Go Fish Galvez

Balinese Room logo

Deep in the South of Texas not so long ago,
there on a crowded island in the Gulf of Mexico.
It didn’t take too much money, man, but it sure was nice.
You could dance all night if you felt all right, drinking whiskey and throwing dice.
And everybody knows it was hard to leave.
And everybody knows it was down at the Balinese.

“Balinese,” ZZ Top, Fandango!, 1975

Okay, so I’m fully aware that I’m dancing on a precipice here, to make this comment at all, because I realize that it’s probably de rigueur for me, as a native Texan, to reflexively adore hometown Houston band ZZ Top, right? (*yawn*)

Well, no, homies, not reflexively, no (I like the band but with a couple of caveats) so do take a powder and get over it.

Now, as a musician myself [and I refuse to use the term "former" because (a) I do still play on occasion and (b) "once gained, never lost" is my motto], I’m happy, thrilled almost, to give ZZ its long-bearded due for creating a huge wall of sound (no, not you, Phil “the infamous” Spector) from scant input (3 guys, 2 guitars, 1 drumset) and writing some really snappy tunes.

On the other hand, ZZ is an unapologetically sexist group, and I’ve always choked on that. Why not cut the sophomoric spew, boys? It wouldn’t make you a better band but it would make you more decent human beings. Anyhow, whatever, thanks for the bluesy licks.

But back to the Balinese (and hello, self, wasn’t that the whole point of this post?). Yes, we were talking about that famous, even infamous, certainly legendary, Galveston treasure, the one and only Balinese Room!

This once premier place-to-be and place-to-be-seen, whose headliners and patrons ranged from Frank Sinatra and George Burns to Howard Hughes and Sophie Tucker, is underused and once again for sale.

Although purchased some years back and restored by Houston attorney Scott Arnold, the Balinese Room appears to be closed more often than not—I spent several days in Galveston back in March and never could get in—and when it’s open it appears to be used mostly for the bar facilities or occasional rock ‘n roll venue. What a pity.

All the hard work has been done. The only thing this old gal needs to shine and sparkle again is a little respect (with a nod to Aretha) and perhaps a handsome young dance partner in the form of a first-class, five-star, fresh-air restaurant.

Just imagine the sleek supper club reincarnate: the cool Gulf breezes, exotic and colorful Tiki decor, fresh blue crab with sauteed prawns, and, of course, those sweet and refreshing Singapore Slings, with the little umbrellas for garnish. Now wouldn’t that make Old Blue Eyes smile? Oh, yeah, baby!