After suffering during the Depression and World War II, many Americans had extra cash in their pockets for the first time in a long time and felt like spending it. The San Remo Hotel’s bar and restaurant were favorite destinations for many San Franciscans. Inexpensive but tasty meals drew families, and a constant mixing of celebrities and neighborhood cronies made the place popular.
San
Remo's fame spread, so entertainers Billy
Eckstein,
the Andrews
Sisters, the McGuire
Sisters, Mel
Torme,
and many others made a point of stopping by whenever
they were in town, along with colorful locals like
the late San Francisco radio personality Don
Sherwood - billed as the "The World's Greatest Disc
Jockey" during the 1950s and 1960s. They happily
mingled with city scavengers and fisherman, bookies,
and boxers.
The
appearance of a Police Chief or Mayor was not unknown.
Everybody got along and the eclectic mix of customers
added to the San Remo’s well-known friendly
reputation.
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