WOODSIDE — Shelley's Bar poured its last pint Monday night after decades on Woodside Avenue, according to patrons and the bar's owners.
The bar at 58-15 Woodside Ave. stayed open through the NCAA tournament's final game, and on Tuesday owners and friends began cleaning the bar out, taking liquor bottles, posters and beer kegs.
Charlie, a part owner who declined to give his last name, was behind the bar Monday passing out free drinks and shots.
"We're closing," he confirmed. "It's been here a long time, this place."
He said the bar had struggled in the last few years and the landlord did not want to renew their lease, telling them Monday morning it would be their last day.
The building's owner could not be reached for comment.
Shelley's opened in 1949, and through the years was also known as K.C. Moore's, according to many patrons at the bar on Monday.
The bar's current owners bought the watering hole seven years ago and returned the name to Shelley's.
It was a popular hangout for neighborhood residents including many police officers and firefighters, according to Charlie.
Kim, another bartender who declined to give her last name, said she found out earlier Monday that it was the bar's last day. She worked a few days a week at the bar and didn't know what she was going to do now for work.
"I'm not happy about it," she said.
Bobby, a retired accountant from Maspeth, said he came most weekends to have a few beers and was sad to see it go.
"We know some of the young people here, got to know them," he said. "Where is everybody gonna go?"
