The barroom founded by Rocco “Rudy” Conti 76 years ago was packed to the hilt for one last toast. One more toast — then another. And another. And, well, one more.
There was not one definitive last toast Saturday night, but many, as the storied Rudy’s bar prepares for a move to new digs, a new front-room restaurant, at Chapel and Howe Streets.
This was the end. All the original boards, pictures, and plaques had come down off the walls to elude looters. The old liquor bottles came down off the shelves. By the end of the night, only bottles of Woodchuck cider were left, and bartenders appeared to be pouring free draft beers to whomever asked.
Earlier that night, heavy metal band and long-time Rudy’s favorites Nasty Disaster played a rollicking, profanity-filled concert in the second room, also packed. That room was added sometime after the 1974 changeover from Conti family ownership.
To watch and hear their last song, “Full Metal Jacket,” click the video at left.
Susan Root and Donald Siclari.
“See, they didn’t have to use language like this to have fun in the old days,” said Donald Siclari, nephew of Rocco and Peppino “Joe” Conti, noting the profanity-laced lyrics.Siclari and his cousin, Susan Root (nee Conti), had returned to their family’s longtime place of business to pay their last respects. When “Rudy” Conti died in 1944 of a heart attack, Joe Conti took over the bar and restaurant, which he operated until its sale in 1974.
Sue Root, his daughter, had never had a drink at Rudy’s before Saturday night. She said that her father always said Rudy’s was not a place for a young lady to work or spend time, so she was forbidden on the premises during hours of operation. More recently, though, Rudy’s has had several female bartenders, one of whom served what were the last “official” drinks of the night.
Outside, owner Omer Ipek stood chatting with legendary bartender Leo “Big Daddy” Vigue (at left in photo). Vigue worked for Rudy’s longer than he could remember. (“Sometime like 44 years,” Ipek thinks). He bought the house next door, at 115 Howe St. in 1970, he said. After Joe Conti would go home for the night, Vigue worked the late shift.
These past years, Leo, who was born the same year Rudy’s was founded, worked only the afternoon shifts. He also acts as a landlord to the Yale students who live the upstairs of his three floor duplex around the corner.
Saturday, Leo poured his last drink – at the old location – around 4 p.m. “He got fired today,” said Ipek, with a wink.
Jay Dockendorf Photo
As for the owner’s feelings, “It’s a mixed emotion. It’s sad because it’s a page of history turning, but it’s good because there’s a new Rudy’s coming up. But it’s the people that make Rudy’s. When you try to do business about money it doesn’t work. When you try to do business about people, then, it works,” he said.
Bartenders referred to “when Rudy’s returns in October.” Ipek himself was vague about details such as where the front door will go. The old Rudy’s signage will return, he promised, and a plan for a small memorial at the old location is in the works.
