1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:01,240 Speaker 1: Walk. 2 00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:06,320 Speaker 2: There are places in this city, New York City, hidden 3 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:12,560 Speaker 2: like jewels, where time doesn't march forward, it's saunters elegantly. 4 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:17,080 Speaker 2: Today we take a walk, not down a crowded New 5 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:21,799 Speaker 2: York avenue, but through a velvet curtain into a different era, 6 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 2: a place where golden sconces flicker against hand painted murals, 7 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 2: where the martinis are cold, the music is live, and 8 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 2: every corner whispers a story. This is not just a bar. 9 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 2: This is Bemelman's, named for Ludwig Bemelmans, the beloved illustrator 10 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:52,160 Speaker 2: behind Madeline. This Manhattan institution inside the Carlisle Hotel has 11 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 2: played host to legends from Sinatra to Capodi, from Hollywood 12 00:00:57,680 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 2: Royalty to uptown regular just chasing the perfect nightcap. So 13 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 2: pull up a leather sofa, settle in beneath those whimsical walls, 14 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:13,720 Speaker 2: and let's slip into the city's most timeless saloon, where art, 15 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:20,039 Speaker 2: music and memory are always on the menu. I'm Buzznight, 16 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 2: you're host of the Taking a Walk podcast, and let's 17 00:01:23,920 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 2: walk into the magic of Bemelman's Bar. 18 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:31,720 Speaker 1: Taking a Walk. 19 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 3: So my name is Demitrios Mihelloblos. I'm from Greece. I'm 20 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:39,120 Speaker 3: the general manager at Bemelon's Bar at the Carlisle Hotel. 21 00:01:39,560 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 3: It seems twenty twenty one I became general Malazer. 22 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 4: So, Demetrius, you have described Bememans as a place that 23 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 4: changes you, but in a good way. Can you share 24 00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 4: how working at Bemoman's has shaped your approach to hospitality 25 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 4: and life. 26 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 3: Of course, bars, so Bemonons has a weight of teaching 27 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:11,040 Speaker 3: you passians and elegance and presence. So every night we 28 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:15,239 Speaker 3: welcome a mix of celebrities, neighborhood regulars and international travelers, 29 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 3: and expectations are always the same perfection. So working here 30 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 3: has saved my philosophy that hospitality isn't just about serving drinks, 31 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:30,920 Speaker 3: It's about creating a memory, a sense of belonging. Also, 32 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:35,960 Speaker 3: I would say it taught me that consistency, respect, and 33 00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 3: genuine warmth are what key people coming back. And those 34 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 3: lessons extend far beyond the bar into how I live 35 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 3: my own life now. 36 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 4: So the bar is famous for its classic cocktails, and certainly, 37 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:55,840 Speaker 4: as you just said, consistency. What is the secret to 38 00:02:56,000 --> 00:03:00,280 Speaker 4: maintaining these incredible high standards night after night? 39 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 5: That's the great question. Actually, it's not easy to do that. 40 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 5: But I would say our secret is mainly discipline combined 41 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:09,720 Speaker 5: with passion. 42 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:14,240 Speaker 3: So that's combination, it's what it works for us. Every 43 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 3: detail matters, from the sign of the glassware to the 44 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 3: precision of a martini poor. But it's not just about 45 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 3: the technical execution or instill a sense of pride in 46 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:30,640 Speaker 3: the team. So every cocktail feels like a performance with balance, 47 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 3: additional with innovation making sure drinks remain timeless while still 48 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 3: finding ways to surprise guests. Ultimately, it's about never getting 49 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 3: you know, the routine you usually have day by day 50 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:46,040 Speaker 3: to become a routine, and that's what's treating every guest 51 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 3: and every drink like is the first of the night. 52 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 3: And it's that's what I believe. It's the vibe too, 53 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 3: the energy. It's all about that. You walk into the 54 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 3: space so many times and it's always good. You know, 55 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:02,040 Speaker 3: you feel you have a nice of good energy. 56 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 2: So Bemaman has hosted everyone from the celebrities to neighborhood 57 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 2: regulars to folks from out of town like me. 58 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:17,200 Speaker 4: Can you share maybe a memorable story or encounter that 59 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 4: captures the true spirit of the bar? 60 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:24,160 Speaker 3: Yes, there are many, to be honest, but one I 61 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:27,080 Speaker 3: would like to share with you. It's which is one 62 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:31,120 Speaker 3: of my favorite moments was when a very well known 63 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 3: actor came in quietly just wanted to enjoy the piano 64 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 3: and martini without without anybody noticing him. 65 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:39,360 Speaker 6: You know. 66 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:43,599 Speaker 3: It was kind of a moment that you see somebody 67 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 3: that everybody knows walking into a busy bar and sitting 68 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 3: at the bar having the head down, try to enjoy 69 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 3: a drink without to be without want to be seen, 70 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:56,599 Speaker 3: let's say, all right. 71 00:04:57,240 --> 00:05:00,480 Speaker 5: At the same time, it was another guest from the neighborhood. 72 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:03,599 Speaker 3: It was a regular guest who had no idea who 73 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:07,680 Speaker 3: the famous person was. Uh, they start having a conversation 74 00:05:07,839 --> 00:05:11,800 Speaker 3: about the murals. The two end up talking like for hours. 75 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:15,360 Speaker 3: Completely emerged in the magic of the room forgetting who 76 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 3: they were outside. 77 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:19,480 Speaker 5: To me, that's the spirit of Bemelmans. 78 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:23,839 Speaker 3: No matter who you are, when you visit here with 79 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:26,520 Speaker 3: with the drinking hand, you're part of the same story. 80 00:05:27,279 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 3: It was also good for the other guests to see 81 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:35,800 Speaker 3: these two people talking for hours and uh, yeah, it 82 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:36,719 Speaker 3: was a great moment. 83 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 2: I'm trying to guess who that could have been. 84 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 5: I can't tell you of flying. 85 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:48,479 Speaker 4: Yes, thank you the murals by Ludwig Bemelman's are iconic. 86 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 4: How do you see their amazing presence influencing the atmosphere 87 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:57,640 Speaker 4: and the guest experience? 88 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 3: Yes, I mean to me, the murals are more than decoration. 89 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:08,479 Speaker 5: They are our heartbeat, our identity. Who we are mostly. 90 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:13,600 Speaker 3: Just often find themselves lost in the in the murals 91 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:17,880 Speaker 3: of Motherlines and the New York scene from a Central Park, 92 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:20,280 Speaker 3: the four Seasons paid into the walls. 93 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 5: It sets the tone. You are not just in a bar, 94 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 5: You are in a living piece of art. 95 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 3: They remind us that while our cocktails and music may 96 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:33,359 Speaker 3: change with the times, there is always this ancle of 97 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:38,040 Speaker 3: timeless beauty that makes the Bemments experience so unique. It's 98 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 3: kind of a magic. What's going on with these murals? 99 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:48,360 Speaker 4: Do you recall the first time you walked into Bemments 100 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:50,840 Speaker 4: and what was that experience like for you. 101 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 5: The first time? 102 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 3: Yes, so I will tell you that the first time 103 00:06:56,480 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 3: it was when I did the they walkthrough in the 104 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 3: hotel when they hired me. That was I believe it 105 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 3: was July eleven, twenty sixteen. But I was impressed back 106 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 3: then too, But it was too many information in my 107 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:16,120 Speaker 3: too much information in my head. The first day saw 108 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 3: the first time I realized about this room, it was 109 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 3: when I was doing something in the hotel. I used 110 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 3: to walk in room dining and I had to go 111 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 3: outside from Madison to do something from the Madison entrance, 112 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:32,920 Speaker 3: and then I came back and I opened the side 113 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 3: door we have at Bemelman's as you're working from Madison 114 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 3: to the left, and you know, it was so bright outside, sunshine, 115 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 3: a beautiful day, and I opened the door and I 116 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 3: see Bemmont's Bar with the Muels. 117 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 5: It was like I was working in a different world. 118 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:51,520 Speaker 5: It was unbelievable. 119 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 3: And I believe that was the moment I literally got 120 00:07:55,280 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 3: hooked with this place, and I said, Wow, this place 121 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 3: is magical. And that's how the passion and the love 122 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 3: started about Bemono's Bar and. 123 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 4: Me, it's amazing. It really is a special place. Lastly, 124 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 4: Demetrius or two last things. I always feel that if 125 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 4: you are somebody, me, anybody, and you're having a. 126 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:26,680 Speaker 2: Rough day, the day is not exactly the way you planned. 127 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 2: You're not necessarily in a great mood, and then. 128 00:08:31,560 --> 00:08:36,080 Speaker 4: You head up to Bemman's for a nice cocktail and 129 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 4: for some music and for the vibe. I promise you 130 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 4: that you end up leaving in a good mood. Would 131 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:44,559 Speaker 4: you agree with that statement? 132 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:46,479 Speaker 7: Absolutely absolutely? 133 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 5: And that works also for myself too. 134 00:08:49,520 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 3: There are days, there are very nice days for me. 135 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:55,920 Speaker 5: You know, I'm a family man and I have to 136 00:08:57,640 --> 00:08:58,440 Speaker 5: you have to run the bar. 137 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:00,680 Speaker 3: I have to run my family as well, with the 138 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 3: big help of my wife, of course. But the moment 139 00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:09,880 Speaker 3: I stepped into Bemelman's, and also my job is very demanding, 140 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 3: and before I step into Benmans, I have to check 141 00:09:12,840 --> 00:09:15,960 Speaker 3: my mails, organize for the day, organized for the next day, 142 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 3: and do several things. And it's not always pleasant what 143 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:24,199 Speaker 3: you see at work or what's happening in your life. 144 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 3: But the moment I stepping into Bemlma's, I kind of 145 00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:34,840 Speaker 3: wearing a costume, let's say, and I start performing. So 146 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:39,719 Speaker 3: I try to empty my brain and just focus on 147 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:43,439 Speaker 3: what I have to do for the night, including having fun, 148 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:47,920 Speaker 3: because that's what it basically is. At Bemonmont's. I feel 149 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:52,440 Speaker 3: that joy from the guests and that transfers to me, 150 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 3: and I believe it's amazing. Yes, many people that come crampy, 151 00:09:57,120 --> 00:10:00,839 Speaker 3: you know, very kind of not very happy, and at 152 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 3: the end of the night they find somebody something happens 153 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 3: the music, silly thing, you know, something. 