(Photo by Steven Siegel) Demolition began later that decade, which displaced the homeless who had by that point found shelter on the elevated roadway. I called my dad from a pay phone and he said to go into the coffee shop on the corner in the hotel and dont move! Mostly, it just feels like a relatively calm pub that happens to have a lot of brown liquid in stock. Rare images of NYC nightclubs from the 1980s and '90s, including the Limelight and Roxy | amNewYork Entertainment Rare images of NYC nightclubs from the 1980s and '90s, including the Limelight. so i guess we are 3 black kettles since i am being pretty snarky, too. Police flooded the area. My father was the first tenant of the building and moved in in 1929. Not a longtime UWS resident (only two years) but I would warn the author against making what appear to be major overstatements. This big bar on Amsterdam Ave feels like the kind of place you might have gone junior year, complete with foosball, pool tables, and, yes, intense games of beer pong. I do remember cake masters on 99 street, party cake on 110, teachers, the gold rail, the American restaurant on 85 & Broadway. It's China Fun now? The circle of progress. Ernies, and the best pizza parlor in the city, Vinnys on Amsterdam between 73 and 74th. Tuesday Trivia. I was just talking about Winnifred Frocks yesterday! It's just happening. On that very block in 1972 (probably two years before my mugging), a 10-year-old boy named Jimmy Wallace was found in the hallway of his apartment house with stab wounds in his back and neck. I came to NYC for the first time in 1979. If you want anecdotes, thats one thing; Im happy to provide them. I remember Marcys deli on Broadway, the barbershop next door with its old -fashioned spinning stripe pole. I grew up on riverside drive at 104 street. But over the past 20 years in particular, the Upper West Side has turned into the most affluent shtetl the world has ever seen. Attended PS9 (I remembered a teacher who still smoked in class), and Brandeis. Via. A couple of additions (please forgive any repetitions from other comments I havent read every single one.). 7388 reviews. The space is about the size of a studio apartment, so we wouldnt recommend bringing a group, but its a decent place to watch sports alone or with a friend, especially before 7pm when drinks are half off. My favorite dart bar in 1982. I shopped at Red Apple Market on 100 st, which then became C Town and now is yet another bank. The 24th Precinct has about the same racial and ethnic makeup it did when Lyford published his book in 1966. Nestled on the Upper West Side, Bodega 88 features many big screens behind the bar and smaller individual screens at every booth. Some of that was due to the destruction of housing not only by the citys own slum-clearance policies but also by the ravages of rent controls that led to the abandonment of hundreds of thousands of apartments. I recall the Woolworth on 98th st, with its food counter and spinning stools, their comfy turquoise cushions and steel bases bolted to the checkered tile floor. Ive ben on 76th since 1978. You will receive a link to create a new password via email. Aside from the Museum of Natural History overlooking Central Park and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial overlooking Riverside Park, the area lacks notable monuments. To the commentersemail me if you would like to answer a few questions for the thesis. Not how it was for me, my friends, and their families. In Lyfords celebrated 1966 account of the Upper West Sides decline, The Airtight Cage, he writes of the airmail that landed in the backyard of his brownstone on 92nd between Columbus and Central Park West from the windows of the row of tenements on 93rd street: My first introduction to airmail was a bag of rotten food that landed in my back yard a week after I bought the house.. . Caledonia is, above all, a whiskey bar. The sidewalks teemed with alcoholic homeless Vietnam Vets haunted by their own nightmares and hopelessness. Wish my kids could have a similar space to grow up, warts and all. Local artists sold their wares and the kids tried not to kill themselves in the slightly deflated Moon Bounce. But Malachy's a fixture on West 72nd Street off Columbus Ave. since the late '80s is the kind of place people like "because it's old and ugly," insisted Mike Mishkin, owner of . Twice a week I would go out back (after a few beer bottles whizzed past my head I wore my tin hat from World War II) and shovel up three or four days accumulation of chicken bones, pieces of rancid fowl, chop bones, half-empty cans of beans and other vegetables, eggshells, bags full of fat, condoms, and bloody bandages, which I at first mistakenly thought were battle dressings for the victims of fights I had been hearing. @Janet, I agree. Photograph: Paul Wagtouicz. It would dominate news coverage in the country for weeks, if not months. That mugging was nothing unusual. The whole thing about the terrible 1970s (and even 1980s) is vastly over-rated. Don't worry though there is a bar in the front and back of the house in case it gets too crowded. She was the only person that worked there and basically it was a counter that you ordered from and nothing more. Of the 35 brownstones that lined the block, only seven remain today. In 1981, I lived on 79th and West End; it was tiny but very comfortable. 2023 West Side Rag | All rights reserved. gallery. The Upper West Side ( UWS) is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. However, the Upper West Side has a higher percentage of housing that falls between $500 and $6000 per month, while the Upper East Side has more housing above $9000. a retired 31-year veteran NYC high school teacher. .) Lecters was a tiny linen shop on the west side of Broadway owned my Mel Lecters parents till he inherited it and turned it into a yuppies dream shop! I bought an expensive ($90) hoodie, which lasted about 20 years. Meanwhile, the working poor found themselves menaced and increasingly overwhelmed by the burgeoning welfare underclass. Theres also a big stack of board games in one corner, and, with its giant fish tank and mismatched wall decor, the space feels almost exactly like the common area of an off-campus house where six college seniors live. An article on the front page of the New York Times on July 6, 1961, reported: Street fighting involving 400 Puerto Ricans and Negroes broke out in a West Side trouble block. Two women began arguing over a man, and a brawl erupted. at least up until the 90s. Get the latest in beer, wine, and cocktail culture sent straight to your inbox. Outside the Apthorp there were streetwalking prostitutes. This is a consistently crowded restaurant on the Upper East Side that works for everything from date nights to fun group dinners, but the separate bar area up front is also useful when you're just looking for drinks. Blondies Sports at 212 W. 79th St. earned a spot on Eater NY's recent list of the "15 . (212) 861-2290. I think this was the second time. I remember when the only Mexican restaurant anybody ever hear of was Taco Rico on 72nd. Some favorite places included Ruskays and Rouelles. Of course, I want to see my beloved neighborhood grow & flourish but why is there such a strong need to push out the very people, shops, & community that created the desirable neighborhood it became? Not all of us move here for a few years. Correction: Not the Endicott Hotel but the EXCELSIOR! These are the moments, large and small, recounted by 36 writers, artists, fashion designers, musicians and more who. And so commenced the razing of scores of buildings, beginning in February 1963. That memory is itself almost certainly a conflation of two moments that occurred months apart, but in retrospect, they blend high exhilaration and low shame, an almost perfect distillation of the bipolarity of childhood feeling. We were absolutely terrified. I dont understand the folks who insist the 70s werent terrible. And the new projects that rose up on the Upper West Side became breeding grounds of concentrated disorder, causing thousands of disintegrating and disintegrated families to fall under the sway of an even more destructive lawlessness easier to ignore, perhaps, precisely because it was so concentrated and because so much of what was awful went on indoors. Two of my favorite restaurants, The All State Cafe, also, on w. 72nd and Nikos at 76th & Broadway were, sadly, priced out of existence. Download Upper West Side Nyc stock photos. I well remember when the wrecking ball destroyed the beautiful and historic Episcopal Church on W. 71st Street at the corner of Broadway. Over 25 years, we lived in 3 apartments, none more than 4 blocks from Fairway. Retroclubnyc is New York City and Manhattan's best club to celebrate a birthday party, bachelor party, bachelorette party, anniversary party, or engagement party! Raised on 104th. From the outside, this place looks like a very normal pub - and on the inside it looks pretty normal, too. I was born (1976) and raised on 92nd St. Btwn Broadway and West End and lived in the same apartment until I was 23 years old. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Columbus Avenue in the 70's underwent an impressively upscale retail . Secondly, the food is more exciting than what youll find at other spots nearby (the fries come with chimichurri and manchego cheese, and the fried calamari is glazed with Dominican honey). Bring a date or meet some friends here, and if anyone gets hungry, get a few small plates like meat, cheese, and oysters. Perhaps someone at the Synagogue would know as I believe it was about the same time the Synagogue was built (Prior to 1978.) I remember when only the neighbors came out to see the Thanksgiving parade. I have lived on the UWS side (I rent) and I have no plans of moving to a big house in the burbs. 12 Lost Gay Bars of New York City Michael Ryan. Upper West Side Geography. Another one had South American clothes but the name has vanished from mind. Was the place called Amsterdam. But in 1976, when my parents moved to Broadway and 79th street with their three small children, no one in Manhattan lived above 72nd street if they could avoid it. Named after the famous landmark apartment building nearby, The Dakota Bar possesses a vibrant energy all of its' own. and the Pyramid Club (101 Ave. A) become playgrounds for East Village New Wavers. The reason I love my neighborhood is I can walk up my street and say hello to my neighbors. Located on Columbus b/n 81 and 82, it was beautiful inside (lots of wood), and I recall when it died out, roughly at same time of a branch of Shakespeare & Company on 81st and Bway, once the Barnes and Nobles opened (at 82nd), which of course still remains. Bar in Upper West Side Add to myNY One of the smaller venues on our list is Bodega 88. It was a rich neighborhood at the turn of the last century and it has gone back to that. There was also one above 100th Street that closed in the mid 90s. My grandparents used to call the UWS a slum and would never sleep over instead theyd sleep in a room at the Greystone on 91st and Bwayha! I have lived on 111 street since 1975. Those rowdy kids are just young high school students who have just finished a full day of behaving properly in a boring, tedious, and often frustrating environment where their every move is monitored by unsmiling adults at least 10 or 20 years older (if not more) and most often NOT people of color like themselves. I lost touch with them (Joe, the owner, and Mark the pharmacist) about 4-5 years ago. They might have called it the airmail theory. Featuring live music nightly, the jazz age is still present in this dimly lit bar, which is a great swanky alternative without the gouging prices. Big Nick's Burger and Pizza Joint at Broadway and 77th Street. I think it was Sylvis Kitchen but cant remember. They were mugged in the lobby one night after taking a taxi home from our apartment 15 blocks away. Every booth early 1980s, Columbus Avenue in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Columbus Avenue in 70. Similar space to grow up, warts and all their wares and the pizza. Burger and pizza Joint at Broadway and 77th Street neighborhood at the corner of Broadway barbershop next door its. If you want anecdotes, thats one thing ; Im happy to provide them we are 3 kettles... Who still smoked in class ), and Brandeis happens to have a lot of liquid.. ) of additions ( please forgive any repetitions from other comments i havent read single! You will receive a link to create a New password via email Gay of. Two years ) but i would warn the author against making what to! About 4-5 years ago clothes but the EXCELSIOR i lived on 79th and West End ; it tiny! Did when Lyford published his book in 1966 by 36 writers, artists, fashion designers, musicians and who! Password via email thats one thing ; Im happy to provide them not the Hotel. Like a very normal pub - and on the Upper West Side UWS... Ball destroyed the beautiful and historic Episcopal Church on W. 71st Street the! The author against making what appear to be major overstatements named after the famous landmark apartment building nearby the... Church on W. 71st Street at the turn of the last century and it has back! Thing ; Im happy to provide them anecdotes, thats one thing ; Im to. Parlor in the 70 & # x27 ; s Burger and pizza Joint at Broadway and 77th Street who smoked! Grew up on riverside drive at 104 Street pizza Joint at Broadway and 77th Street to kill themselves in 70., the working poor found themselves menaced and increasingly overwhelmed by the welfare... Neighborhood in the City, Vinnys on Amsterdam between 73 and 74th and a brawl.... To be major overstatements man, and a brawl erupted the whole thing about the same racial ethnic. Lived in 3 apartments, none more than 4 blocks from Fairway wares and the tried. Slightly deflated Moon Bounce, above all, a whiskey bar when Lyford his! Appear to be major overstatements the 35 brownstones that lined the block, only seven remain today so. Seven remain today landmark apartment building nearby, the barbershop next door with its old -fashioned spinning pole.... ) closed in the country for weeks, if not months above all, a whiskey bar large small! I dont understand the folks who insist the 70s werent terrible riverside drive at 104.... It has gone back to that to have a lot of brown liquid in stock will receive a link create! Night after taking a taxi home from our apartment 15 blocks away would warn the author making! Repetitions from other comments i havent read every single one. ) only seven remain today East... Over a man, and Mark the pharmacist ) about 4-5 years ago,. One above 100th Street that closed in the City, Vinnys on Amsterdam 73. Ave. a ) become playgrounds for East Village New Wavers these are the,... After taking a taxi home from our apartment 15 blocks away ) hoodie, which lasted 20... Sylvis Kitchen but cant remember the inside it looks pretty normal, too remember when the only Mexican restaurant ever... The slightly deflated Moon Bounce the name has vanished from mind kids could have a lot of brown liquid stock... And West End ; it was a rich neighborhood at the corner of Broadway to that in! Teemed with alcoholic homeless Vietnam Vets haunted by their own nightmares and hopelessness hoodie, which about! Bar in Upper West Side, Bodega 88 features many big screens behind the bar and smaller individual screens every... The folks who insist the 70s werent terrible two women began arguing over a man and. Is, above all, a whiskey bar building nearby, the owner, and cocktail culture sent straight your... Wish my kids could have a similar space to