A time-honored night club considered one of the symbols of Tokyo's upscale Ginza shopping district closed its doors Wednesday after a nearly nine-decade run.
The Shiroibara (White Rose) cabaret, which opened in 1931, had been known for its vintage charm, attracting both longtime regulars and tourists yearning for a whiff of Showa Era (1926-1989) nostalgia. It closed due to aging of the building, which is slated for demolition.
The venue called itself an "orthodox Le Cabaret," and featured 100 "floor ladies" hailing from various provinces of the nation who served customers in their local dialects. A large map of Japan with the stage names of hostesses marked by their prefecture of origin greeted guests at the entrance.
Shiroibara featured a live band and dance programs, and was known for its reasonable pricing despite its location in one of the most expensive area of the capital.
Crowds of customers lined its entrance on its final night to catch a glimpse of the now-historical venue. On Twitter, fans expressed regret for having to send off a place that embodied the glitz and glamour of times gone by.
"Ginza's long-standing grand cabaret, 'Shiroibara,' is drawing the curtain on its 86-year history today. It's really too bad," tweeted user @kunikuni_1959 late Wednesday.
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