Greater Babylon coverage is funded in part by The Argyle Theatre, where Broadway comes to Babylon. Click here for tickets to ‘A Christmas Carol,’ Nov. 7 – Jan. 5.
The Argyle restaurant, which was a Babylon Village mainstay for nearly 25 years, has just reopened under new owners.
The beloved bar and grille had closed somewhat suddenly earlier this year.
“We are officially open,” the new owners, Lily Flanagan’s Restaurant Group, announced just after 5 p.m. today on Instagram. “Join us as we reopen our doors to serve you the dishes you love. Can’t wait to see you all very soon.”
Scroll down for the full post and our prior coverage.
Prior coverage
Joe Flanagan knows every in and out of Babylon’s Deer Park Avenue, every line and crack in the sidewalk. A native to Babylon Village, Flanagan was born in the heart of the downtown and has worked there his entire adult life.
At 18, he started his hospitality career as a barback for Lily Flanagan’s (no relation).
And for the past decade, he’s been a bartender at its sister restaurant, The Villager, also on Deer Park Avenue in the village.
Now, he’s been elevated to a partner position by Lily Flanagan’s Restaurant Group —which owns Lily’s and The Villager, along with five other establishments on the Island.
He’ll be leading the helm at the restaurant group’s latest venture. And this is a significant one, right in the heart of Deer Park Avenue, with lots of history.
Welcome to the much-anticipated revival of the iconic Argyle restaurant.
HOLIDAY FUN
The prior owners of The Argyle, a beloved New American restaurant that operated for nearly 25 years at 90 Deer Park Ave., held their last call on June 30.
Plans for another restaurant to fill the space fell through, prompting the Lily’s team to step in.
The “new” Argyle is now ready for launch later this month.
“It’s a staple in Babylon,” said Flanagan, a 2012 Babylon High School graduate. “It’s been here for ages.”
He and his team have been hard at work refreshing the space, which includes new flooring, upgraded LED lights, reupholstered seats, and a deep cleaning.
But the restaurant’s bones remain strong.
“When they built this place, they didn’t spare a penny,” he said. “You can see it in the craftsmanship and woodwork.”
Sharp-eyed visitors may recognize some new features, such as the chandeliers from the old Garden City Hotel and a vintage angel figure from the former Oak Beach Inn.
But what else is in store?
“Think chophouse, fine wines, bourbons and cocktails,” the team has said.
Some fan-favorite dishes and cocktails will stay on the menu, such as the skirt steak and memorable watermelon martinis.
“The Babylon Village people and everyone that would come here are gonna be very happy, very pleased,” said Flanagan.
Keep scrolling for some sneak peek interior photos of The Argyle by Nick Esposito.
