Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Video: New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim and Ruby's Protest
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 7, 2011
Modified Jan 7, 2011
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 .
View all 7
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 7, 2011
Modified Jan 7, 2011
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
For 108 years, the Coney Island Polar Bear Club has been plunging into the freezing water for "stamina, virility and immunity." The club convenes weekly, but their annual New Year's Day swim gets all the attention, and with the unseasonably warm weather on January 1st this year, the beach was packed with jubilant bathers. But it wasn't all high fives and Borat thongs (see photo five... or don't), this year Ruby's Old Tyme Bar and Grill—a Boardwalk institution—opened on New Year's Day for what may be the last time. In this excellent video, Gregory Stefano documented the contrast between the gaiety on the beach and the somber outrage inside Ruby's:
Last Call for Ruby's at the New Year's Day Coney Island Polar Bear Swim? from Gregory Stefano on Vimeo.
Tagged
coney island polar bear club
new year's day 2011
polar bear swim
ruby's bar and grill
video
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 arts-entertainment
NYC music in October: The Strokes, a Blink-182 cover band, and Polish experimentalism
An excellent and diverse month of concerts are in store for October.
By
Hank Shteamer
Published Oct 2, 2026 at 11:15 a.m. ET
Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.
There is now an (un)official verification process for those who can claim the title of city resident.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.
There is now an (un)official verification process for those who can claim the title of city resident.
By
Hannah Frishberg
In the mood for a pastoral autumn experience? Try Queens.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
October is spooky season at the movies in New York City
By
Emma Stefansky
At the Museum at FIT, an argument for dolls as the ultimate fashion influencers
By
Quinn Moreland
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 .