The Observation Bar and Lounge

The Observation Bar and Lounge, (OB) was a first class facility at the forward part of promenade deck. A favorite of many first class passengers from bankers to traveling celebrities and even the leader of the Soviet delegation to the UN, the late Anastas Mikoyan. The OB was generally described as great place for conversation that had spectacular view of the sea, but not as a place of live entertainment.

The Shipbuilder describes the area in detail:

"Spacious corridors lead from the main hall to the observation lounge and cocktail bar. The room provides a delightfully informal rendezvous at the forward end of the promenade deck.

The plan of the apartment is almost a full semicircle, lending itself admirably to a generous window treatment, whereby views can be obtained from right ahead to well abaft the beam. At the centre-line the observation lounge is 34ft.long, and the greatest width is about 70 ft., while the clear height is 12ft. 6in. Each of the 21 windows is 5ft.high by 2ft.wide. The boundary contour combined with the camber and sheer, presented several problems of design and arrangement which have been successfully solved. To mask the effect of sheer, a raised platform has been constructed at the forward end, and this forms a splendid point of vantage from which to view the ever-changing sea. The platform is approached by wide stairways of two or three low steps, while it is surrounded by a lovely balustrade designed and executed by Mr. A. Compton Roberts. Beautifully carved motifs are a feature of the balustrade. The floor is of Ruboleum, of colouring appropriate to the room.

All the metal-work of the windows, raised platform and balustrade is carried out in a delightful combination of silver and bronze.

Left - The Observation Bar during construction

The general colour scheme of the room has been dictated by paneling in fine maple burr, broken by narrow horizontal bandings of cedarwood of unique marking, the same wood having been used for the dado and for casings of the structural webs at the forward end, which take the form of stream-lined piers.

The painting "The Royal Jubilee Week" by Alfred R. Thomson, which is still above the bar today.

A special feature of the decorations over the cocktail bar is a mural painting, by Mr. A. R. Thomson, entitled "The Royal Jubilee Week, 1935." The cocktail bar itself repeats the semicircular form of the room. The counter front is in Macassar ebony ornamented with Monel-metal strip. Decorative mirrors and metallic feature are fitted at the back of the bar.

Left - 1930s decor

Concealed continuous trough lighting is provided, supplemented by five spun-metal bowl ceiling fittings; while four metal and enamel pylons are mounted on the balustrading. More colour is introduced by two niches containing jardinieres, gay with fresh flowers.

The furniture in the apartment includes interesting stools, covered in red hide, and round tables, which have been provided by Messsrs. Pel, Ltd., of London and Birmingham. The single central supports are of nickel-chromium stainless-steel tube, and are screwed to the deck fittings.

Handsome furnishings in gay colourings are grouped about the room, for the decorations and furnishings of which Messrs. Waring & Gillow have been responsible".

History of Use

1936-1939 – Cabin (or first) class cocktail lounge as described above.

1940-1946 – During the years the Queen Mary was used as a troopship the Observation Bar served as a dormitory.

The Observation Bar in the mid 1950's. Note that red leather has replaced the prewar patterned fabric on the chairs.

1947-1967 – In the refit following the war the OB was fully restored to its original design and function, although a simpler linoleum flooring replaced the original pre-war installation. The OB continued to be used exclusively as a first class amenity until the early 1960s.

At this time the third class accommodations in the forward portion of the ship were expanded and the OB was assigned for third class use, called "tourist class" after the war. A new bar was installed in the Long Gallery, renamed the Midships Bar, for the use of first class passengers.

1968 to present - virtually unchanged from 1936 when it arrived in Long Beach, Diner’s Club intended to fully restore it to its prewar art deco elegance for use as a cocktail bar and lounge for tourists and hotel guests. The room was expanded forward by removing the semicircular windows and wall and incorporating the forward "turnabout" from the enclosed promenade into the OB.

When Diner’s club left the ship, (before it opened to the public in the early 1970’s), the new lessee decided on a "themed" approach to the ship’s operations. The period selected was not the 1930’s but rather a more general vaguely "Ye Olde English Age of Sail." (The theme was carried even further in "Londowntown", a Lilliputian smorgasbord of English architecture built in the parking lot near the ship.) Two oddly decorated and themed restaurants named Lord Nelson’s and Lady Hamilton’s were installed on the starboard side of the enclosed promenade, where their descendents block circulation to this day.

In the Observation Bar the original red hide covered swivel barstools were torn out and replaced with black cast iron models covered in red crushed velvet. The elegant custom designed sofas, tables and chairs were removed and replaced with restaurant standard oak "captain’s chairs." A television and sometimes live musical entertainment were added.

Work being carried out to extend the Observation Bar in the early 70s.

