THE Patriot, Chambers Street and Church Street, closed in mid-2022, likely a Covid-19 victim. It was a neighborhood bar cleverly disguised as a dive bar (unlike the nearby Raccoon Lodge which was indeed a dive bar). I was only in once, but it was memorable. I met a couple of cousins here after a Forgotten NY tour in June 2008 in which our group crossed the Manhattan Bridge, delved into Brooklyn Heights for about an hour, and returned over the Brooklyn Bridge. That’s about 6-7 hours of touring, which was my par then; I have reduced that considerably since. Needless to say I was thirsty and in the course of the “after party” I swallowed five drafts and didn’t feel phazed at all. The barmaid was quite friendly, which I appreciate. A third cousin in New Hyde Park was a little piqued when we showed up late.
The Patriot was only in existence for 19 years but it seemed to be one of those places that was there forever, like the Old Town Bar near Union Square. Apparently it was a haunt for well-known celebrity figures and politicians which seems natural because City Hall was nearby.
The Patriot was opened by bar mogul Tom McNeil in 2003 — and I am hoping commenters here can remember what was there before. McNeil had the Village Idiot, which he opened in the East Village in the ’80s and closed in the Meatpacking in 2004, when the rent went from $16 a square foot to $60.
McNeil’s formula (and legacy) was scantily clad bartenders and cheap beer; his former employees went on to open Hogs and Heifers (owned still by former Tribecan Michelle Dell, now in Vegas), Doc Holliday’s and Coyote Ugly. [Tribeca Citizen]
A bit late…but sick transit, Gloria!
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10/25/23