A Musical Journey Through One of New York's Most Storied Rooms

Summary

Podcast Summary: "A Musical Journey Through One of New York's Most Storied Rooms"

Podcast: takin' a walk
Host: Buzz Knight
Date: November 21, 2025
Subject: Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel, Manhattan

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Overview

This episode of "takin' a walk" is a love letter to Bemelmans Bar, the iconic lounge within the Carlyle Hotel on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Host Buzz Knight explores the timeless allure of Bemelmans through conversations with its general manager, musicians, longtime patrons, and performers. The discussion delves into the bar's rich legacy, its status as a cultural landmark, and the magical atmosphere that enchants everyone from celebrities to neighborhood regulars.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bemelmans Bar’s Unique Magic and Legacy

• Setting the Scene
  • Buzz describes Bemelmans as a place “where time doesn't march forward, it saunters elegantly... every corner whispers a story” (00:00).
• Hospitality & Philosophy
  • Demetrios Michalopoulos, General Manager (since 2021), emphasizes how Bemelmans has shaped him:

    "Bemelmans has a way of teaching you patience and elegance and presence... hospitality isn't just about serving drinks, it's about creating a memory, a sense of belonging." (05:30)

  • The staff strives for perfection for celebrities, regulars, and international travelers alike.
• Consistency & Standards
  • The secret, says Demetrios, is “discipline combined with passion... Every cocktail feels like a performance. We balance traditional with innovation, making sure drinks remain timeless while still finding ways to surprise guests." (06:30)

2. Stories from Behind the Bar

• Celebrity Encounters Mingle with Regulars
  • Demetrios recounts a favorite moment: a famous actor and a regular “ended up talking for hours, completely immersed in the magic of the room, forgetting who they were outside.” (07:49)

    “That’s the spirit of Bemelmans... you’re part of the same story.” (08:39)

3. The Murals: Bemelmans’ Heartbeat

• The murals by Ludwig Bemelmans are described as “more than decoration. They are our heartbeat, our identity... It sets the tone. You are not just in a bar, you are in a living piece of art.” (09:27)

4. First Impressions & Emotional Impact

• Demetrios describes his first real moment inside Bemelmans:

  “It was like I was walking into a different world... I literally got hooked with this place. And I said, wow, this place is magical.” (10:20)

• For staff and guests alike, the bar acts as a mood-transformer:

  “The moment I step into Bemelmans... I start performing. So I try to empty my brain and just focus... At Bemelmans, I feel that joy from the guest, and that transfers to me... It's like therapy, unofficial therapy. That's what I believe." (12:13)

5. The Music: Heart of the Atmosphere

• Earl Rose, Resident Pianist:
  • On why the Great American Songbook matters:

    “These songs are timeless. Each generation... will probably do an album or pay tribute to some of these songwriters, because these songwriters... are classic.” (14:31)

  • "It just always feels good to know that live music is touching people and they respond to classic American Songbook... Got to do your best all the time.” (15:09)
• Hamilton Leithauser, Musician and Patron:
  • Recalls first childhood visit, seeing celebrities like Ross Perot (34:14); describes “another world, being in there... It’s surreal. It’s like I’m living in a spaceship... cozy and dark.” (34:39)
  • On atmosphere:

    “Frescoes all the way around... drawn by Ludwig Bemelmans, who also drew Madeline... Beautiful... a big grand piano right in the middle where a jazz band performs... dimly lit tables... insanely good drinks.” (35:52)

6. The Regular’s Perspective

• Charlie Kaplan, Native New Yorker and Lawyer:
  • Shares how Bemelmans became his after-work sanctuary:

    “It's been part of the fabric of the city my entire life... a nice crowd of people, very eclectic. The staff... were just terrific.” (21:07)

  • On ambiance:

    “It’s just pleasant... the music... a rotating group of performers, trios, quartets, with a pianist... just terrific. A real ambiance. You can see why it’s become a unique New York experience.” (23:31)

• Guarantees mood improvement:

  “When you go to Bemelmans, you’re guaranteed to leave in a good mood.” (23:09)

7. Connections & Celebrity Encounters

• Charlie recalls meeting comedian David Steinberg and Ben Gazzara’s widow, who shared intimate stories—testimony to Bemelmans as a hub not just for stars, but for serendipitous, meaningful encounters. (25:05–30:09)

