(212) 989-3956
567 Hudson St
New York,
NY
10014
40.7355
-74.0061
Neighborhoods: West Village, Downtown
What People Are Saying About White Horse Tavern
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
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.
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
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
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
The Details on White Horse Tavern
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.
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