21 Club, American restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, United States
The 21 Club is an American dining spot in Midtown Manhattan, housed in a narrow red brick townhouse. Small iron jockey statues stand in front of the entrance, marking the building for many decades.
The place started in 1922 as an illegal bar, serving alcohol despite the law at the time. When the ban was lifted years later, the spot opened up further and became a meeting point for well-known figures.
Over the decades, guests hung thousands of gifts from the ceiling, including toys, sports equipment and personal mementos that fill every room. This tradition turned the interior into a kind of private museum, where each object tells its own story.
Visitors should check opening hours in advance, as the place does not welcome guests every day. Proper attire is part of the experience, especially in the main rooms.
The building had hidden mechanisms that could make bottles and glasses disappear in seconds when needed. Part of these old devices can still be seen in the basement today.
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