154 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:11,959 Speaker 5: Nice, and they change their mood and they. 155 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:15,800 Speaker 3: Start socializing more, they start having fun, they start having 156 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 3: more drinks, but you know, in the console way, in 157 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 3: a responsible way, and that change their evening. 158 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:27,480 Speaker 5: And that's sayings their mood is. 159 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 7: It's like a. 160 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:33,320 Speaker 3: Therapy, you know, unofficial theory. That's what happened. That's what 161 00:10:33,400 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 3: I believe. It's a good way to describe it. 162 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:41,600 Speaker 2: Oh, it's that's very well put. Demetrius. Thank you so much. 163 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 2: I really appreciate it. My pleasure very much, Thanks Demetrius. 164 00:10:45,280 --> 00:10:47,120 Speaker 5: Thank you, boys and seems. 165 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 2: Earl Rose is one of the most celebrated pianists in 166 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:57,200 Speaker 2: New York City and an icon at Bemment's Bar. I 167 00:10:57,240 --> 00:11:00,280 Speaker 2: caught up with him in between sets and he told 168 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:02,720 Speaker 2: me what Emleman's means to him. 169 00:11:02,960 --> 00:11:06,000 Speaker 8: It's just always feels good to know that live music 170 00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:11,880 Speaker 8: is touching people and they respond to classic American songbook 171 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:16,080 Speaker 8: Cole Porter, Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington, and these are 172 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:19,000 Speaker 8: all songs that I love and love to share them 173 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:22,560 Speaker 8: with audiences that come to Bemman's. Of old ages, these 174 00:11:22,600 --> 00:11:27,000 Speaker 8: songs are timeless, the great American Songbook. All these composers, 175 00:11:27,040 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 8: they wrote songs that can be interpreted in so many 176 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:35,520 Speaker 8: different ways, and each generation of whatever contemporary artist is 177 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 8: popular at the time, eventually we'll probably do an album 178 00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:41,760 Speaker 8: or pay tribute to some of these songwriters because the 179 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:46,480 Speaker 8: songwriters are again are like classic and there's something that 180 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 8: even newest artists want to be associated with that. I mean, 181 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:56,920 Speaker 8: perfect example is John Batiste has come in numerous times 182 00:11:56,960 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 8: and there's a particular song, Memories of You that you 183 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 8: be Break Blake wrote, He comes and perform it together. 184 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:09,040 Speaker 8: And so it's it's just these songs are timeless and 185 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 8: and artists who are really good artists know that, and 186 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 8: so they and audiences know it too when they hear 187 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 8: all the people that have performed here in Bembleman's Bar, 188 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:21,040 Speaker 8: I mean some of the great jazz pianists. 189 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:23,200 Speaker 7: Barbara Carroll performed here. 190 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:27,200 Speaker 8: Mary McPartland actually performed here before her, and she of 191 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:30,120 Speaker 8: course one of the great jazz pianists. And and so 192 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:33,320 Speaker 8: it's it's it's always, uh, you know, you keep that 193 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:37,520 Speaker 8: in mind when you're playing here to hopefully do your best. 194 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:39,320 Speaker 8: You got to do your best all the time. 195 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:40,960 Speaker 7: Thank you for listening. 196 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:43,960 Speaker 1: All right, we'll be right back with more of the 197 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:51,840 Speaker 1: Taken a Walk Podcast. Welcome back to the Taking a 198 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:52,719 Speaker 1: Walk Podcast. 199 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:57,640 Speaker 7: My name's Charlie Kaplan. I was born and raised in 200 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:01,959 Speaker 7: New York City in an area quote Stuvesant Town that 201 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:06,000 Speaker 7: stretches from Fourteenth Street to twenty Street in Manhattan on 202 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 7: First Avenue and for First Avenue to the River. I 203 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:12,160 Speaker 7: grew up in New York and for the past forty 204 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:16,320 Speaker 7: five years I've been practicing law in New York. The 205 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:20,680 Speaker 7: reason that I ended up spending a number of evenings 206 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:23,720 Speaker 7: at Dumberman's Bar is that I live in Westchester County, 207 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 7: north of New York City, and often when I worked 208 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:29,120 Speaker 7: late as a lawyer, on my way home, I'd stop 209 00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 7: off of Bettlemans to have a drink and sometimes to 210 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:35,160 Speaker 7: listen to the wonderful music and just to unwind a 211 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:39,400 Speaker 7: little before continuing on my journey up north to southern 212 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 7: Westchester County. Part of my perspective of Dumbloman's, of course, 213 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:45,839 Speaker 7: is not simply as being a nice place on the 214 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:47,959 Speaker 7: Upper east Side, but as a native New Yorker who 215 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 7: grew up in the city, grew up in Manhattan, it's 216 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 7: been part of the fabric of the city my entire life, 217 00:13:53,720 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 7: and I could have gone a number of places after 218 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:58,439 Speaker 7: I got out of law school, but I thought that 219 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 7: I really wanted to go back to New York, not 220 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:02,320 Speaker 7: only because family was there, but that's always been my 221 00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:05,600 Speaker 7: home and I really loved the city. And one of 222 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:07,160 Speaker 7: the great things about New York City if you have 223 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:10,760 Speaker 7: a lot of wonderful places, including uh, you know the 224 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:13,640 Speaker 7: Carlisle Hotel in Ben Woman's Bar, which is in the Carlisle. 225 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:17,640 Speaker 4: So do you recall the first moment you walked in 226 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 4: and how it really just captured your heart immediately. 227 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:26,600 Speaker 7: Yeah. And it was interesting because I wasn't really planning to, 228 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:28,920 Speaker 7: you know, to go to Benel Bins, but I was. 229 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:33,320 Speaker 7: I was driving, and I was driving from the office 230 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 7: I had because always knew I was going to be 231 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:39,400 Speaker 7: working late. I'd driven into U my office in Midtown Manhattan, 232 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 7: and I was driving home and uh, I decided, hey, 233 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:46,120 Speaker 7: I should stop because I needed to use the restroom. 234 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 7: And I and you and us in New York it's 235 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 7: hard to find restrooms in Manhattan, but generally, you know, 236 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 7: you could find them most easily in a hotel. And 237 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 7: I saw all of there's the Carlisles. I pulled over 238 00:14:57,720 --> 00:14:59,840 Speaker 7: and I asked someone where the restroom was, and it's 239 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 7: if not that far from the entrance to be moments, uh, 240 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:07,000 Speaker 7: for the interiors just to be moments. And I heard 241 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:10,840 Speaker 7: the piano and I went up the stairs and I 242 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:12,840 Speaker 7: had never been there, even though I was a native 243 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 7: New Yorker, uh, And it was just terrific. You know, 244 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 7: you have those wonderful murals by Ludwick Bettelman's who you know, 245 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 7: did those children's illustrations, and it's just it was just 246 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:27,440 Speaker 7: a terrific ambiance. And of course I'd read about it, 247 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 7: but you know, uh, you know, and I've heard of 248 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:32,840 Speaker 7: people like Bobby Short and read about that, but I 249 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 7: never I'd never really been there. I was never really 250 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:37,760 Speaker 7: a guy who went and hung out at bars, you know, 251 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 7: as a Jewish kid from New York, you know, like 252 00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:42,840 Speaker 7: the bar experience really wasn't part of my growing up. 253 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:46,480 Speaker 7: But I really enjoyed it. And it was just a 254 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:48,960 Speaker 7: very nice crowd of people. It was very eclectic. You 255 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:52,600 Speaker 7: had native even you had New Yorkers like myself, and 256 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:56,960 Speaker 7: then you had people from all over and also the uh, 257 00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:59,080 Speaker 7: the staff of the matro D at the time, and 258 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:02,760 Speaker 7: also the the guys at the bar were just terrific, 259 00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:06,400 Speaker 7: and so I ended up going there a good number 260 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:09,240 Speaker 7: of times over over many years, with really the only 261 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:14,200 Speaker 7: great being the hiatus during COVID when Belmomin's and lots 262 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 7: of other places unfortunately had a close. 263 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 4: And there's something about the place that I guarantee in 264 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:23,760 Speaker 4: my view, and I want to see if you agree. 265 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:26,760 Speaker 4: If you're in a mood maybe and you've had a 266 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 4: rough day and you're a little bit pattered and not 267 00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:32,520 Speaker 4: in a great mood, isn't it true that when you 268 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 4: go to Bemoman's you're guaranteed to leave in a good mood. 269 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:40,040 Speaker 7: Yeah, I think that's really the case, and I should 270 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:44,360 Speaker 7: tell you because I'm driving and I could continue driving. 271 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 7: I generally don't have a drink in a sense of 272 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:50,200 Speaker 7: hard liquor. Everyone wants sometimes to have a beer, but 273 00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:52,840 Speaker 7: often I'll just have a diet coke. But it's just 274 00:16:52,880 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 7: so pleasant and you know, particularly but both the music 275 00:16:58,080 --> 00:17:01,440 Speaker 7: and also the people, it's a very It's a nice 276 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 7: crowd and they're always interesting people you meet. 277 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:04,600 Speaker 1: You know. 278 00:17:04,600 --> 00:17:06,200 Speaker 7: Of course, they are famous people who go there, and 279 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:09,840 Speaker 7: I've met a couple of famous people, either in Benlins 280 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:13,479 Speaker 7: itself or right next to it, where the Carlisle has 281 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:17,359 Speaker 7: a bunch of has a restaurant and and the stairway 282 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:20,760 Speaker 7: into Bemlin's from its interior from that from the hotel 283 00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:25,240 Speaker 7: has out there a number of seats for people in 284 00:17:25,280 --> 00:17:27,680 Speaker 7: the restaurant there, so they meet very interesting people there. 