Klube's Restaurant, 158 E. 23rd St. (2007)

A sign in the window of the Grand Saloon, 158 E. 23rd St. proclaims "Fine Food and Drink Since 1880." The history goes on as follows: "The Grand Saloon's building was constructed in 1843. In 1880 it became the 'St. Blaize Hotel & Restaurant' - which was one of the finest brothels in the city at the turn of the century ... In 1911, the property changed hands and became 'Klube's Steak House'. Klube's established itself as an old-time family run business, catering to the locals with fine food and spirits. It was at this time that Mr. Klube, installed our unique copper façade. In the midst of prohibition, a secluded back room of Klube's housed one of the city's most popular speakeasy's."

Presumably the glass sign reading Klube's Restaurant was installed at the time of the copper facade - i.e., 1911. The two end pieces (showing plates of food) seem to be newer.

The St. Blaise Hotel receives only passing mention in City of Eros: New York City, Prostitution, and the Commercialization of Sex, 1790-1920 by Timothy J. Gilfoyle (1992), p. 246. Modest "hotels like the Delevan, the German Hotel, and the St. Blaise were subdivided row houses that resembled parlor houses from the outside. They had between 15 and 50 rooms that were used by prostitutes who frequented the hotels or nearby saloons."

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