In just a few months, Aidan Loughran has realized his dream of opening his own bar. Despite his Irish accent, which welcomes regulars and newcomers as they walk in the door, Saints and Scholars, serving elevated cuisine in an eclectic atmosphere, is more reminiscent of a chic bistro than what you might expect when you hear it’s located on Yonkers’ McLean Avenue. With more than 15 years experience working in restaurants and bars around the world, Loughran, who has lived and worked in Yonkers for the past five years, felt it was the right place for him from the start.
Right from the exterior — gray brick, black French doors opening to the street, planters, and lanterns —it’s obvious that you’re not entering a typical Irish pub. “I wanted a place for everyone, but women in particular, to feel comfortable,” Loughran says. “I didn’t want customers walking into a dark and dingy Irish bar.” The interior has been lighting up Instagram, with influencers snapping shots of the Victorian vibes: a number of chandeliers, banquette seating, ornately framed mirrors, and a working fireplace. A disco ball, crooked shelves with books and trivia games (yes, they were crooked before you ordered that second cocktail), and Marilyn Monroe posters in the ladies room, add to the eclectic feel. There’s a geometric black-and-white-tiled floor, small flags of different countries hanging over the bar, and a mix of floral wallpaper and exposed brick walls.
You can sit at the ample bar and enjoy a Coco Chanel Martini made with Ciroc Coconut and St Germain; an Irish Mule with Jameson, Jamaican ginger beer, and fresh lime juice; or a perfectly poured pint of Guinness. In summer, there’s a refreshing Frosé to sip outside (use the mini umbrella to shield you from the sun).
But you’d be remiss if you didn’t try the food at Saints and Scholars. The menu changes daily and “there’s food for everyone’s palate,” Loughran notes. We started with phenomenal chicken wings with sweet-chili sauce, a popular selection as a number of other tables were ordering them. Then we enjoyed perfectly seared scallops with crispy black pudding, cauliflower purée and broccoli rabe; and pork-and-leek bangers with onion jam and mash. The servings are ample (we were too full to try the homemade desserts).
Saints and Scholars also serves weekend brunch and weekday lunch. Loughran says he made sure to have salads and a good selection of wines, again keeping female customers in mind. Special events, such as movie nights and 2-for-1 dinner specials are in the works according to Loughran, adding that “it’s all about looking after our customers.”
Saints and Scholars
790 McLean Ave
Yonkers
914.457.5550
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