Chinatown arcade in NYC has finally shutdown

JEDI · Jul 6, 2011

i cant believe its been in business for decades.
this is the 'famous' one w/dancing chicken.

my theory is that its a front

4/27/13 update:
It's open again!

Don Vito Corleone · Jul 6, 2011

Is this the one that has/had the chicken that plays tic tac toe? I played that chicken something like 25 years ago . . .

Oyeve · Jul 6, 2011

Its been closed a while now. I hung out there in the 70s and 80s. It lost its "draw" for nearly 15 years or so.

Stifko · Jul 6, 2011

I remember that place well. It was on Mott street right? They also had a chicken in a arcade machine that would play you a game of tick tack toe. It was a landmark. ODB shot a video in there but I can't find it now on youtube though. Maybe it was a front, but I doubt it. You think it was a front for what?

JEDI · Jul 6, 2011

Oyeve said:
Its been closed a while now. I hung out there in the 70s and 80s. It lost its "draw" for nearly 15 years or so.

how long ago? i passed by there on July 4th weekend. was shocked it closed after being open for soooooooooo long despite people playing xbox/paystation/wii instead of $ into the arcade.

Stifko said:
I remember that place well. It was on Mott street right? They also had a chicken in a arcade machine that would play you a game of tick tack toe. It was a landmark. ODB shot a video in there but I can't find it now on youtube though. Maybe it was a front, but I doubt it. You think it was a front for what?

yes mott.
front for drugs/gang activity.

kami333 · Jul 6, 2011

JEDI said:
how long ago? i passed by there on July 4th weekend. was shocked it closed after being open for soooooooooo long despite people playing xbox/paystation/wii instead of $ into the arcade.

Late Feb-ish.

They apparently moved to Brooklyn.
http://www.boweryboogie.com/2011/03/breaking-chinatown-fair-now-called-next-level-arcade/

Boosie · Jul 18, 2011

JEDI said:
how long ago? i passed by there on July 4th weekend. was shocked it closed after being open for soooooooooo long despite people playing xbox/paystation/wii instead of $ into the arcade.

yes mott.
front for drugs/gang activity.

I love CF- my dad used to go there in the 50's. Do you guys have any photos or footage from the arcades in the 70's/80's? . I am producing a documentary about CF and we're looking for some archival/vintage material.

abaez · Jul 18, 2011

Didn't this happen months ago? FWIW there is a documentary being made about it. You can read up on it on kickstarter.

Boosie · Jul 18, 2011

abaez said:
Didn't this happen months ago? FWIW there is a documentary being made about it. You can read up on it on kickstarter.

yeah, that's the documentary i'm making with director kurt vincent- ARCADE: The Last Night at Chinatown Fair. we're in the process of collecting as much history about the place as we can, especially from the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's. there isn't much documentation for CF during those decades.

NetWareHead · Jul 18, 2011

JEDI said:
i cant believe its been in business for decades.
this is the 'famous' one w/dancing chicken.

my theory is that its a front

Lol I used to go to that arcade after eating at Wo Hop. Love mott street

enis083 · Jul 18, 2011

Sad. I remember when SF2 just came out and there was a mob around that machine.

JEDI · Jul 18, 2011

how the heck did that place survive in the 21st century w/everyone having playstations/xbox/wii???
and presumably would still be around if the landlord renewed their lease.

and why did the landlord not renew the lease?

rh71 · Jul 18, 2011

Dr. Lyons the dentist around the corner probably put it out of business... he had games for his patients to play while they waited.

I was just there on Mott the other day... I parked right in front of the arcade in fact - and was like WTF it's CLOSED?!!!!!!

Udgnim · Jul 18, 2011

JEDI said:
how the heck did that place survive in the 21st century w/everyone having playstations/xbox/wii???
and presumably would still be around if the landlord renewed their lease.

and why did the landlord not renew the lease?

landlord increased the rent cost

owner of Chinatown arcade did not want to pay the higher rent cost so relocated

JEDI · Jul 18, 2011

rh71 said:
Dr. Lyons the dentist around the corner probably put it out of business... he had games for his patients to play while they waited.

I was just there on Mott the other day... I parked right in front of the arcade in fact - and was like WTF it's CLOSED?!!!!!!

dr lyons is still around? didnt he get indicted on something?

rh71 · Jul 19, 2011

JEDI said:
dr lyons is still around? didnt he get indicted on something?

heh for what? Curious. Don't know but his office is still there... "Dr. Toothy"

abaez · Jul 19, 2011

Boosie said:
yeah, that's the documentary i'm making with director kurt vincent- ARCADE: The Last Night at Chinatown Fair. we're in the process of collecting as much history about the place as we can, especially from the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's. there isn't much documentation for CF during those decades.

That's really cool. I contributed to it so I can get one of those sweet t-shirts

Boosie · Jul 19, 2011

abaez said:
That's really cool. I contributed to it so I can get one of those sweet t-shirts

sweeeeet. they were sent out last week so you should be getting one soon

JEDI · Apr 27, 2013

Update:
Passed by there.
It's open again!

Same place.. even same old sign that says dancing chicken.

wonder how this came about?

rsutoratosu · Apr 27, 2013

where is it at, i barely go there.. only to film the fake handbag purchases

JEDI · Apr 27, 2013

rsutoratosu said:
where is it at, i barely go there.. only to film the fake handbag purchases

End of Mott street

rsutoratosu · Apr 27, 2013

hmm past that mott street mall with all the hello kitty and gundam stuff ?

Phokus · Apr 27, 2013

Boosie said:
yeah, that's the documentary i'm making with director kurt vincent- ARCADE: The Last Night at Chinatown Fair. we're in the process of collecting as much history about the place as we can, especially from the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's. there isn't much documentation for CF during those decades.

... what type of games did they have in the 50's and 60's?

darkxshade · Apr 27, 2013

JEDI said:
Update:
Passed by there.
It's open again!

Same place.. even same old sign that says dancing chicken.

wonder how this came about?

I pass by there about twice a week and it looks like the place isn't a [video] arcade anymore? I haven't gone inside but from the outside it looks as if the place has a new owner trying to revive CTF with different games like skee ball, mini basketball, etc.

JEDI · Apr 28, 2013

darkxshade said:
I pass by there about twice a week and it looks like the place isn't a [video] arcade anymore? I haven't gone inside but from the outside it looks as if the place has a new owner trying to revive CTF with different games like skee ball, mini basketball, etc.

hm.. wonder how's the old owner's plans on opening a new arcade is going?

edit:
still around- http://www.nycnextlevel.com/

but looks like a MTG card gaming place and console game place instead of a old style arcade like it was in Chinatown.
kinda like Neutral ground??

Chinatown arcade in NYC has finally shutdown

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