If you’ve ever strolled down Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver, chances are you’ve spotted the eye-catching neon marquee outside the iconic Penthouse Nightclub. These days, the witty and viral messages displayed on its tile lettering have garnered more attention than the club itself, which has stood for almost 80 years. The most memorable of these messages have now been compiled in a new book titled “A Sign of the Times: The Best of the Penthouse Marquee,” a collaboration between Ben “The Sign Guy” Jackson and historian Aaron Chapman.
Jackson reveals that he initially started crafting these humorous messages to bring a smile to his friends’ faces. His first taste of viral fame came in 2015, shortly after he joined the club’s staff.
One notable instance was during the height of the Pokémon Go craze when he changed the marquee to read “Rare Pokémon Inside.” This clever move not only captured people’s attention but also kickstarted a trend of playful and engaging messages that resonated with the public.
The charm of the marquee lies in its limited space—40 characters, including spaces, per line, which challenges Jackson to be concise yet impactful with his wordplay. The marquee gained even more traction during the COVID-19 lockdown, where messages like “Clothed Until Further Notice” humorously captured the spirit of the times.
Penthouse owner Danny Filippone, initially taken aback by the marquee’s sudden popularity, soon saw it as an opportunity to connect with the community and decided to compile the best messages into a book.
The book launch for “A Sign of the Times” is scheduled at the Penthouse, coinciding with Filippone’s induction into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame. The celebration promises to be a grand affair, with jazz performances, Vegas-style showgirls, and more in store.
The publication not only showcases the marquee’s most memorable messages but also invites readers to try their hand at creating their own witty signs using the provided letter set. Chapman encourages readers to get creative and share their interpretations, making the experience interactive and engaging.
“A Sign of the Times: The Best of the Penthouse Marquee” offers a glimpse into the unique charm and humor that have made the Penthouse marquee a beloved fixture in Vancouver’s cultural landscape.