Wolf’s Lair might sound like a catchy name for a bar, but it has one rather massive historical catch.
A New York sports restaurant opened to controversy on Thursday in the Astoria neighbourhood of the Big Apple.
It’s stirred up attention not for its service or prices, but for its name.
That’s because Wolf’s Lair happens to also be the title of Adolf Hitler’s infamous headquarters.
Called Wolfsschanze, the large complex of bunkers served as the centre of brutal Nazi military operations in Eastern Europe.
It was also the location of the famous assassination attempt against the German dictator in July 1944 and portrayed in the Tom Cruise film Valkyrie.
The unfortunate, and unintended, namesake in modern day New York has not gone down well with some locals.
One local called B.B. told the New York Post: ‘Why would they name it that? It’s definitely not appropriate.’
Technician Victor Hulguin agreed, saying: ‘They should change the name. That is going to bring a lot of memories to the people, whatever they’re going through. People know what the name is about.’
The owners, Galanis and Chris Kauvaros, insist they had no idea what the name meant.
Galanis, who came up with it, said: ‘It’s not like it’s Auschwitz! I don’t even drive a German car.’
He claims the name was meant to honour the loyalty of the wolves, while also paying tribute to his favourite mixed martial arts gym in England.
Wolfslair MMA Academy in Widnes is a famous training ground for fighters, producing well-known winners Quinton Jackson and Michael Bisping.
The restaurant’s majority owner Mr Kauvaros apparently did not know about the name’s Nazi links until it was explained it to him on Thursday, the newspaper said.
Mr Kauvaros said he liked the sound of the name and didn’t look into it further because he doesn’t ‘know how to Google’.
The owner reportedly said he would consider a name change, but warned it could take a few months.
Mr Kauvaros and Mr Galanis instead defended their sports bar as an inclusive and welcoming place, pointing to the international flags plastered on the windows.
Mr Galanis said: ‘You could offend anybody over anything, really. Our goal was not to offend anybody.
‘The wolf is a majestic animal and the lair is where they hang out. Nothing ominous about it.’
While some locals were unhappy, others wanted to give the new spot the the benefit of the doubt.
Long-time resident Angie M. explained: ‘I don’t think it was done maliciously. I get the whole concept, it’s alpha men hanging out. People get offended over anything.
‘Anything to complain. I stay to myself because people tend to make mountains out of molehills.’
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