Neir’s gets Queensmark designation as oldest tavern and wins community impact award
QUEENS (PIX11) – It’s often called the most famous bar you’ve never heard of.
Neir’s Tavern opened in Woodhaven, Queens, in 1829, and many say it’s the oldest bar in New York City to operate continuously in the same location.
This time, the Neir community celebrated its Queensmark designation from the Queens Historical Society.
This 195-year-old tavern, arguably the oldest continuing tavern in the country, may have been where Mae West first performed. A bar scene from the mob classic “Goodfellows” was shot here.
Owner Loycent Gordon, a Jamaican immigrant and a lieutenant in the FDNY, saved Neir’s Tavern from going under in 2020.
“Neir’s tried to get city landmark status, and we hope this will help,” Rob MacKay, Board President of the Queens Historical Society, told PIX11 News. This is a historic gem worth saving. There’s no other place like it in Queens,” he added.
“The Queens Historical Society says we’re choosing you. You are important enough. You are significant enough,” Loycent Gordon, the owner of Neir’s, told PIX11 News.
At a block party hosted by Neir’s, there was a bouncy castle for the kids and CPR instructions for adults, part of Loy’s mission to always give back to the Woodhaven community.
“It starts with helping someone. We all have something to offer,” Gordon told PIX11 News. “ My service was to save one of Americans oldest taverns as an immigrant,” he added.
Both first-time customers and long-time regulars say they love the tavern’s history and sense of community.
“I love the history of it. I was up on it,” one new diner from Queens told PIX11 News. “ I can’t believe it took me so long to come here.,” she added.
“I love anything that is historical. Especially buildings and the fact that a scene in Goodfellas was shot here,” Tom Rucci, another first-time diner, told PIX11 News.
Richie Salmon, president of what’s called The Ambassador Club, to spread the word about Neir’s Tavern. “It’s fun here,” Salmon told PIX11 News. “The staff makes you want to come back,” he added.
The 195th celebration will be in the fall, so stay tuned in five years for the Big 200th anniversary party in 2029.