Mac Meda Destruction Company

Date Night in Tijuana, Mexico – Long Bar, Peeing and Coffee Cans

Joining in date night and standing (L-R) Richard Krug, Kip Ives, unknown, Frank Eblen (RIP), can't remember the next two, Debbie Balsomic (sp?) Sitting (L-R) Truck Cryster, Stevie Decker, Sara "Preston" Burton, Dave Burton (RIP), Marlille Bircht, Jim Bottomly (in jail), Jim and Dafney Jaminson, Mark Stapoae (sp?), Ray Townsend, Debbie Ketting. Phot0 by Stevie Decker, taken in 1970

Coffee cans played a major role in a road trip to Tijuana, Mexico. When Folgers came out with their one gallon cans, it set a new trend in date night to the Long Bar.  Read more... (798 words, 3 images, estimated 3:12 mins reading time)

Silverback Ale – Mac Meda Postcards With Albert

Twenty-five percent of profits are given to the Save A Gorilla fund.

Back when Jack MacPherson was tending bar at the West End, some dorky beer salesperson stopped in promoting a new type of Ale.

Normally these people would get their asses reamed and  run out.  As far as Jack was concern, there were only a handful of beers worth drinking. However, this one sparked his attention for the obvious.

“Silverback Ale,” the salesperson pitched, plopping a six-pack on the bar.

Hummm … Albert,  Silverback Gorilla, or Ale – sounds like an appropriated beverage that would fit perfect for Mac Meda. And of all things, brewed by the Wynkoop Brewing Company …  in Colorado, United States since 1858 …  another humm … is that not the same state that Coors is brewed, another Mac Meda beach favorite?  Read more... (382 words, 2 images, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)

Long Bar, Tijuana Mexico – Bootleg Tequila and Stale Beer

Very old Meda Photo of the Long Bar. Billy Humes in the front center. Front left: John Brower, Moon Taylor (RIP), Kathy ?, Tommy Doyle (RIP) (Blond) Kathy Haddock, Tom Damm and Maynard (dark hair girl), Richard Ernest, and Bob Balanca (RIP) in the center. Wayne Cummings in the back corner? and Joe Hallow next to a guy? Photo by Doug Moranville

If you Google search Long Bar, the first three pages are filled with some historic Old Town Irvine bar called Tia Juana’s Long Bar and Grill. The website hypes that you sit under the brightly colored banners, sipping Tia Juana’s famous hand-shaken Margaritas, and eating the freshly made tortillas and salsa.  Read more... (571 words, 2 images, estimated 2:17 mins reading time)

La Jolla’s El Sombrero Bar

Bottom L to R: F Denny Moore, Phil (P. Rodney) Brown (RIP) Linda (LB) Brown, (RIP), Dave Holder (RIP), Dave Osborn. Back Right L to R: Earl Gilday, Donny Thomason (RIP) Jack Macpherson (RIP) Photo taken by David Osborn in the El Sombrero around 1972

So we have the Red Mountain Inn, Sip n Surf and Maynard, but if there was any bar in La Jolla, San Diego or in the US for that matter, that should have closed the day they opened, it would have been the El Sombrero. The main thing about El Sombrero, it amazed everyone that they were in business as long as they were, at first, one would think, it was going to be the fastest short lived bar in La Jolla’s history.  Read more... (641 words, 1 image, estimated 2:34 mins reading time)

La Jolla’s Bird Rock Sip n Surf or Hungry Horse Bar

La Jolla's, Bird Rock, Sip n Surf or nicknamed, Slurp and Burp had a array of characters and owners that patronized and ran the joint in 20 years. Photo by Brian Munoz

When Maynard Heatherly was asked, “What he thought of the Sip n Surf?” all he could do was shake his head. Fact remains, he hated the joint, even though he was friends with the owner, Burt Alderson.

“Its not the competition,” he said, God knows he already had a ton of customers, he hated the place adding, “If you can’t find a place at the bar, or even be able to rest your arms on the bar rail, why bother.”  Read more... (764 words, 2 images, estimated 3:03 mins reading time)

Tijuana – The Long Bar – Heaven For the Underaged

Mac Meda Invades the Long Bar - Larry Cornellius(RIP), Richard Krug, Roger Johnson (RIP), The Whale, Bill Decker, Micheal Chicon(RIP), Steve Callaway, Kelly Medogovich, Ed Selby, Bartlett and someone help me out with the rest ...

During the roaring twenties, Tijuana became non-stop action. Americans flooded the tiny border town during probation to gamble and drink. By the 50s and 60s its reputation was known all over for it strip joints, floor shows and cheap bars and beer. It became folklore of wide reputations and spawned many wild stories of bars like Sans Souci, Redd Fox (the place where the comedian Redd Fox started) Clubs Unicorn, Aloha and Bambi.  The Donkey Show was born in TJ …  and yes, it is true. However, drinks were outrageous  in these places. A 6-ounce bottled ‘unknown’ beer cost $1 and it always came open.  Gee … could it be they kept refilling the empties?  Read more... (667 words, 3 images, estimated 2:40 mins reading time)