Siegi Sessler

Siegi Sessler (9 September 1910 – 1 April 1969) was a prominent London restaurateur and club owner in the mid-20th century. He started club life^[1] after the Second World War, and opened Siegi's Club in 1950 at 46 Charles Street in London's Mayfair area.^[2] Siegi's became the first of the Mayfair establishments, later among Claremont Club, Annabel's, Tramp, Harry's Bar and The Colony Club. It was well known to be the 'home away from home' for Hollywood stars, such as Frank Sinatra,^[3] Humphrey Bogart,^[4] Bob Hope,^[5] Crosby, Niven, Brando, Monroe, John Wayne, Cary Grant,^[6] Bette Davis, Clark Gable,^[7] Doris Day, Joan Crawford,^[8] Ingrid Bergman^[9] and Elizabeth Taylor.^[10] It was described as "a sort of Madame Tussauds for live people... a safe haven for the friendless and a place impossible to leave, without a pocketful of introductions, for all four corners of the globe. You may not have wanted to lunch with Brando in LA, or safari with William Holden,^[11] at his Mt. Kenya Safari Club, however once out of the door, you were committed and often compelled to be their house guests, although a stranger...and you may have only popped in for a night cap before bed!" by columnist Marjorie Proops.