The Cat Who Sank a Submarine

Back in the 1970s, the Evil People lounge was a small, nondescript saloon located on U.S 1, a half-mile south of the Indian River-St. Lucie county line. Early in the day it catered to a few thirsty truck drivers, but later in the afternoon a younger, more enthusiastic clientele began packing the bar and tables.

The reason for their excitement became clear when a couple of young girls emerged from a room in the rear and began dancing to the music of a jukebox. Nothing special about that, of course – except that the girls were topless, still an innovation on the Treasure Coast in the early '70s.

Over the years, an evening at the Evil People had become quite a right of passage for many of Vero's young men. The bar was closer to Vero Beach than to Fort Pierce, and youngsters who had reached drinking age – or who had fake IDs- would spend a cheerful couple of hours downing beers and watching the girls strut their stuff below a sign that read "Think Naked."

Read the entire article in the Summer 2001 issue