Acid Test Photo Outtakes

This is just an assortment of extra pictures I couldn't stuff into the new post on Acid Test dates: 

https://deadessays.blogspot.com/2026/01/1866-fillmore-auditorium-or-never-trust.html

VENUES

12/4/65 - This was the house on 38 S. 5th St. in San Jose, now said to be where the Acid Test took place. After a fire and remodeling, the house was moved to its current spot on 390 N. 4th St. 

12/11/65 - Muir Beach, sometime in the '60s: 

12/18/65 Big Beat Club, Palo Alto - another recent photo before the building was demolished:

12/29/65 - Beaver Hall in Portland, as it is today: 

1/22-23/66 - The Trips Festival at Longshoreman's Hall: 

2/6/66 "The Onion" - recent shots:

2/12/66 - a warehouse in Watts - the perfect place for an Acid Test: 

SCREENSHOTS

3/19/66 Carthay Studios:

2/25/66 Empire Studios: 

Microphones - 3/19:

Microphones - 2/25:

After the Test, 3/19:

From 2/25: 

Date uncertain: 

BONUS: 

The Jan 2026 issue of Shindig has an article on the Grateful Dead by Alec Palao that includes three shots from an Acid Test film, most likely December '65. (Possibly the Big Beat, since they appear to be up on a stage.)

* * * * * 

ADDENDUM

I came across an alternate VHS copy of the Acid Test video that is much brighter than the dark Youtube copy. (The video went through several edits, and this version includes extra shots from the Acid Test Graduation in October '66.) Rather than replace the screenshots in the main post, I'll put some alternate VHS pics here for comparison. 

(Keep in mind, screenshots were taken mainly as evidence for location & stage gear & who was present, not as representative photos of the show! Few shots of the band or dancing audience were sampled, but lots of screenshots of the equipment setup were taken.)

2/25/66 Empire Studios: 

2/25/66 color scene: 

3/19/66 Carthay Studios:

Hell's Angels Bar (Oakland?)

10/31/66 Acid Test Graduation:

Unknown: