Josie Woods Pub - New York

A throwback to a different time in all the best ways. There's no better spot to catch a football game or enjoy a relaxed evening out. Long live JWP!

This restaurant was a favorite spot for me and my friends in the late 90s and early 2000s. Even with a few updates, I was glad to see that its charm has remained intact. The layout is still the same, and while the jukebox, pool tables, and other features have been modernized, it hasn’t lost its character. I was particularly touched to see a tribute to September 11th at the back; after the attacks, my friends and I held a fundraiser here.

One odd aspect of the bar is some of the bartenders. The owner, Martin, is genuinely a nice guy, and his two daughters, who also bartend, are friendly as well. However, there are a few male bartenders who give off the impression that they own the place, which is hard to put into words but is evident in their body language. There’s a relatively new bartender named Sabrina, who is quite skilled. However, it seems like a male bartender named Dave often lingers in her section for no apparent reason, which is a bit strange. For instance, when Sabrina hands me my bill and I sign it, Dave will rush over to take it from her. It’s puzzling why a different bartender would take a signed bill that belongs to another's register. While it might seem minor, it’s just one example of the odd dynamics at play. I tend to steer clear of Friday and Saturday nights because the bar gets incredibly crowded with many immature NYU college students—of which I was one in the past. It’s not just a few rowdy students; the whole place often feels like a kindergarten. The pool tables draw in these young crowds, but many of them don’t know how to behave, especially the guys. Over the last two years, I’ve witnessed two fights break out, which feels like too many for me. There are at least two bouncers working on weekends, which suggests they are necessary given the atmosphere, but it’s a shame that the bar gets to that point.

A nice bar to hangout with your friends, and play pool.

Very warm, Irish pub vibe with two pool tables and fantastic staff. Delicious food and diverse menu.