The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-23
LYONS'S TO CLOSE AT NIGHT.
SHOCK TO THE BOWERY. WHICH
HE HAS FED FOR 50 YEARS.
Mike Says There's No Good All Night Trade
Now and the Streets Not what 1t
Used to Be-Big Men Have Eaten
Tnere-Roosevelt often FreQuented 1t.

Mike Says There's No Good All Night Trade
Now and tho Streets Not what II
Used to Be-Big Men Have Eaten
Tnere-Roosevelt often Freauented 1t.
There's no class to the Bowery after mid
night any more. That has been suspected
for some time, but It was proved only yes
terrlay when 1t was announced that after
tomorrow Lyons's would close at IL
o'clock. Lyons's had been open the round
Of an italian clock for thirty-three years,
with the exception Of two days when Mike
Lyons had his own private sorrows.
In all that time the doors have never been
locked. There is no lock yet, for the pro-
prietor Is undecided whether or not he will
nut bars across the entrances On this
roint he is consulting with Pete Shaw, who
has been with him since the place, just
south of East Houston street, opened for the
first time.
Pete Shaw was with him even before that.
He was waiter for Lyons when Mike
ran restaurant at IA Court street, Brooklyn,
soon after the war. No liquor was sold at
the Brooklyn place and its regular patrons
included Henry Ward Beecher and Theodore
Titon, who frequently came In together.
They did not patronize Grogan, Lyons's
rival. because Grogan sold liquor and
Titon was opposed to that sort of thing.
From Brooklyn Lyons moved to Grand
street. New York, and on st, Patrick's Day,
1872, opened his present place In what was
then the heart of the Tenderloin. 1t was
not then called the Tenderloin, for Aleck
Williams had not received his historic
transfer.
At that period there were 800 con cert halls
on Broadway and the Bowery between
Houston and Fourteenth streets, and the
district was the sportiest that New York
ever knew.
A man was absolutely safe in the concert
halls then said Mike Lyons yesterday.
He could enter them with all kinds OF
money and be sure he would not be robbed.
They we're gay places. Of course, with wine.
women and some song, but the man who
wanted to make his vauables safe could
deposit them with the proprietor and get
them intact whenever he wanted them
All the silk hat sports began to 20 to
Iyons's and presently the politicians went.
too. John Kelly busy with his fight against
Tweed, found Lyons's a good place. As
Kelly's star rose, Lyons's followed. II
had its crowds at luncheon and At dinner
and a brilliant array at night. Harry
Cunningham, the actor who was then play
ing at the ITALIA, was Lyons's partner
In the restaurant business and he attracted
many stage people, for at that time the
Thalia had most OF the best plays The
place at 259 Bowery was an old brick struc-
ture with high basement and a stoop.
The busy people ate IN the basement and
the wine buyers used the upper floor.
Chester A. Art hur tho Collector OF the
Port Of New York, was often in Lyons's,
accompanied by Jacob Patterson and other
Republican leaders OF that time. One day
LYONS told the future President that GER
tain politician had asked whether he had
been in.
What did you tell him'" asked Arthur.
Did YOU say with whom had dined herei'
4 said did not know replied Lyons.
That's right" said Arthur. A gentle
man can drink with any one, but he Is not
supposed to dine with any but gentlemen
Richard Croker lunched at Lyonss many
times while he was Coroner, and during
the time he was Fire Commissioner, in the
early sos, he was a daily visitor He
always cashed his salary check in the restau-
rant. HIS most frequent companion at
luncheon was Barney Martin.
Theodore Roosevelt lunched almost
daily at Lyons's when he was Police Com
missioner. went there twice while he was
Governor and once while Ilce-President.
Lyonss never got in furry over the pres
cnce Of celebrities. They were expected
there just as regularly as tiremen and police
men, who still swear by Mike and his food
Of course the celebrity has recognition in
the form of privacy. Nowadays there is a
special Sullivan table for Big Tim, Little Tim.
tlorre, Christie and the rest of the clan.
Twelve years ago Lyonss was in its
Honith. 1t fed from 200 to 1000 people
every night and the crowd was 30 great
efter midnight that people stood for. an
hour awaiting seat. There were sixty
waters during the day and twenty at night.
Now there are only three at night and that
Is why Mike is gong to get lock for the
Doors.
Much of the good trade has moved up
town, said Lyons yesterday For instance,
there was an architectural firm near here
dozen OF whose draftsmen worked every
night end would come in here after mid
Other, broadway firms have disappeared. ,
and their places have not been f1lled-at
least not by people such as used to come
here for luncheon and dinner. The Irish
and German element OF the neighbOrhood
is dwinding.
mere IL COnSUTdJlt CNan&o III tno pOpO-
lation, although I can assure you that
this district Is not as densely populated
as it used to be. The Italians are forcing
the Jews toward the East River. Such
people as live hereabouts are attracted by
the Hungarian and other cheap restau-
rants that have sprung up. There is no
longer much patronage for my place after
midnight and can save 500 a week by
getting a key for the place"
Michael F. Lyons is little man with a
white mustache. He's just about the
size of Gen. Joe Wheeler. He was In the
commssary department OF the Sixth Louis
lana Regiment during the civil war. He
carried tin oven all through the campaign
and the bread he made in 1t was eaten by
Gems. Lee jackson and Taylor. He saw
Will keany shot at Chantilly.
He still retains some of his Southern
accent in spite Of third of century on
the Bowery, and there is always a good
dinner at Lyons's for Confederate veteran.
He has a bread line too, for the poor Of the
lower East Side.
Lyons's acquaintance with politicians has
brought him hono,s in the form of three
nominations for Presidential elector-twice
o. the BRYAN ticket and once for Parker.
I'm a hoodoo,' says Mike, but at that
ran ahead Of some other electors could
name"
HOTEL VENDOME ORDERED SOLD.