5 New York Gangster Nightclubs
By Michael Cannell
October 1, 2020
When Prohibition shut off the taps on January 17, 1920, everything changed. The roaring twenties came on “with a bang of bad booze, flappers with bar legs, jangled morals and wild weekends,” the singer Hoagy Carmichael said.
For mobsters, the explosion of speakeasies and illicit nightclubs was an unexpected windfall. Men who had scrabbled for lowly thug wages now counted their bootleg money by the pile. They were fixtures at New York nightclubs, where they jigged to jazz with flappers and drank champagne with blinged out chorus girls. Here’s a look at five New York nightspots where you could party with gangsters if you went out for a rave in the roaring twenties:
Hotsy Totsy Club
The Irish-American bootlegger Legs Diamond owned a share of the second-floor Hotsy Totsy Club, at 1721 Broadway, in order to unload unsold whiskey, and because he loved to dance. The good times cam to an end on July 14, 1929 when he shot two men to death after they threatened a bartender. Diamond was charged with murder, but acquitted after five hundred witnesses all claimed their backs were turned.
Club Intime
To walk into Club Intime, hidden in the basement of the Hotel Harding, was to enter an exotic and vaguely dangerous world lined with red velvet and dimly lit by hanging Chinese lanterns. The club was presided over by wisecracking actress Texas Guinan, the queen of New York nightlife. Dutch Schultz eventually bought the club and renamed it Club Abbey, which was known for its transvestite review. The club closed in 1933 after a mobster brawl. Two years later Dutch Schultz himself would die after a shooting in a Newark chop house.
Casa Blanca Club
Mobster Larry Fay supplied his Casa Blanca Club, on West Forty-Seventh Street, with liquor smuggled from Canada in a fleet of taxis he owned. In the hours after a New Year’s Eve party, in 1933, a doorman shot him dead after a dispute over pay cuts.
The Stork Club
An Oklahoma bootlegger named Sherman Billingsley opened the Stork Club, on East 53rd Street, in 1929 as a speakeasy where he could play cards with friends. It served for years as a gangster clubhouse, a night spot where toughs mingled with debutantes, senators, home run hitters, and leading men. The exalted gossip columnist Walter Winchell filled his columns and radio show on chatter and hearsay brought to him at his private table.
The Cotton Club
In 1920, Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight boxing champion, opened Club Deluxe in the heart of Harlem.
Three years later bootlegger Owney Madden, newly released from Sing Sing Prison, took it over and renamed it the Cotton Club. No nightclub could compete with the Cotton Club when it came to raucous music. Duke Ellington, and later Cab Calloway, performed nightly surrounded by half-naked dancers. Uptown was where the party crowd went to hear jazz performances by Lena Horne, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and others. The Cotton Club may have been a favored stage for the great African-American talent of the time, but the audience was strictly for whites only.
See Also: Review of Incendiary by Michael Cannell
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About Brotherhood Betrayed by Michael Cannell:
In the fall of 1941, a momentous trial was underway that threatened to end the careers and lives of New York’s most brutal mob kingpins. The lead witness, Abe Reles, had been a trusted executioner for Murder, Inc., the enforcement arm of a coast-to-coast mob network known as the Commission. But the man responsible for coolly silencing hundreds of informants was about to become the most talkative snitch of all. In exchange for police protection, Reles was prepared to rat out his murderous friends, from Albert Anastasia to Bugsy Siegel—but before he could testify, his shattered body was discovered on a rooftop outside his heavily-guarded hotel room. Was it a botched escape, or punishment for betraying the loyalty of the country’s most powerful mobsters?
Michael Cannell’s A Brotherhood Betrayed traces the history of Murder, Inc. through Reles’ rise from street punk to murder chieftain to stool pigeon, ending with his fateful death on a Coney Island rooftop. It resurrects a time when crime became organized crime: a world of money and power, depravity and corruption, street corner ambushes and elaborately choreographed hits by wise-cracking foot soldiers with names like Buggsy Goldstein and Tick Tock Tannenbaum.
For a brief moment before World War II erupted, America fixated on the delicate balance of trust and betrayal on the Brooklyn streets. This is the story of the one man who tipped the balance.
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I just heard about Murder Inc. What a coincidence. I know my husband would love to read this book
Wendy, here’s a free audio excerpt, if you care to listen. https://soundcloud.com/macaudio-2/a-brotherhood-betrayed-by-michael-cannell-audiobook-excerpt
Sounds fascinating
This sounds like interesting reading, would love to win!
I loved reading about the NYC speakeasies. My last pre-pandemic vacation was to New York and I’m feeling nostalgic.
love the flappers
It was a hit to protect local & state politicians as well as corrupt police officers & the mafia itself
This story sounds amazing!
Fascinating time in US history. Looking forward to reading this book.
It was a hit to protect crooked politicians, corrupt police officials and the mafia
Sounds like a fascinating read.
Fascinating and a great feature.
Loved the clothes in the 20’s. This era has always intrigued me.
I’m so wanting to read this ASAP!
I am the biggest fan of Mr. Cannell and I hope that I am the winner of his books
Sandra, thank you so much! I’m so flattered. Here’s a footnote from the book you might like https://crimereads.com/the-strange-poetry-of-a-notorious-gangsters-last-words/
Everyone could be a movie. All are suspenseful.
Count me in, please!
Sounds so intriguing.
What a wild and exciting era to live in! I would love to read more about it!
I have always wanted to go to a nightclub and drink gin fizzes
This looks like a fantastic read
Beth, I hope it is. Here’s what USA Today said about A Brotherhood Betrayed https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2020/10/02/review-brotherhood-betrayed-riveting-true-crime-gangster-tale/5830727002/
It sounds like a very interesting book. I would be very interested in reading it.
This sounds like an interesting book, and I would love to read it and then pass it on to a friend who reads extensively about this time period.
Great stuff!
This era and culture surrounding it fascinate me!
I love lamp!
This sounds like an I creatively boom. Thank you for this chance.
*Incredible book.* Don’t know why it changed what I’d written.
So cool and thanks for sharing. We of course all knew about The Cotton Club with many famous movies featuring the famous club. I truly think its incredible on the amount of research you did dedication and time it took for you to gather all this information. I keep picturing being alive back then and going out to these places. WOW. THANKS MICHAEL.
Having watched the Netflix doc. Fear City, I’d love to learn more. This book looks fascinating.
NYC the way it was!
Hard to believe that a story involving murder would be uplifting, but put in comparison to other events in a ’20 year, I’m looking forward to this book!
I have this on hold at the library but would love to win it!
I am captivated by the women’s clothes in these photos. Hope the book has more!
Jean, A Brotherhood Betrayed does include description of the gangster’s girlfriends — including their wardrobes!
OMGoodness!!! What a most fascinating story!!! An era that I would love to read about. 😉
When will the decision be made on who will be so fortunate to get a free copy of this book?
I’ve always been fascinated by the mob and real-life gangsters throughout our history. Can’t wait to read this book!
I would love a copy!
Please enter me in this sweepstakes.
I’d love to win.
Thanks —
Sounds like a story I would enjoy.
This sounds like a great story
Wow, scary but fascinating at the same time.
I’ve never read anything like this. I’ll be adding this one to my TBR pile.
I love reading books about the past…history is wonderful!
Gangsters Gun Molls. Speakeasys. Love. Them
This looks to be a fascinating read, cant wait for the release
Endlessly fascinating and scary.
Wow, scary but fascinating at the same time.
this sounds like a very interesting book about an amazing period of history would love to win and read
I would like to read your book. All part of United States history.
Looks like a fascinating book, and those nightclubs sound wild.
We take speakeasy tours whenever we visit a new city. We love to here the stories from those secret places while enjoying a Prohibition era craft cocktails. The old gangster/mobster/organized crime era is fascinating.
hear not here (duh)
Sounds like a great read!
I enjoy history and crime. Putting them together sounds like a winner!!
