MovieChat Forums > Loving (1970) Discussion > Club and bar scene location

Club and bar scene location

posted 14 years ago by berensondesign
3 replies | jump to latest

The “club” where George Segal meets the client for lunch and proceeds to get drunk and offensive was the Society of Illustrators at 128 East 63rd Street in Manhattan. The bad news was that the movie company didn't care to employ the actual waitstaff (predominantly Africa-Americans) and brought in there own actors (predominantly Caucasians). This was foolish since the staff, particularly the bartenders, were much loved by the membership and were very well-known throughout the industry. The good news was that the rental fee helped pay for a renovation to the Society's galleries afterwards.

[–] WarpedRecord 13 years ago

Thanks for the background. That club looks very authentic here. I wonder if Irvin Kershner didn't want to use the black waitstaff because of the uncomfortable racial connotations for an exclusive club? Does the club still exist, and do you have to be a member to buy a drink?

[–] berensonbookdesign 10 years ago

Sorry not to have responded sooner but, yes, the bar and dining room are accessible for a lunch (one-time only) to non-members Tuesday thru Friday from 12 to 2 and the bar is open to non-members (aside from lunch hours) Tuesday and Friday evenings, 6 to 9:30.

[–] WarpedRecord 10 years ago

Thanks for the details, and no worries on the timing of the reply: I'm still here! It doesn't sound like a club I'll be visiting anytime soon (or late), but I'm always curious about some of those "members only" establishments. In this case, of course, it's members only most of the time.

Club and bar scene location

Club and bar scene location