On notorious Doyers Street in Chinatown, nicknamed “The Bloody Angle” because the curvilinear street enabled gangs to creep up on one another unseen, you can still visit one of the tunnels which enabled some escapes. One entrance to the tunnel is in the middle of Doyers Street, next to the shop Coco Fashion near the trendy bar Apotheke and Nom Wah Tea Parlor, and takes you out onto Chatham Square on the Bowery. The tunnel is populated by small businesses ranging from feng shui shops, employment agencies, travel agencies, law firms and reflexology.
In 1909, actor Ah Foon, knowing that his days were numbered after repeatedly taunting a rival gang in performances, was escorted through this tunnel from the Chinese theater that used to stand at 5-7 Doyers Street. He made it safely to his apartment but was shot on the landing in the middle of the night.
Here’s what the tunnel looks like today:
One of the most interesting facades in the Doyers Street TunnelA funny notice down one of the side alleys in the tunnel, telling tourists to ask for their money back if they’ve been brought hereOne of the most jam packed offices in the tunnelThe exit onto Chatham SquareDon’t forget to look up! At the top of the building from which you’ll exit out of the Doyers Street tunnel, there are gargoyles at the top of an otherwise un-noteworthy building.
Michelle is the founder of Untapped New York and the author of The Art Spy (HarperOne, forthcoming) Secret Brooklyn, Secret New York Hidden Bars & Restaurants, and Broadway. michelleyoungwriter.com
