Hicksville Pubs Past and Present

Hicksville Pubs Past and Present

Submitted by Karl Schweitzer, Class of 1981

Bars, pubs and taverns have dotted the landscape of Hicksville for more than 160 years. A quick recollection of an old memory can turn into a marathon night of conversation with nostalgic memories of “the good old days”.  Recently, while attending a wedding, I found myself in an unplanned game of “Name that Bar."  A conversation that started between my brother and me, expanded to include half the party.  It literally went on for hours and it was the impetus for this article. 

The Neighborhood Bar

We often used the phrase "Neighborhood Bar" to describe the taverns and pubs we once knew.  Those bars are not today's gastropubs or alehouses.  As patrons, we were biased walking into “Our” bar, which was like a second home. It was awesome. Everyone who hung out at the neighborhood bar knew each other’s names, the neighborhood, and what time they’d show up to drink. The bar was filled with the old-school melting pot of nationalities, construction workers, and lifelong residents who permeated the place.

In Hicksville, there were so many neighborhood bars.  The old watering holes were never the kinds of places that inspired deep love, with the exception of me.  My wife and I met at the Wind Whistle in 1981. There is no doubt that the landscape of drinking establishments we have now is far superior in just about every way. The food's better, the beer's better, the environment is more family- and community-oriented. Whether we love or hate Old Watering Holesneighborhood bars, we are losing them pretty fast.  Societies change; before we know it, there won't be many left.

Looking Back

As I looked back, I found information on the first known tavern in Hicksville in the Queens County Court documents of May 14, 1863. Samuel Hendrickson and Thomas Seaman separately applied for the sale of “strong and spirituous liquors and wines." This was required in accordance with the Act for Suppression of Intemperance and to regulate the sale of Intoxicating Liquors, of 1857. I found Samuel as an early proprietor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Around the time the Civil War was intensifying, in Hicksville, the consumption of alcohol was primarily done in its hotels. As the railroad brought travelers east, they would need to rest at the end of the line, Hicksville, before proceeding further east on the island by horseback or carriage. Perhaps the most famous hotel of the early 1900s was the Grand Central Hotel. This was the hub of social life for many. Stories were passed on that this was the place for those with money. The Germania Hotel was also located on the corner of Broadway and West Marie Street. One of the earliest standaloneKeller's Cafe places that sold beer and spirits was Keller’s Café, located on Woodbury Road. The cafe was a wood frame clapboard building with a gable roof, chimney, and porch; the cafe was attached to a two-story building, possibly a home. 

Staehle’s Brewery & Hotel, located on Broadway and Cherry Street, was the first brewery that also housed visitors. It was owned and operated by Eugene Henrich Staehle. The hotel entrance was on Broadway, and the brewery entrance was on Cherry Street.  Eugene Staehle was born in 1865 and immigrated from Stuttgart, Germany, in 1881 at the age of 16 and first settled in Troy, New York. While in Troy, he worked on furthering his master craft of brewing beer. In 1902, he moved to Hicksville and opened a brewery and hotel.  In November of 1916, he suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 51, leaving his widow and several children.  By 1918, an auction was held, and the contents of Staehle’s Brewery were sold, with the building selling in 1925.

Staehle’s Brewery & Hotel

Staehle’s Brewery & Hotel

Staehle’s Brewery & Hotel

Brigandi’s Bar & Grill

 Around 1886, my great-grandfather immigrated from Italy and set up home on Maspeth Avenue in Brooklyn.  His son, my grandfather, Michael Brigandi, set his eyes on Hicksville. In 1926, just after my mom's birth, Adeline (Class of 1944),  he moved his family to 33 Woodbury Road in Hicksville. The home was nestled across from the railroad tracks and the Sinclair Gas Station. At that time, the tracks weren’t elevated, and they passed right by theBrigandis Bar front of his home. My mom's stories included playing in the local Heitz Place courthouse jail, less than 100 feet from her backyard.  Alcohol in America was banned from 1919 to 1933. Many recall that during the 1920s prohibition, “home brew” was popular. In 1933,  my grandfather, Michael, opened up Brigandi’s Bar & Grill. The front of his home became the barroom. Beer was 10 cents per glass, and every third one was free.

Brigandi’s was known as “Pop Johnson’s” and became a popular gathering spot. While I could not find out why the nickname was used, it was found in several documents and through conversations with those who had drank there. The classic “shot-and-a-beer” was the top seller in those years, with a crowd that spanned the spectrum of local society.

