PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELMO / INTERVIEW BY SCOTT STIFFLER | Neither an ever-changing Chelsea nor a pop-up global pandemic have managed to lodge the beloved Elmo from its longtime moorings at 156 Seventh Ave. The restaurant and lounge has been a welcoming watering hole and exceptionl eatery for nearly a quarter century now. News of its recent aesthetic upgrade was all we needed to run this Support Small Businesses profile, via a Q&A with Elmo c0-founder Bob Pontarelli…

Scott Stiffler, for Chelsea Community News (CCNews): First things first: Just a few blocks away from Elmo is, or was, a venue you co-founded: The much-loved lounge/bar space Barracuda, which recently closed. Talk a bit about its final days…

Bob Pontarelli (Bob): Somewhat ironically, while I was planning the 30th anniversary party of Barracuda, the space sustained some damage as a result of nearby construction. The final week was incredibly emotional not only for myself but for the community at large. The outpouring of love from a steady stream of  neighbors, the wider New York community, and even guests  from around the world was  beyond anything I could’ve imagined. It was a non-stop stream over a period of five days. The closing was very difficult for people to process.  Barracuda was a groundbreaking institution known around the world. It is a tremendous loss.

CCNews: Congratulations on 23 years in the neighborhood. Who were the founders of Elmo, and how did you settle on its Seventh Ave. location?

Bob: It took almost two years for us to acquire the space. My late business partner and best friend, Stephen Heighton, and I had several businesses before Elmo. We were then joined by Bruce Hermann. Stephen passed away in 2010 and Bruce left the business, so I’m now the sole owner–and gifted with an incredible staff.

CCNews: What was the neighborhood and clientele like upon opening and how has that changed over time (if it indeed has)?

Bob: The one truth about New York is that it changes. If you consider Williamsburg, the Meatpacking District, Times Square, the Lower East Side…things change. Twenty-five years ago, Chelsea was an international destination for the LGBTQ community. Now, it is emblematic of all of the growth and cultural changes the world has seen. Chelsea is a vibrant, diverse, inclusive neighborhood that celebrates families and individuals of all shapes and sizes.

CCNews: Same then-and-now question for the menu and drinks.

Bob: Our food and drink menu has constantly evolved over the years. Items come and go but the core remains. “Comfort food” is a bit misnomer. I hope we offer food and cocktails that are delicious, accessible, and absolutely affordable. Affordability has been central to our success.
CCNews: Why “Elmo” for the name?

Bob: Many years ago, I was given a private tour of  the long- shuttered Club El Morocco, a legendary dining and gathering spot on New York’s Upper East Side. It was a ghostly experience, but I could still feel magic that had taken place within those halls. Elmo is an anagram–an homage to New York’s Golden age of social gathering.

CCNews: You recently made some changes at Elmo. What changed, and why?

Bob: Again, New York changes. And it’s important to change with it. Some of the decor changes were subtle and some of them more significant. They range from  simple touches, like warm cocktail table lamps to a redesign of the soaring tile walls and adding an interior garden space. I think what we did reflects a timely and fresh, new spirit. Elmo is the same… Just a bit different; beautifully reimagined. I’m very grateful for the overwhelmingly positive reception.

CCNews: When did the downstairs space, Coby Club, debut–and why?

Bob: Coby Club is a speakeasy born out of the COVID era. The idea came to me during those days of isolation and it turned out to be a positive, vibrant, and wildly popular consequence of those dark days. Coby Club is a sultry and sexy and dreamy cocktail bar offering pop-up performances from Broadway artists, jazz, musicians, and burlesque performance. I am enormously proud of it.

CCNews: What’s the story behind its name?

Bob: It’s an homage to Coby Yee, the celebrate Chinese American exotic dancer and entrepreneur from 1960s San Francisco’s Golden Age of nightclubs.

CCNews: Does the menu differ any from what Elmo offers?

Bob: Yes. The food offerings at Coby Club are small plates and cocktail bites. Elmo offers an eclectic, full-service dining menu.

CCNews: What are some of your favorites from the Elmo menu?

Bob: I live for the Watermelon Martini and watermelon salad–and of course favorites like the mac and cheese, fried chicken, salmon, and meatloaf will never be replaced.
CCNews: When we spoke in 2021 for this feature on Barracuda’s 25th anniversary, you noted how the time and care invested in hiring staff accounted for the low turnover, year after year. How does that apply to the people at Elmo? 

Bob: Kindness is everything. I have owned  many businesses over the years… We have servers that have been with us 15, 18 years. Bartenders, 10 years–and a manger, for 30 years. I believe a culture that is respectful
and fun has contributed greatly to our longevity.

CCNews: What other Manhattan businesses are you involved in?

Bob: Over the years I have owned Crowbar, Leshko’s Restaurant, Barracuda Lounge, and Elmo. I currently also own INDUSTRY BAR in Hells Kitchen.

CCNews: Thanks for your time and please use this space to talk about anything not covered in the above questions.

Bob: We are weary of outrageous home delivery fees, and are now doing home delivery for a flat, $3 through our website.

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