Little Club (Closed)
San Leandro, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
A little bar with a sign that looks ready to take off: The Little Club made a memorable stop along Washington Avenue in San Leandro. The lettering sits inside a homemade looking frame, with horizontal lines trailing behind it like the sign is speeding down the street. For a place called “Little,” it knew how to get noticed.
The club occupied a house-like building, making that streamlined sign an even better surprise. A passerby could easily mistake the place for another home on the block until those letters came into view. Then it was time to slow down, back up a few steps, and get a photo of a sign that seemed determined to be noticed.
The Little Club had been part of San Leandro’s bar scene for decades. There was even a room downstairs where musicians played, adding more activity to the modest looking place than its exterior suggested. From the street, though, the sign remained the star of the show.
Little Club
San Leandro, CA Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
UPDATE: It appears that the Little Club sign is still alive and kicking in San Leandro. Many thanks to Scott Strickland for photo update. 07-09
UPDATE: The bar appeared to have closed by 2010, and the building has since become a private residence. The old sign was still mounted outside in later photos, though it no longer pointed to an open club. A little bit of roadside personality stayed with the building. 09-26
States Tavern (Gone)
San Francisco, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Neon letters once marked States Tavern on Grand Avenue in South San Francisco. The building dated to the late 1890s, and working people had stopped here for a cold beer since the early 1900s. It was a familiar sight in a city proud of its industrial roots.
UPDATE: The tavern has closed, and its neon sign is gone. This photo preserves a glimpse of the old Grand Avenue bar. 09-26
Fireside Bar
Alameda, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Along Webster Street in Alameda, the sign for Fireside Bar has neon tubing wrapped around its lettering. It is a nice bit of glow for a neighborhood spot, inviting a closer look before heading through the door.
The bar opened in 1942, when nearby Naval Air Station Alameda brought plenty of people to this part of town. Inside, there is an old Art Deco bar and a working fireplace, so the Fireside name fits. These days the place also hosts live music, comedy, and other local events.
UPDATE: Now known as the Fireside Lounge, it remains open on Webster Street. The vintage neon sign is still there, lighting the way in. 09-26
Busi's Cocktails (Gone)
Paso Robles, CA Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
The glowing neon at Busi's Cocktails invited you in with a simple promise: "Where talk is cheap." It was the kind of neighborhood bar where conversation was just as important as what was in your glass. 10-09
For decades, Busi's was a Paso Robles gathering place, evolving from an Italian restaurant into a well-loved cocktail lounge where locals met to catch up on the latest news. The sign became one of downtown's familiar landmarks, welcoming regulars and newcomers alike.
While the bar eventually closed, the building continues its long tradition as a neighborhood saloon. Best of all, the famous neon sign was saved, preserving a colorful piece of Paso Robles history for future generations.
UPDATE: Busi's Cocktails is gone, but the historic building now houses the Pine Street Saloon, and the original neon sign has been preserved at the Paso Robles Pioneer Museum. 07-26
Camozzi's Saloon (Gone)
Atascadero, CA Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
The glowing sign at Camozzi's Saloon looked right at home along El Camino Real, inviting locals inside for live music, cold drinks, and another memorable night out. 08-09
Although this location only carried the Camozzi's name for a little over a decade, it inherited plenty of character from the original Cambria saloon. The owners brought much of the old Western décor and memorabilia with them, giving the Atascadero bar the feel of a place that had been around much longer.
Over the years, Camozzi's became one of downtown Atascadero's favorite live music spots, hosting local bands along with touring rock and punk acts. Whether you came for the music, a game of pool, or just to meet friends, it was the kind of neighborhood tavern that earned a loyal following.
UPDATE: Camozzi's Saloon closed in 2018. The building remains an active gathering place and is now home to Dunbar Brewing. 07-26
Stockton Club
Fair Oaks, CA Photo courtesy Rod Holcomb
Rolling through Fair Oaks Village, the old roadside sign for the Stockman Club is worth a second look. Its lettering and western look suit the name, and it has the comfortable presence of a sign that has marked the same stop for years. The original page heading calls it the “Stockton Club,” but the sign out front says Stockman. That small mix-up is easy to clear up once you get close enough to read it. 12-10
The club traces its beginnings to 1932, giving it a history that reaches back well before most of the businesses along Fair Oaks Boulevard. Inside, pool tables, darts, and a jukebox keep things casual. Stop in for a drink, stay for a game, or settle into a conversation that lasts longer than expected. It has the feel of a neighborhood place where somebody is bound to recognize somebody else.
UPDATE: The Stockman Club remains open, and its vintage sign is still outside. The sign was repainted around 2024, freshening up a familiar piece of the Fair Oaks streetscape. It continues to mark a place where the old roadside attraction and the bar behind it are both still around. 09-26
The Spur Lounge (Gone)
Yuba City, CA Photo courtesy Tony Craig
Strolling down Plumas Street in Yuba City, the sign for The Spur Lounge was hard to pass without looking up. Its colorful neon gave this downtown watering hole a little extra presence after dark. Even in daylight, the projecting marquee had the kind of shape and lettering that made you wonder how long it had been hanging there. 12-10
The Spur sat next to the Sutter Theater, a handy location for anyone looking to stop for a drink before or after a show. It was a familiar part of the downtown strip for years, and the sign was as much a part of the scene as the lounge beneath it.
UPDATE: The Spur has closed, and its sign is no longer on the building. Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture has the sign and plans to restore it for Neon Alley, a public display of old local signs near Plumas Street. The lounge may be gone, but its neon could get another chance to light up downtown. 09-26
Little Club (Closed)
States Tavern (Gone)
Fireside Bar
Busi's Cocktails (Gone)
Camozzi's Saloon (Gone)
Stockton Club
The Spur Lounge (Gone)
