Old Town Bar
Gastropub · Gramercy ·
Historic tavern with marble bar, tin ceiling, dumbwaiter
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Historic tavern with marble bar, tin ceiling, dumbwaiter
"Located on what was once a robust Gilded Age shopping district called the Ladies’ Mile, this over-a-century-old spot draws an eclectic mix of locals and travelers who want to hole up and watch a game or catch a break from the bustle of the surrounding Union Square area (it’s my go-to spot to chill out when I’m showing friends the city). There’s beauty in the simplicity of the perfectly salted frankfurter, which comes in a buttered and toasted bun with a little smorgasbord of relish, coleslaw, and grain mustard that brings in some nice texture to the mix. The hamburger platter is a popular item, and I get why; the kitchen whips up one of the best rare-cooked patties (made of dry-aged beef) for the money, and the lightly greased sesame seed bun adds that extra buttery element I look for in a burger. I always end up hogging the Buffalo chicken wings, and I appreciate that you can order them in a small or large portion for the table. The true pull here is the time capsule atmosphere: towering, antique tin ceilings, intimate dark wood booths with mirrors, and a sprawling mahogany bar where one can imagine moustached tycoons posting up with a whiskey while their wives went on the hunt for the perfect hat in the 1900s. Snag a table in the back room for a prime view of the still-functioning dumbwaiter, which the restaurant claims to be the oldest in New York City (along with the men’s fancy porcelain urinals, by the way)." - Francky Knapp
"This two-floor spot opened in 1892, and though there’s been a heck of a lot of inflation since then, the burgers still come in at under $20 (with fries). For the Gramercy/Union Square area, that's pretty good. Served on a toasted sesame bun, these aren't much to the naked eye, but they get the job done. Keep this place in mind for a casual meet-up near several train lines. There’s always a booth available. Comes with fries, homemade potato salad, or coleslaw (choose fries)" - will hartman, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, sonal shah, ciera velarde
"When that person said “respect your elders,” they were talking about Old Town Bar. The two-floor spot on 19th Street opened in 1892, and it’s got an under-$20 burger, reasonably priced pitchers of beer, and the oldest active dumbwaiter in all of New York, which is a fact that we really enjoy telling people. It’s a place we’re always happy to remember still exists, when in need of a low-key date night with burgers and martinis in a dark wooden booth, or a few large orders of chicken wings at a big table upstairs, or just a bowl of chili at the bar." - willa moore, bryan kim, matt tervooren, will hartman
"Though there’s been a heck of a lot of inflation since the time people started squeezing into the wooden booths of Old Town Bar, the straightforward burgers here still come in at under $20. This two-floor spot also has the oldest active dumbwaiter in all New York City—a fact we really enjoy sharing. (Reactions are never quite as excited as we want them to be.) Sex And The City, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" - bryan kim, molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah
"Are the wings from Old Town Bar the best on this list? No. But are they slick with sauce, and aggressively crispy? Yes. Also, the blue cheese is quite good—it’s the little things. They’re the perfect beginning to a meal at this Gramercy institution, where the ideal order includes chicken wings, burgers, $32 pitchers of beer, and martinis. The two-floor spot also has the oldest active dumbwaiter in all New York City—a fact we really enjoy sharing. (Reactions are never quite as excited as we want them to be.)" - neha talreja, kenny yang, willa moore, will hartman
