Hollywood in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Pig ‘n Whistle

6714 Hollywood Boulevard

— Hollywood Historic Site #38 —

The Pig ‘n Whistle Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. The Pig ‘n Whistle Marker

Inscription.
Sidney Hoedemaker opened Hollywood's first family restaurant in 1927. Part of a restaurant chain in Southern California with the popular "dancing flute-playing pig" motif, the restaurant featured rich, hand-carved wood décor and had an organ playing musical tunes daily. The Hollywood Glee Club performed on Friday nights, Loretta Young dined there on Sundays, and Barbara Stanwyck dropped by several times a week. Other regulars included Spencer Tracy, Howard Hughes, and Shirley Temple. The original dancing, flute-playing pig can still be seen above the marquee.

Erected by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. (Marker Number 38.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.

Location. 34° 6.09′ N, 118° 20.204′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Hollywood. It is on Hollywood Blvd near McCadden Place, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6714 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90028, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Egyptian Theatre (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Egyptian Theatre (a few steps from this marker); Artisan’s Patio (within shouting distance of this marker); LGBTQ+ Pride in Los Angeles (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Christopher Street West (within shouting distance of this marker); The Christie Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Vogue Theatre (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Montmartre Cafe (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

More about this marker. original marker text:
Sidney Hoedemaker opened Hollywood's first family restaurant (that welcomed children) in 1927 and featured rich, hand-carved wood decor. Popular tunes were played on a pipe organ. The Hollywood Glee Club performed Friday evenings. Loretta Young dined here Sundays. Barbara Stanwyck dropped by several times a week. Other regulars included: Spencer Tracy, Howard Hughes, Buddy Rogers and Shirley Temple. The dancing, flute-playing pig can still be seen above the marquee.

Regarding The Pig ‘n Whistle. The Pig ‘N Whistle opened its doors on July 22, 1927. Its stylish design and fanciful hand-carved wood décor by renowned architects Morgan, Walls & Clements made it an instant favorite with the movie colony as well as the local citizenry. Connected to the forecourt of the

Original Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 26, 2023

2. Original Marker

Egyptian Theatre by a side entrance, the Pig ‘N Whistle quickly became the place for stars to gather before and after movie premieres and discuss the industry over a few drinks. Stars such as Clark Gable were regulars, enjoying the restaurant’s wide range of menu items and soda fountain offerings. Household names like Cary Grant, Jane Wyman or Walter Pidgeon could often be spotted at the Pig ‘N Whistle having lunch and reading the local paper or enjoying dinner.

The location closed down after World War II and its distinctive wooden furniture, decorated with hand-carved whistle-playing pigs, was sold to Miceli's Italian Restaurant, located around the corner at 1646 Las Palmas Avenue, where it remains to the present day.

By the late 1990s the location housed a fast-food pizza restaurant, and all that remained of the original tenant was a bas-relief pig on the front of the building. In 1999, British restaurant operator Chris Breed remodeled the building, reviving the spectacular original ceiling ornamentation, and re-opened the restaurant.

The restaurant name originates from two Old English words, piggin, a lead mug, and wassail,

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 26, 2023

3. The Pig ‘n Whistle Marker

a wine associated with the Yuletide season.

From March 2020 to April 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the restaurant to serve customers in a take-away format. It soon closed, and in October 2021, the interior was gutted, with the exterior being crudely painted over, as a cantina took over its space. This included the bas-relief pigs being covered by skulls to establish the new restaurant's theme. No modification permits had been taken out by the building's owner with the city of Los Angeles for either the exterior or the interior.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. - Hollywood Historic Site markers, walking tour with map.

Also see . . . Pig 'n Whistle. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 28, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Pig' N Whistle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 16, 2014

4. Pig' N Whistle

Pig' N Whistle - Awning and Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 16, 2014

5. Pig' N Whistle - Awning and Sign

Egyptian Theatre right next door. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 16, 2014

6. Egyptian Theatre right next door.

Back in 1927 movie theatres didn’t have concession stands in their lobbies. In order to satisfy movie-goers who wanted to eat a good meal before seeing a film, a family restaurant and soda fountain opened up next door to the Egyptian Theatre. This new hotspot quickly became one of Hollywood’s most celebrated eateries – the world-famous Pig ‘N Whistle! - Pignwhistlehollywood.com

Pig' N Whistle - Interior image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 16, 2014

7. Pig' N Whistle - Interior

"History of the Pig’n Whistle and Their Famous Pot Pie":
Loyola University New Orleans Documentary and Oral History Studio website entry
Click for more information.

The Pig ‘n Whistle is gone. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 26, 2023

8. The Pig ‘n Whistle is gone.

Theatre and Restaurant image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 18, 2024

9. Theatre and Restaurant

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2014, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,280 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on October 31, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on June 17, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on August 28, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 12, 2014, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 8. submitted on August 28, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 9. submitted on August 19, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.