The Anxious Asp
American lesbian and bohemian bar in San Francisco, California (1958–1967)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Anxious Asp was a lesbian and bohemian bar in operation from 1958 to 1967 at 528 Green Street in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California, U.S.[1]
| The Anxious Asp | |
|---|---|
Entrance to the Anxious Asp (ca. 1965) | |
 Interactive map of The Anxious Asp | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Previous owner | Arlene Arbuckle |
| Location | 528 Green Street, San Francisco, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 37.799812°N 122.407947°W |
History
It began in 1955 as a cabaret with the same name, and was purchased in 1958 by Arlene Arbuckle.[2] Arbuckle also owned the Paper Doll Club, and The Capri.[3] Arbuckle had pivoted The Anxious Asp to a more mixed queer and bohemian crowd (many of which were related to the Beat movement), and they shared staff and clientele with "The Place" and Vesuvio Cafe.[2][4] The restrooms were wallpapered with pages from the Kinsey Reports, two controversial human sexual behavior books.[2][4] Notable clients to the former bar included Janis Joplin,[5] and Lew Ellingham.[4]
In total, a collection of San Francisco LGBT venues opened and flourished in the late-1950s, including Tommy's Place/12 Adler Place, Ann's 440, Miss Smith's Tea Room, the Tin Angel, the Copper Lantern, the Front, and Our Club.[6]
Joseph "Bunny" Simon, a Louisiana Creole, was not welcome at the original bar in the 1960s due to race; however, in 1976 Simon opened a new club with the same name, the Anxious Asp on Haight Street.[7][8]
