tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post881765475505205343..comments2024-03-15T18:24:24.311-04:00Comments on kenneth in the (212): The Heyday of Chelsea's 8th AvenueKenneth M. Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01666275272819956774noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-36590226130163421942023-11-15T17:44:21.256-05:002023-11-15T17:44:21.256-05:00Things are even more different there now! Please k...Things are even more different there now! Please keep updating!8th Ave Observernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-74473161625149202122023-11-11T14:17:12.097-05:002023-11-11T14:17:12.097-05:00I loved Blue Moon! I used to go there all the time...I loved Blue Moon! I used to go there all the time for burritos!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-51402956375748461662023-11-11T14:15:16.813-05:002023-11-11T14:15:16.813-05:00I loved that place!I loved that place!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-77716907752666703752023-10-17T22:59:39.579-04:002023-10-17T22:59:39.579-04:00Wow...thanks for the memories. Worked at Viceroy f...Wow...thanks for the memories. Worked at Viceroy from like 97-99 and was curious if there are any online pics from back in the day and came across your blog :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-30622718234330456372023-09-25T22:14:37.602-04:002023-09-25T22:14:37.602-04:00I loved Riss— my best friend and I lived in that d...I loved Riss— my best friend and I lived in that diner. Rick was the waiter and we spent many hours there smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee and eating omelettes. My best friend worked at the Big Cup briefly and dated someone there, so we frequented there too. I was sad that there were no photos of Riss because it was such a big part of my adolescence. My dear friend has since passed. We had so many memories in Chelsea…Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-64309386771397096312023-09-25T16:03:49.247-04:002023-09-25T16:03:49.247-04:00Thank you for this amazing trip down Memory Lane! ...Thank you for this amazing trip down Memory Lane! I first moved to Chelsea in 1994 to a walk-up apartment at 301 W. 19th Street and 8th Avenue. I lived there for 28 years!! We literally lived above the Blimpie's on the 4th floor and our windows overlooked that busy corner. I frequented many of these restaurants, bars and stores you mention. The first place I ever ate at in Chelsea was brunch at Eighteenth and 8th in 1993. Some years later Blue Moon became the sponsor of our Big Apple Softball team back in the early 2000's. I lived through all the change you describe and watched the neighborhood transform from what was once the hottest gay strip anywhere. And who could forget all the nearby clubs like Roxy, Tunnel, Sound Factory, Splash, Limelight. I truly felt like I was living at the center of the gay universe during that era!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-19582807902742923932023-07-21T09:02:53.032-04:002023-07-21T09:02:53.032-04:00Great post. Was a delight going down memory lane. ...Great post. Was a delight going down memory lane. What was the name of the restaurant that preceded Nisos? It was a good restaurant and had terrific bruschetta. I still t ugh ink about them. Also on NW corner of perhaps 20th, there was an Asian restaurant for a short time called Get Fat or something equally unappealing. And of course the short-lived Tom of Finland clothing shop and another men’s store where I asked for a size 34 pants and the salesman looked at me like I was crazy. He said they didn’t have that size. Oh Chelsea. My hood from 1978-2004. Live at the gay dormitory - Chelsea Gardens - for half that time. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-3138174866890902822023-03-31T04:36:05.994-04:002023-03-31T04:36:05.994-04:00I grew up on 16th and 7th (in the original Barneys...I grew up on 16th and 7th (in the original Barneys building), I live currently since 1990 been on 26th street between 7th and 8th aves.<br />I knew and know the whole area like the back of my hand.<br />There's one photo you showed of a liquor store on the corner of 8th and 17th?... in the early 1960's my dentist was on the 2nd floor of that short building.. I remember the house was so old that the floor in the waiting room was slanted!<br />It;s a shame what has happened to that whole area.. and to Manhattan in general.Fidels Eyeglasseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08348047244243899789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-23023647004632066262022-12-30T15:55:29.207-05:002022-12-30T15:55:29.207-05:00Thanks for this post, i've been trying to trac...Thanks for this post, i've been trying to track down a cafe for years and it must have been bakery.<br />I'd visited NYC from London in 91 and 93 and headed back newly married in November 1996. We were taking the long route to Australia via Manhattan, McComb Mississippi, Mew Orleans and San Francisco.<br />Three nights in Chelsea at the hostel on 8th Avenue in a room that barely fitted a double bed.<br />Night three was 5 November, Clinton's reelection, and the town was a happy one. We wound up in Peter McManus' place and got legless with a couple of locals.<br />My new bride gave up before I did so I happily waved cheerio as she walked drunkenly alone into the NY night and I stayed with my new pals.<br />I got home later, vomited naked into the sink in the room while kneeling on the bad and called it quits for the day.<br />Midday flight, we figured we'd be okay.<br />Hangover kicked in but we fueled up at what can only have been Harvest.<br />Couldn't get a cab, then I lay on the floor of the subway so it would stop spinning, and finally passed out on the bus through the car park at JFK.<br />And we missed our flight. Great times. Any more info on the Harvest would be welcome, and thanks for all this research.attershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09565625710534117194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-75951037065539462332022-10-22T08:04:13.709-04:002022-10-22T08:04:13.709-04:00Thank you so mu ch! I lived in the East Villsge i...Thank you so mu ch! I lived in the East Villsge in the 90s, and altho we had a rule never to west of 5th Avenue, we always did to go to Splash and Big Cup and annoy the snobby salesmen at Barney’s. Chelsea was LA Gay! I actually moved from LA to NYC in 92 or 93 for school. I had to leave in 2008 because the neighborhood was no longer my neighborhood. That’s the way it should be—I always think of NYC as a jungle gym for creative kids in their 20s—experiment with music and fashion and sex and drugs in a relatively safe space. That’s what I did, and most of us get old and leave the playground for the next generation. I’m an architect now, and it hurts me psychologically and emotionally to see them tearing down the jungle gym to make condos.<br /><br />I love NYC , it’s where I wanted to live ever since i heard of Andy Warhol, so like 10. I was raised in the middle of Nowhere, Wyoming, and apparently I would lie to teachers and anyone who asked; I would say I'm from nyc and my parents kidnapped me. I have five brothers, so I guess inneeded the attention. Anyway, thank you. I might be inspired to scan my pix of my East V illage and copy your idea, if I get the strength to even open those boxes. I stopped drinking, so no liquid courage 🤠 I live in Jersey city now, with a beautiful view of my city—forever a New Yorkers <br /><br />TYa and regards <br />Bryan Johnson<br />Bjohso1969@gail.com<br /><br />Tim Gunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03637608162295619493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-43038752744789059872022-03-19T17:24:11.625-04:002022-03-19T17:24:11.625-04:00I love this town. I love this town. Arik Katzenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12787418719226171674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-13881889484465416902022-01-05T21:59:44.404-05:002022-01-05T21:59:44.404-05:00On February 14, 2005 I was standing in the Subway ...On February 14, 2005 I was standing in the Subway Sandwich Shop that was under the Allerton, when a pane of glass fell out of one of the Allerton's windows and fell on a girl's head who was standing on the street corner. Luckily it was snowing that day and she had on a puffer jacket and its hood was covering her head. There was a doctor in the Subways as well who attended to her, but she was unscathed. Luckily. ahh the Allerton hotel, scary in more ways than one. Sandra GRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13767763538302339946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-80767063555639372222022-01-05T21:55:38.673-05:002022-01-05T21:55:38.673-05:00This is awesome. I first read this around five yea...This is awesome. I first read this around five years ago and decided to take another trip down memory lane and read it again. Thanks for the updates.<br />I lived in Chelsea (19th between 7th and 8th) when I first moved to NYC and lived there for over four years between 2001 and 2005. What a darling neighborhood it was. It killed me to move uptown (which I eventually fell in love with) and I would go visit Chelsea every day for a year after moving out of the neighborhood because I loved it so much. Sandra GRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13767763538302339946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-2127212863962489102021-11-13T08:22:57.160-05:002021-11-13T08:22:57.160-05:00Wow. Thanks for this trip down memory lane. You an...Wow. Thanks for this trip down memory lane. You answered several "what happened to..." questions I had about several establishments. As another poster said, "comprehensive." <br /><br />I hope this post stays for prosperity and is updated, since very few things stay the same, at least not in Chelsea.garionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03550299615809076628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-19617458730041098002021-05-04T12:52:25.216-04:002021-05-04T12:52:25.216-04:00This is a great history - I didn't think to ta...This is a great history - I didn't think to take pictures of all these stores and restaurants while they were still around, and and am glad you did.<br />Only one correction. I believe the "17th Street Saloon" was on the east side of the block between W16th and W17th. It was demolished to build the red brick apartment tower now on that site. I went in there once in its final days - more of a Lacoste shirt crowd, than a leather place.<br />I miss all the restaurants you list - there were so many choices for good mid-priced dining at that time.<br /><br />I moved to Chelsea in 1987, but also lived there (a much younger person) in 1970. Gay people were starting to move to 'affordable' Chelsea, but gay bars were still south of 14th Street. The Chinese-Latin restaurants were around, as was Kavanaugh's, a big, traditional, dark-wood restaurant, which in its hey-day no doubt hosted people like Lillian Russell and Diamond Jim Brady. An anachronism in 1970, only a small group of older hold-outs dined there. Its building was demolished for the movie theaters at 23rd and 8th. The City keeps evolving....