Circus Liquor Clown – Los Angeles, California - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

Circus Liquor Clown

Los Angeles, California

This iconic neon jester is a local landmark that you might recognize from his cameos in film and television.  

View all photos
Circus Liquor sign Timothy Krause / CC BY 2.0
Circus Liquor sign Timothy Krause / CC BY 2.0
100
79
Top Places in Los Angeles
Necromance
Los Angeles, California
Galco's Soda Pop Stop
Los Angeles, California
Autry National Center
Los Angeles, California
 See All

Circus Liquor is a regular San Fernando Valley liquor store that is set apart by the 32-foot-tall clown who watches over the adjacent intersection with a decidedly creepy expression on his face. Perhaps it’s the two crosses he has for eyes or his fixed, maniacal grin, but he seems to be enticing you to buy some booze and get up to no good.

Now a Los Angeles landmark, this neon sign dates from the 1960s and has become a local landmark. The clown, which is nicknamed “Valley,” has been featured in various films and television series including Clueless (remember the scene where Cher Horowitz is left by her date in a parking lot and gets robbed?) and Californication. As a result, the clown has developed a cult following and some fans have even had him tattooed on their bodies.

If you don’t fancy a tattoo, Circus Liquor sells merch, including T-shirts featuring their friendly fellow.

Know Before You Go

NoHo has become safer in recent years, but parts are still a little sketchy after dark. Avoid ending up like Cher from Clueless by taking sensible precautions.

clowns neon signs film locations alcohol
Nearby
Idle Hour
0.97 miles
Vulture Culture Oddities
1.29 miles
Metropolitan Pit Stop
1.55 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Idle Hour exterior.
Los Angeles, California

Idle Hour

The programmatic glory of LA's giant whiskey barrel building has become an upscale reminder of the city's kitschy roadside past.
Burbank, California

Vulture Culture Oddities

An oddity shop filled with loads of bones, skulls, crafting materials, vintage taxidermy, and more.
1955 Metropolitan Astra-Gnome prototype.
Los Angeles, California

Metropolitan Pit Stop

This vintage car parts store is also a museum devoted to a squat little gem of automotive history.
Los Angeles, California

Caioti Pizza Café

Pizza joint known for labor-inducing salad dressing.
Related Places
Nighttime looking north.
Reno, Nevada

Topsy the Clown

This beloved roadside attraction welcomes visitors with his signature neon smile.
Bangor, Maine

The Sewer Drain from “IT”

This is the sewer drain that was the inspiration for the opening scene of Stephen King’s classic novel “IT”.
Neon signs in the collection.
Pueblo, Colorado

Pueblo Neon Alley

Check out a hidden collection of vintage neon signs.
Glasgow, Scotland

'Empire'

This neon sign is an homage to an Alfred Hitchcock film.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web