It’s the end of an era. On June 22, the Upper West Side’s Candle Bar will be serving its very last vodka cran. The roomy dive, located on Amsterdam Avenue near the corner of West 75th Street, is a popular destination for legions of locals, many of whom are older gay men who’ve been haunting the spot since it opened in the mid-1960s. The regulars are “family to each other,” says manager Amonte Demarko, 37. “It’s like a gay Cheers. Where will they go?”
Originally called Candelight Lounge, the space was owned and managed by Robert Ader until his death in 1985, at which point his sister Michelle grabbed the reins. Since Ader owned the four-story building attached to the bar, the business managed to stay afloat for years despite ever-increasing rents. Now, she’s sold that building (listed for $6.95 million), and the new owner has no interest in keeping the spot open.
In the meantime, Candle Bar will host some raucous closing parties June 19 through June 21. Last chance to play a boozy game of pool with Sheila E. blaring on the jukebox before the space becomes a TD Bank or Duane Reade or some such nonsense.
h/t: DNAinfo
Glücklich
Huh, I’ll check this place out. I like neighborhood joints like this. Might be a nice way to end an afternoon at nearby AMNH.
onthemark
Sorry to hear this! Good times at Candle in ’80s & early ’90s.
onthemark
@Glücklich: Yeah – you go from one set of dinosaurs to another!
Luis Collazo
Never heard of it!
Clark35
Oh well.
Giancarlo85
That is so often the problem for many establishments like this in many cities… they have trouble to keep up with the ever changing demographics and making money. And then another developer takes over the property… and since the business was only there on a lease, that’s pretty much the end. They’ll probably open up a starbucks or subway now in its place.
1EqualityUSA
It’s such a beautiful structure. I lived on 85th and Amsterdam for three years when I was in art school and walked everywhere. I don’t remember passing such a beautiful, brick place. Here’s to hoping the new owner leaves it in its original state. I’m not into bars, but it sure looks true-blue. Possible a horse stable? too cool.
lauraspencer
I have lived in NYC since 1991 and I have visited the Candle Bar a handful of times. Never understood how it stayed in business. It never had a crowd. It was a great location not far from the subway but nobody ever seemed to visit. Maybe by the 90s it was all about Chelsea and now Hell’s Kitchen that it couldn’t compete.
RIP Candle Bar.
Glücklich
@lauraspencer:
I’ll meet you there this weekend for my first visit and your farewell visit. Is it dive-y or lounge-y or what?
1EqualityUSA
My Luddite trait is showing today. Does anyone know how to ascertain who occupied that building before it became a bar? Tax records? It looks as though it may have been a horse stable or a fire station. Documentary fodder.
Glücklich
@1EqualityUSA:
New York historical society?
http://www.nyhistory.org/
Comb the web and there might be someone else who’s done a “farewell” piece on the bar that might include the building’s previous incarnation.
Glücklich
@1EqualityUSA:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/mancb4/html/local/community.shtml
Try asking Lincoln Square’s group.
1EqualityUSA
I’ll sic my spouse after the info. She’s amazing and she just got home. Soon, boys. She’s research my fam’ back to 1600’s. I asked, “What if you find out that my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, grand pappy is Herod or someone fetid. I think I’m safe. Herod fled to Spain, but you never know.
Glücklich
@Giancarlo85:
If it’s not another Duane Reade or Au Bon Pain I’ll burn it to the ground!
If it were SF you know it would be another Walgreen’s or Jamba Juice.
1EqualityUSA
Block 1146 Lot 4 built in 1910. We’ll keep looking into it.
Glücklich
@1EqualityUSA:
Keep us posted.