John’s of 12th Street has been in business since 1908 and is the oldest Italian restaurant in the East Village

John’s of 12th Street has been in business since 1908 and is the oldest Italian restaurant in the East Village and it now needs your help more than ever as they are struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 restrictions. 

Full video: https://youtu.be/Xz7ppYLGnm8 

They were closed for a few months and although they recently reopened with a few tables on the sidewalk for outdoor dining, business is severely reduced as there are so few tables. We recently visited John’s of 12th Street and spoke with the owner and posted our YouTube video NEW YORK CITY SURVIVORS: STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE COVID-19. 

Not only do we visit this historic Italian 🇮🇹 restaurant which serves both a classic Italian menu 🍝and a vegan menu (@anthonybourdain visited and highlighted this restaurant in his last episode) and take a look at its historic interior, we also speak about its interesting history as a speakeasy and check out its back room known for its tradition of burning candles as a celebration of the end of Prohibition.