Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Chumley's Neighbors Sue To Keep Legendary Speakeasy From Reopening
By
Nell Casey
Published Feb 25, 2014
Modified Feb 25, 2014
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
Nell Casey
Published Feb 25, 2014
Modified Feb 25, 2014
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
After a facade collapse in 2007, legendary West Village speakeasy Chumley's was forced to shut its doors after 85 years on Bedford Street. There have been attempts to reopen the tavern over the years, but efforts have been repeatedly blocked by a group of vocal neighbors who don't want another bar opening up opening on their street. Their latest move: a lawsuit against the SLA they hope will force the agency to revoke the bar's liquor license.
Despite operating hours restrictions imposed on the license, the 47 NIMBYs associated with the group Bar Free Bedford have concerns that the "unruly, drunk and extremely loud" crowd from Chumley's hayday will return to disrupt the quiet of the block. "There is no analysis why the authority believed this bar is needed in this quiet, mid-block location and why it is in the public interest to open a 22nd drinking venue in an area besieged with problems from such establishments," the suit contends.
Chumley's owner Jim Miller, a retired firefighter, has been slowly attempting to reopen the iconic bar, which saw visitors like Faulkner and Steinbeck back in the day. "I feel so badly for him," head of the Bedford Barrow Commerce Block Association Kathryn Donaldson told the Post. "It's an institution, it's been here forever, it's a part of our history." Certain minds just don't care much for history, sadly.
If Chumley's succeeds in reopening—fingers crossed!—at least it will keep some of the neighborhood's historic character alive. Alternatively, it could be gutted and turned into one of the generic corporate chains that's opening everywhere else in New York. Will these "good neighbors" welcome their new juicing overlords? Probably.
Tagged
bar free bedford
bedford street
chumley's
NIMBYs
west village lawuits
Nell Casey
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 .