That scene was shot at Neir's Tavern in Queens. It might be the oldest bar in New York City. It almost shut down, but thanks to some help from the City, whose red tape was apparently indirectly forcing its closure, it's going to stay open. You can read the heart-warming story here. I really like this quote:
“This area doesn't have the money to build their own community center, but they had Neir's Tavern."
Amen to that. A genuine bar is better than an institutional community center any day. I get a hankering to hang out in a bar four days a week. I get a hankering to hang out at a community about as often as I get the urge to kick myself in the scrotum. I have nothing against a community center, of course. It's just a pale substitute for traditional gathering places like a good bar.
