Blue Lotus

The Blue Lotus is a nightclub located in downtown Los Angeles, located in Chinatown. The club first opened its doors in 1924. The original owner of the club, Li Ping, was a noted Los Angeles attorney and reputed leader of the Hop Sing Tong.

The Blue Lotus has long been known for having the best house jazz band in the city, and often headlines notable musicians and singers. In 1924 veteran bandleader Sid Stein led the Blue Lotus House Orchestra, a 32-piece ensemble that backed many notable talents when they played Los Angeles. Stein's extensive contacts in the business provided the club with a steady stream of well-known performers and by 1926 the Blue Lotus was the top jazz club on the West Coast.

The club also became famous for its signature cocktail, the Blue Lotus, a mixture of absinthe and "secret herbs and spices" that together emitted a pale blue-green glow. The original recipe for this drink was lost in the 1930s. Attempts to duplicate it have been largely unsuccessful, but the current version remains popular.

In 1932 the club caught fire and was closed for over two years. It re-opened in 1935 under new management and thrived in the 1940s in spite of (or more likely, because of) its reputation as a gangster hangout.

The Blue Lotus became a famous hangout for the Hollywood Rat Pack in the 1950s and featured performances from a number of rising vocal talents. Las Vegas promoters began haunting the club looking for the Next Big Thing. This practice continues in the 1960s, when the club has become known for booking avant-garde jazz artists and European musicians.

In March 1965 club owner Marty Ganz announced his intention of selling the club and retiring from the entertainment business.