Nestled in Woodhaven, the queens are a living story that most people only know films. Neir’s Tavern is not only a place of cinema in GoodFellas – it is one of the oldest continuous bars in America, serving drinks since 1829. What many visitors have discovered is that the real tavern has more character, stories and authentic New York grain that any set of Hollywood could never capture.
The 200 -year trip in time
Initially called Blue Pump Room in 1829, this neighborhood match first served thirsty customers of the Union course race track nearby, once the first American destination for horse races. The establishment evolved through several identities before Louis Neir bought it in 1898, adding a bowling alley, hotel rooms and even a ballroom.
The tavern has witnessed the ban, two world wars and countless neighborhood transformations while retaining its soul. Getting through the door gives the impression of entering a time machine.
The most impressive is the few fundamentally changed changes – the bones of the place remain authentic at its 19th century roots, a living museum where you can always order a cold beer.
Authentic Hollywood neighborhood joint
Martin Scorsese knew what he was doing when he chose the neir as a key location for goodfellas. The weakly enlightened bar where Jimmy Conway by Robert de Niro welcomes Henry Hill de Ray Liotta was not a manufactured set – it was the real article with decades of real history of the crowd in his walls.
The moviegoers can sit in the exact places where these emblematic scenes took place. Beyond Goodfellas, Neir appeared in Ben Stiller’s Tower Heist and drew special attention when Anthony Bourdain shared drinks with the owner Loyent Gordon during his episode of the Queens of Unknown shares.
The tavern is not content to capitalize on its film connections – it embraces them as a single chapter in its history of several centuries.
The rumor of the rumor of Mae West
Before she was a Hollywood icon, the legend of the neighborhood claims that Mae West presented her first shows here on the little stage of Neir. Born in Brooklyn nearby, the future star would have had her start of premises by entertaining in what was then called the Neir social hall.
While historians debate documentation, the tavern proudly maintains this connection. Order their signing cocktail “Mae West Punch” and you will have a wink from the bartender on the Place de l’Establishment in the history of entertainment.
The walls of the tavern have vintage photos that refer to its past from Vaudeville. Whether it is completely factual or partially mythologized, this link with one of the most famous artists in America adds another layer to the cultural meaning of Neir.
Community rescue mission
January 2020 almost marked the end of this historic establishment when the owner suddenly put the monthly rent from $ 2,200 to more than $ 5,400. Residents refused to let their beloved tavern die.
What followed was remarkable: the neighbors rallied, the social media campaigns exploded and even the mayor Bill de Blasio intervened personally to negotiate an agreement. The basic effort has shown how neir had woven in the Woodhaven fabric.
After the rescue, the Tavern launched its ambitious “Road to 200” campaign, planning its celebration of the bicentenary in 2029.
Preserved treasures behind the bar
The heart of Neir remains its magnificent mahogany bar, preceding the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. These are not reproductive furniture – it is the real counter where New Yorkers have rested their elbows for more than 150 years.
Look for and notice the original tin ceiling, meticulously maintained through the generations. The Vintage Draft Ice-Chest system always offers part of the coldest beer in Queens, a testimony of the old-fashioned craftsmanship.
The photographs covering the walls create a chronology of Woodhaven’s evolution – days of horse racing at prohibition speakeasy at Hollywood hotspot. Each visit reveals another detail that you have missed before, which means that Neir is not only a place to drink, but a place to discover.