Sounds good
We have romanticized the Mob of the 1920’s while overlapping overlooking their violent repercussions. This looks like a fascinating history of an era eerily similar to the street gangs of today.
I’m so intrigued to read the book now! I grew up in Detroit where a lot of Prohibition era smuggling across the border went down as well but I’m not sure I ever grasped just how widespread the underground alcohol drinking was until the reading the descriptions above especially the one for The Stork Club. Made me laugh that senators were in on it but then, of course.
Anxious to read!
What an era to experience! Sounds like an amazing book:)
Patricia, you can listen to a free audio excerpt here: https://soundcloud.com/macaudio-2/a-brotherhood-betrayed-by-michael-cannell-audiobook-excerpt
Very interesting info. I would love to read this book!
This truly sounds like a dynamic read! I have been fortunate to hear stories from many who have passed on about their escapades at the Cotton Club!
I would love to win this book. I like to read about the mobsters of yesteryear.
This looks like a great read
This is fascinating!
Interesting reading a out the Cotton Club and like places.
The Roaring 20’s! What a time in America’s history… My dad was born in 1918, and related a few stories about that era and prohibition to me. I find this book very fascinating.
Many thanks, Cindi
The Stork Club sounds like a place I would’ve gone to if I lived in that time. I get the vibe that it was a place where anyone could come and play and hang out. I am putting this on my want to read list for my next book to read, right away. 🙂
BushehriHouseReads, the gossip columnist Walter Winchell occupied a special table at the Stork Club. He played a key role in this story, acting as a liaison between J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI and the mob lord Lepke Buchalter.
Sounds fascinating.
sounds very interesting
Can’t wait to read this!
Would make a great series, feature a different club each week, highlight why went to that club
mymelodyac@comcast.net
This books sounds interesting!
My son is the “mob” expert in the family and has participated in podcasts on the subject. I would love to give him a copy of this.
This looks so cool.
wow…so intriguing…before even my parent’s time, but grew up in Queens NY and looking forward to reading this book!!
thanks for the chance to win . . . ….
I love this era! Excited to read this!
Gangster history! Yes!
In 1964, my future husband and I saw Lena Horne at a nightclub in the LA area. It was wonderful. Very classy lady.
Looks intriguing.
I’m fascinated by Prohibition and the way it contributed to lawlessness. A mystery set in that time is something I look forward to reading. Great period photos for this post.
Thank you for the opportunity!!📚📚📚 1920’s is my favorite subject to read about.
This was au h a fascinating time in American history!
Should say “such” a fascinating time!
Sometimes I think it would’ve been fun to live in those times, but then I read about all that happened and the violence, and I think not. Looking forward to this great read.
Thanks so much for this giveaway
MURDER, INC. IS A SCARY RELIC WITH GHOSTS
AS AL CAPONE.
Sampagano1206154@gmail.com
would love to win-sounds amazing
Sounds like a very interesting read!!
This is a fascinating time period.
What a time that must have been. I’m sure any night at any one of those famous nightspots would be a night worth remembering. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of A Brotherhood Betrayed.
Terf@comcast.net
I love the roaring 20’s I wish I live in that era!
Murder inc, flappers, speak easy’s I’m in.
I am fascinated with the “mob” and would love the opportunity to read A Brotherhood Betrayed. Thank you!
Brotherhood Betrayed appears to be a great story, history of the New York mobs. I’m looking forward to reading this one.
I think we have a new version of Murder Inc. these days. Over 210,000 needlessly. trump’s niece accuses him of mass murder. No matter who does it, murder is murder. I have a spot on my bookshelf open.
I would love to read this !!!
I think this would be a fascinating read!
This looks like a stunning read!
Adding to my TBR list! This sounds great!
This sounds wonderful.
i would love to have a few flappers to hang with-they were not stupid.
What a fascinating part of New York history
Book sounds great. Hope to get my hands on it
Can’t wait to read this new book!
I’ve always wondered how Murder, Inc. got its start and just how wide its tentacles reached.
Looks great! Would love to win.
Sounds like a great read!
I always liked this era in history-ruthless and betrayal at its best😊
This book sounds exciting to read as well as informative of an important part of American history.
