Peter McManus Cafe

07/09/10

Listed in BEST BARS OF NY

by eat_club

Another one listed in the great book, BEST BARS OF NEW YORK, by Jef Klein and Cary Hazlegrove., and it sure is.

4 generations of owners and all as friendly as a politician on election day... but much more sincere. Ownership evidently went from Peter to James to Jamo (the current owner) and his son Justin who now tends at the bar. The bar book says Jamo is the friendliest man in New York. I'm not sure that's true. I have about 3.5 million more to meet for comparison, but Jamo sure is up there.

He came over to talk to us and give us free cards. They (the cards) weren't good for anything.... no discounts or premiums... but they were free. We also met the cook, who worked there for 30 years, so they must be doing something right.

The ambience is old Irish. The food is typical bar grub, though I gotta say the pastrami sandwich was pretty good for the less than $10 price. But you don't come here for the food. You come for the characters both in front of and behind the bar. Those, you'll enjoy a hell of a lot regardless of what you think of the food. --Drink Club NYC is a roving group of NY drinkers

• Pros: super friendly customers/staff, great atmosphere
• Cons: can't get away from the TVs

02/02/10

Delicious Burgers with Crispy and Crunchy Steak Fries

by KeepinItRealNYC

A friend of mine took me to this place years ago to experience what he thought was was the Best Burger In Town! He wasn't kidding because I have been going back ever since. This place has making burgers down to a science...the ground beef is well seasoned, the rolls are toasted and the steak fries are crispy and crunchy. How much better does it get?! Well, it just doesn't. Go and check this place out for yourself. It is worth the trip!

• Pros: Great food in a chill and laid back space
• Cons: The place gets busy. People know how good it is!

10/03/09

A place for REAL people

by gypsyangel

This is what real bars look like. bars with history and mystique...bars with loyal patrons and newcomers who enjoy savoring a decent beear or whiskey or classic mixed drink at an Irish pub that has been in the family for generations.

One of the last ungentrified sanctuaries for atmosphere that hasn't been polluted by plutocrats on Manhattan Island.

and ps if they like you you can have your Guiness

• Pros: The actual bar itself is a work of art
• Cons: None-unless you are a plastic person

04/26/09

Best Irish Bar In NYC

by nycdude9

great place with friendly staff. make you feel like your welcome and at home when you walk in. The place is really cool and old fashioned - the bar and the whole place is straight out of an other era. Its a mixed crowed- college guys and girls, business men, native new yorkers, local drunks, everyone has a great time. Good food too. A NY landmark. Long live Peter McManus!!!

• Pros: prices, atmosphere, old time feelling, staff
• Cons: none

07/21/08

A sleazy dive without an ounce of charm

by lifelongnewyorker

This place might be worth checking out just as an example of everything you shouldn't do. The beer is definitely watered down, and the taplines have never been cleaned. I tried three kinds of beer; they all tasted skunked. (and what kind of Irish Bar doesn't carry Guiness?) The waitress was truly wretched: a rude, incomeptent skank. She brought the wrong dishes and then totally blamed the customers for her own incompetence. She cursed at one of the guys at the table. Barman was so rude, I was honestly looking for an Englishman afterwards to shake his hand and urge them to give the Irish another thousand years of troubles.

• Pros: At some point it will fall down
• Cons: It hasn't fallen down yet