I-Hotel Community

The International Hotel served as a family and provided protection. "The Filipino community in San Francisco existed in groups dictated by economic necessity and blood brotherhood. The International Hotel became a symbol for an entire minority community."

"About 1954, the International Hotel became significant for yet another reason. Enrico Banduccci, opened his original "Hungry I" nightclub next door to Club Mandalay in the basement of the International Hotel where performing artists got there start such as: Nina Simone, the Smothers Brothers, Lenny Bruce, the Kingston Trio, Dr. Irwin Chory and Bill Cosby, to name a few."

(Photo by Chris Huie)

- Manilatown Heritage Foundation, San Francisco, California