Pete's Tavern

(212) 473-7676

129 E 18th St (at Irving Pl.)
New York, NY 10003 40.7365 -73.9867

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Neighborhoods: Gramercy Park, Midtown

PETESTAVERN.COM

Years in business

Established in 1864

Hours:

Mon-Wed 11:30am-2am

Thu 11:30am-3am

Fri-Sat 11:30am-4am

Last updated 7.20.11

Category:

Restaurants, Neighborhood Bars, Bars & Pubs, Taverns

Payment Methods:

American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Cuisine:

Italian

Bar & Club Special Features:

Outdoor Seating, After Work

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Pete's Tavern

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

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. 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…

Editor's Tips

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When to Go:
Craving Carbs? Pete's Classic Pastas special, which includes an entree, a wine or beer and a house salad, costs $9.95 on Monday nights.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “You can't beat the atmosphere, and the staff is always attentive and efficient.”
  2. “Our friendly, knowledge waiter, along with the welcoming atmosphere, rounded off a great dining experience.”
  3. “The really cool atmosphere makes up for it a thousand times over.”
  4. “Found comfortable neighborhood bar, $5.50 for mug of Stella, $12 for burger; pleasant crowd.”
  5. “The atmosphere is comfortable and inviting.”
drinks
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. “But it's a plain wooden bar, some wooden booths, bartender not particularly friendly, nearly empty on a saturday night.”
  2. “We had 2 orders of baby back ribs, spaghetti w/ meatballs and sausage, pasta w/ garlic, and an amazing field green salad w/ baked goat cheese, along w/ drinks for under $100.”
  3. “left the restaurant I work at in search of outside seating, a good beer and burger.”
  4. “The drinks have always worked well for me and the food is very tasty.”
  5. “The beer on tap wasn't very cold and I would only recommend getting a burger and steak fries here.”
  6. “Found comfortable neighborhood bar, $5.50 for mug of Stella, $12 for burger; pleasant crowd.”
  7. “The staff is friendly, and I have been there a lot everytime I'm in NYC, besides: for a couple of months now they serve my most favorite German beer on tap ---- "Jever”
  8. “Good beer, good food, good staff.”
  9. “Always a good crowd, great choices for drinks and even the food is good.”
  10. “If you're with friends and want some bar food, this is a good place.”
  11. “The waiter recommended a delicious beer which I enjoyed with a monster burger.”
  12. “The bar is terrific, and the food has generally been very good.”
food quality
82.18000411987305% positive
  1. “its so good, the 10oz burger is simply amazing, and pete's ale is really good too.”
  2. “The price of a dry buffalo burger with mealy french fries?”
  3. “will say that I have NO idea why this place is ranked as having some of the best wings in NYC.”
  4. “The drinks have always worked well for me and the food is very tasty.”
  5. “The beer on tap wasn't very cold and I would only recommend getting a burger and steak fries here.”
  6. “My husband and I both had Prime Rib which was enormous and a real bargain considering it was also served with a crisp salad and huge baked potato.”
  7. “The food was mediocre - bread was cold and the hot antipasto appetizer was nothing more than some rubbery fried zucchini sticks (do NOT order!)”
  8. “Other posters complaining about the food should realize that you just don't order certain types of food at a TAVERN!”
  9. “My kids [adults now] really enjoy the pasta ala pete.”
  10. “The food is consistently good, and not at all expensive.”
  11. “so I was pretty excited to go and get some good food, relax after a day at work at my own restaurant.”
  12. “My boyfriend's burger was surprisingly good - he had it cooked medium rare and it was juicy and flavorful.”
  13. “hate to say it but this place "is not good" for a meal.”
  14. “If you're with friends and want some bar food, this is a good place.”
  15. “We had 2 orders of baby back ribs, spaghetti w/ meatballs and sausage, pasta w/ garlic, and an amazing field green salad w/ baked goat cheese, along w/ drinks for under $100.”
  16. “We had a Goat Cheese salad, Salmon and a Prime Rib that was amazing!”
  17. “We've had good food including a wonderful ravioli for vegetarians.”
  18. “The service was EXCELLENT and the food GREAT!”
  19. “The wings were enjoyable, but nothing spectacular.”
  20. “Always a good crowd, great choices for drinks and even the food is good.”
  21. “great food & service”
  22. “left the restaurant I work at in search of outside seating, a good beer and burger.”
  23. “The bar is terrific, and the food has generally been very good.”
  24. “The staff was great and the food was solid.”
  25. “pete's tavern has the best burger in town!”
  26. “The waiter recommended a delicious beer which I enjoyed with a monster burger.”
  27. “Besides getting sick from the food, the wait staff was horrible.”
  28. “Found comfortable neighborhood bar, $5.50 for mug of Stella, $12 for burger; pleasant crowd.”
  29. “Good beer, good food, good staff.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “They were so helpful with high chairs and booster seats for the kids, and even had items they could order off the menu!”
  2. “They have a varied menu with something for everyone, good nightly specials.”
  3. “Always a good crowd, great choices for drinks and even the food is good.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “If you're with friends and want some bar food, this is a good place.”
  2. “great place to have a historic pint.”
service
68.17999839782715% positive
  1. “The hostess was unbelievably rude.”
  2. “Drinks were fine, service was slow and at best unorganized.”
  3. “The staff is friendly, and I have been there a lot everytime I'm in NYC, besides: for a couple of months now they serve my most favorite German beer on tap ---- "Jever”
  4. “The waiter recommended a delicious beer which I enjoyed with a monster burger.”
  5. “But it's a plain wooden bar, some wooden booths, bartender not particularly friendly, nearly empty on a saturday night.”
  6. “don't think I've ever experienced such abysmal service in 7 years of residency in Manhattan.”
  7. “The server was no where to be found (which I read in other reviews but brushed it off as a bad experience).”
  8. “Met some wonderful people from the neighborhood that always welcome a southerner back.”
  9. “Our friendly, knowledge waiter, along with the welcoming atmosphere, rounded off a great dining experience.”
  10. “Our waitress didn't seem to care whether or not we received good service.”
  11. “great food & service”
  12. “You can't beat the atmosphere, and the staff is always attentive and efficient.”
  13. “Good beer, good food, good staff.”
  14. “Not to mention, the friendly service.”
  15. “the worst service in New York.”
  16. “The staff was great and the food was solid.”
  17. “The service was great.”
  18. “Besides getting sick from the food, the wait staff was horrible.”
  19. “Pete's is usually quite good but it seems like they are currently short wait staff.”
  20. “The service was EXCELLENT and the food GREAT!”
  21. “The service wasn't horrific although the server wasn't particularly friendly.”
  22. “Very Neighborhood Crowd They are as friendly as the entire place.”
value
50.0% positive
  1. “My husband and I both had Prime Rib which was enormous and a real bargain considering it was also served with a crisp salad and huge baked potato.”
  2. “The food is consistently good, and not at all expensive.”
  3. “The price of a dry buffalo burger with mealy french fries?”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “Drinks were fine, service was slow and at best unorganized.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/18/11

I USED TO WORK THERE TOO

by karamela

Though it's been a while, i'm sure not much has changed at pete's. The food is good, and so is the staff and patrons. And every once in a while you see a celebrity. Dan Akroyd gave me $20 once for bringing him a martini. You gotta love Pete's!

Oh yeah, in response to BillFrisk's review, c'mon Bill, give them a break! You know the kitchen staff work really hard to put out good food. and the mangement is nice too. Didn't you work w/José? as for Declan, he's a great guy, and a helluva bartender, with the most charming irish accent ever!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/28/10

A Classic and Great NY Bar

by eat_club

This is bar is listed in the great BEST BARS OF NEW YORK book-- and it deserves it. The front of the bar was packed. It certainly isn't a hidden gem. But a gem it is. Pictures, notes, plaques from Pete's 100 year history cover the walls. The wood paneling in front stinks in the best possible way... of a long and proud antiquity.

All the servers were great. Willing to have a conversation... on anything... at the drop of the baseball hat-- or fedora. Some of the staff has been there more than 40 years. You would too! The back dining room is quieter and more sit-down group friendly than the front. Wherever you sit, don't be surprised if your neighbor drops over for a chat. By the end of the night, OUR neighbor was teaching us how to dance the hula. The beer selection is okay. The spicy chicken wings have a slight kick, but they're not Super. You won't care. This is a bar for the ages. Food and drink you can get anywhere in NY. Atmosphere like this is rarer than a polite Manhattanite. --Drink Club NYC is a roving group of NYC Drinkers

4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/23/10

Good times

by bayside12

We just happened to pop in there on a rainy day and now we go quite often. Great find. Went there last night and had a wonderful meal. Great service, our waiter was more than helpful

Also, a bonus, how many bars have popcorn on the bar?

Petes does. good stuff

Every time is great there

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/19/10

Hadn't been for fifteen years

by terrace11

I moved from beloved NYC to Atlanta over fifteen years ago, I used to live in Gramercy Park and Pete's Tavern was always one of my favorite spots. After fifteen years, I returned with my husband and two children..I must say my experience was FABULOUS!!! They were so helpful with high chairs and booster seats for the kids, and even had items they could order off the menu!!!!! My husband and I both had Prime Rib which was enormous and a real bargain considering it was also served with a crisp salad and huge baked potato. The service was EXCELLENT and the food GREAT!!! I am so happy to recommend one of my favorite restaurants in NY.

  • Pros: New York City Institution
  • Cons: They don't have one in Atlanta
4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/19/10

Outside Dining

by SheshellsSeashells

Myself and 2 girlfriends waiting to be seated for dinner at Petes on Tuesday, was told 10 -15 minute wait so we went inside and had a drink..,when the hostess went to bring us to our table...getting up from our table was Kate Hudson...how awesome was that!!! I wonder if AROD was nearby.....lol \The food was aesome as well!!! We had a Goat Cheese salad, Salmon and a Prime Rib that was amazing!!! Will definitely be back!! Maybe we can run into Johnny Depp next time...we heard he is a regular!!

  • Pros: Outdoor dining

The Details on Pete's Tavern

Place Categories:

  • good food
  • great service
  • everytime staff
  • great place
  • good german beer
  • simply amazing 10oz burger
  • friendly neighborhood crowd
  • bad experience
  • enjoyable wings
  • comfortable neighborhood bar
  • order do not
  • worst restaurant
  • great dining experience
  • comfortable atmosphere
  • not particularly friendly wooden bar
  • not particularly friendly server
  • amazing salmon
  • dry buffalo burger
  • cold bread
  • amazing field
  • really enjoy kids
  • favorite spots
  • huge baked potato
  • recommended waiter
  • very nice bartender
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