285 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:32,000 Speaker 7: But it's just a very pleasant I think. I think 286 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:34,720 Speaker 7: a big part of it is the music, which is 287 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 7: just terrific. There's a rotating group of performers, uh you know, 288 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:45,200 Speaker 7: you know, trios, quartets with a pianist, you know, maybe 289 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 7: you know, sometimes the pianists may be singing. Sometimes it's 290 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:53,480 Speaker 7: just music without singing. But it's just terrific and it's 291 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:56,480 Speaker 7: a real ambiance and you can see why people why 292 00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:58,400 Speaker 7: people go there, and why it's become a place where 293 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:02,280 Speaker 7: tourists go, because it's really it's really one of those 294 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:03,840 Speaker 7: unique New York experiences. 295 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 2: Who were some of the folks you might share that 296 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 2: were particularly unique that you ran into there. 297 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 7: Well, I met one person who I remembered from my youth, 298 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 7: but I hadn't seen them too much in the on television. 299 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:25,160 Speaker 7: A fellow named David Steinberg, who was a comedian sure 300 00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:31,400 Speaker 7: from Canada who back in the I think the sixties 301 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:35,000 Speaker 7: and seventies, was on Johnny Carson a lot, and I 302 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:40,560 Speaker 7: later he and I had a great conversation. He and 303 00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:43,679 Speaker 7: his wife were sitting at a table right before you 304 00:18:43,760 --> 00:18:47,480 Speaker 7: and walked into or could go up the stairs into Bellman's, 305 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:49,879 Speaker 7: like three or four stairs you have to go up 306 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:51,880 Speaker 7: to because it's at a higher level. It's the street level, 307 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 7: and the restaurant is sort of at a sunken level. 308 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 7: I noticed this fellow when he looked really familiar, and 309 00:18:57,359 --> 00:18:59,520 Speaker 7: I said, excuse me, and you don't like to bother 310 00:18:59,640 --> 00:19:02,480 Speaker 7: somebody when they're having dinner, but you know, are you 311 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:04,800 Speaker 7: David Seinberg? And he was very gracious, and his wife 312 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:07,639 Speaker 7: was very gracious, and we started. He said, he asked 313 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:12,520 Speaker 7: me to join them, and we sat down and I 314 00:19:12,640 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 7: mentioned to him that, you know that it was exciting 315 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:19,440 Speaker 7: to meet a comedian, But that was something that wasn't 316 00:19:19,520 --> 00:19:24,240 Speaker 7: unique in my family because my wife was from Wakegan, Illinois, 317 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:28,400 Speaker 7: and her grandmother who grew up in Wakegan, her father 318 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:31,639 Speaker 7: was from Okeen, and her father's mother was from Workegan. 319 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:35,439 Speaker 7: Her grandmother grew up in Wakegan with a fellow named 320 00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:41,680 Speaker 7: Benny Kubelski, who later became Jack. Benny and Wakegan had 321 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:44,480 Speaker 7: a very small Jewish community, and they were basically the 322 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:47,760 Speaker 7: two Jewish kids in the school that they were in 323 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:50,520 Speaker 7: in Wakegan, so it wasn't just a passing acquaintance. They 324 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:55,119 Speaker 7: really knew each other. That that prompted David to start 325 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:59,119 Speaker 7: talking about spending time with Jack Benny and a bunch 326 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:02,919 Speaker 7: of other comedians at Hillcrost Country Club in Los Angeles. 327 00:20:03,560 --> 00:20:07,440 Speaker 7: One story after another. It was just amazing, and and 328 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:09,679 Speaker 7: I asked him what he'd been doing, and he was 329 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:12,080 Speaker 7: very modest. But then when I went home and I 330 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:16,679 Speaker 7: googled him, he's had a very successful career as a director. 331 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:19,720 Speaker 7: He directed a lot of the episodes of Seinfeld. He's 332 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:24,919 Speaker 7: directed other episodes, and he's still as funny as you 333 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:27,800 Speaker 7: can think. I mean, I I just anybody you know 334 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:31,920 Speaker 7: go to YouTube, you know, search David Steinberg and you're 335 00:20:31,920 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 7: going to seem to see some routines. I mean, he 336 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 7: had a routine in which he plays a reform rabbi 337 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:43,159 Speaker 7: giving a sermon, and it's just it kills you. He 338 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:45,399 Speaker 7: talks about well and he says, now we're going to 339 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:50,159 Speaker 7: speak about Jonah and Jonah's relationship with God who who 340 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:53,040 Speaker 7: you may remember for my last sermon, you know, just 341 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:57,520 Speaker 7: just hilarious and just just a incredibly talented die. And 342 00:20:57,560 --> 00:21:02,000 Speaker 7: then of course he's had this really terrific career behind 343 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 7: the camera with some of the top comedians, as I said, 344 00:21:05,119 --> 00:21:09,159 Speaker 7: you know, for example Jerry Seinfeld and others. So that 345 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:15,120 Speaker 7: was a really interesting conversation. Another person who was very 346 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:18,879 Speaker 7: interesting was I was having the sandwich and there were 347 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:22,240 Speaker 7: two late, very elderly ladies sitting next to me, and 348 00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:25,720 Speaker 7: we started to talk. One of them said that she 349 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:29,000 Speaker 7: used to come there with her late husband, Ben Gazzara, 350 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:32,040 Speaker 7: and right away I said, you know, I have a 351 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:35,439 Speaker 7: connection with Ben Gazzara, you know, and my connection with 352 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:37,479 Speaker 7: Ben Gazzara as I went to the same high school 353 00:21:38,320 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 7: Stavesan High School in New York City and Manhattan that 354 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:43,320 Speaker 7: Ben Gazzara went to, which, by the way, is high school. 