Trader Vic’s has been a gathering place for adventurers, storytellers, and visionaries for decades—but did you know it also played a small yet significant role in shaping one of the greatest science fiction films of all time?
On February 17, 1964, legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick sat down for lunch at Trader Vic’s New York with his friend Roger Caras, an executive at Columbia Pictures. At the time, Kubrick was in the earliest stages of developing what would eventually become 2001: A Space Odyssey. The film, which would go on to revolutionize cinema, was just a hazy concept in his mind—a series of loosely connected ideas about space travel, artificial intelligence, and humanity’s place in the universe.
The Napkin That Launched a Sci-Fi Masterpiece
Over Mai Tais and grilled appetizers, Kubrick and Caras discussed potential storylines, and somewhere between sips of his cocktail, Kubrick grabbed a Trader Vic’s cocktail napkin and began scribbling notes. Those notes would become the first sparks of what would later evolve into one of the most profound and visually stunning films ever made.
At the time, Kubrick wasn’t yet working with Arthur C. Clarke, who would later co-write the screenplay and develop the novel. But that lunch at Trader Vic’s—surrounded by tiki décor, tropical cocktails, and an atmosphere of adventure—was a key moment in the film’s inception.
A Film That Changed Everything
By the time 2001: A Space Odyssey was released in 1968, it had transformed the landscape of science fiction. Its stunning special effects, realistic portrayal of space travel, and deep philosophical themes made it one of the most influential films in cinematic history.
But it all started with an idea—jotted down on a napkin at Trader Vic’s.
A Place for Inspiration
Trader Vic’s has always been a place where creative minds gather, where stories are shared over handcrafted cocktails, and where history is made in the most unexpected ways. Whether it’s Hollywood legends brainstorming their next masterpiece or friends simply enjoying a round of Mai Tais, our tables hold the stories of dreamers, thinkers, and explorers.
So next time you visit Trader Vic’s, raise a glass to Stanley Kubrick, Roger Caras, and that fateful February lunch in 1964—a moment that helped launch one of the most iconic films of all time. Who knows? Maybe your next big idea will come to you over a Mai Tai, too. 🍹✨