Hell’s Kitchen staple Twins Irish Pub is closing after 52 years on 9th Avenue. As demolition looms, the last pint will be pulled on New Year’s Eve, prompting an outpouring of memories.
The pub, known for its beers and fan favorite, house-made Shepherd’s Pie was founded by Patrick Lunney, who immigrated to the US in 1960 from Swanlinbar, County Cavan, Ireland. He went on to open numerous New York area pubs and launched Twins on 9th Avenue between W33rd and W34th Street in 1970, naming it for his twin sons Danny and Patrick. Patrick Senior died in 2019, aged 86, and the bar is still run by the brothers.
In an Instagram post announcing the closure, the team said: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. Pat, Danny, the Lunney family along with their staff wish to thank everyone for the 52 storied, successful and wonderful years we have had the privilege to share with you.”
According to YIMBY, the current building will be demolished, along with the three buildings immediately south of it. The future of the 9,480-square-foot parcel, in the shadow of Hudson Yards, from 413 to 421 9th Avenue is yet to be revealed. Neighboring bar McGarry’s had shuttered permanently during the pandemic. The block is situated just two blocks south of the Paddy’s Market District, which was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The end of decades of Guinness flowing has prompted a flood of memories and tributes to the bar, which was nominated for the W42ST Best Of awards this year. W42ST reader Howie Tilkin tagged us on Twitter to say: “My home away from home is going away. Even though I haven’t been as often since COVID, Twins has been my go-to watering hole since moving to my apartment over 10 years ago. Birthday parties, dates, baseball games, and the crowd was all here. Thanks for the memories!”
It wasn’t just birthdays and baseball being remembered by some: it was true love. Rebecca Baethge said on Twins’ Facebook page: “My husband and I met and got together there! I’m from Colorado and he’s from France, now we’re married and living in France. I’m sad we won’t be able to revisit Twins before the end of the year. We wish you all good luck in your new endeavors. Thank you for being a part of our story.”
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She was not the only one. Edward Murphy posted: “I met my wife there 13 years ago. I have patronized this establishment for almost 30 years and I have some great memories there — you will definitely be missed.”
Marianne Petschke said on Facebook: “Twins Irish Pub will forever hold a place in my heart. Sweet bartender Tom (we miss you buddy! ) was always ready with a warm smile and a cold drink. My husband and I stop in whenever we are in NYC. When we eloped to NYC 30 years ago, we took our small wedding party to Twins afterward to celebrate. We will miss you all dearly. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!”
As for the twins, Pat Lunney told W42ST that while he and his family would greatly miss being a neighborhood staple but they were still busy. “We’re going out in style!” he said.
Stop by Twins Irish Pub for a final toast between now and the end of the year at 421 9th Avenue between W33rd and W34th Street, every day from 10am to midnight.
And a fantastic book called “A Shot in the Dark… ” was written by Barry Reeves (bartender at Twins for 12 years) all about the many stories at the legendary bar. Which was featured in W42ST magazine.
Union Carpenter 1St L608/212 built a ton of buildings in HELL’ s KITCHEN
You built them and I painted them Local Union 24 dc9 painters . Twins will be missed memories
Some amazing memories in the ’80s and ’90s working in the trades Union painter in Manhattan and slipping into twins St Patty’s Day packed to the gills you will be missed God bless you all
Tommy was the BEST. He is missed!
Twins will be missed. So sad – with the passing of each iconic, independently owned restaurant (business), it seems there is a chain or run-of-the-mill corporate replacement, helping to hasten the demise of NYC’s originality. Day by day, NYC becomes more like a suburban mall and tertiary cities around the country offer more uniqueness and diversity.
If it wasn’t for ice hockey I would have never known of the warmth at Twins Pub. Thanks Danny, Patrick, Tommy(RIP), & Nancy. I had a place to relax after coaching or officiating at Chelsea piers or Working at Fulton or Chelsea Houses. You will be missed. I found out going to the Rangers game last night 😞
I remember being in there on 9/11 after the post office across the street was evacuated. I stood there with my beer in hand as we watch the towers fall live on the TV. We also had many of good times there. I introduced my twins sons to the bar /hence the name Twins. There aren’t many of the old places left in New York City. It’s a Shame!