Friday, April 17, 2009

Confetti's Nightclub, Orange

Anonymous asks if anyone remembers Confetti's Nightclub in Orange...

Does anyone remember Confetti's Nightclub? It was located where The Block is now? How about The Hop or The Red Onion?
I don't remember it. But I do remember seeing The Hop, and I do remember going to The Red Onion a few times with my future wife.

I actually didn't care much for nightclubs. In my college days, my best friend Greg and I were into motorcycles and shooting pool. It wasn't until after I met my wife-to-be that I started doing some of that weird stuff.

73 comments:

  1. I remember it. It was over in the corner, where the movie theaters used to be. 2 stories, lots of color. Had a few drinks there in the day.

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  2. My ex-husband and I went there on our first date after he asked me what I liked to do and where I wanted to go out...I was new to O.C. from San Francisco and I had seen it advertised in the newspaper. It looked happening...we spent a lot of time there, because we couldn't hip clubs in O.C.

    Trust me, the music popped......

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  3. OOPS.....TYPO CORRECTION

    Should read:

    "we couldn't find hip clubs in O.C."

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  4. where was the Red ONION IN OC? I rememeber it being close to or right on the beach at one of the So Cal beahes...anyone remember where?

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  5. There was a Red Onion in Peter's Landing in Huntington Harbour. What a place, I never seen so many goodlooking women there in one place. Especially on a Friday, and Saturday Night during the 80's. That place was packed, and there was aline outside the door.

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  6. Yep, remember it. I used to work at the Doubletree Hotel on the opposite side of the mall from Confetti's, called "The City Shopping Mall".

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  7. Hi,

    I worked at the Confetti in Ft Lauderdale FL. Still have video of the craziness that went on there.

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  8. Confetti was an offshoot of the Red Onion as RO was the best back then. Confetti went out of business after a much publicized abduction and murder of a patron. ROs were located in Fullerton, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Peters Landing, West Covina, and Anaheim. I was a bartender in SA for 5 years...ah memories...

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    1. I remember reading about that terrible event at Confetti's, do you recall when that was?

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    2. I used to work at the confetti's in Oc. I was one of the opening staff. Kind of wondering if there are any others out there.

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  9. Red Onion in Santa Ana was my "Hang Out" 5 days a week for two years, Hum I probably know you,if you were a Bartender there. Confetti's was a great bachorlette party place,then go to Red Onion afterwards. Oh I miss those days....

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  10. Does anyone remember "Maxwells" Bar in the 80's? Was it on the HB Pier?? Or PCH in Newport I went there all the time, but cannot remember where it was.

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  11. I used to go to the HOP. At that time 1986 Bill Medley owned it. Used to go to the Red Onion too. On ladies night they had male dancers, no men allowed until the show was over. Me and my buddy would be right there to catch them while they were hot.

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  12. Remeber it... LOL, I used to be one of the Doormen!

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  13. I was a full time DJ at the Onion from 85 to 92 - last club was San Diego, but worked just about all of them at one time or another. What a great experiance that was. Never thought a job could be so fun.

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    1. Iused to bartender back in 89-90 at the mission beach onion. Remember. Buckets of long islands

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  14. Good ole R.O Santa Ana with $5 all you can drink Sundays. We were locals there for years. remember Vicki, Lauren, Stacy, Leslie and the other fun coctail waitresses.

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  15. Ooh, I had so much fun at Confetti in Ft. Lauderdale back in the late 80's. There was a club called Backstreets we used to frequent. Whoo Hoo! What a party place.

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    1. Oh yes I remember that nightclub! I used to go there as a swedish au-pair with fake i.d back in 1994... Very nice memories!

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  16. I worked at the Red Onion Santa Ana ... Orange, Fullerton, Brea etc etc etc.... We were very happening. You talk about the Hop? The last Red Onion in San Diego shared the building with the Hop on Mission Bay. AAAAAh the memories...who is the guy that said he was the DJ till 92??? Curious...Matt

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  17. Dude, I could go on for days about the Red Onion. . .especially after the added KNAC nights!!

    Anyway, does anyone remember a really nice dance club called Future that used to be over by the OC Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa back in the late 80's??

