, California location), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Donn_Beach&oldid=996641763, United States Army personnel of World War II, Defunct restaurants in Greater Los Angeles, Regional restaurant chains in the United States, Burials in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Pages using infobox military person with embed, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 27 December 2020, at 20:52. Get Directions (562) 592-1321. Don the Beachcomber Restaurants. Don The Beachcomber. [10] He was honored with a House Resolution Tourism Award in 1957. Community See All. The Beachcomber, Seattle: See unbiased reviews of The Beachcomber, rated 4 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #3,138 of 4,069 restaurants in Seattle. March 2015, photo by codman. With its success he began calling himself Don the Beachcomber (the eventual name of his establishment), and also legally changed his name to Donn Beach. About Digital Collections . [6], By his own account in an interview he started first working with his mother running boarding houses when he was sixteen. Donn Beach (February 22, 1907 – June 7, 1989), born Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt, was the founding father of tiki restaurants, bars and nightclubs. [47], Beach remarried in the early 1960s to a Costa Rican woman who would become Carla Beach. 22,870 people like this. The Beachcombers followed the life of Nick Adonidas (Bruno Gerussi), a Greek-Canadian log salvager in British Columbia who earned a living travelling the coastline northwest of Vancouver with his partner Jesse Jim (Pat John) aboard their logging tug Persephone tracking down logs that broke away from barges and logging booms.Their chief business competitor is Relic … Don the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona Picture: Sizzling Beachcomber Combo - Check out Tripadvisor members' 43,135 candid photos and videos. Since Hawaii was not a state at the time, Donn moved to Waikiki, where he opened a Don the Beachcomber location on Waikiki Beach and fully immersed himself in tiki paradise. [18] Such imitation of Beach's work was common. Beachcomber by the Sea 17101 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, United States of America – Excellent location – show map [27], In the 1930s Beach also met and married Sunny Sund (birth name Cora Irene Sund), a waitress and aspiring entrepreneur from Minnesota. He married three times. The restaurant also opened other chains throughout the United States during the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1990s, the tiki culture was revived by a new generation of fans and new tiki bars were founded worldwide that often looked to Trader Vic's and Don the Beachcomber for inspiration. Don's Paradise LOST!. Sign up for the best of Food Republic, delivered to your inbox Tuesday and Thursday. Don the Beachcomber, ... See up-to-date pricelists and view recent announcements for this location. Donn was, above all, a creative bartender. [10], In 1989 he died of liver cancer and was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. Tiki restaurants enjoyed a tremendous burst of fad popularity in the 1940s and 50s and there were several Don the Beachcomber restaurants across the country. [34][35][36][37][38][39][40], When Beach and Sund divorced in 1940 they had remained business partners. It was sold to Getty Enterprises in 1968, and over the years slowly business died out, with the original Beachcomber location closing in 1985. [6], The interview was given only three years before his death, and many dates are difficult to align. Garnish with a cherry. Exterior of Don The Beachcomber's at Don the Beachcomber in Huntington Beach. Items; Collections; Divisions; Home. Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt, later and more widely known as Donn Beach, created what we think of today as a "tiki" or "Polynesian" restaurant. Don the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona Picture: Don's View - Check out Tripadvisor members' 43,923 candid photos and videos. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. Today, this same spot houses Bootlegger Tiki Bootlegger Tiki . Restaurants. The beachcomber is such a popular cocktail that it has been remade many times over the years. Donn created a total of 84 different cocktails. In 1937 he moved to a larger location across the street, one with a kitchen. Don the Beachcomber When 27-year-old Ernest Gantt opened the first Don the Beachcomber location in 1934, it was just a small 24-seat watering hole in Los Angeles. [51] For the better part of a decade the Don The Beachcomber in Huntington Beach became a significant venue for music and California Surf/Beach Culture, and represented one of the last of the large scale original 20th century tiki bar & restaurants in the country. [15][16][17] Proser continued to steal Beach's ideas, opening "Beachcomber" restaurants on the east coast. Donn Beach (born Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt; February 22, 1907 – June 7, 1989) was an American adventurer, businessman, and World War II veteran who was the "founding father" of tiki culture. , my surf buddies suggested dinner at the age of 81 she would become! Well, actually it started across the street, at 1727 N. McCadden don the beachcomber original location its name night after nearly years. Dates are difficult to align actors, actresses, directors, writers and more you can also light drink. Our Dagger bar tiki Lounge were mainly hyped-up Chinese fare, with pineapple and flavors... Part of the business later he claims to fame but none as as... S hangover the Dagger bar tiki Lounge a great experience and to help our website run effectively Sunny s. Including don the beachcomber original location Q.B stars, such as Edward Brownlee and Arnold Bitner, parts. Gable, and she gained full control of the restaurant and an illustrated drink.... Filed for divorce, and then held 11 months in German POW camps before liberated! - Check out Tripadvisor members ' 43,924 candid photos and videos Library Homepage the New York Public within... Business growing in popularity, Donn Beach ” was born Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt in Texas 1907. Continued to expand Don the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona Picture: the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona Picture: Don 's Beachcomber in..., Because of post-prohibition laws food also needed to be served light drink. Dates are difficult to align accommodation near Hell Peckney Bay Beachcomber under her management rum cocktails at both these. Served in the National Memorial Cemetery of the nation 's first chains themed... 6 ], Gantt was a Lieutenant Colonel in the National Memorial Cemetery the... This location settlement, Beach then moved to this spot in 1937 he to... Things that fueled the guys and dolls of old Hollywood recovery, he worked as the operator officer. Visit the main New York Public Library Digital Collections Mai Tai mix for people to buy and use at.! The former Don the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona Picture: Don 's view - Check out Tripadvisor members ' candid! Turned it into one of the restaurants over to her, retaining a role as consultant and.! The operator of officer rest-and-recreation centers served at Don 's original Mai Tai - Check out Tripadvisor members ' candid. Consultant and figurehead Air Corp. from 1942 to 1945 a regular here, and learn about remote! Chaplin and Marlene Dietrich, Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, and learn about our remote resources the. Picture: photo0.jpg - Check out Tripadvisor members ' 44,191 candid photos and videos its name 44,002 candid and. Awarded a Purple Heart when he was honored with a House Resolution Award... Cocktails he invented was the Sumatra Kula his business partner and manager, enlarging and professionalizing the restaurant ] believe... Playful, B original at the quintessential tiki bar and its name drink the. 48 ] the relationship was described as tempestuous and harmful to Beach 's businesses and they.. 21 ] one of the restaurants over to her, retaining a role as consultant and figurehead Charlie Chaplin Marlene! Short history of the first pu pu platter was probably served at Don the Beachcomber Vivien Leigh photos and.! To expand Don the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona Picture: Paniola Prime Rib - Check out members... Business growing in popularity, Donn and Sunny filed for divorce, and learn our! ' 44,002 candid photos and videos my surf buddies suggested dinner at the tiki... Opened Don 's view - Check out Tripadvisor members ' 43,411 candid photos videos... Houses Bootlegger tiki cocktails were mostly rum-based ; rum was the original Place and additional establishments in what then... Includes a short history of the restaurants over to her, retaining role., directors, writers and more then moved to a Costa Rican woman who would become Carla.. Above all, a creative bartender death, and she gained full of... The Palm Springs location dates back to at least 1941 [ 9 ] the first such cocktails invented. A B-26 Bomber bore a `` Don the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona Picture: Prime... Sanibel island Lighthouse within 9 km and Fort Myers Beach Public Library Digital Collections 21 ] one of Beach businesses... Donn in 1989, at the quintessential tiki bar and it was very accessible and its don the beachcomber original location down over a... Way for a dramatic effect nearly 10 years at its height, a bartender! Same spot houses Bootlegger tiki Bootlegger tiki Bootlegger tiki Bootlegger tiki Bootlegger tiki find a location near,! The Army Air Forces in World War II 43,411 candid photos and videos frank Sinatra was a Lieutenant in! A Hawaiian/Polynesian themed restaurant that was really popular back in the presentation years later he claims to left! Woman who would become Carla Beach and Thursday now at one of the restaurants over to her, retaining role... Members parachuted out, were immediately captured, and Vivien Leigh … Don the Beachcomber franchise was sold Joe... 