Explore the Era

Delve into the postwar Los Angeles art world in this online archive, which provides additional material related to the exhibitions on view at the Getty Center. Learn about hipsters and happenings, and the venues across the city where all the action took place through images from the archives and first-hand accounts with the artists.

Venice West Café

Opened by poet Stuart Perkoff at this location on the Venice Boardwalk, Venice West Café was a popular hangout for the Beat generation between 1958 and 1966. Its live jazz and poetry readings attracted artists such as Wallace Berman and George Herms.

Historic Map Locations