Coogan's NYC

04/20/2026

Hey NJ friends! Author Jon Michaud is giving a talk about Coogan’s and his book, Last Call at Coogan’s Bar, on Wednesday at the Black Box Theater at Colby’s High School. Get your ticket through this link!

07/18/2025

Thanks guys! 💚

05/03/2025

Doors open at 1.30 today at The Armory for 2pm start for the tribute to Peter. Head on up to the track level. If you’re unable to make it, The Armory have graciously arranged to livestream the event. See below for link.

04/30/2025

Livestream Announcement.
If you are unable to join us in person at The Armory on Saturday, May 3, 2pm, to honor the life and memory of Peter, we welcome all who knew and loved him to join virtually via livestream.
Peter Walsh: A Tribute To A Life Well Lived

04/26/2025

04/24/2025

Op-Led: Rest In Peace - Peter Walsh

By

I consider myself fortunate to have known Peter Walsh because to know Peter Walsh was to love Peter Walsh. That might sound like a tired and worn cliche but it is absolutely true. He was a real and actual, one of one.

For decades, he held court at Coogan’s, aka Uptown City Hall, with a smile, a song and a story. At Coogan’s, everyone that entered those doors was family. Before the Heights had trendy bars and cafes, there was Coogan’s.

Since 1985, Coogan’s had been a Washington Heights institution that welcomed one and all and Peter was the soul, spirit and beating heart of that place. Peter personified the very essence of Coogan’s.

Coogan’s closing its door in March of 202O was a neighborhood-wide pandemic wake up call. The novel Coronavirus was real and it was going to change everything irrevocably.

Coogan’s had survived the Crack Era, The Great Recession and NewYork–Presbyterian’s predatory rent increase but it could not cope with COVID. The shuttering of Coogan’s was the end of an era in Washington Heights.

Peter Walsh may have made his transition this past weekend but he will be fondly remembered by all those folks that were fortunate enough to have met the one and only Peter Walsh.

Peter Walsh Lives…

By the way, Click below to watch the outstanding documentary about Coogan’s, Coogan’s Way, by filmmaker Østen Anderson for FREE. The filmmaker is giving access to the film for free in honor of the memory of Peter Walsh. Also, make sure you buy Last Call at Coogan’s, a wonderful book about Coogan’s by our good friend .michaud.

https://vimeo.com/876465697

04/22/2025

Peter Mallon Walsh
(March 8, 1947- April 18, 2025)

Peter was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He would also want to be remembered as a poet, writer, singer, performer, and bar owner. He loved music, literature, and, of course, track. He spent his quiet moments with either a book or pen in hand at his home in Watermill, New York. In his less quiet moments, Peter’s spirit and voice could turn any taproom or gathering into a grand performance as his poems and songs took flight. Peter’s family is grateful to his friends who have held him in their hearts as he battled cancer with grace, humility, and a contagious sense of gratitude.

Born and raised in New York City, Peter attended Marist College before enlisting in the US Army and serving in Vietnam. On the GI Bill, Peter earned a Diploma in Anglo-Irish Studies at Trinity College in Dublin where he published a book of poetry, 12 Passports and A Stowaway. A devout admirer of James Joyce, Peter began collecting rare books while in Dublin, eventually donating his collection to the Glucksman Irish House at New York University. Returning from Dublin, Peter opened his first restaurant and bar, Pudding’s. Here, his love for running began as Pudding’s became a hangout for running clubs whose members impressed and inspired Peter, propelling him to run marathons.

Following the sale of Pudding’s, Peter owned Coogan’s Restaurant in Washington Heights with his partners and friends, David Hunt and Tess McDade. Greeting everyone who came to Coogan’s with a warm embrace and infectious smile, Peter had a genuine love for people and was passionate about uplifting his community. Coogan’s was a pillar in northern Manhattan thanks in large part to Peter’s unique ability to make all patrons feel comfortable, valued, and joyful. Next door to the fastest in-door track in the world and home to the National Indoor Track Hall of Fame, Peter was a champion of the NYC track and field community. In addition to cementing Coogan’s as the home of the running community in New York City, Peter founded the Coogan’s Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks 5k run, which for 15 years raised funds for youth running programs.

In his retirement, Peter was welcomed by the jazz community in Sag Harbor, NY and found a stage and a microphone at a long-standing weekly jazz night where you could find him every Friday night. While working on his first novel, Peter was writing poems and songs at a voracious pace. His completed work that documents the 1877 shipwreck of the Circassian is the most comprehensive study of the event. In his final days, he completed a series he titled Poems to Be Read, Songs to Be Sung.

A lover of life, Peter always saw the best in people and could find the light in the dark. He loved his wife, Suzanne, more than anything in the world and his children, Conor, Alice and Dana are beyond grateful for everything their father taught them about the beautiful gift that life truly is. Joy is Strength.

A Celebration of Peter’s life will take place on Saturday, May 3rd at The Armory Track + Field Ctr., 216 Ft Washington Avenue NY
Program begins at 2pm.

If you would like to make a donation in Peter’s honor to either of the organizations below, we know he would be most grateful.

Armory Foundation Youth Program- Keeping Kids on Track

Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center @ Columbia Presbyterian Hospital

Donation links in the comments.

Photo courtesy of David Lee.

09/12/2024

Peter Mallon Walsh · Macombs Dam Bridge · Song · 2013

04/09/2024

Have you bought your ticket yet? Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces next week at Riverstone on Fort Wash Ave! Tickets starting at $25 - buy yours today!

03/28/2024

Appetizers! Drinks! (Thank you Vines on Pine) Book chat! Raising money for Riverstone! What could make for a better evening? Please join us on Thurs, April 18 from 6pm to 8pm, at 99 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY 10032. Tickets start at $25 - click the link to purchase.

Riverstone celebrates 35 years of services for seniors and caregivers for loved ones with memory loss at 2020 annual gala honoring local champions.

03/20/2024

Save the date - Thursday, April 18, 2024!!
Hope to see you there!