Denver in the 1960s and 1970s (Memory Lane) (Aurora, Lakewood: auction, department stores)

[Jimer1]

Originally Posted by Lost Roses

Jim, that's Denver for you! Weed-infested vacant lots you see for years and the next thing you know it's a planned community.

Put a gate up, call it an "exclusive" community, but the reality is that you're living in the middle of a bunch of commercial and industrial properties next to an abandoned water filled gravel pit!

I worked years ago for a company that supplied product for home builders. I saw more than a few of these old commercial properties converted to homes in the middle of a block of businesses, and old 50's era homes torn down, to make way for a duplex or even a 4plex. Needless to say, they stuck out like the old proverbial sore thumb....

By the way, that job went bye-bye when the housing market tanked.

Jim

[prelude85206]

Originally Posted by winglady

What a fun post! Many of these memories were a big part of my growing-up years, too.
[LIST][*]Celebrity Lanes/Sport Center -- bowled and played there often[*]Yep, I was in the audience at the Cooper for the initial release of 2001: A Space Odyssey[*]Casa Bonita -- went there for the sopapillas & to run around the nooks & crannies (even though I wasn't a little kid any more)[*]Engaging in long debates about whether it was cooler to listen to KIMN vs. KBTR[*]Going to Denver Bears games whenever they played at home[/LIST]
Here are a few more:
[LIST][*]Incredible pizza from "Michael's Pizza" on E. 6th Avenue (where Barolo Grill is located now)[*]Weatherman Bowman on Channel 2 drawing clouds, sunshine, etc. on his weather maps[*]The Fred and Fae Show - cartoons, birthday parties, etc. (more like the mid- to late 50's rather than the 60's)[*]What was the name of that Mexican restaurant on S. Santa Fe that was next to the old racetrack? I think there's still a restaurant by that name, but back in the 60's it had a lot of character and was one-of-a-kind[/LIST]

Tortilla Flats...that was awesome Mexican Food back then

[Butterflyinamber]

I went to Kennedy, graduate of '69. Used to go to The Little Bear in Evergreen, The Bachannal on Evans, Stout Street Electrical Co, The Rush, the Leaning Tower and some place on top of Lookout Mountain. In the '80's we frequented Tequila Willy's, The Proof of the Pudding and others. So many good times. Good memories.

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by Butterflyinamber

I went to Kennedy, graduate of '69. Used to go to The Little Bear in Evergreen, The Bachannal on Evans, Stout Street Electrical Co, The Rush, the Leaning Tower and some place on top of Lookout Mountain. In the '80's we frequented Tequila Willy's, The Proof of the Pudding and others. So many good times. Good memories.

Ah yes, the Tower! Just a couple blocks south of Celebrity Sports Center on south Colorado Blvd.!

Bachannal on west Evans. Another 3.2. club I frequented back in the day along with Stout Street. The Lookout Mountain Club was called Sam's. Drank a few mugs of 3.2 beer in these places! The best one of all IMO was The Draught House in Thornton on 88th and Washington.

[JohnnyDenver]

Originally Posted by Butterflyinamber

I went to Kennedy, graduate of '69. Used to go to The Little Bear in Evergreen, The Bachannal on Evans, Stout Street Electrical Co, The Rush, the Leaning Tower and some place on top of Lookout Mountain. In the '80's we frequented Tequila Willy's, The Proof of the Pudding and others. So many good times. Good memories.

Loved hitting some of the same places you did. Besides "The Proof," there was also Nick's in the same shopping center. Also, No Frills Grills (on Hampden just a short distance from The Proof) rocked on Wednesday and Friday nights.

Never went to the Rush (in Northglenn), but After The Gold Rush (6th and Sheridan) was a great club!

[Ponga]

Originally Posted by DOUBLE H

Ah yes, the Tower! Just a couple blocks south of Celebrity Sports Center on south Colorado Blvd.!

Bachannal on west Evans. Another 3.2. club I frequented back in the day along with Stout Street. The Lookout Mountain Club was called Sam's. Drank a few mugs of 3.2 beer in these places! The best one of all IMO was The Draught House in Thornton on 88th and Washington.

Is that the same place that was M-80's and then later renamed to The Party Place?

[Jimer1]

Yes, M-80's later became The Party Place.

I wasn't a big clubber then and I think the majority of my time was spent at either M-80's or After the Gold Rush. A few times we went to the Score Minus 2, but it didn't seem to be as "happening" as some of the other clubs. I think I went one time to Sam's with a group, but don't remember much about it, or just where it was. Most of the other clubs I knew of only by reputation.

There was also an all-nude 3.2 bar on north Federal called The Bare-n-Boogie that I frequented a few times before I reached the magic age of 21. There I actually ran into a girl I went to school with. That was bit of a surprise as she had always been a sort of quiet, shy little girl with glasses who read books and suddenly there she was, dancing her little heart out in all her naked glory! I almost didn't recognize her. They also opened a satellite club on Washington that I don't recall the name of. I just remember it being sort of a neighborhood bar, and going by one time I saw a group of boys on bikes trying to peak though the windows to catch a glimpse of the action inside.

As to the Score Minus 2, I seem to remember 2 levels, with a dance club upstairs and a more laid back rock club in the basement. I also remember some controversy about the place, one being the name as some thought it implied it being a place to "score" and the other being a mural of a black girl with very large feet dribbling a basketball. I don't know if memory serves me correctly or not.

Something else I recall about the club on 6th and Sheridan was a booth behind the DJ station were a girl would climb inside and dance. It had translucent panels and was lit from behind so you could only see her silhouette. A sort of a 70's kind of thing, I guess.

[RonaldBax]

Shoot, I'm a native and remember all those places. Remember the Denver Drumstick restaurant? The one at 74th and Federal had a toy train that ran around the edge of the ceiling. And remember O.G. Wilson department stores? You could buy LPs cheap at that place. And, oh, cruising on West Colfax in the 80s! The best times of my life!! Me and my friends in my 70 Cuda--we were kings!!!

I could say more, but I'll just read and enjoy.

[Jimer1]

Originally Posted by RonaldBax

Shoot, I'm a native and remember all those places. Remember the Denver Drumstick restaurant? The one at 74th and Federal had a toy train that ran around the edge of the ceiling. And remember O.G. Wilson department stores? You could buy LPs cheap at that place. And, oh, cruising on West Colfax in the 80s! The best times of my life!! Me and my friends in my 70 Cuda--we were kings!!!

I could say more, but I'll just read and enjoy.

I remember all those! We were cruising in my 1969 baby blue VW bug! For some reason, we never seemed to find much "action"..... could it be the car?

Does anybody remember "Mom's Records and Tapes" on west Colfax? They had some of the best selections of albums and also had those "other" novelty items that are now offered again freely with the recent change in laws. Also T-shirts, posters, and all kinds of goodies.

[JohnnyDenver]

Originally Posted by Jimer1

I remember all those! We were cruising in my 1969 baby blue VW bug! For some reason, we never seemed to find much "action"..... could it be the car?

Does anybody remember "Mom's Records and Tapes" on west Colfax? They had some of the best selections of albums and also had those "other" novelty items that are now offered again freely with the recent change in laws. Also T-shirts, posters, and all kinds of goodies.

I don't remember that place, but Twist and Shout is one hell of a store and the Colfax location is much better than when they were over on Alameda . . . . besides, right next to the Tattered Cover and a great neighborhood to walk around in . . . a few blocks to west and you're at Pete's Kitchen and the Satire Lounge.