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Last Call at Coogan's: The Life and Death of a Neighborhood Bar
The uniquely inspiring story of a beloved neighborhood bar that united the communities it served.
Coogan’s Bar and Restaurant opened in New York City’s Washington Heights in 1985 and closed its doors for good in the pandemic spring of 2020. Sometimes called Uptown City Hall, it became a staple of neighborhood life during its 35 years in operation—a place of safety and a bulwark against prejudice in a multi-ethnic, majority-immigrant community undergoing rapid change.
Last Call at Coogan’s by Jon Michaud tells the story of this beloved saloon, from the challenging years of the late 80's and early 90's, when Washington Heights suffered from the highest crime rate in the city, to the 2010’s, when gentrification pushed out longtime residents and nearly closed Coogan's itself; only a massive community mobilization including local politicians and Lin-Manuel Miranda kept the doors open.
This book touches on many serious issues facing the country race relations, policing, gentrification, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Along the way, readers will meet the bar’s owners and an array of its most colorful regulars, such as an aspiring actor from Kentucky who dreams of bringing a theater company to Washington Heights, a television reporter who loves karaoke, and a Puerto Rican community board manager who falls in love with an Irish cop from the local precinct. At its core, this is the story of one small business, the people who worked there, the customers they served, and the community they all called home.
Coogan’s Bar and Restaurant opened in New York City’s Washington Heights in 1985 and closed its doors for good in the pandemic spring of 2020. Sometimes called Uptown City Hall, it became a staple of neighborhood life during its 35 years in operation—a place of safety and a bulwark against prejudice in a multi-ethnic, majority-immigrant community undergoing rapid change.
Last Call at Coogan’s by Jon Michaud tells the story of this beloved saloon, from the challenging years of the late 80's and early 90's, when Washington Heights suffered from the highest crime rate in the city, to the 2010’s, when gentrification pushed out longtime residents and nearly closed Coogan's itself; only a massive community mobilization including local politicians and Lin-Manuel Miranda kept the doors open.
This book touches on many serious issues facing the country race relations, policing, gentrification, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Along the way, readers will meet the bar’s owners and an array of its most colorful regulars, such as an aspiring actor from Kentucky who dreams of bringing a theater company to Washington Heights, a television reporter who loves karaoke, and a Puerto Rican community board manager who falls in love with an Irish cop from the local precinct. At its core, this is the story of one small business, the people who worked there, the customers they served, and the community they all called home.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2023
45 people are currently reading
4111 people want to read
About the author
Jon Michaud
3 books49 followersJON MICHAUD is the Collection Management Librarian at the Millburn Free Public Library. His debut novel When Tito Loved Clara (Algonquin) was named a best book of the year by The Barnes & Noble Review and was a finalist for the Writer’s Center First Novel Prize. Michaud was the head librarian at The New Yorker from 2003-2012 and the head librarian at the Center for Fiction from 2015-2017. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The Washington Post, Tin House, LitHub, CrimeReads, and numerous other publications. The recipient of a 2022 fellowship from the New Jersey Council on the Arts, Michaud lives in Maplewood, NJ with his wife and two sons. An American citizen, he was nonetheless the Irish junior javelin champion in 1983.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
March 15, 2023
If I had ever been to Coogan’s or if I had lived in or around Washington Heights, I would have LOVED this book. It does such a marvelous job of telling the stories of who visited Coogan’s, the events they hosted and/or planned, etc. It explains the issues Coogan’s experienced through the years- a dangerous neighborhood, political turmoil, 9/11, covid…
Even without being personally acquanted with Coogan’s, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The “blood, sweat, and tears” that it took for them to get going, the community that rallied behind them, the staff that became as close as family. It reads like a friend telling another friend story.
Even without being personally acquanted with Coogan’s, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The “blood, sweat, and tears” that it took for them to get going, the community that rallied behind them, the staff that became as close as family. It reads like a friend telling another friend story.
June 12, 2023
I really enjoy nonfiction, especially when it reads well like this one. Coogan’s was a neighborhood Irish bar that opened in NYC’s Washington Heights in 1985 and ended up closing as a result of the pandemic in 2020. However, its life was threatened prior to that until local politicians and Lin-Manuel Miranda helped to keep the doors open until 2020. Learning about how this beloved community bar had such an impact on the community, as well as how the bar came to be in the first place was a really fascinating read that I enjoyed. I love bars like this and the people behind them, and while I never had the opportunity to go while in NYC I thought this was was a great read that I definitely recommend.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the digital and advanced copies to review.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the digital and advanced copies to review.
July 14, 2023
remarkable read. just an amazing story of NYC history, specifically inwood/wash heights, and gentrification, through the lens of a bar that I have had such fond memories of. brilliantly written as well.
May 28, 2025
River Edge X Washington Heights. Don’t worry Juls and Leesh I’ll just fill you in so you don’t have to actually read it. Very good way to learn about NYC history tho..
June 6, 2023
A love letter to the neighborhood Irish pub, Last Call At Coogan's immediately perked my interest. I'm a sucker for nostalgia, always getting a little weepy having breakfast in my hometown diner and forcing all my girlfriend to the local martini pub simply because its proximity made for a fun tradition even if none of us particularly craved martinis. So needless to say, I obviously teared up when Coogan's rallied throughout this book, organizing community events, showing up for patrons in need, and its eventual closure during covid absolutely broke my heart. There were some super interesting stories and this is a beautiful look at a bar and its neighborhood in NYC.
That said, some parts seemed a tad unnecessary. I hoped for more stories of bar antics and neighborhood interactions and less remarks on the changes in ownership over the years, but I guess that all backs the story of Coogan's resilience. It's one of those books that made me FEEL like I was in that place and that time, having a beer in the local bar alongside police officers and rowdy families. I pictured the wakes and the weddings and giggled at the images of karaoke nights.
It's a well-written memoir of a place and a time. I feel sad I never got to go there. The history of Washington Heights, the racial tension and inclusion and attempts to gentrify were so interesting.
Overall a great read. I definitely recommend for people in the service industry and anyone missing their hometown pub and wanting to scratch that nostalgic itch.
