MURRAY HILL — The Hairy Monk, the beloved Murray Hill bar on Third Avenue near East 25th Street that became a refuge for Boston sports fans across the Big Apple, closed last week.
A message posted on the bar’s website indicated that Friday, Nov. 28, was the Monk’s last night in operation.
“We’ve had memorable times," the message read, "and there are meny [sic] more memories to be made in the years ahead.”
The bar developed a huge following among Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fans, hosting game-watching parties and filling its nooks and crannies with Boston memorabilia.
Its closing left many loyal customers distraught, and they took to social media to share their pain.
One Facebook user called the loss “truly devastating.”
“I tried the door last night only to find it locked and newspaper on the windows. WHAT!” wrote Eric Fuller. “You will be missed, Monk.”
Others called the bar a “loyal friend," while some claimed that part of themselves would die along with the bar.
“I’m beyond sad that @TheHairyMonk is closing,” tweeted @Al_Naj14. “I don’t get how they lost their lease. #BostonForever.”
“Please, @TheHairyMonk, say it ain’t so,” @Mediawill tweeted on the Hairy Monk’s closing night. “Where am I gonna watch #RedSox baseball? Eat amazing burgers? Drink Black Gold ‘til I can’t see?”
On social media and on its website, the Hairy Monk attempted to console distraught customers with the promise that part of the bar would live on — about 40 blocks north at a bar called the Honky Tavern on First Avenue near East 63rd Street, which hosted a Patriots game-watching party on Sunday afternoon.
“So first day of new bar Honky Tonk went well!!” Jo McDonald wrote on Facebook Sunday. “Been christened Monk North and all our Pats fans come by and get our crazy crew back together!!”
Representatives from the Hairy Monk or the Honky Tonk Tavern did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
