Where The High Life Meets The Low Life

—265-7 Bowery —

These buildings once housed the legendary nightclub, Sammy's Bowery Follies - "The place where the high life meets the low life." Made famous by photographers Weegee, Erika Stone, Burt Glinn, Lisette Model and Alfred Eisenstadt, it was known for its raucous parties, zany variety shows and as the place where politicians and celebrities rubbed elbows with "Bowery Bums" and busloads of tourists. Life magazine said prosperous uptowners came to see "how the other half staggers."
In 1934, Sammy Fuchs took over a grungy dive saloon that had once housed McGurk's Mug, hired former vaudeville performers, incorporated a "Gay 90s" theme and rebranded it the "Stork Club of the Bowery." Sammy's singing waiters, playful show tunes, sing-a-longs and comedy skits attracted patrons from all over the globe seeking an "authentic" Bowery experience included Albert Camus, Rosalind Russell, Edward G. Robinson, Harold Lloyd, Milton Berle, Jimmy Durante and Mae West.
To ensure guests were not disappointed, Sammy hired the most outrageous acts he could find and supplied Bowery drunks free booze to heighten the frantic atmosphere. He passed away in 1969, and Sammy's closed its doors on September 29, 1970, after a three-decade run as one of the most heavily-visited attractions



in the city.
- Eric Ferrara, author of The Bowery/founder, Lower East Side History Project (leshp.org)

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  

Cigar Factory
Liz Christie Garden
From Baseball to Houdini
Sidewalks Of New York Premieres On Bowery!
NYC's Oldest Thoroughfare
McGurk's Suicide Hall
21st Century Fashion In A 21st Century House
Charles Eisenmann's Photography Studio
140 Years Of Help And Hope
Fourteenth Ward Industrial School of the Children's Aid Society

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.