Iconic NYC dive bar, Subway Inn, closes its doors after 87 years: 'Phenomenal'

NEW YORK (PIX11)—Imagine what New York City was like in 1937. Perhaps you can begin to imagine what an 87-year-old dive bar looks like.

The Subway Inn is closing this weekend and the lights are being turned off at its iconic neon sign.

“I will miss its old world charm,” Liz Reilly, a longtime customer, told PIX11 News.

It was a bittersweet weekend for long-time aficionados of The Subway Inn, the quintessential New York City dive bar.

The bar's iconic neon sign, which stands out in front of its third location on Second Avenue near 61st Street, dates back to 1937 when it opened right by Bloomingdale’s and near a subway entrance.

“A dive bar in Midtown was absolutely phenomenal,” Peter Tamburri, a longtime regular, drinking a Jameson shot followed by a Guinness for $12, told PIX11 News. “Whether you were a CEO or a Porter, we all mixed together.” 

“I am kind of numb,” Steven Salinas, the owner's son, said.

Salinas’s father, Marcello, a penniless immigrant from Peru, started working as a porter for the original owner, Charlie Ackerman, in 1970, eventually saving enough money to buy the bar.

But rising rents, COVID-19, and changing bar tastes took their toll, and Salinas’ widow and sons decided it was time to close its doors at this location.

“I don’t understand how the generation is these days,” Salinas said. “No one goes out to bars. I don’t feel I’m in touch with the community anymore,” he added.

“I need to change. It’s been 23 years doing this,” Mario Roselli, another owner's son, told PIX11 News. “Maybe down the road, we will open up again.”

“You look back at New York history,” Lerone Wilson, the artist and longtime regular, told PIX11 News. “Some major people that were around during that time, like Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe, came here.” 

As did Sean Penn, Julia Roberts, and Willie Nelson, to name a few.

Lots of famous people mixed in with the regulars, customers told PIX11 News.

“It’s a community. I made lifelong friendships that I see outside of here that I met here. I started my own business because of Subway Inn,” Derek Lockett, founder of Divine Vision 7, told PIX11 News. 

“I’ve spent half of my adult life here. I love this place. It’s my place,” he added.

“Thank you to all New Yorkers for supporting us because you’re the Subway Inn Saviors,” Salinas said.

There is still a possibility That Subway Inn will eventually find a new location.