The Dark Side of NYC’s East Village

[@robertafierro5592]

Here's a Dark Side Story. At 17 yrs old I rented my very first apartment. My Landlord was a charming elderly little Orthodox Jewish man. I was delighted with the place even though there was a live tree branch reaching through the kitchen window. He said he'd repair it. This was 1977 and the asking price for rent was 90 bux a month. 2 months into my tenancy I observed him emptying out his basement office. He was hurrying in and out of the office carrying boxes of papers and receipts. I thought nothing of it. That night our building mysteriously caught fire and burnt down completely. My German Shepard saved my life and got me out of the building. I lost everything. When I told my friends what happened, you know what they said? They said I was a victim of Jewish Lightening. That's my story.

[@king7444]

Sounds more like insurance fraud…

[@vaughnamir.6457]

Watching this channel grow is awesome.

[@rayramos8435]

Wow! The Cube is back on Astor Pl and the Hells Angels HQ is closed. I guess I shouldn't be surprised...RIP St Marks Bar, Kims Video, Continental, Downtown Beirut, and Leshko's.

[@tc66]

I loved the jukebox at Downtown Beirut.

[@sfellows68]

So happy you're back. I was starting to worry.

[@alanharrison694]

So many memories! I used to frequent the Lower East Side back in the late sixties, and attended several famous concerts at the Fillmore East. Just around the corner on St Marks Place was the Electric Circus, a then great party spot. The Hells Angels were very prevalent in the neighborhood.

[@jamesstark8316]

Worked in a head shop on St Marks in the mid-60's. Good times.

[@emintey]

@@jamesstark8316 The Underground Uplift?

[@jamesstark8316]

@@emintey can't remember (like the rest of the 60's).....

[@emintey]

@@jamesstark8316 Well...it was a long time ago, a lot of water under the bridge since then. You had to go down 3 or 4 steps to get to store level.

[@jamesstark8316]

@@emintey Yup, that's probably the one. Cheers.

[@geoffreyselvage1673]

Glad that you're out of quarantine and are @ home Tom.

[@guardianangel.Onnjel]

Hey Tom, Love ya stuff as always. Down to earth guy, with a sense of humour.

[@andeytubeyshamon]

He is. Met him when we went to NYC with his gf Luci Pohl who is super funny too - he’s doing a live stream event on Feb 5th if you want to be entertained. 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@guardianangel.Onnjel]

@@andeytubeyshamon that’s great, will definitely watch it.

[@andeytubeyshamon]

@@guardianangel.Onnjel you can thank me later 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@jeremyepstein7977]

There he is! Great stuff as always

[@randomjrr1422]

I was just thinking today I haven't seen a new video from you in a while. Glad you got over the covid.

[@mredible475]

Hope you and Lucy stay healthy. Always high quality entertainment and knowledge. Glad you checked-in, I was about to request a safety check. 😎👍

[@EphemeralProductions]

Is Lucy his GF?

[@arjuna4849]

Think she's a fellow comedian

[@Ivehadenuff]

Thanks! I lived in the East Village during the 80’s.

[@DrBeah]

Thanks for the shot of "Polski Dom Narodowy" at 8:14. The Polish National Home was the name in the very early 60s.

[@momslasaumure8959]

Much love from France Tom, thanks for your videos, love it 🙂👍

[@HeWhoMakesMovies]

Eric and Tom, you both are hilarious! Thanks for all the awesome content! I love learning from Tom the shooting/editing really punches it up another level. Keeping doing these!

[@philluck1956]

Good one!!! i lived in that neighborhood in the 90's... never a dull moment. I would love to see a full episode on 14 west 10th st. You touched on it in an earlier video, but i think there is so much more to learn about that address.

[@bpellage4549]

I am officially addicted to your channel!

[@susanhammack1910]

Yay! Welcome back :)

[@DirtyDingles]

Second ave Deli would roll prices back to opening day prices in 1954. Lines would form stretching around the block. Great Sandwich and fries for about $5. Great restaurant.

[@wcarn]

You're the best Tom. I'm trying to spread the word on your channel. Keep it up and maybe consider changing your provider for the live streams.

