After leaving Twin Peaks in Episode 2011, James Hurley stops at Wallie’s Hide-out where he meets Evelyn Marsh. The actual location for this bar is in Simi Valley, California. Until researching this article, I never realized they used the actual name of the now closed bar. So grab a beer and play the box as we hide out at Wallie’s.
THE LOCATION
Located at 6672 Santa Susana Pass Road in Simi Valley, California, the building that once housed Wallie’s Hide-out is now home to Montanio Design Group, Inc. who specializes in architectural and interior designs for the healthcare industry. The approximate coordinates for the exterior views of the bar are 34°15’35.7″N 118°39’34.1″W.
HISTORY OF THE BAR
According to a 2011 article by Cindy Nunn, the bar opened in the 1930s and was known by several names including “Scotty’s,” “Irene’s,” “Jave’s Reef,” “Rod’s,” “Otto’s Oasis,” “Otto’s Beer Bar,” and “Olde Susana Restaurant.”
The image above from Google Maps indicates where certain scenes took place in Episodes 2011, 2014, and 2015. The interior of Wallie’s Hide-out in Twin Peaks was actually a set which I’ll explore in a different article.
JAMES ARRIVES
In the Episode 2011 script, writer Barry Pullman described the scene. Interestingly, the bar was named something different.
EXT. ROADSIDE BAR – DAY
Establish. On a barren stretch of the Interstate. A shoebox along the highwayside, with a sunlit neon shingle that reads, “The Broken Bones”. Parked in the foreground is an old white Corvette convertible with a weather-worn red interior.
The script was written throughout the month of October 1990:
- FIRST DRAFT – Dept. Heads’ Distribution: October 11, 1990
- REVISED – General Distribution: October 18, 1990BLUE
- REVISED: October 23, 1990 – PINK
The broadcasted scene opens with an empty road which is Santa Susanna Pass Road. The crew probably set up a camera in the area circled in red. The approximate coordinates are 34°15’36.9″N 118°39’34.1″W.
I visited the location on September 19, 2020. Using a 100-400mm lens, I recreated the shot of James arriving on his bike.
As James approaches, he passes several yellow street signs.
Some of the signs are still found there today. The “30 mph” curve sign is slightly different than what was seen 30 years ago.
James turns onto Santa Susanna Trail toward the Wallie’s parking lot.
Part of the gravel road is still found near the location today. During his turn, James passes a strategically placed logging truck, probably meant to indicate they were still in Washington state.
OUTSIDE WALLIE’S
James parks his bike next to Evelyn Marsh’s 1959 Chevrolet Corvette C1 and enters the bar. The script called for the car to be white, not black.
ADDITIONAL LOOKS
The exterior of Wallie’s Hide-Out is shown again in Episode 2014.
In the script written by Scott Frost in November 1990, the bar is named “Wally’s Bar”
EXT. WALLY’S BAR – DAY
Establish.
I love the cold beer and wine sign is actually from the location. It’s still atop the building but it has since faded from the sun.
Most likely the crew repurposed some of the neon signs from the Roadhouse set since they appear to be generic advertising signs (“Beer – Genuine Draft” versus “Miller Genuine Draft”).
In Episode 2015, we see the only nighttime shot in the series. The script by Harley Peyton and Robert Engles also names the bar “Wally’s Bar.” Â There is also dialogue from Evelyn Marsh that name checks the bar.
COP
How did you meet [James Hurley], Mrs. Marsh?
EVEL YN
Jeffrey’s Jaguar broke down near Wally’s. I went inside to use the phone and he offered to help
Look carefully and you’ll spot Donna Hayward’s minivan from Episode 2003.
Fans of The X-Files will notice a nighttime shot of Wallie’s in the 2002 episode “Providence” (Episode 9 from Season 10). This time the bar is named Step-off Diner. That Ice Cold Beer sign and the “S” cut out on the door are also noticeable in the establishing shot.
WALLIE’S HIDE-OUT LOGO
One of my favorite details from this exterior location was the wood log-inspired sign (could be a reason why the production team selected this spot). RetroSimi on RedBubble.com designed a similar logo which can be added to a apparel, home decor and more.
INTWINPEAKS.COM
I give credit to InTwinPeaks.com who first visited this location in the late 2000s. Click on the image below to see more details about this spot including some interior photos.
