You are reading

Historic Woodhaven Bar, Neir’s Tavern, Honored with Street Co-Naming

Neir’s Tavern (Neir’s Tavern via Twitter)

Oct. 4, 2021 By Allie Griffin

A street in Woodhaven has been co-named after historic neighborhood bar Neir’s Tavern.

The corner of 78th Street and 88th Avenue was co-named “Neir’s Tavern Way” during a ceremony Saturday hosted by Council Member Robert Holden. The establishment, located at 87-48 78th St., is credited by some historians as being the oldest bar in New York City.

Holden passed legislation earlier this year to designate the street corner “Neir’s Tavern Way.” The watering hole is about to celebrate its 192nd year in business.

The bar was in danger of shutting down in early 2020 when owner Loycent Gordon was unable to reach an agreement with his landlord when his lease was up for renewal. Several elected officials and community leaders stepped in to save the bar and a new lease was negotiated.

“I’m very proud of how our community came together to save this storied establishment and to further preserve its place in Queens history with the street co-naming,” Holden said in a statement.

Neir’s Tavern ahead of the street name reveal (Loycent Gordon via Twitter)

Gordon, who is also an active FDNY firefighter, attended the co-naming ceremony with his family.

He thanked Holden and former Assembly Member Mike Miller for their continuous support. The two helped broker the deal with the landlord in January 2020 that allowed Neir’s Tavern to keep its doors open.

“I want to thank Council Member Holden and Former State Assembly Member Mike Miller for this stamp of approval that Neir’s Tavern has graduated to a priceless institution and should be preserved forever,” Gordon said in a statement. “Neir’s Tavern will forever go down in history as we aim to reach our 2029 Bicentennial.”

Gordon, who is a Jamaican immigrant, said he faced doubts from many when he became the owner of Neir’s Tavern 12 years ago.

“12 years ago I was told, ‘why are you doing this? You’re a young black man and This is an old white man’s bar that nobody cares about anymore’,” he said on Twitter.

“12 years later this place will literally be on the map with NYC passing the law our corner will forever be named “Neir’s Tavern Way”,” he continued. “Whatever happens, its 191-year legacy will never disappear.”

The bar first opened in 1829 as the Blue Pump Room before being renamed Neir’s Tavern in 1898. It was featured in a few scenes from popular film “Goodfellas” and in an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown.”

Gordon signed a five-year lease for the bar space a year ago. The lease agreement includes an option to renew it for another five years when it is up.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Advocates urge passage of New York for All Act as Assembly session nears end

Jun. 16, 2025 By Jimmy Robles

As the State Senate concluded its legislative session on Thursday, immigrant rights advocates renewed calls for lawmakers to pass the New York for All Act before the Assembly adjourns on Tuesday, June 17. The proposed legislation, along with several other immigration-related bills, remains pending as the clock winds down on this year’s session.

Queens gun buyback takes 74 firearms off streets, including ghost guns and assault weapons: DA

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday that 74 firearms were taken off the streets at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica during a gun buyback event on Saturday, June 14. The weapons were exchanged for bank cards pre-loaded with cash, with no identification required and no questions asked.

“Gun buybacks serve as a critical tool for reducing gun violence and promoting public safety within our communities,” Katz said. “This Saturday, working with the NYPD and clergy leaders in Jamaica, we received 74 surrendered guns — including five automatic weapons. As a result, these firearms will not be used to cause heartache and tragedy.”

Queens Distance Runners hosts second annual track meet at St. John’s University, spotlighting Olympian and local talent

Jun. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Dozens of runners gathered at the DaSilva Field Track in St. John’s University for the second annual track meet last month. Hosted by Queens Distance Runners (QDR), a grassroots running organization, the sporting competition welcomed sprinters and distance runners of all skill levels to test their abilities, vying for the podium in track events from 100 meters to 5,000 meters.

Elmhurst bus stop tragedy: Senior killed in freak accident involving Q52 on Friday the 13th

A Middle Village senior was struck and killed by an MTA bus in what officials say was a freak accident at a bus stop in front of Hoffman Park in Elmhurst on Friday the 13th.

Police from the 110th Precinct in Elmhurst responded to a 911 call of a vehicle accident at the intersection of Hoffman Drive and Woodhaven Boulevard just before 2 p.m., where they found the victim lying on the roadway after he was struck by an MTA Q52 bus. EMS responded to the scene of the collision and rushed the senior to Elmhurst Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead a short while later.