Centenarian Restaurants and Bars

279 Water St, New York, NY 10038 (map)

Once rife with saloons and brothels, Water Street used to be equated with hedonistic, debaucherous behavior. Ironically (or perhaps appropriately), the area is now part of the Financial District. In keeping with the neighborhood's tradition of indulgence, Bridge Cafe has been the site of both drinking and dining since 1794, though technically it did not receive a liquor license until 1896. But that hasn't stopped it from staking its claim as the city's oldest watering hole, with a well-worn oak bar to prove it. To boot, the seafood-heavy menu coupled with the nautical art emphasizes its first role as a fisherman's lair.

15 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003 (map)

Established in 1854, this East Village ale house is not only a longstanding mecca of inebriation; it also had a role in the women's rights movement. After more than 100 years as a "men only" establishment, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that McSorley's refusal to admit female customers was unconstitutional, and in 1970 the bar went co-ed--which might have pleased famous McSorley's patrons of yesteryear, like Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. Today, the bar's colorful history lives on in the form of framed pictures, historical memorabilia and in its eponymous brew, which is available in only two varieties: McSorley's Light and McSorley's Dark.

103 Washington Street, New York, NY 10006 (map)

If the menu at Moran's--which features solid staples like porterhouse steak, rack of lamb and raw oysters--doesn't scream "classic," then the cherry wood bar, wainscoted walls and roaring fireplaces do. Dating back to the 1830s, this Chelsea spot embodies the feel of an Old World Irish tavern in each of its four separate dining rooms. A rare holdover from the days when the nearby Meatpacking District was actually known for its meat, Moran's is a reminder that you don't have to be glam to have staying power.