We had such a good time on our prior tour that we decided to take on another one. This time with…read moremore friends in tow. Word of mouth is definitely one of the ways that these tours garner more people on each tour. Our tour guide for this evening was David and he was so welcoming and knowledgeable on the tour that our tour that evening went on a bit longer than it should have. I chalk that up to everyone on the tour being enthralled by the history and the many questions we all had. Plus David took time to go a little more in depth for the tour. As you can see, our tour was of the Red Light District of Galveston. This tour gave me more insight into how Galveston was in earlier times and how that shaped the way Galveston was shaped. Where we were in the city definitely embraces the red light portion of it. Some businesses paid homage to the area and the significance it played in shaping the city. Where you start your tour is basically where the Port of Galveston once stood for the many military ships that would drop anchor here and the many sailors would start their journey into town. As the name suggests, this area was exactly what it was and the buildings still bear signs of that time. Many of them have upper balcony areas which allowed for the working ladies to work. We made our way through the area to notable businesses that have been in the area a while. So much so that they have markers on the building to let you know where water levels were during past hurricanes. We were also informed about what the Blue Light District was. I had no idea about this, but that refers to the section in the city that catered to those looking for working men for some same sex fun. Learn something new every day. While this tour focuses on the Red Light District, we walked and got a lot of information and history on other things around the island as well. Some topics touched on were the mob, the railroad, the historic buildings, and how life was in this area of the city. You can almost see the lines of the neighborhood as you are walking as well. Now, this isn't necessarily a ghost tour, but it could be as we were told about chilling things that happened in this area and the outcomes of some of the people in the area. Definitely a worthwhile thing to do if you have the time.

Highly recommend this tour. Easy walk. Fun info about the area. David was excellent!!!read more

Sept 16th, 2022 My…read morefirst time here. I came for an appreciation dinner for the volunteers of the historical foundation It's a nice BIG open space with pretty landscaping.

One of my absolute favorite pieces of Galveston architecture, of which there are many. Garten…read moreVerein and the surrounding old city neighborhood is joyous driving, biking or strolling.

This was a wonderful and crazy interesting tour. Kimber, the author of the book "Red Light…read moreDistrict" (sold all over the island), was the guide and she was such a pleasure to listen to. She had so many fun facts that you simply wouldn't find easily by your own doing. We learned, we laughed, we had a blast! Highly recommend it.

If you live in TX and/or have been to Galveston, you know some of Galveston's history. But with…read morethis tour you learn about some of the city's history you haven't heard before and it is very interesting. Dave did a good job. It is an easy walkable tour with a few places to sit during the tour. Glad we added it to our things to do list.

Took the 8p tour on a Thursday. Tyler was great and it felt like he had a very personal knowledge…read moreof the area and its eccentricities. I'm not 100% sure of the veracity of his claims, but he made everything interesting. M Make sure you look for the Groupon!

This was a welcomed activity to do during a week of constant running. I know, it sounds ironic that…read moreI go on a walking tour after spending a majority of my day running around for work. But, it was really needed, and a nice dive into local history, chilling or not. What makes this tour so intriguing is your tour guide. If you are lucky you will get Noelle and be in for a night full of goosebump filled stories of the supernatural. Also, Noelle was just so accommodating, full of knowledge, and ready to answer any and all questions you might have. Our tour started at the library and we headed along our way. You think that starting at the library is a dull idea, but that's where the whole story of haunted Galveston begins. Being told that a majority of what you see of Galveston today was once under water because of how low lying the area was and storm surges. That kind of sets off the whole tour as that ties into a lot of what you are about to see. We started along our way and Noelle was mindful of everyone in the group. Stopping at a nearby gas station to allow people to grab hydration or make a bathroom stop before continuing on with the tour. The first major stop you will see is Ashton Villa. The information you get on this place is loaded with surprises. What's even better is that Noelle airdropped all of us pictures from past tours that can make anyone that doesn't believe into a believer. Ashton Villa could be a review on its own or could easily take up this review by itself. As we continued on we were reminded of what we were told about the storm surges and how the whole area was like a mass grave. We then ended up in front of the house where Robert Durst hide and ultimately took the life of his neighbor. I was oblivious to this and promptly went back home and started to watch the HBO series on him. We continued onto what is known as The Normandy Inn. The website makes this place look worse than it currently is. It is now a fully remodeled building that houses a hotel. Kind of creepy when you hear about the past of this parcel. Especially when they refer to this spot as a portal to hell. Continuing on we visited the house that once held an Egyptian mummy that was buried somewhere on the island, but no details as to exactly where. Along the way, Noelle kept us intrigued by expanding on stories throughout the tour. The one thing that you should do during your tour is take as many pictures as you can. Take their advice to put them on Live mode and take every angle possible. You just might catch something. At the end of the tour we stuck around a bit and talked to Noelle some more and I showed a few of my pictures to her and was confirmed I caught something supernatural. If you don't think you can stomach a tour during the twilight hours, they do have tours earlier in the day. Definitely carve out a chunk of time to do this as it is interesting and lets you in on the area history.

