Bowery in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Sammy's Bowery Follies
Where The High Life Meets The Low Life
— 265-7 Bowery —
In 1934, Sammy Fuchs took over a grungy dive saloon that had once housed McGurk’s Mug, hired former vaudeville performers, incorporated a “Gay 90s” theme and rebranded it the “Stork Club of the Bowery.” Sammy’s singing waiters, playful show tunes, sing-a-longs and comedy skits attracted patrons from all over the globe seeking an “authentic” Bowery experience included Albert Camus, Rosalind Russell, Edward G. Robinson, Harold Lloyd, Milton Berle, Jimmy Durante and Mae West.
To ensure guests were not disappointed, Sammy hired the most outrageous acts he could find and supplied Bowery drunks free booze to heighten the frantic atmosphere. He passed away in 1969, and Sammy’s closed its doors on September 29, 1970, after a three-decade run as one of the most heavily-visited attractions in the city.
- Eric Ferrara, author of The Bowery/founder, Lower East Side History Project (leshp.org)
Erected 2016 by Bowery Alliance of Neighbors.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is September 29, 1970.
Location. 40° 43.409′ N, 73° 59.558′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Bowery. Marker is on Bowery near E Houston Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 265-7 Bowery, New York NY 10002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cigar Factory (within shouting distance of this marker); Liz Christie Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Baseball to Houdini (about 400 feet away); Sidewalks Of New York Premieres On Bowery! (about 400 feet away); NYC’s Oldest Thoroughfare (about 400 feet away); McGurk’s Suicide Hall (about 500 feet away); 21st Century Fashion In A 21st Century House (about 500 feet away); Charles Eisenmann’s Photography Studio (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. One of more than sixty entries in the “Windows on the Bowery” series.
Also see . . .
1. The Sordid Past of No. 265 Bowery. "Daytonian in Manhattan" entry. (Submitted on April 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The Bowery Historic District - National Park Service. National Register of Historic Places documentation - download (Submitted on April 9, 2024, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 16, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.