Restaurants & Nightclubs 343 images Created 3 Oct 2019
Most, if not all, of Hollywood's famous restaurants and nightclubs are now simply pages in history. However, in their day, they were the "most talked and written about" and most popular eateries and night spots in the world. No place had celebrities in such numbers as Hollywood, and a part of their job was to be seen dining and frolicking in lavish surroundings. These venues were a part of the Hollywood publicity machine, a way to keep moviegoers invested in the personal lives of the stars. Not all were glamorous nightspots, but even the most mundane eatery on Hollywood Blvd could attract attention. Musso and Frank’s has functioned as a Hollywood meeting place for 100 years, a favorite of writers and the industry, with its legendary martinis and funnel cakes. Also on the Boulevard were the Monmartre Cafe and the Embassy Club. Central Hollywood was home to the Earl Carroll/Moulin Rouge, Palladium, Florentine Gardens, It Cafe, Al Levy’s Tavern, Brown Derby, and Don the Beachcomber. These colorful venues provided a variety, each with its own decor and personality.
The Sunset Strip was the location of some of the most notable restaurants and nightclubs that Hollywood had to offer. The Cafe Trocadero was the first of this area's famous restaurants, opening in 1934. Just a few years later came Ciro's. Both creations of Hollywood Reporter owner Billy Wilkerson. Others were LaRue, Mocambo, the Players (operated by director Preston Sturges), Cock ‘N Bull, Scandia, and Romanoff’s in Beverly Hills. All were frequented by columnists who chronicled the activities for print, radio, and media. Some of Hollywood's most popular celebrities were "regulars", including Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Errol Flynn, Lucille Ball, Dezi Arnaz, Olivia DeHavilland, and Ginger Rogers. These clubs enjoyed two decades of popularity until the studio system, the increasing popularity of the Las Vegas shows, and the advent of television changed the way celebrities were promoted. Several of the Strip’s restaurants survived well into the 1980s.
These 363 photographs document over 150 establishments between 1923 and 1987.
The Sunset Strip was the location of some of the most notable restaurants and nightclubs that Hollywood had to offer. The Cafe Trocadero was the first of this area's famous restaurants, opening in 1934. Just a few years later came Ciro's. Both creations of Hollywood Reporter owner Billy Wilkerson. Others were LaRue, Mocambo, the Players (operated by director Preston Sturges), Cock ‘N Bull, Scandia, and Romanoff’s in Beverly Hills. All were frequented by columnists who chronicled the activities for print, radio, and media. Some of Hollywood's most popular celebrities were "regulars", including Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Errol Flynn, Lucille Ball, Dezi Arnaz, Olivia DeHavilland, and Ginger Rogers. These clubs enjoyed two decades of popularity until the studio system, the increasing popularity of the Las Vegas shows, and the advent of television changed the way celebrities were promoted. Several of the Strip’s restaurants survived well into the 1980s.
These 363 photographs document over 150 establishments between 1923 and 1987.
