Clubbing in Hollywood: 1923

Photo courtesy Bison Archives

In 1923 the Monmartre Cafe opened as Hollywood’s first major nightclub. The time was right; in the last ten years Hollywood had experienced a dramatic transformation from tiny town to the beginnings of tinseltown. Its streets swarmed with “movies” - the term first referred to people who worked in the film industry rather than the pictures they made. A smattering of shops and restaurants had sprung up to serve the community but until Cafe Monmartre, the best social option Hollywood had to offer were the Thursday night dances at the Hollywood Hotel chaperoned by its proprietor, Mira Hershey, who made sure the dancers didn’t get too close.

The Cafe Monmartre, or the Monmarte Cafe, (I’ve seen it both ways)was conceived by Eddie Brandstatter, also responsible for the later Embassy Club and Sardi’s. It was located at 6757 Hollywood Blvd near Hollywood and Highland. According to the February 2, 1922, Southwest Builder and Contractor the two story building contained three banquet rooms, a dance floor, a lobby, and restrooms to accommodate the star clientele it hoped to attract. The rooftop sign was created by the Electrical products corporation for $1000, or a little over $17,000 in today’s money. The building still exists today with a random assortment of retail on the street level.

Back to the 1920s - the Monmartre Opened in 1923 and was very popular! Crowds would often gather outside to see if they could catch a glimpse of their favorite star. It was a place where the society people mixed with the film crowd, both groups hosting special banquets, fundraisers, and parties there. A signature event offered by the Monmartre was the afternoon tea dance, or “luncheon-dasant” according to L.A. Times - these dances were held in the afternoon and mostly attended by society women while their husbands were at work. Male dancers, “gigolos” were employed to be dance partners for the ladies who lunched. Luncheons were often hosted and attended by stars like Lilyan Tashman, Bebe Daniels, and Constance Talmadge as well as the society ladies.

The Monmartre dance floor played host to stars like John Barrymore, Bebe Daniels, Marion Davies, Winston Churchill and Valentino who tangoed here with his second wife, Natacha Rambova. Charleston contests were held and among the competition one could spot soon-to-be stars Joan Craword (Lucille Le Seur) and Carole Lombard (Jane Peters). Cafe Monmartre was also the site of Bing Crosby’s Hollywood debut with Paul Whiteman’s band. In addition to Luncheon-dasants and nightlife, special events like New Year’s Eve were celebrated with vaudeville acts. Upscale fundraisers, weddings, art exhibitions, even auditions were also held at the Cafe.

However, hot spots are only hot for so long, and in 1930 the Cafe went bankrupt and was sold to developer C.E. Toberman, from whom Brandstatter had rented the space.

In 1932 Brandstatter was charged by Hollywood developer C.E. Toberman of taking $3000 of furniture and fixtures with him upon his departure from the nightclub. It wouldn’t be his first tangle with the law - in 1934 he was charged for violating the liquor law at Sardi’s at 6313 ½ Hollywood Boulevard.

The Italian Renaissance building and 6757 Hollywood Boulevard survives 100 years later amid the neighborhood’s changing landscape. As long as it stands, I have my fingers crossed that someday someone will open a throwback club in the space that entertains the Hollywood of today while commemorating the Hollywood of the past. A century later, we all still love great food, music, and dancing!