Setting the Stage – The Roadhouse Exteriors

One of the more iconic locations within Twin Peaks is The Roadhouse. Playing host to musical performances, courtrooms and pageants, this spot is where the townspeople gather to unwind. This Setting the Stage article explores the The Roadhouse exterior from all three seasons and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

WHERE IS THE ROADHOUSE LOCATED IN TWIN PEAKS?

Twin Peaks Access Guide to the Town Map of the town
Twin Peaks Access Guide to the Town

According to the Twin Peaks Access Guide to the Town, The Roadhouse is located along Main Street in downtown Twin Peaks.

The Roadhouse on Jan. 23, 2020
January 23, 2020

In reality, The Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn is located at 4200 Preston Fall City Road SE in Fall City, Washington. All of the exteriors (excluding one small part in Episode 1003) were shot at this location. The interiors were shot in a couple of different spots in Washington state and southern California.

WHAT IS THE BANG BANG BAR?

Deleted Scene from the Pilot Episode
Deleted Scene from the Pilot episode

For years, folks have debated if this location is called “The Roadhouse” or “The Bang Bang Bar,” the latter featured on a gun-themed, neon sign found on the building’s exterior. Sheriff Truman offers an answer to this burning question in a deleted scene from the Pilot episode. He explains that Jake Morrissey owns the Bookhouse and the Roadhouse. He calls attention to The Bang Bang Bar but explains that everyone calls it “the Roadhouse.”

A real world examples of this sort of thing would be Sears Tower in Chicago. Today, the building is known as Willis Tower, but many folks still refer to it as Sears Tower (despite Sears’ naming rights ending in 2003). Perhaps “The Bang Bang Bar” name was added later but townspeople still prefer to call the location “The Roadhouse.”

Interestingly, Jake Morrissey is also mentioned as the owner in The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer. The revised first draft of the pilot on Dec. 8, 1988 has a missing scene between Donna Hayward and Jake.

By Season 3, Jean-Michel Renault (played by Walter Olkewicz who also played Jacques Renault) explains that The Roadhouse had been in the Renault family for four generations. Go figure.

THE ROADHOUSE IN THE PILOT

Note from James
Pilot

The first mention of The Roadhouse is seen in a note that James Hurley passes to Donna Hayward via his uncle Big Ed. Can you imagine if it said, “Meet Me at The Bang Bang Bar After 9:30”? Nope, neither can I.

Roadhouse at night as car pulls in to parking lot
Pilot

The Roadhouse’s first appears was seen during Truman and Cooper’s stakeout in the parking lot.

Car pulls into Roadhouse parking lot at night
Pilot
Pilot Episode
Pilot

The watch Mike Nelson and Bobby Briggs pull into the parking lot having just come from The Hayward House.

Roadhouse - Pilot Episode
Pilot

Remember this image above as it will be seen again. Notice the awning for the the entrance just to the right of The Bang Bang Bar sign. That entrance is no longer used at the real Roadhouse Restaurant.

Cooper and Truman in the Pilot Episode
Pilot

Cooper and Truman are parked in the far back corner of the lot.

Roadhouse Pilot Episode - Donna setting down her bicycle
Pilot

Donna Hayward arrives on Harriet’s bicycle and parks it just outside three covered windows. We won’t see this kind of detail again until Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

Roadhouse Pilot Episode
Pilot

In a far shot, we see that Donna has parked the bike under the center window.

Joey and Donna Leave
Pilot

Joey Paulsen and Donna Hayward run toward his motorcycle parked at The Bookhouse. You can see the back of the Roadhouse in this shot.

Joey and Donna Leave the Parking Lot
Pilot

Joey and Donna leave the parking lot on their way to meet James Hurley in the woods.

Roadhouse Pilot Episode
Pilot

We see a rare view of the parking lot and Roadhouse as the police backup vehicles arrive.

Roadhouse Pilot Episode
Pilot

Police cars spin around in the lot upon arrival.

Police car at The Packard Sawmill
Pilot

The cars appear similar to the white vehicle seen earlier at The Packard Sawmill when an officer picks up Janek Pulaski.

