GHOULA meets for cocktails in haunted places on the 13th of each month. “SPIRITS with SPIRITS” is a casual social gathering of regional ghost hunters and those that just like ghost stories. Open to all, from the curious skeptic to the passionate phantom pursuer. Make friends, and toast a ghost! Let's put the “Boo!” back into “booze.”
All those who attend will receive a free (square) G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have one, please wear it so others can find you, without asking the staff about our group.
THE DATE: April 13th, 2013 (Saturday)
THE PLACE: Chimney Sweep Lounge
4354 Woodman Ave, Sherman Oaks (Map)
THE TIME: 8:00pm to the witching hour
THE GHOSTS:
"There's the whole world at your feet.
And who gets to see it but the birds, the stars, and the chimney sweeps."
--Bert the Chimney Sweep (from "Mary Poppins")
Although not as common today as they were in an earlier era, the profession of "Chimney Sweep" (one who cleans chimneys) still exists. In earlier times, these duties were carried out by poor (mostly orphaned) children, who could climb up the tiny openings. It was a dangerous job, and many children died as a result, prompting Britain to create a holiday to honor these kids on May 1st (in a couple of weeks). As a further reward for their important talents (preventing houses from being set ablaze as a result of creosote build-up) these beloved figures were elevated to folk hero status, and became symbols of good luck.
That aside, no one today is sure why in 1960, the then owner of "The Chimney Sweep Lounge" chose this quirky profession as the establishment's theme. One theory is that its a reference to the fireplace with the exposed flue in the middle of the bar room. The kitschy chimney sweep portraits that decorate the wood-paneled walls came shortly after the theme was set, and according to legend were painted by a regular patron, who wanted to immortalize the other regulars. Even though the Mary Poppins books (which celebrated chimney sweeps) had been around since the 1930's, the Walt Disney film adaptation that really brought these original "men in black" into the 20th century pop-culture was released four years after the bar opened. The bar even pre-dates the production of this feature film developed on the other side of the valley by a couple of years. So, why chimney sweeps?
Perhaps this traditional European figure with his top hat and brush was chosen because it appealed to the World War II veterans, who had settled into the San Fernando Valley in large numbers (in the same way that those returning from the Pacific Rim where attracted to the "Tiki" bars.) If that is the case, it would explain the "The Sweep's" resident ghosts...
According to employees ( as well as an article in the Los Angeles Times), a group of four ghostly men in military uniforms sit around a table drinking in the far (North-East) corner of the bar room. Witnesses to these apparitions are definite about the uniforms, but are unsure about what era (or war) they may be from. Nothing else is really known about these four drinking buddies from the after-life, or their relationship to this site.
Could they be connected to this neighbor tavern's only tragedy, the seemingly senseless murder of a man, who was followed by an unknown assailant when he left the bar, and shot in the head a block away? Probably not, but who knows...
It should also be noted that despite there being many haunted bars in Los Angeles (with many different ghosts), there are very few bars that have a ghost that actually engages in the act of drinking. As strange and ironic as that may seem, not only does this bar have one if these spirit-drinkng spirits, it seems to four of them. Now, that deserves a toast!
So, come out to an old valley landmark that prides itself as being your "living room away from home" and enjoy a round of what the phantom patrons are drinking... if you dare.
(to read about last month's haunted location... )
(to see a map of previous SPIRITS with SPIRITS locations... )
