Two Guitars

Way back when (from the late 40’s to the early 50’s), there was a Russian nightclub on 244 east 14th St. in New York City called TWO GUITARS. This page features many of its stars who never quite achieved the immortality of their American Neighbors. These performers were of Russian origin or at least claimed to be, so that they could perform at this particular venue. Although none of them went on to become household names, you can see from the elaborate photography that they were touted as professional acts by their agents and the now-defunct Two Guitars nightclub. 

Kiko de Brazil and Lubov Hamshay, the lovely “Manhattan Gypsy. Also Marina Federova.

The lovely Alya Uno sings, dances and plays guitar. Below a Two Guitars Feast and Belly Dancer Scheherazade.

Olga Karpis glamour shots. Below, Sasha & Sonia and a cartoon of Robert Dana.

Sasha Ressetar writes; "I’m so happy to see that people remember the Two Guitars restaurant. I was good friends of the balalaika player Sasha Polinoff who played there for many years. I was too young to visit the place but I heard stories. I played the balalaika for almost 15 years in NYC. When I arrived I was so sad that the place was gone... Did you know that Yule Brynner’s sister sang at the Two Guitars? Also Theodore Bikel sang a song about the night club when it was called the Kretchma ... thanks again Sasha Ressetar."

...............

Website visitor Francoise writes; "My recollection is very vague as to names. I remember only that the owner (or main musician) was Sasha Poliakoff (sp?). He played he balalaïka and the guitar. There was a wonderful woman singer with a very smoky voice. I can’t remember her name, but she is not among the artists featured on yout web page. Many of the patrons were Russian Jewish emigrés who went there to reminisce. The night club was in a tiny cellar with only about 10 tables and there was a lot of sing-along of the old Russian or Jewish folk songs. It was a lot of fun."

...............

Claire in West Palm Beach writes; "I went with a date to Two Guitars in 1963 or 1964. Alya Uno was singing. (I recognized her from her picture on your website.) She sang in many languages, and had a beautiful voice. The evening was unforgetable, and I have often over the years thought of it. What a pity that the club closed. Places like that are so rare. Your website is so interesting, and I shall enjoy reading reviews of all the wonderful places that were. They don’t make them like that anymore."

Algonquin 

Biltmore

Black Angus

Cafe Madrid

Copacabana

Cotillion Room

Eden Roc

Embers

Famous Kitchen

Gage and Tollner's

Glen Island Casino

Jack Delaney's

Jack Dempsey's

LaRue

Latin Quarter

Little Club

Luchow's

Major's Cabin

Marianne et Fils

St. Regis Maisonette

Sea Colony

Stork Club

Three Crowns

Waldorf-Astoria

Zanzibar

Hotels vs. Clubs

Toots Shor's

Two Guitars

WWll Rationing

Contact

Links