Basically a redux of Bill’s Gay Nineties, which in early 2012. Bill’s Food & Drink, located at 57 East 54th Street in Midtown Manhattan, picks up where its predecessor left off. We were not regulars at the original Bill’s, but not much looks different. Honestly, if we had not known that the original had closed in early 2012 and walked in today, we would not have known there was a discontinuity in service and change in ownership. The only thing that changed in appearance is the name (and that only slightly). After speaking with the bartender, we learned that the food menu became more upscale. Still, a good spot for lunch or an afterwork drink.
This new place called Bill’s Food & Drink has NOTHING to do with the New York’s Original Bill’s Gay Nineties. The former Tenants left with all of their memorabilia and ornaments. John DeLucie and his associates are “copying” the way old Bill’s was, they purchased a “twin” Jockey statue, a similar Lantern Pole, copied the name Bill’s, put new coins on the slots left by the original Bill’s Silver Dollars, filled up the walls with their own stuff,and are trying really hard to steal the tradition of 88 years of great service that Bill’s Gay Nineties, the one and only New York Original has. Bill’s Gay 90’s will be back, write this down.