Elmo, Last of the Gay Chelsea Restaurants, to Close Its Doors

 

I could probably write a thousand-word post about all the fun times -- and great meals -- I've had at Elmo over the past two decades, starting when a Ross Bleckner hung over the bar. And I've been beating the drum about the death of Chelsea for more than a decade.

But for now I will just share this notice from its owner, who just announced that the venerable eatery -- the last of the onetime homo epicenter's gay restaurants -- is closing on March 13 after losing its lease to make way for more luxury bullshit. 

What a sad day in Gay NYC, where Arriba Arriba in Hell's Kitchen might just be the last non-hetero restaurant at all.

Christmas 2025

Bob Pontarelli writes:

Dear Friends,

For nearly 25 years elmo has been the destination for hundreds of thousands of guests to enjoy some of life’s best moments.

It’s been a place for a first date or dinner with friends. A place for important celebrations and fabulous parties….or simply a place to gather comfortably with members of your community at a home away from home. Elmo has also been a space for hundreds of staff to build lifelong friendships.

We’ve seen marriages between guests and also amongst co-workers. We’ve hosted countless events from birthday parties to memorial services and political fund raisers.

We opened just months after the events of 911 and stayed open and serving food and cocktails through Sandy, several blackouts and record snow falls. We survived COVID with style by launching our wonderfully successful speakeasy, Coby Club. We’ve enjoyed so many proud moments I lost count a long time ago.

It was just confirmed to me that our building—home to elmo for 25 years—has been sold. Our lease expires with that sale. The new owners will soon bring a residential building to our neighborhood.

Sadly, all things must come to an end and elmo will serve its last meal on Friday, March 13.

With this news I personally will try to embrace all the beautiful memories and wonderful experiences elmo has given me and will move forward with new ventures and philanthropic projects that hopefully will have a wide impact.

There are few businesses as challenging or as exciting as owning a restaurant in New York City.

25 years is a very long time. To own a restaurant that has enjoyed the astonishing success and iconic stature that elmo has is a privilege and an honor. It has been a wonderfully exhilarating ride.

I will always remain deeply and profoundly grateful for your years of support and for your friendship.

I’ll see you around.

Bob Pontarelli 

The proposed replacement building 

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