It’s my Dad’s 70th birthday on Nov 19th, so we are having a fancy cocktail / dinner party all based around the bar my grandfather built in his basement in 1966 (the base is made out of flagstone from Wiarton, Ontario).

The bar i’m talking about is below and this photo from the 1970s features the following people:

  • My grandmother (Omi) who is looking right at the camera in that fantastic yellow dress
  • The woman with the incredible back on her dress is my MOM! Dang! Wish I knew what the rest of the dress looked like
  • My grandfather (Opi) is behind the bar
  • My mom’s brother (my uncle) is to the right with my Aunt (his wife).
  • Man on the left, unknown.

What a fun photo!!

1970s vintage photo of a home bar featuring a 1970's cocktail party-Image is the Vintage Inn Blog's family.

For today’s post in honour of the home bar pictured above, I wanted to showcase people enjoying themselves IN cocktails bars, taverns, pubs and of course home bars. These could be vintage photos or vintage ads but they are all from the 1940s to the 1960s.

Cheers!

1950s vintage photo of a woman in a 1950s dress sitting on a bar stool at her home bar while her husband makes a drink behind the bar. Fun Mid Century Bar look.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

A Look Back At Life In 1940s-1960s Drinking Establishments & Home Bars

The Vintage Images

“Photo time! Everyone head behind the bar!”. Late 1940s / Early 1950s fun photo of a group of young people at this incredible bar, packed to the top with cool things (including the front of the bar).

From what I can see from zooming in, a Cheeseburger & Hamburger are $0.25 and ‘Iron City’ is the beer of choice.

late 1940s /early1950s vintage photo of a group of young people behind a very decked out bar with the bartender tp the left. They look like they could be college students.

Source: Etsy-JakeRoebucks

This 1950s, maybe early 1960s photo will live in my memory for as long as I live because of the leopard print purse our stylish lady is holding. Dang everyone looks so good at this pub night!

1950s 1960s vintage mid century photo of people in 1950s fashions 1960s fashions including a leopard print purse enjoying drinks at a bar

Source: Flashbak

1950s vintage photo of the bartender reaching over to shake someone’s hand that is not in the image. Looks like everyone is a good mood. Love the little glasses.

1950s vintage photo of people at a bar and a bartender making drinks

Source: Etsy-iloveyoumorephotos

1950s vintage ad for Schenley Whisky featuring actor, Raymond Massey enoying finer entertainment (like hanging out at his home bar).

“Acting is tense work. That’s why Raymond often relaxes at home with friends. Schenley stars at those gatherings. Its mello taste pleases everyone.”

1950s Vintage Ad for Schenley Whisky featuring actor Raymond Massey who likes to enjoy entertaining at his home bar.

Source: eBay

Everyone is welcome at the Bar! Cheers! A 1950s vintage photo.

1950s vintage photo of a pretty Black woman in 1950s fashion sitting on a bar stool posing with a man in a 1950s suit holding a beer

Source: Etsy-JakeRoebucks

1960s Photo: Ben and Frank did not get the memo…Hawaiian shirts must be worn when working the bar at the social club! Looking good Ralph!

1960s vintage photo of Guys Mixing Drinks Behind the Bar at the Social Club in the 1960's. The one guy is wearing a hawaiian shirt.

Source: Etsy-iloveyoumorephotos

Two barmaids at a pub in London, 1949.

1940s vintage photo of Two barmaids at a pub in London, 1949 in 1940s dresses and 1940s hairstyles holding beers and cigarettes.

Source: Flickr

Members of the Capetowners Club in a bar in the Five Points neighborhood of Denver(early 1960s).

1960s vintage photo of two Black couples all dressed up at a bar in 1960s fashions. They are Members of the Capetowners Club in a bar in the Five Points neighborhood of Denver. (early 1960s)

Source: Pinterest

1960s Schlitz Beer Ad. “Invitation from your Tavern Keeper: COME AND WATCH THE RACES!” Looks like a fun time!

1960S vintage ad for Schlitz Beer featuring a couple in 1950s fashions sitting in a Bar / Tavern enjoying a beer while watching the horse races.

Source: Etsy – EdenKitschVintage

1940s or 1950s vintage photo of Tiki Bar, ‘Trad’r Sam’ in San Francisco.

Trad’r Sam was opened in 1937 by a man named Sam Baylon, large stalks of bananas hung from the ceilings and bartenders took the Tiki-theme thing in full stride, donning beige outfits and Safari caps ready to take you away in a rum rhapsody. The most popular order was the Banana Cow (blended rum, brandy, Benedictine, banana and cream) (Source).

1950s vintage photo of bartenders working at the Tiki bar Tradr Sam they are wearing safari outfits a man in uniform sits at the bar a woman in the back enjoys a beer

Source: SignsUnited.com

The college bar. 1940s photo. How dapper is our young man in the front of this image? Soooo dapper!

1940s vintage photo of a group of Black men and woman enjoying their college bar. Fun 1940s college fashions.

Source: Etsy-JakeRoebucks

One night in 1947 a group of friends, got all dressed up and headed out to their favourite bar for a night of fun.

1940s vintage photo from 1947 of a group of people in a bar enjoying themselves with friends. The women are wearing 1940s dresses and 1940s hairstyles

Source: Etsy –JakeRoebucks

Bartender in action in this 1960s photo.

1960s vintage photo of a bartender serving people at the bar in the 1960s. One man is holding a cigar.

Source: Etsy – QsVintageImages

Happy 70th Birthday Dad!

(1970’s photo of my parents in Jamaica. My mom is doing the leap frog, while my open shirt dad looks on)

1970s vintage photo of the Vintage Inn Blogs parents, Manfred and Susan Gruening in Jamaica on the beach having fun

Question time! Please share in the comments section below, what you favourite photos or ad was. Also please let me know if you have a favourite drinking establishment that you enjoy.

Further Reading:

Thanks for dropping by and spending some time at the Vintage Inn. I look forward to welcoming you back!

Liz

2 Comments on A Look Back At Life In 1940s-1960s Drinking Establishments & Home Bars

  1. Pingback: Party Time! Vintage New Years Eve Photos - The Vintage Inn

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