White Horse Tavern

The literary-minded tourists and the local lushes who haunt this joint, open since the nineteenth century, on weekends know that Dylan Thomas may have been Welsh, but it was the scotch that killed him. At the site of his debauched death, various portraits of the poet hang on the dark-paneled walls. Some gawk at the historical tribute, but plenty of indifferent regulars focus on the main task at hand: boozing. Drinking is the main focus, not to be overlooked are classics like the burger, and other greasy eats worthy of poetic excesses--and maybe even worth early death.

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:: Another joint in this neck of the woods famed for its hamburgers is the Corner Bistro.
Where to Sit:: During the warmer months, you can have a brew outside at one of the picnic tables.
The Extras:: The nearby Biography bookstore is a good place to get a copy of "Under Milkwood" or "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog" by poet Dylan Thomas.

Write a Review

User Reviews (43)

drinks	65.99999904632568% positive	“am no stranger to bars or even rude service - I work in the beer business and have lived in NYC all my life.” “Maybe if the Welsh poet had sobered up, he would have paid more attention to the delicious burgers and jalapeno poppers, not just the endless pints of beer--served by an efficient crew.” “Worst bar experience I've ever had in New York” “You will seldom set down an empty beer before another pint is layed beside it, and the dark corners in the back are perfect nooks for card playing and.” “With its picnic benches and gloomy interior, the White Horse begs for the visual enhancement provided by a good stiff drink.” “Worst bar in Manhattan with rudest employees.” “Besides being a great bar with great staff and patrons, upon leaving the gentleman that seated us came after me to return my wallet which had a lot of cash, ATM card, credit card, corporate card, license.” “He said we would have to stand at the bar and order our drinks there.” “the beer selection is good, the food cheap and decent, the outside seating great, and yet the staff acts aggressive before you even step foot inside.” “great juke box, a fine selection of beers and some nice conversation make for a great time.” “They have standard bar food at great prices.” “After ordering a couple beers from the pleasant bartender, my date and I took a seat at one of MANY vacant tables next to the bar (The bar stools were full).” “Went here for some beers with some buddies and we were "greeted" by an obnoxious doorman.” “This bar is one of the best places to go on a hot, summer night!” “White Horse Burgers are great and with the addition of a beer outside, it makes for a great afternoon” “While the food, the beer, and the overall feeling of the place is great, the owner needs to do some serious training with his staff.” “perfect place to grab a drink or a bite to eat.” “Have typical beers on tap and bottled, not a huge variety.” “lame has-been dive bar with an extremely RUDE bouncer wannabe (i.e. his job is to check IDs but he thinks he works the door at 1Oak) who gives attitude to and yells at women half his size.” “suggest a burger or chicken cutlet sandwich (both are among the best in NYC) with a White Horse Ale at the bar watching the tube.” “The White Horse tavern is most famous as the bar where Welsh writer Dylan Thomas drank himself to death (at least that's what legend says).” “If you mistakenly buy a drink at the bar and take it outside, the waitresses, who only care about their lousy tips, tell you off.” “Great bar with a lot of history” “The people that were sitting were forced to order their drinks at the table instead of at the bar.” “The beer is fine, but the food is mediocre, and you may well have time to drink yourself to death before you get a table on a summer night.”
food quality	88.88999938964844% positive	“The Outdoor seating makes the wait time less and the food is quite good while easy on the wallet.” “the beer selection is good, the food cheap and decent, the outside seating great, and yet the staff acts aggressive before you even step foot inside.” “The food has always been good and it still is.” “suggest a burger or chicken cutlet sandwich (both are among the best in NYC) with a White Horse Ale at the bar watching the tube.” “While the food, the beer, and the overall feeling of the place is great, the owner needs to do some serious training with his staff.” “The beer is fine, but the food is mediocre, and you may well have time to drink yourself to death before you get a table on a summer night.” “Cheap and good pub with good food” “They have standard bar food at great prices.” “Maybe if the Welsh poet had sobered up, he would have paid more attention to the delicious burgers and jalapeno poppers, not just the endless pints of beer--served by an efficient crew.”
