Great turn out for this event,... I think. Since the bar was packed, it was hard to tell who was there for the spirits and who was there for the “spirits.” Regardless, everyone (living and otherwise) seemed to have a merry ole time.
(to read about the SPIRITS of this location...)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
March 13th: SPIRITS WITH SPIRITS at Tom Bergin's
GHOULA meets for cocktails in haunted places on the 13th of each month. “SPIRITS with SPIRITS” is a casual gathering of regional ghost hunters. Open to all, from the curious skeptic to the passionate phantom pursuer. Make friends, find ghosts! Come see the “hot spots” with “cold spots.”
All those who attend will receive a free G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have, please wear it so others can find you.
All those who attend will receive a free G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have, please wear it so others can find you.
THE DATE: March 13th, 2009 (Friday)
THE PLACE: Tom Bergin’s Tavern (840 S. Fairfax) map
THE TIME: 8pm to the Witching Hour
THE GHOST(S):
Although the name and location of this restaurant has changed since they first opened their doors in 1936, from “Tom Bergin’s Old Horse Shoe Tavern and Thoroughbred Club” (on Wilshire) to “Tom Bergin’s Horse Shoe Tavern” (on Fairfax) to just simply “Tom Bergin’s” (still Fairfax), the famous “horse shoe-shaped” bar that started it all has remained exactly the same. So much so, that at the time of the big move (just a couple of blocks away), loyal customers personally carried the bar (in one piece with the 17 benches attached) just to make sure nothing changed.
“Tom Bergin’s” has achieved immortality for two important contributions to American culture. First, in early 1950's, it became one of the first establishments in the USA to serve “Irish Coffee,” and secondly, the place served as the inspiration, both in look and feel, for TV’s “Cheers.” The character of "Coach” was even modeled after Head Bartender Chris Doyle. Indeed, “Tom Bergin’s” was the original “place where everyone knows your name” as evidenced by the ritual of placing faithful customers’ names on large shamrocks that hang over the bar.
In Ireland, legends of leprechauns, fairies, and banshees are common place, so it is only fitting that Los Angeles’ oldest Irish Pub has its own share of tales to tell. The figure of a woman has been known to walk through the bar area only to vanish moments later, while a mysterious man has also been known to disappear before one’s eyes near the fireplace in the restaurant. Are these two spirits connected to each other? And, who is responsible for the mischievous movement of objects late at night when the customers have left? Could it be a third ghost? If all this seems too disturbing, take comfort in the knowledge there are no leprechauns running around the bar… or are there?
THE GHOST(S):
Although the name and location of this restaurant has changed since they first opened their doors in 1936, from “Tom Bergin’s Old Horse Shoe Tavern and Thoroughbred Club” (on Wilshire) to “Tom Bergin’s Horse Shoe Tavern” (on Fairfax) to just simply “Tom Bergin’s” (still Fairfax), the famous “horse shoe-shaped” bar that started it all has remained exactly the same. So much so, that at the time of the big move (just a couple of blocks away), loyal customers personally carried the bar (in one piece with the 17 benches attached) just to make sure nothing changed.
“Tom Bergin’s” has achieved immortality for two important contributions to American culture. First, in early 1950's, it became one of the first establishments in the USA to serve “Irish Coffee,” and secondly, the place served as the inspiration, both in look and feel, for TV’s “Cheers.” The character of "Coach” was even modeled after Head Bartender Chris Doyle. Indeed, “Tom Bergin’s” was the original “place where everyone knows your name” as evidenced by the ritual of placing faithful customers’ names on large shamrocks that hang over the bar.
In Ireland, legends of leprechauns, fairies, and banshees are common place, so it is only fitting that Los Angeles’ oldest Irish Pub has its own share of tales to tell. The figure of a woman has been known to walk through the bar area only to vanish moments later, while a mysterious man has also been known to disappear before one’s eyes near the fireplace in the restaurant. Are these two spirits connected to each other? And, who is responsible for the mischievous movement of objects late at night when the customers have left? Could it be a third ghost? If all this seems too disturbing, take comfort in the knowledge there are no leprechauns running around the bar… or are there?
http://www.tombergins.com/(to see last month's SPIRITS with SPIRITS location...)
Friday, March 6, 2009
REAL GHOSTS WITH REEL GHOSTS
THE DATE: March 8th (Sunday)
THE TIME: 8pm
THE PLACE: The Silent Movie Theater (611 N. Fairfax Ave.) map
THE MOVIE: The Haunted Castle (1921)
THE PRICE: $10.00
Come out and see this movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Highlights from Feb 2009 Spirits with Spirits at Union Station
GHOULA would like to thank the employees that finally shared their ghost story. It seems there is the spirit of a military man who stands (apparently waiting) in the North courtyard outside the main waiting room. Eventhough his uniform is generic, it is thought that he is from the era of World War II. Also, staff have heard strange moaning sounds outside of the North East part of the station. Could this be the echos of a long ago murder that took place there when the area was Chinatown? We would like to propose another theory. Our city's first "lover's lane" was roughly located in that location, so perhaps those moans are another activity all together.
We would also like to thank the good people at Los Angeles’ main Train transportation hub for the impromptu tour of the abandon New Jersey commuter train on the normally inaccessible Track 13, and for letting us commandeer these sad, forgotten rail cars for the night.
I have heard it said that there is nothing as lonely as a train whistle in the distance. That may be true, but there is also nothing as eerie as an empty train in the moonlight. Thank you, Union Station. A ghoul time was had by all.
Apologies to those who showed up to the bar (i.e. that means you Jim and Cybele) and missed the great train exploration of 2009. Welcome new member Dave Melrose! Remember, once you attend a GHOULA meeting, you are a member for life, and then some.(to read about the SPIRITS of this location...)
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