In 1960, two young Americans, Robert ‘Bob’ Twist and Stan Raney, from Mississippi, USA, purchased the Windsor Hotel. Their intent was to create a supper club with the romance of the Bahamas islands and British Colonial influences. The hotel underwent a major refurbishment and changed it’s name to the The Windsor Inne, including updating the decor to an ‘old colonial’ style.
The former cocktail lounge was updated to the Ba Ma room; a cocktail room as part of the Windsor’s supper club (a dining establishment that also acted as a social club). The design included palm fronds, straw mats, coconut trees, shells, thatch, sails and bamboo.
Notable drinks included the Bamboozer (served in bamboo), the Ba Ma (served in a pineapple), the Loco Coco (served in a coconut shell), the Pink Ink and the Conktale (served in a conch shell). At night, a small charcoal burner was placed on tables to allow guest to barbeque their own ribs. Fresh slices of coconut soaked in salted coconut milk were always available.
The club held nightly “native entertainment” featuring King Eric and His Knights which they later featured on a record.
Listen to Zombie Jamboree by King Eric and His Knights.
Postcards
Pan American Pub. Corp (C-18 Series)
References
- Artwork by Manic Mark: Ba Ma Hit Parade – King Eric (2012)
- Fodor’s Guide to the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda (1962)