The name of the bar commemorates the Crisis pamphlets written by Thomas Paine, a hero of American independence.  Paine died in a farm house owned by Marguerite Bonneville that once stood on the same spot.  The plaque on the wall contains his epitaph: “The world is my country, to do good is my religion, and all mankind are my brethren.”

From 1850 to 1890, this building served as a brothel, then afterwards as a gay bar.  Today, Marie’s Crisis Café—founded by Marie Dumont— is a piano bar where locals and theatre performers gather round to sing show tunes.  If you like to sing, and don’t get the chance, you might enjoy this place.

Experience these and other stories in our Greenwich Village tour.  We offer a unique NY tour experience, told with audio narration, hundreds of pictures, video clips, gps-enabled map, trivia quizzes, local recommendations, and much more.  Walk New York with Racontrs in your hand and take a walk through history.