123 West 45th Street
The El Fey Club, a notable New York City prohibition speakeasy, was founded in 1922 by the horse-faced racketeer, Larry Fay. Alongside his venture, Fay also opened Fay’s Follies with the famed entertainer Texas Guinan. With her infectious charm and signature greeting of “Hello, suckers,” Guinan captivated the club’s patrons, and they loved it. The El Fey Club flourished while it lasted, becoming one of several establishments under the reign of the legendary nightlife personality, Texas Guinan, who was later dubbed the “Queen of the Night Clubs.” During their heyday, Guinan and Fay amassed an impressive fortune, raking in approximately $700,000 in just ten months, an astronomical sum equivalent to around $6.4 million in today’s currency. Despite their initial success, Fay’s financial mismanagement led the club to bankruptcy. Nevertheless, the El Fey Club’s legacy endures as a captivating and vibrant piece of New York City’s roaring twenties nightlife. Texas Guinan went on to launch her own clubs, while Larry Fay met a tragic end in 1932 when he was fatally shot by the doorman of his Casa Blanca Club after announcing a wage cut.