Loy Gordon, owner of Neir's Tavern, joined Cheddar News to discuss how he saved the establishment three times and why he did so. Gordon also showed Cheddar News some specialty drinks that patrons can enjoy.

<div class="block">Loy Gordon, owner of Neir&#39;s Tavern, joined Cheddar News to discuss how he saved the establishment three times and why he did so. Gordon also showed Cheddar News some specialty drinks that patrons can enjoy.</div>

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On The Scene: How Neir's Tavern Was Saved Three Times

Just 3.5% of New York City's businesses are owned by black entrepreneurs, shocking and in honor of black owned businessman Michelle Castillo is visiting nearest tavern to find out more about running one of New York's favorite bars stand by. That's right. Hannah, I'm here with Lloyd Gordon, who's the owner of nearest tavern. So if I understand it correctly, you saved this bar three times. So tell me quickly. How did you save it? The rice? Oh my God. It's crazy. I'm a little nuts, but I'm really a big proponent for small business and the resiliency that takes and so 2009 unfortunately, was days from closing down when I discovered that it was six months behind rent. And I created an offer that the landlord couldn't refuse so that we can keep it open because it was going to be a bodega. And then in 24,020 before the pandemic, our rent was tripled and I had to announce that we couldn't do this anymore. It was too much and it made national news. The mayor of New York City came here, the community was outside, there was multiple news cameras. And so we were able to negotiate a brand new lease that would get us to reach our 200 anniversary in 2029. Now, what's the third time? The pandemic? Oh my God, we would have, we would done highs of highs, highs of highs, the best we've ever been. And all of a sudden the pandemic happened, but we fought back and we fought back strong and here we are today because of our community ambassador's club and our community that we've always been a fan of and support us. Now, this is the oldest bar in New York City. So we'll talk a little bit about the history. This bar is 150 years old. This is on uh on mahogany bar counter, literally is one continuous piece of wood. They literally cut down a tree back in the 18 twenties and literally built this. It's still here today. So you are drinking on the same counter that they drank at 100 years ago. Uh Can I mention this to heart and soul before, before commercial refrigeration? This is how they cool the beer. The stain is still in there. And before you have fridges, you open up whatever you open this up and you put ices, you order ice on ice house and you put it in here and pack it right on the stain of steel. And it was known as the coldest beer in town. And we still have it today. So let's talk about some of the signature cocktails. Uh One of them is called the Wise Guy because of your history with, with good fellas. Tell us a little bit more about it. Uh August is gonna make it for us. Listen, we, we people have come here from far, all over the country, all over the world because of it, the, the, the the the good fellow cocktail. So we decided to do a wise had cocktail. Now we created this based on a variation of the Manhattan. And if you look at the whiskey that we put into it, it's a uncle near whiskey, which was the guy back in 1800 that was known for creating uh Jack Daniels whiskey. He was actually a black man that was a former slave. So we decided to honor his legacy by having uncle whiskey as the signature in there. And I think there's Bitters a little bit of vermouth and yeah, there's a sweet uh uh we have the Amar and of course the dash of bitters. Now I told me earlier that I'm sitting in the seat that Anthony Bourdain sat in when he came to the bar. Can you tell me a little bit more about that experience? Boda thought near time was so important that he couldn't do a piece on the queens without highlighting their. So if you, if you look in the stuff that they do in line, you'll see the video. He's sitting exactly where you're sitting right now. I was sitting over there and he was absolutely most extraordinary man. And unfortunately, about a year after we found out that he passed away. So we are honoring in so many ways because he represents what the hospitality business is about. That true authenticity and a sense of community highlighting so many different ethnicities. And this is also not just a bar but a community center for people to meet at. That's so great. I really enjoyed the fact that you guys are still pure in the community. You're gonna hit 200 years soon. But before we go, I'd love to try these cocktails. So let's give a quick toast for the good fellow cocktail right here. He's gonna for it. Let's go. We can't wait. Let's do it, let's do it, let's do it sounds good. All right. So these are the wise guys. Cheers. Yes. And back to you guys in studio wise gal.