Around 1937, Saroyan frequented Izzy’s Saloon. It was owed by Portuguese immigrant Isadore Gomez, and Saroyan wrote in his journals, “Izzy Gomez's was something else. Unique. Sui generis. It really was as portrayed in The Time of Your Life, except that it was also a hangout for hard-boiled, sophisticated newspapermen...They gave the place a rowdy, slightly underworld character of half-suppressed brawl...For meals, Izzy served thick, luscious steaks, French fries, and salads. He gave a considerable number of meals and liquor out free, not just to starving artists, but to people he liked.” The bar was demolished in 1952. It is mentioned in I Used to Believe I Had Forever, Now I’m Not So Sure (p. 108), Letters from 74 Rue Taitbout (pgs. 127, 143), and is the inspiration for Nick’s in The Time of Your Life.