The Ravenite Social Club

The Ravenite Social Club, established as the Knights of Alto Social Club, became a notorious Mafia hub in Little Italy as a once bricked-up, fortified storefront. It was renamed "The Ravenite" by Carlo Gambino and later used by Aniello Dellacroce and ‘the Dapper Don,’ John Gotti. The club was pivotal for the Gambino family, with Gotti conducting operations from an upstairs apartment. 

When Carlo Gambino took over, he renamed the club "The Ravenite". Gambino ceased frequenting the Ravenite Social Club once he realized it was under police surveillance. The club was then managed by Aniello Dellacroce, who became a key figure in the Gambino crime family. Later, after Dellacroce's death, John Gotti took control, cementing his leadership in the family. He used an apartment on the 3rd floor above the Ravenite to meet with family members. 

Surveillance by the FBI starting in the 1990s connected the boss of the Gambino crime family to the city's labor unions as well as the Gambino family underboss Sammy ‘the Bull’ Gravano. FBI surveillance, including bugging the apartment, captured incriminating evidence, leading to Gotti's conviction in 1992. Gravano turned on Gotti before trial and became an informer in exchange for the 19 murders he had committed. He was instrumental in Gotti's conviction and Gotti was sentenced to life without parole. The club's building was seized and repurposed, preserving its infamous floors.