Wednesday, February 17th, 2010—Bar 38
Day 38—Tuesday, February 16th
Pete’s Tavern
Okay, any New York bar crawl has to include Pete’s Tavern. Its doors opened in 1864 and its been in business ever since and they lay claim to being the oldest bar in New York City. (It made it through the Prohibition disguised as a flower shop. It had the happiest daisies in Manhattan.) So it would be bar blasphemy not to include it. So tonight we drink at Pete’s Tavern. Sherman, set the Wayback Machine for 1864!
Here we are at the legendary Pete's Tavern.
There's a lively crowd in here for a Tuesday night.
Mike the bartender pours me a cold Budweiser before I even sit down in the barstool. Cheers!
Seated next to me were two stunning blondes, Mia and Julie. Naturally I asked to take their picture. They said okay and then Tom, sitting at a table behind us offered to take a photo of the three of us. Who was I to decline?
But then I had to return the favor and take a picture with Mia and Julia with Tom (left) and his buddy Mike. Thanks for being such good sports, Mia and Julie!
Memorabilia and photos decorate the wall's at Pete's Tavern.
Kegs of Pete's 1864 Ale hang over the doorway.
Just a few of the many beers on tap at Pete's Tavern.
Like I said, a good and lively crowd for a Tuesday night.
Some of the bar specials available at Pete's.
Michael and Kathy were seated next to me at the bar. Kathy had newspaper experience and we chatted about freelance work.
The colorful and well-stocked bar at Pete's Tavern.
There's a dining room in the back of the tavern.
Author O. Henry wrote The Gift of the Magi right here in Pete's Tavern...
Seated here at this booth. Testaments and memorials to the author hang on the walls.
And there's huge bowls of free popcorn on the bar! Woo hoo!
One of the many things i love about Pete's is that it's about five minutes walking distance from where I live. Goodnight everybody!
Review
Pete’s Tavern has such an old-school New York atmosphere and charm it’s been used as a backdrop on TV shows such as Seinfeld, Law and Order, Sex and the City and it was featured on the Food network. Movies have also utilized this historic tavern and its been featured in Ragtime, Endless Love and Across the Sea of Time among others.
Legend has it that author O. Henry wrote The Gift of the Magi within the wooden walls while seated at his favorite booth near the front door. Walking into the tavern is like walking back in time. Wooden booths line the walls and the long wooden bar is a crowded after work favorite with the locals in the neighborhood. Vintage lighting fixtures hang from the walls and there’s memorabilia and photos lining the walls.
There’s a full lunch and dinner menu and Saturday’s and Sunday’s brunch is also available. Pete’s has an Italian fare menu with a large pasta selection including, Spaghetti a la Pete's, Linguine with Clam Sauce, Homemade Meat Lasagna and Three Cheese Manicotti. The menu also features 10 oz. burgers, an open shell steak sandwich and a grilled chicken breast sandwich. There’s nightly dinner specials and 16 beers on tap to wash the food down with. And there’s free popcorn! Stop in and enjoy a cold beer and a slice of New York tavern history.
Pete’s Tavern
129 East 18th Street @ Irving Place
212-473-7676
1 Reference
Reader Comments (12)
A history lesson always goes better with a couple of shots of the hard stuff I always say...just think; Ulysses S Grant may have wrecked his liver on the very bar stool you sat on!
Legendary place, nice shot with the two blondies!
Hey! Are those glasses chillin' on a snowdrift in that popcorn shot? If so, nice touch! I remember this place - I'm pretty sure we sat in the legendary booth, but the only inspiration I got was to order a beer or three. Still, cool little bit of New York history with good service to boot. I give the place three Marty's.
Please tell me that Mike the bartender has a side job as a chippendale dancer.. oh please...
oh did i type that out loud:)
Mike he bartender. Manly, yes... but I like him too.
Zioum Zioum , would of Love this place , next time she in NYC I will take her there !!
What sweet and happy looking people there at Pete's. It looks like a fantastic place to imbibe in a few drinks and enjoy the pleasant company. Gotta love it!
Author O. Henry wrote The Gift of the Magi right here in Pete's Tavern?!! Shut. Up. Thats wicked cool.
I love bars that make you feel like you walked back in time!
Yes right Jason! I would love this place!! I need to be a little more rich and to get into a fucking plane !!!!! Ok, maybe I should rob some old grandma on street !
the service the past two times i have been has been less than desirable. i like the cool history of the place, but as a bar it stinks.
If Mike's on the menu, I'm buyin'.
Thank you for the review.
We were looking for the oldest bar and your info helped.
Cheers!