Support for LAist comes from
Become a sponsor
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Donate
Stay Connected

LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network.

Listen
Donate
Podcasts Take Two
It's last call for the King Eddy Saloon in Downtown LA
solid orange rectangular banner
()
Take Two Logo
Dec 14, 2012
Listen • 4:12
It's last call for the King Eddy Saloon in Downtown LA
The King Eddy Saloon in Downtown L.A. has been a watering hole for decades, once serving up drinks to writers like John Fante and Charles Bukowski. It's located on Skid Row and, in fact, it's the last bar there.
The King Eddy in Downtown Los Angeles. The Saloon will go under renovations after the summer of this year.
The King Eddy in Downtown Los Angeles. The Saloon will go under renovations after the summer of this year.
(
Andres Aguila/KPCC
)
The King Eddy has been sold to new ownership and will be closed for renovations in the coming months.
The King Eddy has been sold to new ownership and will be closed for renovations in the coming months.
(
Andrew Lopez
)
Irene Rivera has been working on and off at the King Eddy Saloon in Downtown Los Angeles for 18 years.
Irene Rivera has been working on and off at the King Eddy Saloon in Downtown Los Angeles for 18 years.
(
Andres Aguila/KPCC
)
A Customer sits at the end of the bar at the King Eddy Saloon in Downtown Los Angeles. The bar will temporarily close down for renovations after the summer this year.
A Customer sits at the end of the bar at the King Eddy Saloon in Downtown Los Angeles. The bar will temporarily close down for renovations after the summer this year.
(
Andres Aguila/KPCC
)
(
Andres Aguila/KPCC
)
A customer watches televison as he drinks his beer in King Eddy Saloon.
A customer watches televison as he drinks his beer in King Eddy Saloon.
(
Andres Aguila/KPCC
)
Rick Martinez drinks a sip from his beer at the King Eddy Saloon in Downtown Los Angeles.
Rick Martinez drinks a sip from his beer at the King Eddy Saloon in Downtown Los Angeles.
(
Andres Aguila/KPCC
)
Dustin Croick, the previous owner of the King Eddy Saloon.
Dustin Croick, the previous owner of the King Eddy Saloon.
(
Andres Aguila/KPCC
)
(Left to right) Previous King Eddy owner Dustin Croick enjoys a laugh with the new owners, Jonny Valenti and Michael Leko at the Downtown Los Angeles saloon.
(Left to right) Previous King Eddy owner Dustin Croick enjoys a laugh with the new owners, Jonny Valenti and Michael Leko at the Downtown Los Angeles saloon.
(
Andres Aguila/KPCC
)
Three generations of Croick men: King Eddy owner Dustin Croick stands with pictures of his father and grandfather.
Three generations of Croick men: King Eddy owner Dustin Croick stands with pictures of his father and grandfather.
(
Andres Aguila
)
A mural in the basement of the King Eddy Saloon, seen in 2012. The basement of the downtown Los Angeles bar was a speakeasy during Prohibition.
A mural in the basement of the King Eddy Saloon in Downtown Los Angeles. The basement was the location of a Speakeasy during the prohibition.
(
Andres Aguila/KPCC
)
Now filled with junk, the basement of the King Eddy Saloon served as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Circa 2012.
The basement of the King Eddy Saloon. The basement was the location of a Speakeasy during the prohibition.
(
Andres Aguila/KPCC
)
A photo of Babe Ruth hangs on the wall of the King Eddy Saloon.
A photo of Babe Ruth hangs on the wall of the King Eddy Saloon.
(
Andres Aguila/KPCC
)

The King Eddy Saloon in Downtown L.A. has been a watering hole for decades, once serving up drinks to writers like John Fante and Charles Bukowski. It's located on Skid Row and, in fact, it's the last bar there.

The King Eddy Saloon in Downtown L.A. has been a watering hole for decades, once serving up drinks to writers like John Fante and Charles Bukowski. It's located on Skid Row and, in fact, it's the last bar there.  

But the neighborhood is rapidly gentrifying and King Eddy's days are numbered. The California Report's Alex Schmidt has the story.