Manhattan Real Estate : Ken Friedman and Ace Hotel Speakeasy Jersey Joe’s

Ken Friedman is looking to turn a long-lost space in the nether regions of the Ace Hotel into his next buzz-worthy project- a speakeasy. BlackBook has a great feature article on Friedman’s plans where they talk with him about the new project. Friedman knows a thin or two about creating buzz-worthy spots: if you’ve been to his Locanda Verde spots in both Tribeca and at the Ace or The Breslin at 29th and Broadway, you know what I’m talking about.

Photo Credit: usonian

Ken Friedman is working on a new speakeasy project in the Ace Hotel at 29th and Broadway

Jersey Joe’s Speakeasy

Said to be looking at a spring or early summer opening, the new speakeasy is said to be pursuing a Tin Pan Alley theme after plans for a dive bar adjacent to the Ace were canceled. According to Friedman, the Ace told him to look around and figure out another place for his dive bar.

“And so I started poking around the hotel, and I discovered what looks like it must have been an old speakeasy or something. I didn’t know exactly what it was, but it was like a place where people used to gather once upon a time.” – Ken Friedman

The space, sounding well-hidden in the depths underneath the Ace Hotel proper, also has direct access from Broadway. Inside they describe “brick arches crest the walkways and industrial, exposed beams keep the whole thing standing.” Beyond that, it sounds like you will find all the corners and hidden spaces you could ever want at a speakeasy, complete with subway noise for underground ambiance.

Jersey Joe’s, as Friedman says the spot will likely be dubbed, gives nods to both James Breslin’s love of boxing and the legendary longest boxing match in history that supposedly took place in the space. Friedman explains:

“[Breslin] built a boxing ring in the basement of the hotel, and the longest boxing match in history was in the basement of the Breslin Hotel, so we may honor of that. This guy ‘Jersey’ Joe Walcott beat somebody, so I was thinking we could call it Jersey Joe’s.”

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