Neir’s Tavern
“This bar was used for filming on location of "Goodfellas" 1990 and 2011's Ben Stiller/Eddie Murphy film "Tower Heist" and performance venue for Mae West.”
“The oldest bar in Queens deserves more than an average of 3.5.”
“Home of Good Fellas , Tower Heist, May West….and so much more.”
Neir’s Tavern
Take-out: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
5 reviews
Rate and write a review Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I had lived by this bar about half my life and it wasn't until I moved away that I discovered what a historical/cool gem this place is!
When I had passed by as a teenager and when I had just turned legal, I had worried that I was too young for the crowd. I would see men smoking cigarettes outside, sitting on the stools talking or hear bands playing from outside.
One day my friend and I decided to come here because it was walking distance. A decision I don't regret! That night when we went in the bar, it was a good amount of people. There were older adults there, but then some people in their 20s walked in. The bartender, Marie, made a cocktail that was green/blue in a mason jar. I asked for the same and loved it. I can't remember the ingredients, but the bartender knew how to recreate it. I like that you can come here and have hard liquor, or a cocktail, or beer, or just for a burger and sweet potatoes (which are great.) I have been here 4/5 times since that night and I have always had a different experience. One weekend night, when it was quiet, my boyfriend and I golfed down drinks and freshly brewed Irish coffee, while playing Connect Four. Another night I came with a small group and shared drinks and wings while sitting at the tables. There was just one night I had a bad time coming here because it was karaoke night. the night must have been a success for the bar, but it was too full to sit down anywhere. I hate waiting so unfortunately couldn't wait for seats.
I'll be back. Count on it.
Neirs is a serious locals bar! My sister just moved into the area and her husband is in heaven! He could not have asked for a better spot to grab a drink. I could feel his excitement when I came to see the house. He was like a kid's first day at school. It was like….can we go!?
My most memorable time coming though has to be after my bro in law returned from a ugly xmas sweater contest before the contest took place. My sister and I had a cookie disaster and the medicine was a nice cold beer. We walked our way into a crowded bar. Neirs is one of NY's oldest bars (Over 180 Years) and most fun. The game was on. I don't know what game but people were pumped. There was excitement in the room. The ugly xmas sweater contest began right after the game. The back room is rather large. I of course cheered for my sister's sweater, an ode to the Godfather with a dead horse head xmas sweater!! It was very appropriate since Neirs was the setting for certain film scenes from the famous Italian gangster movie, Goodfellas! This was a fun night.
The actual bar is carved out of one solid piece of wood. They have a nice beer selection and hard alcohol. The only issue is its CASH ONLY! Also the menu is your standard bar/pub good of nachos and fried items. Since, I'm pescatarian there is not too much that drew me in. I did try the nachos and they were on the ok side. So stick to the beer and get ready to have a good time.
With immense passionate bliss, my poetic travels ventured to shine a light on a Tuesday open-mic night. A shout-out to Angel R., a fellow Yelper and newbie sprinted poet who brings a freshing look into the New York poetry open-mike scene as it was my first appearance at Neir's Tavern. With the original burger on sour dough bread at $6.50 fully engulfed with French Fries accompanied with Selzter water were filling. A very good price for a burger where my bank account remains in stock. A venue space can accomodate live gigs of bands, and open-mike spoken word performers for the giant projector screen TV is hidden during performance time. The acoustic from the microphone feeds an annoying echo of delayed response to my actual voice.
Neir's Tavern endures a long history as New York's oldest bar, founded in 1829 in Woodhaven, Queens. It sits conveniently on my secondary J train line within walking distance. This bar was used for filming on location of "Goodfellas" 1990 and 2011's Ben Stiller/Eddie Murphy film "Tower Heist" and performance venue for Mae West. A celebratory welcome 2010 letter of Neir's Tavern re-opening from New York City's Mayor Bloomberg is visible on their website. Classic black and white Damask bathroom tiles and black and white floral Damask stencil adorns the mirror frame to give a vintage look. A log fireplace complete with a mantel gives a cozy home atmosphere.
Whoever said Queens is not the choice to venture to?
Note: Cash only. No form of plastic is accepted!!
Impeccable service, was greeted by my server with a handshake. She was super sweet. Gave us a backstory of the bar, told us some of the faves on the menu & offered suggestions for drinks.
We got the cotton candy & Thai honey chili wings….oh my God were they good!!!! I don't know which I liked better but they were perfect. Nice size, juicy, fall off the bone tender & the flavor ahhhhhh Heaven!!
We also got the Mac n cheese, it had too much tyme or oregano that I couldn't really taste anything but that.
Tried a Mai-Tai then a tequila sunrise, both good.
Reasonable prices, will def return.
"Whadda I tell youz? Don't buy nothin'!"
Jimmy Conway scoulding a fellow and soon to be dirt napping goodfella, referring to the money taken from the 1977 Lufthansa heist—-picture included.
Yes, I stood in that very spot and absorbed the moment to its fullest, it was powerful to me.
Aside from the movie lore, the historical aspects of this Queens landmark are tremendous, to not paraphrase quickly, would be to miss the fact that these grounds paved the way for our Queens living so it will be sketched only briefly here.
I do intend to pay proper historical homage to these ornamental grounds on my blog, as the words will be many.
A double sided menu the size of an envelope speaks to a proper and patient kitchen offerings, yet enough to excite any bar food enthusiast. Shoe Shine Box Burger on brioche takes a top '3' burger in Queens position. Neirs Special Sauce brought my perfectly cooked chopped meat to a new burger flavor I'd yet to put the mac on.
Opt for a burger with ingredients personalized to you? It's available, and the topping options, a mere buck per upcharge will happily surprise foodies, as wildcard toppings are available, I'll not spoil the secrets.
Tap beers pour through a coil system topped with ice, a consistant temperature, a perfect pour every time. Weekly ice delivery a short 75 years gone sat upon these metallic downward spiraling beer flumes. I was the fortunate recipient of a hands on tour and explanation of the process.
Happy hour drinks will run you three dollars, lunch menu is a flat five dollar price, with three options available.
A twinge of frustrational shock shot up my spine as I read the reviews that took exception to the most miniscule and inconsequential aspects, writing their shortsightedness as the prevailing operations within.