East Austin Clubs in 1957

Last week, I wrote this story about Charlie’s Playhouse. Which led to my discovery of photos by Neal Douglass of a female impersonators’ show at an unnamed East Austin bar. Today, I went to the Austin History Center and went through a city directory for 1957. Here are all the bars I could find in the black part of East Austin.

Blue Moon Bar  1902 E. 7^th St.

Babalu Club  1618 ½ E. 6th St.

Barton’s Tavern  1900 E. 12^th St.

Club Capree  1810 Chicon St.

Cobra Club  2321 E. 7^th St.

Ellen’s Tavern  1626 Rosewood Ave.

Flamingo Club (Charlie’s Playhouse)  1201 Chicon St.

Harlem Novelty Bar  1010 Lydia St.

Harvey’s Place  1710  E. 1^st. St.

The Hub  2200 E. 7^th St.

J.C. Bar  1906 E. 7^th St.

J.R. Club  2006 E. 7^th St.

James Tavern  1133 E. 11^th St.

Lecol Club  2136 E. 7^th St.

Lillian’s Place  2142 E. 7^th St.

Lo Jo’s  1407 E. 6^th St.

M&B Club  2206 Webberville Rd.

Mackey’s Tavern  1618 Rosewood Ave.

Pearl’s Bar  1512 E. 6^th St.

Raven Club  2148 E. 7^th St.

Scoot Inn  1308 E. 4^th St.

Senate Tavern  1811 E. 6^th St.

Shallow Box Club  2310 Webberville Rd.

Silver Slipper  1627 Rosewood Ave.

Sport Bar  1200 E. 6^th St.

Tasby’s Tavern  1922 E. 6^th St.

V&V Club  1112 E. 11^th St.

White Swan  1906 E. 12^th St.

Wide Awake Club  1518 Rosewood Ave.

Your Place 1400 E. 12^th St.

I found a few new interesting details about Charlie’s Playhouse. Owner Charlie Gildon, as he was known, was actually named Ernest Gildon. Perhaps Charlie’s sounded cooler for a nightclub. Now it makes sense why he named his afterhours joint Ernie’s Chicken Shack.

Also, Charlie’s Playhouse was originally located at 1201 Chicon St. After Gildon bought the Sho Bar from Tony Von in ’57, he moved the Playhouse there. The Flamingo Club moved into the old Charlie’s location.