Rockaway Beach native reopens Inwood landmark

Tim Hickey considered Jimmy Boyle a second father and confidant, who doled out wisdom as well as he served Den tavern patrons for decades at 205 Sheridan Blvd. in Inwood.

Sharing a native homeland of Ireland, Hickey’s memories are connected to long ago poker games that his family, including his father, Patrick, took part in with the Boyle family that lasted so long, Hickey’s mother, Mary, ended up cooking breakfast for everyone. Years later, Hickey also spent time with Jimmy, taking him to Atlantic City on Thursdays for a respite from work.

A Rockaway beach native and Oceanside resident who bartended for Jimmy, Hickey, now owns the bar the Boyle family ran since 1962, beginning with James Boyle Sr., Jimmy’s dad, and until Jimmy died in April of last year.

Jimmy's Place is the new name for the bar that seeks retain the creature comforts that previously existed from the pay phone (same number 516-239-9873) in the right corner near the front door to the friendly, neighborhood flavor that the Den provided.

“I’m keeping it just like Jimmy had it,” Hickey said as he pointed to the original fixtures he rescued from storage. “It’s all for the neighborhood, whether they want a drink, a cup of coffee or a bite to eat.”

Hickey said he named the new tavern to honor Boyle’s legacy of always being there for his patrons and community. “He was like a priest to the neighborhood,” Hickey said. “Jimmy would say, ‘figure out what you are doing wrong and stop it.’”

One of the things Boyle didn’t do wrong was cultivate a tremendously friendly vibe for a bar that could serve as both the gateway into Inwood and Far Rockaway. “The door will always be open, just like it was with Jimmy,” Hickey said.

Jimmy Johnson began coming to the Den in 1967 when he worked at the adjacent gas station once owned by Sam Capobianco. “This is huge for the people of Inwood,” Johnson said about the opening of Jimmy’s Place. “Jimmy was a great loss to us.” Johnson stressed that he lives in Centereach but there are only two other place he drinks: Bridie O’s in Lawrence and Connolly Station in Malverne.

Helping Hickey is his wife, Diane. They have been married 26 years and have nine children, boys and girls, ranging in age from 5 to 26. “It means a lot, it was very important for [Tim] to open in Jimmy’s memory,” Diane said.

Michael Boyle, Jimmy’s brother, said he had mixed emotions about the reopening considering he is the only remaining member of his family. “People are gone or have moved away, I have a bewilderment of things that have happened,” he said.

Hickey said that closer to Christmas, a commercial kitchen will be installed, along with a serving area for the pub-style food. New televisions will replace the older models and there is a sleek, digitized jukebox mounted on one wall.

Last weekend, there were barbecues and hot food was served. Singer/songwriter Gerald Bair performed live on Saturday. Football games were on the TVs and roast beef and mashed potatoes were served last Sunday, just as Jimmy did.
“God bless Jimmy Boyle, God bless Tim Hickey opening the bar in memory of Jimmy,” said Joe “the mechanic” Kalockner, a 30-year resident of Inwood.