I got this shot of the magnificent neon sidewalk sign for the One Six Four Bar and Grill, NE corner of Hillside Avenue and 164th Street in Jamaica, in 1998 when I was beginning photography for Forgotten New York. I don’t know what color the neon was when lit up (my guess is red) but even during the day the sign was striking for its light green color and die cut blue wine glass. What a beauty! Unfortunately the sign was gone within a couple of years, and this was long before the New York Sign Museum opened, so I imagine it was scrapped unless it somehow made its way to the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati.
In 1940 as the tax photo indicates, there was a bar on the corner: but it was Murphy’s Grill at that point.
The latest Google Street View is from 2024, when the corner was Village Bar & Grill. The original terra cotta parapets are still on the building, and amazingly, the same iron bracket has supported all three signs!
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
9/19/25
2 comments
Review on Google of Village Market & Grill by David Barnett, “local guide”:
“If I could give zero stars I would. The pasta glory is absolutely disgusting. The pasta is disgusting the garlic bread has no flavor and the salad was rotten. They also have rats running around in their establishment charging 80 dollars for disgusting food!! Do not go here!! You will get sick!”
Guess he really, really doesn’t like it.
Same rats from when it was the One Six Four