This is a good way to learn some of the more meaningful and surprising history of the island. Our…read moreguide was Michael. He was excellent. He spoken loudly enough to be heard, was knowledgeable, able to answer questions, and if he didn't have an answer, he said so. We took the 6 o'clock tour, Since it was not dark, it was not particularly scary. I would not recommend this for children under 12 simply because they would not be interested in the subject.

Was a really cool experience! The guide (forgot name) was really good! Spoke very clear with a lot…read moreof confidence! Which sounds like it should be that way but we also did a ghost tour at the stockyards. And The tour guide there seemed unsure about a lot lol! I snapped some pictures where I caught something. I showed them to the guide he said those are definitely orbs. Also... during the tour something tugged on my shoulder as if someone was trying to get my attention. I thought it was my g/f but she wasn't anywhere near me. Nobody was. It wasn't a slight tug. It was hard enough to where I immediately noticed. And I was near the middle of the street with nothing around me nor was I caught on anything.

The perfect spot to take festive and fun pictures!! The lights at night also make this arch really…read morestand out. Always see tons of people taking group pics, and even seen wedding pics in front of the arch. It is right near the tremont hotel, the strand, bars, and restaurants!

Wonderful small museum dedicated to Surfing in Texas…read more Very nice people running the museum. Happy to chat. A great way to spend some time during a visit to Galveston.

Ten years after Hurricane Ike in 2008, there is still no progress on site along Seawall Blvd across…read morefrom Hotel Galvez ... my heart aches looking out from my hotel room window to the empty space that once held one of the most amazing historic and haunted buildings that I ever stepped into. I was lucky enough to make my way to the Balinese twice. I happened to be at Mardi Gras 2003 with the band Thin Lizzy. I walked around The Strand and picked up a local paper. I saw an ad for the Balinese and got way excited. I told my partner in crime that we "HAD TO GO"... so after TL hit the road, we headed over there till closing time. OMG! No words can actually describe how I felt being there as I am a sensitive person. I felt the pure awesomeness of this building. I remember taking trips to Galveston in the past as a child to young adult and it was always closed... so to be able to walk into those doors, it was like stepping into a time capsule from the 40s. I spent so much time just walking along the walls snooping into every room and every corner that I could. There were pictures of the Balinese heyday with all the celebrities that crossed that very same threshold that I did. The gambling tables were in the back room hanging on the wall as decoration. The paintings and palm trees in the grand ballroom were all original to the building. Right then and there I swore if I ever won the lottery... I'm hosting a party with ZZ Top @ Balinese Room! I found myself back at the Balinese two years later doing the exact same thing... just walking around in awe. I haven't returned to Galveston since a cruise in Dec 2005, so this trip is so bittersweet. I came to visit the Tall Ships Galveston festival but I knew that meant that I would need to face my broken heart head on. I took a walk over and sat on the bench that holds up the arches on the Seawall of what is all that is left of the Balinese Room. I opened up a spirit box app. If ghosts still walk through house doors that are no longer there, they are probably still walking in the space they previously occupied along the pier that was no longer there. I should have read Ryan M. reviews more closely before I did this to plan to sit on the Seawall for at least an hour or more, which I did not. Although the short time I did sit there this is what I heard: "born" "from", so I asked "where are you born from?"... after a few minutes I get "slightly" while at the same time I was thinking how windy it was out there. They were joking with me as it was way more than slightly. Lol. Originally opened as Chop Suey about a hundred years ago, the Balinese Room history is a perfect story for the movies and songs... please take some time to read the links for more info... http://balineseroom.net/ https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Balinese-Room-resurrection-is-in-the-works-5332958.php?cmpid=btfpm&t=9b4692aa2ac3f0c8a9#photo-4961006 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balinese_Room "The Balinese Room was a famous nightclub in Galveston, Texas, built on a pier stretching 600 feet from the Galveston Seawall over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. For decades a dance hall and illegal casino, (sat empty for nearly 20 years), Balinese Room was remodeled and reopened in 2001. Operated by Sicilian immigrant barbers-turned-bootleggers Sam and Rosario Maceo, the Balinese Room was an elite spot in the 1940-50s, featuring entertainment by Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, George Burns, The Marx Brothers and other top acts of the day. Patrons of the private club included Howard Hughes, Sophie Tucker and wealthy oil barons from nearby Houston. In 1997, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During the early morning hours of September 13, 2008, the structure was completely destroyed by Hurricane Ike. The Balinese is featured in pop culture; Rock group ZZ Top wrote and performed a song about the club called, "Balinese."" Hit the play button: 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. There are as many stories of who created the Margarita. I like the version I learned on my first visit... Santos Cruz, the head bartender at the legendary Balinese Room in Galveston, concocted the Margarita in 1948 in honor of singer Peggy Lee. He named it after the Spanish version of Peggy, which is Margarita. A true Margarita is equal parts tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice. Attorney Scott Arnold has "The Balinese Room Pier", a restaurant, club and retail complex formerly located on historic pier for sale. Although it was completely destroyed by Ike, there is the remaining land lease (50 year term), which includes the right to rebuild, the Balinese Room brand name and trade dress. Review #400

