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Pete's Tavern

3.5 (844 reviews)
Closed • 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
Updated 1 month ago

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PETE'S TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for groups
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Pete's Tavern

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Ilana Z.

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!

Note - both of these drinks were $21. The pink one with liquor. Hot chocolate had no liquor.
Beth A.

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.

It's old :)
John Z.

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.

Chicken parm with meatballs
Cesar Q.

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.

Giseli C.

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 :(

Outside
Taylor K.

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.

Shepherd's Pie
Jeff M.

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

Egg nog with rum. I wanted it hot though
Marissa N.

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.

Bruce J.

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.

Chicken parm and meatballs from the restaurant week menu.
Ellen F.

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...

Pizza and tuna tartare
Anna L.

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.

Hanging Santas outside
Rebecca U.

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.

Christmas Decorations
Danielle P.

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.

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2 months ago

This place changed very crowded very young so if that's what ur into u'll love it! Good for singles 21-30

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Pete's Tavern Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Pete's Tavern

When I reserve on Resy, only curbside is open. Is that outside in the winter or is it heated somehow?

Yes, there are heated tents

Would my dog be allowed to sit with us at an outdoor table?

Yes your dog is welcome in the outdoor café ( the board of health has FINALLY lifted its ban of dogs in restaurants outdoor areas)

Has the prime rib been dropped from the menu? I don't see it listed on the menus on the website, and several Yelpers have commented on there no longer being a prime rib.

Hello No we still have prime rib on special. Thank you Joe

Any gluten free options?

The answer is no

Do they keep the Christmas decorations up through the end of the year?

Yes indeed ... they will stay up till around about January 9th

Do you need a reservation if you're just coming in for drinks?

No.

Ok for young kids?

Yes it is we have two dinning rooms for family dinners.

Are the Christmas decorations up yet?

Yea they are.. please come in to see them!!

Did E. A. Poe write poems there?

so they say

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Monkey Bar - Smoked Whitefish Caesar (~$28)

Monkey Bar

4.3(478 reviews)
1.8 mi•Midtown East

Getting a reservation here is very hard. One just popped up in my Resy app for lunch though, so I…read morewent for it. It was my first time here although, it has been around for ages. The front part where you first walk in is the bar area with some tables. This restaurant is on the darker side and brings you back in time. Once you walk in further that is where the main dinning room is. This is also on the darker side as you can maybe tell by my photos. The wall paper and art around the restaurant is cool and there are some monkey statues around the restaurant. I was seated in a corner table in a booth area that seemed to be for at least 2-3 people. I thought for sure they would seat me at the bar area. I had a wonderful waitress whose name I think was Taylor but I could be wrong. I ordered the Monkey bread to start off with. It's a very buttery bread with truffle and parm cheese on top. I have alot of allergies and I was searching online if I could even have truffles as I have a nut allergy. So, I asked the waitress and she said she had never heard this. But, she came back to me and told me that White truffle grows near or like over where Almonds grow from but that, they don't use white truffle so I was all good. Well, this was super nice of her to check for me. I had no idea she was going to do this. She said the restaurant has strict protocols when it comes to food allergies. I then got for my main dish the double cheese burger with onions and pickles. To drink I had the cucumber martini. WOW everything was pretty darn good!! I passed on dessert. If you get a chance or a reservation pops up in your resy to go, even if it is for lunch..I highly say go for it.

From the moment we sat down, the service set the tone for the entire experience. Our server was…read moreincredibly warm, upbeat, and full of energy--one of those people who genuinely elevates a meal. I only wish I could remember her name because she deserves the recognition. We started with drinks, and mine ended up being a surprise standout. I ordered the coconut margarita, slightly hesitant since I'm not usually a margarita fan--but it completely won me over. It struck a perfect balance and leaned just enough into the coconut to make it feel unique without being overpowering. My sister-in-law, who's pregnant, had a non-alcoholic Ritual margarita and loved it, noting how convincingly it mimicked the real thing. Since we were sharing, we got to try a good mix of the menu. The monkey bread came first--definitely a splurge at $34, but it's one of those fun, indulgent starters that's worth ordering at least once. While I wouldn't call it the best bread I've ever had, I also wouldn't change anything about it. The crab rangoon was another highlight. Having it made with real crab made a noticeable difference, and the dipping sauces complemented it really well. It felt like a more elevated take on something familiar. For mains, the French dip was a hit. The meat was incredibly tender, the bread had that ideal crusty exterior, and the au jus was packed with flavor--I was very glad I ordered extra. It pulled the whole dish together. We also tried the smoked whitefish Caesar, which was the only dish that didn't quite land for me. It was a well-made, fresh salad, but the smoked fish flavor was a bit overpowering and took over the balance of the dish. Even though we were too full for dessert, the restaurant surprised us with a scoop of strawberry ice cream with chocolate sauce to celebrate my sister-in-law's babymoon. It ended up being one of the most memorable bites of the meal--we're still talking about how good that ice cream was. We arrived right at 11:45, and by the time we left, the place was absolutely buzzing. It's clearly a popular spot, and for good reason. Between the lively atmosphere, strong service, and well-executed food, I'd highly recommend making a reservation if you can.

