Florentine Gardens facts for kids
Florentine Gardens, Jan 1939
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| Location | 5955 Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood, California United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Nightclub |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1938 |
| Opened | 1938 |
| Renovated | 1981 |
| Closed | 1948; transformed into The Cotton Club; Returned to the Florentine Gardens in 1982 |
| Website | |
| https://www.florentinehollywood.com/ | |
The Florentine Gardens is a famous nightclub located in Hollywood, California. It first opened its doors on December 28, 1938. The club is at 5955 Hollywood Boulevard.
Guido Braccini, a restaurateur, opened the venue. The building was designed by architect Gordon B. Kaufmann. It had a beautiful European garden theme.
Nils Thor Granlund, known as N.T.G., became the club's manager and emcee. He was a radio announcer and show producer from New York. N.T.G. brought many popular acts to the Florentine Gardens. These included big bands and famous performers.
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History of Florentine Gardens
Early Days and World War II
The original Florentine Gardens was a restaurant. It served Italian food and offered live entertainment. This often included dancing and comedy acts. The venue was very large, seating over 1000 people for dinner.
During World War II, the club was very popular. Many American servicemen visited while on leave in Hollywood. The dance performances at the club helped launch careers. Future actors Gwen Verdon and Yvonne DeCarlo got their start there.
A young Norma Jeane Baker, who later became Marilyn Monroe, also had a connection to the club. She met Jim Dougherty there. They held their wedding reception at the Florentine Gardens in June 1942.
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Changes Over Time
The Florentine Gardens closed in 1948. New owners renamed it The Cotton Club. Over the years, the building changed hands many times. It was even a Salvation Army outpost and a dental school. Later, it became a salsa club and a hip hop club.
In 1981, the venue returned to its roots. It was called the "New Florentine Gardens." It started hosting live music acts again. Famous musicians like Chuck Berry and bands such as X performed there. Other notable groups included Dead Kennedys, Circle Jerks, Fear, and The Blasters.
In 2005, the City of Los Angeles wanted to tear down the club. They planned to build a new fire station. However, the owner, Kenneth MacKenzie, fought to save the historic building.
Famous Performers
Many well-known artists performed at the Florentine Gardens. They entertained thousands of guests over the years. Some of these performers include:
- The Mills Brothers
- Yvonne DeCarlo
- Gwen Verdon
- Sally Rand
- Sophie Tucker
- Ozzie Nelson
- Joe E. Lewis
- Ethel Waters
- The Ink Spots
- Henny Youngman
- Fats Waller
- Lily St. Cyr
- Al Jolson
