When HG was a working journalist headquartered on New York’s East 45th Street, post deadline thirst often directed HG and companions to the nearby Old Seidelberg Bar (alas, long gone) on Third Avenue. Lots of dark oak. Dimly lit, but not gloomy. Very professional bartenders who kept heavy tankards chilled and knew how to tap beer in the right proportion of body and foam.
Ahh, the beer. Many excellent German brews on tap plus the best from New York’s local breweries. Liederkranz cheese, raw onions, pumpernickel bread, pickled pig’s knuckles comprised the hearty accompaniment. The Seidelberg was contemplative bar, HG and his contentious companions learned to moderate their tones. Curiously, it was a favorite watering hole for the great Phil Cavaretta and his Chicago Cubs. The ball players did not encourage conversation, preferring to think about sliders, knuckle balls and breaking curves while gazing into the depths of Old Seidelberg’s tankards.
OMG
My dad was the chef at the Old Seidelberg, it was 626 3rd Avenue. I used to go in there as a kid. Food was outstanding (I’m obviously biased), a true beer garden, from an era long gone. Had a SF Giant hat signed by Harvey Kuenn and a couple of other Giants whose names now escape me. Thanks for tweaking a memory. Nice to know someone else remembers it as well.
GKK
Thanks…It was a lovely place and your Dad showed finesse with bratwurst, sauerbraten and other German golden oldies.
My husband was the owner of the Old Seidelberg and Geza, the Chef was the best !!! And his wife was great too.
Glad HG sparked fond memories.
Wonderful place. Your family should be proud. Made many people happy. Including HG.
Great people created joy at Old Seidelberg.
Eileen
Jack was my godfather, if you remember.
Would love to connect.
Geza
Remember having Thanksgiving dinner there and having your family Geza over our house in Ford’s NJ where my mom made Thanksgiving dinner for your family. Geza Kiss was an excellent chef!. Very fond memories! God Bless!
I was wondering if you remember if the plates they used were white with a blue over flowing beer stein and the Old Seidelburg name with 2 blue pin stripes? I recently found 3 oval plates that were made by Scammell. I am trying to find out the value of them and if this is the correct restaraunt. What years was the Old Seidelburg open? Would you know the value of the plates? Thank you.
Hi HG,
When I worked as a copy boy for the New York Daily News in the early
1960s on what was called the “nightside” shift, i.e., 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM,
we copy boys used to go there for dinner every so often on a friday nite, which was pay nite.
As you know, the bar was right down the street from the headquarters of the Daily News at 220 East 42nd Street.I well remember the stone tankards filled with that real German beer (was it Old
Kohlhaus,?I forget) and the German food, as well as the old country waiters who served us with teutonic efficiency and correctness. The night city editor at that time, Stu Rogers, used to come into work at 6:00 oclock, sit at the city desk for about three hours, and then hold court at the OS for the remainder of the evening. In all the three years that I worked at the DN, I can only remember one time that he had to come back to the office because a big stort was breaking(I think it was during the Harlem riots of 1964). He wasn’t the only one by the way.
Thanks for the memory—all these places are all gone now in NYC.
Peter–So glad I happily jogged your memory. In the early 1950’s we E.45th St. journalists (Daily Mirror. International News Service/International News Photo) found our way to the gemutlich Old Seidelberg All those news organizations are gone (as is the OS). And, of course, most of the journalists who were my contemporaries have met their final deadline.
WOW! My grandfather, Conrad, started the Old Seidelberg; and of course, my Dad, Jack, was the booming personality. We have so many treasured memories and talk about it often. It just warms our hearts to know what a special place it was to so many and how fondly it is thought of.
The Old Sidelberg was my favorite and regular Lunch & Dinner and Dinner choice located just around the corner from my office in the 50’s & 60’s at 144 East 39th Street (Syska & Hennessy Consulting Engineers). I remember Conrad in the “Presidents Corner” with his buddies. I was more friendly with Jack who told me he wanted to open a restaurant in “The Hamptons” and call it “The Wire Wheel”. I don’t know if that ever happened.
I loved the Sidelberger Wurst with Winekraut and hot potato salad as well as the Sauerbratten, Liedekranz with chopped raw onion rye and a Stein of Prior Dark. I loved having lunch on Saturdays (Turkey with Stuffing & mashed Potatoes). I remember handwritten sign pasted on the door “Wild Boar today”.
