Wincek Family
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Hollywood Alley in Mesa was a rock bar beyond compare.
Over its 25-year lifespan, the now-defunct bar, restaurant and music venue that operated from 1988 to 2013 on Baseline Road near the Tempe and Mesa border was home to a colorful and fiercely devoted tribe of regulars and musicians who came for drinks, live music or just to hang out. And they did so within Hollywood Alley’s funky mix of show-club swank and rock-club verve.
Adorned with thrift-store decor and exuding a low-brow vibe, the bar lived up to its slogan, “Arizona’s only ultra-chic pissant hip dive bar.” Hollywood Alley’s true claim to fame was as a legendary Arizona music venue, hosting countless bands and performers. Its musical repast was diverse (ranging from blues and funk to indie and Americana), and its history includes visits and gigs by some of the biggest names in local music.
In honor of the 11th anniversary of Hollywood Alley’s closure this month, here’s a look back at the iconic spot.
Lucy Wincek, left, with her husband, Roger, center and mother “Grandma” Rachel Hrutkay, all now deceased, transformed a defunct Italian restaurant in Mesa into Hollywood Alley in 1988.
Courtesy of the Wincek family
One of the movie-inspired murals decorating the walls of Hollywood Alley in Mesa.
Wincek family
One of the murals inside Hollywood Alley.
John Wincek
“Grandma” Rachel Hrutkay, the matriarch of the Wincek family whose recipes made up Hollywood Alley’s menu.
Wincek family
One of the murals inside Hollywood Alley.
John Wincek
A beverage cooler at Hollywood Alley.
Wincek family
An undated vintage photo of live music at Hollywood Alley in Mesa. The bar began host local musicians and banrs a few months after it opened in 1988.
Wincek Family
A flyer for a 1991 show at Hollywood Alley featuring legendary Phoenix-born rock band Meat Puppets.
Derrick Bostrom/Tempe History Museum
Wayne Kramer, right, of MC5 during a late-’90s performance at the Alley.
Phoenix New Times archives
The interior of Hollywood Alley’s game room, which was added in the ’90s.
Tempe History Museum
Local guitarist Kevin Daly, left, and drummer Bobby Lerma, right, perform during a Grant and the Geezers show at Hollywood Alley in the 1990s.
Mark Eshelman
The members of late ’90s rock band Trunk Federation.
Jason Sanford
Phoenix rock band Trunk Federation performs at Hollywood Alley in January 1998.
Jason Sanford
The late “Grandma” Rachel Hrutkay, a co-owner of Hollywood Alley, celebrates a birthday at the Mesa bar, restaurant and music venue.
Wincek Family
Hollywood Alley’s iconic marquee that hung above its bar.
Tempe History Museum
A sticker-laden wall inside Hollywood Alley in Mesa. Various local and touring bands played the rock over its 25-year lifespan, including Gin Blossoms, Meat Puppets, Jimmy Eat World and JFA.
Benjamin Leatherman
Hollywood Alley co-owner Ross Wincek, right, with 7.62 guitarist and vocalist Rocky Destructo, left, in 2003.
Rocky Destructo
Chuck D. during a performance by Public Enemy at Hollywood Alley during The Blunt Club, the long-running Phoenix hip-hop night.
Eddie Mose
Flava Flav of Public Enemy on the mic during a 2006 performance by the hip-hop group at Hollywood Alley.
Eddie Mose
Onetime Hollywood Alley bartender and booker Robert “Fun Bobby” Birmingham, left, with the late Rachel Hrutkay, right.
Wincek family
A marquee inside Hollywood Alley during a 2007 show headlined by Melt-Banana.
Phoenix New Times archives
Japanese noise-rock band Melt-Banana perform at Hollywood Alley in 2007.
Melissa Fossum
An undated photo of patrons of Hollywood Alley.
Phoenix New Times archives
Phoenix indie band Emperors of Japan onstage at Hollywood Alley in 2008.
Phoenix New Times archives
An undated photo of Hollywood Alley’s main room during a show.
Phoenix New Times archives
Local comedy rock ‘n’ roller Page the Village Idiot, right, was a regular performer at Hollywood Alley.
Melissa Menzinger
Blanche Davidian frontman Jamie Monistat VII during a 2012 benefit for Hollywood Alley co-owner Ross Wincek.
Melissa Menzinger
The late Dano Jones, a longtime Hollywood Alley regular.
Melissa Menzinger
The late Paul “PC” Cardone, a local music scene icon and bassist in numerous bands, outside of Hollywood Alley in 2013.
Melissa Menzinger
A Ramones tribute band performs at Hollywood Alley during one of its final weekends in 2013.
Melissa Menzinger
Hollywood Alley patrons and regulars gather during one of its final weekends in 2013.
Melissa Menzinger
Hollywood Alley was famous for its high-backed black booths.
Lisa Allen
Two patrons of Hollywood Alley during one of its final weekends in 2013.
Melissa Menzinger
The scene inside Hollywood Alley just after last call during its final night in business in August 2013.
Benjamin Leatherman
