Being English and living in Miami, I crave history and heritage. Whilst being in New York working, I wanted to fill my down time with worthwhile jaunts, and this was 100 per cent one of them. I had read about its eloquent and colourful history, and also that the food was supposedly good. Good enough for me surely?? and it was. I loved it. You will too, so go and visit. Oh, and the food was solid too! Listed below are some facts I found out about it. Pete's Tavern is New York City's oldest continuously operating restaurant and bar, with a history that spans nearly two centuries and includes literary legends, Prohibition-era secrets, and original fixtures. Built in 1829 as the Portman Hotel, the building later housed a "grocery & grog" store, with the first official drinking establishment founded in 1864. In 1899, Tom and John Healy bought it, renaming it Healy's Café. In 1922, Peter D'Belles purchased it, and the name Pete's Tavern has remained ever since. O. Henry (William Sydney Porter), a neighborhood regular, lived nearby at 55 Irving Place from 1903-1907. He is credited with writing "The Gift of the Magi" in Pete's second booth in 1903. He also mentioned "Healy's" in his short story "The Lost Blend", which was based on the real Healy's. Legend also links author Ludwig Bemelmans to Pete's, claiming he drafted "Madeleine" on the back of a menu. During Prohibition (1920-1933), Pete's disguised itself as a florist shop with fresh flowers and signs outside. "In the know" patrons entered via a side door, signaled, and were escorted through a dummy refrigerator door (hinges still intact) into the bar. The 40-foot rosewood bar, decorated back bar, tin ceiling, and tile floor are original from 1864. The bar room booths and cabinets above them have been in place since the restaurant's founding. Pete's Tavern has appeared in films and TV shows such as Seinfeld, Sex and the City, Law & Order, Nurse Jackie, and The Blacklist. It's also been featured in ads, including Miller Lite commercials. read more

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Apparently Mom and Dad took me out for Saturday night drinks at a former Prohibition-era speakeasy and neglected to mention this rather important detail to the Research Department. Pete's Tavern has been serving New Yorkers since 1864 and has a pretty incredible history. During Prohibition, the tavern reportedly disguised itself as a flower shop while people who knew the password could sneak through a dummy refrigerator door to get to the bar. Even better: the hinges from that secret door are apparently still inside. So naturally, nearly 100 years later, I arrived openly through the front door area wearing a harness. Progress. We sat outside, where Pete's has a huge seating area wrapping around the corner. There was plenty of room for me to stretch out on the seat next to Mom, which I appreciated. For a Manhattan restaurant, the amount of outdoor space is a big plus. There's no dog menu and nobody offered me a water bowl, so I'd classify Pete's as dog-friendly rather than dog-focused. Bring your own water and bowl. Mom ordered the spicy tuna chips--three little crispy bites topped with spicy tuna and greens--and a Hugo Spritz. Dad ordered the steak bites and a Stella. Neither shared. Which is particularly troubling considering this establishment managed to secretly distribute alcohol during Prohibition but apparently cannot covertly distribute a steak bite under a table in 2026. Dogba's Verdict Historic NYC institution? Dogs welcome outside? Huge corner patio? Secret Prohibition flower shop? Hidden refrigerator entrance? Dog water bowl? Steak smuggled under the table? 4 paws out of 5. Pete's successfully concealed an entire bar from the authorities during Prohibition. Mom and Dad could not conceal one steak bite in my direction. Amateurs. read more

Pete's Tavern - Spicy tuna chips - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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As a child you likely read "The Gift of the Magi," a classic story of an impoverished couple and their selfless acts of love. ANYWAY ... O. Henry wrote it here, the site of NYC's oldest continuously operating bar and restaurant. The building dates to 1851. I made 6:30 reservations at Pete's -- and boy, the place was jumping. There's seating outside -- the waitlist was long -- as well as the bar area and dining room. Noisy no matter where you are. The $45 three-course Restaurant Week menu includes appetizer, entree and dessert. $7 Belgian Pilsner, $12 cocktails, $30 bottles of wine. I have mixed feelings. Our appetizers were great (spicy tuna tartare on corn crisps and watermelon & feta salad.) The desserts we shared were stellar, particularly their key lime pie. If you like fudgy chocolate, go for the budino, and the warm peach tart with ice cream is like a cobbler. Our entrees would have been delicious if cooked as requested. (The waiter actually asked our preference when taking our orders which apparently were disregarded.) I had Faroe Islands salmon, which was way over-broiled. It was plated with an interesting succotash. The other two got chargrilled burgers, a far cry from "medium rare." What saved the burgers was the seasoning. Very flavorful. After dinner we strolled through Gramercy Park. A beautiful area, stately old buildings where only residents can access the park. I was told they still have to pay $100,000 for the key! Check out Pete's, check out the neighborhood and if you don't mind waiting on a ridiculously long line, go across the street to Caffe Panna for ice cream. read more

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"Here's to feeling good all the time" What I thought was a small little charming pub, the oldest in NYC, revealed room after room of more. Casual, upscale, unpretentious place with different rooms depending on needs. Service is attentive, aware, friendly and respectful. Come for the Seinfeld filming location, stay for everything else. read more

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I walk past this place all the time but today I finally stopped in. Veronica was a wondering waitress. Ordered the wings with zucchini chips. Yo the wing sauce is crazy it's buffalo with some type of bbq and krabby patty secret formula. I love the Prohibition furnishings. One of the last real places left in New York that wasn't touched by slop bowl real estate. I will definitely come back again read more

Wow!! I never realized Pete's Tavern has been around since the 1800s. What an iconic NYC spot! Seeing all the photos of famous visitors and people dining here over the years really makes the experience feel special. I'm glad that I was finally able to eat here even with the below average reviews I had to check it out. We came on a Sunday afternoon for brunch, and it was bustling. I say make a reservation if you're coming with a large group of people. The location is super convenient too. Regarding what I ordered, it was from the brunch menu. It was $21 which includes tea or coffee. A great deal. I went with the Croque Monsieur, which included mesclun greens and fries. It was very well balanced, filling and tasty. Overall, great food and history here. Definitely worth a visit if you're a local or a tourist. read more

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I completely understand why people recommend Pete's Tavern during Christmas. The history, the decorations, and the overall holiday ambiance are beautiful, and I really appreciated that they do not charge an entry fee like some other heavily decorated NYC spots. You can make a reservation, but they also keep a few tables open for walk ins. We came a little before the dinner rush and were able to get a table with a time limit, which was totally fine since we mainly wanted to eat, take a few photos, and move on. Unfortunately, the service and food were a letdown. We never had a single point of contact as a server. Every interaction was with a different person, from water to drinks to food to the bill, which made everything feel disorganized and slow. It took about fifteen minutes just to be acknowledged, and while I understand it was the Christmas rush, not having one server made the experience frustrating. My pasta dish was honestly inedible. The pasta was extremely overcooked and mushy, and the chicken was very gristly. I barely touched it. My mom's steak appetizer was good, so maybe my dish was just a miss, but for the price, it was disappointing. Drinks were fine, but pricing felt off. My alcoholic drink and my mom's plain hot chocolate were both $21, which felt excessive, especially when the hot chocolate was very small. For comparison, you can get a massive frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity for less. I would recommend Pete's Tavern for the Christmas ambiance only. Go to the bar, grab a drink, take some photos, and enjoy the decorations. I would skip dinner entirely and eat somewhere else where the food and service match the prices. read more

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Came for drinks on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Able to snag a table. Waiters were attentive and drinks were great! I really enjoyed my dry martini. Good Guinness pours too. Whisky flight was good too, and well priced. Would come back during the holiday season / for dinner to try their burger! read more

Pete's Tavern - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I've been here 100 times, but Jesus somehow made today even better. Such a great waiter. Can't wait to see him at @petes soon!

Fun, funky place. Kind of more upscale than divey. We had drinks there but weren't able to get a seat for dinner. I've heard that their food is quite good, but we'll have to try next time. read more

Pete's Tavern - It's old :) - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Amazing pub in NYC. The oldest pub in NYC Actually. Great food, lots of history. Lots of historic pictures on the walls. Friendly staff. You feel like you walked into 1800s New York read more

Pete's Tavern - Reuban Sandwich, I took a bite of it then took the picture. - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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We came for restaurant week and they had a great special! Spend $30 on an entree and side and get a bottle for $30. This place apparently has been here a while (1800's) it's safe to say it's cemented in the Gramercy Park neighborhood. We had the chicken parm with meatballs and enjoy some rose, the rose had a cork! Yay! The chicken parm was great the meatballs came out of a bag but still tasted delicious. Our server was awesome, she came by a few times and was super patient when we couldn't decide what to eat. Will definitely be coming back and ordering off their regular menu. read more

Pete's Tavern - Chicken parm with meatballs - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Walked in after work and got a seat at the bar. It's a happy busy, but not too loud so great for catching up with friends or coworkers. They have some outdoor seating but be sure to get it early! Pro Tip! Their happy hour ends at 6pm so on the later side for those that leave work later read more

Terrific drinking establishment. Haven't been back here in some time. I recall the burgers are pretty good. Love the place. read more

Pete's Tavern 129 E. 18th St. New York, NY 10003 Boneless Wings Shepherd's Pie Located in Gramercy Park is one of the oldest bars in Manhattan. I decided to explore a 2-course meal at this historic tavern. Boneless Wings: This popular appetizer was smothered in house made buffalo sauce. You won't find any bones, but you will find tender, white meat. Also included was celery sticks and blue cheese dipping sauce. Shepherd's Pie: Hidden beneath this heaping mound of slightly charred mashed potatoes are hearty chunks of ground lamb and beef. You are guaranteed a mouth full of meat in every bite. The shepherd's pie also has its fair share of veggies. And speaking of veggies, a side of brussells sprout is included. Aside being impressed with the nostalgic atmosphere with a full size bar, I couldn't help but notice the vintage decorations in the dining area. If you like these artifacts, you are going to love the mementos about O. Henry. The late author was sitting at a booth in this tavern when he wrote "The Gift of the Magi." You will easily recognize the props and illustrations from the short story, such as the Della's mirror and Jim's pocket watch. O. Henry put this tavern in the spotlight. And speaking of fame, several celebrities ranging from actors to athletes have explored this location. This was a flawless dining experience because I got a taste of great comfort food as well as a taste of New York City history. #petestavern #gramercypark #oldestbarinmanhattan #ohenry #shepherdspie #brusselsprouts #bonelesswings #nycfoodie #FoodStagram #localspots #giftofthemagi #mirror #pocketwatch read more

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We wanted to experience some Christmas bars in the city and this one came highly recommended, we went in to try and honestly they did a good job decorating but now really over the top . The staff is a little slow and I feel like the place was wayyyyyy overcrowded . Not my favorite :( read more

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Such a vibe and definitely the move during the holidays. Slight wait to get in but the bouncer was super efficient with getting patrons in as quickly while also safely as possible. Lines were long to actually order at the bar but to be expected. Didn't really matter because the vibes were so great! Definitely check out vs other holiday bars in the city that are much more packed. read more

Pete's Tavern - Outside - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Burger bun was too stiff for my liking. I love the Christmas decoration though! So nice! Burger to pricey. Maybe because I'm a student but I can get better burgers cheaper. Excellent service though. read more

Pete's Tavern - Egg nog with rum. I wanted it hot though - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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The ambiance here is fantastic. They had all their Christmas decorations up which are beautiful. Lots of animated decorations and the lights are epic. The food was delicious and servers were very friendly. read more

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Pete's Tavern is a true NYC classic. The moment you walk in, you feel the history -- cozy, lively, and full of charm. I had an espresso martini and the penne alla vodka, both excellent. Service was quick and friendly, even with a packed house. If you want a timeless New York spot with great food and even better vibes, this is it. The Christmas vibes are TOP NOTCH! read more

Would you call this place a hidden gem in Gramercy? Maybe...we've walked by this place so many times yet never stopped in for a drink. Well...today we did! We were planning on just having a drink but ended up with the restaurant week menu. With that menu they had an option for highly discounted bottles soooo of course we opted in for the $30 rosé. Really nice tasting bottle and the food...surprisingly good! We split the meatballs (frozen from a bag) and chicken parm. All in all, the food was really good and the ability to sit outside made it that much better! The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming. Defiantly coming back to hang here... read more

Pete's Tavern - Chicken parm and meatballs from the restaurant week menu. - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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My partner and our niece were seated in a nice booth in the restaurant. The ambiance is pleasant. Emily, our server, was outstanding, gave us the time we needed to enjoy a drink and catch up, took our orders, available and knowledgeable about the menu and drinks. Best of all, the food was outstanding, my niece and I ordered the filet, medium and medium rare, both perfect, the sides of 'greens' were so delicious, mashed potatoes and truffle fries as well. Malbec with dinner was a good match. My partner had the risotto and lived every bite. A very busy lively place, good vibes, great food! read more

What a warm welcome our group received -- were seated in the back room beneath photos of VIPS where we spread out comfortably for lunch. Too bad we're not a drinking crowd, but never mind! We all ate a nice lunch (pub fare--burgers, sandwiches, salads, soup) and the waitress was most attentive. A jolly place to gather at reasonable prices in a special location. read more

Pete's is a classic spot I went to for the first time this week. We sat outside, as the inside is rather small. It was a brisk night so sitting outside wasn't bad. Our server was very nice. I had the eggplant parm which was delicious! I also enjoyed a glass of wine. I'd like to come back and sit inside to experience the vibe indoors. Unfortunately the only bathrooms are located downstairs which makes this a difficult spot to come to if you have mobility concerns read more

Surprised by how GREAT the food here is. I've been for drinks many times, but how that pizza was perfectly crisp, and the tuna tartare very fresh. Definitely a great place to drink and eat. read more

Pete's Tavern - Pizza and tuna tartare - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Even though lunch was a disappointment this place is so unique and wonderful I had to give it four stars. The greens in the big green salad were more than satisfactory however, I found the dressing to be very dull and disappointingly the panko chicken (extra) was all breadcrumbs with the thinnest sliver of chicken you can imagine. anyway I hope this review is useful feedback towards an improvement read more

One of my favorite bars even when it's not Christmastime, but extra magical around December. It's the oldest continuously operating bar in NYC and it shows, as it runs like a well oiled machine. Bar service is friendly and accommodating. This is definitely a place where you'll make new friends, strike up interesting conversations with strangers and leave with a story to tell others about. We came here to see the decorations during the day on a weekday and were able to quickly snag two bar stools. They typically do have happy hour during the week, but do away with it in December because of how busy they are. Our bartender was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing the story of the bar's history along with other comparable longstanding bars (like McSorely's). We learned about one booth here in particular where the story The Gift of the Magi was written, where people from all over the world come just to sit in it. We were here for just drinks, but their food menu was tempting, with lots of hearty pub fare. The bartender let us sample a few of their beers on tap before deciding which ones we wanted to stick with. The Christmas decorations made this place even more magical. Definitely worth a stop. read more

Pete's Tavern - Christmas Decorations - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

My friend and I came here the other night for dinner since it's an iconic spot and we both had never been. When you first walk in, there is a large bar in the front with a good amount of seating and then in the back is the more sit down part of the tavern. It's lots of dark wood and moody lighting, especially in the bar area. There are photos everywhere of all the famous individuals who have stopped by, which was pretty cool to look at. The menu was decently sized, and they were also participating in restaurant week. My friend ordered the cesear salad, the Gramercy burger and the lava cake, and I ordered the beyond burger. Both burgers were pretty massive and came with fries. My friend enjoyed all her food, but my burger was overly salty and I wasn't thrilled with the flavor. Our waiter was lovely and attentive, but I think if I were to come back again, I'd only come for a drink. read more

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The signs of a great bar? Long line outside. So crowded inside you can barely move. No tables available. This is what we encountered on our visit here. So crowded we decided to go somewhere else but what a fun vibe here. I would go back but definitely recommend making a reservation. read more

Pete's Tavern - Hanging Santas outside - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Pete's Tavern is a historic restaurant and bar in Gramercy. It's always busy during happy hours and great neighborhood hangout. We stopped by for weekend brunch and the place was very festive, decked out in Christmas lights and decorations. We ordered the Gramercy burger and charcoal grilled burger. They were both quite large and perfectly cooked and juicy. The Gramercy burger was topped with crispy onions along with lettuce and tomato and a pickle. They both came with crispy fries. Very filling brunch! Need to come back for dinner soon. read more

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After we were unceremoniously turned away from Dear Irving, we found ourselves at Pete's, which turned out to be the perfect spot. Not quite a dive but certainly not posh, Pete's is a bar where everyone may very well may know your name. Their Christmas display was truly chaotic in the best way ever, with decorations EVERYWHERE. I loved it. Our bartender Abaas was AMAZING (and so handsome. Like truly, everyone was swooning). He took great care of our party and even joined in for a few laughs. We had a wonderful time and if ever I'm looking for an easy hang, I'll definitely return! read more

I came here for a work happy hour event. We got a large table and service worked quickly which was awesome. I can't speak too much for the food because I only tried some of the appetizers. The fries were good, tenders were tough, but crunchy exterior. The drinks were standard and good. My friend got the Mezcal Summer Mule and WOOO that was spicy! Having tavern in the name sets expectations: nice bar vibe, dark inside (you wouldn't know it was bright and sunny outside), but good vibes for happy hour drinks. read more

