The Stork Club on East 53rd Street in New York City existed at a time when cigarettes were held in lighters and alcohol was nicknamed “gasoline” (courtesy Frank Sinatra). The 1940s and 50s were the club’s heyday.

A golden chain barred the unglamorous from the entering this famed nightclub. But if you were somebody, ie: a celebrity or politican, then you could mix and mingle with the beautiful people. And IF you were a Hollywood Christ-like figure then you could make your way to “The Cub Room” where a guard known as “Saint Peter” stood.

The club went to hell-in-a-hand-basket though by 1965. Stork Club owner and corrupt businessman Sherman Billingsley filed for bankruptcy and was forced to sell the building.

You can read a 1948 restaurant review on the Stork Club here.

And fix yourself a Stork Club Punch with this recipe: Stork Club Punch