What is Doyers Street known for?

Doyers Street is a 200-foot-long street in Manhattan's Chinatown known for its sharp bend and its history as a site for gang assassinations, earning it nicknames like "the Bloody Angle" and "Murder Alley."

Why was it called the "Bloody Angle"?

The street earned this nickname in the early 1900s because warring tong gangs used the sharp bend of the street to hide and ambush their opponents as they turned the corner.

What is the history of the street's name?

The street was named after Hendrik Doyer, a Dutch immigrant who owned a distillery and tavern (or brewery) at the Bowery end of the street in the late 18th or mid-19th century.

What can you find on Doyers Street today?

The street currently features restaurants—including New York's oldest Dim Sum place, Nom Wah Tea Parlor—as well as barber shops, hair stylists, and the Chinatown branch of the U.S. Postal Service.

Are there any other historical landmarks on the street?

From 1893 to 1911, Doyers Street was the site of New York City's first Chinese-language theater.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Doyers Street in New York City

Doyers Street

A 200-foot-long historic stretch in Manhattan's Chinatown, famous for its sharp 90-degree bend and a dark past as a gang ambush site known as the Bloody Angle.

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What to know

Doyers Street is a short, one-block thoroughfare in Manhattan’s Chinatown that runs from Pell Street to the intersection of Bowery, Chatham Square, and Division Street. The street's name originates from the Dutch Colonial era, specifically honoring Hendrik Doyer, a Dutch immigrant who owned a tavern and distillery at the Bowery end of the path in 1791. Architecturally, the street is defined by a sharp 90-degree bend in the middle. In the early 1900s, this layout earned the street the chilling nickname the Bloody Angle. Warring tong gangs, who controlled opium distribution and illegal gambling, used the corner as a strategic ambush point to attack opponents as they turned the bend. One infamous 1905 attack at the street's Chinese opera house resulted in four deaths. Beyond its violent history, Doyers Street served as a cultural hub, hosting New York City’s first Chinese-language theater from 1893 to 1911. The street was once considered the nerve center of Chinatown, reflecting the turbulent life of the quarter during the Tong Wars, which claimed over 50 lives. Today, the street is a popular tourist destination and is barely recognizable from its early 20th-century version. It now hosts a mix of local businesses, including barber shops, hair stylists, the Chinatown branch of the U.S. Postal Service, and the Nom Wah Tea Parlor, which is New York’s oldest Dim Sum establishment.

Visitor tips

Walk the full length from Pell Street to the Bowery to experience the sharp bend firsthand.
Visit Nom Wah Tea Parlor for a taste of New York's oldest Dim Sum.
Keep an eye out for the U.S. Postal Service branch to see how the street serves the local community today.

Nearby context

Doyers Street is tucked into the heart of Manhattan's Chinatown, forming a tight cluster with Pell and Mott streets that historically served as the neighborhood's nerve center.

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