That said, some parts seemed a tad unnecessary. I hoped for more stories of bar antics and neighborhood interactions and less remarks on the changes in ownership over the years, but I guess that all backs the story of Coogan's resilience. It's one of those books that made me FEEL like I was in that place and that time, having a beer in the local bar alongside police officers and rowdy families. I pictured the wakes and the weddings and giggled at the images of karaoke nights.
It's a well-written memoir of a place and a time. I feel sad I never got to go there. The history of Washington Heights, the racial tension and inclusion and attempts to gentrify were so interesting.
Overall a great read. I definitely recommend for people in the service industry and anyone missing their hometown pub and wanting to scratch that nostalgic itch.
March 14, 2023
Jon Michaud's chronology of the Life and Death of a Neighborhood Bar is very well researched. A fascinating read that comes alive as the reader turns each page. The diverse people of a neighborhood having a common goal can achieve the impossible. Gentrification destroys more than buildings.
A very, very good read.
A very, very good read.
October 16, 2023
This book was a personal pleasure for me -- Coogans was a part of our lives for decades, as my physician husband still works in Washington Heights at Columbia medical center, and our daughter received her MD from the school around the corner from this iconic pub. More than a bar, Coogans was that clean well-lighted place, a space where everyone was welcome in a turbulent and often crime-ridden neighborhood, and where its tireless owners developed deep organic bonds with the multicultural neighborhood in ways that should serve as an example for all business owners in this great city. It is engagingly written in the New Yorker style -- the author Jon Michaud developed this book from essays originally appearing there -- and I had the added pleasure of attending a reading by the author and one of Coogan's owners, the mad genius Peter Walsh, who is also a personal friend and amazing human. A great read about a special part of Manhattan and the possibilities for community.
January 1, 2025
love coogan’s even though we were only acquainted near the bitter end. i went there after signing my first nyc lease prior to starting work at columbia. and i was there days before covid ended it all, sharing beer in scrubs with coworkers. i still remember peering in the windows after the doors shuttered, seeing cartons of eggs and veggies on the tables. giving until the very end.
this book brought back wonderful memories and also told the stories of the bar’s heyday. it made me feel like i was there. definitely recommend for people who love bars and love their communities.
this book brought back wonderful memories and also told the stories of the bar’s heyday. it made me feel like i was there. definitely recommend for people who love bars and love their communities.
April 27, 2023
Received a complimentary copy of Last Call at Coogan’s—The Life and Death of a Neighborhood Bar by Jon Michaud from St. Martin’s Press/NetGalley. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
BOOK REPORT
Recently, I was telling my husband that I will forever connect white barbecue sauce with having it served with grilled chicken at a particular much-beloved and now long-defunct local restaurant. And that, as a result, I also always remember the context in which I came to have that meal.
I had been set up on a blind date by a co-worker (this was obviously in my Pre-Husband Era), and, on paper—so to speak—he was a perfect match for me. Smart, focused on his career, liked to keep up with current events, liked to hang out in bars, liked to go hiking, liked Alabama football. You know, the core fundamentals to a relationship on my particular planet at that time. Went out with him once, and it was OK, nothing great, but pleasant enough that we both agreed we wanted to see each other again. Went out with him a second time. He called to ask me out on a third date (the oh-so-critical third date), and I said, “John, thank you, but I think we are better suited to being friends than dating.”
Bless his heart (in the good way), the man said something to the effect of he felt the opposite and thought we should spend at least a little more time in each other’s company before I made that decision. OK, fair enough. So off we went for a nice meal; which, if memory serves, also included two of my other favorite things on that restaurant’s menu, zucchini muffins and squash casserole. I still remember what I was wearing that night because I have a print photo of myself that my brother took when I came home early because I WAS BORED OUT OF MY FREAKING MIND AND I HAD ZERO CONNECTION WITH THE GUY. But it was a really cute look, and I wanted it commemorated, LOL. I also remember that I called up a college ex-boyfriend that night and suggested that we start keeping company again because at least I knew he and I connected on multiple levels, especially mental and emotional. (No, it didn’t work out that time, either. What were we thinking?)
What does this have to do with Last Call at Coogan’s? Which was extremely well-researched and very well-written? Which I tried and tried and tried—a third time—to really connect with and keep reading?
Oh, c’mon. You’ve gotta know.
I was bored out of my mind. And had zero connection.
But my hat is off to Jon Michaud for actually writing a book about something that obviously mattered a lot (and still does) to so many people, for so many years. And I have to wonder if I had been reading about Egan’s in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and/or Molly’s at the Market in New Orleans, Louisiana, if I would’ve felt differently, even with the same textbook/historical depiction approach.
I dunno.
And we all know _I’m_ too lazy to write a book. So take my opinion with some salt.
And tequila.
DESCRIPTION
The uniquely inspiring story of a beloved neighborhood bar that united the communities it served.
Coogan’s Bar and Restaurant opened in New York City’s Washington Heights in 1985 and closed its doors for good in the pandemic spring of 2020. Sometimes called Uptown City Hall, it became a staple of neighborhood life during its 35 years in operation—a place of safety and a bulwark against prejudice in a multi-ethnic, majority-immigrant community undergoing rapid change.
Last Call at Coogan’s by Jon Michaud tells the story of this beloved saloon, from the challenging years of the late 80's and early 90's, when Washington Heights suffered from the highest crime rate in the city, to the 2010’s, when gentrification pushed out longtime residents and nearly closed Coogan's itself; only a massive community mobilization including local politicians and Lin-Manuel Miranda kept the doors open.
This book touches on many serious issues facing the country today: race relations, policing, gentrification, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Along the way, readers will meet the bar’s owners and an array of its most colorful regulars, such as an aspiring actor from Kentucky who dreams of bringing a theater company to Washington Heights, a television reporter who loves karaoke, and a Puerto Rican community board manager who falls in love with an Irish cop from the local precinct. At its core, this is the story of one small business, the people who worked there, the customers they served, and the community they all called home.
BOOK REPORT
Recently, I was telling my husband that I will forever connect white barbecue sauce with having it served with grilled chicken at a particular much-beloved and now long-defunct local restaurant. And that, as a result, I also always remember the context in which I came to have that meal.
I had been set up on a blind date by a co-worker (this was obviously in my Pre-Husband Era), and, on paper—so to speak—he was a perfect match for me. Smart, focused on his career, liked to keep up with current events, liked to hang out in bars, liked to go hiking, liked Alabama football. You know, the core fundamentals to a relationship on my particular planet at that time. Went out with him once, and it was OK, nothing great, but pleasant enough that we both agreed we wanted to see each other again. Went out with him a second time. He called to ask me out on a third date (the oh-so-critical third date), and I said, “John, thank you, but I think we are better suited to being friends than dating.”
Bless his heart (in the good way), the man said something to the effect of he felt the opposite and thought we should spend at least a little more time in each other’s company before I made that decision. OK, fair enough. So off we went for a nice meal; which, if memory serves, also included two of my other favorite things on that restaurant’s menu, zucchini muffins and squash casserole. I still remember what I was wearing that night because I have a print photo of myself that my brother took when I came home early because I WAS BORED OUT OF MY FREAKING MIND AND I HAD ZERO CONNECTION WITH THE GUY. But it was a really cute look, and I wanted it commemorated, LOL. I also remember that I called up a college ex-boyfriend that night and suggested that we start keeping company again because at least I knew he and I connected on multiple levels, especially mental and emotional. (No, it didn’t work out that time, either. What were we thinking?)
What does this have to do with Last Call at Coogan’s? Which was extremely well-researched and very well-written? Which I tried and tried and tried—a third time—to really connect with and keep reading?
Oh, c’mon. You’ve gotta know.
I was bored out of my mind. And had zero connection.
But my hat is off to Jon Michaud for actually writing a book about something that obviously mattered a lot (and still does) to so many people, for so many years. And I have to wonder if I had been reading about Egan’s in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and/or Molly’s at the Market in New Orleans, Louisiana, if I would’ve felt differently, even with the same textbook/historical depiction approach.
I dunno.
And we all know _I’m_ too lazy to write a book. So take my opinion with some salt.
And tequila.
DESCRIPTION
The uniquely inspiring story of a beloved neighborhood bar that united the communities it served.
Coogan’s Bar and Restaurant opened in New York City’s Washington Heights in 1985 and closed its doors for good in the pandemic spring of 2020. Sometimes called Uptown City Hall, it became a staple of neighborhood life during its 35 years in operation—a place of safety and a bulwark against prejudice in a multi-ethnic, majority-immigrant community undergoing rapid change.
Last Call at Coogan’s by Jon Michaud tells the story of this beloved saloon, from the challenging years of the late 80's and early 90's, when Washington Heights suffered from the highest crime rate in the city, to the 2010’s, when gentrification pushed out longtime residents and nearly closed Coogan's itself; only a massive community mobilization including local politicians and Lin-Manuel Miranda kept the doors open.
This book touches on many serious issues facing the country today: race relations, policing, gentrification, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Along the way, readers will meet the bar’s owners and an array of its most colorful regulars, such as an aspiring actor from Kentucky who dreams of bringing a theater company to Washington Heights, a television reporter who loves karaoke, and a Puerto Rican community board manager who falls in love with an Irish cop from the local precinct. At its core, this is the story of one small business, the people who worked there, the customers they served, and the community they all called home.
July 9, 2023
“Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name.” Bars should be special places and Irish Bars, more often than not, are the best places to have a great pint with old or new friends talking politics or listening and singing along. I really enjoyed Michaud’s book, “Last Call at Coogan’s.” Unfortunately, I never had a chance to visit this NYC institution, but this book made it as if I was sitting at the bar. It is not only a great history of this bar, but of NYC and what was happening throughout the 35 years that it was a place that provided a special, important meeting place in Washington Heights. I highly recommend this book if you want to know more about this bar or even the history of NYC.
May 28, 2023
[arc review]
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Last Call at Coogan’s releases June 6, 2023
This non-fiction novel is split into 4 parts and has themes including: community, race relations, policing, gentrification, the pandemic, and small businesses.
The origins of this Irish saloon / neighbourhood bar are incredibly interesting, with some of the source funds coming from a case in the 70’s where individuals sued the Mets for millions over an injury.
I think only a very small niche of people will truly find this interesting, but all in all I had a good time.
The restaurant industry is very close to my heart, and I love anything set in New York.
Admittedly, it did take me a while to really get into the book, and most of it does center around Washington Heights as a whole.
It’s tough knowing that Coogan’s survived so many historical events like the AIDS epidemic, riots, 9/11, 2008 financial crisis, gentrification, and Trump’s presidency, but ultimately covid19 was the nail in the coffin for them.
The big takeaway here is how important building a community is.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Last Call at Coogan’s releases June 6, 2023
This non-fiction novel is split into 4 parts and has themes including: community, race relations, policing, gentrification, the pandemic, and small businesses.
The origins of this Irish saloon / neighbourhood bar are incredibly interesting, with some of the source funds coming from a case in the 70’s where individuals sued the Mets for millions over an injury.
I think only a very small niche of people will truly find this interesting, but all in all I had a good time.
The restaurant industry is very close to my heart, and I love anything set in New York.
Admittedly, it did take me a while to really get into the book, and most of it does center around Washington Heights as a whole.
It’s tough knowing that Coogan’s survived so many historical events like the AIDS epidemic, riots, 9/11, 2008 financial crisis, gentrification, and Trump’s presidency, but ultimately covid19 was the nail in the coffin for them.
The big takeaway here is how important building a community is.
June 11, 2023
Thank you to St. Martins Press for my complimentary copy of Last Call a Coogan’s.
A poignant love story to the rise and fall of a beloved neighborhood bar.
I really enjoyed reading about the beginnings of this cherished bar in Washington Heights. Such a shame to have is close during COVID after the neighborhood came together to fight the injustice of the rent increase.
Every neighborhood needs a place where friends and “not friends yet” can meet and forget about their problems for a few hours.
A poignant love story to the rise and fall of a beloved neighborhood bar.
I really enjoyed reading about the beginnings of this cherished bar in Washington Heights. Such a shame to have is close during COVID after the neighborhood came together to fight the injustice of the rent increase.
Every neighborhood needs a place where friends and “not friends yet” can meet and forget about their problems for a few hours.
June 6, 2023
Wonderful book! It's impeccably researched, beautifully written, and unexpectedly fascinating. It goes into great detail about Coogan's, a neighborhood bar in Washington Heights, but it's about so much more. A great way to learn about the history of the neighborhood and how changes in the community, the effects of the Covid pandemic and other factors affected the bar and the greater area. Highly recommended! Many thanks for St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an e-ARC of this compelling book.
February 19, 2025
This book won me over though it took a long time. Lots of name dropping and lots of Washington Heights history that I couldn't fully relate to, but who doesn't love the comfort of a good pub?! Ultimately the sense of community and the difference the pub was able to make within the neighborhood, made for quite an engaging story.
Recommend.
Recommend.
January 29, 2023
This book shows how a microcosm in New York City becomes a cultural icon that was killed by a once-in-a-lifetime virus and its resulting politics.
The book is nice and breezy to read: it's like talking to the bartender and finding out about life and the place you are drinking at and how it makes the neighbourhood seem more alive and personal. The stories are varied and enjoyable as their place in NY history is presented and how the COVID-19 outbreak(s) led to its demise. That is an important part of the story as one reads every day how the downtowns of cities like Seattle, San Francisco and NYC have turned to crime, violence, drugs and well, going "ghetto/skid row"...sorry there is no other word.
The book is relevant today and if you look back in ten years, perhaps even more of a touchstone to how a virus destroyed our cities and their cultural institutions.
I will recommend this to book clubs as well as individual readers with enthusiasm!
The book is nice and breezy to read: it's like talking to the bartender and finding out about life and the place you are drinking at and how it makes the neighbourhood seem more alive and personal. The stories are varied and enjoyable as their place in NY history is presented and how the COVID-19 outbreak(s) led to its demise. That is an important part of the story as one reads every day how the downtowns of cities like Seattle, San Francisco and NYC have turned to crime, violence, drugs and well, going "ghetto/skid row"...sorry there is no other word.
The book is relevant today and if you look back in ten years, perhaps even more of a touchstone to how a virus destroyed our cities and their cultural institutions.
I will recommend this to book clubs as well as individual readers with enthusiasm!
January 27, 2025
Incredible, heart-warming book! Cup of chicken soup for the soul.
February 10, 2024
Jon Michaud did such a wonderful job capturing the pulse in Washington Heights-it’s such a shame that there are so few places like Coogan’s remaining…
You will see how Coogan’s provided a place where everybody could come together from all political, racial, socioeconomic backgrounds to raise a glass!
Definitely worth reading…..
You will see how Coogan’s provided a place where everybody could come together from all political, racial, socioeconomic backgrounds to raise a glass!
Definitely worth reading…..
December 17, 2024
3.5⭐️~ interesting, but it read too much like a history book for school, not like a novel. It was a little boring too.
October 6, 2023
One of the most beautiful parts of a city is the dual nature of anonymity and a pride to this collective organism that you live and breathe. Living in a city isn't just an address. It's taking part in a mythology, a larger sense of identity and to some measure a purpose of culture.
John Michaud's "Last Call at Coogan's" recalls the mythic 38 year run of the Washington Heights bar that became more than a drinking well. From the crack ridden streets of an underdeveloped neighborhood to the imperial growth of the gentrifying Big Apple, "Coogan's" explores the people who tended to the bar and community, and built a place of pride. A city built on immigrants and continually in flux, we see the meeting of hardscrabble work and beautiful vision. Sons of immigrants, the early owners saw themselves as delivering on the American Dream of ownership and making a life of oneself. They also had the vision and generosity to pay this forward to the largely Domnician immigrants through jobs, charity work and supporting artists - including the legenary Lin-Manuel Miranda!
"Coogan's Castle" comes up often as an endearing term in the book. Bars take on identies that can be welcoming or exclusive. Coogan's embraces the mixing pot of the patrons. An irish bar with a largely Dominican enclave. Near enough to a hospital to servce police and hospital workers, but also beholden to the activists and community orgnaizers. Time and again, violence provoked by drug dealers or aggressive police, stirred waves of aggression in city streets. Political action, from presidential candidates or community organziers came through to Coogan's, to a winning audience of diverse faces.
Michaud weaves in some of his own story. Sharing businesses of Inwood and Washington Heights. Sharing details of his mother in law, from the Dominican Republic, and the perspective she had of new york. He sense his pride of the city, and in Coogan's for sponsering artwork or opening the bar to new frameworks for connection - such as plays or karaoke nights.
The tidal wave of Covid would ultimately wreck Coogan. The bar had been on life support to meet the increased rent demands of the hospital landlord. Publicity from celebrities and the NYT gave some leverage to the bar. But covid wiped our the bar attendance. And it's story, like so many bars in my Chicago neighborhood (The Fountainhead, Chicago Joe's, Band of Bohemia) all met a similar fate. The remants of the pandemic aftermath remain - increased inflation, higher crime, and continual covid infections. Reminders that cities are still enduring pain, and many bars like Coogan remain in difficulty.
This is a really riveting book. Recommend it for anyone looking to learn about this pillar of New York, loves learning about the dynamics of a city or just need some good bar stories for their local haunt.
John Michaud's "Last Call at Coogan's" recalls the mythic 38 year run of the Washington Heights bar that became more than a drinking well. From the crack ridden streets of an underdeveloped neighborhood to the imperial growth of the gentrifying Big Apple, "Coogan's" explores the people who tended to the bar and community, and built a place of pride. A city built on immigrants and continually in flux, we see the meeting of hardscrabble work and beautiful vision. Sons of immigrants, the early owners saw themselves as delivering on the American Dream of ownership and making a life of oneself. They also had the vision and generosity to pay this forward to the largely Domnician immigrants through jobs, charity work and supporting artists - including the legenary Lin-Manuel Miranda!
"Coogan's Castle" comes up often as an endearing term in the book. Bars take on identies that can be welcoming or exclusive. Coogan's embraces the mixing pot of the patrons. An irish bar with a largely Dominican enclave. Near enough to a hospital to servce police and hospital workers, but also beholden to the activists and community orgnaizers. Time and again, violence provoked by drug dealers or aggressive police, stirred waves of aggression in city streets. Political action, from presidential candidates or community organziers came through to Coogan's, to a winning audience of diverse faces.
Michaud weaves in some of his own story. Sharing businesses of Inwood and Washington Heights. Sharing details of his mother in law, from the Dominican Republic, and the perspective she had of new york. He sense his pride of the city, and in Coogan's for sponsering artwork or opening the bar to new frameworks for connection - such as plays or karaoke nights.
