French
DeutschRegine's
Regine's was a nightclub at 69 East 59th Street in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It was operated by Régine Zylberberg from 1976 to 1991. She also opened a bistro alongside the nightclub called Cafe Reginette.
History
[edit]In the mid-1970s, French singer Régine Zylberberg purchased a penthouse suite at the Delmonico Hotel on Park Avenue and 59th Street in New York.[1] In 1976, she opened Regine's, a restaurant and discotheque, on the ground floor of the hotel.[2] The nightclub served food under the direction of French chef Michel Guérard.[3]
In 1977, she opened a bistro next door called Cafe Reginette.[4][5] This was also an attempt to attract more patrons from the bustling Studio 54.[6] Cafe Reginette was less formal than Regine's and the meals were not as expensive.[6]
In a time when Studio 54 was a dance mecca that attracted celebrities, it was difficult for Regine to compete in the early years so she consulted with pop artist Andy Warhol at The Factory. Warhol was a fixture in New York nightlife. He documented his activities in his diary and would often visit Regine's. In a February 28, 1978 diary entry, Warhol said "Studio 54 is making Regine desperate."[7]
Bob Colacello, former editor-in-chief at Interview magazine, wrote in his book that "because she had always been so nice to us in Paris and Monte Carlo—and because she agreed to his suggestion to have her portrait done, in exchange for a $40,000 credit at her clubs," they held a star-studded dinner at Cafe Reginette honoring Interview's March 1978 covergirl, Margaret Trudeau, in February 1978.[7] However, after the dinner, Colacello notes that instead of going next door to Regine's nightclub, they guest went over to Studio 54.[6]
In March 1978, writer Fran Lebowitz had a cocktail party at Cafe Reginette for the release of her first book Metropolitan Life.[8]
In May 1978, film producer Federico De Laurentiis had a wrap party for the movie King of the Gypsies (1978) at Cafe Reginette.[7]
In 1986, about 80 waiters, bartenders, and chefs went on strike as a result of the management's disregard for a citywide contract that the hotel workers union had negotiated the previous year.[9] The labor dispute was settled in 1987, but the number of patrons had decreased, and in 1991, Regine's was closed.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ Klemesrud, Judy (1975-11-16). "Queen of French Nightclubs Hopes to Reign Here". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Taylor, Angela (1976-03-17). "Regine Sparkles at Club Preview, And Her Dresses Share Spotlight". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ Christy, Marian (2 May 1976). "Regine—Queen of the Discos". Oakland Tribune.
- ^ "Restaurants". The New York Times. 1978-01-13. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Ferretti, Fred (1977-12-30). "Where to Blow the Horns at Midnight". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ a b c Colacello, Bob (1990). Holy terror : Andy Warhol Close Up. New York, NY: HarperCollins. pp. 353–354. ISBN 978-0-06-016419-5.
- ^ a b c Warhol, Andy; Hackett, Pat (1989). The Andy Warhol Diaries. New York, NY: Warner Books. pp. 114, 135. ISBN 978-0-446-51426-2.
- ^ Colacello, Bob (May 1978). "Out". Interview. 8 (5): 46.
- ^ Anderson, Susan Heller; Dunlap, David W. (1986-07-09). "NEW YORK DAY BY DAY; Picket Line at Regine's". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ Grigoriadis, Vanessa (1999-04-19). "Regine's Last Stand". New York Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-11.