Chumley’s May Finally Reopen Its Historic Doors Next Month

Legendary West Village speakeasy Chumley’s may finally be open to business next month, after nearly a decade out of commission and years of false starts. Restaurateur Alessandro Borgognone — who’s best known for the upscale Sushi Nakawaza — tells the Times that his revival of the bar will be opening on September 6. Borgognone hopped on the project earlier this year to help push the bar and restuarant toward its opening. The space, which was raw due to a wall collapse, has been recreated to evoke the old Chumley’s, with the old book jacket covers of past regulars on display, according to the Times. Victoria Blamey, formerly of Atera, will be the chef, serving "well executed classics." Expect bills to be about $50 before drinks.

The former literary haunt of people like Jack Kerouac and Edna St. Vincent Millay closed nearly a decade ago due to structural issues in the building. It had been open for more than 80 years at the time. Since then, owner Jim Miller, who’s still minority owner of the bar, faced roadblock after roadblock in its path to reopening, including a lawsuit from neighbors who insisted that a bar did not belong on the block.

Borgognone says what finally opens won’t be exactly what people remember, with a new wallpaper, oak tables, bar, and leather banquettes. But it will be "Chumley’s on steroids," he tells the Times. "It will never be the Chumley’s it used to be," he says. "We’re at a different point. We’re in a different era. The rents are different. That plays a part in what you sell."

• Chumley’s Is Set to Come Back, and It Still Won’t Be Easy to Find [NYT]
• Sushi Nakazawa's Alessandro Borgognone Is Reopening Chumley's [ENY]
• All Coverage of Chumley’s [ENY]