The Boarding House was a music and comedy nightclub, located at 960 Bush Street in San Francisco, California, opened by David Allen in 1971 and closed in the early 1980s.
[2] The club was also host to a multitude of musical acts, such as Jerry Garcia, Dire Straits,[3] Dolly Parton, Patti Smith, Neil Young, Bette Midler, Billy Joel, Bob Marley and the Wailers,[4] Mason Williams, The Tubes, Talking Heads,[5] Old & In the Way, Randy Newman, Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks,[6] Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, Hoyt Axton, Camel, and Tom Waits.
Before opening the Boarding House in 1971, New Jersey-born David Allen had operated a target range on the top floor of California Hall on Polk Street, and performed as a repertory theater actor and as KPIX's "Deputy Dave.
[1] Entertainers and writers have noted that Allen was "genial",[1] "loved and respected"[7] but frequently in financial difficulties and often kept The Boarding House running "on charm alone," relying on benefits performed by stars whose careers he had launched.
[16] Dave Allen reopened the club for a short time at 901 Columbus Ave in the city's North Beach district,[1] where comedians Robin Williams, Lily Tomlin and Paula Poundstone performed.