This Neighborhood Was Once Filled With Gun Shops

This Neighborhood Was Once Filled With Gun Shops

Old Police Headquarters Across From Onieals

Old Police Headquarters Across From Onieals

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HISTORY 
Set in a neighborhood that for more than a hundred years was the knife’s edge of wealth, corruption, poverty and crime – Onieals Soho is a distinctive blend of yesterday and today’s modern sophistication. Onieals is located directly opposite the old Police Headquarters that held legendary criminals from 1909 – 1973. The Onieals building operated as a center for pleasurable crimes in such close proximity. Its former occupants include a brothel, a speakeasy, and a gambling parlor. In the early part of the 20th century, the system was so corrupt that a tunnel was built underground to connect the two buildings so that uniformed NYPD officers and officials could step across the street for some cheer undetected. The tunnel, which ended up coming in very handy during Prohibition, is still visible in Onieals and is used today as the wine cellar. In 1987, the headquarters was sold, turned into luxury residential condos and the tunnel was filled. These luxury condos, commissioned as an NYC landmark, housed some well-known names including Steffi Graf, Winona Ryder and Christi Turlington.

SEX AND THE CITY 
Onieals is well known for its part on the HBO Sex and the City television series for being the backdrop of  the casually hip New York City bar SCOUT. 

On this edition of Shot On This Spot with On Location Tours, Lauren Nicholson explores Onieals and learns how to concoct the perfect cosmo cocktail. Onieals, which is located in SoHo NYC, is best known for its role in Sex and the City as the bar Scout.

Onieals Sign Today

Onieals Sign Today

Old Police Headquarters Turned Luxury Condos

Old Police Headquarters Turned Luxury Condos

Wine Cellar Where The Tunnel Was Located

Wine Cellar Where The Tunnel Was Located