Thanks for the feedback. It was an experiment that grew over time. I used original music because I don't have the budget that Marty has to pay for the rights. You might like this then, it's a trailer I made for this series and I was straight up trying to be like Marty.
A pentagram has recently been painted on the roof of the church of where the Gemini Lounge once was. You can see it from Google Earth, here's the image
A pentagram has recently been painted on the roof of the church of where the Gemini Lounge once was. You can see it from Google Earth, here's the image
If you have the privilege of being invited into a current mob social club that has been around for decades, you know for a fact that you are standing inside a place where some bad shit went down over the years.
Some still exist and some do not such as the Gemini. Anyone here know of the ones still in existence in New York that were around 30-40 years ago? I would imagine there has to be one still standing and in operation even though the days of murders and mayhem taking place inside are more than likely over. Just a place where connected guys go to be left alone and live out their golden years to socialize and have some drinks together.
My friend Eric was co-owner of the Gemini Lounge after it was no longer the Gemini Lounge.
Yep, this is absolutely true.
He and another man had the place for a couple of years back circa 1990. I can't remember the partner's name, but he had a wonky eye and always had either a parrot or a large iguana on his shoulder. (I can't remember precisely.) The bar had been renamed Justin's Pub (after Eric's infant son) and the late Signora V. (the First) and I went there for a Halloween bash in 1990. I won first prize, dressed as Beetlejuice (see photo below), lip-synching "Monster Mash." Won a bottle of champagne. Signora V. dressed as a Lady Vampire.
At that time, Eric and I had been friends for around nine years, and he absolutely hated it when people came in looking for traces of the bar's Mafia roots. He claimed he didn't know anything about the place's history, and he and his partner ran a clean, Mob-free establishment.
They only had the place a couple of years, at most. He later relocated and, last I heard, became a prison guard in another state (I will not divulge where). Haven't seen him or heard from him in many years. Probably retired.
Anyway, I can actually claim to have been in the Gemini Lounge - albeit after all the notoriety!
We came out alive.
Signor V.
"For me, there's only my wife..."
"Sure I cook with wine - sometimes I even add it to the food!"
"When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?"
"It was a grass harp... And we listened."
"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? Every, every minute?"
My friend Eric was co-owner of the Gemini Lounge after it was no longer the Gemini Lounge.
Yep, this is absolutely true.
He and another man had the place for a couple of years back circa 1990. I can't remember the partner's name, but he had a wonky eye and always had either a parrot or a large iguana on his shoulder. (I can't remember precisely.) The bar had been renamed Justin's Pub (after Eric's infant son) and the late Signora V. (the First) and I went there for a Halloween bash in 1990. I won first prize, dressed as Beetlejuice (see photo below), lip-synching "Monster Mash." Won a bottle of champagne. Signora V. dressed as a Lady Vampire.
At that time, Eric and I had been friends for around nine years, and he absolutely hated it when people came in looking for traces of the bar's Mafia roots. He claimed he didn't know anything about the place's history, and he and his partner ran a clean, Mob-free establishment.
They only had the place a couple of years, at most. He later relocated and, last I heard, became a prison guard in another state (I will not divulge where). Haven't seen him or heard from him in many years. Probably retired.
Anyway, I can actually claim to have been in the Gemini Lounge - albeit after all the notoriety!
We came out alive.
Signor V.
Did you ever enter the rear apartment on the 1st floor? Would you be able to draw a general Floorplan of the 1st floor? I've been there also.
I never thought the Gemini was a social club, I thought it was a bar. It was open to the public, anyone could drink there, or s I thought. The back room was kept off limits as far as I have seen, used by DeMeo.
If you have the privilege of being invited into a current mob social club that has been around for decades, you know for a fact that you are standing inside a place where some bad shit went down over the years.
Some still exist and some do not such as the Gemini. Anyone here know of the ones still in existence in New York that were around 30-40 years ago? I would imagine there has to be one still standing and in operation even though the days of murders and mayhem taking place inside are more than likely over. Just a place where connected guys go to be left alone and live out their golden years to socialize and have some drinks together.
The back of that bar was an exception, few clubs had acts committed in them, Gravano's was one place where killing took place. For the most part any "Murder and Mayhem" took place on the streets or isolated areas. There was lily planning of a lot of killings in certain clubs.
My friend Eric was co-owner of the Gemini Lounge after it was no longer the Gemini Lounge.
Yep, this is absolutely true.
He and another man had the place for a couple of years back circa 1990. I can't remember the partner's name, but he had a wonky eye and always had either a parrot or a large iguana on his shoulder. (I can't remember precisely.) The bar had been renamed Justin's Pub (after Eric's infant son) and the late Signora V. (the First) and I went there for a Halloween bash in 1990. I won first prize, dressed as Beetlejuice (see photo below), lip-synching "Monster Mash." Won a bottle of champagne. Signora V. dressed as a Lady Vampire.