The tidal wave of Covid would ultimately wreck Coogan. The bar had been on life support to meet the increased rent demands of the hospital landlord. Publicity from celebrities and the NYT gave some leverage to the bar. But covid wiped our the bar attendance. And it's story, like so many bars in my Chicago neighborhood (The Fountainhead, Chicago Joe's, Band of Bohemia) all met a similar fate. The remants of the pandemic aftermath remain - increased inflation, higher crime, and continual covid infections. Reminders that cities are still enduring pain, and many bars like Coogan remain in difficulty.
This is a really riveting book. Recommend it for anyone looking to learn about this pillar of New York, loves learning about the dynamics of a city or just need some good bar stories for their local haunt.
July 3, 2023
About halfway through LAST CALL AT COOGAN’S, I asked myself, Who, outside of the immediate neighborhood, is going to be interested in this story? It seemed hyper-local. I compared it with the Instagram photos and videos that people post about their pets and kids. They might be fascinating, but mainly to those who have a close relationship to the subjects.
The construction of the book is a bit unruly. Jon Michaud --- himself an Irish immigrant --- includes stories that may be integral to the overall narrative, but taken individually, they just don’t seem all that important to the reader who doesn’t have a stake in the race.
But towards the end of his history of this Upper Manhattan institution, I began to get it.
The opening chapters focus on the difficulties in establishing Coogan’s in a community that is beset with its own problems. This Irish bar was “born” in Washington Heights at a time when New York was not in a great situation thanks to crime, drugs, intergroup rivalries and other urban deterioration. The principals who opened Coogan’s were, thankfully, a determined lot. The people they hired for various staff positions became a family, as clichéd as that may sound. And, like families, there was the occasional dispute, to lesser and greater degrees. (The hit TV show “The Bear” is an apt comparison.)
While some bars might cater to a single group, Coogan’s attracted a diverse and active crowd, including entertainers, politicians and members of the local police precincts. Many of the relationships they established came in handy, especially in later years when gentrification pushed many small businesses out due to outrageous rent increases. The landlord of Coogan’s --- connected to the nearby New York-Presbyterian Hospital from which it gleaned many of their customers --- sought to raise the lease from $20,000 to $60,000 a month. But thanks to those political connections, coupled with massive public support, that rate was drastically reduced, allowing Coogan’s to remain in operation.
But that would not last too long. One hurdle they could not negotiate away was COVID. Like thousands of other bars and restaurants across the country, they were unable to withstand the storm as more and more restrictions were put into place, locking down the nation and keeping them from the ever-dwindling gathering so important to maintaining that sense of community. The final photo in the book is of a “broom clean” Coogan’s, a sad reminder of the impact that the pandemic had on so many lives, in both the private and business sectors.
Reviewed by Ron Kaplan
The construction of the book is a bit unruly. Jon Michaud --- himself an Irish immigrant --- includes stories that may be integral to the overall narrative, but taken individually, they just don’t seem all that important to the reader who doesn’t have a stake in the race.
But towards the end of his history of this Upper Manhattan institution, I began to get it.
The opening chapters focus on the difficulties in establishing Coogan’s in a community that is beset with its own problems. This Irish bar was “born” in Washington Heights at a time when New York was not in a great situation thanks to crime, drugs, intergroup rivalries and other urban deterioration. The principals who opened Coogan’s were, thankfully, a determined lot. The people they hired for various staff positions became a family, as clichéd as that may sound. And, like families, there was the occasional dispute, to lesser and greater degrees. (The hit TV show “The Bear” is an apt comparison.)
While some bars might cater to a single group, Coogan’s attracted a diverse and active crowd, including entertainers, politicians and members of the local police precincts. Many of the relationships they established came in handy, especially in later years when gentrification pushed many small businesses out due to outrageous rent increases. The landlord of Coogan’s --- connected to the nearby New York-Presbyterian Hospital from which it gleaned many of their customers --- sought to raise the lease from $20,000 to $60,000 a month. But thanks to those political connections, coupled with massive public support, that rate was drastically reduced, allowing Coogan’s to remain in operation.
But that would not last too long. One hurdle they could not negotiate away was COVID. Like thousands of other bars and restaurants across the country, they were unable to withstand the storm as more and more restrictions were put into place, locking down the nation and keeping them from the ever-dwindling gathering so important to maintaining that sense of community. The final photo in the book is of a “broom clean” Coogan’s, a sad reminder of the impact that the pandemic had on so many lives, in both the private and business sectors.
Reviewed by Ron Kaplan
June 2, 2023
📚🍺NOVEL THOUGHTS🍺📚
For lovers of beer, bars, Cheers (where everybody knows your name!) and a small outtake of NYC history, this is right up that alley. Coogan's established in 1985 near New York-Presbyterian Hospital smack dab in the middle of Washington Heights became a central feature in the neighborhood there, not only as a drinking and eating establishment for hospital workers, visitors, and residents of the Heights, but it became a refuge from the troubles that plagued the streets there. When a patron walked through the doors, the sense of welcome and good times drained away whatever bad was going on around them and that patron was likely hooked from that day on becoming one of thousands of regulars to the bar. Though the management changed a few times in the life of Coogan's, the heart of Coogan's never did and that is what gave rise to its legacy, popularity and loyalty. The owners were involved deeply in the neighborhood, its everchanging ethnicities and traditions and went beyond finding ways to help families and children by fundraising and working with non-profits to raise money for good causes that helped the neighborhoods of Washington Heights.
Last Call at Coogan's is a historical ride through this part of New York City during its very dark and turbulent times when crack, gangs and violence ruled the streets, to the AIDS/HIV crisis, to the turnover of various immigrant populations, the rise of police unrest, the fall of the Twin Towers to the push of gentrification of those once affordable neighborhoods. All the while, Coogan's was a mainstay and unchangeable rock always there for the people. It became the place to go for decades of politicians, actors, poets, sports figures and it wasn't weird to walk in and see Lin-Manuel Miranda and his family sitting at a table having dinner or Mayor Dinkins sitting with constituents at the bar or a gathering in the back room of a famous NY poet or artist. All were welcome! What a place!
The author shares the ups and downs that come with running a place like this over 4 decades, the infighting that may occur when owners don't always share the same vision but for the most part, until the inevitable close during the pandemic of 2020, those that lived or worked nearby, could always be assured that Coogan's was a place of calm, peace and respite and family behind the heavy brown doors off of 169th and Broadway.
++Thanks to NetGalley for the honor to read this ARC due to be released June 6,2023++
For lovers of beer, bars, Cheers (where everybody knows your name!) and a small outtake of NYC history, this is right up that alley. Coogan's established in 1985 near New York-Presbyterian Hospital smack dab in the middle of Washington Heights became a central feature in the neighborhood there, not only as a drinking and eating establishment for hospital workers, visitors, and residents of the Heights, but it became a refuge from the troubles that plagued the streets there. When a patron walked through the doors, the sense of welcome and good times drained away whatever bad was going on around them and that patron was likely hooked from that day on becoming one of thousands of regulars to the bar. Though the management changed a few times in the life of Coogan's, the heart of Coogan's never did and that is what gave rise to its legacy, popularity and loyalty. The owners were involved deeply in the neighborhood, its everchanging ethnicities and traditions and went beyond finding ways to help families and children by fundraising and working with non-profits to raise money for good causes that helped the neighborhoods of Washington Heights.
Last Call at Coogan's is a historical ride through this part of New York City during its very dark and turbulent times when crack, gangs and violence ruled the streets, to the AIDS/HIV crisis, to the turnover of various immigrant populations, the rise of police unrest, the fall of the Twin Towers to the push of gentrification of those once affordable neighborhoods. All the while, Coogan's was a mainstay and unchangeable rock always there for the people. It became the place to go for decades of politicians, actors, poets, sports figures and it wasn't weird to walk in and see Lin-Manuel Miranda and his family sitting at a table having dinner or Mayor Dinkins sitting with constituents at the bar or a gathering in the back room of a famous NY poet or artist. All were welcome! What a place!
The author shares the ups and downs that come with running a place like this over 4 decades, the infighting that may occur when owners don't always share the same vision but for the most part, until the inevitable close during the pandemic of 2020, those that lived or worked nearby, could always be assured that Coogan's was a place of calm, peace and respite and family behind the heavy brown doors off of 169th and Broadway.
++Thanks to NetGalley for the honor to read this ARC due to be released June 6,2023++
May 28, 2023
"Last Call at Coogan's: The Life and Death of a Neighborhood Bar" is a non-fiction book written by Jon Michaud that chronicles the captivating story of a beloved establishment and its impact on the surrounding community. The book explores the rise and fall of Coogan's, a historic bar located near Yankee Stadium in New York City.
The narrative begins by delving into the history of Coogan's and its significance within the neighbourhood. With its rich heritage, the bar served as a meeting place for locals, sports fans, and celebrities alike. Michaud captures the essence of Coogan's as a hub of camaraderie, where friendships were formed and memories were made.
However, as the story progresses, Michaud reveals the challenges faced by Coogan's and its eventual demise. The neighbourhood undergoes rapid gentrification, leading to rising rents and changing demographics. The bar, which had been a pillar of the community for generations, struggles to adapt to these changes.
Through interviews with patrons, employees, and the bar's owners, Michaud brings to life the individuals who frequented Coogan's and the impact it had on their lives. He explores the unique bonds that were formed within the bar's walls, highlighting the role it played in fostering a sense of belonging and unity.
As Michaud explores the reasons behind Coogan's closure, he touches upon larger themes such as urban development, cultural preservation, and the effects of gentrification on local businesses. The book serves as a poignant reminder of the changing urban landscape and the loss of cherished establishments that are often casualties of progress.
"Last Call at Coogan's" is not just a story about a neighbourhood bar, but a reflection on the power of community and the lasting impact of places that hold a special meaning to people's lives. It pays tribute to the legacy of Coogan's and the countless bars and establishments that have shaped the fabric of their neighbourhoods, even in the face of adversity.
The narrative begins by delving into the history of Coogan's and its significance within the neighbourhood. With its rich heritage, the bar served as a meeting place for locals, sports fans, and celebrities alike. Michaud captures the essence of Coogan's as a hub of camaraderie, where friendships were formed and memories were made.
However, as the story progresses, Michaud reveals the challenges faced by Coogan's and its eventual demise. The neighbourhood undergoes rapid gentrification, leading to rising rents and changing demographics. The bar, which had been a pillar of the community for generations, struggles to adapt to these changes.
Through interviews with patrons, employees, and the bar's owners, Michaud brings to life the individuals who frequented Coogan's and the impact it had on their lives. He explores the unique bonds that were formed within the bar's walls, highlighting the role it played in fostering a sense of belonging and unity.
As Michaud explores the reasons behind Coogan's closure, he touches upon larger themes such as urban development, cultural preservation, and the effects of gentrification on local businesses. The book serves as a poignant reminder of the changing urban landscape and the loss of cherished establishments that are often casualties of progress.
"Last Call at Coogan's" is not just a story about a neighbourhood bar, but a reflection on the power of community and the lasting impact of places that hold a special meaning to people's lives. It pays tribute to the legacy of Coogan's and the countless bars and establishments that have shaped the fabric of their neighbourhoods, even in the face of adversity.
May 23, 2023
Any good neighborhood bar is depended on its neighborhood. Coogan's was no different. A neighborhood watering hole and eatery that was as much a part of its neighborhood as the neighborhood was a part of Coogan's. A bar that changed the neighborhood and changed with the neighborhood. This is the tale of that legendary bar, as well as a glimpse at the evolution of the neighborhood that embraced this bar.
An interesting book that tells of the inception and dissolution of Coogan's. It's life and death. We are also treated with getting to meet a few of it's regulars. Some being regular people who either worked at Coogan's or made Coogan's a staple in their lives.
Besides learning about the history of Coogan's, you'll also learn about the changes that took place in the Upper Manhattan neighborhood known as Washington Heights. Everything starts in a period of time when Washington Heights was essentially a ghetto where many low income residents settled, many being from the Dominican Republic. From being a down and out location full of drugs and crime, the area around Coogan's eventually both gains in its success and loses to that very success.
Admittedly, there were some aspects of this book that I personally didn't care for, only because I found a little of it boring. But that's solely a personal reading preference for me. This is actually quite a good book and should be interesting to many others. Especially anyone who has an interest in Coogan's and the history in that time period of Washington Heights. For anyone who frequented Coogan's, or maybe just had a few drinks that trickled through their heart, this would be required reading.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the eBook in exchange for a review.
