Madame Wong's

Madame Wong's Restaurant
Madame Wong's restaurant was located at 949 Sun Mun Way in Chinatown, Los Angeles.

Madame Wong opened Madame Wong's Chinese cuisine in 1970 with her husband George Wong. It was located in the original 1938 Rice Bowl restaurant.

Madame Wong's featured Polynesian music, cocktails and dancing. However, by 1978, the restaurant (as was Chinatown) was suffering from economic hard times and it had very few night time customers.

L.A. Times ad for Madame Wong's - February 10, 1974

In October of 1978, entrepreneur/music promoter Paul Greenstein persuaded Ester Wong to host rock/punk music in her restaurant in the evening - (this idea was similar to what the Philippine restaurant Mabuhay Gardens was doing successfully in San Francisco).

L.A. Times article dated October 1, 1978

Ester Wong was a no-nonsense business woman. She was born and educated in Shanghai and had traveled the world with her businessman father in her early life she.

Ester Wong - Music Promoter

Ester Wong (1917–2005) reinvented herself into the 'godmother of punk'

Inadvertently, Madame Wong became the godmother of punk music. She became the local music scene's biggest supporter. Her stage often hosted bands such as: Oingo Boingo, the Police, X, the Motels, 20/20, the Knack, the Textones, the Go-Go's, the Plimsouls, the Plane English and many, many more.

Los Angeles Times - October 5, 1978

Two Rock Bands at Madame Wong's 

by Richard Cromelin

excerpt from article

The Polynesian Maidens, the regular attraction at Madame Wong's restaurant in Chinatown, gave way Tuesday to rock 'n' roll, and it the capacity attendance in the colorful, comfortable room is any indication, the site could prove to be a valuable platform for venue starved local bands. The only element missing for good rock 'n' roll energy is an open space for standing and dancing. 

However, Madame Wong had strict rules for those who wanted to play at her club. She limited the clientele to those over 21, and all but banned girl singers, calling them 'no good, always trouble'. She would often tour the venue during performances sniffing around for marijuana smoke. She had a reputation as a dragon lady. In fact, she once stopped a show until two members of the Ramones cleaned up what they had written on the bathroom walls.

The sign above the door

Due to the success of the Chinatown location, Madame Wong opened Madame Wong's West was opened in Santa Monica. It operated from 1978 to 1991. The Chinatown location of Madame Wong's closed in 1985.

L.A. Times ad c. 1979

How the door to former Madame Wong's looks today

2008 photo: tlc

949 Sun Mun Way

2008 photo: tlc

Looking at the former site of Madame Wong's

2008 photo: tlc

Former site of Madame Wong's

2008 photo: tlc

Madame Wong's in Chinatown closed in 1985.

---------------------------------------