Losing a home away from home

Inwood bar The Den closes after 53 years

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After musicians such as Gerry Hughes of Connolly Station and Mark Magliaro and his band finished entertaining patrons at The Den in Inwood on April 17, the bar closed its doors for good after 53 years.

The Den’s owner, James “Jimmy” Boyle, died four days earlier. Patrons gathered there one final night to say goodbye to both Jimmy and their favorite bar. 

Billy Metz, a longtime patron, said that Boyle was the greatest. “He drove people home if they couldn’t drive,” he said. “He took care of everybody. Every St. Patrick’s Day, he gave away hundreds of pounds of corned beef to his customers and the community. His corned beef and cabbage was the best. Losing him and the bar is a big loss.”

Pete Sobol, civic leader and Inwood resident, will remember how The Den served as a major hub for the Inwood community, not just every day, but in times of crisis. 

“During [Hurricane] Sandy, The Den was a place where the doors were opened,” he said. “Then food was made available for the people in the neighborhood. He didn’t worry about keeping up with the Joneses. He took care of the Joneses.”

Chris Young, also of Inwood, recalls coming to The Den after losing power and plumbing in his home during Sandy. “I had money, but with no power, I couldn’t use my credit card to pay for repairs,” he said. “The Den was open. Jimmy looked at my $600 bill, and just handed me the cash to pay it. All he said was ‘Pay me back when you can.’ That’s the kind of guy he was.”

As of press time there were no offers on the property, and nobody has expressed interest in buying the business.

One of The Den’s bartenders, Tim Hickey, remembers the roast beef and honey glazed ham every Sunday. “It has been a real bar establishment here,” he said. “Even people who don’t drink came here just to hang out and see each other.”