Left rectangle ads redesigned
Robert Ripps book
History of Tribeca Buildings
The reports of Nancy Whiskey’s demise are greatly exaggerated
There’s been a flurry of comments suggesting that Nancy Whiskey Pub, the oldest of the old-timers at 57 years, is about to close. Not true, said the owner. I’ve been meaning to get in touch with Melissa White for weeks to discuss the building sale and we finally connected.
“As of right now, we are not closing,” Melissa said — though she is dealing with a up in the rent. So, “we are in negotiations to find a happy place for them and something I can swing. I don’t know what the future holds exactly but we’re still here.”
As Melissa said, the past couple years “have been a ride.” There was covid, of course. Then the longtime owner of the pub, Billy Walls, died in early 2022. And then the longtime owner of the building, Peter Matera — whose father, John, bought the building in 1978 –– died last October; the building was sold in June along with 5 Lispenard. The Matera family’s portfolio of buildings in the neighborhood is quicky turning over. (There’s reason to think the new owner could keep Nancy Whiskey in place: they now own #1 Lispenard and #5 Lispenard, but not #3. I can’t see redeveloping that corner without the trio.)
Melissa’s coworkers set up a GoFundMe, first to help her secure ownership of the business. They raised $45,000. And as soon as that seemed to settle, she’s had to deal with the rent increase, so they reopened it. She’s also looking for other revenue streams, like renting to location scouts for TV or movies.
“People have been insanely generous,” she said. “They want this bar to remain as this bar.”
6 Comments
Comment:
Medium rectangle #1 (top)
Right column rectangle ads
Mega rectangle
Restaurant guide icon
Any info on Pepilino’s second floor space which runs right above Nancy Whiskey?
That is all one building, I am pretty sure.
Rocco – unfortunately they will be closing at the end of September
What’s closing? Pepilino’s? If that’s the case, that’s onerous for Nancy Whiskey
I love this bar and we drive down from Canada a few times a year just to visit and are treated like family.
Hopefully they will be there for many years to come.
We love Nancy Whiskey’s Pub! We live in Florida and go there at least once a year to violate the Pub and MELISSA! Closing this Tribeca institution would be a discredit to everyone.. We will see you in February Melissa!
Nancy Whiskey’s is where everyone meets up with their friends and meets new friends…