An Introduction

Built in 1969, the Imperial Tower is anchored to 6th Avenue by the Imperial House Restaurant and Bar.  The apartments above have seen an eclectic group of characters.  Going into my ninth year here, I have seen judges, lawyers, priests, budding rock stars, sexual deviants, war heros, old Hollywood heavyweights, aging athletes, neuroscientists, restauranteurs, ghosts (yes, lots of ghosts!) and everything in between live here at one time or another.  Regardless, everyone seems to be a part of an extended disfunctional family.  We all are connected to each other by the "Impy". 

Owned by a family that started our city's St. Patricks Day parade (the largest west of the Mississippi) it has quite the history.  The three brothers stayed true to the Irish stereo type through and through.  They like their shenanigans, and their whiskey.  One passed just last year, but the other two remain dilligent overseers of the tower. 

The head maitre d'of the restaurant has been here since day one.  A true latino Cassanove who rolls his R's and who still has the the ability to juggle multiple "lady frrrrrrriends" in his 70's. He is a tuxedoed legend, and anyone who's ever met him loves him.  It is worth the price of dinner here just to have a conversation with him. 

On weekends the legendary Rick Lyon plays piano here.  His motto is "From Rock to Bach" but the kids these days prefer his renditions of Journey, Queen, Super Tramp, and Neil Diamond.  He keeps them coming back week after week.  Good tunes, strong drinks, and no cover.  What could be better?

And as for the residents?  Well, as I've already mentioned...A mixed bag of nuts.  Most of which you can find in the bar on any given night.  And the patrons are not limited to the residents.  Kevin Spacey, Zach Quinto, Modest Mouse, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, (and my personal favorite) Edward Norton have been patrons as well.  That's the beauty of this place.  You never know who you will see or what will happen when you walk in.  A drink at the bar here can easily turn into the most memorable night of your life.