The August issue of Playboy listed the top 15 dive bars in the country. No. 6 on that list? Jasper’s in Lompoc. The little town best known for its historic flower industry is now standing proudly with the likes of New Orleans, Boston, New York, and San Francisco.
The first time owner Mickey Sarkin heard of the honor was when his manager called him to say someone had seen Jasper’s on the published list. Turns out some people really do read Playboy for the articles.
Merriam-Webster defines a dive as “a shabby and disreputable establishment.” That’s why when most people—Sarkin included—think “dive bar,” it’s usually laden with a negative connotation.
“My first thought was, ‘What is a dive bar, anyway?’” he said. “To me, dive bar meant low. But, according to the article, a dive bar is where the young, old, rich, and poor all meet and congregate.”
Jasper’s is the oldest bar in Lompoc, having been around long enough to get name-dropped by W.C. Fields in 1940’s The Bank Dick.
“You can go to any other joint in town; it’s nothing like the atmosphere here!” said DJ Tony Redrick.
The collection of grinning W.C. Fields statues and memorabilia on the wall behind him back him up. So does just about every other inch of wall and ceiling space. Everywhere you look is a cacophony of signs or license plates or a swordfish or Sarkin’s wife’s surfboard from when she was 16. Sarkin figures there are about 500 records—45s all—scattered throughout the joint, but he’s particularly proud of the pictures of Lompoc’s history his patrons have brought in over the years.
“I was in [president of Lompoc Community Bank] Dean Miner’s office, and he was showing me some old pictures of Lompoc,” Sarkin said. “I said, ‘Jasper’s would put you to shame.’”
On a recent evening, the bar fills up as the day wanes, and it’s easy to see dive’s
new definition as a melting pot for all types. At the bar, grandmas and grandpas rub elbows with guys with shaved heads and
tattoos climbing their necks. There are dreadlocks and military haircuts, cowboy boots and sandals. Hip hop, old-school, rock, and country all get equal play time from the DJ.
A guy and his cockatoo walk into a bar.
Seriously. As we’re sitting at the bar, a big guy with a bird on his shoulder walks in from the back. This is too good to pass up. I head over and introduce myself: I’m here with the Santa Maria Sun talking to people about Jasper’s making it into Playboy.
He stares at me suspiciously. The bird gives me an appraising glance, then goes back to checking out the rest of the bar.
“Santa Maria who?”
Sun.
“Prove it.”
That’s a first. I whip out a card and he motions me to follow him outside. The bird keeps an eye on me while his owner checks out my card.
“Whatcha want to know?”
Important things first: What kind of bird is he?
“She is a cockatoo. And no, she’s not a pet. She’s a registered service animal.”
What’s her name?
“Fred.”
Fair enough. So why Jasper’s?
“Jasper’s is the only place where a guy can go and relax without having to make a show of this, that, or the other. Most people have been coming here for years.”
Lompoc Mayor Pro Tem Cecilia
Martner (Mayor Dave Siminski was out of town when I called) said she was excited to hear about Jasper’s making the list, and Lompoc being in the company of such
big-name cities.
“We need that [nation-wide recognition],” she said. “Lompoc is off the beaten path. Jasper’s is such a unique location, and it being a ‘dive’ is not a negative. My husband and I spent New Year’s there; we had a
great time.”
For all the attention and hoopla over the Playboy article, nobody seems to know just how Jasper’s made it on the list.
“I have no idea,” Sarkin said when asked. “Somebody must have wandered in from Playboy and just said, ‘Hey, this looks like a contender.’”
Not that Sarkin’s complaining: “Now, when folks come have a drink at Jasper’s, they can say they’ve been to the sixth best dive bar in the country.”
Contact Staff Writer Nicholas Walter at nwalter@santamariasun.com.com.
This article appears in Aug 5-12, 2010.