355 00:21:43,320 --> 00:21:46,200 Speaker 7: Were a number of other people who were very famous 356 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:50,400 Speaker 7: in the entertainment world, probably the most famous being James Cagney, 357 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:54,640 Speaker 7: who got out of Stuyvesant, I believe in nineteen eighteen, 358 00:21:55,160 --> 00:22:02,359 Speaker 7: but others more recent ones include two Robins and Lucy 359 00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 7: Lou but Ben Gazzarro was a Stayvelshant graduate, and Missus 360 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:12,400 Speaker 7: Gazarre just just telling me wonderful stories about Ben and 361 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:16,600 Speaker 7: you know, various other actors. She spoke. Actually it was 362 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 7: quite movie. She said that in one of his last 363 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 7: pictures when he was not well, Ben had worked with 364 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:27,440 Speaker 7: Paul Servino, who passed away recently, but I think it 365 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:30,879 Speaker 7: was you or two, and that Paul had been so 366 00:22:31,040 --> 00:22:33,280 Speaker 7: kind he really looked after Ben because he knew that 367 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:38,119 Speaker 7: Ben Ben's health was challenging, and just what a kind 368 00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:43,679 Speaker 7: and nice person Servino had been. It was really it 369 00:22:43,760 --> 00:22:46,800 Speaker 7: was just a wonderful conversation. And one of the nice 370 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:48,720 Speaker 7: things about growing up in a place like New York 371 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:51,280 Speaker 7: is that even if you don't know people, often you 372 00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:54,440 Speaker 7: know people who know people, or you have various connections 373 00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:58,199 Speaker 7: and with people who know people, because even though it's 374 00:22:58,200 --> 00:22:59,920 Speaker 7: a big city, like a lot of other big city, 375 00:23:00,440 --> 00:23:03,960 Speaker 7: it's also in some ways a small town. So that's 376 00:23:03,960 --> 00:23:07,639 Speaker 7: one of the really great things about Bell Moments. You 377 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:10,879 Speaker 7: meet all kinds of different people, people in business, people 378 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:14,960 Speaker 7: in the arts. It's really a terrific place. 379 00:23:15,880 --> 00:23:18,280 Speaker 2: So in closing, why. 380 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:20,879 Speaker 4: Do you think in the last I think five to 381 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:25,320 Speaker 4: seven years bem Woman's has turned from this place that 382 00:23:25,880 --> 00:23:29,199 Speaker 4: on a Wednesday night you could walk in and you 383 00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:30,919 Speaker 4: might have to wait a little bit to get a 384 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 4: seat at the bar, and then you finally get a 385 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:33,680 Speaker 4: seat at the bar. 386 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:42,680 Speaker 2: Now Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, it's packed. You gotta wait 387 00:23:42,760 --> 00:23:43,600 Speaker 2: even longer. 388 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:46,480 Speaker 4: It's nice if you can hold your hand up and 389 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:49,960 Speaker 4: maybe get waved in because you're a semi regular. But 390 00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:54,720 Speaker 4: it's really found a new generation of people. I think 391 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:59,680 Speaker 4: that has created it to be more of a must 392 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:00,640 Speaker 4: be placed. 393 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:02,000 Speaker 2: Why do you think that is? 394 00:24:03,040 --> 00:24:06,880 Speaker 7: I think it's probably because of the Internet. I think 395 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:12,480 Speaker 7: that back before the I think really the the change 396 00:24:12,480 --> 00:24:17,679 Speaker 7: occurred after the pandemic. Before the pandemic, it was primarily 397 00:24:17,920 --> 00:24:21,680 Speaker 7: in an older crowd. You know, I've been practicing the 398 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:24,000 Speaker 7: lower for forty five years, so clearly I'm not a youngster. 399 00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:27,840 Speaker 7: And there were lots of micing temporaries people older, sometimes 400 00:24:27,880 --> 00:24:30,840 Speaker 7: younger people, but there weren't a lot of college kids 401 00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:34,120 Speaker 7: or you know, early kid that in the early twenties. 402 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:37,560 Speaker 7: After the pandemic, I think, I really think it moves 403 00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:42,040 Speaker 7: was social media a lot more a lot, It was 404 00:24:42,080 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 7: a much bigger draw and at least for a while, 405 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:47,639 Speaker 7: you know, there'd be a line. Bemblements has a street 406 00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:50,880 Speaker 7: level entrance, but that's closed. And then there's another entrance 407 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:53,840 Speaker 7: right off the entrance into the Carlisle on Madison Avenue, 408 00:24:54,200 --> 00:24:56,920 Speaker 7: and that generally and that's you can leave that. You 409 00:24:57,400 --> 00:24:59,800 Speaker 7: really don't go in there. But they'd always there be 410 00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:04,000 Speaker 7: a line down into the restaurant and they wouldn't. And 411 00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:07,199 Speaker 7: where there's some stairs, they would basically sign up and 412 00:25:07,240 --> 00:25:10,320 Speaker 7: then wait and then eventually when people left. Because I 413 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:12,480 Speaker 7: was for fire coat and other reasons, they let so 414 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:17,000 Speaker 7: many people into the bar at a time. But I 415 00:25:17,280 --> 00:25:19,440 Speaker 7: think it's the Internet, and I think and also I 416 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:23,320 Speaker 7: think a number of people who younger people follow have 417 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:27,919 Speaker 7: gone there and have sometimes played there or can be 418 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:31,080 Speaker 7: seen there. So you know, it's sure, it's great to 419 00:25:31,080 --> 00:25:33,320 Speaker 7: see Paul mccartty, but Paul mccartty is someboy who's older 420 00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:36,119 Speaker 7: than me. But when somebody you know, like a Miley 421 00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:39,240 Speaker 7: Cyrus or someone, the younger people are much more interested 422 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:42,159 Speaker 7: and and and you know, and you'll see you'll you'll 423 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:43,879 Speaker 7: you're run into them there now sometimes. 424 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:47,879 Speaker 2: Charles, it's so great to catch up with you, and 425 00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:53,240 Speaker 2: thanks for sharing and dishing on Bellman's Bar, you know, and. 426 00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:55,399 Speaker 7: I should I should know probably the close that the 427 00:25:55,440 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 7: way we know each other is one day when you 428 00:25:58,119 --> 00:25:59,800 Speaker 7: hit the bar and double and So's eye and that's 429 00:25:59,840 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 7: how we met and we've been in touch ever since. 430 00:26:01,880 --> 00:26:05,000 Speaker 4: That's right, Yeah, And that's what's so beautiful about the place. 431 00:26:05,040 --> 00:26:07,639 Speaker 4: It's like you said, it's a great connector to people, 432 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:11,680 Speaker 4: all different types of people. Always an interesting tale, always 433 00:26:12,160 --> 00:26:17,800 Speaker 4: great music, and I always leave happy and ready to 434 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:18,879 Speaker 4: come back the next time. 435 00:26:19,280 --> 00:26:21,280 Speaker 7: Well, it's been wonderful speaking with you as well, Buzz, 436 00:26:21,359 --> 00:26:21,600 Speaker 7: Thank you. 437 00:26:21,720 --> 00:26:28,120 Speaker 2: Charles Hamilton Lighthouser is an American indie rock musician known 438 00:26:28,160 --> 00:26:31,160 Speaker 2: as the lead vocalist of The Walkman, who now has 439 00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:36,240 Speaker 2: a successful solo career on Glass Note Records. Hamilton has 440 00:26:36,280 --> 00:26:40,199 Speaker 2: played at the Cafe Carlisle and has often spent some 441 00:26:40,320 --> 00:26:45,560 Speaker 2: time at Bemman's Bar. So, Hamilton, what's your earliest memory 442 00:26:45,760 --> 00:26:49,440 Speaker 2: of visiting Bemlman's Bar? What drew you to it? Initially? 443 00:26:50,440 --> 00:26:54,640 Speaker 6: Earliest in life would be when I was about ten 444 00:26:54,760 --> 00:26:57,800 Speaker 6: years old. I'm from Washington, DC, and I was up 445 00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:01,280 Speaker 6: in New York visiting, I don't know why, and my 446 00:27:01,520 --> 00:27:06,760 Speaker 6: uncle took me and my cousins and my aunt to 447 00:27:07,280 --> 00:27:10,479 Speaker 6: Benelman's for a drink. I had like a coke, and 448 00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:14,399 Speaker 6: I just remember that was so expensive that he was 449 00:27:15,440 --> 00:27:15,960 Speaker 6: I think. 450 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:17,960 Speaker 7: He got the bill and he was kind of like 451 00:27:18,320 --> 00:27:20,480 Speaker 7: never a thing. 452 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:23,520 Speaker 6: So that was literally my first memory. And also that 453 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:24,840 Speaker 6: I saw Ross Perrault. 454 00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:25,480 Speaker 7: He was there. 455 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:30,200 Speaker 2: Oh my god, that's a that's that's the people watching moment, right. 456 00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:31,240 Speaker 7: Yeah, yeah, it was. 457 00:27:31,320 --> 00:27:33,440 Speaker 6: It was really big and I hadn't, you know, seen 458 00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:35,280 Speaker 6: very many celebrities in my life at that point, so 459 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:37,960 Speaker 6: it was really exciting for us kids. 460 00:27:38,640 --> 00:27:41,480 Speaker 2: So how does it feel to to perform or spend 461 00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:44,480 Speaker 2: time at such a storied New York institution. 462 00:27:46,200 --> 00:27:51,400 Speaker 6: Well, I perform at Kathok Carlisle, which is across the hall, 463 00:27:52,320 --> 00:27:55,800 Speaker 6: very similar vibe, but uh it's you know, it's for 464 00:27:55,920 --> 00:27:59,199 Speaker 6: performance and dinner space, and Bellman's is more of just 465 00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:01,240 Speaker 6: like a bar. They have a but it's there. They're 466 00:28:01,280 --> 00:28:04,520 Speaker 6: playing jazz standards and they're in the middle of the room. 467 00:28:04,560 --> 00:28:08,040 Speaker 6: Well as you probably know. And so I go to 468 00:28:08,119 --> 00:28:13,320 Speaker 6: Bellman's afterwards for a drink a lot of nights, and uh, 469 00:28:13,440 --> 00:28:16,440 Speaker 6: it's just you know, like another world being in there. 470 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:17,520 Speaker 7: It's like you when I. 471 00:28:17,480 --> 00:28:19,440 Speaker 6: Play a Cave Carlisle, and then I go up to 472 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:21,360 Speaker 6: my room and rest up, and then I go down 473 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:25,360 Speaker 6: to Bellman's. Uh, and I haven't even left the building. 474 00:28:26,560 --> 00:28:32,840 Speaker 6: It's pretty. It's surreal. It's like I'm living in like 475 00:28:32,880 --> 00:28:36,640 Speaker 6: a spaceship or something, and and everything, every possible thing 476 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:39,560 Speaker 6: you could want is right there. And and you know, 477 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:42,240 Speaker 6: there's no windows in either of those rooms, so you 478 00:28:42,280 --> 00:28:44,080 Speaker 6: don't you forget what time of year it is. It 479 00:28:44,120 --> 00:28:46,400 Speaker 6: always feels like it's sort of like a blessy winter 480 00:28:46,640 --> 00:28:48,760 Speaker 6: night outside when you're in there, because it's just very 481 00:28:48,760 --> 00:28:50,320 Speaker 6: cozy and dark. 482 00:28:51,680 --> 00:28:56,560 Speaker 2: Can you describe the atmosphere of Bemmeleman's Bar for someone 483 00:28:56,680 --> 00:28:58,240 Speaker 2: maybe who's who's never been there. 484 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:03,560 Speaker 6: Yes, it has brescos all all the way around. Three 485 00:29:03,600 --> 00:29:05,479 Speaker 6: hundred and sixty degrees are on the wall, drawn by 486 00:29:05,560 --> 00:29:10,640 Speaker 6: Ludwig Bemmelman's who also who drew Madeline, the children's book 487 00:29:10,800 --> 00:29:14,640 Speaker 6: famously and then also did all the prescoes in Cafe Carlisle. 488 00:29:15,400 --> 00:29:19,720 Speaker 6: So it's the style similar to the buck Madeline that 489 00:29:19,760 --> 00:29:21,840 Speaker 6: they're beautiful. They go all the way around. There's like 490 00:29:21,920 --> 00:29:29,800 Speaker 6: a sort of gold low ceiling that's wallpapered and the 491 00:29:29,920 --> 00:29:34,160 Speaker 6: very it's beautiful, actually gold, And there's a big grand 492 00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:36,480 Speaker 6: piano right in the middle where a jazz band performs, 493 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:39,840 Speaker 6: and there's leather booths all the way around, and small, 494 00:29:39,920 --> 00:29:43,360 Speaker 6: dimly lit tables with little cafe lights on them, and 495 00:29:44,840 --> 00:29:48,760 Speaker 6: a big bar that just makes insanely good drinks, and 496 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:51,040 Speaker 6: all my friends always coming. It's their big night on 497 00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:54,280 Speaker 6: there every night. But it's their big night. They're just 498 00:29:54,280 --> 00:29:55,080 Speaker 6: having a great time. 499 00:29:55,440 --> 00:29:58,160 Speaker 2: Is it fair to say that if one were in 500 00:29:58,200 --> 00:30:02,600 Speaker 2: a bad mood and they went up to Bemmeleman's and 501 00:30:02,840 --> 00:30:07,000 Speaker 2: hung out, the good mood suddenly replaces the bad. 502 00:30:06,840 --> 00:30:08,840 Speaker 7: Mood, you're gonna be feeling better. 