After the nice dinner at Patsy’s I went back to the hotel. As I entered the hotel I could hear a piano from the bar playing “As Time Goes By.” I went in and decided to have a beer before going to bed. I was thinking about the next day and the lunch date at the Friars.

Tony Sachs, who is on these Lists had invited Rick and Bev and I to have lunch at the Friars. This is a very special treat for me. I’ll tell you why.

I have been hearing of this place for 40 years. A private club in NY that is for entertainers only. In Vegas we hear of it all the time.

Everytime I would say I was from New York to one of our entertainers at the Sands, they would tell me they will take me to the Friars Club.

It has a sentimental memory for me in many ways. Danny Thomas was going to take me there. At one time even set it up, but I could not get off work to fly back there. Of course Danny is not with up anymore.

Joe E. Lewis was going to take me there. At least he promised he would, although he rarely remembered what he said the next day. At this time (the 60s at the Sands), he was the head of the whole thing. Joe is no longer with us.

Tony Martin, the singer was always saying he would take me there when I’m in NY and he would even let me stay with him. But that’s another story. Tony’s gone too.

I asked Dean, his answer was “Yeah, Jerry and I are members so don’t even ask me.” He would laugh at me. “Why are you looking to steal something.” I tell him I’m serious. He would reply. “Oh your serious, then go ask Jerry,” and start laughing again.

Of course a very proud member was Sammy. He often talked about the testimonial dinner in his honor in 1966. No. I never asked Sammy, just didn’t.

Many think all the comics belong but you would be surprised how many didn’t. I remember talking to Alan King about it and he didn’t belong. I don’t think he was a Friar till the late 80s. Of course he now the man in charge of the club.

Ed Sullivan used to talk a lot about it. His wife Sylvia, said she would get Ed to take me there when ever I was in NY.

I have watched Sinatra and Joe E Lewis talk about it many times. Joe E Lewis was the top man at the Friars when I knew him. Sinatra treated Lewis like royalty. I mean he truly did. I would tell Mr. S. that Lewis was a drunk but Frank would always tell me to watch my language. “You don’t know, kid, how much this man has done. You see these other guys bragging about being at the Friars, well he’s the man they had to ask to get in. So shut your mouth and treat him with respect.”

Frank Sinatra became the head of the Friars (The Abbot) in 1972. I’ve only heard him talk about it once but he seemed to feel it was a very special place. A very, very special place.

So can you imagine the feeling of pleasure I had hearing that I was being invited to have lunch at the Friars Club.

Of course, I have to make sure no passed away before we got there. Just joking, just joking.

So I got to 55th Street a bit late and met Tony and his father in the William B. Williams lounge. We had a drink and waited for Rick and Bev. After a while Bev got there and we went into the main dining room.

A room of history. Just look at the walls and the pictures of all the great entertainers who have dined there. Rick arrived (after parking the car) and we had dinner.

Absolutely wonderful. A great meal in an legendary setting. I loved talking with Tony and his father. They were such great hosts.

Of course these is a picture of Sinatra in the main dining room. And a picture of Barbara.

We tour a quick tour of the place. There are pictures of all the famous members on every wall in every room and every hallway. You walk around just looking at the faces that have made entertainment history. I loved seeing all the Vegas guys.

Of course there are pictures of Mr. S. everywhere.

The Billiard room is named after him. Oh, I loved it. I picked up the cue and played around. A very good table, a Blatt, very nice to play on. I could have stayed there all day.

We continued looking around and finally had to leave. I had to get ready to leave for Vegas.

As I left the Friars, I realized I had given up on this ever happening. All the people I knew that would have taken me there had passed away. I had given up on the thought it would ever happen.

But it did. I loved the place and I missed my friends.