Linking the old and new at P.J. Clarke's 45 Years and Counting

Every week for the rest of the year, Our Town will celebrate its 45th anniversary by profiling a neighborhood business that has been around longer than we have. Know of a local business that should be on our list? Email us at news@strausnews.com

When you walk down the street at 55th Street and 3rd Avenue, it's easy to pick out which building doesn't fit in with the rest.

Among the neighboring highrises, the stout red brick building known as PJ Clarke's still stands tall in the changing neighborhood. This old-school time capsule has been in existence since 1884, and its three owners have taken on the challenge of preserving history.

“It was a necessary need for the neighborhood for so long,” said Ariel Sims, director of communications. Patrick Joseph Clarke started off as a bartender, then took over and made it his own in 1912.

To keep the business from being snatched into bigger hands, Clarke passed down the restaurant to the Lavezzos family and now to current owner Philip Scotti. “It's sheer luck that Phil Scotti became involve in the venture, he was at the right place at the right time,” said Sims.

Scotti has expanded the business, opening two locations in the city, a location in Woodbury, N.Y., Washington D.C., and two locations in San Paulo, Brazil. At the original location on 3rd Avenue, Bartender Jerry and Manager Carol continue to keep up the Irish feel. Throughout their 12 years of work, Jerry and Carol have enjoyed meeting an array of customers, ranging from construction workers to celebrities (including, famously, Frank Sinatra and songwriter Johnny Mercer, who penned “One For My Baby” on a napkin at the bar).

Jerry also watches the transformation of customers who first come in as strangers. “They're seated as strangers and by the end of their lunch they're chatting and exchanging numbers with the people at the next table hanging out and making friendships,” he said.

As new bars enter the New York scene, PJ Clarke's is able to hold its own. Customers are still able to flip through the old jukebox while they unwind after work or admire the photo collage of boxers, politicians and musicians. To connect online, the bar has launched a “It happened at PJ Clarke's” Facebook campaign, to enable customers to swap stories.

PJ Clarke's remains one of the oldest bars in New York, along with Old Town, McSorley's and Pete's Tavern. Its owners are committed, though, to ensuring it also stays one of the most vibrant.