WEST VILLAGE — Former historic speakeasy Chumley's was to reopen Tuesday night as a reservations-only restaurant with $16 cocktails.
The bar was taken over by high-end restaurateur Alessandro Borgognone after its embattled firefighter-owners couldn't overcome local opponents who objected to the reopening.
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"I love the West Village and I love history — especially restaurant history — and when I found out that there was an opportunity to be involved with the restoration, I wanted to be a major part of it. I wanted to bring it back for the community and past customers to enjoy," Borgognone said in a statement. "Over the course of its existence, Chumley’s went through many transformations and we are excited to introduce guests, both old and new, to the latest iteration."
The Tuesday night opening was first reported by Eater.
The redesigned restaurant features textured gold and black wallpaper, cushy banquets and a green marble fireplace. Some elements of the old Chumley's, such as the book jackets and original front door, have been restored and are on display.
The menu is crafted by Executive Chef Victoria Blamey, and the restaurant boasts 50 wines by the bottle and a full liquor bar with an emphasis on whiskey and scotch.
The bar was a refuge for local firefighters, particularly in times of loss after the Watts Street fire of 1994, the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, and the Deutsche Bank fire in 2007.
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Several firefighters tended bar there in their spare time, including Jim Miller, who later became the owner, and Bobby Beddia, killed in the 2007 Deutsche Bank building fire.
Miller stopped responding to calls and text messages after Borgognone gave an interview to the New York Times detailing his changed Chumley's.
He and other friends and former colleagues of Beddia planned to belatedly celebrate the street where Chumley's sits being renamed in Beddia's honor in 2009 once the bar finally reopened.
A spokeswoman for the restaurant said she did not know whether that celebration will still take place.
The spokeswoman said that dinner is available only by reservation for now, though that may change in the future.
Chumley’s, 86 Bedford St. (between Barrow and Grove Streets), (646) 895-9813. Open Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
