| Frolic Room | |
|---|---|
 Frolic Room sign, 2024 | |
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1930 |
| Street address | 6245 Hollywood Blvd |
| City | Los Angeles |
| County | Los Angeles County |
| State | California |
| Coordinates | 34°06′04″N 118°19′34″W / 34.101°N 118.326°W |
| Website | https://frolicroomla.com |
The Frolic Room is a historic bar located at 6245 W. Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California, near Hollywood and Vine and next to the Pantages Theater. It is known for its neon sign, its history with Hollywood, and its association with the Black Dahlia.
History
Opened as a speakeasy in 1930, the Frolic Room converted to a legal bar in 1934. It is considered a dive bar by many publications,[1][2][3][4] although it bills itself as being a cocktail bar since 1941.[5]
Due to its location next to the Pantages Theater, the Frolic Room was a popular celebrity hangout, particularly during the eleven years (1949–1959) the Pantages hosted the Academy Awards. Regular patrons included Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Charles Bukowski, and others, and from 1949 to 1954 both The Pantages and the Frolic Room were owned by Howard Hughes. Hughes added the iconic neon sign to the building exterior during his ownership.[1][2][3]
The Frolic Room was the last location Elizabeth Short AKA the Black Dahlia was seen alive before her murder in 1947.[1][2][3]
In 1963, an Al Hirschfeld mural was added on the inside eastern wall. Depicting Albert Einstein, Clark Gable, Laurel and Hardy, Marilyn Monroe, the Marx Brothers, Tallulah Bankhead, and W. C. Fields amongst others, the mural has become an attraction in its own right. It was restored by Oscar Ropide in 2012.[3][4]
Film location
The Frolic Room is a popular Hollywood film location. Films and television shows that shot here include: LA Confidential, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Black Dahlia, A Woman Under the Influence, Colombo, Bosch, and more.[6][7]
References
- ^ a b c Solmonson, Lesley (February 23, 2017). "Lights, Camera…Cocktails! Five Historic Bars From Hollywood's Golden Age". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c Larsson, Jonas. "Frolic Room, los angeles – American Trails". American Trails. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Davis, Genie. "The Friendly Frolic Room | The Hollywood Partnership". hollywoodpartnership.com. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Marquez, Jim (August 24, 2021). "Frolic Room". GlobalFlyLife. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ "Frolic Room - Los Angeles, CA". frolicroomla.com. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ "Hollywood on the Big Screen | The Hollywood Partnership". hollywoodpartnership.com. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ Delpueche, Sofia (March 26, 2024). "22 Famous Movie Locations In Los Angeles That You Can Visit For Free". Secret Los Angeles. Retrieved June 19, 2024.