AsiaSF is coming to Palm Springs. The iconic San Francisco establishment, featuring a glitzy and memorable cabaret show, bar, night club and menu has been going strong for more than two decades. A celebration of multiculturalism and inclusion, the nightlife landmark has drawn a diverse crowd since it opened. These days, cultural tsunami shifts have made what was once a curiosity, now a bastion of empowerment and acceptance. So much so, the model is being exported to the Desert.
AsiaSF long considered expanding to Southern California. After much research and auditions all over the country, the new locale in Palm Springs is a natural fit. Opened a month before the Covid shutdown, AsiaSF in Palm Springs is poised to re-open this December. An homage to the supper clubs of the 1930s and ‘40s with decidedly modern flourishes, The Forbidden City Nightclub and the Lotus Lounge, pool and outdoor space complete the vast complex; a bold and bright new addition to the already splashy desert scene.
We sat down with Larry Hashbarger, the founder, chairman and CEO, at the AsiaSF location recently to find out all about the success of the popular Bay Area hotspot and it’s new incarnation in Palm Springs. In addition to being a Founder and creative force behind AsiaSF, Larry was the Director of Special Productions for Macy’s West. Legendary in the Bay Area, Larry produced Passport – America’s premier fashion show and AIDS fundraiser. He also founded Club Asia – a large late night Asian gay dance club that operated for more than 6 years. I asked him what was the genesis of AsiaSF, an upscale dinner and a show concept featuring a gorgeous cast of trans performers. Vaxxed and masked, we sat with our colorful cocktails between sets, and he recounted how while accompanying a close friend to Bangkok for reassignment surgery in the ‘90s, he was struck by the splendor and variety of these types of shows in the Thai capital. He wanted to import the idea, and San Francisco— a magnet for LGBTQ folks, tourists and a city ahead of it’s time in terms of the wave of marriage equality, queer acceptance and the soon to be powerful force of the trans community— was the perfect place. Amidst the peak dot-com craze— when every night was Saturday night— the place took off. This was pre Pose and Ru Paul, but popular culture was starting to catch on to the dynamic, crowd pleasing quality of trans talent; if still in a somewhat voyeuristic way. For young people today however, this culture is now just a part of their DNA.
These days, the crowd is mixed: young, old, hip, wheelchair user, rainbow-haired people, gay, straight, fashionable and fashion-challenged, those who could hold their liquor and those who could not, certainly some voyeurs, and plenty of bachelorettes. Bachelorette parties are BIG at AsiaSF! Palm Springs is also a destination for bachelorette parties and, the night I visited in SF, there were a few ‘gal pal’ parties, groups of parents out for the nite, date night duos and work posses.
As Karmina, one of the ladies said, “it’s a celebration of love and diversity and we are ambassadors working to educate the curious.”
Cocktails are named after the women. I had ‘Vivica’s Citron Kick:’ grapefruit vodka, triple sec, sweet and sour, lime juice, soda water and a stash of Sprite. Sitting near the bar, I was struck how the colorful cocktails, changing rainbow of back light on the walls, and even the hair color of some of the patrons, made the whole sensory experience vibrant and tantalizing. My guest and I had spruced up a bit after 18 months of very scant nightlife, but we were put to shame, these women were gorgeous! We felt so frumpy, and could not get one good selfie. The cast, the costumes, the lighting, every moment was Instagram-worthy. Having grown up in New York’s Greenwich Village, and now calling SF home, I am not a novice in this realm, but I wanted to enjoy the show in a respectful way. Although I had been here once before in the early days, with out-of-town relatives, this time I had some apprehension.
After vetting the assignment with a friend in the Drag Community and another LGBTQ activist friend, I was all systems go. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t part of the problem. As both my sources confirmed, AsiaSF is a sanctuary and ideal employer for these women who still face difficult lives, costly surgeries, maintenance and often without the support of family.
As one friend said: “Anyone that’s advertising to employ trans people specifically is doing a good thing and offers people who have a difficult time finding employment ... jobs.” I sat down with Karmina, originally from the Philippines, and a dancer at AsiaSF for more than 20 years. She spoke of the party atmosphere and family vibe. She loves working there and is excited about the Palm Springs locale. She was so open and warm, and who works somewhere for 20 years these days? It must be a good gig.
Next to us was a solo woman in her forties named Anna Maria. I was curious, she seemed to be enjoying herself. A therapist visiting from Fort Myers, Florida, it was a trans colleague of hers who had recommended the spot. Normally an introvert, she said she felt completely fine being there on her own. She took a ton of selfies, and presumably did a better job of it than we did. That made me think more about the show and the choreography, which will be similar in the Desert. The costumes by Julian Mendez couture were fabulous, each one more glamorous eye candy than the last. Mendez dresses hip hop stars like Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, and the choreography by Ronnie Reddick spanned the worlds of torch song, to hip hop and Broadway tunes; the grand finale was Dreamgirls! With the wind machine working their tresses, I turned to my friend and said ‘they all look like J Lo,’ who of course is the perfect curvy mix of feminine, fit, cool and body positive. We all know she works it, but she oozes effortless beauty, into her fifties. These women put a lot of effort, time and money into their looks and it shows. In some ways it’s like a tween girl’s dream, singing with a spoon mic in front of the mirror, but this is a big production and you are left awestruck.
The food was delicious and well presented. A Cal/Asian fusion, a mix of fresh California produce with flavors, herbs and spices of the Orient. In Palm Springs, there is 4000 sq. ft. of outdoor space, with a giant pool, cabanas and a view of the mountains; it can accommodate 200 people. Look for Brunch and Happy Hour offerings as well as Fri-Sun dinner and performances (the schedule is fluid, so check the website).
The women will live and work in the area and there will be some cross pollination between SF and Palm Springs casts. Kataluna Enriquez, current Miss USA Nevada and competing in November for the Miss USA title, who is the first trans title holder of the Miss USA pageants, will be part of the cast in Palm Springs.
This model nightclub really resonates with people and is at the forefront of creating a safe place for transgender folks and their guests. People come to celebrate and have a good time. Close to Los Angeles and three hours from Phoenix, the destination location of Palm Springs beckoned. This new Palm Springs night spot, with a huge outdoor area, is the perfect place to live your authentic truth!
