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In the late 1960’s, Lew Rudin took me to lunch at ‘21’ Club – my first time ever through those hallowed doors. I was nervous. Was my tie straight? Was my hair combed? How will they really treat me? I met Jack Kriendler and Charlie Berns, and they were warm and gracious and they told me that I was welcome any time. I was from Brooklyn, and the restaurants I was used to were a long way from ‘21’ Club. And I must say, I’ve had some wonderful meals with great friends and clients and always received gracious greetings by the owners and staff all these years.

Howard J. Rubenstein

I went in with my friends Shirley and Dick Clurman. We weren’t expected and ‘21’ set us up at a tiny table about the size of a dish plate near the bar. Pretty soon I realized why. The main room was rocking and crowded. Frank and Barbra Sinatra had a large round table in the center of the room with Tom Selleck and other biggies.

I never thought another thing about it and became engrossed talking to the Clurmans. They were a couple who knew everything including who’d done what to whom, and why. I often joked that they’d known Ghengis Khan when he was young. Then I became aware of a presence at my elbow and of Shirley, uncharacteristically silent, looking up with awe. I turned. My new “best friend,” Sinatra, stunning in immaculate black-tie, was standing there. He said quietly, “Why didn’t you come over to my table to say hello? Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?” I stammered about how I hadn’t wanted to intrude. I did introduce him and he chatted with us for a few moments. Then he bent down, kissed me and took off.

Everybody in ‘21’ had a comment on this encounter. Walter, the famous headwaiter, said, “Well, I’ve seen a lot Miss Smith, but I never saw Sinatra go to anybody else’s table before.” I discovered I had a new cachet for being in the right place at the right time. I shuddered to imagine what would have happened if Sinatra and I had turned up in the same confined space during the years when we were not friendly. I thanked my lucky stars.

The Clurmans simply never got over it. They dined out on it for months. “We were with Liz and Frank Sinatra at ‘21’ and Frank said such and such…” It’s no wonder I love ‘21’. That night alone erased all the times I had tried, in my poverty-stricken youth in the fifties, to gain access through the bronze front doors and had been told to, “Beat it, kid.” Or words to that effect.

Liz Smith – excerpted with permission from “Natural Blonde”

Ever since my Dad would return from business trips to New York with tales of the former speakeasy with the ten dollar hamburger I have been under the spell of ‘21’. For many years now ‘21’ has been the place I choose to celebrate my special occasions, none more special than my wedding to Anne Hearst in November, 2006.    We were married in the Orchid Room in the company of our four kids, Maisie, Barrett, Randy and Amanda.  Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani performed the service, with his wife Judith as our official witness.    Turns out that former mayors maintain the right to perform marriages within the city limits and Rudy does a great service.  Afterwards we all had lunch downstairs in the front room.  I had the burger, in honor of my father, who’s no longer with us, and while it cost a good deal more than ten dollars I think he would have approved.

Jay McInerney

During the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, ’21’ had an annual Super Bowl party in the bar and on the second floor. Televisions were placed throughout the restaurant for patrons to watch the game. My parents, Leah Ray and Sonny Werblin would attend when they weren’t at the game themselves.

In January of 1986, the colorful Chicago Bears were playing the New England Patriots. My parents invited my fiancée Pat and me to the ’21’ party along with the venerable sportscaster, one Mr. Howard Cosell. Now, Pat and I had a plan, at halftime we were going to announce to my parents that we were going to get married in the spring. Two things precluded us from making the announcement: gin and Mr. Howard Cosell! There was no way we were getting in a word, not about our impending marriage, the game, the weather or any other subject unless Howard stopped his vocal stream of consciousness, which he did not, even as the third quarter resumed.

After the game, we all repaired to the downstairs bar where the likes of Charlie Berns, Mr. Bruce, Walter, Shaker, and many of the “regulars” were there including Vonnie and Jack O’Brien, Anna Moffo and Bob Sarnoff, as well as David Susskind. Pat and I finally had the opportunity to slip our plans to my parents. Word got out and before long, the room was toasting our impending marriage in true ’21’ style.

’21’ has been home to three generations of Werblins on many special occasions and we wish the Club another 80 years of great times and fond memories.

Tom Werblin

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