San Francisco Clubs • 1970 & 80s
Holy City Zoo
408 Clement Street
- Owners/Bookers — James Christoble, John Cantu, Rebecca Spencer
- Seating — 59, later 74
- Beer, Wine —Bar with Belly Dancing & Folk Singing
- Weekly Schedule— Open Mike: Monday, Tuesday, Weekend Headliner ,Middle, MC
- In-House Improv Group: Papaya Juice
- Opened in 1974, became Ha Ha A Go Go in 1984
- Others: Dursts, Marty Higgins, Yvonne Walker?, Jim Samuels, Bob Fisher, Tom Sawyer
- CALENDARS @ AMUSEum
The Other Cafe
100 Carl @ Cole
- Owners/Bookers — Bob Ayres, Chip Romer, Richard Snow
- Seating — 100?
- Beer, Wine, Food —Cafe during the day
- Weekly Schedule— Open Mike: Monday, Tuesday, Weekend Headliner, Middle, MC
- In-House Improv Group: Other Cafe Players: Alex Hershlag, Linda Hill,
- Opened in 1977
- https://www.theothercafe.com/
- CALENDARS @ AMUSEum
- Call Chip
The Punchline
444A Battery
- Owners/Bookers — Bill Graham, Anne & John Fox,
- Seating — 182
- Full Bar, Food —
- Weekly Schedule— Open Mike: Sunday, Tuesday, Thurs-Sat: Headliner, Middle, MC
- In-House Improv Group: Comedy Underground
- Opened in 1978
- CALENDARS @ AMUSEum
Cobb’s Pub
2069 Chestnut
- Owners/Bookers — Ron Kakiki, John Cantu, Tom Sawyer
- The Cannery
- Seating —110
- Full Bar —
- Weekly Schedule— Open Mike: Monday, Tuesday, Weekend Headliner, Middle, MC
- In House Improv Group: Femprov
- Cobb’s Comedy Club @ www.tomsawyervoices.com
- Opened in 1981-87 • 1987-2002 • 2002-present
- CALENDARS @ AMUSEum
201 9th Street
- Owners/Bookers — Michael
- Seating —
- Full Bar —
- Weekly Schedule— In House Improv Groups: Wed—Sat
- National Theatre of the Deranged • Fridays,
- Faultline • Thursdays & Saturdays,
- Stage Left • Wednesdays
- Opened in 1984-86 (improv)
Valencia Rose
766 Valencia
- Owners/Bookers —
- Seating —
- Full Bar, Food —
- Weekly Schedule—
- In House Improv Group:
- Opened in 198?
- CALENDARS @ AMUSEum
Josie’s Cabaret & Juice Joint
3583 16th Street
Fanny’s Cabaret
4230 18th Street
Wally's (Virtual) Comedy Club
Producer, Host—Wally Smith
- Location — Gil Cable Channel 36
- 12 Episodes
- Guests: Bob Rubin, Jeannene Hansen, Chris Titus
- Broadcast: 1983-84
FUBARS
Pleasant Hill
- Owners/Bookers — Bill Boyer, Spike
- Seating —
- Buffet, Full Bar —
- Weekly Schedule— Sunday Open Mike: Monday & Tuesday various Wednesday-Sunday Headliner, Middle, MC
- Opened in 198?
Tommy Ts
San Leandro, Concord, San Ramon
- Owners/Bookers — Tommy Thomas
- Seating —
- Full Bar, Food —
- Weekly Schedule—
- In House Improv Group:
- Opened in 198?
- CALENDARS @ AMUSEum
Rooster T. Feathers
The Country Store
Sunnyvale
- Owners/Bookers —
- Seating —
- Full Bar, Food —
- Weekly Schedule—
- In House Improv Group:
- Opened in 198?
Laughs Unlimited
Old Sacto
1124 Firehouse Alley
- Owners/Bookers — Scott Edwards
- Seating — 200
- Full Bar — Special was ‘Thunderbird’ served in a brown paper bag!
- Food — bar-type kitchen …famous for “Not-so-Macho Nachos”
- Weekly Schedule — Monday-Open Mic , Tuesday- Sunday at 8:00/ 8:00 & 10:30 on Fri & Sat
- Opened in August 1980
- CALENDARS @ AMUSEum
Birdcage Walk
7630 Greenback Lane
- Owners/Bookers — Scott Edwards
- Seating — 80 & 250
- Full Bar, Food — Same menu as downtown; but when club moved in ’89 it had a bigger kitchen & had full dinners
- Weekly Schedule — Monday-Open Mic, Tuesday- Sunday at 8:00/ 8:00 & 10:30 on Fri & Sat
- Opened in 1984 & 1989
- CALENDARS @ AMUSEum
Gone, but not Forgotten • 1950 & 70s
Purple Onion
140 Columbus
Courtesy of the NinaG Collection
- Owners/Bookers — Bud Steinhoff, Mario Ascione
- Seating — 85
- Full Bar, Food —
- Weekly Schedule—
- Comedy and Folk Music
- Opened in 1952, Closed 2012
A beloved comedy institution in San Francisco closes after a farewell comedy marathon of 21 comics, and “last rites” by Father Guido Sarducci (Don Novello). Produced by Dan Dion and hosted by Jim Short.
hungry i
599 Jackson Street
- Owners/Bookers — Eric ‘Big Daddy’ Nord • 1949-1951, Enrico Banducci • 1951-1970
- Seating —
- Full Bar, Food —
- Weekly Schedule—
- Comedy and Folk Music
- Opened in 1954
Dick Gregory performing at the hungry i in San Francisco to be licensed from Huntley Film Archive
This clip of Dick Gregory’s first national TV appearance is part of an ABC Close Up Report – Walk in My Shoes (1961), a landmark in TV history. Nominated for 3 Emmy awards, Nicholas Webster’s documentary explores the state of Urban Black America from several perspectives.
Ann’s 440
Broadway
- Owners/Bookers — Ann Dee, John Barrett • 195?-1962
- Seating —
- Full Bar —
- Weekly Schedule—
- Comedy and Folk Music
- Opened in 195?
- Previously Mona’s 440
Intersection
for the Arts
756 Union Street
- Bookers — Various
- Seating — Cafe seating
- Basement of St. John’s Methodist Church converted into a coffeee house
- Schedule—
- Frank Kidder’s Stand-up workshop, improv workshops, performance space, 1st Comedy Competition venue
- Existed at this location from 1967-85
- A historic Bay Area non-profit for the Arts. A launching pad for new music, theater, and underground comedy in San Francisco. The Nickelettes, Wavy Gravy, Flying Karamazov Brothers, Ralph Eno, Robin Williams, Father Guido Sarducci (Don Novello), Whoopi Goldberg, Peter Coyote, Bill Irwin and Country Joe McDonald performed there.
The Boarding House
960 Bush Street
- Owners/Bookers — David Allen • 1971-1982
- Seating — Main Show Room • Allen’s Alley Downstairs
- Full Bar —
- Weekly Schedule—
- Comedy & Music
- Opened in 1971
- Previously Kamokila, Fack’s II, The Royal Hawaiian Theater, The Bush Street Music Hall, The Balalaika Music Hall, The Neve (1960), a jazz club, The Cellar (1961), a topless club, Coast Recorders (1963 -1969), Doug Weston‘s The Troubadour North (1970)