503 00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:12,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, automatically, Yeah you are. 504 00:30:14,160 --> 00:30:17,160 Speaker 4: If you could choose one song that captures the spirit 505 00:30:17,240 --> 00:30:18,680 Speaker 4: of Bemmelemans. 506 00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:18,960 Speaker 2: What would it be? 507 00:30:19,120 --> 00:30:22,960 Speaker 6: And why, Well, there's that band I can't remember whether, 508 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:25,960 Speaker 6: I can't remember the guy's name that plays all the time, 509 00:30:25,960 --> 00:30:28,880 Speaker 6: and they do all. He was asking me for requests 510 00:30:28,920 --> 00:30:31,720 Speaker 6: last year. I was requesting some Fats Waller songs because 511 00:30:31,760 --> 00:30:33,760 Speaker 6: I love the way Fats Waller plays the piano. When 512 00:30:33,760 --> 00:30:35,880 Speaker 6: they got it, was such a good piano player. So 513 00:30:36,040 --> 00:30:39,240 Speaker 6: something like Honeysuckle Rose is one of my favorite Fats 514 00:30:39,240 --> 00:30:42,040 Speaker 6: Waller songs until the real thing comes along, something like 515 00:30:42,080 --> 00:30:46,600 Speaker 6: that very New York, old New York song great Melodies. 516 00:30:47,160 --> 00:30:48,680 Speaker 2: Yeah. 517 00:30:48,720 --> 00:30:51,719 Speaker 4: Well, lastly, so why do you think Bembleman's has maintained 518 00:30:52,640 --> 00:30:56,240 Speaker 4: its status as a cultural landmark for so many decades? 519 00:30:57,680 --> 00:31:00,400 Speaker 6: Well, you know what's incredible about that is that I 520 00:31:00,440 --> 00:31:06,080 Speaker 6: started playing there about eight years ago, and. 521 00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:09,960 Speaker 5: I could after the show, I would. 522 00:31:09,680 --> 00:31:12,600 Speaker 6: Go in there and to Bellman's and have a drink 523 00:31:12,680 --> 00:31:16,480 Speaker 6: and there would be people, but it wasn't necessarily jammed. 524 00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:19,760 Speaker 6: And in the last five years, maybe after COVID something 525 00:31:19,880 --> 00:31:23,760 Speaker 6: like that, I'll come out of my show. I probably 526 00:31:23,840 --> 00:31:28,280 Speaker 6: end around ten thirty eleven, something like that. And if 527 00:31:28,320 --> 00:31:31,000 Speaker 6: it's a Tuesday night, if it's a Wednesday night, if 528 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:32,479 Speaker 6: it's a weekend, forget about it. There will be a 529 00:31:32,520 --> 00:31:36,920 Speaker 6: line of people or young people much shnger than me 530 00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:40,160 Speaker 6: out the door, through the tea room, all the way 531 00:31:40,160 --> 00:31:44,360 Speaker 6: on the hall out onto Madison Avenue, waiting patiently for 532 00:31:44,480 --> 00:31:48,040 Speaker 6: god knows how long they're going to be waiting late 533 00:31:48,080 --> 00:31:52,560 Speaker 6: at night. And it's so much more popular than it 534 00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:56,160 Speaker 6: was eight years ago. And I don't know, I know 535 00:31:56,200 --> 00:31:59,720 Speaker 6: why it's maintained because it's beautiful and it's the only 536 00:31:59,760 --> 00:32:03,520 Speaker 6: place like it in the world, and that's why people 537 00:32:03,720 --> 00:32:05,959 Speaker 6: go back, and that's why people know what it is. 538 00:32:06,040 --> 00:32:09,600 Speaker 6: But I don't know why it's suddenly so much more popular. 539 00:32:09,960 --> 00:32:11,520 Speaker 6: I want to think it's because I started playing there. 540 00:32:11,520 --> 00:32:12,240 Speaker 6: I don't know. 541 00:32:12,600 --> 00:32:17,720 Speaker 2: Thank you, Hanle that that's great. Rita Wilson. 542 00:32:17,920 --> 00:32:20,520 Speaker 4: If you are in a bad mood and you go 543 00:32:20,680 --> 00:32:24,960 Speaker 4: into the Cafe Carlisle or to Bemomins to listen to music, 544 00:32:25,280 --> 00:32:28,880 Speaker 4: to listen to who's playing there, I promise you you 545 00:32:29,000 --> 00:32:30,520 Speaker 4: leave in a good mood. 546 00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:32,200 Speaker 2: Do you agree with that? 547 00:32:33,440 --> 00:32:37,520 Speaker 9: I agree wholeheartedly. And I also would have to say 548 00:32:37,560 --> 00:32:41,160 Speaker 9: that I think music in general puts you in a 549 00:32:41,160 --> 00:32:43,520 Speaker 9: fantastic mood. So if you're in a bad mood, just 550 00:32:43,560 --> 00:32:46,520 Speaker 9: put on some music. It will transport you to a 551 00:32:46,520 --> 00:32:49,760 Speaker 9: better state of mind. But yeah, I love those places. 552 00:32:49,800 --> 00:32:52,640 Speaker 9: There's something to be said about these old venues like 553 00:32:52,680 --> 00:32:55,920 Speaker 9: the Rhyme and like the Cafe Carlisle or bellm Woman's 554 00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:59,000 Speaker 9: or the Troubadour or you know. I went to the 555 00:32:59,000 --> 00:33:02,600 Speaker 9: Blue Note when I was in New York recently, and 556 00:33:02,680 --> 00:33:06,280 Speaker 9: there's something to be set. It's like the walls, the 557 00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:14,400 Speaker 9: paint the air those molecules have been They're just the 558 00:33:14,560 --> 00:33:18,560 Speaker 9: same molecules that have always been there, and you feel them, 559 00:33:18,800 --> 00:33:22,040 Speaker 9: and that's what it's like. You sense the people that 560 00:33:22,080 --> 00:33:24,400 Speaker 9: have come before, that have played, the people that have 561 00:33:24,520 --> 00:33:28,360 Speaker 9: listened there. You know. I always think when I do 562 00:33:28,480 --> 00:33:31,960 Speaker 9: a show there and the Carlisle is very intimate, but 563 00:33:32,240 --> 00:33:34,680 Speaker 9: I kind of feel this way generally. You just have 564 00:33:34,800 --> 00:33:38,720 Speaker 9: to make every place feel intimate. Is that there is 565 00:33:38,800 --> 00:33:41,400 Speaker 9: always somebody in that room that needs to hear what 566 00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:46,600 Speaker 9: you're singing and what you're saying. And if there was 567 00:33:46,680 --> 00:33:49,560 Speaker 9: just one person in every one of these spaces and 568 00:33:49,600 --> 00:33:52,400 Speaker 9: I had to perform, it would be the same performance 569 00:33:52,480 --> 00:33:55,120 Speaker 9: because I would know that they were there for a reason. 570 00:33:55,680 --> 00:33:59,160 Speaker 9: And there's something about the intimacy of those places where 571 00:33:59,160 --> 00:34:02,920 Speaker 9: people can actually talk back to you, and sometimes or 572 00:34:02,960 --> 00:34:05,080 Speaker 9: they shot at you with nutshot, but they talk to 573 00:34:05,120 --> 00:34:07,240 Speaker 9: you in the audience and I like that. 574 00:34:07,400 --> 00:34:08,200 Speaker 6: I think it's great. 575 00:34:08,360 --> 00:34:09,240 Speaker 2: It's not heckling. 576 00:34:09,280 --> 00:34:11,920 Speaker 9: It's actually like they're part of it. The audience is 577 00:34:11,960 --> 00:34:14,520 Speaker 9: as much a part of the show as the performer is. 578 00:34:16,360 --> 00:34:19,040 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to this. Take it a Walk love 579 00:34:19,120 --> 00:34:24,400 Speaker 2: Letter episode to Bemman's Bar at the Carlisle Hotel on 580 00:34:24,560 --> 00:34:29,399 Speaker 2: Madison Avenue between seventy sixth and seventy seventh on Manhattan's 581 00:34:29,480 --> 00:34:34,480 Speaker 2: Upper east Side. The hotel a Rosewood Hotel and special 582 00:34:34,560 --> 00:34:38,879 Speaker 2: thanks to the folks at the Rosewood and also Demetrius 583 00:34:38,920 --> 00:34:43,399 Speaker 2: and his team at Bemman's Bar. Check that place out 584 00:34:43,440 --> 00:34:46,560 Speaker 2: sometime when you're in New York City. And thanks for listening.