Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Food

The Algonquin's Oak Room Has Sung Its Last Torch Song


By

Garth Johnston

Published Feb 3, 2012

Modified Feb 3, 2012


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 .

The Algonquin

 

Facebook


By

Garth Johnston

Published Feb 3, 2012

Modified Feb 3, 2012


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

Sad day for fans of smooth jazz crooners: When the current cat-displacing renovations at The Algonquin Hotel are over, one of the famed hotel's many famous features will not be coming back. No, we aren't talking about the round table. According to a hotel spokesman, "The once popular cabaret Oak Room will close to make room for an expanded Blue Bar which will still serve up its classic Dirty Martinis and Manhattans."

At least one of the room's more well-known features, its wall of Al Hirschfield drawings, won't be going anywhere—they'll just now be lining the Blue Bar.

Though it had seen better days, the Algonquin's Oak Room has been an important part of the city's jazz and cabaret scene for most of its 35 years in the hotel. It will be missed. On the bright side...at least Matilda The Cat is coming back soon!

Tagged

closings

manhattan

the algonquin hotel

the oak room


Garth Johnston

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE food

North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.

Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.

By

Robert Sietsema

Published Oct 10, 2026


10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City

The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.

By

Robert Sietsema

Food

10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City

The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.

By

Robert Sietsema


Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

By

Sonia Rao

5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's

By

Hannah Frishberg

Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian

By

Robert Sietsema


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 .