A $7 Million, Hulk Hogan–Themed Bar Is Body-Slamming Its Way Into Midtown

Eater

2 days ago

Just when you thought the area around Penn Station was going to suck less, an over-the-top, polarizing bar is on track to open in the area.
In recent years, the neighborhood that used to be seedy has transformed into something closer to a destination, a result of Vornado's massive project that has ushered in businesses like the first Manhattan location of Roberta's, a Los Tacos, Bar Primi, a Blue Ribbon, Anita Gelato, and pickleball courts. At the very least, it has become a more welcoming place to eat, drink, and hang out before a train to Long Island, or an event at Madison Square Garden – like the Knicks playoffs.
On the heels of the area's momentum comes a huge Hulk Hogan-themed bar across from Penn Station called Slam at 461 Eighth Avenue, at 31st Street. This comes from the legendary wrestler himself and nightlife veteran Rich Rosen, opening this $7 million, 9,000 square-foot space in the fall.
Hogan – whose name is Terry Gene Bollea – is famous for more than just a storied career during which he debuted in WWE in 1979 across from MSG. And he's been twice inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Most recently, he has aligned himself with President Donald Trump, having ripped off his shirt during his speech at the RNC convention and said he'd like to be vice president someday. He also helped expedite the downfall of Gawker in 2016, when he was awarded around $140 million in a lawsuit. The windfall came following his suing the online publication for invasion of privacy and damages, following its sex tape story that involved Hogan having sex with the wife of a radio host.
Hogan has teamed up on the project with Rosen, who is apparently connected with Scores strip club's next-gen property Scores Sports Bar, according to Page Six. It appears the latter of which was supposed to open in this space, as announced in 2023 (with the address 416 Eighth Ave listed) — and it doesn't appear to have any other locations. Whether Scores will ever open isn't clear; Eater reached out for comment.
To get Hogan on board for the MSG-adjacent bar, Rosen told Page Six 'he sought out the wrestler because of his long and storied connection to the Garden,' and attended an autograph session, standing in line for five hours, before he delivered a photo of the building to convince him to lend his name in a licensing deal. The three-story bar with a rooftop that will feature memorabilia and play famous Hulk Hogan reels will open in the fall, Page Six reports.
Hogan has a bar in Florida; this would be the first Hulk Hogan-themed bar in New York. He also has a brew line, Real American Beer, which Business Insider reported is in discussions to pick up the intellectual property for Hooters. See More: