In the summer of 1974, after months of searching locations for their dream bar, Dave Hodges and Greg Gilholm bought the old Quonset hut on Cedros Avenue that still houses their dream today. The Belly Up Tavern opened on September 28, 1974 — Dave’s birthday. He chose its name in response to naysayers who predicted that the venture would fail.
On September 28 this year — declared “Belly Up Day” — Solana Beach City Council members, state and U.S. representatives and singer Jason Mraz celebrated the Belly Up’s 50th anniversary. Joining the founder on the stage were Belly Up co-owners Steve Goldberg and Phil Berkowitz, who purchased the Tavern from Hodges in July, 2003.
In the early years, it was just a small bar, initially licensed only to sell beer and wine. The bar featured red felt-covered pool tables, checkered tables for playing chess and checkers, foosball and pinball machines and the first ever pong game in California, according to the timeline on the Belly Up website. Where there now is a stage, there were ping pong tables. Those were removed on February 18, 1976, when the tavern hosted its first musical act — a bluegrass band called Squatters Last Rights. Later that year, Hodges built a small stage from scrap materials left by the space’s prior tenant — a failed waterbed manufacturer. Surf-rock guitarist Dick Dale was the first national act to appear at the new venue.
In 1977, Hodges created the huge paper mache shark that still hangs above the bar today. A slideshow about the shark’s creation is included in a timeline at BellyUp.com.
Through the rest of the 1970s and even during the early ’80s disco craze, the club featured mostly blues, bluegrass and rock ‘n’ roll bands, as well as Dixieland jazz acts. Among the early performers there was Etta James, who returned often over the next 30 years. When her mobility became impaired, the club installed a hydraulic lift to help the blues and soul vocal legend get on and off stage.
Over time, Belly Up enterprises grew to include a recording studio, a record label and the Hodges-financed Falk & Morrow Talent, which occupied an office suite next door. The agency booked all the local, regional, national and international artists who performed at the club, including Buddy Guy, who first performing there in 1985.
Other ’80s acts included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mick Fleetwood, the Neville brothers and George Clinton. In the 1990s, Curtis Mayfield and No Doubt took the stage, among many others. The Wild Note Cafe opened in 1997; it was remodeled and reopened as The Tavern in 2021. By then, the small bar had grown to a 7,500 square foot, world-renowned live music venue, attracting acts that could sell out a stadium.
During its third decade, featured performers included the Black Eyed Peas, Tom Jones, the B52s, and B. B. King.
British Prince Harry took in a show by Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe in 2011. Willie Nelson performed in July 2012; Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band in 2013.
Also that year, KPBS launched “Life at the Belly Up” to air live shows. The following year, Snoop Dogg was among the headliners. In 2015, Foo Fighters, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett took the stage. And who can forget when the Rolling Stones rolled into town?
In May 2015, the band performed a “secret” show to raise money for immuno-therapy cancer research. The club created a jogging track in the rear parking lot so Mick Jagger could warm up before the show.
During COVID shutdowns, the Belly Up live-streamed music world-wide “to help ease the angst felt by live music deprived fans.”
Since its founding, some 30 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees have performed at the Belly Up, according to an anniversary ode to the club penned by long-time San Diego Union Tribune entertainment writer George Varga. Saxophonist Denson, who lives in Encinitas and tours with the Stones, told Varga that the Belly Up is “my favorite venue in the nation.”
Read George Varga’s tribute here.
Boo-Boo had been looking forward to the Historical Society’s Halloween party all month. He had never been to one before, and was excited to dress up in his best white sheet.
Jackie o’Lantern was feeling excited as she made her way to the community center by the sea. It was the earliest Halloween party of the season, and Jackie loved nothing more than dressing up and celebrating with her friends.
The Jinx attended the earliest Halloween party of the season, at a community center by the sea. It was two days before the full moon and the days might finally start to get chilly. The Jinx was excited to attend his first Halloween party, but he was also nervous. What would he wear? He had no idea what costumes humans wore. He decided to go as himself and flew to the party in a cloud of dark smoke.
Obscuro was getting excited for the upcoming Halloween party. It would be his first one of the season, and he was looking forward to dressing up in his favorite costume. He had white latex skin that made his face look like a mask, so he always stuck out in a crowd. But that was exactly why he loved going to Halloween parties- he loved the opportunity to show off his unique look.
Lucius Morte had never been to a Halloween party before. He had always been too busy tormenting the damned in the 4th level of hell to bother with earthly celebrations. But this year, he was feeling particularly restless and decided to venture out into the world of mortals. He found a community center by the sea that was hosting a Halloween party and decided to attend.
Vespera was so excited to go to the Halloween party. It was at a community center by the sea, and it would be her first party in a long time! She had been practicing her mime and charade skills for weeks, and she was determined to show everyone how good she was.
Gourdy Bane was very excited to attend the earliest Halloween party of the season. It was being held at a community center by the sea, and he loved the sound of waves crashing against the shore. When he arrived, he saw that the party was already in full swing. There were pumpkins everywhere, and people were dressed in costumes. Gourdy Bane saw a couple of gourds wearing pirate costumes, and he couldn’t help but laugh. He loved Halloween parties, and he was having a great time dancing to the music and eating candy.
Morrigana was very excited to attend the Halloween party at the community center by the sea. It was two days before the full moon, and the days were finally starting to get chilly. Morrigana had been working on her Halloween outfit all year long, and she was looking forward to showing it off.
William Wisp had been looking forward to the community center’s Halloween party all month long. It was going to be two days before the full moon, and he loved the smell of fall in the air (cinnamon and pumpkin spice). His Halloween costume was all ready to go, and he was excited to show it off to all of his friends. This year, he was dressed as a pumpkin. His little orange boots matched his little pumpkin body perfectly.
Mr. Creepers was all dressed up and ready to go to the community center by the sea for the earliest Halloween party of the season. It had been a long time since he’d been out and about, but he was feeling young at heart and ready to have some fun. He loved the black 1940s coat that he had found at a thrift store and felt confident that he would be the most stylish person at the party.
The Frankster had always loved Halloween. He loved the costumes, the candy, and most of all, the parties. This year, he was especially excited for the party at the community center by the sea. It was two days before the full moon, and he could feel a tiny bit of a cool autumn breeze in the air.
Wooblydook was really excited to attend the Halloween party at the community center by the sea. He had never been to one before, and he was looking forward to kale pulling and making neep lanterns. The party was two days before the full moon, and Wooblydook was hoping it would start to get chilly soon. He loved being out in the cold and feeling his bat-like ears flap in the wind.
As the sun began to set, the community center by the sea came to life. Lights flickered on, announcing that the earliest Halloween party of the season was about to start. A golden sun slowly rose in the sky, growing brighter and brighter as it got closer to the horizon. As it reached its peak, people whispered: this sun only came out at night. It was the Midnight Sun.