Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
In 1962, They Briefly Put A Bar On This Subway Car
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 29, 2019
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 .
John Rooney/AP/Shutterstock
View all 3
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 29, 2019
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
The subway in 2019 could be worse (this is not a compliment, it's just a fact that everything could be worse). It could, for example, have clung to elements from the past, like when scales were on the platforms. Imagine paying to weigh yourself ever, nevermind while waiting on the R train. Pretty dark stuff.
And while a bar on a subway car may sound like a fun idea, give it a second... less than a second, even. It would be a legitimate nightmare, particularly when the train inevitably breaks down and you are trapped (without a bathroom) underground with inebriated humans barrelling through every emotion that may be awakened with the right (wrong) amount gin.
But... it did happen, and while it was very brief, we were left with these images.
The bar was basically a publicity stunt, and one that was geared specifically towards the only people who might enjoy such a thing: a bunch of dudes. The New York City Transit Authority invited "the Young Men's Board of Trade New York City Junior Chamber of Commerce" to enjoy the ride while clinking glasses and eating pretzels. As for what they were promoting, please throw logic aside: In early 1962, they wanted to publicize their clean subways campaign, and this, confusingly, seemed like the way to go.
According to the captions on these old AP photos, that's Joseph E. O'Grady behind the bar, a member of Transit Authority at the time.
O'Grady stands at a bar installed temporarily in the Authority's 'dream car' in New York. The car, which had fresh flowers, carpeting, draperies and pastel lighting, made a special trip as part of a nine-car train on the city's subway lines from Times Square to South Ferry and back.
Seems like this "dream" subway car is missing something, however—oh wait, there it is: according to some, there was also plush carpeting. If true, the absolute worst idea in the history of mass transit. Cheers.
Tagged
we the commuters
flashback
subway
1960s
bar
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 3:17 p.m. ET
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Arts & Entertainment
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
By
James Ramsay
What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.
By
Jayson Greene
Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City
By
Sonia Rao
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 .