Sneeky Pete's



This 1966 ariel shot shows The Whiskey A Go Go, The Original Hamburger Hamlet, The London Fog (The Doors are the headliners), and Sneeky Pete's. Dukes coffee house took over Sneeky Pete's. My parents frequented the place all of the time and took me there when I was a baby. I wish I had better memories of it, although I remember the red and black awning vividly.



This was a classic joint on the Sunset Strip located on the same street as the Whiskey A Go Go. I've been lucky enough to find a matchbook and an ashtray.








Comments

  1. J DashMarch 30, 2010 at 5:21 PM

    Do you have any other photos or memorabilia from Sneaky Petes?

    jdash@dashollywood.com

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    1. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2023 at 9:20 AM

      My dad died in 1966 he was supposed to be really good friend with the owner of sneaky pete's,his name was albie gulbin

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    2. AnonymousJune 25, 2023 at 7:11 AM

      Was able to purchase the actual heavy brass Sneeky Pete’s sign, that was originally on the brick wall, outside, from the son of The original owner of SP, Mort Rosen! Very happy to be the new owner of this Iconic sign!

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  2. George Vreeland HillJune 2, 2012 at 3:44 AM

    You have some rare stuff here.

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    1. UnknownMarch 9, 2018 at 6:48 PM

      Hi Everyone ! I worked in Power Burger opposite Sneaky Pete during 1975-1976. I knew most of the working there although don't remember any names. It was a fantastic place.

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  3. UnknownNovember 24, 2013 at 4:26 AM

    I worked at Sneeky Pete's in the mid-70's for Mort and Bobby. Great jazz, great food, diverse and interesting clientele--great memories. I used to have a fishbowl filled with those red satiny matchbooks.Love all the memories you've stirred with your tour of my old haunts and old friends (I did my fair share of dancing at Gazzari's, the Candy Store, P.J.'s, etc.). Ah, to be young again.

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2015 at 5:05 PM

    I remember Sneaky Pete;s also Art Graham quartet. Great times, ditto to be young again

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    1. UnknownNovember 4, 2019 at 4:08 PM

      I got to know Art Graham from 'Sneaky Pete's... 'liked his Uptempo piano licks' & Art was 'Cool.... He use to work at The SANDS in Vegas & Open for Sinatra... Art was a talented Cat & worked several other Supper Clubs in SFV, Beverly Hills, Manhattan Beach etc... after He left 'Sneaky Pete's... The Sunset Strip was a Happening Energy Field during those yrs...

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    2. Jazz on Riverside DriveNovember 20, 2022 at 1:58 PM

      I'm Unknown above & forgot I tweeted this per LA's Sunset Strip Sneaky Pete's some years back...Jazz pianist, Art Graham was a friend & I miss him.

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  5. lilaFebruary 1, 2015 at 5:31 PM

    I wrote the previous comment on Sneaky Pete's, I was wrong, it was the Art Graham Triomand ditto again.

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    1. Linda FridayNovember 15, 2015 at 11:51 PM

      When I worked there the Harry Fields Trio was the main act (the bassist was David Troncoso and I do not not remember the guitarist's name). Art Graham worked two nights each week. Occasionally Joanne Grauer played. The music was always great.

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    2. UnknownJanuary 4, 2019 at 9:37 PM

      I use to catch Art Graham at Sneeky Pete's on the Weekend 'frequently & became a good friend & caught Art at several other J Clubs over the yrs & I relished Joanne Grauer there as Well & like Art Graham, 'Joanne was an excellent jazz pianist.... 'Miss those action packed 'Jazz Sunset Strip Evenings'......

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    3. UnknownNovember 4, 2019 at 4:12 PM

      Joanne Grauer was a very talented jazz pianist as well... 'Caught Joanne often playing in LA Jazz Clubs 'She was a delight on the 88 !!

      Delete
  6. AnonymousMarch 28, 2015 at 9:43 PM

    I played music at Sneaky's for most of 1967. We went down to Shifty's in San Diego for the summer. Art Graham took over for us. What memories. What stars! Johnny Carson would be there as soon the show came out to Burbank. I had to follow Ed McMahon to his hotel when he ended up hitchhiking out on Sunset one night. Hank Allen-bass...in the Al Reese Trio. I remember Big Eddy, Al, and Mort.

