Bronx Little Ireland in Woodlawn Heights

A Visit to Woodlawn Heights is a bit like a Trip to Ireland

March 10, 2020 / Things To Do Bronx / Central Bronx Neighborhoods NYC / Bronx Buzz NYC.

In preparation for St. Patrick's Day, I took a long ride north on the #2 subway line to 233rd Street in Wakefield. I then headed west on 233rd Street down a long hill, over the Bronx River Parkway, and into Woodlawn Heights. Woodlawn Heights is nestled in north of Woodlawn Cemetery and east and south of Van Cortlandt Park and it's also south of and adjacent to Yonkers and west of Wakefield.

As I entered the Woodlawn Heights neighborhood, walking north along Katonah Avenue, I felt a bit as if I'd been whisked away to Ireland. Of course there were Irish bars and pubs that lined the street, but there was also an Irish grocery store. And I imagine if I had more time to spend, I'd find other related gems. But today I was on a mission to scout out a few Irish pubs in anticipation of the Yonkers St. Patrick's Day Parade which happens a week from Saturday on March 21st. Be advised there are two other Bronx St Patricks Day Parades this Sunday, March 15th in Throgs Neck and in Eastchester the details of which you'll find by clicking the link above - along with suggestions for Bronx Irish pubs and restaurants.

It was a quiet Sunday night and the neighborhood was fairly quiet as most are wont to be on a Sunday night. I started my journey by stopping at John Mulligan's Fireside Pub. And lo and behold it wasn't long before standing in front of me was John Mulligan himself.

• CLICK here to read our report on some of the Bronx St. Pat's Day Irish Pubs near Yonkers. This report will be completed either late Tuesday evening 3/10 or Wednesday 3/11/20.

Bronx Irish Neighborhood Woodlawn Heights

A Visit to Woodlawn Heights is a bit like a Trip to Pubs in Ireland & It's Near the Yonkers St Pat's Parade

March 10, 2020 / Things To Do Bronx / Central Bronx Neighborhoods NYC / Bronx Buzz NYC. Continued.

John Mulligan's Fireside Pub in the Woodlawn Heights neighborhood of the Bronx

Tom Mulligan is a friendly sort, and has a bit of the proverbial Irish knack for storytelling. The pub is a friendly neighborhood bar that doesn't have a menu as they only serve burgers - but the burgers are said to be a neighborhood favorite, that are a meal in itself and includes lots of onions, cheese and tomatoe.

The pub is generally casual and friendly. They periodically host live entertainment including karaoke nights. They have a pool and dartboard area in the back, so you can enjoy a bit of camaraderie while enjoying a couple drinks. On St Pat's Day Tom sometimes prepares iconic burgers which - if I recall this right - are shaped like a shamrock.

In the 1970's the Irish started settling here in Woodlawn Heights, and by the 1980's the Irish were coming in droves. This area is only blocks away from McLean Avenue where the Yonkers St Patricks Day Parade marches every year. Many folks wander down Katonah after the parade to enjoy a bit of mingling in these authentic Irish pubs, bars and restaurants which are owned and run by Irish immigrants and / or their children.

The Rambling House - Irish Pubs in Woodlawn Heights near Yonkers

The next stop was the Rambling House and a rambling house it was. The Rambling House was founded by Joe Carty in 2002. He told me he began working on it not long after 9/11 when he converted several store fronts into the sprawling complex it is today. The Rambling House kind of serves as a sort of community center with a four sided bar in the middle of it.

There's a dining area off to the side, behind the space where live entertainment can be found weekly. In the back there's a game room / area which primarily includes foosball and darts. And they have a full service restaurant that serves Irish favorites like Shepherd's Pie and tap Guinness and have adorned the walls with a bit of iconic Irish American photos and graphics.

Behan's Pub - Irish American Pubs in Woodlawn Heights in the Bronx

Across the street from the Rambling House is Behan's Pub. Behan's Pub was a quiet neighborhood bar that seemed more American than the prior to pubs I had visited.

Behan's Pub has a sports bar feel to it, and I understand that sometimes late at night it turns into a dance party. In the front there was a dartboard and in the back a pool table, with a semi-circular bar so that the bartender could tend to both rooms.

The Kitchen Irish Chinese Mexican Restaurant in Woodlawn Heights near Yonkers

There were two non-Irish eating establishments that caught my eye. One was The Kitchen, which seemed to be a very popular destination this Sunday night. It was packed with people waiting for their take out orders, including a couple of officers who informed me the place had opened within the last couple of years and had become quite popular. I looked it up after returning home and found that they had opened in 2017.

They have an 'Irish Chinese' menu, but in reality it seems to include a little bit of everything such as guacamole, mozzarella sticks, tacos, Irish sausage, chicken curry chunks, profiteroles, hot & spicy chicken and vegetable spring rolls - in addition to a myriad of other entrees.

Patrizia's Italian Restaurant in Woodlawn Heights Bronx near Yonkers

Just up the street was Patrizia's Italian restaurant and pizza destination. Patrizia's has been a dining destination in Woodlawn Heights since at least 2014, if not before.

Patrizia's has a full lunch and dinner menu, as well as a Children's Menu and a nice offering of pizzas, which are reportedly prepared authentic Italian style. They also have a brick pizza oven and a warm dining atmosphere.

McLean Avenue - Yonkers St Patrick's Day Parade

I left Patrizia's and made my way up Katonah Avenue to Van Cortlandt Park East before intersecting with McLean Avenue, which while only a couple of blocks away, is in Yonkers. McLeanAvenue is also the street where the Yonkers St. Patrick's Day Parade occurs on Saturday, March 21st beginning at 1 pm kicking off at Hyatt Avenue.

I headed down McLean Avenue, back over the Bronx River Parkway to the Nereid Station on the #2 and #5 subway lines. Within about a half an hour, having caught an express train, I was back in Midtown Manhattan.

Slainte and Erin go bragh, which mean to your good health and Ireland until the end of time. Have a safe and Happy St Patrick's Day in the Bronx or as they say in Bronckers.

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