NEW YORK — Theater district restaurant owner Joe Allen has died.

He opened his namesake restaurant in 1965 when doing so west of Eighth Avenue in Manhattan was a risky move.

The restaurant became a popular gathering spot for performers and theatregoers, and was well-known for its posters of Broadway flops on the walls.

Sean Kent, the former maitre d' of Joe Allen, says it was a special place to work.

"There was always a palpable energy in the room. It was always positive. The regulars were wonderful people. Now that Joe's not with us, the reminiscences online are so heartfelt because it was a place and is a place and will again be a place where people are drawn to," Kent recalled.

Allen also owned the restaurant Orso next door and had a Joe Allen outpost in Paris. 

He died Sunday in New Hampshire at the age of 87.