Caraways – named after the narrator in The Great Gatsby – was the New York, Long Island, dream night club operation of Barney “East Frisco” Gierkes. Gierkes was hoping to combine his passions for 1850’s Western Plains design and 1930’s art deco trim. His choice for the color background of the wallpaper was a light red.

Located in the famed “village” of Riverhead, Gierkes believed his night club was destined for success. Opening night was well advertised through out the boroughs. When only fifteen people walked through the door ( six left immediately), he was not discouraged. He thought that the business would soon pick up. Two months later, boarded up, Caraways began its dark time.

Eight years later, Janet Whalely, bought the remains, kept all the fixtures, put sawdust on the floor, advertised steak dinners, and closed in eleven months.

Current owner, Blade Ting, came along a dozen years later – moved all the offices and storage into a new second floor, made the ground floor one large dancing area serviced by three bars, including the famous central “Circle Bar” with its spiral staircase – kept the Western Art Deco motif and began to make money. Capacity is 1350, which is sometimes inadvertently exceeded during Bogus Slogan concerts.