These sound like great reads of a by gone era, thanks
Would love a copy of this!
Sounds good and escapist from the pandemic right now.
Interesting site!
I think this would keeping me reading to the very end!!
I love to read about the Prohibition era. It would be wonderful to win a copy of A Brotherhood Betrayed.
Sounds like an interesting read.
Amazing read to tell me everything and anything that made Prohibition and the rise of the Mobs in NYC very powerful information all around
This period in history is so interesting! This book sounds like a great page turner!
This is a book I would love to read because it combines all the topics that are my favorite, true crime, history and biography.
This books sounds great.
ddn57@yahoo.com
I have always been fascinated by that time period. The book sounds really interesting and I would love to win.
Looks like an interesting read!
I*ve always been fascinated by this time period. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
I know nothing about these speakeasy/nightclubs, but they sound fascinating! Would live to read more about this time in NYC.
I have a couple of souvenirs from The Stork Club from when my grandfather used to go out on the town.
I love true crime novels, and this one sounds fascinating!
It looks like a real winner you can’t put down
Sounds like a fascinating read. I remember reading a true crime paperback about Murder, Inc. when I was a teenager in the late 50s/early 60s. I think it’s time to reacquaint myself.
I would love to win a copy of this. Allegedly my grandfather worked for Al Capone…but that may be just a rumor…
I have always been fascinated with the swinging 1920s. The flappers, the beads, the music, the fashion, the mobsters. I would really love to read this book.
This is a fascinating time in our history. Thanks for the interesting post.
I liked the summary of the books that were given. I can’t wait for them to come Out in the stores. I love reader that part of history. I feel like I am reliving that era. I can hear the music ,people talking ,dancing etc. And Michael Cannell has done his research real good. He is a excellent writer .
Thanks for the chance
A Brotherhood Betrayed looks really good. That timeframe is really interesting.
Makes me want to ask, “What about the sisterhood?” LOL
Looks good
Would love to win a copy of this book. I’ve always found the mob fascinating!! Thanks for the chance!!
I’m very interested in reading this book
Wow. This is a book that will be #1 on my list of to read books. Great author & great content.
A Brotherhood Betrayed by Michael Cannell is a most interesting revelation about the rise and fall of the coast to coast mob network known as the ‘Commission’ and the man who had his hand involved completely. This is truly an interesting story I would find fascinating and truly would enjoy reading.
I really would like to win this book.
Sounds like a page-turner!
Sounds fascinating.
This review makes me want to pick up the book and read it non-stop. Being from Long Island annd born in 1944, i am familiar with the locations and some of the people mentioned. I have heard stories of the 20’s from my grandparents and parents, i remember murder Inc., and the Senate rackets hearings. This is my kind of book!
I, think the book would be a, fascinating read. I, am anxious to read it. Applying for free win. Thanks Christine Shutt
I, think the book would be a, fascinating read ! Hopeing to win this. Thank you, Christine Shutt
I would like to read this book.
This sounds so cool. Thanx for the chance at it!
This is an interesting era, and this book covers many stories from this time.
Prohibition was the worst domestic mistake of the 20th century. Organized crime was born of bad laws, and still thrive on bad laws.
Would like to read the book.
I can’t wait to read this book.
pour me a double
Thanks for the club tour. I was named for a grand uncle killed in Boston’s Coconut Grove fire.
Mr Cannell has written a very interesting book about a very interesting period in American history.
Done
Thank you Debra! It was a fun book to write, as you can imagine, with gangland’s greatest informant and Murder Inc — all set in New York of the 1930s.
interesting post
Sounds like a great read. Hope to win a copy!
Looks very interesting, famous gangsters, twenties nightclubs, thank you for a chance to win.
I can’t wait to read a Brotherhood Betrayed. Looks very interesting.
Sue, here’s the trailer for A Brotherhood Betrayed, in case it interests you https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VGW4pzu5hw0
tiggerkpooh@yahoo.com
I’ve missed Boardwalk! Would be awesome to receive a free copy.
