Shane MacGowan tribute pub “coming soon” to New York’s West Village
Shane MacGowan may be known for creating ‘Fairytale of New York’, but now the city is set to pay tribute to him by opening a pub in his honour.
The Pogues frontman had a storied connection to the city that never sleeps due to his 1987 Christmas classic performed with Kirsty MacColl, yet his very own boozer takes things to the next level in terms of immortalising his legacy.
The aptly-named Shane MacGowan’s Pub announced the news of its opening via Instagram on May 31st, saying the establishment’s ethos would be “Raising a glass to a legend: this will be a living tribute to a true icon.”
They added: “We are incredibly honored to be opening this space with the blessing of Shane’s family, bringing his raw, poetic Irish punk spirit to the West Village.”
Although the pub has not yet revealed timelines on its official opening, it said that these details would be “coming soon”, and that it would be located on 250 West 14th St, between 7th and 8th Avenue, in the West Village.
The Irish folk punk legend sadly passed away in November 2023, at the age of 65 from complications arising from pneumonia.
However, the pub is not the only tribute being planned this year to honour MacGowan’s seismic legacy, as a tribute album, named 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan, will be released in November.
Coinciding with the third anniversary of the rocker’s death, the album will feature covers of some of MacGowan’s greatest hits, by the likes of Tom Waits, Primal Scream, and The Jesus and Mary Chain.
Most notably, Bruce Springsteen has already released his contribution to the album, a cover of ‘A Rainy Night in Soho’, penning an essay in tribute to his friend in the process.
An extract from The Boss’ writing said that MacGowan “was raw, hilarious, no apologies and profound. His soul was filled with the transgressive and ecstatic properties of the saints. I don’t know who’ll be listening to my music in 100 years but I know they’ll be listening to Shane’s.”
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