Coogan's Way Officially Home at West 169th & Broadway

“You just cannot tell the history of Washington Heights over the past almost four decades without telling the story of Coogan’s.”

— Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President

On Wednesday, May 25, community members and local elected officials celebrated the co-naming of West 169th St. & Broadway as Coogan’s Way, where the beloved “come one, come all” restaurant Coogan’s flourished for 35 years. The Irish restaurant and bar closed amidst the Covid pandemic in 2020.

The ceremony was organized by New York City Councilwoman Carmen De La Rosa, District 10 representative. Coogan’s owners Peter Walsh, Dave Hunt, and Tess O’Connor-McDade were embraced by a crowd of familiar faces, including former employees and customers. Before the unveiling of the street sign, the following elected officials spoke about Coogan’s lasting impact on Washington Heights:

Congressman Adriano Espaillat
State Senator Robert Jackson
Assemblyman Al Taylor
NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, formerly District 10 representative
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine
NYC Council member Carmen De La Rosa
NYC Council member Shaun Abreu

It seems fitting that Coogan’s Way will forever run parallel to the homestretch of The Armory’s track; bringing the community together is a neighborhood effort, something The Armory Foundation works toward each day and a vision that was shared with community hub Coogan’s. It served many of the same community members and families that partake in various programming inside of our building; it was known by athletes and spectators visiting our track from around the country — and even the world — as the “go-to” spot next door for great food, drink, and energy.

Armory Foundation Co-President Jonathan Schindel offered his remarks to the crowd and gratitude for our commemorated neighbor, saying that “Coogan’s was far more than the hard work of Tess, Dave and Peter — it was their moral compass, their ethos that made Coogan’s the beautiful mosaic, the melting pot, that is NYC’s strength — and this made Coogan’s so important to so many people.”

Additionally, a proclamation was presented on behalf of the New York City mayor’s office and Mayor Eric Adams declaring May 25, 2022 Coogan’s Way Day.

Following the outdoor ceremony, The Armory invited attendees of the gathering to a reception in our arena with the Coogan’s Way documentary playing on the Armory Cube.