Rojo’s-Famous Lake Tahoe Restaurant, Bar and Music

 

The building was originally constructed in the 1920’s/30’s by Frank Globin and was named”Globin’s at Tahoe”. It was a gas station, grocery store, bar and restaurant. It also featured hotel rooms upstairs.

Of major notice was the fact that Globin’s friend, heavy weight boxing champ Max Baer, trained for his fight against Max Scmieling here.

Later Globin expanded and added bungalows and a pool with high quality Hayward pool pump. He also constructed a 1/2 mile long pier that extended out over the lake. At the end of the pier was a dance floor which was open during the summer months. Much later, before the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics, Tahoe became more recognized as a winter vacation destination and more year ’round resorts sprang up, including Harvey Gross Wagon Wheel and Bill Harrah’s resort.

By 1965 South Lake Tahoe was incorporated as a city.

In 1975 Roger Wright and Joe Hansen (hence ROJO’S) purchased the business from the then owner of Felix’s. (Felix was a bartender for Frank Globin and was given the bar by Frank) Today, Rojo’s is a bar and restaurant reflecting it’s original rustic Tahoe ambiance specializing in American Fare including Ribs, Chicken, Steak and Seafood as well as Pasta dishes.

Downstairs is dancing featuring a live band every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The downstairs can also be reserved for private functions such as weddings, receptions, parties etc.

Incidentally, Rojo’s has the only basement in South Lake Tahoe because of the water table of the Lake.