This striking menu cover was from The Circus Room restaurant in Long Beach, California.

Run by Fred Horshorn, a restaurateur who also owned the famed Victor Hugo’s Inn and the Hurley Bell in Corona Del Mar, it was one of the beach city’s swankier places to eat.

Byron Wolfe was the resident pianist in the 1950s, and there was also gambling – though we’re not sure if that was official or illicit. We found court records mentioning this fact.

Steaks and seafood were on the menu and some celebrities visited including comedian Eddie Cantor (1892-1964) and – to quote the Long Beach Independent- stars from ‘filmeville’ aka Hollywood.

We believe this menu cover, featuring a clown, is from the 1950s. 

Courtesy Private Collection.