Digging through old negatives the other day, I came across a batch of scratchy, poorly preserved color negatives of Kelbo’s Restaurant. In the early 1980’s I moved into a bungalow behind Kelbo’s in West Los Angeles. At that time, Kelbo’s was one of the last great post war tiki-style Polynesian restaurants left in Los Angeles or perhaps the world. I recall seeing another Kelbo’s on Fairfax, across from Farmer’s Market, but that joint was demolished a few days later, before I could snap a shot of it.
I had a sense that Kelbo’s wasn’t long for this world. There were never many folks inside drinking or eating whereas the S.F. Saloon, LA’s first fern bar just a block away, was always hopping.
Through the haze of time and booze, this is what I recall of the inside of Kelbo’s: thatched booths wrapped in bambo with a dramatic back lite plastic cocktail menu at the far end displaying Kelbo’s signature tiki-inspired rum drinks in wondrous colors of green, purple, fiery red & blue; tropical fish tanks on the backside of the bar; bartenders dressed like modern day Trader Joe’s employees; greasy sugary ribs that people loved; a round dance floor in the back with spinning disco ball and a circle on the ceiling resembling the edge of a half coconut.
Luckily I snapped some shots of the outside, otherwise I would have never recalled the odd murals were painted on the doors & stucco. A few years later, Kelbo’s was sold, stripped of its soul and turned into Fantasy Island, a strip club which is how the building continues to function today. I imagine the strippers dancing beneath that coconut shell, working on the same floor once inhabited by spry seniors cutting a rug. I’m certain the fish tanks & glowing menus are long buried deep in a landfill.
These murals were on the parking lot side of the building. They are painted in a film negative black & white look that some have found oddly racist looking.
A few of the doors, one a black & white negative of the other.
Who were the artists who created the murals? Not sure about the guys from Genius Inc but Carolyn Dulay is a graphic artist proud of her work at Kelbo’s.
Notice the integration of the restaurant’s electric panel into the tropical look.
Explore more Kelbo’s history and photos at Old Los Angeles Restaurants and Tiki Central. Huli pau!
stripeycity 
Thank you for this! I first went to Kelbo’s as a 5th grader for my school chum’s b/d party in the 60s and carried on the annual tradition of choosing Kelbo’s for my birthday dinner every year to my 24th! Including my college graduation lunch! It still breaks my heart these nearly 40 yrs on, knowing what happened to the place. But thank you again for this! Now if I could just find the original Flaming Scorpion Bowl recipe, because NOBODY makes a Scorpion like Kelbo’s did! ❤
While reminiscing about my engagement with my children, we fondly remembered an evening in 1972 when my husband proposed to me over a flaming Mai Tai with two long straws. This is a great article to think back over that evening of love. Still married 43 years later! ❤️ Might need to reenact a restaurant style reception at our 50th! Thank you for your article.
Carol, thank YOU for sharing your lovely memory! Hope you are able to reenact it for your milestone anniversary. Cheers!
Found a copycat recipe for the ribs
Still looking for the salad dressing!
http://www.perspectives-la.com/6/post/2020/08/100th-edition-customs-house-restaurants-100000-ribs.html
I still love Kelbos although it GONE! There is a vacant lot where this Icon used to stand. I had to stand by while it aged, not so gracefully, until the end! My memories of Kelbos would fill a thousand web pages.
Look at the bright side Armando– at least you had a chance to experience Kelbo’s! Would love to hear some of those memories…