West House Cocktail Lounge
Roseville, CA Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Railroad workers once filled this corner of Roseville, and the glowing martini glass above West House Cocktail Lounge still gives the old place a little nighttime swagger. The colorful, double-sided neon sign projects over Atlantic Street, inviting passersby to stop in for a drink.
The West House was built in 1907 as a restaurant, bar, and upstairs boardinghouse. It served workers arriving after Southern Pacific moved its regional railroad operations from Rocklin to Roseville, making the tavern part of the city’s early railroad boom.
The Frediani family began operating the property in 1918 and purchased it in 1946. A 1947 remodel gave the building a more streamlined postwar appearance, while the original wooden bar and cabinets inside continued serving generations of customers.
UPDATE: West House Tavern remains open and is still operated by the Frediani family. The vintage martini-glass sign continues to glow outside, marking what is often described as the oldest active bar in Placer County. 09-26
Tony's
Northern CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Somewhere in Northern California, the neon is glowing at Tony's. The lettering still shines brightly, although the bubbly cocktail animation was apparently taking the night off when this photo was taken. Even partly lit, the colorful old sign does a fine job of catching the eye.
The exact location and history of Tony’s remain a mystery. With such a common name and few surrounding clues in the photograph, it is difficult to determine whether this was a cocktail lounge, neighborhood tavern, or restaurant.
Perhaps someone will recognize the distinctive sign and finally place it on the map. Until then, Tony’s remains another unidentified piece of Northern California neon history.
Ole's Waffle Shop
Alameda, CA Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Breakfast gets the full neon treatment at Ole's
Waffle Shop in Alameda. Its colorful display advertises steaks, hot cakes, eggs, and waffles, leaving little doubt about what is cooking inside.
Ole’s opened in 1927 and has become a Park Street institution. The old-fashioned diner still serves its famous waffles using the original recipe.
UPDATE: Ole’s remains open seven days a week, and its restored vintage neon continues lighting up downtown Alameda after dark. 09-26
The Keg (Gone)
Hopland, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Cruising through Hopland on Highway 101, check out the glowing neon lettering at The
Keg. This old roadside tavern once welcomed truckers, travelers, and local regulars passing through Mendocino County.
The place was also known for its rustic “Keg Salooz” lettering and a tradition of asking visitors to trace their hands on the walls with a marker. Sounds like the interior may have been nearly as colorful as the sign outside.
UPDATE: The Keg has been closed since the mid-2000s, and its vintage neon sign is gone. The former tavern property has since hosted other small food businesses, but the old watering hole survives mainly through photographs and roadside memories. 09-26
The Forest Club
Ukiah, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Downtown Ukiah gets a colorful nighttime glow from the neon marquee at The
Forest Club. Its bright green lettering is paired with a contrasting red martini glass that can be spotted from well down State Street.
The longtime neighborhood watering hole offers drinks, a pool table, a jukebox, and an outdoor patio with a fire pit. It also hosts occasional live music and community events.
UPDATE: The Forest Club remains open and its vintage neon continues lighting up the downtown block after dark. 09-26
La Hacienda Restaurant (Closed)
Cloverdale, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
There is no shortage of neon surrounding La Hacienda Restaurant in Cloverdale. The old restaurant featured a theater-style entrance canopy, a tall vertical marquee, glowing lettering, and even a separate cocktail-glass sign advertising the lounge. When everything was illuminated, the building must have been difficult to miss while cruising along Cloverdale Boulevard.
This stretch of downtown once carried Highway 101 traffic directly through town, so an elaborate display helped catch the attention of passing motorists. Before becoming La Hacienda, the historic building was home to the Lockhorn Bar, named for a pair of deer whose antlers had reportedly become locked together.
The joint seems to always be open
from the looks of this sign, especially when you're looking for a cocktail
late at night.
La Hacienda Restaurant
Cloverdale, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
La Hacienda later served Mexican food in the distinctive building for many years. Its combination of restaurant, lounge, and vintage neon gave the place the sort of roadside atmosphere that looks especially good once the sun goes down.
UPDATE: La Hacienda closed in 2022 and the restaurant reopened under new ownership as La Tequila. The building remains in restaurant use, although the signs and exterior have been altered from the La Hacienda era. 09-26
Kasper's Hot Dogs (Gone)
Oakland, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Another hungry crowd once found its way to Kasper's
Hot Dogs by following the glowing neon sign on MacArthur Boulevard. The colorful chef and hot dog graphics made this longtime Oakland stand difficult to pass without at least considering a quick stop.
This location moved down the street during the 1960s when construction of Interstate 580 displaced the original stand. It belonged to the original “K” Kasper’s chain, which was separate from the still-operating “C” Caspers restaurants.
UPDATE: Kasper’s closed its final Oakland and Concord locations in October 2025, ending a 95-year family tradition. The MacArthur property was purchased by Oakland nonprofit Trybe for a community kitchen, with plans to keep serving a similar hot dog menu. The vintage roadside sign was removed following the closure. 09-26
