Gulfgate Underground Bar

[AllendaleEstates]

I'm wondering if anyone knows about an underground bar that was located at Gulfgate Mall?

I worked at the mall around 1989/90 and when we took out the trash for the day we would unlock a door within our tenant space, walk down two levels of stairs, unlock another door and come out in a long hallway that lead to a dock where the trash was picked up. Off this hallway were several rooms which held old storage racks and mannequins for other stores. There was one door down there that had signage indicating that it was a bar. Maybe it was at some point, but I can't remember ever seeing patrons down there. As if the old mannaquins weren't creepy enough, on our trip down we were faced with cobwebs, one or two lights flickering and a terrible sewage stench. My employer (The Limited) made us walk in pairs to take the trash out.

The Limited's location was near the center of the mall. I don't think that this supposed bar would have anything to do with the bowling alley.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this bar or these creepy areas beneath the mall?

[ricco67]

I was a constant visitor to that mall, and the only underground component I can recall was the bowling alley you mentioned. i was young at the time, so I don't remember if they sold beer or liquor there.

It could be that a group of employees "created" a bar downstairs during their off hours. As weird as that mall was, I wouldn't doubt if that was the case. The popular hangout for quite a few employees (and local high schoolers) was Spanky's across the street.

[Vertigo58]

I'm wondering if anyone knows about an underground bar that was located at Gulfgate Mall?

I worked at the mall around 1989/90 and when we took out the trash for the day we would unlock a door within our tenant space, walk down two levels of stairs, unlock another door and come out in a long hallway that lead to a dock where the trash was picked up. Off this hallway were several rooms which held old storage racks and mannequins for other stores. There was one door down there that had signage indicating that it was a bar. Maybe it was at some point, but I can't remember ever seeing patrons down there. As if the old mannaquins weren't creepy enough, on our trip down we were faced with cobwebs, one or two lights flickering and a terrible sewage stench. My employer (The Limited) made us walk in pairs to take the trash out.

The Limited's location was near the center of the mall. I don't think that this supposed bar would have anything to do with the bowling alley.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this bar or these creepy areas beneath the mall?

Take a look at all subjects under East End. There are several that discuss the bowling alley. It was big and very crowded had several or at least one big bar. Those flight of stairs leading up/down were a consant flow of visitors. There were always tournaments, parties, etc. People were always waiting outside the top of the stairs for car rides and stuff, including me when I worked as a teen at Wilson's Jeweler's in the mall. My last visit inside the bowling alley was funny enough having a few cold ones at that bar around 1981. It closed shortly after. Could you imagine a bowling alley there now? Not.

[crunchtastic]

Gulfgate got some air time yesterday on channel 13, a piece on the East End mgmt district and Precint 6 partnership to put in a storefront and patrols, resulting in the lowest crime incidence of any mall in Houston. I don't know if there should be some distinction between a 'mall', like the Galleria or Memorial City, and a shopping center, like Gulfgate. And, wouldn't it be much easier to manage crime in surface lots than parking garages?

Greenspoint, to no one's surpise, topped the list. Don't they have an HPD storefront inside the mall? Perhaps they don't have patrols.

Edited December 7, 2007 by crunchtastic

[musicman]

the security at most malls is lax because they tend to be private security vs constable provided service

[GlenBrookValley]

Back in the late 1950's and early 60's there was a club called the"Club Gulfgate". It was in the days that you could not sell mixed drinks unless you were a private club so everyone would have to have a "membership". It was underground basically across the parking lot from the bowling alley. My Dad was the manager of the Singer Sewing Machine Co. store so I spent a lot of time at Gulfgate. There also was a music store called Holland Music and I took guitar lessons there that were given in the basement. I remember my parents going to hear one of our relatives, Smokey Wood, known as the "Houston Hipster" play piano in the club.

[houstonartstudent]

I noticed driving by the Marq-E the other day that they placed one of these "police satellite locations"...now all they need are all the stores that left already

And on the note of the actual topic, I'm not from the area, but I'm sure the bar was part of the bowling alley like others previously stated

[AllendaleEstates]

Back in the late 1950's and early 60's there was a club called the"Club Gulfgate". It was in the days that you could not sell mixed drinks unless you were a private club so everyone would have to have a "membership". It was underground basically across the parking lot from the bowling alley. My Dad was the manager of the Singer Sewing Machine Co. store so I spent a lot of time at Gulfgate. There also was a music store called Holland Music and I took guitar lessons there that were given in the basement. I remember my parents going to hear one of our relatives, Smokey Wood, known as the "Houston Hipster" play piano in the club.

Thanks for the information. "Club Gulfgate" could have well been the space that I was trying to get information on. Like I said, I don't believe that this particular area in question had anything to do with the bowling alley. There was some distance from the bowling alley to where our tenant space was located (more near where they set up the kid's train inside the mall).

