NYC’s iconic Empire Diner in Chelsea will reopen in November! Our friends at Untapped Cities tell us what’s going on with the iconic Empire Diner!
We love keeping track of everything that happens to the most iconic places and businesses in New York City. As we’ve mentioned this before, we are huge fans of keeping the city’s history alive!
Our friends at Untapped Cities are great at keeping track of many of these spots and Empire Diner is one of them.
The place is scheduled to reopen in November of this year and is definitely a place work exploring. Plus, there is just so much to its story that you’ll be amazed!
“In 2015, Empire Diner, the iconic dining establishment in Chelsea, shut down after its second failed attempt at revival.
The windows of the restaurant are now covered in paper, but it’s slated to return under new management in November.
On Monday, we saw the doors open briefly with some activity inside, and we attended the liquor license hearing yesterday to get more details on the new iteration.
After 34 years of business, the original Empire Diner shut down in May 2010, when the landlords of the property refused to renew the lease.
At the time, the establishment had become the “latest hangout [for] artists, starving and otherwise,” as reported by The New Yorker. The classic rail car style diner became a poster child of the preservation movement to save the city’s vintage diners.
Today, the diner is located on the corner of 22nd St. and 10th Avenue, is one of the last free-standing diner spaces left in Manhattan.
Aside from new hours – it will now stay open until 2am – and brighter, more “friendly” decor, not much will change. The new Empire Diner returns with John DeLucie as chef.
Expect the same outdoor seating and another iteration of the classic all-American diner menu. DeLucie also tells us that because the exterior is a landmark, there will be no changes to the outside structure of the Empire Diner.”
We can’t wait for NYC’s iconic Empire Diner to come back to life!
Read the full, original post at Untapped New York and see more pictures!
For those coming to New York City or even living here, and wanting a customized tours and experiences, going through some of the most iconic and historical spots, contact us and we’ll cater it to you!
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Text: Untapped New York
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Untapped New York by Michelle Young
*Last Update on March/2020.*
