Week in Review : MAJOR EVENTS, IMAGES AND PEOPLE IN ORANGE COUNTY NEWS. : CITIES : Colorful Blue Beet Destroyed by Fire
It was one of Newport Beach’s most colorful watering holes, and it boasted an equally colorful name: The Blue Beet. But the 74-year-old bar and restaurant fell victim to a fire Friday morning that left only a gutted shell and memories of its lively past.
At one time, The Blue Beet had slot machines and an oak gambling table. Its antique bar was from the old gold-mining town of Cripple Creek, Colo.
In the 1960s, The Blue Beet was famous for poetry readings and live flamenco guitar music. Entertainers who appeared there included Steve Martin.
Fred Accuardi, owner of the restaurant, said it will be rebuilt. But many of the old decorations and furniture were lost in the blaze.
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