The China Trader

Burbank, California, United States

Opened in 1950 by Willie Shenker, along with Jack & Florence Jung.

The dining area held 85 seats. Apart from this was the "Copra Room" bar.

This Chinese restaurant had a semi-tiki nautical theme, and though they had a 28-cocktail-long menu, they are best known for being the birthplace of the Hawaiian Eye drink. The '60s detective show Hawaiian Eye was filmed on a nearby Burbank lot, and the China Trader was their afterwork hangout. The Hawaiian Eye drink was concocted there in their honor.

This is seemingly at odds with a recipe attributed to Harry Yee for the Hawaiian Eye which is as follows:

THE HAWAIIAN EYE

¼ oz Light Rum ¾ oz Jamaican Dark Rum ¾ oz Dark Rum 3 oz Grapefruit Juice 1 ½ oz Guava Juice 1 dash Bitters 1 dash Simple Syrup

Shake the contents in a shaker along with ice. Strain into an ice filled hurricane glass. Garnish with an orchid and pineapple wedge.

*NOTE: A separate recipe attributed to Tony Ramos for the Hawaiian Eye has lime juice, simple syrup, falernum, and gold and white rum. Perhaps this version is what was invented at China Trader. China Trader is also known for Tony Ramos working there as a long-time bartender.

Vic Bernardo became the new owner in June of 1969. He did extensive remodeling and enlarging of the venue which was completed by September of 1973.

The bar was directly across the street from Bob's Big Boy (built in 1949), and while the iconic Bob's is still there at that same location, the China Trader is not.

This space is now occupied by Toluca Lake Cleaners (as of 2024).