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  18. I do not know Future...KNAC Tuesday's at the Santa Ana Red Onion..$1 kami's...LOL

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  19. There was a Red Onion in Anaheim right next to Charlie Brown's on St. College & Katella. I still have a t-shirt from there! It eventually turned into El Torito, which was lame since there was already one just a block up at Ball, and then one at the Block in the other direction.

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  20. Man the memories, Red Onion was the spot Santa Ana, Orange, Hungington Beach, Riverside, West Covina best place ever to have a great time and meet alot of girls.. Hell yeah alot of memories.........

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  21. I worked at the Red Onion from 1988 to 1991.... I was a Bookkeeper at the Red Onion in Huntington Harbour. Also worked in Lakewood, Redondo Beach, and Fullerton Red Onion. Oh, the FUN memories and good friends I made working there!
    Ron Newman who owned the Red Onions now runs and owns Sharkeez in HB, Newport Beach, and in Hermosa Beach. I still remember the names of some the folks I worked with. From Steve Box, Eric Cicalese, Jimmy Loizides, Terry Wallace, Kurt Eiffert - who bartends over at an Irish Pub at the District in Tustin. Bob Marshall, Ignacio Del Rio, Jose Cardenas Jr, Leo Reyes, Bunny Clode, Nancy Klingman. Hope someone remembers the names I mentioned. Maybe know what ever happened to them.
    Other FUN nightclubs back in the day were Peppers, Bobby McGees, Bentleys and Denim & Diamonds, El Paso Cantina, Black Angus had nightclubs back then. Miss those type of night spots! None around like those today. I think folks were friendlier back then too! Loved those Margarita buckets the Red Onion had. And the Shooter girls!

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  22. ...and let's not forget the Mardi Gras in Long Beach on Shoreline Village. It was operated by the Red Onion and was the first "video music" installation before MTV took off and the other RO's got theirs. I was hired as a VJ around '84. They made is wear hot pink coat tails and top hats (MardiGras!)...somebody's' got to remember that. Jeze, I hope I didn't dream it. We could never keep up with Huntington Harbor's numbers...

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  23. Huntington Harbor Red Onion rocked! Use to grab a late night cocktail and bite over at Captain Jacks!
    What ever happened to the numerous cool folks that partook in working for the R.O.? Nancy, Bunny, Eric, Steve, Kurt, Hef, Terry, Jimmy, Leo, etc....
    The Poorman and Richard Blade DJ'ing the night away at Mardi Gras!

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  24. How about the Rendezvous in Garden Grove on Harbor and Chapman. And Casey's... One in Garden Grove and the other in Orange. Anyone remember a club in Buena Park across the street from the Black Angus on Beach bvld. near the 91 freeway? I think it fronted a hotel.

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  25. Hi Mikee!
    That club across the street from the Black Angus on Beach Blvd in Buena Park was Bentley's!
    I often caught the "Showtime" Lakers during the finals there!
    That Bentley's was at a hotel, you're right!

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  26. Wasn't that Pepper's at Chapman & Harbor next to the Hyatt ? Used to go to Belle Isle's for pancakes after closing.

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  27. Does anyone remember Atty Michael Cisarik he went to the R.O, in Santa Ana? if so does anyone have any info on him? Thanks Angie

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  28. Anyone remember a Margot Modeen who use to be a cocktail server at the Red Onion around 1990?

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  29. Yes, I do remember Confetti's. Does anyone remember the "Confetti Dancers"?

    Myself and a small group of friends would also frequent The Red Onion (Peters Landing).
    One night I recall running out of the house in a rush to meet up at the club, grabbing my shoes and driving barefoot. Arrived and parked, put on my pumps and started to head to the door. Something felt odd and I looked down and realized I was wearing 2 shoes that did NOT match! LOL Yeah, had to race back home. Wasn't far though. Anyway, good times.
    Steve, I moved away from the OC in 1997 and live in Temecula.
    Atchie~

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  30. I was a manager at Bentley's in the Holiday Inn Buena Park. What a great job for me at 21 years old. I think about all of the $1 drink nights. I have been trying to remember the last names of the bartenders. One was Dave Hurley from Michigan, Pierre, Carrie, Kathy. DJs Dale Clark and Danny. Memories.

