It was HF staffer Vince's birthday so it was off to NY City to Jeckyll & Hyde's for dinner. We had heard about the themed restaurant from friends who had visited the establishment months earlier on an excursion to the city that we were unable to make, and we had just been waiting for the right opportunity and occasion to make the trip.

  One of two locations, we visited the 1409 6th Ave location, right off of Central Park (there is also a location in Greenwich Village at 91 7th Avenue). The building can't be missed. The facade is a mixture of oddities, from the egyption mummies on the roof "walking like an egyptian," to walls adorned with hieroglphics that give way to brick walls underneath, skeletal pirates climb the exterior of the building, past a black welcoming flag and giant skull that marks the center of the building. Large metal doors bar your entrance until the doctor is ready to have you seated.

Welcome to the Jeckyl & Hyde Club
A restaurant, bar and social club for men and women of science, exploration and adventure. We invite you to mingle with eccentric club members and to view our unique collection of artifacts and oddities. Come witness the unusual and unexpected.
It may Shock you!
It may horrify you!
Warning
The Jeckyl & Hyde Club offers a unique and unconventional experience and is not for the faint of heart. People who are prone to hear conditions, back conditions, dizziness, motion sickness, claustrophobia, stress or fear of fun should not enter.

  We waited in line in front of the building where we were let in as small groups. We were ushered into a small hallway where we were "greeted by the doctor." (A short but amusing film clip) and another added suprise that we wouldn't want to spoil for you!!.

  They released us from the room and we were then told by the hostess we would be dining in "the library." Located on the second floor, we ascended the stairs which were decorated with drawings and photographs of everything conceivable to capture one's imagination. (Later on we would have the fun of looking for the "facilities" that were hidden within the bookshelves. The ladies room would be located one floor up in the behind a door marked "Brain Depository Night Box").

  Each floor consisited of a slightly different theme, one boasting themes of medieval torture, one of a more science fiction nature, all leading up to the observatory which was closed for that evening.

  We were seated quickly, and at a table that gave us a good vantage point to take photos of the stage below. During the course of the evening, maids would come thru and dust the shelves and people, the professor would wander about and small skits would take place, some involving members of the audience, some not. On stage on the first floor would be more elaborate skits that could be seen from the balcony we were seated on. Among these skits would be the reanimation of human tissue, Frankenstein would be lowered from the ceiling and raised again to harness the energy of the ensuing electrical storm. Lowered again, smoking this time... we could see the creature had come to life. Animatronic props such as "Fang the Gargoyle," "Zeus," or "The Sphynx" would announce birthdays and groups and the the organ playing skeleton added to the entertainment. They advise you before you even enter the building that at peak times, a $2 per person entertainment charge added to your check.

   The restaurant hosted a full bar offering several specialty drinks that caught my eye. I decided on the "Mummy Mud," which was quite good, a blend of vodka, Kahlua, Bailey's, Vanilla Ice Cream and a splash of chocolate..

  Their menu consisted of classic american fare and we decided on the "Crispy Shrimp and Crabcake Rolls" for an appetizer, ordered our meals of Teriyaki London Broil, Rosemary-Garlic Grilled Chicken, and Crispy Fried Chicken Salad, and finished off our evening by splitting an Oreo Fudge Cake. While the food is not gourmet, it was very good, a pleasant surprise that the restaurant does not rely on it's entertainment value alone to draw in the crowds. Good Food, great service and entertainment, we had a thoroughly enjoyable time.

  Carolyn and I had the opportunity to talk with our waiter while the guys were off on a picture taking expedition. We found that beginning the following weekend, after the dinner crowds had left, in the wee hours of the morning, the club would be coverting to "Dark," an after hours dance club catering to the goth / vampire scene. The staff had been fitted for fangs (which he came back and showed us) and what we had noticed earlier that looked like catwalks and cages surrounding the balcony to the first floor would be complete with dancers. Unfortunately we have yet to get back to the club to check this out.

Overall, it was a nice night out. Until we paid for parking.....