The Railroad Spike , Inc. (Formerly The Stockade) leather bar New York City located at 120 West eleventh avenue on twentieth street opened in 1972 and was originally owned by Lenny. By the late 1970′s or was it 1980? Lenny sold off the Spike to Charles Thompson (CT), Ed Clifton (Charles Thompson’s – CT’s Lover), Ken Kyser, and Al Cataldo.
The Spike New York’s friendly Leather bar offered a great large open area with a nice airy atmosphere. The Spike NYC was not a club, but a place where clubs (The Mattachine Society was one of them) could house their meetings and events. Sunday and Monday nights was a big movie night at the Spike, even if the movies weren’t good movies you knew you could rely on the crowd for eye candy.
We remember playing pool there non stop and playing Mr. Do video arcade game (produced by Universal) near the DJ booth. Unfortunately the Spike (RIP) closed September of 2000 due to the on going gentrification of New York City. The Spike space was transformed into the Spike Gallery not long after. Once that happened Charles Thompson (CT) fought for them to stop using the Spike name above their gallery front and won.
At this time Charles Thompson (CT) is continuing to look for a space to house the rebirth of The Spike Levi Leather bar in New York City, so stay tuned!
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