Chelsea is losing one of its best-known late-night living rooms. Elmo, the beloved neighborhood restaurant and hangout spot, announced Monday that it will close after 25 years in business. The owners said the restaurant will take reservations only through March 13, with the final dinner service set for that night.
Building Sale Cuts Short Elmo's Run
Owner Bob Pontarelli said the building on Seventh Avenue was sold, which effectively ended Elmo's lease and left closing as the only real option, according to PIX11. The announcement echoed an Instagram post from the restaurant that noted reservations remain open through March 13 and that guests can still book final dinners online.
More Than a Restaurant for Chelsea
For years Elmo worked double duty as both a neighborhood dining room and an events space, with comfort-food dinners served upstairs and more private, late-night gatherings downstairs. The calendar packed in New Year’s Eve drag shows, Pride parties and birthday celebrations, while the Coby Club speakeasy beneath the restaurant gave locals and out-of-towners one more reason to stay out late. A profile of Elmo's recent refresh highlighted its long-standing staff and steady stream of regulars, which helped cement the spot as a local anchor, according to Chelsea Community News.
Quick Reaction
Reaction came fast from fans and regulars once the news broke. Television host Andy Cohen weighed in with a message that sounded a lot like what the neighborhood was feeling: "Bob this sucks. What an incredible run. This news is bad for NYC and bad for the neighborhood," according to PIX11.
A Citywide Trend
Elmo's planned closure lands in the middle of a harsh season for New York dining, as a string of high-profile and neighborhood restaurants across the city have shut their doors this winter, a tally tracked by Eater NY. Pontarelli's other longtime sister venue, Barracuda Lounge, closed last year after nearby construction damage, an earlier report on construction woes noted.
Anyone hoping for one last meal at Elmo can still try to grab a reservation. The restaurant is taking bookings through its online system and by phone, and the dining room sits at 156 7th Avenue in Chelsea. For details, see Elmo's reservations page.
