Puerto Rican social club Toñita’s celebrates its 50th anniversary in Williamsburg

Nestled between a clothing boutique and a jewelry store at 244 Grand Street, the nondescript exterior (read: a nondescript entrance, often with the gate down) is easy to miss. But inside, the club (commonly known simply as Toñita’s is a hive of activity and the limited space is used optimally. Every evening At Toñita’s, there’s rousing music, a little dancing (where space allows), regulars, endless games of pool and dominoes, homemade Puerto Rican food served potluck-style and enjoyed on plastic tablecloths, $3 beers, and no-frills mixed drinks in plastic cups.

The matriarch of the club and namesake Toñita herself, Maria Antonia Cay, opened the place in 1974 specifically as a gathering place just for members of the community and local baseball teams from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, where they could eat, drink and watch the games for free. Today, Cay can still be found at the club (which is now open to everyone) and is often found behind the bar most nights (she’ll probably mix your drink). The decor is reminiscent of the club’s history, as the walls are covered with tributes to Puerto Rican culture, portraits of Cay, baseball memorabilia and countless old photos and plaques.

And while at Toñita’s there is a touch of “He who knows, knows”, Do know are quick to pay their respects Cay and the room — especially global superstars like Bad Bunny, Nicky Jam and Rauw Alejandro. In 2021 Rolling Stone even organized a joint “Musicians on Musicians” photo shoot with Madonna and Maluma in the club.

Although the developers can hardly wait to buy up the place, Cay has no plans to go anywhere.

In a piece by The New York Times Last year she said: “I’m staying here with my people as long as I can. I’m not interested in making money or a fortune. I’m interested in maintaining a place where we can all be together.”

On 16 June Toñita’s closes the whole block for an all-day anniversary party around Cay — present with her trademark impeccable accessories, her penchant for animal prints, perfectly coiffed blonde hair and her reputation as everyone’s local abuela — and the community it has created. The party included live music, domino games, food and drinks, a special recognition ceremony and sponsorship events from the New York Nets and more. And local representatives, including CCongresswoman Nydia Velázquez and New York State Senator Julia Salazar were also present.

“Today we celebrate Toñita, she is one of us, a cultural institution,” Velázquez, who is also the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the House of Representatives, said in a speech. “The first meeting we organized 32 years ago, when I was running for office, we did not have a headquarters, the first meeting was held in Toñitas Bar. I not only made history, Toñita made history with me.”