How a City Saved The Beloved Goodfellas Bar (And Why Hollywood Should Have Helped)
It’s not every day that a city bands together to help save a business, but that’s exactly what happened this past weekend. Neir’s Tavern, which you probably will learn by clicking on its website, is old school. Beginning in 1829, this establishment located in Woodhaven, Queens has been slinging drinks to thirsty patrons. It’s one of the oldest continually operating bars in New York City - and therefore America - and even makes the mafia look charming in Goodfellas. But outside of movies and history, Neir’s is not a bar that gets a ton of love. It’s a neighborhood spot that has burgers and beers and occasional photos of people doing their best Jimmy the Gent Conway impersonation. Okay who are we kidding, pretty much everyone has to do their best Jimmy the Gent impersonation when they’re here.
Photo: Neir’s Tavern/Facebook
A bar that’s been open since 1829 has had plenty of brushes with death, but this most recent encounter feels most powerful. Then again, we weren’t around back then so who are we to compare. All we’re trying to say though is that in an age where all too many old school establishments close their doors, it’s nice to see one find a way to live on. So, how did it happen? Here’s our take:
Neir’s Tavern Just Kept Getting Older (But Couldn’t Get Landmark Status)
Any place that lasts more than a century deserves a lifetime achievement award. Unfortunately, age has nothing to do with securing landmark status, which if you bother to click on this link will show you all of the rules needed to achieve protection. Neir’s Tavern owner Loy Gordon claimed he applied for landmark status but couldn’t secure it. By exposing one of the city’s highly touted programs to save historical sites as crap for bars and restaurants, Neir’s drew the attention of people like…
Mayor Bill De Blasio
De Blasio is one of those mayors who will never catch a break. From the time he ate pizza with a knife and fork to a failed presidential run, De Blasio doing De Blasio things hasn’t won over the crowd. Yet, the mayor of New York did something this weekend that might define his legacy. Good guy, but terrible mayor. He stepped in to save Neir’s Tavern and even celebrated by serving beer, which was reportedly too foamy because De Blasio, When a mayor “steps in” on a lease dispute, it’s pretty much a given the public is going to get its way. We’re going to pretend it went like this:
De Blasio: Your building has 1,000 violations that we will nail you for if you double the rent for Neir’s Tavern.
Neir’s Tavern’s Landlord: Okay, how much will it cost me to pay them?
De Blasio: More than just agreeing to this new lease for Neir’s Tavern which we’ve conveniently drawn up for you.
Neir’s Tavern Landlord: Okay, this lease is fine.. I agree.
De Blasio: Good move. I’m also coming by to pour a foamy beer. Get the taps ready.
Neir’s has been featured in beloved movies like Goodfellas
Without residuals from the Lufthansa heist, Neir’s might not have lasted this long. From tour groups to social media, Neir’s has reaped the rewards of being a prime location for Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas. It was also featured in Tower Heist but that movie didn’t do too well. Movies can help drum up business for local establishments, but if Neir’s got a dollar every time Goodfellas aired, we’re pretty sure they wouldn’t have to worry about rent increases (although a landlord doubling the rent is still a dick thing to do). Should restaurants and bars that serve as iconic settings for movies get paid more than just a lump sum? We think yes.
AND…New Yorkers Agreed to Fight
New York City is a crazy place where people who agree on nothing decide to live together and somehow function. Everything is a fight. Want to pick up dry cleaning? Get ready to fight your way to the dry cleaners. Want a bagel? Get ready to fight your way to the bagel shop, wait in line, and shout your order only for it to be wrong when you open the bag at home. Yet every once in awhile, New Yorkers have a giant secret meeting at the Javits Center where they decide to agree on an issue. The impending closing of Neir’s Tavern was one such issue, and it’s a demonstration of how impactful social media can be when it comes to supporting a voice. New Yorkers love historical sites, and by shining the spotlight on the terrible issue which is small businesses cannot thrive in this city, they proved that at least one small neighborhood tavern can extend a lease for a little while.