The Irish Pub, a cherished landmark in Atlantic City, renowned for its rich history and lively atmosphere, is facing the daunting prospect of closing its doors permanently. This comes as a result of a prolonged dispute over the building’s height classification, a debate that could seal the fate of this beloved establishment.
Perched just off the legendary boardwalk of New Jersey’s bustling beach town, the Irish Pub has not only served as a local favorite for over a century but also claims the distinction of inspiring the red hotel in the classic board game, Monopoly. Known for its round-the-clock service, the pub has long been a beacon for both locals and visitors.
The unexpected shuttering of its doors late last year left many puzzled and eager for answers. Regular patrons and tourists alike voiced their concerns, urging for the pub’s reopening.
The reasons for its closure were shrouded in mystery until revelations last week brought clarity: the building is under scrutiny for fire code violations. This issue is compounded by an ongoing debate regarding whether it should be designated as a high-rise, which significantly impacts its compliance requirements.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs disclosed that the Irish Pub faces $66,000 in penalties from the state’s Division of Fire Safety. The department noted, “Under the Fire Code, business owners who receive a Notice of Violation(s) from the Division of Fire Safety can work on addressing the violations while continuing to operate their business.”
‘Under the Fire Code, business owners that receive a Notice of Violation(s) from the Division of Fire Safety can work on addressing the violations while continuing to operate their business.
‘Because this is an active matter with DCA’s Division of Fire Safety, we are unable to provide additional comment.’
Irish Pub owner Cathy Burke told local outlet NJ.com: ‘We have to resolve this issue.
The Irish Pub was the inspiration for the red hotel in the board game Monopoly
The busy boardwalk in Atlantic City. The classic Monopoly board is famously based on the real streets and landmarks of the beach town
The red hotel piece in Monopoly that was created based off the architecture of the Irish Pub
‘This can’t be the end of the Irish Pub.’
Although the pub could operate while sorting the violations, Burke said she does not want to give staff false hope only to later nix them.
Burke said she closed the pub at the end of 2025 after a state inspection found the building needed major renovations, including adding a sprinkler system to the first-floor bar and restaurant.
She told NJ.com that inspectors have come through the pub repeatedly over the past 20 years. ‘This is a doozie of a story,’ she said.
In the early 1990s, the state reclassified the property as a high-rise, meaning a building with occupied floors more than six stories or over 75ft above fire department access level.
This triggered calls for stricter fire safety regulations that Burke contested in court.
She challenged the reclassification, arguing the pub operated like a nightclub at times due to occasional live shows and musical performances.
The city fired back its point that the building qualifies as a high-rise because the street level for fire trucks is about six inches lower than the pub’s first floor.
The interior of the Irish Pub. The bar was famously known for always being open 24/7
The interior of the Irish Pub has famous faces emblazoned on the walls and glass lamps hanging from the ceiling
The upstairs of the pub used to be a hotel that would rent rooms out for as little as $25 a night
But Burke said the pub and hotel building stood at 58ft tall and appealed to the Construction Board of Appeals, which ruled in her favor.
After winning the appeal, Burke installed sprinklers throughout most of the building, except the bar and restaurant.
‘We weren’t required to do it, we just did it. It cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars,’ she told the outlet.
However, records obtained by the outlet showed the state later again labeled the pub as a high-rise, sparking a review of the case. It was later again determined not to be a high-rise building.
Until this year when it was once again classified as a high-rise and required to meet the fire safety codes.
‘My greatest concern is my staff and my customers,’ Burke told NJ.com.
‘Our patrons have been so kind and understanding,’ Burke said. ‘That’s what makes me upset. They’re missing out every day that the pub is closed.’
And the patrons have shared their sadness and frustration on social media.
Atlantic City is often called ‘America’s Playground’ or ‘Vegas of the East Coast’. An aerial view of its boardwalk and steel pier
The board game Monopoly took inspiration from Atlantic City
‘Every single day I walk past the Irish Pub, I still see people stopping at the doors. Pulling the handles. Looking sad and disappointed because it was a tradition to visit when you traveled to Atlantic City,’ one person wrote on Facebook.
‘So many asking if they’re reopening soon. People post memories. People say how sad it is.
‘The Irish Pub is more than a business, it’s part of the identity of Atlantic City,’ another added.
The spot has been a fixture on the beach block of St James Place since 1902, and has been owned and operated by Burke and her husband, Richard, since 1972. It also previously offered hotel rooms from as little as $25 a night.
Inside, it felt like stepping back in time with an antique bar, wood-paneled interior, and green stained-glass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
Famous writers, movie stars, and athletes have stopped by for a pint with locals saying that if you sit at the front table, eventually everyone in the world will pass by.
Yankees player Joe DiMaggio was a regular and pictures of him are emblazoned on the walls inside the bar.
Cheers and Frasier star Kelsey Grammer has also stepped behind the bar before to pull pints for late-night crowds.
A still from Boardwalk Empire. The Visit Atlantic City website describes the pub’s history writing: ‘If you’re looking to experience a taste of the old Atlantic City, as depicted in the popular HBO series Boardwalk Empire, look no further than the Irish Pub’
People stroll along the boardwalk in Atlantic City. The Irish Pub is located just off the boardwalk
At one time, it operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition and was raided in the 1920s – the only time it ever shut its doors.
The Visit Atlantic City website describes its colorful history writing: ‘If you’re looking to experience a taste of the old Atlantic City, as depicted in the popular HBO series Boardwalk Empire, look no further than the Irish Pub.
‘It has survived hurricanes, prohibition, two world wars, high tides and low tides. It has fed the famous and infamous. Being situated on St James Place and the Boardwalk, it has been identified with the game of Monopoly and the red hotels used in the game are based on the architecture of the Irish Pub.’
The classic Monopoly board, originally patented in 1935, is famously based on the real streets and landmarks of Atlantic City long before the dozens of casinos took over the town.
The Daily Mail reached out to Burke for further comment.