The once proud and historic Balinese Room is no more but according to the owners - they will…read morerebuild. As I am sure you know, the Balinese Room Pier was completely destroyed by Hurricane Ike on Saturday, September 13, 2008. Her remains were located mostly on Seawall Boulevard, mixed with the wreckage of the neighboring Murdoch's and Hooter's piers, in a pile of debris as wide as the Seawall and stretching for several blocks. I have received dozens of emails, texts and phone calls expressing heartfelt condolences. So many people have taken this as a personal loss, as of course, it is. Thank all of you for your kind thoughts and wishes. One particularly eloquent email was received from Casey Smith, and I think it expresses so well what I have heard from so many of you: I am so sorry for what has happened. I have been to the Balinese Room many, many times and you have always made me feel welcome. I went to the Balinese Room right after you opened and have watched you rebuild and make it a beautiful place. Only those who walked the Balinese Room will ever know what it was like and how it made us feel, as if we were in a different time and as if we were in the presence of all those who have entertained and visited years ago. My heart goes out to you for believing in the Balinese Room. We will never forget the Balinese Room. Sincerely, Casey Smith Gun Barrel City, Texas Thanks to Casey and each of you. Luckily, there is some insurance in place which will help mitigate the financial loss. Of course, we remain at the mercy of the insurance companies and hopefully they will be fair. I do retain the rights to rebuild at the site. Economically, that is impossible but I will entertain realistic proposals from serious investors. Luckily, I have retained copies of many of the photos and other framed artifacts formerly located at the Balinese. A Texas Historical Commission representative is currently sifting the wreckage for any remaining architectural salvage. I am contemplating re-creating a much smaller Balinese Room themed club and "museum" at a building I own on Market Street near the Strand, or at some other location. Our email is balineseroom@sbcglobal.net. Please feel free to email us personal pictures, stories, etc from the Balinese. I want to continue to archive the history of the Balinese, and help preserve the legend for the future. I would particularly like to hear from any eyewitnesses to the actual slide into the ocean. My phone is 713 227 6653. We have heard that there was some removal of artifacts from the debris. If you know of anything that was recovered, please let us know. The City of Galveston has been helpful in protecting these items. You may also contact Lori Schwarz with the City at shwarzlor@cityof galveston if you know of any such removal. Googling "balinese room ike" will yield many links to national, international and local news coverage about the Pier and its destruction. There is a nice story by National Public Radio at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94729672 CNN, Geraldo Rivera and others have shared the Balinese Room story with the whole country. As Casey Smith reminds us "we will never forget the Balinese Room" Please be assured that , with your help, the story of the Balinese will live on. Sincerely, Scott Arnold Owner Balinese Room