New York City Bartenders & Patrons

Yesterday I wrote about Chumley's being on the edge of oblivion. This follows a wall collapse inside the landmark saloon. The press today was pretty much in agreement that the future of the bar is uncertain, but it does not look good.

What is a drag is that this didn't need to happen. The owner of the bar put in a building request, but went ahead and started working on the building without the city giving the OK papers. So now the owner has 3 violations, and the whole building is shutdown. If the inspectors find that the building can't be shored up and saved (this thing dates to 1830!) then it will probably get knocked down.

Any other landmarks near there that are also in danger?

Labels: bars, village

Earlier today word spread that one of the most venerable bars in Manhattan was doomed due to structural damage. Reports of a wall collapse inside Chumley's led reports to say that the city was going to force the building to be razed. As of tonight, the building is closed and all residents are evacuated. The fate of Chumley's is up in the air.

Chumley's, at 82-86 Bedford Street, is a legendary bar in the Village for many reasons. First, and I hope this makes it into the newspapers tomorrow, is that it has given all barflies one of the most-recognized terms in existence. To be "eighty-sixed" (thrown out) of a bar is a direct connection to Chumley's. The way I was told (and everyone who goes to Chumley's, whoever takes them there, tells the story) is that back during Prohibition (1920-1933) when the law came in the front door, the bartender would yell "86!" which meant for everyone to exit through the side entrance, which is at 86 Bedford.

It also has a literary reputation that can't be beat. The bar is covered on every wall with book jackets going back decades. There are photos of writers all over. But what makes it really special is the staff: all firefighters. It was for this reason that in the time period after 9/11, a lot of people were drawn to it.

Chumley's is a classic old bar, and it would be a pity if it never opened again. Here is to steel support beams, scaffolding, and new bricks to shore it up again.

Labels: bars, village