[1][2] It was one of the first saloons to cater to African-Americans and was a competitor against neighboring establishments such as Harry Hill's gambling resort and Billy McGlory's Armory Hall among others.
It was his custom to sit bolt upright in a high chair in the center of his resort, and remain there for hours without displaying any other sign of life than the baleful glitter of his eyes.
It has been speculated that the establishment served as a meeting place for interracial matchmaking[10] and its clientele including Native Americans, East Indians, Chinese, Malaysians and Lascars.
[3][4][6] The resort was closed, along with many others, by then newly elected reform Mayor Abram S. Hewitt who campaigned against the city's vice and red light districts.
[11][12] Frank Stephenson and The Black and Tan appear in the historical novels The Alienist (1995) by Caleb Carr and The Midnight Band of Mercy (2004) by Michael Blaine, and "BLEECKER STREET by Ted Lampron.