(Photo: Courtesy of Dempsey’s Pub)
Irish eyes ain’t smiling. First Puck Fair, and now this.
The next three days are your last chance to grab a pint at East Village fixture Dempsey’s Pub, before its doors close for good this Sunday, April 17. According to owner Tom O’Byrne, the pub and restaurant will close so he can focus to his other establishments.
“Dempsey’s Pub has been blessed to have had an amazing run in the East Village for the past 24 years. Like a lot of good things, however, it’s reached the end of its cycle and on Sunday night after service Dempsey’s Pub will close for good,” O’Byrne explained. He also added that the changing nature of the neighborhood had played a part in his decision to close up shop. “Obviously part of it is related to costs, and the demand for the type of place like Dempsey’s is not there anymore in the way it was before.”
In the spirit of giving the place a proper send-off, Dempsey’s Pub will feature all-day happy hour specials starting today until Sunday, which includes $5 beer, wine, and well drinks, as well as offering canned and bottled beer specials all night on Sunday.
Dempsey’s Pub, which has been around in some form since 1992, was acquired by O’Byrne in 1998 and has developed into an East Village staple particularly popular among the NYU crowd.
The establishment’s regular programming, such as Wednesday night trivia and traditional Irish music on Tuesdays, will be moved to sister pub Slainte, at 304 Bowery.
O’Byrne, who also owns Cooper’s Craft and Kitchen on Second Avenue, expressed excitement for “other new beginnings in the neighborhood,” which may hint at further projects in the East Village down the road.
Dempsey’s Pub, 61 2nd Ave at 4th Street. 212-388-0662.