1981-1982 - By the early 1980’s public interest in and appreciation for art deco design was growing. The Wrather Corporation, then lessees, particularly Mrs. Wrather, (the academy awarding wining actress Bonita Granville), and her son in law, Milton Swartz, decided to restore the full art deco splendor to the bar. They removed the age of sail themed fittings and installed swivel bar stools similar to the that were there originally but were no longer in the ship’s collection. They replaced the oak captain’s tables and chairs with small round tables, some original to the room, and reupholstered second class dining room chairs for use here. The original sofas were also relocated, reupholstered and placed back in their original positions just below the balustrade.

Regrettably, the gold leafed alcove in the ceiling over the bar was repainted a matte dark burgundy. Recessed lights had illuminated the gold leafed recess that in turn reflected gilded light onto the painting. The effect was superb. The matte paint destroyed the effectiveness of this sophisticated (and original) lighting approach to the painting. Henceforth track spotlights were used to highlight the picture. This is just one example of the sophisticated interior illumination schemes found in all of the first class areas. Many have been removed or ignored, sometimes by using the fixtures but with inappropriate light bulbs – much to to the disadvantage of the interiors.

A multicolored carpet that reflected the colors in the painting was installed. Overall – with the exception of the matter discussed above, the results were spectacular.

1986-1987 – As is typical in heavy use areas of hotels, continued daily use of the OB resulted in a need to refresh the carpet and upholstery five years after the last update. Unfortunately at about the same time the management team decided that the Queen Mary needed a new interior color scheme. Light green and grey were selected as the "theme’ colors of the "new" Queen Mary. The result in the OB was the banishment the original Chinese red enamel accents. The original spun bowls (or "eyeball" fixtures) ceiling light fixtures, that were red and cream, were removed. The light vases and column supports were repainted sea foam green (photo - left). The partially original furnishings that were reassembled in 1982 were removed, including the original sofas and the reproduction swivel barstools. In their place rattan/bamboo lounge furnishings were substituted. The inviting sofa seating areas below the balustrade were replaced by high tables and tall bar stools. The overall result was still a very handsome room, but one that was both less original and less comfortable.

1989-1990 - further expansion. Since the OB is the only major bar left on the ship various schemes to expand its capacity have been studied. The initial expansion sacrificed the enclosed promenade. But since there is an interior ship cross walk just behind the bar, the loss had little impact on the circulation patterns.

Around 1990 Wrather Port Properties, then owned by the Disney Company, decided to expand it again. Various schemes were considered including putting in a stairway to the vacant area directly above on Sun Deck. Ultimately the decision was made to expand forward. The exterior semi-circular window wall was blown open in the center for a large pair of doors. The two smaller doors towards the periphery of this wall were either ignored or unknown to the planners. The narrow exterior promenade was blocked off and made into an outdoor seating area. Because the wind generally blows towards the ship, a plexi-glass windbreak was installed in this confined area. The results are another step away from the intimate, quiet bar and lounge that was the hallmark of the OB and more exterior clutter at the bow of the ship.

These doors frequently left wide open create an uncomfortable draft inside the OB. (The impact on the heating ventilating and air conditioning bill, or HVAC, is unknown to us, but would result in higher HVAC costs in a building with a fully functional HVAC system.)

Alternative Visions

Possible rearrangement of the Observation Bar area - the outdoor promenade and original teak stairs down to Main deck are shown as restored. More than ten years since the last interior refurbishment, the OB is in need of another "spruce up." This time around the current lessee, the RMS Foundation/Q.S.D.I. is again talking about a return to 1936. We hope this means:

• Return to the original color scheme and reinstallation of the spun metal (or eyeball) light fixtures, still in the ship’s collection.

• Return of the original design of swivel red hide barstools. The disposal or the original stools is a perfect example of why the auctioning off of original artifacts because they are determined to "surplus" is a bad practice.

• Restoration of true gold leaf to the bar ceiling alcove and of the original lighting system.

• Replacement of the missing strip of metal on the port side of the front of the bar.

• Restoration of the original sofas and comfortable seating areas below the balustrade with removal of the tall, late 1980’s "meat market" style tables and chairs.

• Return and/or reproduction of the original furnishings (tables and chairs) to the raised platform.

• Recreation of the original flooring pattern - either in a custom inlaid linoleum or a custom woven carpet.

• Removal of the central doors and exterior seating area added in 1990 with full restoration of original fenestration. (Note: Please read our article on the Verandah Grill for an alternative to this narrow and cramped "patio".)

We suggest that management reconsider the entertainment program for this room. If live entertainment is desired we suggest cool jazz, popular vocal classics, or a piano stylist.

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