Name Dropping: Tales from My San Francisco Nightclub

By Barnaby Conrad

Book Overview

Part saloon, part salon, Barnaby Conrad's El Matador was nestled in the heart of San Francisco's cabaret and nightlife district. There, within the space of a few blocks of North Beach's Barbary Coast, one could catch Johnny Mathis singing at Ann's 440 Club, cross the street to the Swiss American Hotel where Lenny Bruce once thought he was a bird and attempted to fly out of a second-story window, and walk a couple of blocks to the Hungry i to check out newcomers like Mike Nichols and Elaine May, Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, Barbra Streisand, and the Smothers Brothers. Still, despite the accumulation of dozens of bars, restaurants, and night spots, the area lacked "a truly chic and comfortable (club), a place where attractive and interesting people could congregate over a martini". Conrad's El Matador stylishly filled the void. On any given night, one might find Noel Coward, Marilyn Monroe, Truman Capote, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, or Tyrone Power in the club, or hear Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Eva Gabor, George Shearing, or Andre Previn take over the piano. In Name Dropping, Barnaby Conrad vibrantly evokes this bygone era. Charming, personable, and witty, the author is both celebrity and fan as he shares vivid, hilarious, and surprising anecdotes, delightfully dropping famous names all the while.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0964970147
• ISBN13: 9780964970144
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Wild Coconuts Pub Co
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

must read again

I read this book several years ago. It's the only book that has brought a bit of tear to my eyes. Was at the end when they ---well, you read it

Wonderful memories of the "fun" days of San Francisco

This book will bring back memories of the fun, exciting, wonderful days and nights of the 60s in San Francisco. Names,places and incidents I had forgotten about were brought back to life by Barnaby Conrad. I found myself laughing out loud at the anecdotes shared. A great gift for anyone who lived in SF at the time. Nostalgia at its best!