History time! So you all have heard of Chippendales, the “male exotic dancers” that were primarily big in the 70s and 80s, right? You’ve probably seen the SNL sketch.
“Chippendales” was the name of the club where the show originated, a small dive bar/cocktail lounge on the west side of LA in a neighborhood called Palms. The founder named it that in 1978 after the British furniture designer Sir Thomas Chippendale. Thought it sounded “classy.”
“Chippendales” has nothing to do with the Disney characters Chip ‘n Dale, and Disney did NOT name its chipmunks after the male strip club — the chipmunks date back to the 40s. (The Chippendales founder did idolize Walt Disney tho, but that’s another story for another time.)
The Chippendales founder is a Bengali immigrant named Somen Banerjee who started going by Steve after arriving in the US in the late 60s. He leased the club in 1975 and named it Destiny II. (There was never a Destiny I.) Here’s Banerjee and his extremely 70s lapels.
(This is the sidest of sidenotes but I love that the guy who Banerjee leased the club that became Chippendales from (his name was Don Saks) also owned another LA event space that held a regular Astrology club.)
Anyway, I got kinda obsessed with the history of the LA club itself during my deep research dives so I want to share some of the fun things I found. Like this early piece of press where the club is written up for jumping on the cool trend of having a fish tank on display (?!)
Anyway, I got kinda obsessed with the history of the LA club itself during my deep research dives so I want to share some of the fun things I found. Like this early piece of press where the club is written up for jumping on the cool trend of having a fish tank on display (?!)
Anyway, I got kinda obsessed with the history of the LA club itself during my deep research dives so I want to share some of the fun things I found. Like this early piece of press where the club is written up for jumping on the cool trend of having a fish tank on display (?!)
Early events at Destiny II (pre-Chippendales, pre-strippers) included concerts, fundraisers, and of course DISCO for SINGLES.
Early events at Destiny II (pre-Chippendales, pre-strippers) included concerts, fundraisers, and of course DISCO for SINGLES.
Early events at Destiny II (pre-Chippendales, pre-strippers) included concerts, fundraisers, and of course DISCO for SINGLES.
Early events at Destiny II (pre-Chippendales, pre-strippers) included concerts, fundraisers, and of course DISCO for SINGLES.
By 1978 they get backgammon in the mix and Destiny II becomes one of the city’s go-to spots for it even though the space is said to be crowded, poorly-lit, and bad for concentration. (Backgammon continues there after they change the name from Destiny II to Chippendales.)
By 1978 they get backgammon in the mix and Destiny II becomes one of the city’s go-to spots for it even though the space is said to be crowded, poorly-lit, and bad for concentration. (Backgammon continues there after they change the name from Destiny II to Chippendales.)
By 1978 they get backgammon in the mix and Destiny II becomes one of the city’s go-to spots for it even though the space is said to be crowded, poorly-lit, and bad for concentration. (Backgammon continues there after they change the name from Destiny II to Chippendales.)
By 1978 they get backgammon in the mix and Destiny II becomes one of the city’s go-to spots for it even though the space is said to be crowded, poorly-lit, and bad for concentration. (Backgammon continues there after they change the name from Destiny II to Chippendales.)
By 1978 they get backgammon in the mix and Destiny II becomes one of the city’s go-to spots for it even though the space is said to be crowded, poorly-lit, and bad for concentration. (Backgammon continues there after they change the name from Destiny II to Chippendales.)
(While you’re looking for local 70s LA backgammon tournaments, you can also get yourself a new pair of pants from George.)
But back to 1978. Still no male strippers. They’re trying anything to get a draw for the club.

Like disco dance lessons! Obvs disco is a big deal. Saturday Night Fever had just come out. An LA Times article quotes a physician claiming disco dancing is “great for the bowels.”
But back to 1978. Still no male strippers. They’re trying anything to get a draw for the club. Like disco dance lessons! Obvs disco is a big deal. Saturday Night Fever had just come out. An LA Times article quotes a physician claiming disco dancing is “great for the bowels.”
