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I was standing at the bar early one evening, talking to my friend, Alan King, the great comedian. Not far from the bar, just a few steps actually, a gentleman was dining alone. When the waiter brought the main course, he slipped and the Sterno fell on the floor and flared up. It caught the trouser leg of the diner and set it on fire. I walked over and threw my drink on the flame and quickly put it out. The man went into a major rage and screamed at the poor waiter. He finally calmed down, came over to me, gave me his card and told me to call him if I ever needed a lawyer. He stormed out.
Alan King turned to me and said, “Kid, you hit the jackpot: if you’re ever in trouble, he’s a good man to know.” I looked at the card which read, “Roy Cohn, Attorney-at-Law.” Fortunately, I was never in that much trouble. I still have the card, though Roy is no longer with us. The waiter may still be in therapy.
Chuck Whittingham
My list of best restaurants in New York starts and stops with ‘21’ but my fondest memory is the night my Honky Tonk band played a party there. The best part was the look on Shaker's face. Nothing fazes the pros who greet you and take care of you at ‘21’ but his jaw dropped when he saw me stroll in wearing my cowboy clothes and realized I was part of the band!
Bob Schieffer
My First Visit
Having just completed four years in the U. S. Marine Corps. (1963 - 1967), my first paycheck as a civilian for two weeks work (after tax) was $230.15. I had heard that ‘21’ was a U.S. Marine "friendly place". I took the check to the bank and cashed it on April 4, 1967 and went to ‘21’ for dinner. I met Bob Kriendler at the door and was warmly greeted as a fellow Marine. I had such a great time that I walked out after dinner with $25.00 remaining! A paycheck well spent!
I have been going back ever since celebrating many happy occasions. Never had a bad meal, poor service, or an unsatisfactory martini. And they hang the Marine Corps flag in my honor each visit.
Semper Fi!
Dick Torykian
Knowing that the most stylish place in any town for any meeting is ‘21’, I scheduled an interview for a Board of Director’s appointment to The Children’s Health Fund founded by songwriter Paul Simon and world-renowned Dr. Irwin Redlener. My interview was to be with Jane Pauley and Mayor David Dinkins.
No sooner did we sit down than Mayor Dinkins reminded me that our first meeting, after introducing myself to him, I said, “What do you do?” and he said, “Well, actually I’m the Mayor.” In spite of his remembering of that fifteen year old event, Jane and Mayor Dinkins were kind enough to overlook my shortcomings, probably because of our mutual respect for and enjoyment at ‘21’.
Thanks to our friends at 21 for “making me look good.”
Happy 80th Anniversary! Best wishes for continued success.
Samuel “Skip” A. Keesal, Jr
I was a young single woman living in New York City struggling to make it as an actress. I sold my first book "New York on $5 a Day" and actually got a job as a writer for a major ad agency. To celebrate my bosses took me to the ‘21’ Club downstairs. At first I thought they made a mistake taking me to the bar but then I learned. I was on my way. Later John A. Gambling and family invited our family to join them for the annual ‘21’ Club Christmas celebration with the Salvation Army performing. That was the beginning of the 80s and we have been coming back for many Christmases ever since.
Joan Hamburg
Aside from home, my two favorite places in the galaxy are Fordham University and the ‘21’ Club. As a former history major, I have always enjoyed research and nothing pleased me more than to learn that Jack Kriendler dropped out of Fordham’s Pharmacy School to open “Jack and Charlie’s” in or around 1930. Needless to say, Jack probably decided it was more profitable to mix Southsides and Sidecars versus flu medicine and thus the greatest saloon was opened with a Fordham influence.
Fast forward to 2007, the Fordham football Rams won the Patriot League Championship in their 150th season playing pigskin. I had the clever idea of asking Bryan and Roger if they minded a little local college color by hanging a Fordham football helmet from the ceiling. Well, I should have known that Bryan has some Maroon blood in him (and Roger is no less a gentleman!) and faster than you can say “Vince Lombardi and the Seven Blocks of Granite,” the helmet was hung over my favorite table!
Now, whenever I take my wife to “the numbers” and we are seated near the helmet of my choice, Susan does everything in her power to stop me from singing Fordham’s Fight Song!
Go Rams!
John J. Pettenati
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