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Jimmy Merry
ca. 1930 - 1988 (New York City Club Owner: Ice Palace, Red Parrot...)
James J. Merry began his career in nightclubs and bars working hard as a waiter and bartender in pre-Stonewall New York. Instead of partying, he saved his money and invested in several small places, including Cowboys & Cowgirls, on East 53rd Street, and Harry's Back East on the upper East Side. I'm not sure if he built the Ice Palace on 57th Street in Manhattan or the Ice Palace on Fire Island first; either way, this was his venture into the big-time disco scene. He also owned "High Rollers," a disco roller-rink on 57th street and 11th Avenue, later to become transformed into the flagship of his holdings, The Red Parrot. He dared to go neck-and-neck with Rubell and Schrager, as well as Area, in a time when competition was really heating up in the top-shelf nightclub scene. He spared no expense; there were live parrots in the place, the first computerized laser light show, incredible decor by Sam Lopata, and dynamite entertainment. Even the logo was designed by Joe Eula; an expensive proposition (he's the one who did the brilliant poster for Miss Saigon).
Personally, Merry enjoyed the company of close friends and would much rather spend evenings at home with a few of them and his beloved collection of jazz records than go out.
Jimmy was also well-known for his genuine concern for the employees that showed him loyalty. Many of his employees worked for him for years. Although he operated many gay establishments, he didn't care whether you were gay or straight. There certainly was no "casting couch" involved. If you showed up on time and did your job, Jimmy was there for you if you were in trouble. On many occasions, when a busboy or waiter would ask for some time off because his girl was having a baby, Merry would peel off a thousand and say, "take care of the kid."
He started to contemplate slowing down in the late '80s, and bought his dream house in Florida. Just a few months after he bought it he was found dead in the home's foyer of a massive heart attack. May he rest in peace. He's a man who brought so many good times to so many, many people.
Personally, when one of MY employees tells me that they've got too much to do, or an assignment's too difficult, I think immediately of my old boss, Jimmy, and say, "If life were easy, it'd be boring."
Submitted by JudyDoggie (5)
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Oct 02, 11 | 5:02 amMy memories are all of Ice Palace 57. Who knew that years later, I would work for Jimmy the bartender at The New Jimmys/Stonewall. How great it was to see Jimmy's cousin Robert - dishwasher at I.P and get reacquainted again with hottie Kevin Cahill and bodybuilder bartender John. Lol, even hairdresser Johnny hat...who was always having drama back then with BF Giovanni... Years later while living in Ft. Lauderdale I would run into waiter Randy and become friends again 15 years later. I would give anything to be able to go back in time to those days again. Jimmy Merry was a wonderful man. There are so many people I recall, especially a Red headed woman named Victor whose best friend was Michael - dark hair & beard, now lives in Ft. Lauderdale. Does anyone remember this gal?
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Aug 19, 11 | 5:33 pm
Having come into the "family" a little later than most above, I found myself surrounded by the most loving, caring, open and honest people in touch with reality, feelings and life than I ever had before. I kept quiet until I knew my place and was grateful to have been a part of it all. I worked at Harry's Back East, The Ice Palace on Fire Island through its transition/sale from Jim Bozart to Mark Rose and then at the Red Parrot which by the way was, at first, intended to be the "Club Dove" (Jimmy said, "The dove's were cheaper!") but patent's and/or copyrights prevented that. The name's were in honor of what was known as the "Bird Circuit" of clubs on the upper East Side where, supposedly, Jimmy started working in the business. I was living in South Florida during the time of his passing and I do miss him very much and some of his comments screamed out the window of his car while passing his clubs on the way to dinner...."Let the pretty one's in for free damnit!"... and "Get the Cash!" fondly....
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Jul 02, 11 | 12:21 pm
I remember Jimmy saying, "Thank God, I'm old!" I never knew what he meant...until now! LOL
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Jul 01, 11 | 12:47 pm
Many years ago I worked as a waiter at Uncle Charlie's North and then as a waiter/bartender at Chaps. Despite the amount of alcohol and other "things" consumed during my employment at both places, I remember so well Jimmy Merry (of everywhere), Judy Sexton (bartender and a fabulous singer), Johnny Savoy (the imp who really played a mean piano), Wally Davies, Lee Schwartz, Gwen Saunders, Judy Trieste, Georgie Gonzales, John Suares, Jerry Fitzpatrick, Sebastian, Gypsy, the Armentis (there were a lot of them--lol!), and so so many more. It was a joy to be in their company and I miss them all. Anyone in touch with "survivors"? I would love to hear from them. All my love and warmest thoughts, Tish (comma) the Divine
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Dec 31, 10 | 11:36 pm
I met Jimmy on Labor Day week-end at the Sea Shack, 1963. We hit it off from the first Dewars on the rocks. I was involved in a restaurant in Islip, L.I. At a time when most of the Gay bars in NYC were dumps, Jimmy & his business partner Kenny had the vision of running up-scaled operations and proceeded to do so. Stage 45, good food, great drinks, excellent entertainment, and above all a staff with Jimmy's love of good service. My favorite Jimmy saying, "Never get mad at money". He was one of the most un-forgetable people that I have ever met.
