Huntington Beach : Golden Bear Nightclub Awaits Wrecking Ball

Orange County’s oldest nightclub, the Golden Bear, awaits the wrecking ball this week as demolition crews prepare to make way for an upscale hotel and new stores in its place.

The city’s decision to issue a demolition permit comes after months of public opposition to the landmark club’s destruction.

Doug Langevin, leader of the Committee to Save the Golden Bear, said Sunday, somewhat wistfully, “What can you do? I guess nothing much but hold a wake maybe.” Langevin said he expects wrecking crews to roll in early this week to begin tearing down the 57-year-old structure.

Located at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street, the Golden Bear is one of several buildings to be demolished as the city prepares for a massive redevelopment of the Main Street-pier area. An eight-story hotel, an underground parking garage and an eight-screen movie theater are planned for the site where the Bear now stands.

Once host to such musical celebrities as Bob Dylan, Cream and Janis Joplin, the Golden Bear closed in January after the club’s operators, who had filed for bankruptcy, were evicted by the property owners.

Although the building was deemed to have some historical significance, the city went ahead and issued the demolition permit. Huntington Pacifica Co., the partial owners and developers of the new complex, have promised to preserve the Golden Bear’s facade, including its painted chicken, cow heads and small gold bears.

Construction of the hotel, garage and theater will start this fall.