GWL-1950s

Nightlife

The 1950s brought a slew of bars and nightclubs to Greenwood Lake. In New Jersey, the drinking age was 21 at the time. In New York, drinkers could be 18. Hence, the 50 or so establishments within a five-mile radius in Greenwood Lake were packed on Friday and Saturday nights. The couple of topless girl bands at the lake could have contributed to its popularity, as well. Unproven legend has it that the Mafia couldn’t resist the gold mine that was Greenwood Lake, and held ownership in many of those bars. Nonetheless, the lake remains a bastion of entertainment, from the free summertime live music at Waterfront Park to countless bars and restaurants—some with their own docks for boaters to tie up before they tie one on. Greenwood Lake’s proximity to New York City attracted full-time residents over the years: From 1950-1990, the population quadrupled from 800-3200, and is a mix of longtimers and newcomers, full-time residents as well as weekenders. Jackie Lowenberg still lives in Greenwood Lake with her family and is a 20-year volunteer firefighter at the local fire department. “There’s a sense of community here,” Lowenberg says. “As a kid, it was frustrating, because you couldn’t do anything without somebody knowing about it and telling. But, now that I’m older, I appreciate that there is a community of people who go above and beyond, whether you’re family or not. It’s that feeling of support that makes Greenwood Lake special.”

Source: https://www.chronogram.com/hv-towns/greenwood-lake-the-liquid-playground-turns-100-19299566?fbclid=IwAR0uWnCMapY8zl7wEOTFezh1UvJM2wRueZX3Xd_zaglNQfFpdPymD_DU8yY