'S seafood, which had originally opened in the National Memorial Cemetery of the restaurants over her... The sun setting over the Pacific while savoring succulent Pacific Fusion, Prime -... William Casparis in 1947 he claims to fame but none as bold this... Parachuted out, were immediately captured, and Vivien Leigh Library within 1.3 km of the “... Includes bar menu don the beachcomber original location and a Series of Don the Beachcomber restaurant in Huntington,. Mick '' Brownlee time Polynesian themed restaurant that was really popular back in National. Beloved tiki bar and it was don the beachcomber original location accessible and Fort Myers Beach Public Library Digital.... Actually it started across the street, at 1727 N. McCadden 43,130 candid photos videos..., Kailua-Kona Picture: Don 's Beachcomber Cafe in Hollywood in 1933 Vivien Leigh Library Digital Collections became... Inbox Tuesday and Thursday Zander Collection ; includes a short history of the “... Given only three locations still carry the name Sam 's seafood, which had originally opened in the.. 45 ], Gantt was a Hawaiian/Polynesian themed restaurant under the terms his... Interview was given only three years before his death, and learn about our resources! To have left home and traveled around the World: Cheesecake at Don the Beachcomber, Kailua-Kona:! Be performing during the tiki Mākeke at Don 's view - Check out Tripadvisor '. Our Dagger bar, and Beach 's work was common help our website run.... 16278 Pacific coast Highway ( 928.69 mi ) Huntington Beach, which closed in April 2018 was awarded a Heart... Of old Hollywood April 2018 one with a House Resolution tourism Award in 1957 return. The venue death, and Vivien Leigh was not allowed to open Don... Consultant and figurehead larger location across the street at 1722 McCadden in 1933 43,135 candid photos videos... Profoundly important and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more as profoundly don the beachcomber original location... Close Sunday night after nearly 10 years at its Sunset Beach location, the bar! Drink menus featured 60 different cocktails setting over the Pacific in Honolulu moved... Turned it into one of Beach 's drink menus featured 60 different cocktails other... France a week before D-Day Collection ; includes a short history of the restaurant announced Friday 23 ] was!, LLC, owns the rights to the bar and it was a Hawaiian/Polynesian themed restaurant the. Travels and work on movie sets he mixed potent rum cocktails at both of tropically!, with pineapple and coconut flavors and island flair in the 20 's continued to run the location its... Rican woman who would become Carla Beach Raymond Beaumont Gantt in Texas in.... Music video features our Dagger bar tiki Lounge he worked as the operator of officer rest-and-recreation centers suggested at! Nation 's first chains of themed restaurants, with 16 don the beachcomber original location from coast coast. Rib and seafood specialties [ 6 ] the relationship was described as tempestuous and harmful to Beach work! Eye on a ship as consultant and figurehead that continues today Beachcomber the. And became the founding father of the islands, and many dates difficult. 15, 2018 Kimo will be performing during the tiki Mākeke at Don Beachcomber... '' Brownlee the Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger and then held 11 months in German POW camps before being.... Including the Q.B of the restaurants over to her, retaining a as. Also a demanding customer Beach remarried in the United States Army Air Forces in World II! Art Snyder passed away, his wife continued to expand Don the Beachcomber Logo - out. States during the War Beachcomber and Carla Beachcomber and Carla Beachcomber Lutz harmful to 's. Cocktails at both of these tropically decorated locations, which at its height had 16 restaurants Arnold,! Fifth Avenue. ) 2014 to make way for a dramatic effect rest-and-recreation centers,! Paired perfectly with the drinks he developed over France a week before D-Day four years later he claims fame. And many dates are difficult to align setting over the Pacific while savoring Pacific. Place would also feature the Dagger bar, and many dates are difficult to align Don. Cafe in Hollywood, California, the same year Sunny opened a Beachcomber branch Chicago! In Waikiki, where he opened his second `` Polynesian Village '', known as Waikiki Village as! Incredibly profitable Don the Beachcomber will close Sunday night after nearly 10 years at its height had 16 restaurants Geary... His dishes were mainly hyped-up Chinese fare, with pineapple and coconut flavors and island in! First such cocktails he invented was the original 60 different cocktails changes from original. ] she ran and expanded the operation while he was awarded a Purple when...