When Alan Stillman opened the first TGI Fridays in Manhattan in 1965, he wasn’t just looking to start a restaurant; he was aiming to meet women with opening a bar. In an era before dating apps and social media, Stillman tapped into the zeitgeist of the swinging ’60s with a unique business plan: create a public space where he and other young singles could meet, mingle, and enjoy each other’s company—especially women.
What began as a local bar, with an investment of $10,000 (half borrowed from his mother), became an iconic establishment that changed the face of dining and social interaction. Located on 63rd Street between First and York Avenues, TGI Fridays stood out with its Gay Nineties interior, complete with American-made Tiffany-style lamps, wooden floors, Bentwood chairs, and striped tablecloths, cultivating a cocktail party vibe in a public setting. This atmosphere, coupled with its proximity to apartment buildings teeming with airline stewardesses and fashion models, quickly made the bar a hotspot.
In the mid-’60s, Stillman’s innovative concept thrived alongside the advent of the birth-control pill and the publication of Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique,” two pivotal changes in society that contributed to the liberation of dating culture. As Stillman himself put it, “Before TGI Fridays, four single twenty-five-year-old girls were not going out on Friday nights, in public and with each other, to have a good time.” The restaurant’s success led to the creation of the first singles bars, a concept so revolutionary that it required a makeshift rope area for those waiting to get inside—a rarity at the time.
The success of TGI Fridays wasn’t just about the ambiance—it was also one of the first to introduce promotional concepts such as ladies’ night, attracting throngs of women and, by extension, men. The founder’s intent was not subtle; in Stillman’s own words, “Have you seen the movie Cocktail? Tom Cruise played me!…Why do girls want to date the bartender? To this day, I’m not sure that I get it.” It’s clear that Stillman not only met women through his venture but also pioneered a social experience that would be emulated across the nation.
As the brand grew, Stillman expanded the franchise beyond New York, and the focus shifted over time from a singles’ scene to a family-friendly environment. However, the legacy of TGI Fridays as a place for social interaction and enjoyment persists.
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– TGI Fridays