Last Call at Coogan's

More about the book

The inspiring story of a beloved neighborhood bar that united its community. Coogan's Bar and Restaurant opened in New York City's Washington Heights in 1985 and closed in the pandemic spring of 2020. Often referred to as Uptown City Hall, it became a staple of neighborhood life for 35 years, serving as a safe haven in a multi-ethnic, majority-immigrant community undergoing rapid change. The narrative chronicles the bar's journey from the late 80s and early 90s, when Washington Heights faced the highest crime rates in the city, to the 2010s, when gentrification threatened its existence. A massive community mobilization, led by Lin-Manuel Miranda and local politicians, ultimately kept Coogan's open. The book addresses pressing issues such as race relations, policing, gentrification, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Readers will encounter the bar's owners and a diverse cast of regulars, including an aspiring actor from Kentucky, a karaoke-loving television reporter, and a Puerto Rican community board manager who falls for an Irish cop. At its heart, this is a story about a small business, its dedicated staff, loyal customers, and the vibrant community they all called home.