At that time, Eric and I had been friends for around nine years, and he absolutely hated it when people came in looking for traces of the bar's Mafia roots. He claimed he didn't know anything about the place's history, and he and his partner ran a clean, Mob-free establishment.
They only had the place a couple of years, at most. He later relocated and, last I heard, became a prison guard in another state (I will not divulge where). Haven't seen him or heard from him in many years. Probably retired.
Anyway, I can actually claim to have been in the Gemini Lounge - albeit after all the notoriety!
We came out alive.
Signor V.
Originally Posted by Signor Vitelli
An interesting note:
My friend Eric was co-owner of the Gemini Lounge after it was no longer the Gemini Lounge.
Yep, this is absolutely true.
He and another man had the place for a couple of years back circa 1990. I can't remember the partner's name, but he had a wonky eye and always had either a parrot or a large iguana on his shoulder. (I can't remember precisely.) The bar had been renamed Justin's Pub (after Eric's infant son) and the late Signora V. (the First) and I went there for a Halloween bash in 1990. I won first prize, dressed as Beetlejuice (see photo below), lip-synching "Monster Mash." Won a bottle of champagne. Signora V. dressed as a Lady Vampire.
At that time, Eric and I had been friends for around nine years, and he absolutely hated it when people came in looking for traces of the bar's Mafia roots. He claimed he didn't know anything about the place's history, and he and his partner ran a clean, Mob-free establishment.
They only had the place a couple of years, at most. He later relocated and, last I heard, became a prison guard in another state (I will not divulge where). Haven't seen him or heard from him in many years. Probably retired.
Anyway, I can actually claim to have been in the Gemini Lounge - albeit after all the notoriety!
We came out alive.
Signor V.
WoW, that is friggin amazing…..I lived right around the corner in the late 70- 80’s.
My friend Eric was co-owner of the Gemini Lounge after it was no longer the Gemini Lounge.
Yep, this is absolutely true.
He and another man had the place for a couple of years back circa 1990. I can't remember the partner's name, but he had a wonky eye and always had either a parrot or a large iguana on his shoulder. (I can't remember precisely.) The bar had been renamed Justin's Pub (after Eric's infant son) and the late Signora V. (the First) and I went there for a Halloween bash in 1990. I won first prize, dressed as Beetlejuice (see photo below), lip-synching "Monster Mash." Won a bottle of champagne. Signora V. dressed as a Lady Vampire.
At that time, Eric and I had been friends for around nine years, and he absolutely hated it when people came in looking for traces of the bar's Mafia roots. He claimed he didn't know anything about the place's history, and he and his partner ran a clean, Mob-free establishment.
They only had the place a couple of years, at most. He later relocated and, last I heard, became a prison guard in another state (I will not divulge where). Haven't seen him or heard from him in many years. Probably retired.
Anyway, I can actually claim to have been in the Gemini Lounge - albeit after all the notoriety!
We came out alive.
Signor V.
Originally Posted by Signor Vitelli
An interesting note:
My friend Eric was co-owner of the Gemini Lounge after it was no longer the Gemini Lounge.
Yep, this is absolutely true.
He and another man had the place for a couple of years back circa 1990. I can't remember the partner's name, but he had a wonky eye and always had either a parrot or a large iguana on his shoulder. (I can't remember precisely.) The bar had been renamed Justin's Pub (after Eric's infant son) and the late Signora V. (the First) and I went there for a Halloween bash in 1990. I won first prize, dressed as Beetlejuice (see photo below), lip-synching "Monster Mash." Won a bottle of champagne. Signora V. dressed as a Lady Vampire.
At that time, Eric and I had been friends for around nine years, and he absolutely hated it when people came in looking for traces of the bar's Mafia roots. He claimed he didn't know anything about the place's history, and he and his partner ran a clean, Mob-free establishment.
They only had the place a couple of years, at most. He later relocated and, last I heard, became a prison guard in another state (I will not divulge where). Haven't seen him or heard from him in many years. Probably retired.
Anyway, I can actually claim to have been in the Gemini Lounge - albeit after all the notoriety!
We came out alive.
Signor V.
WoW, that is friggin amazing…..I lived right around the corner in the late 70- 80’s.
WHoa Dues, I did not know u were that close 2 that shithouse in ur youth?....
My friend Eric was co-owner of the Gemini Lounge after it was no longer the Gemini Lounge.
Yep, this is absolutely true.