An interesting book that tells of the inception and dissolution of Coogan's. It's life and death. We are also treated with getting to meet a few of it's regulars. Some being regular people who either worked at Coogan's or made Coogan's a staple in their lives.
Besides learning about the history of Coogan's, you'll also learn about the changes that took place in the Upper Manhattan neighborhood known as Washington Heights. Everything starts in a period of time when Washington Heights was essentially a ghetto where many low income residents settled, many being from the Dominican Republic. From being a down and out location full of drugs and crime, the area around Coogan's eventually both gains in its success and loses to that very success.
Admittedly, there were some aspects of this book that I personally didn't care for, only because I found a little of it boring. But that's solely a personal reading preference for me. This is actually quite a good book and should be interesting to many others. Especially anyone who has an interest in Coogan's and the history in that time period of Washington Heights. For anyone who frequented Coogan's, or maybe just had a few drinks that trickled through their heart, this would be required reading.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the eBook in exchange for a review.
June 5, 2023
Coogan’s Bar and Restaurant was opened in 1985 and stayed open through many turbulent years and crises before it shuddered its doors finally during the pandemic in 2020. A Washington Heights staple, it was more than just a bar - it was a community gathering place that brought people together even in the roughest of times.
This book was such a pleasant surprise! From its opening pages, I was immediately drawn in and invested in the story of this bar. At times, I forgot that I was reading non-fiction, the story unraveling much as a fiction book would and hooking me with the different people and storylines. I was so invested that I literally held my breath at one point waiting to find out if a Coogan’s employee who had been shot lived or died. It's clear that a lot of care, love, and research went into this book and it had me flipping pages until I found I had finished the whole book in one sitting.
Though Michaud is presenting facts that just happened, he was able to wave them together with stories that make you understand how and why Coogan’s was so beloved. While I actually really loved every moment of this reading experience, I’m devastated that I will never be able to personally experience Coogan’s for myself.
Not only does Michaud do a great job of talking about the bar and its history, but he is able to weave in major different issues that still plague our country to this day, such as race relations and gentrification. A story about a bar is not supposed to raise such hot button issues or be as deep as it was, but Michaud is not only able to share the history of Coogan’s, but the stories of the people who loved it as well.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.
This book was such a pleasant surprise! From its opening pages, I was immediately drawn in and invested in the story of this bar. At times, I forgot that I was reading non-fiction, the story unraveling much as a fiction book would and hooking me with the different people and storylines. I was so invested that I literally held my breath at one point waiting to find out if a Coogan’s employee who had been shot lived or died. It's clear that a lot of care, love, and research went into this book and it had me flipping pages until I found I had finished the whole book in one sitting.
Though Michaud is presenting facts that just happened, he was able to wave them together with stories that make you understand how and why Coogan’s was so beloved. While I actually really loved every moment of this reading experience, I’m devastated that I will never be able to personally experience Coogan’s for myself.
Not only does Michaud do a great job of talking about the bar and its history, but he is able to weave in major different issues that still plague our country to this day, such as race relations and gentrification. A story about a bar is not supposed to raise such hot button issues or be as deep as it was, but Michaud is not only able to share the history of Coogan’s, but the stories of the people who loved it as well.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.
May 31, 2023
Last Call at Coogan's: The Life and Death of a Neighborhood Bar by Jon Michaud is a very highly recommended history. This neighborhood bar opened in New York City’s Washington Heights one block from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in 1985 and closed during the pandemic in the spring of 2020. For 35 years the beloved local landmark often called Uptown City Hall was a vital part of the neighborhood.
Librarian Michaud wrote an article in the New Yorker about Coogan's which was the impetus for this account, which is the very interesting, easy to read story about the history of Coogan's. From 1985 to 2020 the bar and neighborhood faced a plethora of serious issues and changes which are all recounted here. The wide variety of stories included cover the owners, some of the staff, and many regulars, along with the social history of the years Coogan's was open and the community it created.
This is an excellent, well-researched book that captures and brings to life the history of a place and the people who were a large part of the story. Last Call at Coogan's would especially appeal to anyone who knows the area or ever visited or frequented Coogan's over the years. A wide variety of readers will appreciate the interesting background stories of the history and the people, but the greater appeal is going to be for those who know the area or Coogan's.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/0...
Librarian Michaud wrote an article in the New Yorker about Coogan's which was the impetus for this account, which is the very interesting, easy to read story about the history of Coogan's. From 1985 to 2020 the bar and neighborhood faced a plethora of serious issues and changes which are all recounted here. The wide variety of stories included cover the owners, some of the staff, and many regulars, along with the social history of the years Coogan's was open and the community it created.
This is an excellent, well-researched book that captures and brings to life the history of a place and the people who were a large part of the story. Last Call at Coogan's would especially appeal to anyone who knows the area or ever visited or frequented Coogan's over the years. A wide variety of readers will appreciate the interesting background stories of the history and the people, but the greater appeal is going to be for those who know the area or Coogan's.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/0...
May 28, 2023
Last Call at Coogan's
By Jon Michaud
This is the true story of the life and death of a neighborhood bar in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. The story begins with an idea and a group of young men who strive to make it happen. What starts out to be just a neighborhood bar becomes so much more.
As the cast of characters changes – owners, investors, servers, bartenders and patrons – so does the dynamic between Coogan's and its neighbors. The neighbors all work together to rid the streets of drugs and crime. In their place, Coogan's supports various philanthropic endeavors to benefit the ever-changing makeup of families living there. The arts; opportunities for children to participate in sports and other activities; 5K runs; building relationships with politicians to benefit all the residents – these are the types of things Coogan's supported. Many of Coogan's patrons went on to become standouts like Manny Ramirez and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
When gentrification threatened to force Coogan's out of business, the groundswell of support in response from thousands of people who had been touched by their exposure to the Heights allowed Coogan's to remain in business. Alas, what greedy landlords and real estate developers could not accomplish, Covis-19 did. But through this book, Mr. Michaud is doing his part to make sure Coogan's and the Heights and other neighborhoods like them should not be forgotten.
By Jon Michaud
This is the true story of the life and death of a neighborhood bar in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. The story begins with an idea and a group of young men who strive to make it happen. What starts out to be just a neighborhood bar becomes so much more.
As the cast of characters changes – owners, investors, servers, bartenders and patrons – so does the dynamic between Coogan's and its neighbors. The neighbors all work together to rid the streets of drugs and crime. In their place, Coogan's supports various philanthropic endeavors to benefit the ever-changing makeup of families living there. The arts; opportunities for children to participate in sports and other activities; 5K runs; building relationships with politicians to benefit all the residents – these are the types of things Coogan's supported. Many of Coogan's patrons went on to become standouts like Manny Ramirez and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
When gentrification threatened to force Coogan's out of business, the groundswell of support in response from thousands of people who had been touched by their exposure to the Heights allowed Coogan's to remain in business. Alas, what greedy landlords and real estate developers could not accomplish, Covis-19 did. But through this book, Mr. Michaud is doing his part to make sure Coogan's and the Heights and other neighborhoods like them should not be forgotten.
June 6, 2023
I just finished Last Call at Coogan’s the life and death of a neighborhood bar by Jon Michaud and here are my thoughts.
Coogan's bar opened in 1985 and closed its doors during the Pandemic. The book gives you a clever and detailed insight into the 35 years the bar and restaurant was open and all the trials and wins it experienced during its tenure.
It is an honest and raw look at what it is like being part of a community for decades and what walking away looks like.
The ending was totally bitter sweet. I loved reading all about the bar and the people whose lives it had touched. What a ride it was. The high highs and the low lows. The things that had to be overcome and the work that went into the place…. Wow! I am so impressed!!
Would I want to own a bar and restaurant? Not after reading this. It just shows you how much things can change.
It was a really good read and I loved every moment of this touching story. It felt like an episode of cheers that spans decades. You can feel the friendship and community coming off the pages in waves.
It was a privilege to be a part of something I didn’t witness first hand but thanks to Jon Michaud’s excellent writing, it felt like I was.
4 stars. Thank you to @stmartinspress for my gifted copy
Out now
#lastcallatcoogans #jonmichaud #smpinfluencers #stmartinspress #bookreview #nonfiction #bookblogger #booksbooksbooks
Coogan's bar opened in 1985 and closed its doors during the Pandemic. The book gives you a clever and detailed insight into the 35 years the bar and restaurant was open and all the trials and wins it experienced during its tenure.
It is an honest and raw look at what it is like being part of a community for decades and what walking away looks like.
The ending was totally bitter sweet. I loved reading all about the bar and the people whose lives it had touched. What a ride it was. The high highs and the low lows. The things that had to be overcome and the work that went into the place…. Wow! I am so impressed!!
Would I want to own a bar and restaurant? Not after reading this. It just shows you how much things can change.
It was a really good read and I loved every moment of this touching story. It felt like an episode of cheers that spans decades. You can feel the friendship and community coming off the pages in waves.
It was a privilege to be a part of something I didn’t witness first hand but thanks to Jon Michaud’s excellent writing, it felt like I was.
4 stars. Thank you to @stmartinspress for my gifted copy
Out now
#lastcallatcoogans #jonmichaud #smpinfluencers #stmartinspress #bookreview #nonfiction #bookblogger #booksbooksbooks
November 6, 2023
It’s easy to tell from the title of this book that it’s a slow, unavoidable, inevitable march to an unhappy ending. However, the beginning and middle are truly fascinating as well as heartwarming. Yes, there’s the ugly truth of drug addiction, poverty, riots, high crime rates, and with all of that, police brutality. Yes, ridiculously hiked up rent rates and gentrification nearly brought an earlier end to Coogan’s. But there’s also story after story of a community of people with all sorts of backgrounds, ethnic, social, economic, etc.
It’s like something out of a cheesy movie, but true. Amidst political, economical, and social strife, there exists a bar/restaurant where people could leave their differences at the door and enjoy one another’s company in a safe place. This community bands together against the gentrification and ridiculously hiked up rent rates and saves the bar. Again, just like a cheesy movie, but real.
There’s a perfect blend of harsh reality and people being good people despite that harsh reality. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything and again, you know that it’s all coming to an end, but it’s a reminder that there are good things and good people in this world.
It’s like something out of a cheesy movie, but true. Amidst political, economical, and social strife, there exists a bar/restaurant where people could leave their differences at the door and enjoy one another’s company in a safe place. This community bands together against the gentrification and ridiculously hiked up rent rates and saves the bar. Again, just like a cheesy movie, but real.
There’s a perfect blend of harsh reality and people being good people despite that harsh reality. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything and again, you know that it’s all coming to an end, but it’s a reminder that there are good things and good people in this world.
June 6, 2023
✍️Last Call At Coogan’s The Life and Death of a Neighborhood Bar by @jon.michaud
Did you ever know an establishment that you would frequent often? Then one day it’s no longer a place to gather with friends?
I read this book last month and today it is out in the world. Coogan’s Bar and Restaurant opened in New York City in 1985 and closed its doors in the Spring of 2020 during the pandemic.
And so the story began….
This book was written by @jon.michaud and he takes us behind the scenes of the life inside Coogan’s. It’s fascinating to hear stories from the characters themselves , surprising , fun and heartfelt.
I found this book to be a feel-good read and just getting to know all about the neighborhood and what it has meant to everyone who was ever part of Coogan’s made reading it even more enjoyable.
Thank you to my friends at @stmartinspress for the gifted copy and @jon.michaud thanks for sharing the stories!
#smpinfluncers #lastcallatcoogans #jonmichaud
June 8, 2023
Coogan's was a neighborhood establishment located in Washington Heights New York that was a result of a tragedy or at least them settlement from a tragedy. When the original owners developed their vision for this place the neighborhood was no ideal to say the least, but they had a vision for an Irish Bar and they ran with it. I believe everyone would like an establishment in their own neighborhood as this was not just a bar and a restaurant this was the type of establishment that helped create a community. Even though the owner ship was a little haphazard for a while this was the place that everyone from politicians from all levels, community leaders, and so many others would come to network, or pickup on the gossip of the moment in neighborhood. Many different groups and business used this place as a neutral zone for meetings where everyone could speak freely. Regardless of what was happening outside the four walls it was a different world inside. You will see how many different ways Coogan's gave back to the community and how in their time of need the community returned the favor. This was a good read overall.
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