[Vertigo58]

Since we are on the subject of Gulfgate underground, the loading dock they had going under the whole center was very large. I vaguely recall going down the elevator to loading dock under Wilson's Jeweler's Dept Store where I worked and watching delivery truck pull up. The dock was very big and I never got to see how far or deep it went under the mall. Now seems very mysterious to think about.

Wish others that commented about Gulfgate could solve this delivery/time tunnel mystery?

[brerrabbit]

The tunnel under the mall went to all the stores. There were three entrance/exits. One was by 610/Holmes Road basically right under the bridge to the movie theatres. Another was next to the lower level of Joskees and looked like it went right under Sakowitz. The third and final entrance was behind the old Weingartens next to the bank. They all connected under the mall and had loading docks for all the stores. Also included in the underground portion of the mall was a bowling alley, Dentist offices, an auditorium, and several stores actually had part of their stores down there. Grants had a downstairs, Joskees had a lower level, and I think the banks vault was down there. Weingartens restrooms were also on the lower level. One of my favorite places was Mize's bakery and sandwich shop. It was a really small place wedged between Weingartens and the Bank. THey made great sandwiches and I ate there a lot when I worked at Joskees.

[texianjoe]

Since we are on the subject of Gulfgate underground, the loading dock they had going under the whole center was very large. I vaguely recall going down the elevator to loading dock under Wilson's Jeweler's Dept Store where I worked and watching delivery truck pull up. The dock was very big and I never got to see how far or deep it went under the mall. Now seems very mysterious to think about.

Wish others that commented about Gulfgate could solve this delivery/time tunnel mystery?

The tunnel was one way and started on the side of Sakowits and came out under the Gulfgate sign by the pedestrian overpass. In between the were loading docks for all the major stores and some of the small ones. It could accomadate a large box truck. I don't remember but I don't think it was big enough for 18 wheelers. We would lose people when playing cb hide and seek and other chase games back in the 70s by going under the tunnel and coming out on the 610 feeder do a quick u turn and going 610 or 45 south.

joe

joe

[Vertigo58]

Thanks everyone!

Wouldn't it have seemed like somewhat of a man-made marvel in it's day, that this could have been built?

There must have been tons and tons of earth either moved or brought in to build this thing in what 1957-ish? The fact that Gulfgate was high above like a hilltop is what made it stand out. Just outside of the bowling alley doors (and Picadilly cafeteria) was that hill with a seperate little building which I assumed were admin offices for Gulfgate? or a credit union or something?

Gulfgate general offices were housed upstairs somewhere I think? Once in a rare moment you could see someone above all the shoppers. Mysterious offices they seemed. People or security gaurds appear out of nowhere especially above where Santa was seated below. That wide open seating area.

I remember calling the main offices every now to check for certain stores hours. Teenagers duties you know. Maybe offices were secret.

[gnu]

Thanks everyone!

Wouldn't it have seemed like somewhat of a man-made marvel in it's day, that this could have been built?

There must have been tons and tons of earth either moved or brought in to build this thing in what 1957-ish? The fact that Gulfgate was high above like a hilltop is what made it stand out.

and don't forget that Plum Creek was also burried under Gulfgate too.

[Vertigo58]

and don't forget that Plum Creek was also burried under Gulfgate too.

That is bizarre. I think it was in an aerial pic someone posted in other topic. It was so strange not seeing a 610 there as well.

No one ever verified if the "live doberman's" running around inside Joskes (for security at night) was a myth or not? I heard that from big bro and many other people that grew here. Some on this forum claimed the same deal.

[MidtownCoog]

That is bizarre. I think it was in an aerial pic someone posted in other topic. It was so strange not seeing a 610 there as well.

No one ever verified if the "live doberman's" running around inside Joskes (for security at night) was a myth or not? I heard that from big bro and many other people that grew here. Some on this forum claimed the same deal.

I thought the "live dobermans" were in Sakowitz, not Joskees.

I thought I remember the toy department at Wilson (or was is Service) being in the basement.

[brerrabbit]

My Mother worked for Joskees for 37 years and I can assure you the live dobermans were not in Joskees. However according to her they did have live dogs for security at Sakowitz. I remember when I was around 14 seeing the signs on the windows. It stated that the store was protected by dogs. I'm not sure if they were allowed to roam free or if the company that had the security contract actually had dogs. Kind of like the HPD canine (K-9) patrol cars do.

[Vertigo58]

My Mother worked for Joskees for 37 years and I can assure you the live dobermans were not in Joskees. However according to her they did have live dogs for security at Sakowitz. I remember when I was around 14 seeing the signs on the windows. It stated that the store was protected by dogs. I'm not sure if they were allowed to roam free or if the company that had the security contract actually had dogs. Kind of like the HPD canine (K-9) patrol cars do.

I meant Sakowitz, sorry. So then it was true. What fueled the story was a popular film at the Cinema across the frwy around that time (1972). Called The Doberman Gang! Yowee!

