The Oldest Bar In Queens, New York

[Michael Jewels]

A friend of mine recently got a weekend job bartending at The Union Course Bar, a.k.a. Neirs Bar.

It's the oldest bar in Queens, and I think the second oldest bar in New York City, after McSorely's Ale House on East 7th St. in Manhattan. I could be wrong about it being the second oldest.

It opened in 1855! http://www.newsday.com/about/ny-ihin...8754.htmlstory

Mae West sang here when she was young, and some of the bar scenes from the movie, "Goodfellas," were filmed here.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine called me up and said everyone was going up to see our friend who just started working there, so here are the pictures. Camera on a tripod for all shots.

If you look down the street on the left, Brooklyn is only about another two blocks further down.










Some say the place is dreary, but I like the cozy atmosphere and early 20th century look. Did you notice the tin walls?

No, my children, there aren't many places like this left anywhere. People just don't go to neighborhood bars anymore.

There's talk of this place closing, and that's one of the reasons I brought my camera this night.

I hope you enjoyed it.

Mike

[iamlowsound]

Dang, that place is a classic.

lowsound

[A9X]

Looks like a great bar.

[SoComSurfing]

My friends' and my favorite neighborhood restaurant/bar just went smoke-free (good news to us) and alcohol free! What the hell, man?! It's been open for 40-some-odd years, and now no alcohol?! A piece of my soul died when oe of the waitresses called me to tell me.

[GregC]

Very cool, thanks. And good for you for bringing a camera! The last time I went to CBGB's, I assumed it would still be open the next time I went to NYC.

[Josh Ryan]

that is pretty cool Michael. thanks.

[The Alexander]

Cool little place.

I love the atmosphere.

[Aaron Saunders]

The perfect bar.

Also, Goodfellas is one of my favourite movies. That's awesome.

[beyondhairy]

do i see a mini gtg in the works?

[MakiSupaStar]

This is my kind of place. Very cool. I do remember it from Goodfellas.

[Mark Latimour]

Its practically an infant. Right across from my place of work there is a bar that was rebuilt in 1698. It been open for a lot longer than that. Pfffffft. Kids

[Valerus]

Whoa that's epic.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by Michael Jewels

......McSorely's Ale House on East 7th St. in Manhattan.

HEY! I've been there! That place is awesome. When I visited New York in 1994, the people I stayed with in Brooklyn went on and on about McSorley's and how it was the oldest bar in NYC. I love history anyway, so when they said we HAD to go, I was stoked. I was soooooo glad we went. What an awesome experience.

I remember sitting on empty wire spools or barrels with even larger spools serving as the tables, and the floor was all dirt and sawdust. You could feel the history oozing out of the walls. They brought out the beer in three or four mugs at a time. Our server was this middle aged Irish woman who could carry like 15 mugs of beer at a time. She was super nice and made the experience even more enjoyable for me by sharing some great stories with us.

I also remember something VERY unique to me....they only serve one or two beers. I was coming from the Northwest, when the whole microbrew invasion was taking over. Up here, every bar in town sold 15-20 different kinds of beer. I distinctly remember one of my friends telling me HE would order and for me to just sit down. Later in the evening, I went up to the bar to place an order, and our server could tell I was looking for the taps...she just said to me....light or dark? I figured it out instantly, and asked for dark. We ended up spending about three or four hours in that place, and I was sad to go. Anytime a friend tells me about a trip to NYC, I suggest they set aside an evening to go to McSorleys. It is truly a unique experience.

Sorry for going on an on about this place, but I just had to. You guys that live in NYC are lucky to have a place like this to go to. The next time one of you hit up McSorleys, tip one back in my honor. Thank you for the info and photo's of the other bar Michael. Very cool place, but no McSorleys.

-Mike

[palm grease]

Originally Posted by GregC

The last time I went to CBGB's, I assumed it would still be open the next time I went to NYC.

i played the closing weekend at CBs...insane weekend!!!!

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I dare say thats old . . . by american standards

In all honesty tho, looks like quite a smart wee place, always prefered the darker "dreerie" places to the brighter "modern" style pubs and such, not sure on the tin walls, def. interesting tho

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by palm grease

i played the closing weekend at CBs...insane weekend!!!!

Still cant believe they closed that place, one of the few places stateside i really wanted to visit

[beyondhairy]

whats the reasoning behind the closing of cbgbs?


and Michael, the pic from the outside looks like its near that hall where we had the gtg a couple years back...

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

I dare say thats old . . .

Yeah, yeah.

If I ever get up the nerve to travel outside the USA, I would love to spend some time in your country soaking up the history in some of those old pubs. Just to sit in a corner and listen to the regulars telling stories would be most awesome for me.

-Mike

[MAJOR METAL]

Location of the TB international gtg ?

[middy]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Its practically an infant. Right across from my place of work there is a bar that was rebuilt in 1698. It been open for a lot longer than that. Pfffffft. Kids

I just knew some Brit was going to reply about the cave his ancestors served goat piss and mammoth ribs in....