Kelly Ripa Teases Mark Consuelos Over Hooters' Last NYC Location Closing

Ripa joked that with the last Hooters in New York City closing, 'Now who will you date?'

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos discussed the closing of the last Hooters restaurant in New York City on their show Live with Kelly and Mark. Ripa teased Consuelos, who is 'famously from Tampa' and joked that with Hooters gone, 'Now who will you date?' The couple also recalled a time when Consuelos and another father took their young sons to Hooters on a playdate, which Ripa said as moms they were 'very alarmed' by.

Why it matters

The closing of the last Hooters in New York City marks the end of an era for the popular sports bar and restaurant chain, which has faced declining popularity in recent years. The story also provides a lighthearted look into Ripa and Consuelos' relationship and parenting experiences.

The details

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos discussed the news that the last Hooters restaurant in New York City, located in the Fresh Meadows neighborhood of Queens, is closing its doors. Ripa joked that with Hooters gone, 'Now who will you date?' referencing Consuelos' Tampa roots and the chain's popularity there. The couple also recalled a time when Consuelos and another father took their young sons to Hooters on a playdate, which Ripa said as moms they were 'very alarmed' by, though Consuelos insisted it wasn't his idea.

  • The last Hooters in New York City is closing its doors.

The players

Kelly Ripa

The co-host of Live with Kelly and Mark.

Mark Consuelos

The co-host of Live with Kelly and Mark and Ripa's husband, who is 'famously from Tampa'.

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What they’re saying

“I'm telling you, you can't go anywhere in Tampa—or at least I can't—without somebody approaching me and saying, 'I used to date your husband,'”

— Kelly Ripa, Co-host (Live with Kelly and Mark)

“That's true.”

— Mark Consuelos, Co-host (Live with Kelly and Mark)

“Now who will you date?”

— Kelly Ripa, Co-host (Live with Kelly and Mark)

“Those chicken wings.”

— Mark Consuelos, Co-host (Live with Kelly and Mark)

“We were like, 'What are they going to do? What are they going to do with the kids?'”

— Kelly Ripa, Co-host (Live with Kelly and Mark)

The takeaway

The closing of the last Hooters in New York City marks the end of an era for the popular sports bar chain, which has faced declining popularity in recent years. The story also provides a lighthearted look into the relationship and parenting experiences of co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.