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Neary's

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Coordinates: 40°45′30″N 73°57′49″W / 40.7583°N 73.9635°W / 40.7583; -73.9635
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Neary's
A brick building with a green awning reading "Neary's".
The restaurant's exterior in July 2024, after its closure
Map
Restaurant information
EstablishedMarch 16, 1967 (1967-03-16)
ClosedJuly 19, 2024 (2024-07-19)
Previous owner(s)Jimmy Neary
The Neary family
Street address358 East 57th Street
CityNew York City
CountyManhattan
StateNew York
Postal/ZIP Code10022
CountryUnited States
Coordinates40°45′30″N 73°57′49″W / 40.7583°N 73.9635°W / 40.7583; -73.9635
Websitewww.nearys.com

Neary's was an Irish pub on East 57th Street near First Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, from 1967 to 2024. The pub was known for its traditional menu and its elite clientele, including political figures, prominent businesspeople, writers, and entertainers.[1][2]

Neary's was founded by James Joseph "Jimmy" Neary (September 14, 1930 – October 1, 2021), an Irish emigrant to the United States. Jimmy Neary emigrated to the United States at the age of 24 from his birthplace of Tubbercurry, Ireland; he bought his boat ticket by buying lambs from gambling winnings, breeding them, and selling them.[1][3] When he first moved to New York City, he worked as a porter at the New York Athletic Club. He was then drafted into the United States Army and served in Germany. When he returned he worked as a bartender at P.J. Moriarty's until he opened his own pub. In 1966, he married his wife Eileen Twomey. On Saint Patrick's Day, March 16, 1967 (1967-03-16), Jimmy opened his eponymous pub with Brian Mulligan, who was also a bartender, at 358 East 57th Street.[1] In 1986, Jimmy purchased the building.[4]

Neary's was described as an upscale establishment. Jimmy Neary required male customers to wear jackets and barred t-shirts and shorts.[1][4][5] The bar had a traditional pub menu. Its most popular items were lamb chops with mint jelly and corned beef and cabbage.[1][5][6]

The pub was best known for its notable regulars, including political figures, prominent businesspeople, writers, and entertainers. Customers were drawn by Jimmy Neary's work ethic and personality,[1] as well as its long-time bartenders and waiters,[2][5][7][8] including Jimmy's daughter Una Neary, who worked at the pub for most of her life and continued working there even after becoming a partner at Goldman Sachs.[9] The pseudonymous food critic Brooks of Sheffield, writing for Eater, called Neary a "faithful and attentive owner".[5] Neary worked every day of the year except for Christmas Day, when he closed the restaurant.[10] Jimmy was short in stature, and many customers referred to him as their "favorite leprechaun".[1] The New York Times wrote that Jimmy's "hospitality ma[de] everyone feel like a regular".[6]

Jimmy Neary died on October 1, 2021(2021-10-01) (aged 91).[1] The Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, presided over his funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The New York City Police Department shut down the FDR Drive, the Harlem River Drive, and the top level of the George Washington Bridge for his funeral procession.[3] Jimmy's children operated the restaurant until July 19, 2024 (2024-07-19). Prior to closing, they announced that they had sold the building to two restaurateurs who planned to open an updated Irish restaurant.[2]

Notable regulars

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Source: The New York Times[1] (unless otherwise noted)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Vadukul, Alex (October 12, 2021). "Jimmy Neary, Whose Irish Pub Became a Power Brokers' Hub, Dies at 91". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Barron, James (July 18, 2024). "Regulars Mourn Neary's, an Old-Time Bar That's Closing". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Habeeb, Lee (September 19, 2022). "NYPD Shut Down City, Bridge for His Funeral and Named a Street After Him". Newsweek. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Davidowitz, Esther (October 6, 2021). "'Everyone's Friend': Jimmy Neary of Demarest, Owner of Legendary Pub Neary's in NYC, Dies". The Record. Woodland Park, N.J. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d Brooks of Sheffield (September 27, 2013). "Neary's, a Stately Irish Pub Near Sutton Place". Eater. Who Goes There?. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Neary's Pub". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Crowley, Chris (July 18, 2024). "Neary's, the Legendary New York Pub, Is Closing". Grub Street. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Gurley, George (November 15, 2016). "Where Everybody Knows Your Name and Accepts Your Politics". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  9. ^ Carney, John (November 15, 2012). "Why Goldman's New Partner Waitresses at Irish Pub". CNBC. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  10. ^ Simonson, Robert (December 20, 2018). "How Jimmy Neary, Irish Pub Maestro, Spends His Sundays". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  11. ^ "Kathie Lee Gets Special Surprises from Her Favorite NYC Restaurant". Today. April 4, 2019. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
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