For all of the speakeasy's in Manhattan
that I have come across, Chumley's is the most.. original I want to say.
Chumley’s
86 Bedford Street
New York, NY
10014
From the people who have hung out there, from F. Scott Fitzgerald
to allegedly Hemingway(please be true), to all the novels that were worked on
while frequenting Chumley's enjoying a beer which some then were even published
(all the published book jackets are used as decoration on the walls). However,
the most unknown and special fact - is the secrecy of the watering hole. Having
no outside bar signs, only an “in the know” local would be able to find the entrance.
There was a door through a metal gated courtyard off Barrow Street, a password even
needed at one point (said into a small four by four sliding window in the side
door) and secret trap door inside with a bookcase following the stairs that
would unknowingly lead you into an alley. That kept the mystery of it.
It was marked as a Literary Landmark,
rightly so with all the famous works created there. Chumley’s was open until
recently when one of their walls located in the courtyard that was connected to
three other buildings collapsed in 2007. Thankfully, the original furniture and
decorations that made it so special are safe in storage. There is also a chance
it will open early next year in 2015, the obstacle: the locals are working hard
to not have it reopen as both Barrow Street and Bedford Street are for the most
part quiet residential areas and they would like to keep it that way. Having a
bar open they fear (rightly so) that the establishment would bring in a lot of
young and loud traffic. An argument with fighting for, but for historical
reasons, one spot I hope comes back to life.
The courtyard to the main entrance with no sign...
The best part, this spot (before used as a drinking hole), in the Pre-Civil War era was used as a place for escaped slaves to hide - due to their friends who lived by on Gay Street and helped them.
My fingers are crossed that I can one day step in and have a drink just like the best of them did. Keep you posted!
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Info and images thanks to: nytimes; nytimes; untappedcities; rightherenyc