menu variety	75.0% positive	“They have a great set of tables outside and a good menu, I especially enjoy.” “Have typical beers on tap and bottled, not a huge variety.” “the beer selection is good, the food cheap and decent, the outside seating great, and yet the staff acts aggressive before you even step foot inside.” “great juke box, a fine selection of beers and some nice conversation make for a great time.”
overall	100.0% positive	“The outside space is nice, while you're allowed to sit there, but all-in-all, this special place is nothing special.”
return potential	100.0% positive	“Besides being a great bar with great staff and patrons, upon leaving the gentleman that seated us came after me to return my wallet which had a lot of cash, ATM card, credit card, corporate card, license.”
service	55.56000232696533% positive	“Terrible customer service all round.” “Worst bar in Manhattan with rudest employees.” “As a longtime neighborhood resident I can say I love this Place and its staff.” “Some days you get good service and other days you don't.” “personally don't like drunken loud people standing over me in the dining room.” “This wouldn't bother me as much if it were a posh hot spot, but this is a crappy, cramped, nothing special pub with RUDE employees.” “The people that were sitting were forced to order their drinks at the table instead of at the bar.” “If you mistakenly buy a drink at the bar and take it outside, the waitresses, who only care about their lousy tips, tell you off.” “Besides being a great bar with great staff and patrons, upon leaving the gentleman that seated us came after me to return my wallet which had a lot of cash, ATM card, credit card, corporate card, license.” “have to say White Horse management has been the best in Manhattan and they have super staff” “After ordering a couple beers from the pleasant bartender, my date and I took a seat at one of MANY vacant tables next to the bar (The bar stools were full).” “The bartender was really nice and the waitress was the best I have seen there.” “extremely rude employees” “there are so many bars with better atmospheres and the same prices near here with nice people - don't waste your time here.” “Great place, lousy staff” “Try Ear Inn on Spring or Blind Tiger - the staff at both are friendly and knowledgeable.” “You can get so much more with a pleasant attitude, unfortunately you only get stuck up service staff that acts like they are running the premier place to be in the village.” “Bartenders are good and get to you pretty quick but the waitresses are hit and miss.” “the beer selection is good, the food cheap and decent, the outside seating great, and yet the staff acts aggressive before you even step foot inside.” “whhhhhy must the staff always be so rude?” “I'm sure it's hard being a bouncer and you have to deal with plenty of rude folks, but the staff at White Horse, with the exception of one waitress, was incredible hostile and "looking for a fight.” “While the food, the beer, and the overall feeling of the place is great, the owner needs to do some serious training with his staff.” “am no stranger to bars or even rude service - I work in the beer business and have lived in NYC all my life.” “year or so ago I was here and I do have to say the service was pretty rude and not very service oriented.”
value	60.0% positive	“there are so many bars with better atmospheres and the same prices near here with nice people - don't waste your time here.” “They have standard bar food at great prices.” “Have typical beers on tap and bottled, not a huge variety.” “the beer selection is good, the food cheap and decent, the outside seating great, and yet the staff acts aggressive before you even step foot inside.” “Whitehorse may be one of the least expensive bars with outdoor seating downtown.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“White Horse is far and awy the best option in the neighborhood for a quick brew an dburger--far better than the overhyped, overcrowded Corner Bistro.” “Bartenders are good and get to you pretty quick but the waitresses are hit and miss.”

09/14/11

I'd rather spend an evening douching

by mikey2324

I went for a company outing the other night for some simple drinks and food. We were coming from The Upholstery Store which is a beautiful bar, so I originally thought I was being a bit unfair to White Horse Tavern as it didn't quite hold up in comparison. However, I thought it over and realized it's true, this place sucks big sausage.

