TheHotel Utah is a historic mixed-use building known as asaloon bar, live music venue, and residential hotel, built in 1908 and located in theSouth of Market neighborhood of San Francisco, California.[1] It is known for its diverse open mic nights, which have historically attracted some people who have later become famous.[2] It is also known asThe Utah Inn,The Hotel Utah Saloon, and simplyThe Utah.
The Hotel Utah is located at 500–504 4th Street, at Bryant Street in San Francisco, California. It was built in 1908 as a saloon and hotel.[6][7] The interior of the saloon is fairly small, which makes for an intimate performance and music venue.[8][9] The building is four stories and the upper floors were once aninn, and now operates as asingle room occupancy and room rental.
The building was originally created for seasonal workers employed in nearby factories.[4] In the 1930s, the saloon was a hangout for gamblers,madams, andlongshoremen.[10] Most of the buildings in the nearby neighborhood were razed in the 1940s and 1950s during a period of redevelopment, including almost all of the other residential hotels.[4] AfterWorld War II, Al Opatz owned the saloon which he named, "Al's Transbay Tavern".[11] On March 18, 1977, the bar was purchased by Paul Gaer, who turned the space into the Hotel Utah and built the stage.[6] Damian Samuel, who had gotten his start as a doorman (under Gaer), was later the owner of the Hotel Utah.[6]
In 1980, thedragmusicalBlonde Sin was first performed at Hotel Utah, featuringDoris Fish with Sluts A-Go-Go (the drag queens Tippi and Miss X).[8]
In 1989,The Marsh, a theater company was founded at the Hotel Utah, before they found their own space.[17]
From January 4, 1994, to January 14, 1997, "The Dark Circle Lounge" was a weekly improvisational music series, and it later became a festival, founded and led byGino Robair at the Hotel Utah.[18][19] TheBay Area Improv Scene participated in The Dark Circle Lounge.
In 1989, the albumUnited Kingdom byAmerican Music Club was partially recorded at Hotel Utah, including the song "All the Lost Souls Welcome You to San Francisco".[20] In 2008,Black Francis recorded the albumLive at the Hotel Utah Saloon.
The Hotel Utah is mentioned in an essay in theRachel Kushner book,The Hard Crowd: Essays 2000–2009 (2021,Simon & Schuster).[21][22] She reminisces on a secret PJ Harvey concert she saw at the Hotel Utah, which inspired her to become a writer.[21]
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