When I passed the door of the Howdy Club, where the lights were dazzling,
two men in women's evening gowns waved to me to come in.
-- One Man's Century, George P. Oslin
The 1930's in NYC saw a flourishing of queer culture - scenes, parties, shows and clubs...and one of the most interesting of these was called the Howdy Club (or Club Howdy, and the Howdy Revue, alternately). Located at 47 W 3rd Street and in operation from 1935-1944, this club was one of the few locations meant specifically for a lesbian audience, although straight couples and gay men were allowed to attend as guests.
At Club Howdy, a guest might see a burlesque act, male impersonators, men in drag ('sissy boys') as chorus boys, cocktail 'waitresses' and back-up dancers for headlining female singers. The New York Post, in all its tactful glory even then, described it as "The Village at its strangest - and not for the squeamish." We have no doubt it was delightful.
The Mob had an active hand in queer businesses in NYC at the time, and their presence began to draw attention to many queer establishments, which the Mayor seems to have used as excuses to close down locations of 'questionable morality.' This particular location was 'managed' by the Genovese family, bringing it under frequent scrutiny for illegal activity.
The Howdy Club's demise came in 1944 (it managed to survive much longer than most, perhaps in part because of its steady stream of straight guests), as part of a sting - closed down on 'morality charges,' due to the presence of a 'man with feminine characteristics.'
Irony abounds in New York.
The pansies that bloom in the spring, tra-la--along with most any other old thing, tra-la.
It's tagged "a rendezvous for sophisticates" and you can take it or leave it or take it.
-- Going Places In New York City (1937/38 Edition), p. 38
The December 2, 1944 issue of Billboard had this to say about Club Howdy's closing:
NEW YORK, NOV. 25 -- The Howdy Club [... has] been forced to suspend their cabaret activities until December 5 on morals charges. The suspensions began November 20. Both spots have filed petitions for stays but so far have not been successful.