Donna Dobbin, Roisin McCooey & Elesha Burke, Founders of John Devoy’s Bar & Kitchen

We recently had the opportunity to interview Donna Dobbin, Roisin McCooey and Elesha Burke, restauranteurs and founders of John Devoy’s Bar & Kitchen located at 377 Park Avenue South.

1. John Devoy’s Bar & Kitchen opened in the neighborhood in 2024. What inspired you to open your business in Flatiron & NoMad?

Donna: I’ve worked in New York hospitality for over 20 years, and I’ve always loved neighborhoods that have a real sense of community. Flatiron and NoMad have the perfect mix of residents, office workers, tourists, and people looking for somewhere they can relax and feel welcome. We didn’t just want to open another bar—we wanted to create a place where people felt at home.

The name ‘John Devoy’s’ was a huge part of that vision. We wanted a name that had meaning and told a story. John Devoy was one of the most influential Irish American leaders, a man who dedicated his life to building connections between Ireland and America. As someone who grew up in Ireland and has built my life and career here in New York, that story really resonates with me. It represents heritage, resilience, and the connection between two places that have shaped who I am.

For us, John Devoy’s is more than just a restaurant—it’s a place where people come together, whether they’re neighbors, visitors, or friends meeting after work. Hospitality has always been about making people feel at home, and that’s exactly what we set out to create. Opening in Flatiron and NoMad gave us the perfect opportunity to bring that vision to life.

Roisin: We loved the energy of the neighborhood. Flatiron and NoMad is one of Manhattan’s best dining restaurants and where the Craic is at. We knew it was perfect for us; we wanted to bring a place that combined genuine Irish hospitality with a modern hip New York bar and restaurant. We wanted to create somewhere that people could come for a great meal, an excellent cocktail or pint, live music, sports, or simply feel at home and have the banter. John Devoy’s is about bringing people together; it’s a warm and welcoming place of one-of-a-kind.

Elesha: For me, it was about creating more than just a bar or restaurant. I wanted to create a place where people feel at home, a place where strangers become regulars and regulars become family. Flatiron and NoMad have such incredible energy, and we felt this neighborhood deserved an authentic Irish pub with great food, genuine hospitality, and a real sense of community.

2. Describe your roles as co-owners and managers. How do you collaborate as partners, and what aspect of the job excites you the most?

Donna: One of our biggest strengths is that we all bring something different to the business. My passion has always been operations and people. I love building teams, mentoring staff, and making sure every guest has an exceptional experience. We trust each other and communicate constantly, and that allows us to make decisions quickly and support one another.

The most rewarding part for me is seeing guests become regulars. When someone walks through the door and our staff already knows their name or their favorite drink, that’s when I know we’re doing things right.

Roisin: We all get along like a house on fire. Each of us brings different strengths to the business. We trust each other and communicate constantly, we make it work and put our heads together to make it a place for our clientele to want to be.

The most rewarding part is seeing people return again and again. When our clients choose to celebrate birthdays, meet friends after work, or make us their regular local, that’s the biggest compliment.

Elesha: The three of us each bring different strengths, and that’s what makes our partnership work so well. We trust one another, communicate openly, and always have the same goal—to give every guest the best possible experience. What excites me most is seeing happy customers come back time and time again because they genuinely enjoy being here.

3. What drew you to pursue careers in the food and hospitality industry? For those aspiring to work in the field, what professional advice can you share?

Donna: Growing up in Ireland, pubs were always about bringing people together. When I moved to New York, I fell in love with the energy of hospitality and the fact that every day is different. I’ve met incredible people and built lifelong friendships through this industry.

My advice is simple — work hard, stay humble, and never stop learning. Hospitality isn’t just about serving food and drinks; it’s about solving problems, creating memorable experiences, and making people feel valued. If you genuinely care about people, you’ll succeed.

Roisin: We are all massive social butterflies and love the Craic, we all know the value of hard work and know what we want to create, every day is different, and you have the opportunity to create memorable experiences. It’s hard work, but it’s incredibly rewarding.

For anyone starting out, I’d say never think any job is beneath you. Learn every part of the business, listen more than you speak, stay humble, and genuinely care about your guests. The best hospitality professionals are the ones who make people feel welcome.

Elesha: I’ve always loved taking care of people. Hospitality isn’t just serving food and drinks, it’s making people feel welcome and creating memorable experiences. My advice is to work hard, stay humble, and never stop learning. If you genuinely care about people, they’ll always remember how you made them feel.

4. What are some popular dishes and beverages among returning customers and your recommendations for first-time visitors?

