6. A Girlfriend’s Place of Employment: 21 Club
Although not a favorite of the Beat Generation writers, the 21 Club was a spot for more of their shenanigans. This spot in Midtown was the place of employment of Edie Parker — Kerouac’s wife. As she worked as a cigarette girl at the club, Kerouac would often visit her despite having alleged feelings for his other male friends and literary luminaries.
Married to Parker for only two years, Kerouac was a serial groom. His two previous wives were Stella Kerouac and Joan Haverty Kerouac. It was with Joan that he had his only child, Jan. His author’s salary was the only way to provide for his small family, and Kerouac allegedly stole steaks from the 21 Club’s kitchen to feed them.
