21 Club

21 Club was a historic restaurant and bar in Manhattan, New York City. Its origins were associated with the speakeasy culture of the Prohibition era, and in 1930 Jack Kriendler and Charlie Berns opened the restaurant that became the brand's long-term home and identity. The name referred to its address at 21 West 52nd Street. The venue became known for its distinctive red-and-white exterior, ornamental railings, and sports memorabilia suspended from the ceiling. Over the decades, 21 Club developed a reputation as an upscale New York dining institution frequented by political figures, business leaders, actors, and other prominent guests. Its core business centered on formal dining, bar service, and a highly recognizable social setting rather than broad retail or chain expansion. In the late twentieth century, the restaurant passed through ownership and management structures connected with the hotel and travel industry, later becoming associated with Belmond. It suspended operations during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and was subsequently reported as permanently closed. Public information about any continuing independent operation is limited.

The history of 21 Club is linked to New York City's speakeasy culture during Prohibition. Jack Kriendler and Charlie Berns were involved in nightlife venues before opening the restaurant at 21 West 52nd Street in Manhattan in 1930. The address became central to the restaurant's name and public identity. Its discreet atmosphere and appeal to prominent guests helped it establish a distinctive place in twentieth-century New York dining. The venue retained recognizable visual features, including a red-and-white exterior, decorative architectural elements, and sports memorabilia suspended from the ceiling. Over time, 21 Club evolved from a Prohibition-era legacy into an upscale dining destination for business leaders, politicians, entertainers, and visitors. Rather than expanding as a large chain, it relied on the history, service, and atmosphere of its flagship location. In its later years, the brand became connected with hotel and travel-industry ownership structures and was associated with Belmond. The restaurant suspended operations during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and was subsequently permanently closed.

• 2020

  Closed temporarily due to pandemic

  [2]21 Club, a Manhattan Landmark, Is Closing Permanentlynytimes.com

  The restaurant ceased operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and did not resume normal operations afterward.

• 1930

  21 Club restaurant opens

  [1]21 Cluben.wikipedia.org

  Jack Kriendler and Charlie Berns opened a restaurant at 21 West 52nd Street in New York, which later became known as the 21 Club.

Historic upscale restaurant and bar

• Food and beverage service

  Restaurant dining

  The core offering was upscale restaurant dining, emphasizing formal service and a historically distinctive New York setting rather than standardized fast food or chain operations.

• Bar drinks

  Bar service

  Bar service was an important part of 21 Club's heritage, reflecting its links to Prohibition-era nightlife and its role as a New York social venue.

1. 121 Cluben.wikipedia.org
2. 221 Club, a Manhattan Landmark, Is Closing Permanentlynytimes.com