# Songs with actual bars and restaurants in the lyrics? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 16, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301 "2016-02-16T22:50:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/61 "2016-02-17T15:35:52Z")
“Burlesque”, a song by Family, is about a bar in Leicester, England. Don’t know if it’s there anymore. ---
**Author:** ![epolo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@epolo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epolo)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/62 "2016-02-17T16:38:40Z")
King Missile has breakfast at Kiev in Detachable Penis. Laraby’s Gang by the Spin Doctors mentions “the story that the Nightingale sang (now now)” which I assume is a reference to the Nightingale Bar. ---
**Author:** ![Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellis_Aponte_Jr)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/63 "2016-02-17T16:54:29Z")
Cole Porter, “Well, Did You Evah!”: _She got pinched in the Astor bar_ refers to the bar in the long gone Astor Hotel (Times Square, NYC) ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/64 "2016-02-17T17:03:37Z")
> [@Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](#): > > I’m pretty sure this song was about the Coconut Grove district of Miami, a one-time Bohemian/hippie quarter, not about the Cocoanut Grove (note the spelling) nightclub in Boston that burned down, nor the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Los Angeles for that matter, neither of which were near “ocean breezes” or “dunes,” as the lyrics indicate. Well we take our breezes and our dunes as they come up here. I tried. Night Owl Blues - James Taylor Puttin on the Ritz - Irving Berlin ---
**Author:** ![Richey84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Richey84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richey84)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/65 "2016-02-17T17:31:07Z")
Lifter Puller used to reference a Chinese restaurant called The Nankin in several of their songs. It’s closed now but it did exist at one time in Minneapolis, where the songs were set. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/66 "2016-02-17T17:36:29Z")
> [@GreenElf](#): > > Tom Waits mentions “the Ivar” in “The One That Got Away” and referred to the Ivar Theatre (a burlesque house in Hollywood) a couple times on his “Nighthawks at the Diner” album. “Colder than a ticket taker’s smile at the Ivar Theatre, on a Saturday night.” He also referred to a Harold’s Club in his song “Virginia Avenue”, referring to Harolds Club on Virginia Street in Reno. I think he is probably going to be the king of this. Napoleon Pizza House is a real place and is mentioned in one or two songs. ---
**Author:** ![Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellis_Aponte_Jr)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/67 "2016-02-17T17:41:10Z")
The Andrea True Connection, the disco group that had a hit with “More More More,” had a lesser hit called “N.Y., You Got Me Dancing,” which references **The Barefoot Boy** , **12 West** , and **Regine’s** , which were all disco bars/clubs at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/68 "2016-02-17T18:04:34Z")
Concerto For Horn And Hardart 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![epolo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@epolo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epolo)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/69 "2016-02-17T20:29:55Z")
“At the Copa, Copacabana…” ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/70 "2016-02-17T21:01:46Z")
\*Well let’s all go, down to Dumas Walker Let’s all go, down to Dumas Walker We’ll get a slaw burger, fries and a bottle of Ski Bring it on out to my baby and me \* “Dumas Walker” by The Kentucky Headhunters This is sort of a combination of two real places. > [@](#): > > According to The Kentucky Headhunters’ band member Doug Phelps, the song refers to a retailer and world class marbles champion named “Dumas” from Moss, Tennessee who owned a “package” shop near the Kentucky-Tennessee state line, close to Annie Hanrahan’s place. The shop sold “beer, snacks [and] fireworks” and was “part of the Kentucky boys’ lives growing up.” The lyrics that reflect a desire to purchase “slaw burger, fries, and a bottle of Ski” are completely unrelated to the real-life “Dumas Walker”, referring to a restaurant in Greensburg, Kentucky called Adolphus Ennis, where the band would go following a show. > **[Dumas Walker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumas_Walker)** > > "Dumas Walker" is a song that was written and recorded by Southern country rock band The Kentucky Headhunters. It was released in January 1990 as the second single from their 1989 album Pickin' on Nashville. It reached number 15 on Country charts, and was written by the band's five members at the time. > The song begins with the command for the narrator's entourage to "all go down to Dumas Walker" in order to purchase a "slaw burger, fries and a bottle of Ski", and then for the items to be broug... ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/71 "2016-02-18T02:11:36Z")
_Well, I pawned my Smith-Corona And I went to meet my man He hangs out down on Alvarado Street By the Pioneer Chicken stand_ “Carmelita” by Warren Zevon Pioneer Chicken is a real chain but I don’t know if there was actually one on Alvarado St. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/72 "2016-02-18T12:12:57Z")
I am surprised this hasn’t been mentioned, because it’s the first thing I thought of when I read the OP. In the song _ **Carey** _ by **Joni Mitchell** , Joni mentions a bar called the Mermaid Café. It was in Matala, on the island Crete: _Come on down to the Mermaid Café, and I will buy you a bottle of wine. And we’ll laugh and toast to nothing and smash our empty glasses down._ Gotta love Joni… ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/73 "2016-02-18T12:28:03Z")
Does a telephone number count? _Many big band names played in the Hotel Pennsylvania’s Cafe Rouge in New York City, including the Glenn Miller Orchestra.[1] The hotel’s telephone number, PEnnsylvania 6-5000, inspired the Glenn Miller 1940 Top 5 Billboard hit of the same name_ > **[Pennsylvania 6-5000 (song)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_6-5000_%28song%29)** > > "Pennsylvania 6-5000" (also written "Pennsylvania Six-Five Thousand") is a 1940 swing jazz and pop standard with music by Jerry Gray and lyrics by Carl Sigman. It was recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra as a Bluebird 78 rpm single. > Many big band names played in Hotel Pennsylvania's Cafe Rouge in New York City, including the Glenn Miller Orchestra. The hotel's telephone number, Pennsylvania 6-5000, inspired the Glenn Miller 1940 Top 5 Billboard hit of the same name, which had a 12-week cha... ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/74 "2016-02-18T12:36:43Z")
You’re the top, You’re a Waldorf Salad - Cole Porter, You’re The Top. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/75 "2016-02-18T12:40:21Z")
Searched the thread but I may have missed it: Walking in Memphis, by Marc Cohn mentions the Hollywood (Cafe). Now, Muriel plays piano Every Friday at the Hollywood And they brought me down to see her And they asked me if I would Do a little number And I sang with all my might She said, “Tell me are you a Christian, child?” And I said, “Ma’am, I am tonight!” Also, American Pie mentions The Levee ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/76 "2016-02-18T12:40:31Z")
Up and down the City Road In and out The Eagle That’s the way the money goes Pop goes the weasel. The Eagle was a pub in City Road, London. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/77 "2016-02-18T13:35:24Z")
“Puttin’ on the Ritz” ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/78 "2016-02-18T14:08:41Z")
More a nightclub than a bar, but Studio 54 gets mentioned in Chic’s “Le Freak”: “so come on down to 54/find a spot out on the floor. Awww… Freak out!” ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/79 "2016-02-18T14:15:10Z")
Back during the second world war…“I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen.” ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301/80 "2016-02-18T14:24:20Z")
From the early 60s _Sugar Shack_…Now, I know this is a real place. I have been there. The Name of the Place Is \* I Iike It Like That\*. I don’t know if this is a real place. I have been (by people I kind of trust) told it is, however. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-actual-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-lyrics/746301.md?page=5)