Where Locals Gather

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    The Marine Room may have changed hands, but music and memories continue to be the main items on the menu. –By Bruce Porter | Photos by Sean Armenta

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    LBM_36_Marine_Marine Room_By Jody Tiongco-13Modest almost to a fault, the Marine Room Tavern is a cherished chapter in Laguna’s storied history. The second bar in town to get a liquor license, it doesn’t appear as though it’s changed too much since it opened way back in 1934.

    Not much bigger than a postage stamp, the establishment rarely feels claustrophobic, even with summer crowds. Wood-paneled walls, furniture with sturdy framework and warm flickering fires in a ceramic tile hearth create an intimate atmosphere. Curious bric-a-brac, such as old Los Angeles Times and Playboy cartoon sketches by Frank and Phil Interlandi—brothers and regulars in the 1970s who had a comical habit of sitting at opposite ends of the bar—add a cheerful vibe. A scuffed wooden floor, charming as it is, is buckled in places. It’s the type of deliberately imperfect aesthetic a sentimental owner might be reluctant to repair.

    Every Man’s Land 

    At a glance, the Marine Room is the quintessential workingman’s watering hole. Drinks are cheap, and simple pleasures like dancing to live music, bring in folks from all over. One “local” drives from Mission Viejo once or twice a week.

    “It’s not exactly a blue-collar bar,” says Donny Bob Coulson, who sits at the bar, good-naturedly. “This is Laguna—most are writers and artists. But, yes, you can wear what you want to wear.” After alternating sips of beer and Patrón, he adds, “Let’s just say it’s not [trendy] Newport.”

    No particular demographic dominates, though patrons tend to fall within the middle-aged bell curve. “[The crowd] hits every end of the spectrum,” doorman Garrett Bray says. Lawyers who moonlight as bikers, artists who teeter between success and vagrancy, mailroom clerks who made it to CEO: They’re all here, sidled up by the bar throwing back a few cold ones with friends.

    Among the colorful characters that frequent the Marine Room, Michael Ahern—Reverend Mike to his friends and the 2,000 couples he’s married since the early 1990s—goes the extra mile, volunteering his time to ensure the entertainment schedule gets printed in the local papers. “Back then I wanted to get more girls in here,” he explains of how his 25-year commitment began.

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    Though it could hardly be described as a pick-up bar, the Marine Room has had its fair share of romances. Carole Hewitson met her partner of 13 years, Byron Stoddard, here. She chuckles when she recalls how Byron had checked her out in the weeks before he made his big move. “He says he wasn’t stalking,” she says with a wink. “He was ‘observing.’ Finally he asked me out and we’ve been together ever since.”

    Carole kept coming back largely because she felt safe. It’s not a rough-and-tumble sort of place. “We’re mindful to keep an eye out,” says Robbie Boyd, a veteran bartender and nephew to former owner Kelly Boyd. “We want women to know they can come here, and there won’t be any problems.”

    Carole adds, “There would always be someone to walk me to my car.” Nowadays, she rides on the back of Byron’s Harley, and the two almost never miss a Sunday show. “I know about half the people in this room by name, another quarter by sight, and the rest I just haven’t met yet.”

    Carole and Byron’s billiards pals Steve and Amber Renner share a similar love story: Six months after their first date, they were married. Amber jokes that finding love at the Marine Room was, for her, practically hereditary. “My mom met her first husband here, too.”

    The most interesting thing is the people you meet, agrees Kelly, who, over the course of 25 years, shaped the bar’s once-suspect reputation into one that is altogether more respectable. “People come here on vacation and this is their place. We’ve had people get married. We’ve held memorial services and parties for candidates running for city council. This is their local bar.”

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    The Marine Room_By Jody Tiongco-26Night Moves 

    Patrons from all walks of life are unanimous in their praise for the rotating bands and singer-songwriters who play on most nights. Three enduring favorites—Tricia Freeman Band, West Coast Strays and the Strangers—perform a spirited mix of modern pop and classic-rock covers.

    Arguably, the Marine Room’s main attraction is Missiles of October—by no means your average bar band. Their take on 1960s Memphis rhythm and blues has a strong undercurrent of 1970s Laurel Canyon soft rock that makes every song feel like a half-remembered radio favorite. One of frontman Poul Pedersen’s fondest memories of their 22 years of Marine Room gigs is when the band recorded a packed house singing the chorus to one of their songs, then used it for the studio version.

    Mike Solomon, a real-estate entrepreneur and part-time musician who occasionally sits in with some of the house bands, is quick to sing the Missiles’ praise. “Hands down, the best bar band in Orange County,” he says.

    The sound level is loud enough to encourage dancing, but not so loud that it interferes with conversations further away from the stage. Fans sing along, even if the words are only a rough approximation. Dancing isn’t mandatory, but there’s no reason to fight the impulse. Everyone who’s doing it looks as if they’re having a pretty darn good time.