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    1. Jazz on Riverside DriveJanuary 2, 2023 at 9:23 AM

      Ed liked to party... 'As did I during this era, Ed was sitting one row behind me at Sinatra's Last concert at LAs Greek Theatre 'It was an Indelible Francis Albert Sinatra Greek Theatre evening

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  7. AnonymousMay 6, 2015 at 7:32 PM

    Great memories of Pak and Frankie who bartended there for years. A picture of Al Capone hung above the ladies toilet. We always began our night out on the strip there and usually ended up there later

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    1. Linda FridayNovember 15, 2015 at 11:57 PM

      I remember them well! Frankie was married to the head waitress, Martha. Other long-time waitresses were Linda (another Linda) and Paula. And the chef was a talented grouch named Clay.

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    2. Paula PicerniMay 20, 2017 at 12:45 PM

      Hi Linda...I remember those days well. So much fun, best times of my life. There's never been another place like it. It'd be great to catch up. I'll look you up on FB

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    3. CarolJuly 24, 2017 at 1:07 PM

      My mom worked there her name was Ellie. I remember her stories of this place fondly.

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    4. UnknownMarch 3, 2018 at 5:09 PM

      Paula--I just sent you a FB message. Carol: I remember your mom Ellie. I think she lived in Westchester.

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    5. UnknownJune 18, 2021 at 8:23 AM

      Hi there...my parents, Mario and Maria, also worked there. Clay and Martha were my godparents. I remember going in there thru the back door and my godfather making me a steak dinner. Wonderful memories.

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    6. Jazz on Riverside DriveJanuary 2, 2023 at 9:12 AM

      I'd often catch the opening set at the Whiskey... & then wander 1 door west to "Sneaky Pete's" at 8907 Sunset Blvd & often catch Jazz pianist, 'Art Graham, one super-talented Cat & Nice fellow who gigged at several clubs throughout LA's SFV & Beverly Hills & at 'Barnaby's in Manhattan Beach for a spell

      Delete
  8. UnknownJune 14, 2015 at 12:26 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. UnknownJune 14, 2015 at 12:29 AM

    My grandparents Allen and Charleen Abrams co-owned Sneaky Petes with Mort during the 1960s. I will post more photos of memorabilia.

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  10. UnknownJune 14, 2015 at 12:41 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. UnknownJune 14, 2015 at 12:49 AM

    http://sneakypeteshistory.blogspot.com/2015/06/blog-post_14.html

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  12. AnonymousJuly 10, 2015 at 4:45 PM

    What an amazing place that was. There's never been anything like it since...

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  13. AnonymousMarch 2, 2016 at 2:19 PM

    This was my spot and my era, so stumbling into this blog brought back a lot of memories (I have the menu framed on my wall as do several other friends). Clay (the grumpy chef) is long gone and Big Eddie (known to his friends after the death of Little Eddie simply as "Large") died three years ago. Big Eddie was also a semi-silent partner in the Whiskey and Elmer Valentine - the face and heart of the Whiskey - is long gone as well. The original Sneaky Pete (Pete Rooney owner of The Losers for those with long memories and the man who brought Lenny Bruce to Los Angeles) is alive and well, as is Eddie's ex-wife Francesca (his partner in Poupees de Paris for those with even longer memories). A friend married a vice-squad cop whose gig was to sit at the bar at Sneaky Pete's five days a week and take notes. Still says they were the best days of his life.

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  14. AnonymousApril 15, 2016 at 7:33 PM

    Hi Linda Friday and other Sneeky Pete's
    We are doing the estate sale of Frank & Martha Cohen in W. Hollywood at the end of April 2016.
    If anyone wants more information, you can contact me directly at: estatesalemandan@gmail.com
    See you there,
    Dan

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  15. UnknownAugust 17, 2016 at 9:24 AM

    Just acquired a wine list from Sneeky's. Not sure of year , but a bottle of Dom is $30

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  16. AnonymousNovember 16, 2016 at 8:12 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  17. Jeff PerrinJuly 5, 2018 at 11:26 AM

    I have 6 Sneeky Pete's ashtrays and a bunch of the red paper napkins that I'm about to put up on eBay if anyone is interested.

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  18. UnknownMarch 26, 2022 at 4:53 PM

    Anyone remember the incident one evening involving State ABC?

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  19. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2024 at 8:13 AM

    I was a 17 year old runaway from Boston in 1967 first time I did "Acid" walking between the Whiskey and Sneaky Pete's, they let me in, met Rod Serling from the Twilight Zone and Chuck Conners from the Riflemen. They bought me drinks. It turned into a nightmare but more than prepared me for Viet Nam now I'm alive and very wealthy. Actually, saw Chuck Connors at a restaurant in the Florida keys with his family in the 1980's.

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  20. AnonymousAugust 17, 2024 at 7:08 PM

    I have a sneaky petes ashtray with a red bottom. Always loved it...my name is Pete.

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