{"id":150878,"date":"2026-03-03T12:46:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T12:46:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/150878\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T12:46:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T12:46:18","slug":"legendary-nyc-restaurant-closing-after-25-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/150878\/","title":{"rendered":"Legendary NYC restaurant closing after 25 years"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHELSEA, Manhattan (PIX11) \u2013 Elmo Restaurant, a community fixture in Chelsea<\/a>, is closing after 25 years, its owners announced Monday morning.<\/p>\n

Elmo Restaurant\u2019s founder, Bob Pontarelli, said the building on Seventh Avenue was sold, ending the restaurant\u2019s long-standing lease. The restaurant\u2019s last dinner will be on March 13, Pontarelli said in a post to Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More Local News <\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cFor nearly 25 years elmo has been the destination for hundreds of thousands of guests to enjoy some of life\u2019s best moments,\u201d Pontarelli said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a place for a first date or dinner with friends. A place for important celebrations and fabulous parties\u2026.or simply a place to gather comfortably with members of your community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The restaurant has hosted events like New Year\u2019s Eve<\/a> with drag performers, pride parties, and birthday parties downstairs. Reservations are still open through March 13.<\/p>\n

Many patrons, including Bravo producer and host Andy Cohen, lamented the closure of another neighborhood staple on social media. They described the restaurant as a place to meet new friends, host events, and celebrate major New York City moments, from Pride Month<\/a> to the marathon.<\/p>\n

\u201cBob this sucks,\u201d Cohen said. \u201cWhat an incredible run. This news is bad for NYC and bad for the neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another one of Pontarelli\u2019s ventures, a gay bar in Chelsea called Barracuda Lounge<\/a>, also recently closed with public outcry.<\/p>\n

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here <\/a>and follow her on Twitter here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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