But back to 1978. Still no male strippers. They’re trying anything to get a draw for the club. Like disco dance lessons! Obvs disco is a big deal. Saturday Night Fever had just come out. An LA Times article quotes a physician claiming disco dancing is “great for the bowels.”
But back to 1978. Still no male strippers. They’re trying anything to get a draw for the club. Like disco dance lessons! Obvs disco is a big deal. Saturday Night Fever had just come out. An LA Times article quotes a physician claiming disco dancing is “great for the bowels.”
But back to 1978. Still no male strippers. They’re trying anything to get a draw for the club. Like disco dance lessons! Obvs disco is a big deal. Saturday Night Fever had just come out. An LA Times article quotes a physician claiming disco dancing is “great for the bowels.”
They change the name from Destiny II to Chippendales in 1978 and this is when the fonts get REALLY GOOD.
They change the name from Destiny II to Chippendales in 1978 and this is when the fonts get REALLY GOOD.
They change the name from Destiny II to Chippendales in 1978 and this is when the fonts get REALLY GOOD.
They change the name from Destiny II to Chippendales in 1978 and this is when the fonts get REALLY GOOD.
There’s one font in particular, which also appeared on the club’s signage, and looks familiar… (remember when I mentioned Steve Banerjee’s obsession with Walt Disney?)
There’s one font in particular, which also appeared on the club’s signage, and looks familiar… (remember when I mentioned Steve Banerjee’s obsession with Walt Disney?)
There’s one font in particular, which also appeared on the club’s signage, and looks familiar… (remember when I mentioned Steve Banerjee’s obsession with Walt Disney?)
Did you want more fantastic early Chippendales newspaper ads? Great.
Did you want more fantastic early Chippendales newspaper ads? Great.
Did you want more fantastic early Chippendales newspaper ads? Great.
Did you want more fantastic early Chippendales newspaper ads? Great.
“Everything from mimes to jugglers — available by request” !!
By Dec 1979, Chippendales decides to go ham on “male exotic dancing,” with an announcement that the strip show is going 4 nights a week.
As early as 1980, Chippendales founder Steve Banerjee is advertising his beefcake calendars too, sometimes right alongside the competition.
As early as 1980, Chippendales founder Steve Banerjee is advertising his beefcake calendars too, sometimes right alongside the competition.
As early as 1980, Chippendales founder Steve Banerjee is advertising his beefcake calendars too, sometimes right alongside the competition.
As early as 1980, Chippendales founder Steve Banerjee is advertising his beefcake calendars too, sometimes right alongside the competition.
Ah yes, female mud wrestling! Another regular event held at the club. That was advertised too.
Ah yes, female mud wrestling! Another regular event held at the club. That was advertised too.
Ah yes, female mud wrestling! Another regular event held at the club. That was advertised too.
Ah yes, female mud wrestling! Another regular event held at the club. That was advertised too.
By this point in ’81-‘82, the club is gaining local notoriety in LA, “semi-famous for having been the first to use male strippers in the evening to warm up the women before letting in the men.” And it “caters to the upwardly mobile, straight young business worker crowd.”
By this point in ’81-‘82, the club is gaining local notoriety in LA, “semi-famous for having been the first to use male strippers in the evening to warm up the women before letting in the men.” And it “caters to the upwardly mobile, straight young business worker crowd.”
By this point in ’81-‘82, the club is gaining local notoriety in LA, “semi-famous for having been the first to use male strippers in the evening to warm up the women before letting in the men.” And it “caters to the upwardly mobile, straight young business worker crowd.”
The rest is history. I’m gonna leave this thread here but if you liked this please check out WELCOME TO YOUR FANTASY, our podcast series about the history of Chippendales for soooo much more to this story. https://open.spotify.com/show/3peO5EoD0YeRh7xcFMncDM
You can follow @eleanorkagan.
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