[@daveybecks0879]

I always crack up, when the creepy music and sound effect come on 🤣

[@Harry_16710]

Another winner - thanks Tom!👍🏼

[@JulianSteve]

Seeing the people passing by while Tom is talking makes the video more realistic. Thanks for the content Tom and congratulations on the rapid growth😁‼️

[@LotharRadscheid]

You have no idea , how much i love your content. Awesome Dude love you , love NYC

[@lyndamcnally6263]

I get it. It’s a trick. The hair is attached to your hat! Great video Tom.

[@TMAItalia]

Tom, I'm glad you are back in NYC!

[@sinbaon2154]

Eric, Great B Roll Recommendation! Great Work Gentlemen.

[@philipthomas4339]

Great video as ever, nice work gents. The General Slocum disaster was (fictionally) dramatised in an early New York gangster movie called Regeneration, a silent film directed by Raul Walsh (who went on to be a big name filmmaker of the 1920s and 1930s - and gave John Wayne his stage name). A very vivid recreation of a terrible tragedy. Regeneration (1915) is available on KZbin if anyone’s interested (or was last year). Very dated of course but still fascinating if you’re into that kind of thing. After the tragedy a lot of Germans moved out of the area and settled in Yorkville, on the Upper East Side. Love the East Village / Lower East Side neighbourhoods, so much history.

[@bryansu5824]

My god the day this was posted was the day I arrived first time to nyc golly and yeah I remember it was super snowy the day or two before that so you know these were filmed and posted immediately after which is raw and authentic

[@BlueGoat682]

I just recently found this channel and the more I watch it the more i like it. Hopefully the channel will continue to grow. Nicely done videos!

[@messagekl]

Happy and healthy new year!!

[@jimmorris2243]

Thanks for the superb video tours. Seeing the city through your eyes has been enlightening.

[@lauralemire6071]

Wow I lived in the East Village for 2 years and never heard any of this stuff. I even walked by the Hell’s Angel’s place everyday when I lived on East 3rd. The 2nd Avenue Deli was considered one of the best in the city. Ate there many times. Such horrors!

[@DanerStranger]

Commenting for the alg! Keep doing your thing, TD!

[@stepheneson4107]

Tom, you are unique among the various NYC KZbin commentators in your substantial use of history in the exploration of NYC neighborhoods. Many thanks for this unique perspective. That said, I only just learned about the General Slocum disaster (I'm a senior citizen) a few months ago; and I'm astounded that this tragedy is not better known and taught in American history classes. What an insult that there's nothing more than a crummy little foundation in TS Park to commemorate it. It literally destroyed the east Village/Kleine Deutschland neighborhood, which took over a century to recover from it.

[@bigben1986]

YESSSSSSSSSSS you are back, I love your videos!!

[@wendym5137]

Oh myyyy wow that was great Tom thank you

[@mattchang4694]

Great content as usual! Love it!

[@dylanisco0l]

look at this production value! thanks for these videos tom!

[@christopherm5958]

I lived in NYC in 86. Loved the East Village and 7B bar or Vayzaks ( unsure of spelling) a great bar. I hung with Rockets. Redglare. I lived C & 8th. I have stories. Really enjoy your stuff.

[@chrishobbs3548]

Hi Tom, Love your videos! You should have talked about Bobby Driscoll, the Disney child actor that was found dead in an East Village tenement and is buried on Hart Island.

[@JulianSteve]

Wow, I did not know. Thank you for bringing this up💯

[@laureenpeters8393]

Hello Tom, glad you are back 👍🏻💪🏻🍀❤️

[@imagineaworldlikethat4081]

You’re back in New York! Hell yeah! I love your videos and I cannot wait to move there and see these places in real life. Love the history.

[@whostaddymason2916]

Do not move here!!!

[@ThecrazyJH96]

My man is back🙏🏼

[@barbgot]

Great job Tom. For more on the crazy 60s, 70s, and 80s take a look at "Manhattan's East Village- Three Decades of Madness" by Wes Gottlock.

[@marmtzMX]

Omg, this is why I love NYC so much. The amount of history per m2 is just mind-blowing. You definitively know something crazy and life-changing is happening not too far away from you.

