Swing (Jan-Dec 1945)

65 IN KANSAS CITY EL CABANA— HottI Phillips— 12th end Ralumorc. This is a smallish lounge with pretty girls waiting tables. A good drink, good Novacfaord melodies, and good talk are the bill of fare. Vou furnish the latter. Alberta Bird, a big-eyed beautifully groomed gal who has a way with a tune, furnishes the music, alternating with Lenora Nichols. The dapper gentleman who looks so at home — and makes you feel that way, too — -will be Charlie Hall. And the tall, distinguished person who may wander in and out is quite likely to be Mr. Phillips himself. • PINK ELEPHANT— On 12th Street betu'een Boltimore and Wyandotte, in the State Hotel. Don't worry if you see Pink Elephants parading around the outside. They're really there, you can't miss it. Don't expect a seat inside, though. It's a hip-pocket edition of a bar, and somebodv always gets there first. But it's worth several tries to see the movies. Give Loren a quarter and say please. He'll run off several reels of ancient comedy, vintage 1900 and up. Mr. Gerard says the films are changed each week, so there's no end to their variety. • THE TROPICS— Hotel Phillipsnth and BiiltimoTe. You can't chanac the spots on the leopard, nor can simulated leopard turn this spot into any torrid jone. But for discreet drinking and dawdling, this is a charmin-.: enough haven, neatly tucked away on the third floor; and trimmed out with painted palms and hula girls (also painted) and bamboo furniture. Don't wear your sarong. The Lamond Sisters are scheduled for early in January. They play piano and Hammond organ under the carved cocoanut lantern. When there's a lull, ask someone to turn on the storm. It's an electrical gadget that cuts up quite a hurricane back of the bar Mrs. Pope is the smoothest looking hostess in town. Sec if yo;i don't think so. ZEPHYR ROOM— Hotel Bellerijie — Armour Boulevard at WiiTuiicl(. Except for the orchestra, the top "name " act and the cover charge, you can see everyone here who appears at El Casbah — including many of the same customers! It's a pleasant room in dim-lit green, chummy and intimate . . . with Barney Goodman's familiar stars; Gill and Price presenting musical comedy hit songs; Armandita, the "Mexican Nightingale" — and Sandoval playing Spanish ditties and singing them well, to his own guitar accompaniment. No spot could have a fresher bartender: his name's Tim Spillane. Prettiest waitress is Georgie McCarthy. • /III "lUu.,. ^euuuHff too-! CROWN ROOM— LaSalle Hotel — 922 Liniuood. A large blond room that doesn't get smoked up as quickly as some. There's a long curving bar, booths and table*. We could wish they'd made the booths a little deeper; you sit down and slide out. But it's a minor defect. Down a step or two there's a smallish dance floor, usually crowded. Music this month again is by Jimmy Van Osdell and his Whispering Trumpet. Herb Cook furnishes musical hors d'ocuvres or the piano, delivering ditties in that well-known husky voice of his that wears rather well. Altogether, a pleasant place, managed graciously by Vic Steinbaum and Mibbs Golding. DRUM ROOM— Hotel President — lOth and Baltimore. Decor by Winold Reiss, menu by Geor.:;e Souchet, entertainment by Jack Wcndover and his Whispering Rhythms. With these elements Frank Dean. Harry Hopkins and Adrian Hooper produce one of the region's better rooms. The Gauginesque murals were done by the man who painted the country's largest, those in Cincinnati's Union Station. Mr. Reiss is one of the foremost depictors of Indian Subjects, but the Drum Room is the farthest west he's cone with his murals. George brings his culinary training to the hotel's kitchen from France, via New York. He knows what to do with pompano. You'll like the food, also the politic suavity of Harold, who, by the way, returns here after a stint on the Alaskan Highway. There's Ruby, too, who has charm and cigarettes, hear, hear! And if nothing else amuses you, walk back and forth through the magic eye door a few times. A few drinks and that door — and you'll have more fun than anybody! Reservations, GRand 5440. • EL BOLEROAmbassador Hotel, 3560 Broadway. Beyond the bar and down the steps you'll find a pocket-size dance floor, a juke box, some knocked-out murals, and Marguerite Clark. Some tables, too, incidentally, where you can get together with a cocktail or a beer. Marguerite isn't Hildegarde; but she'll do till Hildegarde gets here. She has a friendly way with a collection of little songs; and if you want to gang up at the piano and harmonize, you can do that, too. The murals were crayoned by a former student at the Art Institute. We think they're amusing. Lounge opens at nine. ^ EL CASBAH— Hotel Belleriue— Armour Boulevard at ^arwic\. Barney Goodman has long thought Kansas City needed a spot just like this — with Rococo decor, almost-continuous entertainment and a cover charge that's as inexpensive as a first-run movie. Weeknights it's a dollar. Saturdays and holidays, $1.50. You can beat the cover-charge rap by just sitting at the bar. Or come Saturday afternoon, no covert at the "Cocktail Dansant." The customers who haunt the Pump Room in Chicago, the Stork and "21" in New York, seem to like it. Charlie Wright and his orchestra (you know that "society" music!) have followed Harl Smith on the band-stand; and the floor show includes from time to time acts such as Russell Swan, Ethel Shutta, Sheila Barrett and Dwight Fiske. Don't expect to see them all the same evening, though! Those K. C. favorites — Jon and Sondra Steele — expect to be around through New Year's, along with Armandita, Jeffrie Gill, Evens Price and Sandoval. Louis Hartman is the brisk maitre d'hotel. For reservations. Phone VAIentine 7047.