STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The ever-popular Larry Liedy, the eponymous restaurateur whose name has been synonymous with the North Shore club and bar scene for generations — has turned 70. And Liedy says he’s reveling in every precious moment.
In fact, if you ask him, he’ll tell you he’s entered a fun age and says he’s got a lot more livin’ to do. And he’s just getting started.
Mary Lou Palladino and Larry Liedy. (Courtesy/Peter Trivelas)Staten Island Advance
For those who know Liedy, the longtime business entrepreneur actually turned 71 on New Year’s Day. But last year, because of mandates connected to the coronavirus pandemic, his party had to be cancelled when businesses were forced to shut.
So this year, to commemorate the “really big” milestone and make it all the more official, family members — that included Liedy’s sister, Lenaye McGill, and Liedy’s lady friend, Mary Lou Palladino — a surprise birthday bash unfolded where more than 100 revelers partied heartily in LicGreci’s Staaten, the longtime West Brighton catering spot owned by another legendary hospitality family.
Liedy's sister, Lenaye McGill. (Courtesy/Peter Trivelas) Staten Island Advance
As proprietor of Liedy’s Shore Inn, one of New York City’s oldest bars established in 1898, the popular meeting place has often been described as having a Cheers-like atmosphere “where everybody knows your name” and where one patron quipped, “You come to Liedy’s, you’re family. That’s it.”
Rev. Louis Jerome offers an invocation and a blessing. (Courtesy/Peter Trivelas) Staten Island Advance
The business also has the distinction of doubling as one of the longest running, family-owned, small businesses in the borough and boasts being in possession of the longest running liquor license in the history of Staten Island. And Liedy says the building is as old as the bar.
Liedy's sister, Lenaye, second from left, and friends. (Courtesy/Peter Trivelas) Staten Island Advance
Larry, center, poses with revelers. (Courtesy/Peter Trivelas) Staten Island Advance
The Liedy family has owned the premises located at 748 Richmond Terrace for four generations. The New Brighton tavern opened during the early 1900s.
Lenaye McGill noted, “Jack LiGreci was in on it. Jack and his wife, Barbara, are personal friends of the family. We planned this a year ago before his 70th, but had to cancel because of COVID. We did it because my brother is a wonderful, giving, loving person and gives to others more than he takes care of himself. We wanted to do something to give back to him. He thought he was going to Jack LiGreci’s for a men’s business luncheon.”
Jack LiGreci, left, owner of The Staaten, and Larry Liedy. (Courtesy/Peter Trivelas) Staten Island Advance
Mary Lou Palladino said Liedy knows so many people, hundreds could have been invited.
“Kudos to Jack LiGreci for going above and beyond to ensure the success of the party and executive chef Mark Langell for the wonderful selection of food,” she said. “And we had a birthday cake for my brother Anthony Palladino who celebrated his 55th birthday, as well. And thanks to members of the Jimmy Mack Band, who’ve been playing on Staten Island since the 1970s and who play at Larry Liedy’s on Saturdays and Wednesdays. I hope health, and happiness finds you on a daily basis, Larry, and you don’t have to find it,” she said with a chuckle because Larry looses something almost every day.
From the left, Bridget Palladino, Mary Lou Palladino, Margaret Palladino and Anthony Palladino. (Courtesy/Peter Trivelas) Staten Island Advance
“I’ve loved Larry for years. We go back a long time,” Jack LiGreci said. And Jack’s wife, Barbara, said “We are like distant cousins. Larry’s grandmother and my grandfather were related. He’s a great guy. The Liedys and Farleys go back a long time.”
Larry and Elissa Montanti. (Courtesy/Peter Trivelas) Staten Island Advance
Longtime friend, Elissa Montanti, founder of the Global Medical Relief Fund, noted: “People come to Liedy’s Shore Inn, not because it’s a bar, but because of Larry. To know him is to love him — not to mention he uses his soul of music like a magical wand. Plus, there’s loads of memorabilia at Liedys. I summed it up in the poem I created on behalf of my Liedy’s friends.”
Elissa Montanti sings along with the Jimmy Mack band. (Courtesy/Peter Trivelas)Staten Island Advance
Montanti’s poem read in part: “No wind, snow or torrential rain can keep us away from that magical lane. The one that leads to what we so embrace. It’s through the doors of Larry’s place.”
(Courtesy/Peter Trivelas)Staten Island Advance
LIEDY’S SHORE INN HISTORY
Liedy’s great grandfather, Jacob Liedy, who hailed from Germany, came to Staten Island from Bayonne in 1898 and opened the New Brighton bar in 1905. Larry took over the business in 1989.
After Liedy came on the scene, the vintage phone booth that still works, was featured in Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach” video, the movie “A Bronx Tale,” and two “Law & Order” episodes.
(Courtesy/Peter Trivelas) Staten Island Advance
Liedy was born in Clifton but he says he doesn’t remember anything about that neighborhood because he relocated to New Brighton when he was 6 months old, he once told an Advance reporter. “The funniest people I ever met in my life are from New Brighton and West Brighton. The people are witty here,” he said.
He also noted the closely knit social fabric. “Everybody used to know everybody, but there are not too many of the original people left. My original friends, from York Avenue and Jersey Street, moved to West Brighton, Westerleigh, and New Jersey,” he said.
Liedy calls Bayonne, N.J. his second home and says “Bayonne Larry” is his nickname.” “The Liedy family got started in Bayonne in the 1880s,” before moving to Staten Island and the Richmond Terrace building, he once said.
From the left, Patsy Bowen, Larry Liedy, Sharon and Robert Grube. (Courtesy/Peter Trivelas) Staten Island Advance
“My great-grandfather, Jacob Liedy from Bavaria, settled in Bayonne. He married Lena Reinhardt, who actually ran Liedy’s. She was a tall, big German woman. And my great-grandfather was a janitor in Borough Hall.”
Liedy said he frequents the Hendrickson House in Bayonne, constructed in the 18th century, formerly a jail, and now a steakhouse. “It looks like a gingerbread house,” he said. “John Noble painted in the crow’s nest.”
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