The Penthouse Night Club—an unusual venue for a Vancouver Branch event? This iconic destination was home to famous personalities such as Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong among many others and has a history going back to the 1940's when British Columbia's liquor laws were even more draconian than today. Back in the day, this bottle club boasted spotters on the roof with warnings of impending raids and pigeonholes under the table for guests to hide bottles of the dreaded beverages.
Our members and guests were treated to a hugely interesting and informative tour of the back rooms and secrets of the Penthouse by current owner Danny Filippone following which we enjoyed a typical Italian meal of Mama Filippone's delicious spaghetti and meatballs with excellent entertainment by Cabaret Torlage. Our beverages? Instead of bathtub gin, we enjoyed Road 13's Honest John Red and Stemwinder White – perfect for the occasion and a great time was had by all!
Our thanks go to long-time member Vern Campbell for organizing this highly enjoyable event, and to our Penthouse hosts, owner Danny Filippone, retired detective of the Vancouver Police Department Grant MacDonald, and Aaron Chapman, author of the best-selling history of the Penthouse, "Liquor, Lust and the Law".
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