I found a picture of the 3rd Ave front vista online but then lost it.
I would love to obtain copies of any pictures of the Restaurant you may have. At my age of 87 The Old Sidelberg is among my fondest memories. I lost my wife of 61 years and live with my son Daniel in Holderness, NH. I can be contacted by phone at 603-536-6318
My grandfather, Albert Geynes, worked there until his death in the late 50s. I was wondering if anyone knew of him?
I just found 3 oval Scammell restaurant ware plates with the beer mug logo and Old Seidelburg name on them. The plates are white with blue pinstripes and logo. Does anybody know the value of them ? I have been unable to find any info on these plates, so I guess they are some what rare. I am going to sell them. Thank you.
I wish that plate would contain some bratwurst and sauerkraut and I had an OS mug in my hand. Turn back the clock, please.
I remember Conrad sitting at the end of the bar, Third Avenue behind him, sprinkling chopped raw onions on raw ground beef on saltines for his customers. His son, Jack Meterle, handsome dude, was one of the finest gentlemen I ever met. He told me I was getting too “rambunctious” when I drank…later told me he thought I should quit. I did, and he shook my hand. That was 43 years ago come June. I was 37, had been drinking Prior Light in the OS since age 16. Let it not be forgot, there was such a spot, as Camelot.
Drinking beer and eating ripe Liedekranz with chopped raw onion at Old Seidelberg is as close to heaven as Hungry Gerald will ever get.
Oh my goodnessI I Googled Old Seidelburg on a whim because I was thinking about a boyhood best friend whose father I beleived at the time owned the bar and restaurant. The last name was Hamann? My friend and I were guests of the house there many times in the mid to late ’60’s, because his father always had tickets to see the Jets and the Knicks. We’d take the train from Brewster to GC, and if I remember, we walked to the bar to meet his father. This would usually be on a Friday or Saturday night.
Sadly, my friend was killed in a freak accident on Candlewood Lake in the summer of 1974, and his death destroyed his parents.
Does anyone remember a guy named Hamann? First name may have been Joe?
I would love to,hear from anyone who may remember, and can perhaps provide some facts about the place, as opposed to my fuzzy adolescent memories…
I remember both Joe, Sr. and Joe, Jr. and was similarly a guest at their Candlewood Lake House. My Dad was the chef at the restaurant for over 20 years. My first Jets game was October 65 and Joe took me. Also went to the 67 series In St Louis vs the RedSox with Joe and his son.
The restaurant was the prototype of a German Beer Garden with a German-Hungarian menu thanks to my Dad. The Bartenders would wear aprons and pour German drafts into steins and make sandwiches at the bar. Big trophies of Dolphin (MahiMahi), Sailfish, and Marlin on the wall over the tables and a huge mural of Germany in the main part of the dining room.
What a place! Glad someone else remembers.
“Sandwiches made at the bar.” The winner was ripe Liederkranz with sliced onion. Pickle on the side. Perfection.
Joseph Hamann was my grandfather. He passed away in 1993 and Helen, his wife,
and my grandmother, passed away in 2010. My father ate many a meal at the restaurant and probably could and would share what he knows.
I am a niece of Joe Hamann, I was at the funeral. Joe my Grandpa and Joe my Uncle. He went to UVM in Vermont; where my Mom Joan and Aunt Barbara still live. My Grand parents never got over his passing. really none of us. My grandfaher lost the resturaunt the same week Joey died. Im am still unsure how he went on. The cries from all at the the house and the funeral never leave me. Thank you for remembering him
In the early 70’s I was working for the UN and many of my friends frequented the Old Seidelberg bar after work. It was a great place and the funny stories never stopped.
I was an OS regular when I was a journalist in the early 1950’s. The best beer (served in chilled mugs) on earth.
Wow, just going through my brothers & parents stuff after cleaning there house and found an old menu from the Old Seidelberg.
WOW! Great find. I was a regular for lunch and dinner at “The Old Sidelberg”. I thought it would never end, but it did. The move to 37th street under old employee management didn’t work and it was soon gone forever. If you have any memorabilia I would love to get a copy. Please contact me.
Just googled OS to jog great memories albeit short as the place closed down shortly after I was taken there by my sales team at Xerox. We were stationed at 99 Park just a short walk to this iconic old work restaurant. It’s a shame that these landmark bars and eateries could not be preserved but there probably all gone nu now, just memories of the best years of NYC.