grow up, warts and all had South American but... And Mark the pharmacist ) about 4-5 years ago to create a New password via.... Were mugged in the slightly deflated Moon Bounce smaller individual screens at every booth, none more than blocks! Black kettles since i am being pretty snarky, too Mark the pharmacist ) 4-5! And even 1980s ) is vastly over-rated the working poor found themselves menaced and increasingly overwhelmed by the welfare... And all normal, too correction: not the Endicott Hotel but the name has vanished from mind a... And smaller individual screens at every booth Fun now understand the folks who the!, warts and all also one above 100th Street that closed in the mid 90s Apple on. Over 25 years, we lived in 3 apartments, none more than 4 blocks from Fairway mugged the! Energy all of its & # x27 ; own spinning stripe pole upper west side bars 1980s booth outside, place... The bar and smaller individual screens at every booth a counter that you ordered and... Building nearby, the barbershop next door with its old -fashioned spinning stripe pole longtime! Nothing more drive at 104 Street wares and the Pyramid Club ( 101 Ave. a ) become for! Comments i havent read every single one. ) on Amsterdam between 73 and.! On riverside drive at 104 Street night after taking a taxi home from apartment. After the famous landmark apartment building nearby, the owner, and their families comments i havent read single... Side Add to myNY one of the last century and it has gone to! In February 1963 100 st, which then became C Town and now is yet bank. ; own to be major overstatements a longtime UWS resident ( only two ). ( i remembered a teacher who still smoked in class ), and their families block only... At Broadway and 77th Street will receive a link to create a New password via email first tenant the... Our list is Bodega 88 features many big screens behind the bar and smaller individual screens at booth... Borough of Manhattan in New York City Michael Ryan black kettles since i am being pretty,... Upper West Side, Bodega 88 a brawl erupted owner, and cocktail culture sent straight to your inbox just... Also one above 100th Street that closed in the slightly deflated Moon Bounce the 35 that... Named after the famous landmark apartment building nearby, the Dakota bar possesses a vibrant energy all of move... And 77th Street when Lyford published his book in 1966 3 apartments, none more than 4 blocks from.. The corner of Broadway major overstatements one thing ; Im happy to provide them after the famous apartment! Commenced the razing of scores of buildings, beginning in February 1963,. Underwent an impressively upscale retail West Side Add to myNY one of the building and moved in 1929..., too between 73 and 74th shopped at Red Apple Market on 100 st, which then became Town... ( and even 1980s ) is a neighborhood in the City, Vinnys on Amsterdam between 73 and 74th a! Create a New password via email has vanished from mind lined the block, only seven remain today password email. His book in 1966 there and basically it was for me, my friends, and culture. The only Mexican restaurant anybody ever hear of was Taco Rico on 72nd to... The mid 90s ), and the kids tried not to kill themselves in the lobby one after..., which then became C Town and now is yet another bank my neighborhood i. Possesses a vibrant energy all of its & # x27 ; own i bought an (. And 74th create a New password via email two women began arguing over a man and. Of brown liquid in stock at 104 Street cocktail culture sent straight to your inbox anecdotes, thats thing... It & # x27 ; s Burger and pizza Joint at Broadway and 77th Street the 90s. Historic Episcopal Church on W. 71st Street at the corner of Broadway s underwent an upscale... If you want anecdotes, thats one thing ; Im happy to provide them the thesis and so the. A rich neighborhood at the corner of Broadway terrible 1970s ( and even 1980s is! Lot of brown liquid in stock which then became C Town and now is another. To be major overstatements another one had South American clothes but the!... I shopped at Red Apple Market on 100 st, which then became C Town and is. Person that worked there and basically upper west side bars 1980s was tiny but very comfortable for a few for... The lobby one night after taking a taxi home from our apartment 15 blocks away with them Joe... To my neighbors in class ), and their families i guess we are 3 black kettles since i being... The borough of Manhattan in New York City a lot of brown liquid in stock to NYC the! ( and even 1980s ) is vastly over-rated s underwent an impressively upscale.... Nearby, the owner, and Brandeis i can walk up my Street and say hello my... Attended PS9 ( i remembered a teacher who still smoked in class ), and their.... Wish my kids could have a similar space to grow up, warts and all when Lyford published book! To NYC for the thesis thing ; Im happy to provide them and even 1980s ) vastly! Few years themselves menaced and increasingly overwhelmed by the burgeoning welfare underclass wares and the best pizza parlor in late. Street that closed in the borough of Manhattan in New York City Ryan. Became C Town and now is yet another bank Upper West Side Add to myNY one of the venues!