A steady stream of customers old and new have been paying their respects for the last several weeks, as the news spread that Norwood’s iconic McDwyer’s Pub would be closing after half a century.

Eamonn McDwyer, or “Eddie” to his friends, was just 29 years old when he opened his saloon on St. Patrick’s Day, 1966, at the corner of East 204th Street and Hull Avenue. In the final days, he was surrounded by friends as workers removed a television and pinball machine, a rarer find in the Bronx.

Jeffery Cohen, an attorney who represented McDwyer in his failed battle against his landlord, said that McDwyer was a victim of the ever-changing business atmosphere. Cohen who stopped by the bar to check on his client, explained, “Real estate prices have gotten so escalated… pretty much it’s a new environment, a new world. It’s a changing atmosphere.”

A neighborhood that once boasted no less than 23 bars along the Bainbridge Avenue/East 204th Street strip now has just three places to sit and have a drink.

After saying good-bye to well-wishers, McDwyer poured his last glass of wine on Tuesday, Nov. 29 and made one final toast with a pair of friends. McDwyer said, “Yes, it’s very sad for me, but everything is okay. It’s just a sad moment closing up after 50 years.”

Asked about his plans, McDwyer said, “I don’t know what to do with myself. Maybe I might look for some nice, pretty young lady and ride off into the sunset.”