Club 82

From 1953 to 1973, Club 82, also known as the 82 Club, gained fame as a prominent American venue for "female impersonators" of that era. It was established by the Genovese family, associated with Mafia boss Vito Genovese, a significant figure in Greenwich Village's club scene since the 1930s. Anna Genovese, Vito's wife, managed the club along with her brother Pete Petillo and his wife, along with Stephen Franse, a Genovese frontman. Club 82, a restaurant, bar, and entertainment spot, featured an entrance via a long staircase. Inside, it boasted tables and banquettes around a stage, adorned with artificial palm trees and mirrored columns. Lavish drag show performances with extensive casts occurred three times nightly, with live music accompanying the Club 82 Revue, directed by "Kitt Russell" (Russell Paull). The revues, known for their high production values, had elaborate costumes by Johnny Wong and intricate choreography by Bob Lake, sometimes costing up to $25,000. The shows ran for a full year and featured renowned performers like Kit Russell, James Bidgood as "Terry Howe," Ty Bennett, "Adrian" (Henry Arango), Jackie Maye, and International Chrysis. In addition to big production numbers, there were specialty drag acts, including strippers, singers, dancers, and comedians. The club's wait staff consisted of "drag kings," and the long-standing team included bouncer Tommy and bartender Butchie. Club 82 enjoyed popularity among a predominantly straight clientele, including locals, tourists, and celebrities like Liberace, Tennessee Williams, and Burt Lancaster. It was advertised as "New York's Most Unique Night Spot" and the "East Side's Gayest Rendezvous." Future drag performer Harvey Fierstein began frequenting the club as a teenager, and Diane Arbus photographed performers there after 1958. Anna Genovese remained the hostess and manager until the late 1960s. She was bisexual and had relationships with some of her female staff and performers, including Jackie ("Duke"). Anna initially started in the club business with Club Caravan in 1939, later taking over her husband's business interests when he went into exile in Italy in 1937. Anna's operation of Club 181 from 1945 to 1951, known as "the homosexual Copacabana," preceded Club 82 and featured "female impersonators" and "drag king" waiters. Club 181 lost its liquor license in 1951 and essentially became Club 82 in 1953. Anna filed for divorce in the same year and testified about her husband's activities in court. Stephen Franse, tasked with keeping her "in line," was ordered to be killed by Vito Genovese in June 1953. Vito was later convicted on narcotics charges in 1959. Club 82 started to decline after the Stonewall uprising in 1969, as the gay community underwent changes. Russell left the club around 1971, and it gradually lost its appeal. The neighborhood's declining reputation led to a decrease in traditional tourists. For a brief period from 1974 to 1976, Club 82 transformed into a prominent rock club, hosting glam rock performers like Wayne County (later Jayne County), Lou Reed, and David Bowie. It had various phases as a cabaret, disco, strip club, and was relaunched in 1984 as the "New Club 82" featuring drag acts once again. In the 1990s, it became the Bijou Theater or Bijou 82, a gay porn theater and backroom club. The club ultimately closed its doors in 2019.