The Cotton CLUB was a famous nightclub in Harlem, New York City, that operated from 1923 to 1940. It was known for its jazz music and featured some of the most prominent African American entertainers of the time. The CLUB was owned by mobster Owney Madden and was frequented by many celebrities, including Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Billie Holiday. The Cotton CLUB was also the site of many illegal activities, such as gambling and bootlegging. The answer to the crossword is 'CLUB'.