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Oct 25, 10 | 11:40 am
I WORKED FOR JIMMY AT THE RED PARROT IN 1982 AND 1983..HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND TREATED HIS STAFF WELL...WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THE GUYS THERE..
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Jun 05, 10 | 10:46 pm
NYC in the 70's Some of my best memories are of Jimmy Merry. As a kid I worked 53rd st. with alot of the 'boy's' I allways, found refuge at cowboy and cow girls.Jimmy was such a good man allways helped me out when times were tuff.The many lectures he gave me.We became good friends. He would take me up to his place in Garrison NY. and out to fire island.His clubs were great Cherry Grove Ice Palace the 57 th st Ice Pallace Dancing and sweating[ PRE-AID'S ]not a care in the world. He wasnt thrilled with my friendship With Steve Rubell and my new friends I met through Steven. Didnt see him for while . I Would visit him at the red Parrot he gave my friend REGGI a job there and at Jimmies on 88th. Years went buy I cought up with him in Laudeale a few times. Im so glad I saw him before he passed.He is one man who will always be in my heart I know hes looking down on us sweet dreams JIMMY -PEACE
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May 23, 10 | 1:25 pm
By the way, the origional bio of JM is completely inaccurate.
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May 23, 10 | 1:23 pm
I worked for Jimmy for fifteen years, starting at the Sea Shack on Fire Island and ending at the Red Parrot in NYV. I have many, many fond memories of Jimmy and would love to get in touch with anyone who is still alive who worked or knew him. I remember complaining to him as a bartender because some of our patrons were getting too drunk. Jimmy turned and said, "Roger, this is not holy water we're selling!" he was one of a kind and I still have dreams about him and that time in my life.
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May 07, 09 | 3:03 am
I worked for Jimmy at Cowboys and Cowgirls and knew him to be nice and compasionate man who would stop in regularly and just drink with his employees. He designed nice red shirts for the staff and made us all get free Vitamin B shots LOL
It was a wonderful time to be in NYC...where are those days now
Scott
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Oct 05, 08 | 1:29 pm
Judy Doggie*
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Oct 05, 08 | 12:56 pm
Judy Doggy-
You worked for Jimmy Merry? Did you work at the Red Parrot or know anyone who worked there? My mom was a bartender at The Red Parrot. Maybe you knew her... It would be interesting to find out as so many of her crowd from that era is gone.
Tx
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Feb 02, 08 | 6:24 pm
"If life were easy, it'd be boring."
Oh so true Jimmy, always there if in need.
I love you Jimmy and thanks Judy - how sweet.
Billy Smith 2/08
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Feb 23, 07 | 9:48 am
Jimmy Merry operated the Ice Palace Cherry Grove, F.I. long before he ever opened Ice Palace 57 in NYC on W. 57th & 5th. It had been the old Club Martinique.
He was a bartender on the old 'bird circuit' in the 1950's, and ran Le Pont on E.59th under the bridge...he also had New Jimmy's on 3rd Ave. 88th-89th St., Country Cousin Restaurant, Stage 45, which became The Lib in the early '70's. He was a fair man, neat, and ran his businesses the same way...good food, good booze and a clean place, unlike others of that time.
He started with The Sea Shack at Cherry Grove and was the first employer to bring blacks to Fire Island.
He retired after The Red Parrot to Florida, where he had a series of heart attacks and did die in hospital, not knowing anyone who rushed there to see him.
I worked for him for many years and liked him very much.
He was the most intelligent of any bar owner, and had a good sense of humor, but expected people who worked for him to do their job to the best of their ability. He ended up being what he wanted to be "an entrepreneur".
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Oct 13, 05 | 12:31 pm
Love can't get any better than that. He was true to his art and his alter-ego ( few close friends and some jazz) was his elixir. Rest In Peace Love Lydia
I worked for jimmi when I was 18 years old at Cowboy what a great man he took us out at christmas on a bus to all the bars singing xmas songs Donald armente was great also so many after hours at his apartment on Madison .Hard to believe i am still alive