Left rectangle ads redesigned
Robert Ripps book
History of Tribeca Buildings
A New Home for Raccoon Lodge
The Community Board 1 agendas just came out—I’ll post them tomorrow Monday—and Raccoon Lodge is indeed planning to move to 20 Warren, most recently (if briefly) the site of Tara of Tribeca, and before that, 20/20. This is great news for anyone who doesn’t live on the block; the rest of us may not be quite so excited.
Note: The agenda says the applicant is “20 Lodge Associates LLC,” which owns a newly registered trademark for “Raccoon Saloon.” So maybe that’s the new name…?
UPDATE: A reader asked when and where the CB1 meeting is. It’s at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, at the Municipal Building (1 Centre St.), Room 2202A-North. You enter on the south side of the building, under the vaulted arcade, and you need to bring ID.
MAJOR UPDATE: A comment just came in from Ace, who appears to be the Raccoon Lodge’s owner: “The Raccoon Lodge is closing on June 30, 2016. Another bar that will be opening at 20 Warren St. is not associated with the Raccoon Lodge aside from possibly hiring out of work bartenders/managers. It has been a great run for the past 34 years and I want to thank all of the patrons from the neighborhood that have enjoyed our conviviality. What others do, is out of my control. Cheers, Ace.”
23 Comments
Comment:
Medium rectangle #1 (top)
Right column rectangle ads
Mega rectangle
Restaurant guide icon
Definitely not happy Raccoon Lodge will be on the block.
Me neither! We need to band together to block this move, the way Buddha Bar just got blocked on Thomas. This will be awful for the residents of this block, as it has been for the residents of their current location.
I can pretty much guarantee the Raccoon Lodge has been in the neighborhood longer than either of you two, perhaps you should consider CT, seems way more suitable for your uppityness…
And you would be wrong. I moved here in 1979.
Uppityness comment still stands. Raccoon Lodge = great, luxurification of what was once a cool neighborhood = bad.
So you guys want to ban raccoon lodge for what? Another Midwest chain where 75% of you douchebags are from?
Just happy Raccoon found a home still in the neighborhood. Love that place.
This is great news. This is a very classy bar with mostly professionals and business folks. I myself who is an engineer go there quite often to meet with my lawyers and wall street friends.
I really hope this happens because tribeca don’t need to see more business close.
It’s not what happens in the bar that causes concern; it’s what happens outside of it. Last night, walking home from dinner around 9 p.m., we saw six people standing outside, smoking and speaking loudly. Could it be worse? Absolutely, as the folks who live by Sazón will tell you. But in a perfect world, a bar like Raccoon Lodge would be on an “avenue” rather than in the middle of an entirely residential block. (Then again, I don’t know what else would want the cave of a space at 20 Warren….)
when the Raccoon Lodge closes you can pretty much put up the ‘neighborhood closed’ sign
Exactly…it’s what happens outside that is of concern. An avenue, like Church, would make much more sense
it’s doubtful that they could make the rent on a large avenue space.
I live in Tribeca and have been a patron here for close to 20 years.
I have never witnessed one negative thing inside or outside of this establishment.
I am a smoker and I’ve never witnessed it being loud outside.
The staff does a great job at controlling the noise level as do the guests.
All walks of life are treated equally in this place and that’s why I enjoy it.
Please DO continue!
it’s been some years since i’ve been a regular but i too have always found the racoon lodge to be a responsible establishment and a good neighbor.
The Raccoon Lodge is closing on June 30, 2016. Another bar that will be opening at 20 Warren St. is not associated with the Raccoon Lodge aside from possibly hiring out of work bartenders/managers. It has been a great run for the past 34 years and I want to thank all of the patrons from the neighborhood that have enjoyed our conviviality. What others do, is out of my control. Cheers, Ace
Love you ACE! Thank You for all the years of good times. I will miss the Raccoon Lodge immensely.
You are a great owner. Sad to see you and the bar go. Good luck in your new place.
ACE!!! i know this article is years ago, but wonder if you’re still around? i used to work there a million years ago. remember susan dumois? puffy’s? prescott’s? gary (sweet man gone too soon). hope you’re still alive & kicking. so many good memories… those were the days. hope you’re well.
The closing of this great, great bar should make me sad. But that is temporarily offset by knowing I’ll be able to make one last trip in from Kansas City to chat, joke and laugh with the regulars…as well as enjoy the company of those delightful folks behind the bar. Did not happen upon this place until five years ago, but it has been my absolute favorite NYC watering hole since the moment I walked through the door. It’s the first place I go upon arrival and the last spot I visit before departing.
Will reserve the hotel and purchase a plane ticket today. Please don’t close before I get there!
This place belongs on an avenue. Not on a quiet block.
People need places to go to be loud, rowdy, get drunk and smoke outside. Just not on a quiet family oriented block.
I have walked up that block for over 20 years, raccoon lodge has dozens of people smoking outside, people throwing up on the street and general rowdiness. I bet there is not one person on that block who isn’t happy to see it go. And I feel really bad for the people that live where it lands…
I have visited the Raccoon Lodge with some frequency, but only as an out-of-town fan of the joint. Although I have never seen what I’d consider rowdy, out-of-control behavior (save one small incident), I will take your word that it happens. I probably am headed back to my hotel long before most of that stuff occurs. And I swiftly concede I definitely would not want it within earshot of my residence.
From the message posted by Ace, it might appear the bar will not re-open — period. With appropriate deference to your position, I can’t help but be saddened to see a place where I personally had so much fun over the past five years just go away. And I certainly hate to see good people lose jobs.
Respect.
When a resident moves to an area zoned for restaurants and bars, there can’t be a real expectation for a quiet street. Suck it up, yuppies. If you want a dead-zone for noise, move to Roosevelt Island.
The worst complaints I have read above are loud talking, smoking, and one alleged vomit incident. Somehow people see all this as a threat to their children and their lifestyle.
This is New York City, a very large international city, and one with one of the greatest varieties of inhabitants in the world. It is never been a sterile playpen for children and their prudish parents. Isn’t the fact there is a variety of establishments available why you want to live here?
It doesn’t matter – even if Raccoon Lodge does happen to move to 20 Warren (where it is very unwanted by the families on the block) it will be very short lived. The neighbors will destroy them on social media and every single food and drink blog. Can you say “One Star rating?” , can you say “saw a big rat inside”, can you “place was Dirty and “food” is inedible?
Every move will be watched and complaints to 311 and 911 constant.
It’s not in their interest to move to 20 Warren. There are so many appropriate locations all over Church St. Good luck.