A neighborhood bar just off 13th Street and Fifth Avenue has built its identity around something simple: making people feel safe, known and part of a community. At Paddy’s of Park Slope, owner Mark Langton said that mission had guided the business since its opening almost 11 years ago.
He and his wife opened the bar in November 2015, after leaving a Manhattan location they had operated for seven years.
“My wife and I had a bar in the city, a place called Nellie Lang’s. We had been there for seven years, and unfortunately, with New York being New York, the rents got a little too high. The venue wasn’t big enough, so we decided, you know, let’s try and find somewhere closer to home,” he said.
They found the Park Slope space quickly.
“Walking past the place on Third Avenue, a realtor had [a sign] in the window. It had been the old Lucky 13 Saloon that used to be here in the neighborhood,” he said. “We saw an opportunity; we came down, had the deal done within the day and we’ve never looked back since.”
Since opening, Langton said the bar has focused on serving a broad cross-section of the neighborhood while emphasizing safety, particularly for women and LGBTQ+ patrons.
“Park Slope, is a hub in New York for LGBTQ+ and possibly the world, truth be told,” he said. “For LGBTQ+ and women in particular, I think we were kind of never given an opportunity to have a safe space to come to, or know of a safe space where they could say, ‘You know what? I’m not feeling safe today. Paddy’s is up the street.’”
Staff are trained to respond if someone needs help, he added.
“All our staff are instructed, if a person comes in and they’re in need of help, either call a cop or give them time to relax and get themselves situated where they can get home safely,” Langton said. “We’ll call a cab or call a cop — whatever it takes to get them home safely.”
Paddy’s also operates as a neighborhood sports bar, with multiple teams represented throughout the space.
“We kind of base it that we’re a Mets bar, Jets bar, but there’s New York Giants, Tennessee, Michigan, Gotham FC,” Langton said. “It’s a whole myriad of teams. We set it up as a sports place where everybody gets an opportunity to watch something.”
During major games, the small space creates a close, energetic atmosphere, he said.
“It’s not exactly the biggest place in the world, but because of that, you’re really tightly knit,” Langton said. “The atmosphere that resonates through the room is unbelievable. People are laughing and joking with each other.”
The bar is known for its Guinness and rotating beer selection, and for its flexible approach to drinks.
“If you want it, we’ll make it,” Langton said. “And if we haven’t got it, we’ll go and get it to make it.”
Looking ahead, Langton said he recently renewed the lease for another five years and is exploring expansion.
“Our biggest aim at the moment is actively looking for a second spot, to get it slightly bigger,” he said. “Hopefully, a venue that has food, so we can start providing top-notch quality Irish food with an American twist like the Sunday brunch, the lunch and dinner crowd.”
Despite those plans, Langton said the focus will remain on maintaining Paddy’s of Park Slope’s role in the neighborhood.
“If you want to feel like you’re known — and I’m not going to give you the ‘Cheers’ thing, but it’s not far off — if you want to feel valued and welcomed and feel safe, Paddy’s is your spot,” he said.
