In 1982, two years before West Hollywood became a city in its own right that attracts partying visitors from near and far, it already was a destination for gay men looking for fun and acceptance. And in no place was that more evident than on Santa Monica Boulevard, the historic former Route 66.
As the French would say, “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.” And indeed while much of Santa Monica Boulevard has changed in the past 31 years, some of the original establishments still anchor various blocks, and the west end of it, known by some as “Boystown,” remains a gay mecca.
A gentleman who prefers to be known as “The New Mr. Burlesk” graciously allowed WEHOville to post some photos here from his Flickr collection of old WeHo pictures. “Mr. Burlesk,” he emailed WEHOville, “spent a decade living in WeHo, then hit the skids and left. The ’80s were the best of times and the worst of times.”
For a contemporary look at Santa Monica Boulevard, the intrepid Jon Viscott took to the streets to capture images of those same locations. Click through the following pages to see how WeHo’s Santa Monica Boulevard has changed, and how it hasn’t.
Anyone remember if there was ever a Sundance Cafe on Santa Monica?
Sundance was on Robertson near Rosewood. If I recall correctly, Joe, who was a great hairstylist may have owned it.
Does anyone remember the bathhouse on Santa Monica (at Western) that was above a Chinese restaurant? It was called “Manscape” I’d love to see an old photo/ad etc. from there. *I don’t remember the exact address
Never went to Manspace. The 2 story building on the south side of Santa Monica Bl. seems to be gone. 5544 SMB. It was between SMB and N. St. Andrews Pl. My roommate in 1981 gave me a promotional nail file ( yes!!) with Manspace printed on it. I have it somewhere! Despite many moves I can’t imagine I tossed such a piece of history.
I HATE WHAT HAS HAPPEN TO HOLLYWOOD IT’S REVOLTING TO ME.
We were wild!!! 1976 blur partot, mi keys odessey etc. I have pics!!
I was a regular at both. I miss those places.
John Mackey,
Great tale. Winning isn’t everything. You did a huge service for this 1.9 mile Mecca.
I’ll salute you and thank you forever!!
Tom @detoile
I simply HAD to comment. I knew Greg before he moved to California. I was blessed to have known him for approximately six years. If any of you had the pleasure of knowing Greg, this should not be a surprise to you. I’ve never, in my lifetime, of nearly 60 years, met anyone as kind as Greg. Md *Never.* Not even close. Greg was such a special person. I sincerely hope the residents, & people passing by in California, recognized an angel when they saw him.
He is still greatly missed.
I MI$$ NUMBER$ !!
I remember that corner as the Yellow Sub. I almost lived there in 73-75. There was an outdoor flea-market just down the street….I bought many a pair of used Levis from there. 😉 Early on, I went to Fairfax and we would meet there after school. They had THE BEST avocado w/beansprout subs I have EVER had! I was a young freelance-pharmacologist at the time and from Melrose up to Laurel Canyon {where I lived….on Wonderland….} above Sunset, that WAS THE SCENE. This was back in the day when Starwood was new and Gino’s on Melrose was great for finding… Read more »
The people back then were friendlier and the whole area was not as pretentious. I kind of do miss the seediness of it and the old streetcar tracks down the middle. Life was simpler back then no cellphones…people spoke to each other. You go to any of these bars now over half the guys have their face glued to their phone.
Great photos. That was the year I moved to LA. I was 20 yrs old & living at SM & Gardner. So great to see SM Blvd as it was!
The pic’s did bring back memories. There was a bar I believe somewhere near where the NAIL used to be that had male strippers. I don’t remember the Yellow Submarine at that location although there was one in Silverlake. Also near there was Kellys Steak House. My boss in the 1960’s and 1970’s used to take me there with his wife. My late lover worked at both the Mother Lode and Rage which was not mentioned as a DJ. The Italian place where Pump just opened had great food for take out. I think it lasted longer than any other… Read more »
Love it. Would also be interesting to see slideshows from the 1930’s and 40’s when German Jewish immigrants made West Hollywood their home.