One of the most deplorable features of the skating rink boom is that many of the worst of the concert gardens and dance houses in and near the Bowery have been turned into rinks, wherein the skating has all the evil environment characteristic of the places.

The interior of one of the ten•cent skating rinks in Chatham Square was formerly used as a low dance hall. A visit the other night showed that the tables and chairs for drinkers remained in place; so did the placards relating to beverages, along with fresh ones, stating the rental prices of skates; and the bar held its accustomed place in a front corner, while on a platform a pianist and cornetist made unimproved music. The girls who formerly danced and drank with the visitors who would let them, now had roller skates on their feet, but the bibulous customs of the resort remained undisturbed. There were two fellows who did fanciful and grotesque skating, and were seemingly employes, beside a dozen who apparently skated for fun, but most of the men in the assemblage were spectators of the girls' feats, some of which were gymnastic in character. The most graceful of these was a swift approach to the bar, a short stop in front of it, and then a gliding off with the hands beer-laden. The most popular, however, was a fall, provided it had spontaneity, and seemed to hurt the faller. It has been suggested as a good measure of reform in the roller skating business that teachers employed in the rinks be ladies instead of gentlemen.

Illustrated Police News, May 16, 1885.