[@MrBlack-rl6xj]

welcome home pal. i bet you could do a 10 part mini series on the dark side of the LES alone. gentrified as it is, i still love the place

[@southernhippie9058]

I lived on East 1st Street back in the 70s. I remember the Angels being around back then. Did not have a lot of problems in our area.

[@aaronx8006]

I bet white person

[@jubgogym]

hey tom, can you talk about why u stopped practicing law and your experience as a lawyer in nyc i would love to know :))

[@EphemeralProductions]

Something tells me he’d prefer not to talk about it; i think out of all the videos of his I’ve watched I’ve never heard him explain it. Who knows i could be wrong.

[@Gl6619]

I took a tour with him last year and he said basically he was just burned out with it, nothing dramatic or anything like that

[@spikedodson3194]

Just watch The Firm, assume it's based on his life story, ignoring any time line difference's. 🤙😎

[@bigvito69]

He was disbarred

[@EphemeralProductions]

@@bigvito69 😆

[@johnebuckland]

Great! Love your videos Tom. Much love from 🇦🇺

[@gibranward6945]

Great information 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@christinecollins6648]

Enjoyed the video! Live on St. Marks betw… next to Tompkins Squ. -80s to late 90s. I remember the dismembered dancer story, the dead deli story, went past Hells angels on occasion- thanks

[@annetijsen1669]

Liked the video. Very entertaning and informative. Looking forward to the next.

[@davidanderson7382]

You could do a whole video on Tompkins Park. Lots of stories up in there lol.

[@JNYC212]

Bro what size you wear... LOL! Get u a fresh pair of Tims 😁🥾 My whole childhood was St Marks and The Vill... still love it!

[@sherrycambridge1531]

This Tom 'The Thin Man' guy does some really fascinating tours and I just love them so !!

[@richhong1176]

What’s up Tom?!! 😎👊..good to see you back man hope you’re feeling better!

[@George-dk5mw]

Daniel sounds like a nice empath. Im glad one of those characters actually took the time to help the homeless here.

[@cindywilliams3542]

Excellent informative and entertaining, CW Colorado

[@suyatra]

Love your content man, helped in moving around NYC when I went down there.. keep up the good work.

[@JasontheNativeTraveler]

Another great video Tom!! Enjoyed it!!

[@m_christine1070]

I don't know how I got here, but I love your personality and videos.

[@snicksabea]

I feel like I learn so much by watching your videos.

[@rippedupmagazine]

Moved to NYC for college in August and after watching your vids, I feel like a real New Yorker :)

[@user-dh5yi9hz7p]

This dark side tour reminded me of the case of 24 year old Vernon Kent Jones who went missing from a NYE party in the EV in 1993. Mysterious circumstances and he was never found. His brother is still trying to find out what happened.

[@shannono8397]

I adore you, especially when you lerk behind objects, and duck down... it's just too funny~

[@ThatBoyBent]

Good day sir !

[@munk469]

Thanks for the entertainment and information.

[@richardsnyder8714]

Great videos. Keep them coming.

[@staytuned.263]

Just realized how crazy that is for the 2ND AVE DELI case. Litterally put a bank right on his deli. After he was killed bc of a bank heist.

[@markwisniewski2227]

Love your videos.

[@hinaakhtar115]

Love this channel. I know more about NY than I do London. 🤪 can’t wait for my next visit to one of the best cities in the world 😁

[@avyaalogrin1254]

You crack me up! 😂 Love the info too!

[@OUTNABOUTwithYoursTrulyLIZZOC]

Fuming DickHeads 🤣 Swedish Meatball 🤪 Tom you are hilarious!!!! You should be a history teacher, you will be great at it! Students wouldn't quit school if you were a teacher as you would make history funny and interesting! Great to see the dark side of East Village through your eyes!

[@carriebenner8075]

I am normally a pretty cheerful person but I love your Dark Side Videos!!!! Thanks for the Videos.

[@jacktomala4561]

Hey Tom new fan here. Love his channel

[@jessedylan6162]

The worst part of the video were the focus on pigeons...all else was Supreme..Great storytelling and history lessons ..Keep up your labor of love, Tom.

