There’s a rich history to be found at The Springs Tavern — which has served as a tavern since 1934 — since the days it opened as The Jungle Inn by owner Pete Federico and his wife, Nina.
Fort Pond Boulevard was mostly undeveloped and Pete thought the surrounding area resembled a jungle. Locals began to call it Jungle Pete’s and later the name was changed. It was a time when a beer and a burger were just five cents each.
The original building burned to the ground in 1944 and was rebuilt into what stands today. At the time, patrons could find music and dancing until 3 AM.
“Music and the gathering of the local community, which had provided such a haven of comfort and entertainment for the families of those gone off to war in the forties, continued to be a big part of the tavern for many years,” stated a history of the Tavern on it’s current website.
It’s that same sense of local community that The Springs Tavern aims to provide today, which was opened in 2017 by Charlene and Dan DeSmet.
One of the most storied parts of the tavern’s history was in the 1940s and ’50s when Jackson Pollock was a daily regular. It became a gathering spot for the growing artist and beatnik community. The current Springs Tavern logo even pays homage to “Jack the Dripper.”
“Jackson’s friends, and their friends, mixed freely and comfortably with the local baymen and ‘bubs,’ for the most part,” reads the site. Other artists, musicians and philosophers that frequented the bar included Willem de Kooning and Lee Krasner. While Howard Kanovitz and Larry Rivers played horns in the house band with composer Morty Feldman.
Over the past almost-century it’s gone by the name of Jungle Johnnie’s, Vinnie’s Place, the Boatswain, the Frigate, the Birches, Harry’s Hideaway, and, most recently, Wolfie’s.
And while the days of five cent beer are long in the rearview, you can still order one for $5, which is no easy thing to find on the East End.
Today, the restaurant creates tavern food done very well, all while holding on to the feel and history of days past. The building remains relatively unchanged, while a patio with picnic tables has been added and historical images line the walls.
Fish & chips is the perfect tavern food, and chef Fabian Rodriguez prepared the dish perfectly. The crispy panko crusted chicken sandwich was perfectly breaded and nicely executed, served on a freshly baked brioche roll. The crispy shrimp salad was also a hit.
For dessert the restaurant serves Hanks Cheesecake from St Louis, and also recommended, the tres leches cake.
