Mr. Beery's in Bethpage closing in February
Mr. Berry's in Bethpage will close in February. Credit: Newsday/Daniel Bubbeo
A Long Island live music and dive bar is closing after 33 years. Mr. Beery’s, on Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage, will come to an end on Feb. 25, owner Stephen Beery says.
"Mr. Beery’s is a home away from home. It’s kind of like the TV show ‘Cheers,’ a place where everybody knows your name," says blues guitarist/vocalist Kerry Kearney, who has played the bar for 30 years. "We’re going to lose something really amazing."
Beery, 66, of Island Trees, says he decided to close after his landlord, the owner of neighboring Brothers 3 Pools, raised his rent. "I can’t be held hostage to the rent increase they gave me," Beery says. The building owner did not immediately return request for comment.
Many people on social media, along with those who have worked at the bar, have expressed their sadness at the news.
"When you work for Steve, you become like family. He’s a wonderful personality and a unique individual," says sound man/musician Eric Pape, of West Babylon. "The bar closing feels like I’m losing part of my family."
Guitarist/vocalist Tom San Filippo, who regularly performs at Mr. Beery’s with Half Step and Tiger Rose, adds, "I’m sad to see it come to an end. The place is legendary and will remain close to my heart. I will always cherish my fond memories."
Additionally, Beery has health issues that are contributing to the closure, he says. He lost two toes in a space heater accident and has lupus and diabetes and needs a kidney transplant.
"I’m coming back pretty hard," Beery says. "I should be OK soon."
STRUGGLING BUSINESS
The bar business is not an easy one to keep afloat on Long Island in 2026. Mr. Beery’s is not the only closure recently, as similar places like K.J. Farrell’s Bar & Grill in Bellmore, the Sunset Grill in Seaford and The Edge at Lulu’s in Patchogue have also shuttered.
"People don’t drink like they used to," Beery says. "The pandemic took all these young people out of the game."
Pape adds, "The culture is changing. Younger people aren’t going out and socially interacting in person anymore."
When asked about the secret to his success for 33 years in business, Beery says, "I’ve been blessed with the greatest staff. The key to this business is finding good people who are loyal to the cause."
BACK HISTORY
Beery began as a bartender at The Peacock Lounge, a blue-collar beer and shot bar, where he booked bands on Saturday nights. When the place closed in the '90s, he bought the bar with his late father, Wallace Beery.
"The biggest and most important moment of my whole life was when we bought the place together," Beery says. "We planned to build the greatest bar of all time."
FOCUS ON LIVE MUSIC
Mr. Beery’s is known for its wide variety of live music on Thursday through Sunday nights. Artists play on a Murphy stage, hand built by Beery’s father, that folds out of the wall on hinges.
"I wanted to focus on original music," Beery says. "The rule was when you played Mr. Beery’s you had to play 50% original music. You couldn’t just be a cover band."
Kearney adds, "Steve gives bands a chance. Another bar owner would never do that. He was always open to original artists because he loved them so much."
Bands like Rainbow Trout (funk), Jones Crusher (punk), Sweet Blues Band (blues) and Tiger Rose (Jerry Garcia) played the room regularly.
"Mr. Beery’s is known for everything," Beery says. "All kinds of music has been through the bar, from progressive to funk to jazz to punk rock. If it’s played on a musical instrument, you get a shot at my bar."
Every year during Presidents Day weekend Mr. Beery’s holds a benefit for cystic fibrosis and other causes.
"We hold a giant party with 25 bands," Beery says. "It starts at noon and goes until whenever ... just absolute insanity! They all get 20 minutes each."
Kearney, who annually participates, says, "It’s the greatest thing. The whole place is like a sardine can in there. You feel like the roof is going to blow off."
The bar is also known for its vibe, with a rotating lineup of craft beers on tap.
"It looks like a classic dive bar," Pape says. "The walls are covered with music memorabilia through the years. It’s an intimate space [holds over 70 people], but it always felt friendly there."
San Filippo adds, "The place is gushing with character. If the walls could talk, you’d hear some pretty colorful tales indeed."
Over the years, Beery expanded by opening Mr. Beery’s in East Rockaway, the Island Park Ale House, Roadrunners in East Meadow and the Harbor Ale House in Seaford.
"They all closed sporadically over the years," he says. "These were great places, but I could no longer operate under that kind of stress. I stuck with the main anchor in Bethpage."
However, Beery says he has plans to reopen Mr. Beery’s at a new location in the future.
"I want to create a venue where I can do original music. I don’t know if it will be a full-blown bar. It might be a restaurant/club," he says. "This family deserves to be kept together. I will figure out how to get myself healthy and open a new spot for them. I can’t let them down."
Now that the closing is six months out, the end is nearing.
"It’s been a lot of tears," Beery says. "It’s starting to become a harsh reality that it’s over."
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
