This little cup was my mom’s. She went to Bimbo’s 365 in the 50’s with her cousin and yes, ok my mom stole the cup in her purse. Bimbo’s 365 was and still is a famous bar in San Francisco. From the website:
In 1931, he and Young, now his partner, opened the 365 Club at 365 Market Street. San Francisco was weary of the Depression, needed some fun, and the 365 Club was there to provide it. The club was crowded with celebrities and stars from across America who were there to see and be seen. On stage, lines of long-stemmed chorus girls kicked high to the music; one of whom was Rita Cansino. Later, we would all know her as Rita Hayworth. Gin was served in coffee cups while everybody puzzled over the optical illusion provided by Dolfina, The Girl in the Fishbowl: She appeared to swim nude in the fish tank behind the bar… you can still find her there today.
I love this little cup, I didn’t realize until reading this that my mom probably had gin from it not coffee. She had told me about the naked girl in the fishbowl. I’d love to go one day and see Dolfina splashing around in her bowl. When my mom died and me and my family went through her things to have, this was the first thing I picked.
Dolphina must be getting a little long in the tooth, not to mention wrinkly and tired if she’s been swimming nude in in that tank since 1931. I’ll bet the gin was served in cups because prhibition was still on in 1931, the patrons would look like they were sipping coffee while they were really guzzling booze. I’ll have to check out the bimbos if I ever go to Frisco.
Hi! SPedIR