Meet Harry

San Franciscans are wild about Harry Denton and the feeling is mutual. He is the operating partner of the City’s top nightclub, Harry Denton’s Starlight Room. Harry likes nothing better than to show his customers a terrific time and loves being a host. Harry certainly knows how to throw a party, always choosing the best wines, classic cocktails, wonderful food, and music that matches the scene. He is a master of creating a mood and finessing details, from the silk drapery to the art deco door handle on the powder room door of the Starlight Room, his stunningly glamorous nightclub with the 360-degree view from atop the Sir Francis Drake hotel. It is no wonder that Denton is known as “The Toots Shore of San Francisco” or “the man who views life as one big party”.

Born in Magic Valley, Idaho, Harry is a natural entertainer! He arrived in San Francisco in 1965, during the height of the Haight-Ashbury scene. He began his San Francisco restaurant career as a waiter/bartender working at such legendary spots as, Henry Africa’s, the Dartmouth Social Club and Ed Moose’s Washington Square Bar & Grill. His exuberance and professionalism were as good for business as they were for Harry’s personal goal, owning his own place, which was something he had wanted to do since landing in the “City by the Bay”.

His first venture was Harry’s Bar on Fillmore, which opened in 1986 and is still going strong. Then there was Southside, a popular restaurant and dance club from 1987 to 1991, which was responsible for bringing the entire yuppie generation South of Market. In 1988, Bill Kimpton, chairman of San Francisco’s Kimpton Group, approached Harry to team up with him and open Harry Denton’s Restaurant, a 160 seat brassiere-style restaurant and dance club adjacent to the Harbor Court Hotel on San Francisco’s Embarcadero, which had 10 successful years!

Harry is also as notorious for his compassionate heart as he is for his insatiable love of entertaining. When he isn’t throwing a gala party or dancing merrily on the bar of one of his acclaimed nightspots you can find him working with the Hamilton Family Center in the Haight (a shelter for homeless mothers). He is also a committee member for the Black & White Ball and Chairman of the Post-Party Gala Committee for the opening night of the San Francisco Symphony. Harry is continually donating his time to the task of raising money for those less fortunate and hosts a variety of events at his establishments to help organizations like Cystic Fibrosis, The Suicide Prevention Center, Meals on Wheels, AMFAR, STOP AIDS Project, and Project Open Hand.

Send email to Harry.

Harry’s Q&A
Harry Denton gives an inside look into his life as San Francisco’s favorite host

Favorite type of fine food?
   - Foie Gras

Favorite junk food?
   - Mac & cheese

Favorite movie?
   - Gone with the Wind

Secret (or not-so-secret) addictions?
   - shopping, eating…and I can’t mention the other one

Favorite type of music?
   - Classical and hip-hop

Where’d you learn to dance?
   - Natural rhythm

How’d you learn to play the piano so well?
   - My mother

Favorite vacation hot-spot?
   - Rio

How many tuxedos do you own?
   - 13

How many pairs of shoes do you own?
   - 69

What do you want to do when you “grow up?”
   - Play

Who is your biggest inspiration?
   - My mother, Harriet Denton

Favorite event of the year?
   - Annual Mother’s Day brunch at the Starlight Room for the homeless moms from Hamilton Center

San Francisco locals call you the “King of Singles”- where did that nickname come from?
- Singles have come to my night club for the last 15 years!

THANK YOU