Henri's opened October 1, 1959 as "Milwaukee's newest and most beautiful show lounge," with high-caliber acts like Nina Simone, Dakota Staton, Miles Davis, Bill Haley and the Comets, the Platters, and more within its first year. By 1962, the highly successful club had been acquired by the Balistrieri crime family. New operator Joseph Maniaci introduced seedier elements, including female impersonators, striptease acts, and belly dancers that attracted as many gay customers as they attracted police and FBI attention. Henri's was one of several properties demolished for Time Insurance parking in February 1967.