Pete's Tavern
New York, NY 10003-2401
Phone: (212) 473-7676
- Cross Street:
- Irving Place
- Directions:
- L; N, R; 4, 5, 6 at 14th St-Union Sq
- Hours:
- Daily 11:30am-2:30am
Editorial Review for Pete's Tavern – by Rebecca Braverman
The Scene
It's hard to have anything but a soft spot for Pete's Tavern. Established in 1864 and thereby in the running for the much-disputed title of New York's oldest bar in continuous operation, the pub holds dark wood booths and lamppost-like lighting fixtures that seem like they've been in place since day one. The menu, however, has shifted with the times, offering up apple martinis and well-dressed salads alongside the more traditional beer and burgers.
The Draw
It's fitting that the bar where O. Henry penned "The Gift of the Magi" should go all out for the holidays. Look up and see a ceiling covered in white branches and twinkly pink lights; Santas seem to fill every nook and cranny. But don't avoid Pete's in the warmer months, when you can down that pint outside in the roomy sidewalk cafe.
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Insider Tips
When to GoCraving Carbs? Pete's Classic Pastas special, which includes an entree, a wine or beer and a house salad, costs $9.95 on Monday nights.
Save MoneyShow your ticket stub from Imperial Parking for a $2 discount.
User Reviews for Pete's Tavern
07/11/2008 Posted by elledriver2008
My friend and I went there after work for drinks outside and some appetizers. Drinks were fine, service was slow and at best unorganized. I ordered fried calamari, very basic. The order came out half cooked the batter was doughy and raw, COMPLETELY tasteless. I sampled a few disgusting bites and waited almost a half an hour before our waiter came back to our table so that I could express my dissatifaction. I showed him how undercooked this order was and he agreed. He took back the calamari and returned about 10 minutes later with the EXACT SAME PLATE OF CALAMARI!!! THEY TOOK THE PLATE OF FOOD THAT WE TOUCHED AND ATE OFF OF AND PLACED IT DIRECTLY BACK INTO THE FRYER. THE WAITER CAME BACK WITH THE EXACT SAME PLATE OF FOOD BUT NOW MORE CRISPY AND COOKED! I was expecting them to actually bring us what we ordered but cooked this time. We assumed they would prepare this appetizer properly the second time around, instead of RECYCLING OUR FOOD! I do know that this is an unsafe way to handle food. If this is a common practice at Pete's Tavern, then contaminated food is a given. I was flabbergasted! I would strongly recommend NOT eating anything out of the fryer, nor the entire menu.
Pros: OUTDOOR SEATING - BUT GRIMEY AS HELL
Cons: RUDE SERVICE, UNDERCOOKED FOOD, UNCLEAN, OVERPRICED.
06/12/2008 Posted by nshurigina
I left the restaurant I work at in search of outside seating, a good beer and burger....My GM reminded me about Pete's Tavern...I've been to Pete's before and enjoyed myself....so I was pretty excited to go and get some good food, relax after a day at work at my own restaurant...unfortunately, it didn't quite happen as I had imagined...I was greeted and ceremoniously dismissed by the male host who said "we don't seat parties of 1 outside"...look I can understand maybe having a policy of not allowing guests to sit outside just for drinks after a certain hour but to not allow someone who was interested in sitting down to have dinner just because they are by themselves is a bit ridiculous...therefore I will no longer be coming to this establishment...So, be forewarned, if you are interested in just chilling out by yourself skip Pete's Tavern.
Pros: location
Cons: not very service oriented or friendly
