The 5 Oldest Bars in New York City
06/06/2019
What do the 5 Oldest Bars in New York City Tell Us?
Here you find 5 bars for 5 milestones to discover during your Manhattan walks.
1 – Fraunces Tavern ( Est. 1719 )
Let's start with the Fraunces Tavern, New York's oldest bar. Fraunces Tavern is one of the most important historical sites in the city linked back to our Revolutionary War. The Tavern reminds us of how people lived in New York during the colonial era and how important Taverns were back then. Found at the corner of Pearl and Broad Street, it was one of the first government buildings of the newborn United States of America. John Jay and Alexander Hamilton both used it as an office, not to mention George Washington himself!
Fraunces Tavern, 54 Pearl St, lower Manhattan | (212) 425-1778. Tip -- A perfect lunch spot for when you are visiting the Financial District.
Suggested Tour -- Lower Manhattan and the Financial District
2 – EAR INN ( Est. 1817 )
Located in the historic home of James Brown, the Ear Inn is one of the most beautiful historic bars in New York City. The building was built around 1770 for James Brown during the Revolutionary War. They say it's the building represented in the famous painting by Emmanuel Leutze, "Washington Crossing The Delaware".
Probably the oldest bar in Manhattan, the food is cheap and quickly served by waiters who patiently cater to the patrons even with the most ludicrous requests such as an order of a pint of Thomas Cloake's beer ... beware the beer no longer exists but is still advertised on the walls of this old brewery!Ear Inn, 326 Spring St., in Soho, New York.
Tip -- A perfect spot for a drink during a Tribeca and Soho Tour.
Suggested Tour -- Lower Manhattan Walking Tour with Soho!
3 – McSORLEY’S OLD ALE HOUSE ( EST. 1854 )
Abraham Lincoln entered only once at McSorley, the oldest "Irish" tavern in New York City. Located in the East Village at 15 East 7th Street it was one of the last "Men Only" pubs. Yes, it's true. Women were not admitted to McSorley until August 10th, 1970, only then did the lawyers of the National Organization for Women, Faith Seidenberg and Karen DeCrow, present the discrimination case against the bar in the District Court and they won. The decision took up the entire front page of the New York Times on June 26th, 1970. Barbara Shaum was the first female owner of the bar. After the sentence that allowed women to be served as well, the single bathroom became a unisex one, and only sixteen years later a second bathroom was created for the ladies!
McSoley's, 15 East 7th Street, East Village, New York.
McSoley's, 15 East 7th Street, East Village, New York.
4 – PETE’S TAVERN ( EST. 1864 )
Pete’s Tavern, 129 and 18th St and Irving Place.
Tip -- A great spot during the Christmas season thanks to its decorations and ornaments. Here, you are still in the East Village but just a few blocks from Union Square and Gramercy Park.
Suggested Tour -- The Villages Tour
Old Town, 45 E 18th Street, Flatiron District
Tip -- Located between Union Square and Madison Square Park, a perfect spot for an afternoon beer and then a visit to the Flat Iron Building.
5 – OLD TOWN ( EST. 1892 )
Originally opened as a German bar with the name Viemeisters, it remains one of the oldest bars in New York City.
In the beginning, Viemeisters was a place that served only drinks, but during prohibition, the bar was forced to change its name to Craig's Restaurant and started serving food in order to remain open as a Speak Easy Bar. In 1948, with the end of prohibition and the closure of the nearby underground station, the bar began to fall into disrepair, and only at the end of the 1960s, when it was taken over by Larry Meagher, did it regain its popularity. The bar is been around since 1892 in its original building, so do not expect pomp or fanfare in this old Saloon, instead, you will find a perfect sanctuary for all those looking for a real bar for an old fashion drink, served by old-style bartenders and not by some fashionable Mixologists!!!Old Town, 45 E 18th Street, Flatiron District
Tip -- Located between Union Square and Madison Square Park, a perfect spot for an afternoon beer and then a visit to the Flat Iron Building.
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