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The Ellington

The Ellington

4.6(384 reviews)
4.5 mi•Manhattan Valley
•$$
Casual dining
Romantic vibe

I enjoyed a really nice Thanksgiving meal here. The place was beautifully decorated…read more We had a pre-fixed Thanksgiving meal so I'm not sure what the regular menu is like but I'm sure it's just as good. We ordered two fish dishes (salmon and swordfish) and they were both delicious. The only thing I didn't really like was the rolls were ice cold and so was the butter. Wasn't something I was excited to eat on a cold Thanksgiving evening. The table next to mine was reserved for people who were dining alone and I noticed the waiters and owners made a point to chat with them and make sure they were okay. I look forward to coming here again one day.

Made reservations for brunch, but wasn't needed. The place was rather quiet on Sat, but it was also…read morefreezing outside. Got a cozy window seating and loved the ambiance thanks to their floral interiors along with holiday ligthing right next to our table. Noise levels on the quiet side and easy to have conversations. They have a decent kids menu, and the Chicken Fingers ($10) were perfect for our little one. Huevos Rancheros ($19), and Vegetarian Omelette ($19) which was served with home fries and tossed salad was a good portion. Kimbo Coffee ($4.25) was actually pretty good although would've loved it to be warmer. Refills were slow to come. Food was inline with our expectations. Food arrived within 8-10 mins of placing our order, so yeah, really quick! Our initial server/waiter wasn't that attentive but their crew members were definitely more alert. Overall, pretty decent experience.

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The Ellington
The Ellington - CHICKEN FETTUCCINE

CHICKEN FETTUCCINE

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Zou Zou’s

Zou Zou’s

4.2(581 reviews)
1.3 mi•Chelsea, Midtown West, Hell's Kitchen
•$$$
Full bar
Gluten-free friendly

Went to Zou Zou's for a little bday celebration with gfs and had a great time. Not to mention,…read morethere was such a sweet little bday care when we got to the table. So thoughtful, and such a great touch to start the evening for us. We decided to order the family style menu and we enjoyed the whole dinner. All of the dishes on the menu were really good and great price for $74pp. I wish we had a 4th in our party so we couldve had the duck, but we'll definitely be returning to do so. The dips were so good and so fresh! I think all of the dishes were perfectly seasoned. I get sad when dishes are overly seasoned or overly salty. Oh, and im not much of a sweet tooth, but their dessert was marvelous and the sweetness was balanced so nicely.

Mixed feelings towards Zou Zou's. Having dined at most of Quality Group's restaurants, we had high…read morehopes for Zou Zou's and booked a table for dinner on Easter. Walking in, it's a stunning restaurant and on this night, not too crowded which made us wonder why they would seat us next to the servers station away from dozens of much nicer tables. Note that I booked through Open Table where I have Gold status which I thought meant you get a better table. Next fail, we wanted to start with a Mediterranean dip, but they only offer that if you go with a $39 tray with multiple dips. Not something a party of two would be able to east, so we skipped apps altogether. Sucks too, because several tables had it and it liked amazing, just too much for two. For dinner I had the Yemeni Au Police Kebab, Filet Mignon which was absolutely delicious. The peppercorn Hawaii really sweetened the meat's flavor. So high marks for the steak. My wife had two small dishes which she wasn't as thrilled with, Grilled Artichokes which were too dry for her liking and Manti, which she liked. Main takeaways. Very pricey, beautiful atmosphere (if you get a nice table) and maybe a place that's better for a group than a couple.

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Zou Zou’s
Zou Zou’s
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Pete's Tavern - bars - Updated May 2026

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