THE ROADHOUSE IN EPISODE 1.003

Road outside Roadhouse
Episode 1.003

In Episode 1.003, we see Jacques Renault walking to work at The Roadhouse. The location of this scene is somewhere in southern California as there is no such road outside the location in Fall City, Washington.

Roadhouse - Bust Light
Episode 1.003

Jacques spots a red flashing light on top of the Roadhouse. It’s what he calls the “bust light,” meaning there is trouble with the police.

Roadhouse - Pilot Episode versus 1.003
Pilot vs. Episode 1.003

The “bust light” appears to be added in post-production. I place a shot of the Roadhouse from the Pilot episode over the scene from Episode 1.003. It looks like it’s from a slightly different angle but it’s hardly noticeable.

Bust Light blinking red
Episode 1.003

After spotting the “bust light” from afar, we see a close up of the red flashing light. This also was from some place in southern California. No such light exists on top of the real Roadhouse today (but if I owned the Roadhouse, I would totally add one). This was also the final time in Season 1 that we’ll see the building exterior.

THE ROADHOUSE IN EPISODE 2.005

The Bang Bang Bar sign
Episode 2.005

The next time we see the exterior is a panning shot of the Bang Bang Bar sign followed by Judge Sternwood pounding a gavel. I combined the shots above to create the image above.

THE ROADHOUSE IN EPISODE 2.009

Roadhouse and Bookhouse
Episode 2.009

The Roadhouse and The Bookhouse are shown in Episode 2.009. I love this shot which is impossible to get today since there is a fence in this area now. and thankfully the RV Parking fence was removed so you can now capture a similar shot of both locations today.

 

Roadhouse Lightning Storm in 2009
Episode 2.009
Roadhouse Lightning Storm in 2009
Episode 2.009
Roadhouse Lightning Storm in 2009
Episode 2.009

Then, a freak lightning storm appears to strike the Roadhouse. While the crew did have some interesting weather while shooting the Pilot episode (and scenes like this one), I’m guessing the lightning was added in post.

THE ROADHOUSE IN EPISODE 2.020

The Roadhouse at night
Episode 2.020

The final appearance of the Roadhouse in Season 2 is found at the tail end of Episode 2.020. It’s part of a montage of scenes from the town. If you look carefully, you’ll see Mike and Bobby’s car still parked behind the Roadhouse from the Pilot episode.

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME

The Bang Bang Bar sign
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

The Roadhouse and Bang Bang Bar sign make a brief return in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

Roadhouse in Fire Walk With Me
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

Laura Palmer parks her car and walks toward the awning-covered entrance. The frosted windows are red, not white as seen in Seasons 1 and 2. The awning is also slightly longer than the one from the series.

Laura outside the Roadhouse
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

We see the same three windows where Donna parked her borrowed bike in the Pilot episode.

Log Lady and Laura Palmer outside The Roadhouse
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

Before entering, Laura is greeted by The Log Lady whose passionate warning strikes a nerve.

Laura and the Log Lady at The Roadhouse
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
Laura is touched
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

She is visibly moved by The Log Lady’s words before turning toward the main entrance.

Laura outside The Roadhouse
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

Seeing her reflection, Laura pauses before going inside. Most likely, the crew added black paper to create this kind of top-lit reflection. The whole scene is one of the more moving scenes in Lynch’s classic film.

The next time we see the Roadhouse is in Season 3. I’ve only focused on scenes that were included in the broadcasted version. The Twin Peaks – From Z to A Collection has some additional footage from The Roadhouse performances sans ends credits. I may add those at a later date (once I capture screen images).

 THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 2

Roadhouse in Part 2
Part 2
Roadhouse in Part 2
Part 2

Part 2 is the first time we see the updated Roadhouse exterior. The building is no longer white as seen 25 years earlier. We see a woman getting out of a parked vehicle.

Roadhouse in Part 2
Part 2
Roadhouse in Part 2
Part 2

She closes the car door and walks toward The Roadhouse as a motorcycle passes. Keep watching that cycle as it will appear a few more times.