    “I call it Sunday afternoon church,” patron Beverly Factor says with fervor. “We all come, have a little holy water, dance. … It’s always warm and friendly. I love this place.”

    Raising the Bar 

    A fourth-generation resident of Laguna, Kelly became the proprietor of the tavern in 1987. At the time, it was the kind of joint whose regulars showed up with the sunrise. Kelly turned the bar’s culture around completely.

    About eight years ago, he began to take an active interest in city politics. With a growing desire to spend more time with his wife, Kelly thought about retiring from the bar business. Then, last summer, faced with an increase in rent, he decided to sell.

    “Everybody was wondering what was going to happen,” Poul says. “We’d be able to find another place to play, but it wouldn’t be the same. Kelly’s always supportive of the local music scene.”

    The suspense didn’t last long. Kelly, newly re-elected as mayor of Laguna Beach, found a suitable buyer—someone who was dedicated to keeping the Marine Room more or less the same. Perhaps he had Christopher Keller in mind all along.

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    “I’ve known Kelly for quite a while,” Chris says. Originally from New Jersey, Chris got his feet wet in Las Vegas, first at the MGM Grand and later as director of VIP services at New York-New York.

    Keen to strike out on his own, Chris bought a small bed-and-breakfast in Anaheim. Fast-forward a few years, and he began the search for his flagship hotel. “One Sunday we hit about 25 properties,” Chris recalls. “We started in Palm Springs and LA; our very last stop was [La] Casa Del Camino. We got out of the car, looked up and said, ‘This is the one.’ ”

    Though his company, Casa Resorts, owns properties elsewhere, Chris has made Laguna his home. “There’s something magical about Laguna that’s hard to describe,” he says. “But once you experience it, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. I’m happy to spend the rest of my life here.”

    It seems unlikely the Marine Room’s economic prospects were the driving force behind Chris’ decision to buy. Still, when the opportunity was presented, he jumped at the chance. “It’s a great place, with a great vibe and a great loyal following.”

    He’s adamant that he doesn’t have plans to make any major changes. “We want to continue to make it a place ‘where locals gather’ [the tavern’s longstanding motto] a place where, prior to dinner, you can stop for a drink.”

    Chris does, however, have specific upgrades in mind. “We’ll keep the heart and soul of it the same—the history and all of its traditions. But we are going to make some cosmetic improvements: the floor, draft beers, craft cocktails. We’re going to try to fill it when we don’t have entertainment going.”

    The improvements he’s already implemented are making a positive impact. Modern restaurant software has improved efficiency. A large chalkboard looks to be the first step toward bringing in happy hour appetizers. “Chris is doing what I’ve always wanted to do,” Kelly’s nephew Robbie says from behind the bar, where he’s polishing a glass. “I’m excited. It’s going to be really good.” LBM

    Singer-Songwriter Tuesdays

    “There are not many places where you can play original music,” Beth Fitchet Wood says as she adjusts a mic stand just before taking the stage. For the last eight years, she’s hosted singer-songwriter night at the Marine Room. “We have such good music here, it’s ridiculous.”

    In the early 1970s, Beth played in an eclectic surf-rock band called Honk. Following the success of their surf film “Five Summer Stories” soundtrack, they toured across the country with such established acts as Loggins and Messina, The Beach Boys, Santana and Chicago.

    In one incarnation or another, Beth has been playing at the Marine Room for more than 25 years. On Tuesday nights, she opens and closes each show with an entertaining solo performance that veers from wistful folk to upbeat adult contemporary. The ease with which she handles an acoustic guitar affords her the opportunity to cover songs on a whim—much to the delight of audience members.

    “It’s the best kept secret in Orange County,” says Chuck Roberts, who drove from Apple Valley to perform. “I’ve seen everything from gospel and folk to a ladies barbershop quartet.” 

    Each week, Beth books two or three from a growing pool of several dozen musicians who play for little or no money. From time to time, big-name acts like Christopher Cross have dropped by to test out new material. 

    “There are times when music turns to magic,” Beth adds thoughtfully. “It tends to do that here.”

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    15 COMMENTS

    1. Being a child of a old Marine Room regular, I have a few pieces of Phil Interlandi art which focused on the Marine Room and Abby Vaughn art I would like to sell. These are truly vintage and priceless! Go to my website to see pics and contact me if you are interested in purchasing.

      • I, too have an Abby Vaughan painting. I am presuming you mean the late Abby Vaughan who has a son called David? Did you manage to sell your piece? I have a very large example of her work on my kitchen wall in Cambridgeshire, England!

        • England; wouldn’t Abby love that! Yes, I am referring to the late, but always lovely mother of David & Mindy. I was quite fond of them growing up; wonder how they are doing. I was same age as David. I and each of my siblings have Abby’s paintings in our homes. We all have fond memories of her! No, I was not successful in selling any of the art work I have so I’m just continuing to enjoy it.