[Vertigo58]

I thought the "live dobermans" were in Sakowitz, not Joskees.

I thought I remember the toy department at Wilson (or was is Service) being in the basement.

There was a toy dept in the basement as customers came down the escalator it was to your left, however this was BEFORE it was Wilson's Jewelers. I still remember the day I heard from a girlfriend in HS that they were hiring. There was a big sign in front. In any case, Wilsons was a new concept. You saw an item you wanted to buy on the shelf or behind glass, jotted down the stock number on ticket, was sent down a clear chute (like at bank drive thru) we below hanging around opened the container and pulled the item off shelf. Then placed on an moving conveyor belt which carried the item up to the top where upon a clerk would ring up the customer. This crazy conveyor belt contraption was installed exactly on top of the former escalator. The whole basment pretty much became just the place to price items and stock on shelves, no more customers below. This new concept bit the dust after about 3 years? Then place became Service Merchandise. Will never forget how one of our managers got busted placing a big TV set in the tunnel for one of his buddies to come pick up, HPD was ready to pick them both up immediately after. Even security gaurds joined in the act. The place was pure lunacy, but funny considering it was the late 70's.

[foxmulder]

When i was 16 i was a temp at Rainbow(next to tilt, then moved next/close to Electronic Boutique) The Rainbow located next to tilt and the shoe store had a basement to the left, A huge basement but never saw a door for "outside access"

[isuredid]

One of my favorite places was Mize's bakery and sandwich shop. It was a really small place wedged between Weingartens and the Bank. THey made great sandwiches and I ate there a lot when I worked at Joskees.

I always made a point of going to Mize's Bakery for a sandwich whenever I went to Gulfgate. They had some kind of steam heat contraption they would put the sandwich in to heat them up and melt the cheese. I guess it made the bread tastes fresher too. I wouldn't mind having one right now.

Edited December 28, 2007 by isuredid

[JuliaBOldLady]

My Mother worked for Joskees for 37 years and I can assure you the live dobermans were not in Joskees. However according to her they did have live dogs for security at Sakowitz. I remember when I was around 14 seeing the signs on the windows. It stated that the store was protected by dogs. I'm not sure if they were allowed to roam free or if the company that had the security contract actually had dogs. Kind of like the HPD canine (K-9) patrol cars do.

Joskees and Sakowitz were the place to be in those days. You are correct that it was Sakowitz that had the dogs. There in the mall was Ones-a- Meal, the underground bowling alley and bar.

[JuliaBOldLady]

I know I am late responding to this topic but there was an underground bar and bowling alley  at Gulfgate along with Gulfgate State Bank, Sakowitz, Joskees, One's a Meal and several other shops. Joskees had a (I can remember the name of it) modeling program to teach young ladies how to behave in public, wear their clothes, walk properly etc. They had a fashion show that went with it. Across the street was Frizell's Pontiac and on the corner was Globe Department store which later became K-Mart.

 

[msteele6]

There was a club at Gulfgate that was underground (not a part of the bowling alley). It was located right next to the flagpole next to Joske's.

 

This topic was brought up in the section on the East End under the topic "Old Gulfgate Mall".

 

There is a picture there showing the area in which the club was located.

[anthonytexas]

Went down to that bowling lane many times as a teenager and would bowled when the worker wasn't looking.

[ggmsmolly]

I was secretary to the Manager of Joske's, Warren Benedict, at Gulfgate Mall in the late 60s and the old  underground establishment that I remember was a bowling alley.  Mack Newberry was the Mall General Manager.  Tim Collins was the PR Manager of Gulfgate.

[John Terrazas]

I was born in 1975 and lived off linden street and fondly remember gulfgate as a kid. Does anyone know where we can see photos of the area from that time ? I would love to see them. I remember a big two story church with a tall steeple near that area as well.

[ggmsmolly]

I worked at Gulfgate in the mid to late 60s at Joske's as secretary to the store manager. I would hear the store managers talk about the club when they would meet at our store for mall meetings. I never went there but according to them, it was a great hangout.

[chrispy]

On 9/27/2019 at 12:55 AM, John Terrazas said:

I was born in 1975 and lived off linden street and fondly remember gulfgate as a kid. Does anyone know where we can see photos of the area from that time ? I would love to see them. I remember a big two story church with a tall steeple near that area as well.

My cousin Heath Sotomayor also lived on Linden St- would be your age, maybe a year younger. 

[David West]

On 9/28/2019 at 1:22 PM, ggmsmolly said:

I worked at Gulfgate in the mid to late 60s at Joske's as secretary to the store manager. I would hear the store managers talk about the club when they would meet at our store for mall meetings. I never went there but according to them, it was a great hangout.

I taught guitar at H & H music @1975-76. Took over the job from Joe Maines. Grew up in Garden Villas on Dillon. I remember Gulfgate and Mize Bakery well. Dad used to love going to the Piccadilly. He shopped at Norman’s I believe. Great memories.