8. Changing Demographics and Popularity Surge

• Both Hamilton and Charlie note a recent boom in younger crowds and lines out the door:

  “In the last five years, maybe after Covid... a line of people, young people much younger than me... through the tearoom, all the way on the hall, out onto Madison Avenue, waiting patiently..."
  "I don't know why it's suddenly so much more popular. I only think it's because I started playing there." (37:50, humorously)

• Charlie attributes the surge to “the Internet and social media... younger people follow have gone there and have sometimes played there or can be seen there." (30:56)

9. The Atmosphere and Emotional Resonance

• Everyone agrees on Bemelmans’s restorative effect:

  “If you’re in a bad mood... hang out... the good mood suddenly replaces the bad mood.” (36:48)

  • Rita Wilson adds her perspective:

    “Music in general puts you in a fantastic mood... The audience is as much a part of the show as the performer is.” (39:26–41:09)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Buzz Knight:
  "There are places in this city, New York City, hidden like jewels, where time doesn't march forward, it saunters elegantly..." (00:00)

• Demetrios Michalopoulos:
  “Hospitality isn't just about serving drinks, it's about creating a memory, a sense of belonging.” (05:30)
  “No matter who you are, when you visit here with a drink in hand, you’re part of the same story.” (08:39)
  "The murals are more than decoration. They are our heartbeat, our identity." (09:27)

• Earl Rose:
  “These songs are timeless… Audiences know it, too.” (14:31)
  “Got to do your best all the time.” (15:08)

• Charlie Kaplan:
  “It’s been part of the fabric of the city my entire life.” (21:07)
  “You meet all kinds of different people. People in business, people in the arts... It's really a terrific place." (29:50)

• Hamilton Leithauser:
  “It’s like I’m living in a spaceship... cozy and dark.” (34:39)
  On favorites: "I was requesting some Fats Waller songs... Very New York. Old New York song. Great melodies." (37:14)

• Rita Wilson:
  "Music... will transport you to a better state of mind." (39:26)
  "The audience is as much a part of the show as the performer is." (41:09)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00] – Buzz Knight’s atmospheric introduction to Bemelmans
• [05:01] – Demetrios Michalopoulos on hospitality philosophy
• [07:49] – Celebrity and regular interactions at the bar
• [09:27] – The role of Bemelmans murals
• [12:13] – The bar as emotional therapy
• [14:31] – Earl Rose on live music and Bemelmans’s musical history
• [19:43] – Charlie Kaplan’s story as a longtime customer
• [21:07] – On Bemelmans’s place in New York City’s fabric
• [25:05] – Celebrity encounters: David Steinberg and Ben Gazzara’s widow
• [30:56] – The post-pandemic surge in popularity
• [33:43] – Hamilton Leithauser’s first memory and performance reflections
• [39:26] – Rita Wilson on the atmospheric effect of music and history

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Tone and Language

The episode is warm, nostalgic, and affectionate—woven with personal memories, reverence for tradition, and the convivial spirit of Bemelmans. The speakers’ perspectives are intimate and candid, inviting listeners to experience the historic bar’s magic even if they’ve never set foot inside.

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Summary

This episode of "takin' a walk" offers a richly textured portrait of Bemelmans Bar, capturing its mystique through firsthand stories and musical memories. The result is a compelling testament to why Bemelmans remains a beloved fixture and a must-visit destination, renowned for its artistry, music, and the sense of connection it fosters—an unofficial therapy for all who enter.

Transcript

[Buzz Knight]

Taking a Walk There are places in this city, New York City, hidden like jewels, where time doesn't march forward, it saunters elegantly. Today we take a walk not down a crowded New York Avenue, but through a velvet curtain into a different era. A place where golden sconces flicker against hand painted murals, where the martinis are cold, the music is live, and every corner whispers a story. This is not just a bar. This is Bemelmans, named for Ludwig Bemelmans, the beloved illustrator behind Madeline. This Manhattan institution inside the Carlisle Hotel has played host to legends from Sinatra to Capote, from Hollywood royalty to uptown regulars just chasing the perfect nightcap. So pull up a leather sofa, settle in beneath those whimsical walls, and let's slip into the city's most timeless saloon where art, music and memory are always on the menu. I'm Buzz Knight, your host of the Taking a Walk podcast and let's walk into the magic of Bemelman's this is.

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

An I Heart Podcast.

