George Katinas opened the Paramount Steakhouse in 1948, at 1519 17th Street NW, in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

[1] Katinas's sisters, Annie Kaylor and Sue Stouts, began working at the restaurant's bar in 1952 and 1953 respectively, during night and weekend shifts.

[2] In the early 1960s, Katinas renamed the restaurant to "Annie's Paramount Steakhouse" and had his sister serve as the face of the establishment.

[1] A 1981 Washington Post column by Michael Kernan described Annie's as a place where "many of the gay guys who live in the neighborhood (and elsewhere) swarm in, mixing peacefully with straight couples.

[2][7] In addition to its predominantly gay clientele, Annie's Paramount Steakhouse has more formally supported the LGBT community in Washington, D.C.