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Another New York historic tavern in lower Manhattan, establish in the late 1800s, Pete's Tavern offers quality, and charm. Full bar, beers, nonalcoholic options, and great food make for a winning combination. Our server was fantastic and walked us through lunch options for later fair in the middle of the day. We tried an order of their calamari, which was done very well. A great snack to keep us going in the great walk of Manhattan Island. This is a must see when in the city. read more

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Great old bar in the village. Beautiful mahogany bar and booths in the frontt, a brick lined dining room towards the back. I love the fact that the place is virtually untouched for over a hundred years. Although old the fixtures are in excellent shape. Bartenders are professional and seem to reflect a reverence for the history of the place. Burgers and other bar fare are delicious. My go to when doing my annual historic bar crawl with wifey! read more

I had been to Pete's before for a quick beer but haven't been back in a few years. This is one of the oldest "original" bars in New York City, dating back to 1864. The decor is definitely where they get me with original lamps and the details in the woodwork and ceiling. It's a beautiful space. So many knickknacks and old pictures encased on the walls. We came here for brunch this past weekend. They have a deal of brunch entrees with coffee or tea is $20 and if you add on from their selection of cocktails it's $26. Not a terrible deal these days. I ended up going with their croque monsieur that comes with a small side salad and fries and I choose a coffee and paloma to drink. I was a little disappointed in the food. The complimentary bread with olive oil is awesome. I feel not enough places still do these little nice touches. My main entree however wasn't exactly a croque monsieur. It was a deep fried grilled cheese and ham sandwich. There was no bechamel at all on it. Like they took that sucker and friiiiied it. Was it terrible? Not exactly. It was edible. But don't expect fine dining. My boyfriend just asked for the same thing and more or less felt the same way even though he knows nothing about french sandwiches. His friend ordered a bacon cheeseburger and he seemed to enjoy it. I will say, their house amber red ale beer is pretty great. It's very smooth for a house ale. The paloma (which I don't normally order but I was feeling fancy) was also delicious and well balanced. I noticed they also keep their beer glasses chilled over ice. Genius idea. I feel this is more of an apps and drinks type of place and just enjoy it's charm. read more

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Stopped in for a drink - of course this place was PACKED!! It's December so it was expected. The holidays decs are beautiful but don't go if you want to stand shoulder to shoulder with a stranger. read more

Pete's Tavern - Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Pete's Tavern is a place that I've wanted to go to for years. This weekend, my wife, daughter, and I, stopped in for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. Pete's has been around since 1864 and is the oldest bar in NYC. it has a great location right in Gramercy. Just walking through the front doors brings you back in time. The bar itself is beautiful along with the tin roof ceiling. Pictures are all over with a who's who of famous people dining here. We sat in a dining room in the back which was nice, but I'd recommend sitting in the bar area. Our food was excellent! I ordered a cheddar burger which was huge and came with fries. The Pete's IPA went great with it! My wife and daughter ordered brunch, avocado toast and an omelette, and loved theirs as well. It was just a fun experience going here. It's the bar O. Henry made famous writing The Gift of the Magi in one of the booths. There was also an episode of The Blacklist filmed here (you can see "Pete's" stenciled in the window in the scene). If you're in Manhattan and looking for a unique place to eat, stop in or make a reservation at Pete's! read more

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Just came here for apps , will come back again for full meal. But food overall and the historic vibes were awesome. read more

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I was very excited to visit Pete's Tavern during the holiday season, but unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. The main reasons being service, environment and quality of food. Knowing that this is one of the oldest bars in the city, I assumed the service would be top notch. Our server was VERY nice and did the best they could, but there were some hiccups during our time there including long wait time for food. The decorations were beautiful but the bar itself had a bad odor, almost that of throw up that was a bit off putting. Luckily my group and I were seated in the back area away from the smell, but something to note. In terms of food, it was fine. The one thing to note is that my friends ordered the steak medium rare. The first steak came out very well done so they sent it back. To our shock, the second steak was still not medium rare and on the cusp of being well done again. My friends were disappointed, but ate it anyway. Overall, if you are looking for a bar with pretty decorations for the holidays, Pete's is beautiful but I wouldn't recommend dining here. read more

I won't get into the history too much but it's like 560 years old. Ok maybe younger but there are about 124 coats of paint on the outside. Super cool old tavern all decked out for Christmas. It was so incredibly crowded inside that we ended up at a table in the covered patio since it was elbow to elbow inside. Come here for drinks. Come here for their chicken pot pie. Come here for the nostalgic old bar feel. read more

Pete's Tavern - Bars Near Me - New York, New York