[Buzz Knight]

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[Hamilton Lighthouser]

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[Charlie Kaplan]

I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything. It's the rage bait.

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

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[Charlie Kaplan]

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[Hamilton Lighthouser]

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[Charlie Kaplan]

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[Buzz Knight]

Bar.

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

Taking a walk?

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

So my name is Dimitrios Michalopoulos. I'm from Greece. I'm the general manager at Vemulos Bar at the Carlisle Hotel since 2021. I became General manager.

[Buzz Knight]

So Demetrius, you have described Bemelmans as a place that changes you, but in a good way. Can you share how working at Bemelmans has shaped your approach to hospitality and to life?

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

Of course, Bas so Bemelmans has a way of teaching you patience and elegance and presence. So every night we welcome a mix of celebrities, neighborhood regulars and international travelers. And the expectations are always the same. Perfection. So working here has saved my philosophy that hospitality isn't just about serving drinks, it's about creating a memory, a sense of belonging. Also, I would say it taught me that consistency, respect and genuine warmth are what keep people coming back. And those lessons extend far beyond the bar into how I live my own life now.

[Buzz Knight]

So the bar is famous for its classic cocktails and certainly, as you just said, consistency. What is the secret to maintaining these incredible high standards night after night?

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

That's a great question, actually it's not easy to do that. But I would say our secret is mainly discipline combined with passion. So that's combination. It's what. It works for us. Every detail matters, from the sign of the glassware to the precision of a martini pour. But it's not just about the technical execution. We instill a sense of pride in the team. So every cocktail feels like a performance. We balance traditional with innovation, making sure drinks remain timeless while still finding ways to surprise guests. Ultimately, it's about never getting, you know, the. The routine you usually have day by day to become a routine. And that's what's treating every guest and every drink like is the first of the night. And it's. That's what I believe is the vibe too, the energy. It's all about that. You walk into the space so many times and it's always good. You know, you feel you have a nice sense of good.

[Buzz Knight]

So Bellamonds has hosted everyone from celebrities to neighborhood regulars to folks from out of town like me. Can you share maybe a memorable story or encounter that captures the true spirit of the bar?

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

Yes, there are many, to be honest, but one I would like to share with you, which is one of my favorite moments, was when a very well known actor came in quietly, just wanted to enjoy the piano and the martini without. Without anybody noticing him. You know, it was kind of a moment that you see somebody that everybody knows walking into a busy bar and just sitting at the bar, having the head down, try to. To enjoy a drink without. To be. Without. Want to be seen, let's say. All right, at the same time, it was another guest from the neighborhood. It was a regular guest who had no idea who the famous person was. They start having a conversation about the murals. The two end up talking, like, for hours, completely immersed in the magic of the room, forgetting who they were outside. To me, that's the spirit of Bemelmans. No matter who you are, when you visit here with a drink in hand, you're part of the same story. It was also good for the other guests to see these two people talking for hours. And yeah, it was. It was a great moment.

[Buzz Knight]

I'm trying to guess who that could have been.

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

I can tell you offline.

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

Yes. Thank you.

[Buzz Knight]

The murals by Ludwig Bemelmans are iconic. How do you see their amazing presence influencing the atmosphere and the guest experience?

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

Yes. I mean, to me, the murals are more than decoration. They are our heartbeat, our identity. Who we are mostly just often find themselves lost in the murals of Madelines and the New York scene from Central park, the Four Seasons painting of the walls. It sets the tone. You are not just in a bar, you are in a living piece of art. They remind us that while our cocktails and music may change with the times, there is always this anchor of timeless beauty that makes the Belmas experience so unique. It's kind of a magic. What's going on with these murals?

[Buzz Knight]

Do you recall the first time you walked into Bemelman's and what was that experience like for you?

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

The first time? Yes. So I will tell you that the first time, it was when I did the. The walkthrough in the hotel when they hired me. That was. I believe it was July 11, 2016. But I was impressed back then, too. But it was too many information in my. Too much information in my head the first day. So the first time I realized about this room, it was when I was doing something in the hotel I used to work in, in room dining. And I had to go outside from Madison to do something from the Madison entrance. And then I came back and I opened the side door we have at Bemelman's, as you're working from Madison to the left. And, you know, it was so bright outside, sunshine, a beautiful day. And I opened the door and I see Bemells bar with the murals. It was like I was working in a different world. It was unbelievable. And I believe that was the moment I literally got hooked with this place. And I said, wow, this place is magical. And that's how the passion and the love started about Bernhard Barr and me.

[Buzz Knight]

It's amazing. It really is a special place. Lastly, Demetrius. Well, two last things. I always feel that if you are somebody, me, anybody, and you're having a rough day, the day's not exactly the way you planned. You're not necessarily in a great mood, and then you head up to Bemelman's for a nice cocktail and for some music and for the vibe. I promise you that you end up leaving in a good mood. Would you agree with that statement?

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

Absolutely. Absolutely. And that works also for myself too. There are days that are not very nice days for me. You know, I'm a family man, and I have to. Instead of you have to run the bar, I have to run my family as well, with the big help of my wife, of course. But the moment I stepped into Bemelman's, and also my job is very demanding, and before I step into Belmas, I have to check my emails, organize for the day, organize for the next days, and do several things, and it's not Always pleasant what you see at work or what's happening in your life. But the moment I stepping into Belmas, I kind of wearing a costume, let's say, and I start performing. So I try to empty my brain and just focus on what I have to do for the night, including having fun, because that's what it basically is. At Bemell Mass, I feel that joy from the guest, and that transfers to me, and I believe it's amazing. Yes. Many people that come crampy, you know, very kind of not very happy, and at the end of the night, they find somebody, something happens, the music, a silly thing, you know, something nice, and they change their mood and they start socializing more, they start having fun, they start having more drinks. But, you know, in. In a controlled way, in a responsible way. And that changed their evening and that changed that their mood is. It's like a therapy, you know, unofficial therapy. That's what happened. That's what I believe. It's a good way to describe it.

[Buzz Knight]

Oh, it's. That's very well put. Demetrius, thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

My pleasure, very much.

[Buzz Knight]

Thanks, Demetrius.

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

Thank you, Buzz, and see you soon at Demon Months.

[Buzz Knight]

Earl Rose is one of the most celebrated pianists in New York City and an icon at Bemelman's Bar. I caught up with him in between sets, and he told me what Bemelman's means to him.

[Earl Rose]

It just always feels good to know that live music is touching people and they respond to classic American Songbook. Cole Porter, Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington. And these are all songs that I love and love to share them with audiences that come to Bimmelmann's of all ages. These songs are timeless. The Great American Songbook, all these composers, they wrote songs that can be interpreted so many different ways. And each generation of whatever contemporary artist is popular at the time eventually will probably do an album or pay tribute to some of these songwriters, because these songwriters are, again, are like, classic. And there's something that even newest artists want to be associated with that. I mean, perfect example is Jon Batiste has come in numerous times, and there's a particular song, memories of youf, that Ub Blake wrote. He comes and we perform it together. And so it's. It's just these songs are timeless. And artists who are really good artists know that. And so they. And audiences know it, too, when they hear all the people that have performed here in Bemelman's bar. I mean, some of the great jazz pianists, Barbara Carroll, performed Dear Merriam and Parkland actually performed here before her and she of course one of the great jazz pianists. And so it's always, you know, you keep that in mind when you're playing here to hopefully do your best. Got to do your best all the time. Thank you for listening.

[Charlie Kaplan]

All right, we'll be right back with more of the Taking a Walk podcast.

[Buzz Knight]

This episode of Taking a Walk is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether I'm booking my next vacation or going to a concert, Chase Sapphire Reserve is my gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. Travel is one of the most precious things in my life and the memories of each of the experiences live on forever. Chase Sapphire Reserve allows me to travel with ease with a 300 travel credit and access to a curated collection of hotels through the edit. So no matter where I'm walking, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover more with Chase sapphire [e-mail] Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply.

[Charlie Kaplan]

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[Hamilton Lighthouser]

I turned off news altogether.

[Charlie Kaplan]

I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything.

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

It's the rage bait.

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

It feels like it's trying to divide people. We got clear facts.

[Charlie Kaplan]

Maybe we could calm down a little. NBC News brings you clear reporting. Let's meet at the Facts. Let's move forward from there. NBC News reporting for America.

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

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[Charlie Kaplan]

Welcome back to the Taking a Walk podcast. My name's Charlie Kaplan. I was born and raised in New York City in an area called Stuyvesantown that stretches from 14th street to 20th street in Manhattan on First Avenue and from First Avenue to the river. I grew up in New York, and For the past 45 years, I've been practicing law in New York. The reason that I ended up spending a number of evenings at Benmelman's Bar is that I live in Westchester county, north of New York City. And often when I worked late as a lawyer on my way home, I'd stop off at Benjamin's to have a drink and sometimes to listen to the wonderful music and just to unwind a little before continuing on my journey up north to southern Westchester County. Part of my perspective of Bellens, of course, is not simply as being a nice place on the Upper east side, but as a native New Yorker who grew up in the city, grew up in Manhattan, it's been part of the fabric of the city, you know, my entire life. And I could have gone a number of places after I got out of law school, but I thought that I really wanted to go back to New York, not only because family was there, but that's always been my home. And I really love the city. And one of the great things about New York City is you have a lot of wonderful places, including, you know, the Carlisle Hotel and Benlman's Bar, which is in the Carlisle.

[Buzz Knight]

So do you recall the first moment you walked in and how it really just captured your heart immediately?

[Charlie Kaplan]

Yeah. And it was interesting because I wasn't really planning to, you know, to go to Denalbins, but I was, I had, I was driving and I was driving from the office I had because I knew I was going to be working late. I'd driven into my office in midtown Manhattan, and I was driving home, and I decided, hey, I should stop, because I needed to use a restroom in New York. It's hard to find restrooms in Manhattan, but generally you can find them most easily in a hotel. And I saw there's the Carlisle. So I pulled over and I asked someone where the restroom was. And it's not that far from the entrance to Bemelman's, the interior entrance to Bemelman's. And I heard the piano, and I went up the stairs. And I had never been there, even though I was a native New Yorker. And it was just terrific. You have those wonderful murals by Ludwig Bedelmans, who did those children's illustrations. And it was just a terrific ambiance. And of course, I'd read about it, and I've heard of people like Bobby Short. I'd read about that, but I'd never really been there. I was never really a guy who went and hung out at bars. You know, as a Jewish kid from New York, you know, like, the bar experience really wasn't part of my growing up, but I really enjoyed it. And it was just a very nice crowd of people. It was very eclectic. You had native, you know, you had New Yorkers like myself, and then you had people from all over, and also the staff, the maitre d at the time, and also the guys at the bar were just terrific. And so I ended up going there a good number of times over many years, with really the only break being the hiatus during COVID when Bellmans and lots of other places unfortunately, had to close.

[Buzz Knight]

And there's something about the place that I guarantee, in my view, and I want to see if you agree, if you're in a mood, maybe, and you've had a rough day and you're a little bit tattered and not in a great mood. Isn't it true that when you go to Bemelman's, you're guaranteed to leave in a good mood?

[Charlie Kaplan]

Yeah, I think that's really the case. And I should tell you, because I'm driving, and I could continue driving, I generally don't have a drink in the sense of hard liquor. Every once in a while, sometimes I have a beer, but often I'll just have a Diet Coke. But it's just so pleasant. And particularly both the music and also the people. It's a very. It's a nice crowd, and they're always interesting people. You Meet. You know, of course, there are famous people who go there. And I've met a couple of famous people either in Belmens itself or right next to it where the Carlisle has a bunch, has a restaurant. And the stairway into Belmens from its interior, from the hotel, has out there a number of seats for people in the restaurant there. So you meet very interesting people there. But it's just a very pleasant. I think a big part of it is the music, which is just terrific. There's a rotating group of performers, trios, quartets, with a pianist. Sometimes the pianist may be singing, sometimes it's just music without singing, but. But it's just terrific. And it's a real ambiance. And you can see why people go there and why it's become a place where tourists go, because it's really one of those unique New York experiences.

[Buzz Knight]

Who were some of the folks you might share that were particularly unique that you ran into there?

[Charlie Kaplan]

Well, I met one person who I remembered from my youth, but I hadn't seen them too much in the. On television, a fellow named David Steinberg, who was a comedian, sure, from Canada, who, back in the, I think the 60s and 70s was on Johnny Carson a lot. And I laid. He and I had a great conversation. He and his wife were sitting at a table right before and walked into. Or could go up the stairs into Bellman's. There are like three or four stairs you have to go up to because it's at a higher level, it's a street level, and the restaurant is sort of at a sunken level. I noticed this fellow and he looked really familiar. And I said, excuse me. And you don't like to bother somebody when they're having dinner, but, you know, are you David Steinberg? And he was very gracious, and his wife was very gracious. And we started. He said. He asked me to join them, and we sat down and I mentioned to him that, you know, that it was exciting to meet a comedian, but that was something that wasn't unique in my family because my wife was from Waukegan, Illinois, and her grandmother, who grew up in Waukegan, her father was from Waukegan, and her father's mother was from Waukegan. Her grandmother grew up in Waukegan with a fellow named Benny Kubelski, who later became Jack Benny. And Waukegan had a very small Jewish community, and they were basically the two Jewish kids in the school that they were in in Waukegan. So it wasn't just a passing acquaintance. They really knew each other. That prompted David to start talking about spending time with Jack Benny and a bunch of other comedians at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles. One story after another. It was just amazing. And I asked him what he'd been doing, and he was very modest. But then when I went home and I Googled him, he's had a very successful career as a director. He directed a lot of the episodes of Seinfeld. He's directed other episodes, and he still is as funny as you can think. I mean, anybody go to YouTube, search David Steinberg, and you're going to see some routines. I mean, he had a routine in which he plays a reform rabbi giving a sermon. And it's just. It kills you. He talks about. Well, and he says, now we're going to speak about Jonah, and Jonah's relationship with God, who you may remember from my last sermon, you know, just hilarious and just an incredibly talented guy. And then, of course, he's had this really terrific career behind the camera with some of the top comedians, as I said, you know, for example, Jerry Seinfeld and others. So it's. That was a really interesting conversation. Another person who was very interesting, as I was having a sandwich, and there were two very elderly ladies sitting next to me, and we started to talk, one of them said that she used to come there with her late husband, Ben Gazzara. And right away I said, you know, I have a connection with Ben Gazzara, you know, and my connection with Ben Gazara is I went to the same high school, Stuyvesant High School in New York City in Manhattan, that Ben Cazara went to, which, by the way, is a high school where a number of other people who are very famous in the entertainment world, probably the most famous being James Cagney, who went to. Who got out of Stuyvesant, I believe, in 1918. But others included, more recent ones include Tim Robbins and Lucy Liu. But Ben Gazzara was a stuyvesant graduate. And Mrs. Gazzara just told me wonderful stories about Ben and various other actors. She spoke, actually, it was quite moving. She said that in one of his last pictures when he was not well, Ben had worked with Paul Sorvino, who passed away recently. I think it was a year or two. And that Paul had been so kind. He really looked after Ben because he knew that Ben's health was challenging and just what a kind and nice person Sorvino had been. It was really. It was just a wonderful conversation. And one of the nice things about growing up in a place like New York is that even if you don't know people, often you know people who know people or you have various connections with people who know people. Because even though it's a big city, like a lot of other big cities, it's also in some ways a small town. So that's one of the really great things about Bellmore. You meet all kinds of different people, people in business, people in the arts. It's really a terrific place.

[Buzz Knight]

So in closing, why do you think in the last, I think five to seven years, Benmelman's has turned from this place that on a Wednesday night you could walk in and you might have to wait a little bit to get a seat at the bar. And then you finally get a seat at the bar. Now, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, it's packed. You got to wait even longer. It's nice if you can hold your hand up and maybe get waved in because you're a semi regular. But it's really found a new generation of people, I think that has created it to be more of a must be placed. Why do you think that is?

[Charlie Kaplan]

I think it's probably because of the Internet. I think that back before the. I think really a change occurred after the pandemic. Before the pandemic, it was primarily an older crowd. You know, I've been practicing law for 45 years, so clearly I'm not a youngster. And there were lots of my contemporaries, people older, sometimes younger people, but there weren't a lot of college kids or, you know, early kids in their early 20s. After the pandemic, I think, I really think it was with social media a lot more, A lot. It was a much bigger draw. And at least for a while, you know, there'd be a line. Bemelman's has a street level entrance, but that's closed. And then there's another entrance right off the entrance into the Carlisle on Madison Avenue. And that generally, and that's you can leave, but you really don't go in there. But they'd always. There'd be a line down into the restaurant and they wouldn't. And where there's some stairs, but they would basically sign up and then wait and then eventually when people left, because obviously for fire coat and other reasons, they can only let so many people into the bar at a time. But I think it's the Internet. And also I think a number of people who younger people follow have gone there and have sometimes played there or can be seen there. So, sure, it's great to see Paul McCarty, but Paul McCarty is somebody who's older than me. But when somebody, you know, like Miley Cyrus or someone, the younger people are much more interested and, you know, and you'll see, you'll run into them there now sometimes.

