Digital Transgender Archive
Finocchio's was a San Francisco nightclub that featured performances by female impersonators. Founded in 1929 as a speakeasy, Finocchio's began to specialize in female impersonation in 1933, running a nightly floor show with a rotating cast of local and guest queens who performed music, comedy, dance, and celebrity impressions. In the club's mid-20th-century heyday, promotional materials emphasized the performers' male identities and transformative skill, although some performers of this era were trans women (such as Aleshia Brevard, who appeared in the early 1960s as Marilyn Monroe). The club actively courted tourists and was a regular stop for tour buses. Finocchio's closed in 1999. This collection consists of items found in the club after its closure.
This collection has been provided by:
