NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — With decades of history, beloved Woodside establishment Donovan’s Pub has recently been racking up accolades, including being named Best Bar in Queens this week by the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
The Irish pub has been in the same place at Roosevelt Avenue and 58th Street for 59 years, and manager Chris Santangelo has been there for 30 of them.
“A lot of love goes into everything that we do here. The food, the service, the place. I mean if you look around, we’ve got working fireplaces,” Santangelo told 1010 WINS. “You feel like you’re in Ireland when you walk in.”
Branded as “Woodside’s Landmark Gathering Place,” Donovan’s Pub serves proper Guinness beer, wine, spirits and award-winning food—picking up the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s best burger award last year.
The pub is owned by Queens native Dan Connor and his brother-in-law James Jacobson, but remains named after its original owner, Jay Donovan. Donovan put the bar up for sale in 2012, but was snatched up by the men in order to keep it in the community.
Connor told 1010 WINS that the place is happy to have served for generations, and is excited that the younger one has been coming in amid Guinness’ renewed popularity.
“They are the best. They deserve everything, all the good things that are coming for them.” Connor said.
But some regulars like Tommy Vitale aren’t new to the Irish brew, and are hoping to keep the tradition of grabbing one at Donovan’s Pub in the family. The bar was the favorite of his late grandfather, he told 1010 WINS.
“I just got married last year, actually I’m wearing his wedding ring, and now I get to bring my wife here and do some of these things too, and hopefully one day bring kids here and grandkids,” he said.
According to John McManus, who grew up in Woodside, the place deserves all the recognition it’s getting.
“It just feels like home, so it’s a connection that we’ve had for many years, and I’m so happy that it’s doing so well,” he said.
The award came as part of the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s “Best of Queens” installment, now on its 10th year. Locals nominated 46 bars for the honor, and after thousands of votes came in from March 10 to March 20, Donovan’s came out on top.
Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven placed second, and Claret Wine Bar in Sunnyside took third place.
Along with the recognition, Donovan’s pub received a complimentary year of membership to the Queens Chamber of Commerce.