About Us
An Beal Bocht Cafe, in operation since 1991, began as a small cafe. Serving only non-alcoholic beverages, it centered as a spot for artist to gather and performs, and quickly cemented itself as a neighborhood favorite. A few years later, a Liquor License was acquired and things haven't been the same since. Eventually taking over the adjacent store front An Beal Bocht expanded, as our commitment to the arts expanded as well. When we grew we were able to include an Artist's Gallery and Theatre Space for our Poor Mouth Theatre Company. Looking towards the future we hope to continue being the premier music and arts venue of our neighborhood.
Our Owner
Richard has owned and operated An Beal Bocht Cafe since 1991! An Irish Immigrant, he has managed to include a touch of home in all his bars around NYC: Arlene's Grocery, the Scratcher and Le Cheile.
A lover of the arts, he has created a space at An Beal Bocht Cafe to showcase all of our local talents. Music; Irish and all other, Poetry, Painting & Photography and Theater.
Our Staff
Our warm and friendly staff, sometimes ribald, will make sure your visit is enjoyable. Get to know them now because if they're not up-and-coming, they've already gone on to fame!
ABB Meaning
An Beal Bocht, translated from the Gaelic as “the Poor Mouth,” takes it’s name from the novel An Beal Bocht by Irish author Flann O’Brien. Set in a remote region in Ireland, the fictional memoir discusses life, language, and abject poverty in Ireland. It is considered one of the greatest Irish-Language novels of the 20th Century
An Beal Bocht in the News
New York Times - November 2023 Review
Riverdale Press - Business Navigate a Post-Pandemic Reality
Wiki.ezvid.com - 5 Fun Things to Do in the Bronx
Riverdale Press - With Bars Closed to Live Music, Performers Migrate Online
the Quadrangle - An Beal Bocht Cafe Provides Welcoming Atmosphere for Jaspers
Riverdale Press - Gems in the Dirt
Riverdale Press - Give An Inch, Take a Meter as Poets Celebrate at Cafe
Riverdale Press - Chamber Music, Welsh Cat Singing at An Beal
Irish Echo - Panto at An Beal Bocht Cafe
Riverdale Press - Intimate Setting Mingles Musicians & Audiences
Time Out New York - The 40 Best Mom & Pop Shops in NYC
Bronx News 12 - It’s Gonna Get Messy
Riverdale Press - Turning a Mess into Art
Riverdale Press - Former Photojournalist Finds the Art in Politics
the Irish Echo - It’s Panto Time!
Riverdale Press - the Faces of An Beal Bocht
Irish Central - Jo Kinsella Will Star in Bronx Crehan’s New Short Play at An Beal Bocht
Irish Echo - Courtney Celebrates Rebel’s Struggle
the Quadrangle - An Beal Bocht Cafe Fosters Local Community of Arts
Broadway World Music - Five Boroughs Music Festival Opens 2018 - 19 Season with Performance by Fire & Grace
Riverdale Press - Comedy Show Brings the Funny Back to An Beal Bocht
Riverdale Press - Tapping Into Today's Ethical Dilemmas - Over a Drink
Riverdale Press - A Way to Remember Andrew Sandler
Riverdale Press - Classical Cafe Bring Sounds of Bach, Vivaldi to Christ Church
Riverdale Press - Pass the Purple Hat, Make a Difference
Weekday Magazine - Poet's & Writer's Night
Riverdale Press - Bigger Than the Beatles? Not Yet, But...
WPIX 11 - Popular Pubs to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
AM New York - What To Do & Eat in Riverdale
Her.ie - "...one of the coolest Irish venues in the Big Apple."
Eat the World, NYC - "...Not afraid to welcome you in..."
GrubStreet.com - "...Most Authentic Irish Pub in the City..."
Timeout - The best happy hours in NYC
Wall Street Journal - Riverdale: A Bit of Suburbia in New York City
USA Today - 10 Best
Spoon University - The 45 Most Iconic College Bars Across North America
Movoto - These 15 Bars In The Bronx Will Make You Want To Stay Until Last Call
5 Boros - Find Your Voice at NYC's Most Creative Open Mics
Riverdale Press - Banding Together to Pass the Purple Hat
"A Legendary Pub" ~ New York Daily News
"A top nite spot" ~ Zagats Guide
"...kind of place a visitor from Ireland would feel worthy of a pint" ~ New York Times
"An oasis of creativity and music in the Bronx" ~ Irish Times
"One of 10 Best Brunches in NYC." ~ Newsday
"Best Irish Pub in New York City" ~ Time Out
The Battle in the Bronx Part II at An Beal Bocht Cafe - Riverdale Press
The 9th Annual World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade is March 17th 2023
For the Other Guy collects money on a weekly basis to donate to the Aisling Irish Center's Homeless Outreach Program
- the Irish Volunteers for the Homeless. The World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade is a fundraiser for this noble cause. Donations can be made by purchasing Green Feet, an entrance into the parade of sorts, This is our 5th year hosting the parade, which has caused some controversy in the past!
WPIX 11: Bronx Pub Hosts 'World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade
Arkansas Times: Who's shortest? Bronx bar to challenge Hot Springs' St. Patrick's Day parade
Irish Central: Bronx bar in competition for the world’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade
New York Times: A 47-Foot St. Patrick’s Day Parade That’s Long on Fun
Highway 81 Revisited: BRONX BAR BOASTS ‘WORLD’S SHORTEST ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
New York Daily News: The Bronx is in a battle of the shortest St. Pat's parades
New York Daily News: Tiny St. Patrick's Day parade in Bronx raises thousands to help feed the homeless