Barney's Beanery facts for kids
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| Industry | Food |
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| Founded | 1920 in Berkeley, California |
| Founder | John "Barney" Anthony |
| Headquarters |
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Area served
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United States |
Barney's Beanery is a famous chain of restaurants in the Greater Los Angeles Area. It was started by John "Barney" Anthony in 1920 in Berkeley, California. Later, in 1927, he moved it to West Hollywood, California, on what is now Santa Monica Boulevard.
As of 2011, Barney's Beanery had several locations. You could find them in Burbank, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Westwood, and Redondo Beach. The original restaurant is still in West Hollywood.
A Look at Barney's Beanery History
Moving to West Hollywood helped Barney's become very popular. The owner, Barney, sometimes let people pay later or even gave them free food. This made it a favorite spot for many different people. It attracted artists, writers, and famous actors.
Many old Hollywood stars, like Clara Bow, Clark Gable, and Judy Garland, often visited Barney's. By the 1960s, the nearby Sunset Strip was a big music center. Musicians like Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin also became regular customers. Poet Charles Bukowski and artist Ed Kienholz also spent time there.
It is said that director Quentin Tarantino wrote much of his movie Pulp Fiction at Barney's. He supposedly sat in his favorite booth in the West Hollywood location. Jon Taffer, a well-known bar expert, started his career here as a bartender. He also played drums in a live band at Barney's.
A Time of Change: Removing a Harmful Sign
In the past, Barney's Beanery had a sign that caused a lot of hurt. It was placed among old license plates behind the bar. The sign had a very unkind message. John Anthony, the owner, was known for his strong opinions. Some say the sign was also a response to police pressure at the time.
After Anthony passed away in 1968, people worked to remove the sign. On February 7, 1970, groups of activists protested at the restaurant. They wanted the sign taken down, and it was removed that day. However, the sign was put up and taken down several times over the next 14 years.
In December 1984, the city of West Hollywood was officially formed. The new mayor, Valerie Terrigno, and the city council took action. Along with activists, they marched into Barney's and permanently removed the hurtful sign. It is now kept in the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives.
Barney's Beanery in Pop Culture
Barney's Beanery has appeared in many movies and TV shows. It has also inspired works of art.
- In 1965, artist Edward Kienholz created a sculpture called “The Beanery.” It was a life-size model of the restaurant's inside. The artwork is now in a museum in Amsterdam.
- The 1968 album Cheap Thrills by Big Brother and the Holding Company mentions Barney's. The album cover also features an illustration of the diner by Robert Crumb.
- In the TV film series Columbo (1971), the main character often ordered chili from Barney's. However, these scenes were not filmed at the actual restaurant.
- The country rock band New Riders of the Purple Sage sing about hanging out at Barney's in their 1973 song "Lonesome L.A. Cowboy."
- Barney's Beanery can be seen in the opening credits of the 1978 film Grease.
- Parts of Oliver Stone's 1991 film The Doors were filmed at Barney's Beanery.
