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Starter archiveClosedNeeds reviewClub1938–1950
Café Society
1 Sheridan Square · Greenwich Village, Manhattan40.7318° N / 74.0027° W
Overview
Barney Josephson's club, often described as downtown New York's first racially integrated nightclub.
Café Society, opened by Barney Josephson in 1938, is often described as the first racially integrated nightclub in downtown New York, billed as 'the wrong place for the Right people.' It is widely associated with Billie Holiday's introduction of 'Strange Fruit' and with a politically engaged, cross-racial audience.
Oral histories & archival media
Archive plates
Flyer placeholder
FlyerPL.01
Pending acquisition
Photograph placeholder
PhotographPL.02
Pending acquisition
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DocumentPL.03
Pending acquisition
Placeholder plates — cleared scans drop in here
Sonic profile
jazzmixed
Cultural role
racial integrationpolitically engaged nightlife
DJs, promoters & people
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Tags
#integratednightclub#SheridanSquare#StrangeFruit#1930s