Donna: Our customers definitely have their favorites. Our burgers are always popular, along with our wings and fish and chips. People also love our weekend brunch and the atmosphere when there’s a big sporting event on. The Guinness is our number one seller; it’s one of the best. Our hand-crafted cocktails are a big hit, and we have the best Happy Hour around the neighborhood.

If it’s your first visit, I’d tell you to order one of our signature cocktails, try one of our most popular dishes, and just soak up the atmosphere. We want people to leave already planning their next visit.

Roisin: Our Guinness is always a favorite, as are our cocktails and Irish whiskey selection. On the food side, our fish and chips, burgers, shepherd’s pie, and steaks are consistently popular. We change it up all the time and keep it fresh.

For someone visiting for the first time, I’d recommend starting with one of our signature cocktails or a perfectly poured Guinness, followed by our fish and chips or shepherd’s pie. Finish with our homemade tiramisu—it’s quickly become a customer favorite.

Elesha: Our guests love our classic Irish favorites, our burgers, and our wings. On the bar side, our perfectly poured Guinness is always a favorite, along with our signature cocktails. If it’s your first visit, I’d say grab a Guinness, order one of our signature dishes, and soak up the atmosphere—that’s what John Devoy’s is all about.

5. Flatiron & NoMad is a dining and culture destination. How has the neighborhood’s vibrant energy and evolution influenced the way your restaurants operate and innovate here?

Donna: This neighborhood is constantly evolving, so we have to evolve with it. We listen to our guests, introduce new specials, host events, and make sure there’s always something happening. We have office workers during the day, tourists throughout the week, and locals at weekends, so we try to create an experience that appeals to everyone while staying true to who we are.

Roisin: The neighborhood is incredibly diverse. On any given day we’re serving local residents, office workers, tourists, theatregoers, and visitors from all over the world.

That pushes us to keep evolving. We host live music, sports watch parties, book clubs, happy hour, and private events while constantly refreshing our menu and cocktail offerings. The neighborhood inspires us to stay creative while keeping the warm atmosphere that defines John Devoy’s.

Elesha: This neighborhood is always evolving, and that inspires us to keep improving while staying true to who we are. We have office workers, tourists, locals, and sports fans all coming through our doors, so we’ve created a place where everyone feels comfortable, whether they’re here for lunch, dinner, or to watch a match.

6. When you’re not at John Devoy’s, how do you each like to spend your time in the neighborhood? Do you have any local favorites?

Donna: One of the things I love most about Flatiron and NoMad is the incredible sense of community within the hospitality industry. Even though we own a restaurant, I genuinely enjoy supporting other local businesses. I think that’s what makes this neighborhood so special—we all support one another.

Some of my favorite spots are Wolftones. I love the décor, the hidden speakeasy vibe, and it’s one of my go-to places. Sarabeth’s next door is another favorite. The staff there are fantastic, we support each other, and it’s always a pleasure to stop in.

John Doe Bar on Fifth Avenue is another favorite (I might be a little biased since I’m a part owner!), but it’s a true neighborhood bar with great pub food and an amazing atmosphere.

When family and friends visit from Ireland, I always take them to The Ritz-Carlton, especially Nubeluz. The views are breathtaking, and the cocktails are some of the best in the city. I also love The NoMad Tea Parlour for its elegant atmosphere, creative cocktails, and delicious food. Patent Pending is perfect if you’re looking for a unique cocktail experience, and The Smith is always lively, welcoming, and consistently good.

Outside of restaurants and bars, I enjoy spending time in Madison Square Park. It’s the perfect place to relax, people-watch, and take in the energy of the neighborhood.

For me, supporting local businesses is important because together we’re what makes Flatiron and NoMad such vibrant and welcoming places to live, work, and visit.

Roisin: We’re lucky to be surrounded by so much. We love walking through Madison Square Park, visiting the Union Square Greenmarket, exploring local coffee shops, and supporting neighboring restaurants and bars. It’s one of the most walkable and vibrant parts of the city, so there’s always something new to discover.

Elesha: Honestly, I spend so much time around John Devoy’s that the neighborhood has become a second home. When I’m not at the bar, you’ll probably find me next door enjoying a drink at the Audace and when I am off, I go to the Bathhouse to chill out and I wander through Madison Square Park, grabbing coffee from one of the local cafés, or popping into the small businesses nearby. I love the energy of this neighborhood—there’s always something new to discover, and it’s a community I’m proud to be part of.

7. Finally, choose three words to describe Flatiron & NoMad.

Donna: Welcoming. Vibrant. Inspiring.

Roisin: Fun. Welcoming. Craic.

Elesha: Vibrant. Welcoming. Inspiring.

Header & Thumbnail Photo Credit: Donna Dobbin