The Legend of the Bamboo
On November 28, 1943, after eight days of heavy battle against strongly fortified forces, the United States finally secured the tiny tropical island of Tarawa from Japan. In January of the following year, a 27-year-old fighter pilot named Jimmy Phipps stepped off a cargo transport plane that he was jumpseating a ride on back to the states after receiving his discharge from the Air Force.
Phipps had completed over fifty successful mission without a scratch and was one of the most decorated pilots of World War II. He had a few hours to kill while the plane was being re-fueled and its cargo unloaded.
The pilot was instantly mesmerized by the tropical beauty of the little island with its turquoise waters and enormous palms, the mere setting of the place made him want to celebrate his good fortune with a drink and a good meal. When told his only option for food and drink was the tiny base mess hall – which after five years of eating mess hall food did not sound very appealing – he had an idea.
On March 3, 1944, Jimmy Phipps opened the “Big Bamboo,” a bar and grill overlooking the Pacific.
The place was constructed of Bamboo, corrugated tin, palm fronds and whatever else Phipps was able to get his hands on. Food and liquor were brought in weekly on cargo planes by people the ex-fighter pilot knew who were still serving in the Air Force. The menu featured foods from various regions of the United States – food that soldiers desired most while being so far from home.
The Big Bamboo became a place where people could get away from the rigors and worries of the real world, and it was not uncommon for pilots to complain of engine problems just as an excuse to visit the place. And, on any given night, the sound of Big Band music and spirited conversation carried by warm tropical breezes could be heard across the tiny island.
On November 2, 1945, two months after the surrender of the Japanese to General MacArthor, a typhoon ripped through the Gilbert Islands, destroying everything in its path including the original Big Bamboo. Jimmy Phipps was never heard from again, but those that knew him refuse to believe he would succumb to a mere typhoon.
Years later, another Big Bamboo was constructed in Hilton Head Island, S.C., with another built in Kissimmee, Fla., keeping the spirit of the original alive through food, beverage, and atmosphere.
On January 11, 2005, Mike and Lee Tripp visited one of the reconstructed establishments during a vacation trip to Disney’s resort on Hilton Head Island. Sitting there, the idea to transform their basement into the “Bamboo Room” was born.
Today we welcome all in the spirit of the original.