This sounds like such an intriguing read. Love to read about about different times and mostly about my old neighborhood. Grew up very close to Coney Island (Bensonhurst) so can actually picture it. I hope I get to win a copy of this fascinating read. Right up my alley
I heard about the Murder, Inc in the Mob Museum in Las Vegas. Fascinating history.
Love the nostalgia, of the time period. Enjoy all the old Hollywood films featuring the clubs. This will be a great book to read all about them!
Love this time era would absolutely love to read this book
This book looks great. Lot of time went into this book it seems.
An era I wish to explore Thanks for the chance to win
I’m fascinated by this era. Sounds like a great read!
brfaucette@gmail.com
I really cannot wait to read this important book that sheds more light on the connections between the mob and American entertainment in the 1930s and 1940s.
Brian, wait to read about Big Gangi Cohen, the Murder, Inc. gunman who escaped to become a Hollywood extra. His way of hiding from his former associates was to appear in movies! What a character.
I love reading about that period, so this book is totally up my alley.
I’ve always been fascinated with the 20’s and haven’t seen a good factual book about it in a long while. Looking forward to this one and, of course, from Cannell! Listening to Incendiary on Audible right now!
practically from another world
My husband would love this book and I would too!
The book sounds great! My great-grandfather was a bootlegger in the Midwest during Prohibition, so I’m always fascinated by the stories from that time.
Sounds great, I look forward to reading it.
Sounds like a very interesting book!
im a big fan of the mob im full italian the book is awesome i hope to meet the actors in the book one day in person
Sounds like a great read, hard to believe it was 100 years ago!
I LOVE history and can’t wait to get my hands on this book!!
Can’t wait to see if there are any correlations in today’s times.
I love reading true crime stories about that era..”A Brotherhood Betrayed” sounds fascinating. I definitely want to read it!
This sounds I it would be good addition to my crime section of my library. Love to read about the Roaring 20s.
Would love to travel back to these days, even just for one night.
Can’t wait to read this one. Looks like a winner!!!
A slice of life from an exciting era. Intricate situations, fascinating people with many stories to share. I can’t wait to read the entire book!
This is sounds like so intriguing. Being an aspiring true crime writer I’d look forward to reading history through Michael Cannell’s voice to see how he brings history into the present.
Sounds very interesting.
The flapper mob book fascinates me! I hope to win a copy!
I found this post very interesting to read and I enjoyed the pictures. I think there are a lot of stories that could come out of this time period.
I like it
This book sounds interesting. I’d like to read it.
Some of the best stories are the true ones. That era of American history has really good stories!
Looking forward to a good read.
I love to read books about the old time mobsters
All very interesting
This sounds like a great book, love reading about the gangsters from the past.
This sounds very interesting.
It sounds fascinating. I love historical books from this time period. Thanks for the chance.
Haven’t read or watched a good mob story in awhile. Sounds good to me!
Looks like a great read! I am interested in that time period!
A fascinating read on a popular period of history. Will make a nice addition next to my much worn copy of Crime Inc by Martin Short
I think I’d really enjoy reading this book. Years ago I read about Joe Valachi and I’d like to learn more about Reles and Murder Inc. Thanks for the chance.
I need to read this one!!! Love reading books about this time in our history! And those pics – the clothes!!!!
I’d rather be reading then sleeping with fishes!
I’ve always loved reading & learning about the roaring 20’s, such an interesting time frame. As a native New Yorker I’ve also had a longtime love of all things gangster & mob related, put this book on my reading list as soon as I was aware of it. Would absolutely love to get a copy to read!
Thank you for the chance. Would love to read this; sounds like quite the mystery to unravel.
I like non fiction more than any other read – I absolutely want to have this book in my collection
this looks like a great book,i know my mom would be excited to receive this as a gift!
This sounds so interesting! Would love to receive a free copy!!
I love these books/ My grandfather worked as a brewer in a Dutch Shultz’s connected brewery in Philadelphia. This was during the depression and the money was good. When prohibition ended he wound up working for Esslinger brewery- a long gone beer as far as I know.