Moss Beach Distillery

The Moss Beach Distillery is a California Historical Point of Interest that was once a popular spot on the San Mateo County coast for rum running, bootlegging and speakeasies. Speakeasies sold liquor illegally to thirsty clients during the prohibition.

One of the most successful and popular of these bars was Frank’s Place, perched on the cliffs at Moss Beach. Frank Torres built the club in 1927, and it quickly became the hideaway for celebrities, silent film stars and politicians.  Mystery writer Dashiell Hammett frequented the place and used it as setting for one of his stories.

The restaurant on a secluded beach was the perfect spot for Canadians rum runners to perform their clandestine operations under the cover of darkness and fog. Illegal whisky was brought from ships to the beach, dragged up the steep hill and whisked into awaiting vehicles for transport to San Francisco located not far away. Some of the booze generally found its way into the garage beneath Frank’s Place. Frank Torres used his political and social connections to operate a highly successful illegal business. Unlike other speakeasies along the coast, Frank’s Place was never raided.

With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 Frank Torres remained in the food service business as one of the most successful restaurateurs along San Mateo County’s coastside Frank’s Place, now called The Moss Beach Distillery, still retains its spectacular views and secluded location above the ocean coves.

The Distillery also retains one of Frank’s former customers, as well as its resident ghost. The Blue Lady still haunts the premises trying to recapture the romance and excitement of Frank’s speakeasy years. The story of The Blue Lady was documented by Unsolved Mysteries television program and has been seen by millions of people around the world.

The Blue Lady ghost was named for the color of clothing she used to wear when sneaking away to the restaurant to meet her lover, a piano player at the Distillery bar.  While her husband and son kept the fire warm at home, The Blue Lady was supposedly wrapped in passion and madly in love with a man that she could not have. She died in a car accident and some speculate that she’s searching for her lost love to this day.

Address

140 Beach Way
Moss Beach, CA 94038

Phone

(650) 728-2739

Website

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