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    1. ...Netty, Oh-So-Cute-John, "Hi John!"... there's more... think, think Chrissy....I'll try to think up more. Dale and Danny certainly were fun DJs. I am wondering who this post came from. Would your last name (or maiden name) start with an "O"? :) I will keep checking here in case anybody else from Bentley's posts. "Chrissy in Mission Viejo".

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    2. Didn't Oh-So-Cute-John open the place. He was alot of fun too!

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    3. There was a big guy that worked the door, I think his name was Reuben. I think John was one of the bartenders that opened the club, he was alot of fun and Oh-So-Cute too.

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    4. There was a guy named Reuben that was a doorman that was cool. And I think that Oh-So- Cute-John opened the club he was alot of fun.

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    5. I remember a doorman named Ruben that was cool and a hot looking bartender named John that was alot of fun. There were others but I can't remember their names. We spent many a night sitting at the bar.

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  31. Spent a couple of years slinging whiskey @ Confetti's.
    Worked with a bunch of really great people there.
    I could go on for hours about the events that went on there and the after hours parties us barkeeps had.

    Also, Margot Modeen worked @ Confetti's.
    She was the blonde who had the enormous rack and the fake French accent.

    Aah, the memories...

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  32. I was the DJ who made the post, Mitch. I worked 2.5 years in San Deigo and in HH Peter's Landing before that. It was the best job I could have asked for in my 20s.

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  33. To Anonymous looking for Attorney Mike Cisarik, contact me at kathrynyemail-spare@yahoo.com I have info

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  34. kathryny, i tried to e-mail u regarding atty m. cisarik all 3 times the messages came back undeliverable could u give me another address? thanks.

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  35. I remember Confetti's back in the 80's, there used to be long lines to get in, the place had an awesome sound system with lots of sub-woofers, I met my wife there so I have great memories of Confetti's, does any have any photos taken there they can post? I seems like it was just yesterday when the gals there had big hair and short skirts, the 80's at Confetti's was great fun!!!

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  36. In the 80's Confetti's was a rockin' place with a great sound system and lots of sub-woofers, the place had long lines to get in on many evenings, it had two stories to roam around in, I met my wife there so I have many wonderful memories of the place. Back then the gals had big hair and short skirts, what a combination!!! It's hard to believe the 80's were so many years ago, it seems like it was just yesterday.

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  37. http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=190427871896

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  38. This is totally cracking me up- I was a dancer at the San Diego location: one of the best jobs ever. Soooooo many fun people worked and partied there. Loved the whole atmosphere. EVERY day of the week was a party. The lines would form around the parking lot before the doors opened @ 4:00. WOW; flashback fun!

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  39. There is a Red Onion page on Facebook. Just search Red Onion and you'll find it. Lots of old pics, folks that use to work and go there for the fun times. Check it out and add to the memories and pics if you've got any!

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  40. Worked at Red Onion HH and Santa Ana as the promo girl! Remember a lot of good times at the RO :)

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  41. Had a couple of friends that worked the Orange Confetti..........we were working the Dallas one........a few pic on this link

    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2026999&id=1333752950&l=aafa4c3627

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  42. to Anonymous looking for Michael Cisarik. Email me. I'm his nephew. mickrat@gmail.com

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  43. what a blast from the past. Red Onion, Bobby McGees, The Hop, Maxwell. I used to get in with a fake Tennessee drivers license, lost my virginity to the 'Bundy Girl', who gave me tequila shots for free. The music! We all did that awful dancing to that throbbing 80's stuff. I am itching to throw on a powder blue silk sport coat and some sandals and hit it!

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  44. anyone remember a waittress by the name of lucy who worked at the santa ana red onion .

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  45. Did Blues Image (Ride Captain Ride) play at Confetti's or the Rendezvous back in the early 70's. I saw them in Orange County someplace in around 1973, but can't remember where...probably stoned again as usual!

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  46. I was a bartender at Lakewood i was there for the shooting.Lakewood Police shot the guy who had a try out with the raiders.

