Asia SF to Close After 26 years
After nearly 26 years, the longest-running trans cabaret show in SOMA has announced it’s planning to close its doors for the final time. Asia SF Co-owners Larry Hashbarg (72) and Skip Young plan to retire, so the two-story, all-inclusive restaurant, show, and club venue will close its doors on March 31, the International Day of Trans Visibility.
Asia SF describes itself as “a sisterhood of diverse Bay Area performers who have mastered the art of celebrating themselves, and they provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere to celebrate fabulous you!”
“It’s very possible that pop-up editions of AsiaSF might come forth,” said founder and CEO Larry Hashbarger in a press release. “This is very much a transition and the end of an era. However, hopefully, it is the beginning of new opportunities for our vision and the Ladies of AsiaSF.”
Hashburg told the SF Chronicle that the decision was “heart-wrenching” but that operating Asia SF had become increasingly difficult after shutting down during the peak of the pandemic. Since reopening in January 2021, business has been down in general and has become irregular with alternating highs and lows. “It makes things very hard,” Hashbarger said.
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A second location, Asia SF Palm Springs had closed its doors for a final time in 2022 following the fallout from the pandemic.
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“After almost 26 incredible years, AsiaSF will be closing its doors on March 31st, 2024. We want to thank each and every one of you for your unwavering support and unforgettable memories.” –ASIA SF Facebook
Asia SF ‘s two liquor licenses along with all the nightclub and restaurant equipment are on the market. But they will retain Asia SF’s intellectual property, music, wardrobe, and choreography numbers) for future pop-up events with Asia SF’s performers. In 1998 Hashberg was inspired by a friend’s gender transition in Thailand to start Asia SF, back then they referred to their performers as “gender illusionists” and later “gender transcendents.”
Currently, Asia SF’s three-course menu on Fridays & Saturdays starting at 6 pm (all ages welcome) with a choice of Asian-inspired dishes like tamarind chicken satay, blackened tuna sashimi, miso-glazed salmon, soba noodle salad and a filet mignon, plus dessert.
Asia SF will officially close its doors on March 31st, 2024. They are taking reservations now if you want to catch the last shows at the venue.
sf.asiasf.com
201 9th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
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