He and another man had the place for a couple of years back circa 1990. I can't remember the partner's name, but he had a wonky eye and always had either a parrot or a large iguana on his shoulder. (I can't remember precisely.) The bar had been renamed Justin's Pub (after Eric's infant son) and the late Signora V. (the First) and I went there for a Halloween bash in 1990. I won first prize, dressed as Beetlejuice (see photo below), lip-synching "Monster Mash." Won a bottle of champagne. Signora V. dressed as a Lady Vampire.
At that time, Eric and I had been friends for around nine years, and he absolutely hated it when people came in looking for traces of the bar's Mafia roots. He claimed he didn't know anything about the place's history, and he and his partner ran a clean, Mob-free establishment.
They only had the place a couple of years, at most. He later relocated and, last I heard, became a prison guard in another state (I will not divulge where). Haven't seen him or heard from him in many years. Probably retired.
Anyway, I can actually claim to have been in the Gemini Lounge - albeit after all the notoriety!
We came out alive.
Signor V.
Originally Posted by Signor Vitelli
An interesting note:
My friend Eric was co-owner of the Gemini Lounge after it was no longer the Gemini Lounge.
Yep, this is absolutely true.
He and another man had the place for a couple of years back circa 1990. I can't remember the partner's name, but he had a wonky eye and always had either a parrot or a large iguana on his shoulder. (I can't remember precisely.) The bar had been renamed Justin's Pub (after Eric's infant son) and the late Signora V. (the First) and I went there for a Halloween bash in 1990. I won first prize, dressed as Beetlejuice (see photo below), lip-synching "Monster Mash." Won a bottle of champagne. Signora V. dressed as a Lady Vampire.
At that time, Eric and I had been friends for around nine years, and he absolutely hated it when people came in looking for traces of the bar's Mafia roots. He claimed he didn't know anything about the place's history, and he and his partner ran a clean, Mob-free establishment.
They only had the place a couple of years, at most. He later relocated and, last I heard, became a prison guard in another state (I will not divulge where). Haven't seen him or heard from him in many years. Probably retired.
Anyway, I can actually claim to have been in the Gemini Lounge - albeit after all the notoriety!
We came out alive.
Signor V.
WoW, that is friggin amazing…..I lived right around the corner in the late 70- 80’s.
WHoa Dues, I did not know u were that close 2 that shithouse in ur youth?....
Did you ever enter the rear apartment on the 1st floor? Would you be able to draw a general Floorplan of the 1st floor? I've been there also.
I'll have to wrack my brain about this one. Remember, I'm talking around 32 years ago, and I can't guarantee my memories of the layout will be 100% accurate. And, again, I was never in there when it was the Gemini Lounge, so I don't know if my friend and his partner did any major renovations.
But, I will give it a try.
As far as seeing other areas - the apartment, for example - no, I didn't see anything except the bar area itself. I did see my friend's partner go through a door which I assumed led to a private office area, but I did not go into that area, nor did I ask. Since my friend absolutely did not encourage curiosity-seekers and Mob-wannabes, I didn't even broach the subject. Also, he could handle himself - his nose had been broken boxing in the Golden Gloves. We were friends, but I respected the fact that the bar was his territory and he was doing his best to make an honest living from it. I wasn't interested in stirring the pot.
Signor V.
"For me, there's only my wife..."
"Sure I cook with wine - sometimes I even add it to the food!"
"When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?"
"It was a grass harp... And we listened."
"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? Every, every minute?"
My friend Eric was co-owner of the Gemini Lounge after it was no longer the Gemini Lounge.
Yep, this is absolutely true.
He and another man had the place for a couple of years back circa 1990. I can't remember the partner's name, but he had a wonky eye and always had either a parrot or a large iguana on his shoulder. (I can't remember precisely.) The bar had been renamed Justin's Pub (after Eric's infant son) and the late Signora V. (the First) and I went there for a Halloween bash in 1990. I won first prize, dressed as Beetlejuice (see photo below), lip-synching "Monster Mash." Won a bottle of champagne. Signora V. dressed as a Lady Vampire.
At that time, Eric and I had been friends for around nine years, and he absolutely hated it when people came in looking for traces of the bar's Mafia roots. He claimed he didn't know anything about the place's history, and he and his partner ran a clean, Mob-free establishment.
They only had the place a couple of years, at most. He later relocated and, last I heard, became a prison guard in another state (I will not divulge where). Haven't seen him or heard from him in many years. Probably retired.
Anyway, I can actually claim to have been in the Gemini Lounge - albeit after all the notoriety!
We came out alive.
Signor V.
Originally Posted by Signor Vitelli
An interesting note:
My friend Eric was co-owner of the Gemini Lounge after it was no longer the Gemini Lounge.