First, our waitress. Her hair alone was offensive. Awful roots, split ends and a hot mess the whole way between. She comes over, "What can I get you?" My coworker orders a cocktail and fries. "Woah! Let's just start with drinks. I don't even have a pad on me." Thus explaining the awful odor but not the tude. Less then a minute later while still taking our drink order. "Final call for food!" Soon after, another waitress passed us by and I catch her shooting an awful look at a coworker and then to the bouncer. At first thought a bug flew up her nose or she had a flashback to when she first moved to NY 10 with big aspirations. But no, the bouncer comes by and asks my coworker to scoot his chair in. Eventually the bill came while still in the middle of our food and she asked us 3 times within the next 10 minutes to pay because her shift was soon to be over.

In all fairness, what they lacked in charm they certainly made up for in luxury and decor. Lovely handcrafted picnic benches, beautiful paper plates, delicious microwaved chicken nuggets and the finest art on the walls with cute little sayings like "Nobody permitted under the age of 25" or "$30 charge if caught eating outside food."

I don't understand this place. Why is everyone so miserable? Why does the food look like its from the frozen food section at Gristedes? And is everyone really that ugly or is it simply their perma constipated face glare?

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

07/11/09

Bad experience

by Avery34

The White Horse came recommended as a famous pub. However, the experience is poor. We went there last night. It's packed in the main bar, everyone barging into you. You get told (rudely) you cannot stand in the side room because you can only buy drinks from the waitresses. You can't be outside with more than 3 friends ("a big group" according to the surly bouncer) or you get asked to leave. If you mistakenly buy a drink at the bar and take it outside, the waitresses, who only care about their lousy tips, tell you off. Terrible customer service all round. Not worth going, even for the name.

Pros: None
Cons: Terrible customer service

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

06/05/09

The Last Greenwich Village Writer's Bar

by drink_club1

This the only remaining Greenwich Village writer's bar. Chumley's (where F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, womanized and got his picture on the wall) closed "for renovations" a few years back. It's still closed. The Lion's Head, Edgar Allen Poe's old haunt, used to be the only het bar on Christopher Street. Ironically, it disappeared during the de-gayzation of the West Village. So now we only have The Whitehorse, where Dylan Thomas wrote, and slowly drank his liver into paté. For that reason alone, it deserves a visit. But I do mean "for that reason alone."

There are pictures and memorabilia inside, but place has lost its aura. Service is efficient, and not hostile, but also not special. There are a TON of "rules" (No posting paper anywhere-- even if it's just for a few minutes, no smoking inside the iron gates, no eating outside after midnight). This is not exactly conducive to the wordsmith mentality. And, the bouncer keeps a constant check to make sure the RULES ARE FOLLOWED.

The menu has the usual bar foods and drink. Anchor on tap is a big plus. The food is pretty ordinary, although the wings are slightly better than the usual bland stuff of other bars. The outside space is nice, while you're allowed to sit there, but all-in-all, this special place is nothing special. --Drink Club is a roving group of NYC drinkers

Pros: History
Cons: Rules and Rules

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

11/25/08

They ran out of the bar to return my wallet to me!

by tequilasue1

Besides being a great bar with great staff and patrons, upon leaving the gentleman that seated us came after me to return my wallet which had a lot of cash, ATM card, credit card, corporate card, license...saved my hide! Still floored by the honesty and character of that man! Thank you!!!!

Pros: Honest staff, great go-to bar
Cons: bathrooms are a bit small

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

11/24/08

Great History

by claire124

I think this place has a great historical feature to it.. and its just a chill bar you can hang out at and not be bothered

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

Write a Review

See more White Horse Tavern reviews

White Horse Tavern

Hours:

Category:

Payment Methods:

Restaurant Special Features:

Cuisine:

What People Are Saying About White Horse Tavern

Contributor

Contributor

Editor's Tips

09/14/11

I'd rather spend an evening douching

by mikey2324

07/11/09

Bad experience

by Avery34

06/05/09

The Last Greenwich Village Writer's Bar

by drink_club1

11/25/08

They ran out of the bar to return my wallet to me!

by tequilasue1

11/24/08

Great History

by claire124

The Details on White Horse Tavern

Place Categories:

Things To Do Nearby White Horse Tavern

Featured In

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

More Info

Contact

More Navigation

Partner Sites: