Before its present incarnation, the building had been the Palm Casino, a speakeasy controlled by Lucky Luciano.

[2] On the bar's walls are "Stalinist woodcuts, World War II posters, a picture of Valentina V. Tereshkova, hammer-and-sickle flags and the odd Lenin bust and balalaika.

"[3][4] Inspired by the Soviet-era memorabilia stored in the building,[5] KGB Bar opened in 1993,[6] and became one of the most popular book-reading venues in New York City.

[7] KGB has been named best literary venue in New York City by New York magazine[citation needed], The Village Voice[citation needed], and others.

[3] The bar hosts several regular reading series which include: