
The streets of Murray Hill grew quieter this week with the closure of its longstanding Abbey Tavern, a sports bar that for over 60 years served as a local hangout. In a piece published by the New York Post, sources reported that the venue could not come to terms with the building's co-op corporation over rent for the space at 354 Third Ave. The bar, known for its large-screen TVs and had become a staple for sports fans in the area, shuttered abruptly before the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, shocking regular patrons.
The bar, which first opened its doors in 1963, once featured giant paintings of ocean liners and large booths that charmed its visitors. After undergoing several changes and names such as Vertigo and Manhattan Brewhouse, the original owners reclaimed the bar in 2014, bringing back the Abbey Tavern name, albeit without the ship paintings. According to the New York Post's report, the bar kept up its happy hour traditions right until closing. The real estate broker for the space, KSR, added the 4,000-square-foot space to its listings but did not respond to inquiries about the closure.
While some regulars are left reminiscing about the Abbey Tavern's past, others in New York have new venues to look forward to. L’Appartement 4F, a fan-favorite bakery from Brooklyn Heights, is bringing its highly-praised croissant cereal and other French baked goods to a new location in the West Village, as per Eater New York. The bakery opened this month at 119 West 10th Street and plans to launch full service on February 1.
Also on the list of openings is Lisbonata, a stand widely recognized for its pasteles de nata—Portuguese egg tarts made with butter instead of margarine. After building a following as a pop-up at New York farmers markets starting January 2024, baker George Kaya is expected to open his first full bakery in Crown Heights by May. As residents say a bittersweet goodbye to a Murray Hill classic, New York's aptitude for culinary innovation continues with the introduction of new tastes and experiences.