      • Hi there – My father was Harry Smith. I inherited an Abby Vaughan original that she signed ‘To Harry, thank you for being so nice to me’. I love it and would like to see more of her work. Did you know Harry? I remember that an artist included him in a painting sitting at on a bench at Main Beach reading. Do you know of this?

      • As a small kid, I also grew up in the Laguna Beach Marine Room. I have both an Abby Vaughan portrait of me she made for my parents and an Interlandi print. I miss all the old regulars who raised me as a youngster. Still great at Shuffle Board.

    2. Hello,
      I have been searching for a Laguna Beach artist by the name of Abby Vaughan. My Mom feel in love with her drawings of musicians some time back. I found an envelope in Mom ‘s house with Abby’s address on Alta Laguna Blvd. Is this the same Abby Vaughan ? I found an Abby Vaughan now living in Oregon but none of the artwork on her website looks like the note cards my Mom has. I’d be a buyer of some of her musician themed pieces if the price is right.
      Thank you,
      Charlotte

      • That is definitely Abby! A dear family friend. She did do musicians as well as many other topics from her travels and fondnesses. I do not have any musical pieces, nor do any of my siblings. However, her children, David & Mindy have a storage full of her paintings. Or at least this is what I was told several years ago by another mutual friend of my moms & Abby’s, Jean Rahn (spelling may be wrong). I haven’t seen David or Mindy in years and do not know where they are, but you could probably search both. Such a lovely family! I hope this helps you in your quest!!!

    3. Through a twist of fate, I came across the comments about Abby Vaughan. She is/was my Sister! As you might imagine, it is gratifying to read the very favorable comments about her. I know she would be appreciative.
      Her son and daughter are alive and well. Those interested in making contact with them can send me their interest and contact information and I will forward it to them. I think it best to handle it that way, to avoid any breach of privacy on either party.
      My son, a patent attorney, has decorated his entire office with many pieces of Abby’s work. He came across these posted comments as he searched for background information on Abby, in preparation for an article to be published in an art magazine.
      While Abby is gone in body, her spirit and her work live on. Her art can be found in many parts of the world…including England!

      • Dear Mark,

        I enjoyed reading your tribute to Abby Vaughn.

        Abby drew a painting of me while I was performing a piano concert in Washington D C about twenty years ago. She was kind enough to send me a snapshot of the finished product which copy I can send you. I am interested in obtaining a slightly better copy of it for my office. Perhaps a photograph?

        If you have an e mail I could send the jpg. I would love to know if it is still inexistence.

        Kind regards,

        Neil Rutman
        neilr@uca.edu

      • I would love to get in touch with Abby’s family, as I have two works of hers! See my comment below. If you like, find me on Facebook to contact me!

      • Dear Mark,

        I am a musician who lived in Orange County for a few years (1978-84), and knew your sister, Abby. She painted many works with me playing the cello with many of my colleagues. I have been storing them for many years (we live in Altadena) and would love to find a good “home” for them since we don’t have the room to hang them all! Please contact me at your convenience. I would be happy to take them to you (if you live in the LA/Orange County area) or to Mindy (who I have lost contact with over the last 30-plus years). Best, Stephen Erdody

    4. I have been searching for Abby for many years. I invited her to be artist in residence at Benedict Castle in Riverside, CA.,in the 1960’s and, during that time the Castle was known as Our Lady of Riverside Seminary and was a Servite Theological Seminary. I lived and taught there and, attended classes at UCR. Abby made her studio in the Tower of the Castle which had it’s private elevator and created many beautiful paintings there. I was also the Director and Curator of the Servite Gallery in the basement. Abby exhibited her art works in the gallery and met with great success. Abby was a gifted artist. I shall never forget her. Her memory was especially vivid just this past week when I attended a magnificent installation of the serigraphs of Corita Kent at the (PMCA,) Pasadena Museum of California Art. Abby, myself and a member of the Riverside Art Association visited with Sister Corita, as she was known at that time. The association purchased her entire collection of serigraphs for that year! Meantime, Abby completed 3 full portraits of Sister Corita, taping paper as she skeched the lines. I invited Corita to exhibit in the gallery and without hesitation agreed! I would love to hear from Mindy and David as I knew them when they were very young and Mark,I also met your lovely Mom as Abby created a painting of her. Please feel free to contact me. Thank you!

    5. Abby did 3 pen and ink sketches of my daughter playing the flute with her good friend at the piano. These were commissioned by me to save a very special time when they played at Suzanna’s restaurant opposite Hotel Laguna. They hang on my living room wall. I love them

    6. Please let me know if there is a way to contact Abby’s children. I have two watercolors she did of me during a recital in Los Angeles, and they’ve been hanging in my parents’ house ever since. I’m clearing their house out now, and would love to get this to her heirs, if possible.

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