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Pour one out: This Irish pub in Woodside is officially the best bar in Queens
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Mar 28, 2025
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By
Giulia Heyward
Published Mar 28, 2025
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An unassuming Irish pub in Woodside has it all: loyal regulars, decades of history, and now, a new title to hang behind the bar. Donovan’s Pub was just named the Best Bar in Queens.
The accolade comes from the Queens Chamber of Commerce, which previously honored the pub for having the borough's best burger.
A crowd of patrons already seated late Wednesday afternoon were the first to hear the news. Some hollered. Others snapped photos as co-owner Dan Connor held up a shiny new plaque.
It’s a big moment for a bar that nearly shut its doors a little more than a decade ago. Donovan’s first opened in 1966, and is named for its original owner, Jay Donovan.
But Donovan put the place up for sale in 2012 after none of his children expressed interest in running it.
Potential buyers had plans to turn the space into everything from a supermarket to a bank to a shopping plaza — until Queens native Dan Connor and his brother-in-law stepped in.
“Donovan’s is just too important to this community” Connor told Gothamist. “It’s too important to our families, so we decided, ‘What the hell! Let’s buy it.’”
Some of the bar’s longtime patrons told Gothamist what keeps them coming back.
Paddy Doherty, who lives just six blocks away, said he’s been coming to Donovan’s several times a week since he was 20.
He usually orders a light beer, chats with his favorite bartender Christine, and catches up with other regulars. Sometimes, he brings a burger home for his wife.
“Look around: everybody's relaxing, you’ve got some good food, I’ve been coming here a long, long time,” Doherty said.
Kathy Farren, who was sitting several seats away, said Donovan's friendly atmosphere is what keeps her and her husband coming back regularly.
“As a woman, you feel safe coming into a bar,” she said. “It’s clean, the food’s good and my husband likes the beer. It’s always fresh.”
She added that some pasta dishes make you “think you’re at an Italian restaurant.”
Farren pointed to her friend Kathy Covits, who was seated beside her with a scotch and soda. Covits joked she “was almost born” at the bar.
“Surprise?” she said, when asked about Donovan’s getting the award. “I’m here. It should be the best bar. I should have a little crown.”
“It’s like Cheers!” Farren added.
The contest was part of the Queens Chamber of Commerce's ongoing “Best of Queens” series, which is now in its 10th installment.
This year, locals nominated 46 bars. And after thousands of votes were tallied, Donovan’s came out on top. Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven and Claret Wine Bar in Sunnyside took second and third place, respectively.
Donovan’s Pub also received a complimentary year of membership to the Queens Chamber. The runners-up received certificates.
Tagged
queens
restaurants
bars
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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