Connie's Inn facts for kids
Connie's Inn was a famous nightclub in Harlem, New York City. It opened in 1923 and was started by Connie Immerman, along with his brothers George and Louie. The Immerman brothers came from Latvia. They first ran a delicatessen in Harlem and later became very successful in business.
The club was located in a basement at 2221 Seventh Avenue at 131st Street. It stayed there from 1923 until 1934.
Famous Performers and Shows
Connie's Inn was known for its amazing performers. Many legendary musicians and dancers played there. Some of the famous artists included Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Wilbur Sweatman, Peg Leg Bates, Bricktop, and Fletcher Henderson.
Like another famous club called the Cotton Club, Connie's Inn had a special rule. While the performers were African American, only white people were allowed to be in the audience.
The club was unique for several reasons:
- It had a high entrance fee of $2.50, which was a lot of money back then.
- It had a cozy and personal atmosphere.
- It could hire very famous entertainers.
Many well-known people came to Connie's Inn. These included members of the Ziegfeld Follies and wealthy people like Gertrude Vanderbilt. Sometimes, the shows that started at Connie's Inn became so popular that they moved to Broadway, a famous theater district. Connie Immerman himself helped create and promote these shows, including a very popular one called Hot Chocolates.
Leonard Harper was the main producer for Connie's Inn during its most successful years. He helped put together many of the great performances.
Moving Downtown and Closing
In the early 1930s, the Immerman brothers moved Connie's Inn to a new location downtown. One of their last big shows there was called Stars Over Broadway. This show featured the incredible singer Billie Holiday. Another famous singer, Bessie Smith, even filled in for Billie Holiday when she was sick.
However, the Great Depression made it hard for many businesses to stay open. Connie's Inn was forced to close its doors. The Immerman brothers then had to find other jobs.
In April 1934, the original Harlem location of Connie's Inn reopened as a new club called Club Ubangi.