[@scubadiva666]

Monika Beerle (10:19) was Swiss, not Swedish! I was friends with Elsa Rensaa-Clayton Patterson's wife-and we used to talk on the phone; she did most of the tattoos I have. She used to visit Daniel Rakowitz when he was serving a life sentence in Riker's, and told me he was thinking about writing a cookbook! [rimshot]

[@harryjamessmithmusic7762]

Perfect, Tom!

[@jerryakbar6147]

It’s a motorcycle club, I used to go H.A. Benefit shows at the palladium featuring mr Jerome Garcia aka jerry Garcia. Sandy Alexander was the president back then and some say secretly put the building title in his families name. There is a pretty kool movie called hells angels for ever, there are lots of shots around the clubhouse, including big Vinny ( Vietnam vet by the way ) those guys didn’t have a chance when they got back. Thanks for the videos, I haven’t been back to nyc in over 20 years, I was born on 23 street. Everything I related with is gone. I live in Los Angeles now. It’s like Detroit with better weather…

[@photosfromaroundnewyork]

Good video!

[@vondelpark8141]

Geweldig!

[@EphemeralProductions]

I like how you put animals into your b-roll, as an animal lover. That pigeon, she seemed very happy she found her lunch! Lol. Pigeons can be gross, the things they eat, but they are cute in their own way. :) the two shots of the dogs i liked, as well as that pudgy squirrel! Been eating a lot of nuts to feed that big tummy! Lol

[@emjay5416]

Good video! I grew up down there so I knew every single story but I loved the video nonetheless.

[@tobytoby8495]

Give this Man a show!

[@julianrabbit]

Tom, wondering if you have ever covered the story of Linda Fitzpatrick, the girl from a wealthy family in Greenwich, CT who attended private school but was slumming in the EV, unbeknownst to her parents. She was found in the basement of Profeta & Sons, @ East 11th St. & Avenue B along w/ James 'Groovy' Hutchinson, each w/ their heads bashed in, in October of 1967.

[@D.N..]

Very interesting 🤔 Great video v!

[@hamzamoustati3019]

Hii man!!! I know you from actionkids vidéo. I loved your last video with him that was cool... so am I here again!! 😎and this time in your own channel.. Big up bro keep going wish you a best

[@dixxebell]

NOoooooo omg bad soup. I have to look see if you've done Coney Island...I lived there after moving out of the Alphabets, all sorts of weird things there!

[@johnny8030]

dude you're the best, still never replied to comment about if you were wearing double supreme shirts in the last video.

[@dalesamuels8667]

Love the dark side videos!

[@nancywysemen7196]

shocking 2nd ave deli story. eaten there back in 70's. wondered why they left. so good,so busy.

[@samantharedden3906]

I love all your videos!!!

[@DanDan-fu6sd]

Recently found you Tom. Excellent work. Going to watch all your vids. Keep it up and thanks. Signed: Mr. Homesick Florida.

[@brianwinters5434]

My wife's family came from Germany in 1957 and went to a German Baptist church and a few of the old timers had been around at the time of the disaster.

[@madebyme7075]

To be honest, when you are talking about a real dark story and I’m like “damn that’s fucked up”, you’re dark jokes make me laugh lol I’m sure you’ll be at this dark stories series going for a long time

[@TheRickWolf]

So if your a fan of Great stories of the strange and mysterious told in tour guide form, your in the right place. Really though I'm loving it 👍. And the Captain and the head soup nut shows to watch out for seemingly unassuming idiots in life. They could really ruin your day! Plus a squirrel and a greeb at the end. And other subquips. We're Happy 😁

[@RT-vw6yw]

You deserve way more subscribers and views.

[@scorpioscots9692]

Loved The Intro That Was Great 👌 😂

[@andrenewcomb3708]

I had a teacher named Cheryl Slocum (Food Service) . . . she was a nice, blond girl.

[@c.w.johnsonjr6374]

I stayed at student housing next to the Hell's Angels' HQ back in '16 when I was going to NYCDA. I remember them lustfully eyeing one of my female classmates. They glared disapprovingly at them. And then immediately realized that was a bad idea. I also came across the memorial in Thompkins's Square.

[@aaronx8006]

Please lol 😂