1o. A Spot to Hangout Between Sets: Kettle of Fish
Kettle of Fish once sat above the Gaslight Cafe — a small joint where unpaid performers would share their passions. Following their set, the performers would pass around a basket that people could put money in if they liked the entertainment. Ginsburg and Corso would often share their poetry and drink at Kettle of Fish between sets. Throughout time, this bar has served others including Kerouac and eventually Bob Dylan. A neon red sign characterized the haunt for literary rebels. 1960s folk music giants took over the bar once the Beat Generation writers moved West.
Since Kerouac frequented the bar, Kettle of Fish has moved twice. It currently resides at 59 Christopher St. A comedy club called Fat Black Pussycat sits in its original location. Their neon blue sign at Fat Black Pussycat is reminiscent of the Kettle of Fish LED sign. Although relocated, the bar and its original location is immortalized in the writing of Joyce Johnson, Kerouac’s girlfriend. Johnson wrote, “In the small hours of the morning, Jack and Gregory left the bar, followed outside by two men, who beat Jack up, banging his head repeatedly against the curb and breaking his nose and his arm. To his horror, he found he lacked the will to defend himself…”
