Friar’s Club

In 1904, a simple need for honesty brought about the birth of the Friar’s Club. A group of press agents, tired of fake reporters snagging free Broadway tickets, formed the Press Agents’ Association. They met at Browne’s Chophouse, creating a blacklist of impostors. The Friar’s Club still stands as a testament to their bond, although its home isn’t Browne’s anymore. The Friar’s Club eventually found its monastery in the 1909 Martin Erdmann House on 55th Street. Originally designed by Taylor & Levi for the investment banker, this English Renaissance Tudor mansion became the Friar’s Club’s permanent home in 1957. The building itself is a marvel. It has secret doorways, a dumbwaiter, hidden cabinets, and even a former carriage house transformed into the Frank Sinatra Room. Some say the Friar’s Club is haunted, particularly the George Burns Room. Perhaps it’s the spirit of Al Kelly, who suffered a heart attack after performing at a roast in 1966. Speaking of roasts, the Friar’s Club is famous for them. Though playful teasing began earlier, the first official roast was in 1949, honoring Maurice Chevalier. These roasts were exclusive, male-only events. The roastee chooses their roastmaster, and portraits of famous pairs like Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson adorn the walls. Liza Minnelli broke the gender barrier in 1987, becoming the first female Friar. This marked a turning point for the club, which was once a male-only domain. Before Minnelli’s induction, no women were allowed in before 4:00 pm. Even wives of honorees were excluded from the roasts. Phyllis Diller famously snuck into Sid Caesar’s roast disguised as a man. The Friar’s Club has evolved. It has expanded its definition of “entertainer,” welcoming food personalities, reality stars, and online influencers. Despite its name, the Friar’s Club has no religious affiliation. The clubhouse is known as the Jerry Lewis Monastery, and its leader is the Abbot. This title has been held by icons like Frank Sinatra, Milton Berle, and Larry King. The Friar’s Club isn’t just about laughter and roasts. It also engages in philanthropy through initiatives like The Lincoln Awards, The Sunshine Committee, and the Adopt-A-Scholar program. A time capsule, buried in 2004, rests beneath the Friar’s Club, waiting to be opened in 2104. Inside, messages from Friars of that era offer a glimpse into the past and hopes for the future, just as the club itself represents a blend of history and ongoing evolution.