Forbidden City (nightclub)
The former space of the Forbidden City nightclub is the upstairs area (painted dark grey). | |
| Full name | Charlie Low's Forbidden City |
|---|---|
| Address | 363 Sutter St San Francisco |
| Coordinates | 37°47′21″N 122°24′23″W / 37.7893°N 122.4063°W |
| Owner | Charlie Low (1938–62) Coby Yee (1962–70) |
| Genre(s) | nightclub and cabaret featuring Asian American performers |
| Capacity | 300 |
| Opened | 22 December 1938 |
| Closed | 1970 |
Forbidden City was a Chinese nightclub and cabaret in San Francisco, which was in business from 1938 to 1970, and operated on the second floor of 363 Sutter Street, between Chinatown and Union Square.
Although Forbidden City was not the first Chinese American nightclub, it was the most famous nightlife venue to feature Asian American singers, dancers, chorus lines, magicians, strippers, and musicians, and was entirely managed and staffed by Asian Americans. It was popular with military personnel who were transiting through San Francisco during World War II, as well as Hollywood celebrities, and became the most well-known "Chop Suey Circuit" nightclub during the 40s and 50s.
Forbidden City also became a platform for Asian American performers who were denied opportunities through racial discrimination. Asian American performers were able to prove their talent regardless of their racial identity, and some even launched their career after the closure of Forbidden City.
In 1946, the club inspired Tom Ball, a Caucasian stage producer, to open the short-lived "China Doll" nightclub, the first with Asian American staff and performers in New York City.
Forbidden City inspired the novel The Flower Drum Song (1957), which became a musical (1958) and film (1961) of the same title. In 1989, the club was profiled in the documentary, Forbidden City U.S.A., by Arthur Dong.