For over three decades, the Empire Lounge was a fabulous piano bar. The GLIB Guide described "forties decor hosts straights early, becomes gay as night falls." As downtown vice accelerated, the Empire was seen as eccentric and terribly old-fashioned. In May 1975, Joseph Enea of the Balistrieri crime family tried to transform the Empire into a gay disco. Empire customers weren't ready or willing to embrace gay liberation. Enea lost not only the downtown vice crowd, but also the faithful older gentlemen who discretely supported the Empire on the down low for decades. The Empire closed forever in November 1975.