Been "86'ed Before?

Have you heard the phrase "86'ed" used in the restaurant, bar or hotel industry? If you've worked any time in North America, then you're likely to answer, "Yes". But, do you know why we use this to refer to an employee that's been terminated or a meal that's been cancelled? A chef has done some research in to the history of it's usage and found that it refers back many years ago to a bar in New York on, well, you guessed it, "86th Street".

Chumley's Bar had its back entrance on 86th street, and they would expel unruly drunks out there, hence the term "I 86ed that guy".

Chumley's Bar, located at 86 Bedford Street in New York, and according to Chef Helm in Seattle, it's the origin this famous and oft used phrase in the industry. "The building dates from the 1830s, and was originally a blacksmith's. Leland Chumley turned it into a speakeasy during Prohibition. To keep it discreet, there were no signs on the outside, only the address, 86, on the door. It was also a gathering place for leftists, literati, and labor organizers. Legend has it that when the police raided the place, the bartenders would get a call warning them it was coming. They would tell the patrons "86!" which would mean to exit through the front door, as the cops were coming in the back entrance".

Interesting and superfluous information for a nice interlude to our workdays! Now, back to the joys of service we love so much in the hospitality industry.