Ho Chi Minh Trail

Ho Chi Minh Trail, The Clubs
Long Beach, CA
Posted by: Rick Jordan
June 13, 1996

I might find the time to revisit these bars in the near future if there is any interest. Looks like a few of these may be KIA now.

RJ

This area of Long Beach is a mixed bag of trucker's motels, fast food joints, industrial buildings, gangs, poor residential neighborhoods, you name it. It can get a little rough at times, but anyone with a half ounce of street smarts can visit the bars without incident. Once inside, you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere without concern. Actually, there were 7 people shot in the local neighborhood not too long ago and as a result police patrols are almost non-stop making this one of the safest areas in Long Beach. Most of the bars hire a security guard to stand outside, at least on weekend nights.

Stay away from the Mexican bars which are stocked with delicious, slightly plump little senoritas, but they aren't worth the risk. There is a stabbing or a shooting regularly (might be their floor show) at the Mexican bar [La Sonora] up the street from Asian Nights on Santa Fe. There were two stabbings the last time I was there--two shows for the price of one. What a deal! You don't wait for the fat lady to sing--the end of the show is marked by a very spectacular light show, thanks to the many police and fire department vehicles that show up on cue.

So here are the remaining bars on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in no particular order. I may have left a couple off. Drop me a note and I'll visit them next time. You can expect inexpensive beer, the company of a sweet Asian woman for the price of a drink, and good conversation with other men in the club. Maybe even shoot some pool. Don't expect any hands-on entertainment. I'm not saying it doesn't happen. I'm just saying, don't expect it. LBPD has all of the club owners very very spooked right now.

Asian Nights
1830 Santa Fe Ave

3-4 dancers. Mostly Filipinas. Nelda or her husband Bill (owners) bartend. Friendly place. This is not one of the originals. It used to be a neighborhood bar called Carlos or something like that. The present owners bought it about 8 months ago, though they have lots of experience in the area. Parking along the street in front is ok. You can also park at the Winchells if you don't take the spaces right in front of their door. If you pick street parking, use PCH. I would not trust Santa Fe north of Asian Nights. BTW, they have a screen door which is usually kept locked. If it is, holler and someone will let you in.

Shanghai Mike's
1960 Santa Fe Ave

Most dancers. 12-15 a night. Excellent food, and it is free. Busiest club on the Trail these days. If you like things louder and more active, this is the place. Parking along the street or in their parking lot is reasonably safe and well lit.

Dragon Inn
Locust & Anaheim

Closer to downtown Long Beach. Frankly, I don't like the area, and there is nothing special about this place to warrant a visit.

Ace of Hearts
Santa Fe Ave & 16th

Very small dive, but 12-15 dancers. Thai, Vietnamese, Filipina girls. Can be fun and is worth the visit. Looks bad from the outside, but they have a security guard out front. Park along the street on either side. Side streets should be avoided at night.

Linda Lee's Barracuda
2368 Santa Fe

Sometimes 2-3 dancers. Local hangout mostly--pool tables are much busier than the girls. Linda Lee herself bartends.

Rooster Inn
1910 Willow Ave

Sometimes 3-4 girls. Nothing remarkable. Not worth the drive unless you are collecting matchbook covers or something.

Kim-Mi
329 Willow Ave

3-4 dancers. Lots of really old Asian women behind the bar. Very busy, but for the life of me I cannot figure out why.

McBride's
1811 Anaheim

Not really one of the originals. A hand lettered sign on the door promises "Asian Woman." That's good. But it also warns of "karaoke." Barf--I passed.

Kim Diamond's
2036 PCH

At one time this tiny bar boasted more than a dozen dancers. Now it occasionally will have 3-4 on a weekend night. It is not unusual to find only one. This was one of the wildest of the original bars and therefore drew the most heat from LBPD. Kind of a depressing place now. The girls seem more interested in socializing with each other. Still...the right night, the right clientele, the right mood...and this can be the place....