Looking Back: Blue Marlin and Sneaky Tiki Bar

Blue Marlin and Sneaky Tiki Bar

OK, buckle up: Here are a few trivia questions:

• Who remembers Oxford’s Blue Marlin and Sneaky Tiki Bar?
• What year did it open in Oxford?
• Who was its founder?

My answers:
• I do!
• Probably around 2000
• I have no idea

Well – turns out, I only got one of the three correct (and my simply remembering the former restaurant/bar shouldn’t even be considered “correct” but I’ll take ‘em anyway I can get ‘em).

Actually, for us ol’ timers, it’s easy to remember the cool Oxford bar with the outdoor patio and amazing vibes… that was a no-brainer.

The year? That one was a little tougher and I got relatively close. Sadly, it closed in 2002 after only a year of operation. But; wrong is wrong so I’m now 1 for 2.

The restaurant/bar’s founder? Well; I definitely got that one wrong because “I have no idea” is an incorrect answer on any test. The correct answer to question three is Stan Little.

So; my total score on today’s trivia challenge is a categorically sad 33.3 percent (which is a failing grade even by UM Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management professor Kim Beason’s standards). Yep… he was a tough one back in the day. Actually, he and I visited the bar on several occasions, if I remember correctly.

And, so (again); what’s with the silly post about a former watering hole/restaurant that was in operation in Oxford over 15 years ago?

That, my friends, is also an easy one to answer.

This morning, Stan Little and his buddy Keith Sisson contacted HottyToddy.com and, it turns out, they’re in the process of assembling an archive featuring the former restaurant/bar. In that archive, they’re hoping to include photos and stories from patrons of the popular gathering place that was considered unique at the time.

Here’s what we’ve got so far (below):

Photo from 2003 Ole Miss Annual

As you can see, if Little and Sisson are going to complete their archive, they (and we) have our work cut out for us.

With that in mind, HottyToddy.com is asking our readers and followers who may have photos of the bar taken during that time period to please submit them for publication. We’ll be happy to give proper photo credit for any of your submissions, and we encourage you to add any stories or information you may like to share with the public.

That’s it! Get busy and dig around those old shoeboxes full of “vintage” Oxford photos because I’m pretty sure camera phones didn’t exist at the time. However; I could be wrong about that as well (considering the roll I’m on this morning).

Little and Sisson thank you and encourage readers to send any information about Blue Marlin and Sneaky Tiki Bar they may want considered for publication to hottytoddynews@gmail.com

Jeff McVay is a staff writer and graphic designer for Hottytoddy.com. He can be reached at jeff.mcvay@hottytoddy.com.

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