The three-sided Tiki cocktail mug from Latitude 20°, the Polynesian restaurant/nightclub that was in Torrance, California until 1980, arrived in the mail.
It was one of two that were offered on eBay. The other one was ten dollars more and had a chip on the bottom edge. This one was in great shape with no chips or cracks.
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| Above, yours truly with the Latitude 20° Tiki mug. |
For more on Latitude 20°, go here.
This week's Classic Rock Music Monday focused on the Mike Curb Congregation.
I once saw them perform at Latitude 20°, a Polynesian restaurant and nightclub in Torrance, California around 1975. The Congregation jogged a memory of Latitude 20°.
A group of us used to go there back in the 70s. It closed in 1980, to be replaced by a Country nightclub that was short-lived called Waco's (during the Urban Cowboy fad). I think the location is now a parking lot. They had good food and Mai Tai cocktails.
According to Wikipedia:
The Mai Tai is a cocktail made of rum, Curaçao liqueur, orgeat syrup, and lime juice. It is one of the characteristic cocktails in Tiki culture.
Remembering Latitude 20°, I took a look through Google and found some vintage cups for sale on eBay.
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| Above, the cup I bought today on eBay. Photo by seller. |
I found this one for $40. There was another one offered for $50, but it had a chip at the the bottom of it. I bought the one offered for $40. I tried buying one years ago by a vendor, but the deal fell through and the vendor was non-responsive to my queries.
Looking further, I saw some photos of Latitude 20° along with menus, advertisements and other cups. It was known as The Polynesian under prior owners.
Here's a sampling:
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| Above, the restaurant when it was The Polynesian. An undated postcard. |
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| Above, an advertisement for Latitude 20°. |
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| Above, a Latitude 20° matchbook. |
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| Above, Latitude 20° menu. |