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  47. I used to be a barback at the Lakewood RO and bartend Santa Ana Fullerton and spring break at the Mardi Gras in Palm Desert.

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  48. Red onion was the biggest piece of shit ever. The ignorant, uneducated doormen always acted like they were providing a real noble community service. Bunch of fucking crooks who wanted to look respectable. And all the fly by the wind whores loved the loser bartenders and most guys with a joint to offer to smoke and a dick to suck for later. Amazing concept...

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  49. Wow, somebody was upset with the Red Onion. I guess he was one of the few guys who didn't get laid there by either a hot cocktail server or the hot slutty girls that would be there on a Friday or Saturday night. Haha!

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  50. I used to live at Confetti, Backstreet-Fort Lauderdale and Club 1235-Miami. I was young and I had a blast. Some nights turned into days, but I would not trade it. It was a different time and place. Now, all grown up with kids, husband, and job. It's fond going back to memory lane sometimes.

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  51. Does anyone remember Cheers in HB and Garfields? Back about 1983ish?
    Cheers had New Years confetti at midnight have a countdown, when they first opened. Dance contests that really had some talent.RO in HH was a great place for Legs, Hot Bod and naughty nighty contests. Fun time!!!!

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  52. This is so fun to see... I worked as a cokctail server for years at Fullerton and then Santa Ana and had a BLAST..so many fun memories especially working the Palm Springs club on spring break..I remember my friend DJ, Dave the bartender, Marty Reichman, Bill Trimmer and so many more...My bestie Cindy was a fellow server and we would work the 5-9 HH and then drink all night....Remember SUnday beach party, working in heels and a bathing suit.,..

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  53. I do remember Bogarts in Long Beach. Denim & Diamonds, Texas Lucy's, Characters in la Habra on Beach Blvd....

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  54. I fondly remember the SD Confetti's; I was a regular. I hooked up with one of their DJs on many occasions. I had a blast dancing and getting crazy at Confetti's! Those were the days!

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  55. does anyone member lucy the asain waitress that worked santa ana red onion in early 90s thanks

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  56. I so remember Confetti's in Orange!!! We used to hang out there alot, worked within walking distance and had many happy hours there, they had a big buffet with free food and cheap drinks, also we knew someone who worked there and got comped drinks...The best part was when you were out on the dance floor and they dumped confetti on everyone, AND the posters of hunky guys on the ceiling in the women's bathroom!!! Someone (I won't mention any names ;) always wanted the Rob Lowe stall. Many good (although somewhat hazy) memories...gotta love the 80s!!! remember doing the "bird" wow flashback...

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  57. I worked as a bartender at Cheers and then at Confetti from opening day to the date is closed down. What a blast....work was so much fun!

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  58. Was the Red Onion in Anaheim right across the street from a Del Taco?

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  59. I loved the Red Onion , especially the one in Santa Ana on Sandpointe. I would drive there with a few friends and rock out to the KNAC nights. The watermelon shots and rolling drunken fun. I always remember the two waitresses that had cleverly cut their Levis shorts into a Thong Bikini looking thing. They were super good at pushing the booze and it was flowing. I lost my wallet one night and fell off my chair. When I got up I tripped over the wallet and fell to the floor. That one cool gal had a little sympathy and kindly told me she had to cut me off. I LOVED that night spot. It was the BOMB !!

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  60. This is fun to read... I cocktailed at the West Covina RO in the early 80s while attending graduate school. Also worked at the Marina Del Rey store while we were closed a short time for drug dealing... Also cocktailed at Bobby McGees and Las Bresis. Those were the days!

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  61. Riki Rachtman hosted a nightclub at the Red Onion in Sunset Beach on PCH south of Long Beach in the early 90's. My friends and I had a blast at that nightclub. Excellent memories!!

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  62. I just about lived at the Onion at HH late 80`s thru early to mid 90`s. Great drink specials and plenty of hot women, and being australian with the accent didnt hurt your chances either....lol

    I remember the DJ with the blonde curly gair that was there for years and helped keep the place pumpin.

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  63. I remember the red onion ....and was good friends with the manager Jamie Zahn (sp) I never told her I was totally in love with her...then she moved out of state..I miss her.

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