<br />AP Chelseanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-52911853036170644322021-03-03T13:12:09.932-05:002021-03-03T13:12:09.932-05:00Fantastic stuff! So many pics of places I had comp...Fantastic stuff! So many pics of places I had completely forgotten. I miss that area so much. The time when you could go to Big Cup (a bar for the day time), Splash, g, etc. was certainly special. Thanks for putting this together!<br />Splash Mountainnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-10104588524528552082021-01-14T23:29:03.195-05:002021-01-14T23:29:03.195-05:00OMG Someone mentioned Riss Diner. Best corned beef...OMG Someone mentioned Riss Diner. Best corned beef hash ever. I was last there at the end of 1998. Didn't know it closed until I returned to the city a few years later.Riss Hashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05476276210891420752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-13381600131371133432020-09-25T19:44:54.580-04:002020-09-25T19:44:54.580-04:00This brings back a lot of memories I was talking t...This brings back a lot of memories I was talking to a friend about the Big Cup but he had never heard of itJP Aragonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09664852451815214352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-83701218801749428392020-07-24T12:29:00.379-04:002020-07-24T12:29:00.379-04:00Love this! (Boy, you really went to town with the ...Love this! (Boy, you really went to town with the photo essay.) To think, we might have eaten at some of these same spots at the exact same time -- before our paths officially crossed :) Sadly, so many of the restaurants I swore I'd one day get to, but never did :(Frank Anthony Politohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02427743399331014807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-63008766843689508152020-05-12T13:53:37.086-04:002020-05-12T13:53:37.086-04:00Many thanks for the trip down memory lane! I went ...Many thanks for the trip down memory lane! I went to school and lived in this neighborhood around the same time and remember almost all of the places you featured. What a lovely tribute! Andrew Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04191233443131580096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-43705982361365225052020-04-19T09:18:55.959-04:002020-04-19T09:18:55.959-04:00What a wonderful trip down memory lane. Do you rem...What a wonderful trip down memory lane. Do you remember Raymond Dragon's clothing store? I think it was either 17th or 18th StreetKen Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08773862778202508728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-61991387371304028202020-04-18T16:32:10.102-04:002020-04-18T16:32:10.102-04:00Thank you for taking me down memory lane. I lived ...Thank you for taking me down memory lane. I lived on 25t St. closer to 7th from 1992-2004. Chelsea exploded as the new gay Mecca during that time and it was fun to see it happen first hand. Awww, the Big Cup. Was I the only one that had a love hate relationship with that place? Loved it as a hang out. Hated the coffee. The service you got depended on the party habits of the workers. And yes, I did hook up once or twice. Very well, a dozen or so times. I about cried when I saw a picture of The Break. It was my favorite bar in NYC. I met a boyfriend there and the place definitely became my own personal Cheers Bar. I live in FLL now but I will alway cherish the fun times watching Chelsea of the 1990's evolve.Christopher T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17328259749152267178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-10386673833141590412020-04-18T11:27:58.660-04:002020-04-18T11:27:58.660-04:00Thank you so much for the walk down memory lane. I...Thank you so much for the walk down memory lane. I lived in NYC for 8.5 years from 1991 to 2000; first in the West Village on Jones between West 4th and Bleaker and then in Chelsea W19th and 7th directly across the street from A different Light Book Store. I would come out of my apartment building and go left to “g” or right to Splash; would sit outside for lunch at restaurant between 17th and 18th on 7th- can’t remember the name. Used to shop at Dragon a gay man’s underwater and swim suit store; I used to be so intimated going in there, because everyone was so beautiful; but couldn’t help myself. My boyfriend and I went to Chelsea gym, and my friends and I would eat at Viceroy and at The Dish also on 8th ave. I can go on and on... you transported me back to a once in a life time place that will always have a very special place in my heart. I live in San Diego now; been in CA for 15 years, cause of the weather. Thank you again. Michael Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-10317698607276041842020-04-18T00:17:44.232-04:002020-04-18T00:17:44.232-04:00American Princess was only one of American Fitness...American Princess was only one of American Fitness' nicknames - the less-used one was "Oh Mary Can Lift This."Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17336578366929648115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16333114.post-68792018602765831892019-11-18T21:00:01.345-05:002019-11-18T21:00:01.345-05:00Such a great post! In the early 80s, I moved to 20...Such a great post! In the early 80s, I moved to 20th between 8th and 9th when most of my neighbors spoke Spanish. The only sign of impending gentrification was a sweet little bakery on 8th Ave, right next to a second hand furniture shop where I bought my first furniture. The Salvation Army was there, as were several furniture stores that sold mattresses and sofas, a Chinese restaurant where the owner would beg my sister and I to come in, and of course the A&P, diners, and Mi Chinita (sniff!) I remember walking those lonely industrial blocks to 5th Avenue where I worked. Even still, it was a neighborly place back then.Early Chelsea Boynoreply@blogger.com