The New York City neighborhood of SoHo mourned the passing of Kenneth Reisdorff on February 26th at the age of 92. Known to locals as “Kenn,” he was the heart and soul of Bob and Kenn’s Broome Street Bar, a beloved institution that he fearlessly presided over for an impressive 42 years. For those who cherished the authentic, artistic spirit of old SoHo, Kenn’s Broome Street Bar was more than just a place to grab a drink; it was a vital community hub, and Kenn himself was an integral part of its unique character.
The Passing of Kenn Reisdorff: A SoHo Legend
Born in Seattle in 1921, Kenneth Reisdorff lived a full and remarkable life. Before becoming a fixture of the SoHo scene, he served in the Marines during World War II, demonstrating his courage and commitment to his country. Following the war, fueled by the GI Bill, Reisdorff pursued his passion for the dramatic arts at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. It was in London that he met his wife, Berenice “Berry” Kruger, in 1951.
After their marriage, Kenn and Berry embarked on a European adventure before settling in downtown New York City. Initially, Reisdorff honed his skills as a cabinet maker, while Kruger worked as a model. However, their entrepreneurial spirits soon led them to contribute significantly to the burgeoning SoHo neighborhood by opening their own bars. Reisdorff established the Broome Street Bar in 1972 at the corner of Broome Street and West Broadway, while Kruger opened the similarly iconic Berry’s on Spring Street shortly thereafter. These establishments quickly became social epicenters for the artists who were transforming SoHo into a global art mecca.
Broome Street Bar: More Than Just a Bar – A SoHo Institution
As highlighted in his obituary in The Southampton Press, Kenn Reisdorff was much more than a bar owner. He was a “gentlemanly fixture” of SoHo, instantly recognizable by his distinctive style: custom-made cowboy hats from New Mexico, turquoise jewelry, and classic cowboy boots. His warm and approachable demeanor made everyone feel welcome at Broome Street Bar.
The bar emerged during a pivotal time in SoHo’s history, when former factories were being transformed into artist studios and creative spaces. Broome Street Bar became the vibrant epicenter of this artistic revolution. Renowned artists like Robert Mapplethorpe, Robert Jacks, Ken Tisa, Robert Boyles, and George Kokines were regulars, creating an atmosphere that was “exciting, entertaining, and encouraging” for the burgeoning art community. Kenn’s Broome Street Bar was not just a place to drink; it was a breeding ground for creativity and connection in the heart of SoHo.
The Colorful History of Broome Street Bar: From Speakeasy to Artists’ Haven
The history of Broome Street Bar is as rich and layered as SoHo itself. According to Kenn Reisdorff, as recounted in a 2005 Recount article by Dana Lerner, the building that houses Broome Street Bar had a less than reputable past. In the early 1940s, it was reportedly a “sleaze joint,” or house of prostitution. Reisdorff described how the back windows were deliberately blocked off to shield the illicit activities within, where women would “market” themselves to potential clients. Adding to its colorful past, the building also served as an inn, offering rooms for nightly rentals.
However, by the mid-1850s, the establishment transitioned into a more conventional saloon with an adjoining dining room, cementing its identity as a bar and restaurant. Reisdorff believed that in the 1920s it operated as a German restaurant, followed by an Italian restaurant named The 7 Wagner Bar, before he took ownership. Intriguingly, Reisdorff alluded to a dramatic incident involving the previous owner of “The 7 Wagner Bar,” who he claimed was killed outside the bar by the brother of a customer who had been involved with the owner’s girlfriend, leading to the bar’s bankruptcy.
John Freeman, who later lived in Kansas, offers another fascinating perspective on the bar’s origins. According to Freeman, the establishment now known as Broome Street Bar was initially a joint venture named “Kenn and John’s,” founded by himself and Kenn Reisdorff. Prior to that, it was “Tony’s Bar,” a local Italian neighborhood bar. Freeman corroborates the violent history, stating that Tony was killed by a gunshot through the front window of his bar. Seeing an opportunity, Freeman pitched the idea of an “artist’s bar” to Reisdorff.
The iconic facade of Broome Street Bar, a historic landmark in SoHo (image: sohomemory.org)
Kenn and John’s original vision was a relaxed and welcoming space for the burgeoning artist community in SoHo. They envisioned a “quiet watering hole” with imported beers and ales on tap, international newspapers, chess, checkers, and classic American fare like burgers. However, their quiet aspirations were quickly overwhelmed on opening day when an enthusiastic crowd of artists, locals, and Italian families from Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan consumed an astonishing 20 kegs of Andecker beer. The party spilled onto the street, with mailbags from postal workers piling up outside as deliveries were abandoned.
The overwhelming success led to a packed bar filled with “interesting and colorful people of all persuasions.” Neither Freeman nor Reisdorff had extensive business experience, leading Kenn’s brother Bob to step in and assist with the business side. This intervention, however, led to a falling out between John and Kenn, and within six months, Freeman was bought out of the business, leaving Kenn to lead the Broome Street Bar into its legendary future.
Broome Street Bar in the Changing Landscape of SoHo
Broome Street Bar stands as a testament to a bygone era in SoHo. Housed in a building that may date back to 1825, making it potentially the oldest in SoHo with its distinctive shutters and slanted roofs, it is undeniably one of the neighborhood’s most visually charming structures. It is also a rare survivor from “old” SoHo, a time before artists and galleries were displaced by high-end boutiques, restaurants, and luxury lofts.
The article mentions circulating rumors of the bar’s potential closure at the end of the year, raising concerns about the potential loss of this vital piece of SoHo history. The closing of Broome Street Bar would signify the disappearance of one of the last tangible links to the neighborhood’s authentic artistic and community-focused past.
Memories of Broome Street Bar: A Neighborhood Pivot Point
The personal anecdotes shared by long-time patrons paint a vivid picture of Broome Street Bar’s unique role in the community. One “old timer” fondly recalls the 1970s, describing Kenn and Bob’s as “such a friendly place” where her young daughter could safely wait for her after work. The bar functioned as a neighborhood concierge, holding keys for residents, accepting packages, and providing a safe meeting place. In a pre-cell phone era, Broome Street Bar was a logistical lifeline and a social anchor for busy working parents and neighbors. “We were truly a neighborhood then and Kenn and Bob’s was a pivot point,” she reminisces.
Another patron recalls a different era, before the Reisdorffs took over, when it was a “run-down joint called (somebody’s) Clam Bar.” He recounts its sudden closure in 1972, marked by a sign declaring “Closed Due to Illness.” The rumored “illness,” he was told, was connected to the previous owner’s gambling debts and subsequent murder.
These stories, combined with the official accounts, contribute to the rich tapestry of Broome Street Bar’s history and Kenn Reisdorff’s enduring legacy. Even for those who didn’t know him personally, the stories evoke a larger-than-life image of Kenn – a “kindly cowboy saloon keeper from the wild wild West Broadway that was SoHo in the 1970’s.”
Artistic rendition of The Broome Street Bar, capturing its unique character (print by Chaim Koppelman)
Another artistic perspective of The Broome Street Bar, highlighting its enduring appeal (print by Dorothy Koppelman)
In remembering Kenn Reisdorff and the Broome Street Bar, we celebrate not just a man and a place, but the spirit of a unique neighborhood and a vital era in New York City history. It is a legacy worth cherishing and remembering.
