The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Apr 16 - 07:10 PM

The Blue Grotto on Fairfax was my hang-out (when not on the Strip). Foster ran it and was a dear. Remember the coffin? The bathroom wall full of graffiti? Best burgers. And yes, as someone mentioned, The Great Mandela" (Peter, Paul and Mary) seemed to ALWAYS be playing.

I don't see a lot of names in these posts. I went by "Lady Jane" in those days (Jenny). I hung out with a lot of folks -- but off the top of my head, Mick (who looked a LOT like Jagger), Mouse, his trusty side-kick with the coolest leather fringed coat that I made him loan to me as much as I could -- Jingles --- Wes -- Crusader Rabbit (Janice) -- Joey (female)....... You?

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Arlie
Date: 09 Dec 15 - 01:03 AM

Here is a blog page about the Blue Grotto I just googled:
http://penneysplace.stormpages.com/grotto/grotto.htm

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Arlie
Date: 09 Dec 15 - 12:29 AM

Hi Lin,
Sorry it is jahone at earthling dot net (I don't use it much in case it gets spammed.)

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 08 Dec 15 - 09:49 PM

To Guest Arlie:

I tried to send you an email at the address you provided on your post on Dec. 08, 2015. I knew what it was supposed to be with the way you wrote it but it came back "Unable to deliver."
I sent it to jahjan at earthling dot net.   I figured out what I think it should be but is earthling not actually earthling when you type it out? Everything else I knew what you meant on the address.

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 08 Dec 15 - 08:19 PM

I would still like to get in touch with Kevin who posted a message in July 2015 regarding the Blue Grotto. Kevin, if you see this how can I get in touch with you? (Regarding the journals)

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Arlie
Date: 08 Dec 15 - 03:05 PM

BTW, I'd love people familiar with this period and Foster to contact me jahjan at earthling dot net !

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Arlie
Date: 08 Dec 15 - 03:00 PM

I just came across a business card that Foster Carter had made up for his "Foster's Blue Grotto Astrology House featuring Health Foods, 1038 N. Fairfax, Hollywood".
Foster was an integral part of the life of me and my baby-father during the year or so he had the place. My SO and Foster used to go in the kitchen area, smoke heavily all sorts of substances, drink spirits, have long conversations about everything. Foster was an amazing person, he always wore a long hair black wig, and his SO was my best friend. She painted their whole apartment in psychedelic designs, it was wonderful to trip in!
Later, after Foster and his lady (I forgot her name) left the coffehouse biz, they bought an rv or bus and we met up with them in the Haight; both of us women were pregnant. My son is now 47 so their daughter would be the same age. We lost touch after that.
There was a massage parlor next door that eventually got busted for prostitution.

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 10 Jul 15 - 02:42 AM

To Guest Kevin who posted on July 8, 2015

Is there any way I can get in touch with you? I used to hang out at the Blue Grotto all the time. I would love to find out more about the journals you mentioned and if there are any photographs or drawings of the Blue Grotto (either the outside of the building or inside) I remember walking down a narrow walkway to get into the doors of the coffeehouse. What ever happened to Foster?

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 09 Jul 15 - 12:53 AM

To Guest Kevin:

Oh my gosh, your wife knew Foster?? I would love to know more about these journals and are there any photographs of the inside or outside of the Blue Grotto Coffeehouse? It would mean the world to me to find out from you about this.

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Kevin
Date: 08 Jul 15 - 02:51 PM

My wife knows all about the Blue Grotto. She worked there in the 60's and knew Foster. She still has some of Fosters journals that he gave her.

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Richard Selinkoff
Date: 24 Jun 15 - 03:15 PM

As I remember it was way to the east of Fairfax, over by Western or Wilton, not far from the Hollywood Freeway -- Maybe on Melrose, I think. I do know that it was on the turf of the Rampart St Stations cops, who busted me (illegally - part of a shake-down) in front of it in 1969.

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Linda
Date: 17 Sep 14 - 01:45 AM

To Sherry:

It did move on Melrose for awhile after it was first on Fairfax Ave. (south of Santa Monica Blvd.) It was on Melrose in the late 60s' about 1969 and not far from Los Angeles City College.
It was about 5 or 6 blocks west of Vermont Ave. and you actually entered through the door on the side street (off of Melrose)

However it was totally different (atmosphere) on Melrose then when it was first located on Fairfax Ave. Did you ever go to the Fairfax Ave. location? It was so much nicer when it was on Fairfax.
A guy named Foster ran it. Don't know if that was his first or his last name though. Do you remember him?
Do you remember many of the people who hung out there (either location?)

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Sherry
Date: 17 Sep 14 - 12:35 AM

I remember it being on Melrose and it was a hangout where you could have your Tarot cards read and just talk.

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Linda - Guest
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 01:04 AM

Hello Mary Katherine:

I believe the Garret was on Fairfax south of Santa Monica Blvd. (not Melrose) on the west side of the street. The Blue Grotto was on Fairfax on the east side and about a block north of the Garret location. I can try though to post information on the Garret website. However, I think it was a different crowd, older who went to hear established singers at the Garret. The Blue Grotto was just a hang out (no music booked at all) and people (younger crowd) teens and early 20's mostly (a few older ones there)too. Jukebox at the Blue Grotto.

I remember once going to the Garret and it was a totally different scene and crowd. Quite a bit older crowd at the Garret and just really much different environment. Not that it was bad or anything but I felt really out of place there at 15 & 16 years old.
Ran across the street and up the block a bit back to the Blue Grotto.

Subject: RE: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Mary Katherine
Date: 17 Jun 14 - 10:41 PM

I dimly remember that name - but - if you get no other replies I have a suggestion. There was a coffeehouse, also on N. Fairfax Avenue but half a block south of Melrose, called The Garret, owned by Terrea Lea. The Garret had a lot of regulars who were on the folk music scene at that time, and if you Google the Garret you'll come to a web site where many ex customers and ex employees contribute information. A posting there might get you some information. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Subject: The Blue Grotto Coffeehouse Los Angeles
From: GUEST,Linda
Date: 17 Jun 14 - 04:12 PM

Does anyone remember the Blue Grotto Coffeehouse in Los Angeles? It was located on N. Fairfax Ave. and about 1/2 block south of Santa Monica Blvd. This was during the late 1960's and run/managed by a guy called, Foster. Never knew his last name. We were teenagers and used to go there on the weekends and even on school nights sometimes. It was not a venue for any known artists to perform but just a coffeehouse where you could bring your guitar and sing in the back room, drink coffee, eat cookies and listen to the jukebox.

You had to walk down this narrow pathway to get into the door on the side of the coffeehouse. They had a jukebox that always seemed to be playing, "The Great Mandella" by Peter, Paul & Mary, "House of the Rising Sun" by the Animals or different Donovan songs. The tables all had candles on them and room was on the dark side. Thank God, no cell phone chatter in those days!

After leaving the main room you stepped into a very small dark room with a blue light only. Then the back room had a pool table and chairs where someone would be strumming a guitar and singing for a few people. Nothing formal but just very laid back. If anyone remembers this place or has any photographs, of inside or outside of coffeehouse please reply. It closed down in late 60's or early 70's and moved to a new location on Melrose Ave. near LACC. It wasn't the same anymore and then that place closed down sometime in the 1970's. I did try to Google to find anything and although there is mention of the coffeehouse, there really wasn't that much information and no photographs that I could find of the Blue Grotto. I think one lady mentioned about being there, I did not know who she was. Other then that not too much to be found so I am hoping someone living in Los Angeles, Hollywood area will remember this place.