Yep, this is absolutely true.
He and another man had the place for a couple of years back circa 1990. I can't remember the partner's name, but he had a wonky eye and always had either a parrot or a large iguana on his shoulder. (I can't remember precisely.) The bar had been renamed Justin's Pub (after Eric's infant son) and the late Signora V. (the First) and I went there for a Halloween bash in 1990. I won first prize, dressed as Beetlejuice (see photo below), lip-synching "Monster Mash." Won a bottle of champagne. Signora V. dressed as a Lady Vampire.
At that time, Eric and I had been friends for around nine years, and he absolutely hated it when people came in looking for traces of the bar's Mafia roots. He claimed he didn't know anything about the place's history, and he and his partner ran a clean, Mob-free establishment.
They only had the place a couple of years, at most. He later relocated and, last I heard, became a prison guard in another state (I will not divulge where). Haven't seen him or heard from him in many years. Probably retired.
Anyway, I can actually claim to have been in the Gemini Lounge - albeit after all the notoriety!
We came out alive.
Signor V.
WoW, that is friggin amazing…..I lived right around the corner in the late 70- 80’s.
WHoa Dues, I did not know u were that close 2 that shithouse in ur youth?....
Yes, into my 20’s, Wild Bill also ….I lived next door to him in the 80’s on 48th st. Just a few blocks from Gemini. Saw him and Billy boy , Barbra and the girls almost everyday. His mother and sister lived a few door down from him.
Did you ever enter the rear apartment on the 1st floor? Would you be able to draw a general Floorplan of the 1st floor? I've been there also.
I'll have to wrack my brain about this one. Remember, I'm talking around 32 years ago, and I can't guarantee my memories of the layout will be 100% accurate. And, again, I was never in there when it was the Gemini Lounge, so I don't know if my friend and his partner did any major renovations.
But, I will give it a try.
As far as seeing other areas - the apartment, for example - no, I didn't see anything except the bar area itself. I did see my friend's partner go through a door which I assumed led to a private office area, but I did not go into that area, nor did I ask. Since my friend absolutely did not encourage curiosity-seekers and Mob-wannabes, I didn't even broach the subject. Also, he could handle himself - his nose had been broken boxing in the Golden Gloves. We were friends, but I respected the fact that the bar was his territory and he was doing his best to make an honest living from it. I wasn't interested in stirring the pot.
Signor V.
Any information you could provide would be extremely appreciated. Can you provide any info about this image inside the building. I think its from one the side doors with the diamond windows looking in.
Did you ever enter the rear apartment on the 1st floor? Would you be able to draw a general Floorplan of the 1st floor? I've been there also.
I'll have to wrack my brain about this one. Remember, I'm talking around 32 years ago, and I can't guarantee my memories of the layout will be 100% accurate. And, again, I was never in there when it was the Gemini Lounge, so I don't know if my friend and his partner did any major renovations.
But, I will give it a try.
As far as seeing other areas - the apartment, for example - no, I didn't see anything except the bar area itself. I did see my friend's partner go through a door which I assumed led to a private office area, but I did not go into that area, nor did I ask. Since my friend absolutely did not encourage curiosity-seekers and Mob-wannabes, I didn't even broach the subject. Also, he could handle himself - his nose had been broken boxing in the Golden Gloves. We were friends, but I respected the fact that the bar was his territory and he was doing his best to make an honest living from it. I wasn't interested in stirring the pot.
Signor V.
Any information you could provide would be extremely appreciated. Can you provide any info about this image inside the building. I think its from one the side doors with the diamond windows looking in.
Did you ever enter the rear apartment on the 1st floor? Would you be able to draw a general Floorplan of the 1st floor? I've been there also.
I'll have to wrack my brain about this one. Remember, I'm talking around 32 years ago, and I can't guarantee my memories of the layout will be 100% accurate. And, again, I was never in there when it was the Gemini Lounge, so I don't know if my friend and his partner did any major renovations.
But, I will give it a try.
As far as seeing other areas - the apartment, for example - no, I didn't see anything except the bar area itself. I did see my friend's partner go through a door which I assumed led to a private office area, but I did not go into that area, nor did I ask. Since my friend absolutely did not encourage curiosity-seekers and Mob-wannabes, I didn't even broach the subject. Also, he could handle himself - his nose had been broken boxing in the Golden Gloves. We were friends, but I respected the fact that the bar was his territory and he was doing his best to make an honest living from it. I wasn't interested in stirring the pot.
Signor V.
Any information you could provide would be extremely appreciated. Can you provide any info about this image inside the building. I think its from one the side doors with the diamond windows looking in.
thas the definition of CREEPINESS
Lol, would you like to eat a slice of pizza in there.
