Surviving Prohibition was basically the bar equivalent of beating the
Battletoads speed-bike level. But lo and behold, these 10 bars did it (survived Prohibition, not beat the speed-bike level...).
Here's a pretty awesome look at the oldest bars in Manhattan, loaded
with alcohol-soaked history so everyone will think you read things other
than beer menus.
Gramercy
Opened: 1864
Surviving the Depression and two World Wars means Pete’s Tavern was
established in 1864, and even stayed open during Prohibition, when it
masked itself as a flower shop while still serving alcohol. Initially
called Healy’s Cafe, the place didn’t get the name Pete’s Tavern until
Pete Belle purchased the property in 1932. Sidle up to the intricately
carved rosewood bar, and order one (or four) of the house special, the
1864 Original House Ale.
Fun fact: O. Henry, who lived close by, wrote
The Gift of the Magi here in a booth.
East Village
Opened: 1862
While the exact year McSorley’s opened is still up for debate (the sign
outside reads 1854, but historian Richard McDermott claims it opened in
1862 based on public records), one thing is certain -- this
over-a-century-old, cash-only, beer-only Irish ale house is really
freaking old. Like, Lincoln, Babe Ruth, and Teddy Roosevelt beer’d it up
here
old. And because two beers are better than one, suds are
served in pairs of seven to 8oz glass mugs. Just memorize two words:
light and dark. It’s the only type they offer.
Fun fact: McSorley’s started out as a major bro fest --
their motto used to be “Good Ale, Raw Onions, and No Ladies”. It wasn’t
until 1970 that women were allowed in (by court order).
Tribeca
Opened: 1817
More than a century ago, this Soho watering hole was a hotspot for
sailors waiting for their ships to dock. Built in 1817 for James Brown
(no, not that one), this watering hole didn’t get its name until 1977,
when the neon “BAR” sign was painted to read “EAR” (after a music
magazine that was published upstairs). It’s said a sailor ghost named
Mickey pops in every now and then for a drink. And probably one of
their
excellent burgers.
Fun fact: Legend has it this historic bar didn’t serve
drinks until the 1890s, when an Irish immigrant, Thomas Cooke, bought
the place and began brewing beer and whiskey to serve seamen. The
location has, at one point or another, done time as a boarding house,
smuggler’s den, and even a brothel.
Financial District
Opened: 1762
Samuel Fraunces purchased the property in 1762 from the Delancey family
(who was living there), and converted it into a tavern called the
Queen’s Head. It’s now part-bar, part-restaurant (you can order
everything from steak to colonial-style shepherd’s pie),
part-whiskey bar,
and part-history museum. Earn some cool points by getting in on one of
their booze clubs (Fraunces Tavern Whiskey Society FTW!), then earn some
beer points by also raising a glass of Porterhouse Oyster Stout.
Fun fact: Picture your first president shot-gunning a
beer at this nostalgic bar. Okay, maybe not, but our boy GW was one of
its famed customers.
Midtown
Opened: 1884
This Midtown tavern has been pouring cold ones since 1884. To put things
into perspective, it's been around longer than the Empire State
Building and Brooklyn Bridge, and it has the classic tchotchkes to prove
it (see: stuffed Skippy the dog, once the bar’s mascot). The bartenders
still make a killer Manhattan, and it's worth coming hungry, too -- the
signature “Cadillac” burger comes with smoked country bacon and
American cheese (plus, it's served until late).
Fun fact: Its 150-year resume reads like the ultimate
Throwback Thursday list: it’s where Buddy Holly proposed to his wife,
Jackie Kennedy brought John Jr. and Caroline for lunch, Johnny Mercer
wrote his song “One For My Baby” on a napkin, and Sinatra was to known
to cap off his nights regularly.
West Village
Opened: 1880
Dating back to 1880 as a hangout for longshoremen, this West Village
saloon later became a popular gathering spot for literary lushes like
Michael Harrington, James Baldwin, Dan Wakefield, John Ashbery, and
Hunter S. Thompson.
Fun fact: Believe it or not, Dylan Thomas had his first
and last 18 whiskeys here. A popular myth says that Thomas’ ghost
haunts his favorite table in the room, where his picture now hangs.
Hell’s Kitchen
Opened: 1868
This Hell’s Kitchen survivor first opened its doors in 1868, serving
booze to dock workers before the third floor turned into a speakeasy
during Prohibition. It was eventually renovated in the early 2000s in
the hands of new owners, but it still retains its historic charm,
including tin ceilings and an original mahogany bar carved from a
single tree.
The menu lacks pretty much all pretense, with items like shepherd’s
pie, Scotch eggs, potato and leek soup, and fish and chips. And
definitely go for the house ale, a hoppy IPA produced by a brewery
upstate.
Fun fact: The speakeasy hasn’t forgotten its past.
Hollywood gangster George Raft’s ghost is said to haunt the bar (it was
known to be one of his faves), along with a Confederate Civil War
veteran and an Irish lassie.
West Village
Opened: 1840
First holding court as a grocery in 1840, then as a bar in 1864, today
it’s one of the city’s oldest gay bars. Signs of old-age point to the
ancient newspaper clippings and wall covered in signed head shots. It’s
also the site of the 1966 Sip-In, where a few activists challenged the
NYS Liquor Authority’s regulation that prohibited bars and restaurants
from serving homosexuals. Real-talk: the best-kept secret at this joint
is their juicy $6 burgers. Get the namesake with greasy onion rings.
Fun fact: Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote were both fans.
Flatiron
Opened: 1882
Before Old Town Bar was Old Town Bar, it was known as Viemeister’s in
1882, and later as Craig’s Restaurant -- a speakeasy during Prohibition.
Old Town first opened as a saloon liquoring up only dudes (
again with this). Today you can pull up a seat at the 50-plus-ft mahogany bar, and grab
some of the city’s top wings. Soak up the suds with a chili dog delivered to you via an antique dumbwaiter.
Fun fact: Break the seal in a 102-year-old urinal in
the boy’s room. Seriously -- this might be the only time you leave a
bathroom thinking, “Hmmm, that was kinda cool”.
Little Italy
Opened: 1908
Formerly called Mare Chiaro, this Little Italy bar (which opened in
1908) pays homage to its early days with an original subway tile floor,
wooden bar, and tin ceiling. In 2003, Ed Welsh bought the digs to “have a
place to drink for free”. Smart guy. A jukebox playing Sinatra and
Elvis provides the soundtrack, and weekends bring karaoke. They had
karaoke in 1908, right?
Fun fact: If you’re ever looking to take a mobster for a night out on the town, this place is it. You might recognize the spot from
Donnie Brasco,
Men of Honor, and
The Sopranos.
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Alisha Prakash is a contributing writer at Thrillist NYC. Her mission: make Sriracha a food group. You can find more of her musings on her website or follow her on Twitter.
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