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.[1] Many comedians launched their career at The Boarding House including Robin Williams. Steve Martin's first three albums were recorded there, Let's Get Small, A Wild and Crazy Guy, and Comedy Is Not Pretty!, in whole or in part. Ellen DeGeneres and Jay Leno have said they first met at The Boarding House.[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. The Residents also first played there.