One Of ‘America’s Best Bars’ Reopens In Newark: McGovern's Tavern

NEWARK, NJ — After temporarily shutting down for the first time in almost a century, one of America’s Best Bars” has reopened in New Jersey.

McGovern's Tavern in Newark shut down for the first time in 82 years last summer for renovations. The iconic Irish pub was named as The Daily Meal’s “Best Bars In America” for 2019.

The publication wrote of the tavern:

“For nearly 80 years, McGovern's Tavern, an Irish pub located six blocks from Newark's Penn Station, has attracted a clientele of blue-collar types, office workers, college students, and police officers and firefighters (many of whose hats and helmets hang from the ceiling). Originally opened by Frank McGovern in 1936 as a meeting place for Irish immigrants, the New Jersey bar survived the Newark riots in 1967, which led to the closure of many businesses, and today, after a recent renovation, serves up pints of Guinness and other brews and bar fare like a 10-inch bar pie pizza and a sandwich called the Dublin Decker (corned beef, turkey, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing served on rye bread).”

The bar triumphantly reopened its doors on Nov. 1 to scores of supportive comments. Seen online:

• “Congratulations from the niece of founder Frank McGovern. Uncle Frank is smiling in heaven.”
• “Hallelujah! Amen and get me a southwest chipotle burger medium. I’m so so happy. I’ve been burger hangry for a year and a half.”
• “Let the Guinness and Jameson flow.”
• “My God... I’ve never been so happy!”

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