[Buzz Knight]

Charles, it's so great to catch up with you and thanks for sharing and dishing on Bemelman's Bar.

[Charlie Kaplan]

You know, and I should know probably at the close, that the way we know each other is one day when you were at the bar in Bemelman, so was I. And that's how we met and we've been in touch ever since. That's right, yeah.

[Buzz Knight]

And it's. That's what's so beautiful about the place. It's like you said, it's a great connection to people, all different types of people. Always an interesting tale, always great music. And I always leave happy and ready to come back the next time.

[Charlie Kaplan]

Well, it's been wonderful speaking with you as well, Buzz.

[Buzz Knight]

Thank you.

[Charlie Kaplan]

Charles.

[Buzz Knight]

Hamilton, Lighthouser, is an American indie rock musician known as the lead vocalist of the Walkman, who now has a successful solo career on Glass Note Records. Hamilton has played at the Cafe Carlisle and has often spent some time at Bemelman's Bar. So, Hamilton, what's your earliest memory of visiting Bemelman's Bar? What drew you to it initially?

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

Earliest in life would be when I was about 10 years old. I'm from Washington, D.C. and I was up in New York visiting. I don't know why. And my uncle took me and my cousins and my aunt to Balance for a drink. I had like a Coke. And I just remember that was so expensive that he was. I think he. He got the bill and he was kind of like, never again thing.

[Charlie Kaplan]

That.

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

So that was literally my first memory. And also that I saw Ross Perot. He was there.

[Buzz Knight]

Oh, my God. That's a people watching moment, right?

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

Yeah, yeah. It was really big. And I hadn't seen very many celebrities in my life at that point, so it was really exciting for us kids.

[Buzz Knight]

So how does it feel to perform or spend time at such a storied New York institution?

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

Well, I perform at Cafe Carlisle, which is across the hall. Very similar vibe, but it's, you know, it's for performance and dinner space. And Bemelman's is more of just like a bar. They have a band, but it's. They're. They're playing jazz standards and. And they're in the middle of the room. Well, as you probably know. And so I go to Bellman's afterwards for a drink. A lot of Nights. And it's just, you know, like another world, being in there. It's like you. When I play at Cafe Carlisle, and then I go up to my room and rest up, and then I go down to Bellmans, and I haven't even left the building. It's pretty. It's surreal. It's like I'm living in, like, a spaceship or something. And everything, every possible thing you could want is right there. And, you know, there's no windows in either of those rooms, so you forget what time of year it is. It always feels like it's sort of like a blustery winter night outside when you're in there, because it's just very cozy and dark.

[Buzz Knight]

Can you describe the atmosphere of Bemelman's Bar for someone, maybe, who's. Who's never been there?

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

Yes. It has frescoes all the. All the way around. 360 degrees are on the wall, drawn by Ludwig Bemelman, who also. Who drew Madeleine, the children's book, famously, and then also did all the frescoes in Cafe Carlisle. So it's the style similar to the book Madeline. But they're beautiful. They go all around. There's like a sort of gold low ceiling that's wallpapered, and it's beautiful, actually. Gold. And there's a big grand piano right in the middle where a jazz band performs. And there's leather booths all the way around and small, dimly lit tables with little cafe lights on them, and a big bar that just makes insanely good drinks. And all my friends always come, and it's their big night. I'm there every night, but it's their big night. They're just having a great time.

[Buzz Knight]

Is it fair to say that if one were in a bad mood and they went up to Bemelman's and hung out, the good mood suddenly replaces the bad moon.

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

You're going to be feeling better.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah. Automatically.

[Charlie Kaplan]

Yeah, you are.

[Buzz Knight]

If you could choose one song that captures the spirit of Bemelman's, what would it be? And. And why?

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

Well, there's that band. I can't remember what the. I can't remember the guy's name that plays all the time. And they do all. He was asking me for requests last year. I was requesting some Fats Waller songs because I love the way Fats Waller plays the piano, and the guy was such a good piano player, so Something like Honeysuckle Rose is one of my favorite Fats Waller songs. Until the real thing comes along. Something like that. Very New York. Old New York song. Great melodies.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah. Well, lastly so why do you think Bimmelman's has maintained its status as a cultural landmark for so many decades?

