The second oldest bar in New York City is a venerable establishment with a long and storied history. The Queen's Head Tavern, opened in 1762 by Samuel Fraunces, a black tavern owner from the Caribbean, quickly became one of the most popular taverns in the city. It was especially popular with patriots in the area, and George Washington was one of its most famous patrons. He celebrated here on more than one occasion.
The building, which is now the last clapboard building in the area, was built in 1794 and was immediately used as a porter, selling beer and beer to local sailors. In 1977, the bar changed hands again and obtained its current owners and name, McSorley's. Opened by Irish immigrant John McSorley in 1854, this place has become a beloved New York City watering hole. The walls of the small bar are full of memories and artifacts from almost two centuries of life.
After the end of Prohibition and the closure of the nearby 18th Street subway station in 1948, the bar began to deteriorate. It wasn't until the late 1960s, when local bar manager Larry Meagher took over operations, that the bar regained popularity. Women were not allowed to enter McSorley's until August 10, 1970, after lawyers from the National Organization of Women filed a discrimination lawsuit against the bar association in District Court and won. The Fraunces Tavern is another important historic site in New York City related to the Revolutionary War.
Located on the corner of Pearl and Broad Streets, it was where George Washington delivered his farewell speech to his Continental Army officers and one of the first government buildings in the young United States of America. Both John Jay and Alexander Hamilton used Fraunces as an office. The Bridge Cafe is another historic restaurant and bar located at 279 Water Street in Manhattan's South Street port area. Not an exclusive cocktail bar or a direct dive bar, White Horse Tavern is somewhere in between between these two types of bars.
It opened its doors in 1947 and has hosted dozens of jazz pianists playing classic and contemporary pieces while customers drink expensive cocktails. In 1970, Mayor John Vliet Lindsay signed an anti-discrimination law that prohibited discrimination in public places on the basis of sex. Following this model, a group of gay men traveled from bar to bar demanding that they be attended to. For families with children, Viemeisters offers Madeleine tea every Saturday in November and December.
Dark and decidedly relaxed in its demeanor, Bridge Cafe is a local Brooklyn bar with no pretense of being anything else. In a city where new bars and restaurants are opening all the time, old favorites like these take on a special meaning. New York City is home to some of the oldest bars in America - establishments that have been around for centuries and have seen some of our nation's most important moments unfold within their walls. From Queen's Head Tavern to McSorley's Old Ale House to Fraunces Tavern to Bridge Cafe - these iconic bars have been around for generations and have become part of our nation's history.
Queen's Head Tavern opened its doors in 1762 under Samuel Fraunces - a black tavern owner from the Caribbean - making it one of NYC's oldest bars. It quickly became popular with patriots in the area, with George Washington being one of its most famous patrons who celebrated here on more than one occasion. The building itself is now the last clapboard building left standing in NYC! McSorley's Old Ale House opened its doors in 1854 under Irish immigrant John McSorley - making it NYC's second oldest bar - and has since become a beloved watering hole for locals and tourists alike. The walls are full of memories from almost two centuries worth of life! After Prohibition ended and 18th Street subway station closed down in 1948, McSorley's began to deteriorate until Larry Meagher took over operations in late 1960s - restoring it back to its former glory! Women were not allowed to enter until 1970 when lawyers from National Organization for Women filed a discrimination lawsuit against McSorley's which they won! Fraunces Tavern is another important historic site related to Revolutionary War located on corner of Pearl & Broad Streets where George Washington delivered his farewell speech to Continental Army officers & was one of first government buildings built by young United States of America! Both John Jay & Alexander Hamilton used Fraunces as an office! Bridge Cafe is another historic restaurant & bar located at 279 Water Street in Manhattan's South Street port area which opened its doors in 1947 & has hosted dozens of jazz pianists playing classic & contemporary pieces while customers drink expensive cocktails! White Horse Tavern is somewhere between an exclusive cocktail bar & direct dive bar located at 567 Hudson Street which opened its doors in 1947 & has hosted dozens of jazz pianists playing classic & contemporary pieces while customers drink expensive cocktails! Viemeisters offers Madeleine tea every Saturday during November & December for families with children! In conclusion, these iconic bars have been around for generations & have become part of our nation's history - from Queen's Head Tavern to McSorley's Old Ale House to Fraunces Tavern to Bridge Cafe - these establishments have seen some of our nation's most important moments unfold within their walls!.
