NYers Say Goodbye To Coogan's, The 'Cheers' Of Washington Heights

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Unable to gather one last time for a true Coogan's-style farewell, owners of the iconic Uptown bar ended an announcement that they would close for good by asking the neighborhood to help them say goodbye.

"Now it is your turn to complete our story...," owners Dave Hunt, Tess O'Connor McDade and Peter Walsh wrote.

And, boy, did they.

"It's like watching a movie," Walsh said of the hundreds of staff, customers and vendors who took to social media to tell their Coogan's stories. "We're alive as the wake is taking place — and it's an amazing thing to see."

Longtime customers took to Facebook to reminisce on holidays, birthdays and anniversaries spent at the popular Irish bar. Vendors who helped Coogan's stock its kitchen for decades called up to give their well wishes. And staff, even amidst facing their own uncertain future, checked in to see how the owners were doing, Walsh said.

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"Thank you for making me who I am today," wrote one waitress, who credited Coogan's for launching her career.

"My husband and I met @ Coogans 26 years ago...and Coogans was our place to go to," wrote a customer. "Thank you for so many memories."

(Contributed by Peter Walsh)

And, like a true Irish wake, Walsh says the fond memories are helping the owners get through the tough call to close after 35 years.

"It's those warm hugs, those moments that will keep you going, that’s what’s happening with us," Walsh said.

Coogan's, like all New York City restaurants, was forced to close its doors March 17 as officials began closing down the city to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The restaurant continued take-out and delivery orders for a few days, but eventually realized breaking-even on food order costs wasn't sustainable for a restaurant built on profits from hanging out and buying drinks.

Takeout also didn't feel right for a bar known as a meeting spot for everyone from congressman, to hospital staff down the street and families from the high school running track next door, Walsh said.

"We wanted to see you, we wanted eyeball contact with you — that’s the kind of place it was," he said.

Walsh with Washington Heights native Lin-Manuel Miranda. (Contributed by Peter Walsh.)

But, when all revenue stopped coming in March 20, it wasn't long before the restaurant realized it likely wouldn't be able to pay its bills.

Even with three months of free rent thanks to the bar's landlord, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia hospital, keeping Coogan's open would cost $25,000 a month.

"Our accountant said, you guys are not only broke, but going into debt now," Walsh said. "You’re bleeding and you don’t have blood."

Walsh, who is 73 years old, said he, Hunt and McDade began to think about their responsibility to their own families, making the final decision on Monday.

They called the hospital, U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat and eventually their 40-plus staff members to let them know the news.

"We wanted to talk to everybody and let them know personally," Walsh said. "We were just worn out after that, but I just found out how resilient people are."

As for their customers, the owners made the announcement with a heartfelt letter on their Facebook page.

"Coogan's was a public house, a meeting place, a table to break bread and solve problems," they wrote. "...We were people of different races, creeds and ideas, all with the same dream to be secure and love."

(Contributed by Dave Hunt.)

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