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

Well, you know, what's incredible about that is that I started playing there about eight years ago, and I could. After the show, I would go in there and to Bellman's and have a drink and there would be people, but it wasn't necessarily jammed. And in the last five years, maybe after Covid, something like that, I'll come out of my show. I probably end around 10:30, 11, something like that. And if it's a Tuesday night, if it's a Wednesday night, if it's a weekend, forget about. There will be a line of people, young people much younger than me, out the door, through the tearoom, all the way on the hall, out onto Madison Avenue, waiting patiently for God knows how long. They're going to be waiting late at night. And it's so much more popular than it was eight years ago. And I. I don't know. I. I know why it's maintained because it's beautiful and it's. It's the only place like it in. In the world, and. And that's why people go back, and that's why people know what it is. But I don't know why it's suddenly so much more popular. I only think it's because I started playing there.

[Charlie Kaplan]

I don't know.

[Buzz Knight]

Thank you, Hamilton. That's great. Rita Wilson. If you are in a position, bad mood, and you go in to the Cafe Carlisle or to Bemelman's to listen to music, to listen to who's playing there, I promise you, you leave in a good mood.

[Charlie Kaplan]

Do you.

[Buzz Knight]

Do you agree with that?

[Rita Wilson]

I agree wholeheartedly. And I also would have to say that I think music in general puts you in a fantastic mood. So if you're in a bad mood, just put on some music. Music. It will transport you to a better state of mind. But, yeah, I love those places. There's something to be said about these old venues like the Ryman, like the Cafe Carlisle or Bellmerman's or the Troubadour or. You know, I went to the Blue Note when I was in New York recently, and there's something to be said. It's like the walls, the paint, the air. Those molecules have been. They're just the same molecules that have always been there. And you feel them, and that's what it's like. You sense the people that have come before that have played, the people that have listened there. You know, I always think when. When I do a show there. And the Carlisle is very intimate. But I kind of feel this way. Generally you just have to make every place feel intimate is that there is always somebody in that room that needs to hear what you're singing and what you're what you're saying. And if there was just one person in every one of these spaces and I had to perform, it would be the same performance because I would know that they were there for a reason. And there's something about the intimacy of those places where people can actually talk back to you sometimes or they they shot at you in nut shout, but they talk to you in the audience. And I like that. I think it's great. It's not heckling, it's actually like they're part of it. The audience is as much a part of the show as as the performer is.

[Buzz Knight]

Thanks for listening to this Take it a Walk Love Letter episode to Bemelman's Bar at the Carlisle Hotel on Madison Avenue between 76th and 77th on Manhattan's Upper east side. The hotel a Rosewood hotel, and special thanks to the folks at the Rosewood and also Demetrius and his team at Bemelman's Bar. Check that place out sometime when you're in New York City.

[Charlie Kaplan]

And thanks for listening.

[Buzz Knight]

This episode of Taking a Walk is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether I'm booking my next vacation or going to a concert in Chase, Sapphire Reserve is my gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I get eight times points on all the purchases I make through Chase Travel and even access to one of a kind experiences like music festivals and sports events. And that's not even mentioning how the card gets me into the Sapphire Lounge by the club at select airports nationwide. No matter where I'm walking, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover [e-mail] Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval Terms apply.

[Charlie Kaplan]

Ah, greetings from my bath festive friends.

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

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[Charlie Kaplan]

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[Hamilton Lighthouser]

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[Buzz Knight]

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[Charlie Kaplan]

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[Buzz Knight]

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[Hamilton Lighthouser]

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[Charlie Kaplan]

Save the offer in the app ends 1231. See paypal.com promoter points can be redeemed for cash and more paying for subject to terms and approval. PayPal Inc. And MLS 910457.

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

What a matchup we got, y'.

[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

All.

[Hamilton Lighthouser]

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat everybody showing that school pride. Game like this, yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going. It's football season and now you can get anything you need for game day.

[Buzz Knight]

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[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

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[Hamilton Lighthouser]

Almost anything. You can't get a running back, but baby back ribs.

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[Demetrios Michalopoulos]

This is an I Heart podcast.