Last Call at Coogan's

The Life and Death of a Neighborhood Bar

By: Jon Michaud

Narrated by: Robert Fass

The uniquely inspiring story of a beloved neighborhood bar that united the communities it served.

Coogan’s Bar and Restaurant opened in New York City’s Washington Heights in 1985 and closed its doors for good in the pandemic spring of 2020. Sometimes called Uptown City Hall, it became a staple of neighborhood life during its 35 years in operation―a place of safety and a bulwark against prejudice in a multi-ethnic, majority-immigrant community undergoing rapid change.

Last Call at Coogan’s by Jon Michaud tells the story of this beloved saloon, from the challenging years of the late 80's and early 90's, when Washington Heights suffered from the highest crime rate in the city, to the 2010’s, when gentrification pushed out longtime residents and nearly closed Coogan's itself; only a massive community mobilization led by superstar Lin-Manuel Miranda and local politicians kept the doors open.

This book touches on many serious issues facing the country today: race relations, policing, gentrification, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Along the way, readers will meet the bar’s owners and an array of its most colorful regulars, such as an aspiring actor from Kentucky who dreams of bringing a theater company to Washington Heights, a television reporter who loves karaoke, and a Puerto Rican community board manager who falls in love with an Irish cop from the local precinct. At its core, this is the story of one small business, the people who worked there, the customers they served, and the community they all called home.

©2023 Jon Michaud (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Roben Fass's narration conjures a distinct atmosphere and emotion. His delivery perfectly complements Michaud's prose, making for an immersive listening experience that takes listeners to the heart of the tale. This well-researched narrative history is a delightful listen and a reminder of the power and importance of community.”—Library Journal

“Librarian Michaud (When Tito Loved Clara) delivers a stirring tribute to Coogan’s, a restaurant and bar in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City…Earnest, evocative, and full of crisply rendered profiles of employees and patrons, this is a rewarding study of how communities are built.”—Publishers Weekly

“Last Call at Coogan’s serves as a memorable Irish wake in book form for a beloved establishment where the owners looked out for the patrons as much as for themselves. Librarian and author Michaud offers a touching chronicle of a beloved New York watering hole.”—Booklist

AN IRISH PUB THAT CHANGED THE NEIGHBORHOOD

An excellent book! How relationships can be made across races & neighbors finding peace with each other! This all from the heart of this Irish pub & the owners who cared!! Washington Heights - uptown Manhattan 💚

Fascinating!

Such an interesting book about an usual place and it’s visionary owners. If you want to get to know New York, the real New York before it was gentrified and sanitized read this book. So many strands of life and fascinating stories of individuals weave together to create a rich tapestry with Coogan’s at in center. The owners of Coogans were true visionaries and created a place of safety to build community and heal real world rifts. I was particularly struck by how the relationship between the police and community evolved over time and impact this bar had. Michaud brings each individual story to life while creating a vivid picture of an exceptional community and a truly special place. This is a great read.