Michael was also an avid pigeon fancier and raced pigeons.  When he bought the home in Hicksville,  a pigeon coop was immediately attached to the back of the home. Michael, along with other local friends, Harry Borley and Anthony Adessio owned and operated a successful pigeon racing business from his loft. They were known as the “Inimitable Three,” selling pigeons from $10—$15 each.  The thoroughbreds of the sky were released simultaneously and then instinctively returned to their Woodbury Road loft with exceptional homing abilities. Michael would release his birds to fly at least once a day.

 Circa 1939 Jeanette Brigandi (Class of 41) in front of Brigandi's DelicatessenWhile my grandfather was entertaining locals. My grandmother was operating a deli and candy store on the same property,Brigandi's Circa 1960 - The house was once "Pop Johnson's, and the building to the left was Brigandi's Candy Store. The back of the home was also used to raise racing pigeons. but in a separate building.

 By 1938, my grandfather became ill and passed away at 38. Only two years later, my grandmother, at the age of 40, passed away from cancer. The neighborhood bar was gone. The home was bought by my Grandfather’s brother, Anthony, until he died in 1963, and the home was torn down in the 1990s to make room for the current strip mall.

While it was temporary, the bar business returned to our family. My Paternal Grandfather, my dad, and his brother all tendered bar at Breslin’s Bar & Grill in Woodmere, while my cousin owned and operated Spiffy’s in Uniondale in the 1970s.   My brother Gary (Class of 77) co-owned Crossroads Bar & Restaurant with his partner, Teddy Marotta (Class of 81).  It was located at 646 South Broadway. It was once the Center Bar, Stack O’Barley Pub, and Remington’s. It was Gary’s passion, and following in his grandparents’ footsteps was not just a surprise but a trip worth taking. The business was sold in 2019. Legends followed, and now it is The Rabbit’s Foot.

Crossroads Restaurant and Bar

Seen here on opening day are Joan (Longo) and Gary Schweitzer (both Class of 77) at Crossroads in Hicksville. Ted Marotti (Class of 81) was his partner.

Legends Restaurant and Bar

 Continuing Down Memory Lane

As I continued my trip down memory lane, I needed to enlist the assistance of several people, search through old newspapers, websites, and the State liquor sale approvals, and came up with the list below.

I noted that many bars have been at their locations for many years, although names have changed. They were neighborhood bars that catered to the local residents. They were mainstays in the community as early as the 1940s and operated for many years, including Jabby’s Tavern before it was sold and became PJ’s Place and Pugsley’s. It is now a restaurant.

Pugsleys Pub

Other mainstay bars and pubs were the old Hicksville Fire House. After it was moved across the street from its current location, it became Jean & Joe’s Firehouse Inn, then just the “Firehouse Inn,” before Tommy Colwell bought it and kept the name. It was the “Uncle Albert’s” before it became known as the “Wind Whistle,” and for thirty years, it has been known as “Peppercorns.”

Firehouse Inn

Wind Whistle Pub

Peppercorns

The “Alpine Bar” on Jerusalem Avenue became the “Harmony,” then “SB’s before settling in as “Gentry’s.” The southwest area of Hicksville has made this a neighborhood bar for many years.

SB's Bar

Gentry's Pub

In the Northwest section of Hicksville, the West John Street Bar brought up memories even as a child. My dad frequented the bar on his way home from work. Al Lombardi owned the bar, and he treated the patrons like family. There were the children’s Christmas parties where Al played Santa and had gifts for the neighborhood children. I remember sitting in the chair with my Coca-Cola with three cherries while Dad talked with his friends. A quarter here and a quarter there would keep me entertained with the Imperial Shuffle Alley Puck Bowling Arcade Machine. That bar would be sold and called the West End Pub, Frankie and Johnnies, and finally Captain Jacks before closing its doors after 50 years as a bar entertaining the neighbors.

During the 70’s, my dad Marty & Gary Schweitzer would serve as the West John Street Bar Softball Team Managers. Most games were played at Drexel Field in Westbury on Sunday Mornings. Over the years, some players were Bill Delaney, Pete McLoughlin, and Bobby Bergin. Kenny Ulbricht, Steven and Dennis Mezzapesa, Greg Moore, Danny Hearon, Jerry Rizzi, Don Swallow, George Bennett, Pete Veijo, Bill “West” McCormack, Marty Schweitzer(Jr), Brian & Barry Vevante, Kevin Sweet, Frank Volpe and Jimmy Schmidt. I know I’m missing a few………

Over on East Barclay, the old Horseshoe Tavern from the turn of the century remained in place for almost 100 years. It would become the “Tower Bar” and the “Off-Broadway Pub” until it was sold and knocked down to make way for JVC Auto Body Shop.

Some may remember Rudy Bouse.  He owned and operated Rudy’s on Charlotte Avenue and Duffy Avenue for many years before it was sold to Doug Dwyer, who named it Ebbets Field Café, before its last owner, Ernie Hupfer, named it Sidelines.

Ebbets Field Cafe

Sidelines

 The West Village Green off Newbridge Road has been the home of the Fantastic, Crazy Jester, the Curiosity Shop, and finally, the Double L Pubs.

Crazy Jestor

Double L Tavern

Over on Woodbury Road, just west of the old Hi-Way Tavern, was Fred’s Inn, Charles Avenue, and Reinhardt’s.

Charles Ave Cafe

Reinhardts pub

 Broadway had its share of bars, pubs, and taverns through the years, but in one area by Botto Bros was Molly McGuires, Chaplin’s, Buster’s Ale House, and 247 Broadway Sports Bar, and next door to Botto Bros was Shipwrecks.

As you moved over to the Centerview Shopping Center at the intersection of Newbridge Road and Old Country Road (the old Bohack and now CVS area) was the home of the Plaza Bar, Beeftater Lounge, Flagstaff, Prime Tyme Pub, Stack O’Barley II, Cheers, Wickers and now the Cancun Bar & Grill.

Cheers Restaurant Bar and Grill

Wickers Restaurant

Cancun Restaurant

One of the more popular places from the early 1900s through the 1970s was next door to the old Reinhardt Hotel on Broadway. It was between St Ignatius and the now Town of Oyster Bay Athletic Center. It was Charlie K’s Night Club, the Hicksville Tavern, Mystic Lounge, Rainbow Lounge, Spa Lounge, and Tavern Bar.

As you traveled west on Old Country Road, The Capri, Little Country Pub, Rembrandt’s, and now The Headliner Pub.

Rembrandts Bar and Grill

The Headliner Bar and Grill

Some of the more notable establishments that were brought up by many folks I chatted with, both young and old, were Frank’s Albi on Old Country Road, the Hi-Way Tavern on Woodbury Road, the Shady Maple South Broadway, Tony Hoda’s on East Carl Street, the Log Tavern on Herzog Place, just a few stores away from Bills Bar & Grill and the Bottom’s Up Pub in the Sutter Building center on Nelson Avenue.

Franks Alibi	Hi-Way TavernHi-Way Tavern
Tony's Pub

Having searched the records of the Hicksville Fire Department, I was also able to note that there were six

fires that happened to strike local pubs, bars, and taverns.

John's Bar Fire

Pub Fire

Matchbooks and Cards

A List of Hicksville's Pubs, Taverns and Bars

By no means, are all taverns, pubs and bars listed.  Some restaurants are included since they are or were also neighborhood bars, taverns, and/or pubs. The following list will jog some good memories.  The pictures in this article have been taken from various websites and the Hicksville Public Library. 

• Alpine Bar 406 Jerusalem Avenue
• Anthony’s Bar & Grill 15 East Carl Street
• Beeftater Lounge 259 Old Country Road
• Bernard’s Pub 43 Broadway
• Bill's Bar & Grill 19 Herzog Place
• Bottoms Up 10 Jerusalem Avenue
• Brandies 451 New South Road
• Breslin’s Polish Lounge 43 Broadway
• Brigandi's (Pop Johnson's) Bar 33 Woodbury Road
• Broadway 247 Sports Bar 247 South Broadway
• Busters Ale House 247 South Broadway
• Captain Jack's 396 West John Street
• Center Bar / Tavern 646 South Broadway
• Chances R 77 North Broadway
• Chaplin’s 247 South Broadway
• Charles Avenue 120 Woodbury Road
• Charlie K’s Night Club 159 Broadway
• Cheers Bar 206 West Old Country Road
• Club Bar 170 Broadway
• Colwell’s Firehouse Inn 25 East Marie Street
• Crossroads 646 South Broadway
• Curtis House 100 West Nicholai Street
• Curiosity Shop 4 West Village Green
• Decades South Broadway
• Delaney’s 828 South Broadway
• Firehouse Inn 25 East Marie Street
• Flagstaff 206 Old Country Road
• Flanagan's
• Frank’s Alibi 50 Old Country Road
• Frankie & Johnnies 396 West John Street
• Fred’s Inn 120 Woodbury Road
• Friar Tucks 173 Levittown Parkway
• Geary's Tavern 100 North Broadway
• Gentry's 406 Jerusalem Avenue
• Halfway Tavern 294 North Broadway
• Harmony 406 Jerusalem Avenue
• Headliners 370 West Old Country Road
• Hicksville Tavern 159 Broadway
• Hi-Way Tavern 265 Woodbury Road
• Double L 4 West Village Green
• Double R 24 Newbridge Road
• Driftwood Woodbury Road
• Dwyers Tavern 4 West Cherry Street
• Ebbets Field 360 Duffy Avenue
• Fantastic Inn 4 West Village Green
• Finnegans Bar 37 West John Street
• Horseshoe Tavern 28 East Barclay Street
• House of Lords 612 South Oyster Bay Road
• Iannone’s Bar 382 West John Street
• Jabby’s Tavern 19 Broadway
• Joe & Jean's Firehouse Inn 25 East Marie Street
• John's Oasis Bar 453 New South Road
• Johns Tavern 14 West Marie Street
• Jolly Swagman Inn 100 West Nicholi Street
• Legend's 646 South Broadway
• Little Country Pub 370 Old Country Road
• Little Inn 9 First Street
• Little John’s Pub 729 South Oyster Bay Road
• Log Tavern 11 Herzog Place
• Mid Island Bowl Broadway
• Molly McGuire’s Pub 247 South Broadway
• Mystic Lounge 159 Broadway
• O'Brien's Bar 355 South Broadway
• O'Dea's Bar 19 Herzog Place
• Off Broadway Pub 50 East Barclay Street
• Old Country Inn Old Country Road &
• Parkway Corner 616 South Oyster Bay Road
• Paul’s Bar & Grill 100 North Broadway
• Peppercorns 25 East Marie Street
• Peter Breen’s Lounge 1st Street & Broadway
• Petski's Bar & Grill 1 Woodbury Road
• PJ's Place 19 Broadway
• Prime Tyme Pub 206 Old Country Road
• Princess Inn 270 North Broadway
• Pugsley’s 19 Broadway
• Rabbits Foot 646 South Broadway
• Rainbow Lounge 159 Broadway
• Reinhardts Pub 120 Woodbury Road
• Remingtons 646 South Broadway
• Rembrandts 370 West Old Country Road
• Rudy’s 360 Duffy Avenue
• Rusty’s Pub 37 West John Street
• Ryan's Tavern 11 Herzog Place
• SB's 406 Jerusalem Avenue
• Scruples 43 Broadway
• Shady Maple 594 South Broadway
• Shea's Bar 355 South Broadway
• Sherwood Forest 173 Levittown Parkway
• Shipwrecks Broadway
• Shotzies 231 South Broadway
• Sidelines 360 Duffy Avenue
• Spa Lounge 159 Broadway
• Sports Time Café 616 South Oyster Bay Road
• Stack O' Barley 646 South Broadway
• Stack O' Barley II 206 Old Country Road
• Station Tavern 36 Broadway
• Tavern Bar 159 Broadway
• The Blue Top Tavern 28 Broadway
• The Capri 370 Old Country Road
• The Lounge 10 Jerusalem Avenue
• The Paris Lounge South Broadway
• The Plaza Bar 206 Old Country Road
• The Way Tavern North Broadway & Bethpage Road
• Time Out Sports Café 616 South Oyster Bay Road
• TJ Courtney's 594 South Broadway
• Tony Hoda’s 15 East Carl Street
• Tower Bar 50 East Barclay Street
• Tumblin Inn 476 South Broadway
• Twigs Café 616 South Oyster Bay Road
• Uncle Alberts 25 East Marie Street
• VJ's Broadway
• West End Pub 396 West John Street
• West John Street Bar 396 West John Street
• Wickers 206 Old Country Road
• Wind Whistle 25 East Marie Street
• Winks Tavern 68 North Broadway
• Woodbury Lanes South Oyster Bay Road