Peter McManus Cafe

"Chelsea’s Peter McManus is not the oldest bar in NYC (that distinction goes to Fraunces Tavern), but it does claim to be the oldest family-run one. And it does feel quite familial. Neighborhood regulars sit on vinyl bar stools—under what are possibly the world’s most ancient fluorescent lights—and chat with the bartender who patiently jots down orders for burgers and wings. The tater tots are crispy, the chili is meaty, and the golf simulator in the corner is both quirky and appreciated." - bryan kim, willa moore, will hartman, neha talreja, sonal shah

"A sign outside claims that this ancient Chelsea Irish bar has the best burger in the city — not sure that’s true, but the burger is damn good and quite large. The classic features lots of bacon and onions — but notably no lettuce, tomato, or cheese." - Robert Sietsema, Eater Staff

"The most famous Irish American dish is certainly corned beef and cabbage. Turns out, Irish aren’t huge fans of corned beef, according to the Smithsonian, nor was beef particularly a part of their diet. The introduction of corned beef allegedly originated when Irish immigrants, having eaten a menu of mainly cabbage and potatoes in the old country, came here to find an abundance of meat and simply added the corned beef found in Jewish and German delis to their usual boiled dinner, to spectacular effect." - Robert Sietsema

"After the whole debacle at The Grill, when Willa tries to convince herself and everyone else that weddings aren’t necessarily joyous occasions, Connor asks the family to go for a drink. But he doesn’t want anything fancy. He requests “somewhere fun and real,” where there are guys who have “blood in their hair.” The Roy siblings wind up at Peter McManus in Chelsea, which is an appropriate choice, although it’s less of a blood-in-the-hair type of place and more of an old-school pub where you can drink beer and watch sports. Their burger is more than decent, the tater tots are crispy, and there’s a golf arcade game in the corner for anyone who needs stimulation." - bryan kim

"The city is full of pubs and faux-dives that want you to think that they’re older than they are. But Peter McManus is the real deal. At this Chelsea institution—which isn’t a cafe, even by the most charitable definition—you can drink a cold-ish beer underneath an ancient fluorescent light fixture and watch sports on a TV that’s almost a century younger than the bar itself. The vinyl stools are peeling, and the floor needs a good scrubbing, but the tater tots are crispier than ever. Get them as a side when you order a burger, and feel free to make small talk with the bartender. The service is very friendly. If you need to rent out space for a party, inquire about the back room." - Bryan Kim