Balinese Room - Galveston, TX
Posted by: 
jhuoni
N 29° 17.462 W 094° 47.202
15R E 326450 N 3241554
Just east of Pleasure Pier is a covered spot along the Seawall sidewalk. This is all that remains of Galveston's infamous “Balinese Room”.
Waymark Code: WMYZ6J
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 08/14/2018
Views: 7
It may be difficult to picture, but this was the site of the Historic Balinese. This sign might help, but the Balinese is gone. September 8, 2008, the entire beachfront of Galveston changed. Hurricane Ike destroyed many of landmarks for which Galveston was known.
Facing inland attached to a pergola which used to serve as the entry a sign tells of the beginning and the end of the Balinese.
Built and operated by Sicilian immigrant barbers-turned-bootleggers Sam and Rosario Maceo, the Balinese Room
was an elite spot in the 1940s and 1950s featuring entertainment by Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, George Burns,
the Marx Brothers and other top acts of the day. Patrons of the private club included
Howard Hughes, Sophie Tucker, and the wealthy
oil barons of nearby Houston. For decades the Pier was the center of the Maceos gambling and business empire,
and known as the finest club and casino in the southwest.
The margarita cocktail was invented here in 1943.
The Texas rangers finally closed the casino in a famous 1957 raid, after years of trying.
Johnny Mitchell (George's brother) operated a swanky restaurant here from 1965 until the early 1980s.
The rock group ZZ top wrote and performed the song at the club called Balinese. 1973.
Texas monthly called it the Texas nightclub of the century: in their December 1999 issue.
In 1997 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Attorney Scott Arnold in 2001 bought, restored and reopened the Balinese room featuring live music, several night-
clubs, retail shops and other attractions.
During the early morning hours of September 13th, 2008, the structure was completely destroyed by hurricane Ike.
Mr. Arnold retains the rights of the location and the Balinese Room franchise and the site is currently for sale.
For more information see www.BalineseRoom.net or Google “Balinese Room Galveston”.
If you stand on the sidewalk facing out to sea, a plaque reads:
This Property
Has Been Placed
On The
National Register
Of Historic Places
By The
United States
Department Of
The Interior
From: National Register of Historic Places - Texas - Galveston County - Vacant/Not In Use
Balinese Room (added 2009 - - #97000258)
Also known as Chop Suey, Sui Jen, Grotto
Galveston County - 2107 Seawall Blvd. , Galveston
(9 acres, 1 building)
Historic Significance: Event, Person
Historic Person: Maceo, Saltatore, et al.
Significant Year: 1942, 1957
Area of Significance: Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade
Historic Sub-function: Restaurant
Current Function: Vacant/Not In Use
Once on the National Register of Historic Places, all that remains is the plaque. A bittersweet reminder of that place made famous by "That Little Band From Texas."
Deep in the South of Texas
Not so long ago,
There on a crowded island
In the Gulf of Mexico
It didn't take too much money,
Man, but it sure was nice.
You could dance all night if you felt all right,
Drinking whiskey and throwing dice.
And everybody knows
It was hard to leave.
And everybody knows
It was down at the Balinese.....
Songwriters: Frank Beard / Billy Gibbons / Dusty Hill
Balinese lyrics © BMG Rights Management