Pilar Montero, Founded ‘Dive’ That Became Chic Bar, 90
Pilar Montero, founder of Montero’s Bar & Grill on Atlantic Avenue, died January 14 at 90.
Until fairly recently she had still come into the bar, holding court from a stool near the front.
After its opening in 1945 Montero’s became something of a home away from home for merchant seamen of many nations, to whom she offered the first drink free. A number of them gave her ship models they had built while at sea, and, as the New York Times reported, 34 of these became part of the bar’s décor, along with a miniature steam engine. Longshoremen also frequented the bar.