Mr. Alfred Serrano tending bar at the Barrier Reef Hotel, 1979. The Navigator Bar.
We also called him '50.' Also, Lee Flowers "black magic" on the far right rear.
Comments......
I spent a lot of my money in this place..Happy days :-)
I remember picking the laquer(sp?) ..I see that picture and I smell the room..feel the bar..WILD!
when I was allowed to work the bar wayyyyy back...Serrano taught me bartending tips and he was such a great guy!
He was so nice, my parents came to visit, Serano was at the airport. He came over picked up my Dad and Said it's" Papa Brown" My Dad was a little startled but laughed about it for years.
Serrano used to give me advice about men - I always felt he was my protector
He took me to his home town for Garafuna! That's Sneaker Lips in the back rt.
That's the Navigator Bar at the old Barrier Reef Hotel where the Heritage Bank is today...Serano was a gentle giant! RIP. Great memories.
Great guy famous for making the best cow foot soup in San Pedro. He hosted many PUP parties at his place. I was fortunate to teach his children at high school.
Lee Flowers on the far right... he may be in Chicago with his mom but last I heard he was floating around the US here and there doing nothing good....lol
Sneaker Lips back right also.... Alfred the Bush Master!, Cool Spot.
He was a great teacher when I was learning to bartend at the Barrier Reef Hotel...lol
He had the best Garifuna Day celebration at his bar and Linda Carter dancing was a highlight.
Serrano, good guy; helped us a lot when we started the Jade!
Could have spent hours listening to his stories. Very thoughtful man. Best Seaweed and Bitters ever and I have his Special Secret Recipe. He will be always remembered keep RIP "50." The Bushmaster.
I first met him when he was reenacting the Garifuna Settlement day by coming ashore in a canoe at sunrise. I passed them in my boat on the way to work. I had never heard of Garifuna Settle day. He was wearing a banana leaf and playing turtle drums, seemed like they might have been drinking rum most of the night before their sunrise ritual.
George Veitch was a British guy who was manager of bar at Barrier Reef Hotel.
My favorite memory of the Barrier Reef was the dancing contest they had. Maria and Balderamos Graniel won. I watched facinated as that couple danced nonstop for hours..
I stayed in room #3 (upstairs far right) many nights in the early 90's.
They used to sell good pizza
Janis Morin: I bartended there and it was such fun! Back in the day...lol... Did I mention I bartender with the best guys...Serrano and Freddie Waight.. .
Barefoot Gibby (Rex Gibson) and I used to jam a few there for a pizza.
I ate 100 shrimp sandwhiches! Thank you Jeanie!
I miss their taco pizza...
Long before Barrier Reef Hotel it was Papa Blake's house. Existed for 105 years before it as demolished.
We first called it Navigator Bar , but then it just became Barrier Reef.
When we came in 1998, Judy Leslie had her beauty salon up there on the second floor.
Photograph by Jim Titheridge
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