The Bang Bang Bar sign in Part 2
Part 2
The Bang Bang Bar sign in Part 2
Part 2

The scene cuts to a slight zoom in on the new sign for The Bang Bang Bar.

The Bang Bang Bar sign in Episode 2005
Episode 2.005

I say “new” as it appears the sign was remade for Season 3. Notice how the word “The” is closer in the new sign versus the sign from the series.

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 3

Reflection of The Bang Bang Bar sign
Part 3

I love the reflection of The Bang Bang Bar sign seen in a puddle outside the Roadhouse in Part 3. When it rains (as it does often in Washington state), these types of puddles form in the parking lot.

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 4

The Bang Bang Bar sign in Part 4
Part 4

The same neon sign from Part 2 returns for a moment in Part 4. Did you notice that one of the spotlights is burned out? I didn’t until writing this article.

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 5

Puddle outside the Roadhouse in Part 5
Part 5
Puddle outside the Roadhouse in Part 5
Part 5

In Part 5, the Bang Bang Bar puddle returns but this time, someone is seen stepping in it.

Roadhouse in Part 5
Part 5
Roadhouse in Part 5
Part 5

The scene cuts to the same establishing shot first seen in Part 2. It looks like it takes place after the one from Part 2 though. Notice how the motorcycle has now parked.

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 6

The Roadhouse in Part 6
Part 6
The Roadhouse in Part 6
Part 6

A semi-new shot of the Roadhouse appears in Part 6. This time a truck pulls into the parking lot.

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 7 

The Roadhouse in Part 7
Part 7

This may be my favorite shot from Season 3 – The Roadhouse in Part 7. This is the only time we see this particular shot. I love it as there are no cars present. Also notice how the spotlight below “Bar” is illuminated. I’m guessing this shot was captured first before any of the shots with people parking and walking. I’m also dying to know why that light is out!

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 9

Roadhouse Puddle in Part 9
Part 9
Roadhouse Puddle in Part 9
Part 9
Roadhouse Puddle in Part 9
Part 9

Puddle time again in Part 9.  It looks to be an alternate shot to the previous puddle shot in Part 5.

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 10

The Roadhouse in Part 10
Part 10
The Roadhouse in Part 10
Part 10
The Roadhouse in Part 10
Part 10

Do you remember how I said to pay attention to the motorcycle guy? He’s back parking his bike again in Part 10, which appears to be a recycled shot from earlier in Season 3

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 12

The Bang Bang Bar sign in Part 12
Part 12

Speaking of recycled shots, The Bang Bang Bar sign returns in Part 12. Same one as seen in Parts 2 and 4.

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 13

The Roadhouse in Part 13
Part 13
The Roadhouse in Part 13
Part 13

Seriously, just park it already! He (or she) is still parking the motorcycle in Part 13.

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 14

The Bang Bang Bar Sign in Part 14
Part 14

The final appearance of The Bang Bang Bar sign happens in Part 14. Same shot from pervious episodes.

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 15

The Roadhouse in Part 15
Part 15
The Roadhouse in Part 15
Part 15

For Part 15, we return to shots first used in Part 2. Yes, the motorcycle driver has not parked the bike yet.

THE ROADHOUSE IN TWIN PEAKS – PART 16

The Roadhouse in Part 16
Part 16
The Roadhouse in Part 16
Part 16

The final appearance of The Roadhouse exterior is found in Part 16. It’s a shot sans the motorcycle driver trying to park. Instead we see two folks walking toward the entrance.

With that said, I’m going to finish my beer at Volition Brewery Co. in North Bend, Washington. This was surreal to write an article about The Roadhouse while visiting the real “Twin Peaks.”

Author

  • Steven Miller at Twede's Cafe enjoying cherry pie and coffee

    A "Twin Peaks" fan since October 1993, Steven Miller launched Twin Peaks Blog in February 2018 to document his decades-long fascination with David Lynch and Mark Frost's wonderful and strange show. With his Canon camera in hand, he's visited numerous film locations, attended Twin Peaks events and conducted extensive historical research about this groundbreaking series. Along with fellow Bookhouse Boys, he dreams of creating a complete Twin Peaks Archive of the series and feature film. Steven currently resides in Central Florida.

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