Longtime Pub, Neary's, Shuts Down On East Side Block

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — An iconic Irish pub is bidding its final Irish goodbye this week as it shuts down after more than five decades near Sutton Place.

Situated on the corner of East 57th Street and First Avenue, Neary's announced its imminent closure earlier this week with a letter from the Neary family.

"After an incredible 57-year run, Neary’s will bid farewell on Friday, July 19th. With heartfelt appreciation and love, we look back on Neary’s remarkable journey on 57th Street," the family said.

Neary's, founded in 1967 by Jimmy Neary and his business partner Brian Mulligan, came into being more than a decade after Jimmy boarded a ship to the U.S. from his native Ireland at the age of 24, according to his New York Times obituary.

Following his death, a street near Neary's was renamed Jimmy Neary Way to celebrate his life and impact on the community.

"From the outset, our father recognized Sutton Place as the perfect location and his instincts proved absolutely correct," the letter read. "The success of Neary’s symbolizes the American dream achieved by our parents. Our Dad, from Sligo, and our Mom, Eileen, from Dublin, emigrated from Ireland to America where New York City welcomed them with open arms. 'Jimmy Neary Way' will forever honor our father’s profound impact on this great city and 57th Street."

Over the next half-century, Neary's became renowned as a popular watering hole for the city's power brokers, counting among its patrons Bill Clinton, mayors Michael Bloomberg and Ed Koch, governors George Pataki and Hugh Carey, and Senator Ted Kennedy.

Jimmy passed away in October 2021 at the age of 91. Since then, his daughter Una, who worked alongside him for over 42 years, has been managing the restaurant and upholding her father's legacy.

"Our father’s infectious smile, captivating Irish charm, and heartfelt stories, coupled with his deep love of country, faith, and family defined his character. He adored his restaurant and cherished every customer, making sure everyone felt like family, whether a longtime regular or a first-time visitor," the Neary family said.