Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Ruby's Opening for New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim, Protest
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 14, 2010
Modified Dec 14, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 14, 2010
Modified Dec 14, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
If you were thinking this morning about how great it would be to spend a winter's day at the beach, here's good news. Ruby's Bar & Grill—the imperiled Coney Island institution—will open up for the annual Coney Island Polar Bear Swim. Despite receiving an eviction notice from the sinister corporate amusement giant Zamperla, the essential boardwalk dive isn't budging, and plans to open for "a HUGE protest" on New Year's day. A host at Ruby's (Facebook) tells us the doors will pop at 10:30 a.m. for the annual "Polar Bear Plunge for Camp Sunshine." Meanwhile, questions are being raised about the food service company that Zamperla wants to install on the Boardwalk to replace eight businesses, including Ruby's.
Following up on some good reporting from Amusing the Zillion, the Post looked into the questionable track record of Sodexo, one of the world’s largest food and facilities management companies. (They brought desperately-needed Dippin’ Dots to Coney Island!) Sodexo, which would operate a year-round restaurant complex on the Boardwalk once these old relics are brushed aside, has paid $100 million in legal settlements to settle lawsuits accusing the company of overcharging New York students and of denying black employees promotions.
Actor Danny Glover was arrested earlier this year protesting the allegedly poor working conditions that Sodexo employees toil under. And in June Sodexo coughed up a $20 million settlement for overcharging school districts statewide and the SUNY college system for food and vending-machine services. "This company cut sweetheart deals with suppliers and then denied taxpayer-supported schools the benefits," Cuomo said. In other words, Sodexo behaves like a shady grifter willing to do anything for a buck—so maybe it'll bring back the old carny days of the Boardwalk.
As for Ruby's, its first court date with the other "Coney Island Eight" was initially scheduled for December 10th, but postponed. One source at Ruby's explains the bar is "fighting The Order to Show Cause of why we should be evicted, when the rent is paid... The infrastructure is just starting this coming spring and the city has acknowledged it will take at least 3-5 years for the infrastructure. So I think Zamperla is jumping the gun
a little; some things wont work until others are in place. This [lawsuit] process should take at least 6-8 months, then we are into spring/summer, but, that doesn't mean we can open."
Tagged
boardwalk
coney island
coney island polar bear club
ruby's
ruby's bar and grill
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Police arrest man in Queens stabbings that ended with officer shooting woman
The arrest stems from a reported home invasion and stabbings on Friday.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 27, 2026 at 12:06 p.m. ET
Early Addition: It's been a while since it rained
Because it's dry, here are your early links: McCarren Park teens love the mayor, Long Island castle being auctioned off, an update on the 1 a.m. dining scene and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: It's been a while since it rained
Because it's dry, here are your early links: McCarren Park teens love the mayor, Long Island castle being auctioned off, an update on the 1 a.m. dining scene and more.
By
James Ramsay
Woman found in shallow grave in Queens; her ex-boyfriend is in custody, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
ICE used a warehouse in NJ. Locals are ‘frustrated’ by Sherrill’s response.
By
Mike Hayes
NY Gov. Hochul once resisted a data center pause. Now it’s central to her campaign.
By
Jon Campbell
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .