Over 25 Years and Swing 46 Still Hops in NYC

A few people on a cool New York night strolled down 46^th Street or Restaurant Row and into Swing 46, traveling back in time to the club as George Gee’s swing band played before they joined a group for a Lindy Hop lesson.

Although time has taken its toll on some restaurants on Restaurant Row, Swing 46 has kept swing music on the club’s menu, along with free beginner Lindy Hop (or just Lindy) lessons nightly at 8:30 p.m.

“Whatever dance steps you just learned, you can continue to dance,” Lisa McDonald, a Manhattan and Orient resident and regular, said of a free swing dance lesson. “Everybody tends to have a good time.”

A festive atmosphere, a dance floor, big bands, occasional guests in retro attire, and top-notch musicians who have played the club for decades help freeze time on 46^th Street.

While it’s possible to learn the Lindy Hop at dance studios, Swing 46 lets you listen to big band music performed live – and dance, learn or watch.

A documentary, Swing 46: The Last Swingin’ Supper Club, tells the story of the resurgence of swing and the club, where photos of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and the cast of the Broadway show “Swing” adorn the walls.

“It represents the world’s diverse cultures, and we’re next to Broadway theaters,” John Akhtar, who founded and owns the club, said. “We represent something big, American music. Jazz came from America.”

Known as the Silver Lining and then Red Blazer, the jazz club has been here for more than 50 years. Akhtar used to meet his girlfriend, who bartended on Sunday nights, which led to a second love story.

“I would listen to the music and wait for her to get off,” he said. “I fell in love with the music.”

When he heard the club was for sale, he pitched his plan for big bands, a big dance floor and dance lessons. “The owner liked my proposal,” Akhtar said.

Akhtar took over in 1997, renamed it Swing 46 Jazz and Supper Club, and began booking big dance bands. The George Gee Orchestra has been playing here for 28 years, and Stan Rubin Orchestra and Swingadelic are staples.

“I like swing, because it’s great music, great for your mind, your soul,” Akhtar, who trained as an aeronautical engineer and then worked as a stockbroker, said.

A lot of people have loved this place, including actor, writer (Swingers) Jon Favreau, who used to come in regularly, sometimes with Vince Vaughn. Julian Lennon, John Lennon’s son, was a regular.

Al Pacino, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and a long list of performers have visited, as well as Frankie Manning, a renowned dancer and one of the early Lindy Hoppers, at the Savoy ballroom. “His favorite place was Swing 46,” Akhtar said.

“I love the music first and foremost,” said Paolo Lanna, a former American Swing Dance Championship winner who started lindyland.com and teaches dancing here. “When you’re interested in dance, you often follow the music you love.”

Although attire varies, many Swing 46 employees wear vintage clothes, and some customers arrive dressed to the nines (or the 46s).

“They want to come to Swing 46 in the vintage era of swing,” said Akhtar, who owns wing tips, fedoras, and a zoot suit.

Visitors listen to big bands playing Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, and many others, often with a dozen instruments, down from 19 years ago.

“I don’t need 19 pieces,” Akhtar said. “I can still get the full sound of a big band arrangement with 12 or 13.”

People also live and relive big moments. One man who met his wife here asked Akhtar to reserve their favorite table when they returned with their children.

Another man is flying in from California with relatives and friends to propose to his girlfriend. “I’m living my dream now, to own a jazz club and make people happy,” Ashtar said.

For McDonald, a regular, it’s reassuring to know that Swing 46 still provides a welcome as big as the bands and the postcard-like background behind them.

“They have the best bands, a nice dance floor, good food, good wine,” McDonald said. “The same people come back and new people. It’s always slightly different.”

Swing 46, 349 W 46th Street, 212-262-9554, swing46.nyc