Old Town Bar & Restaurant

05/15/09

Old New York in Union Square

by drink_club1 at Citysearch

At first it wasn't encouraging. We went upstairs to try to find a table, and there were a couple booths free. I call the crew up and a very severe looking waitress (the place must be 100 years old, and she was probably there for the opening), says WE'RE CLOSED UP HERE and flips the OPEN sign to the CLOSED side. So, down the stairs we go. Another severe-looking waitress seats us in the back and moves some furniture to accommodate us. Then things get better. The bar food is standard, clam strips instead of calamari, but from the burgers to the buffalo wings, everything else is the same as anywhere. Gil says the burgers were excellent. The beer list was decent. They serve pitchers of all the tap beer, EXCEPT Guinness for some reason. The bar itself is beautiful. Very old New York from the pictures and letters on the wall to the massive wood bar and tables. The atmosphere is not super friendly, but if you byog (bring your own group), you'll enjoy the place for the pure old New York feel. --Drink Club NYC is a roving group of NYC drinkers

• Pros: Great Old New York feel
• Cons: not the friendliest place in NY

04/08/09

Best Old Bar

by MikeGiant76 at Citysearch

love OTB! craving some wings right now.

don't let the tourist pick the wrong bar as the best.

vote for Old Town Bar. click below to vote for Old Town!

go nbc website, Golden Local Contest

• Pros: cold sierra

12/22/08

Old Time Saloon

by appledance at Citysearch

Wish more places were still around like this. Great burgers. Awesome Hotdogs. Cold Beer.

Was just in there last week for our annual Holiday pub crawl of old bars. Like the year before, the crawl stopped at the Old Town b/c there's not much motivation to leave there. Place looks great around Christmas. keep it old, don't change a thing.

• Pros: Quiet room upstairs
• Cons: downstairs can get crowded

12/22/08

Great Bar

by NewYorkStyle5 at Citysearch

Cold draft, good burger, warm atmosphere. What else do you need?

Anyone who doesn't get the Old Town, just doesn't get it. Some people get it, some people never will. I'm glad most of the people in Old Town get it.

• Pros: old school

12/02/08

come for the burgers, stay for the politics

by pk225 at Citysearch

everything that is awesome about Flatiron encapsulated in one fine drinking establishment. Took my wife here early in our courtship.

• Pros: beer, food, crowd
• Cons: none

11/20/08

Why are they empty-a few reasons

by Sean1664 at Citysearch

I have noticed on a few visits to New York that the Old Town Bar is not as busy as the bars that are in the same area. Heres why:

Poor Service-Bartenders who could care less if you were there

Dirty Place-I love the fact that it is historic, but clean the place up for Gods sake-the mirrors are disgusting

Insulting-a sign is posted on the mirror behind the bar telling guests because they buy a drink it does not give them the right to be a bore. The sign I assume is supposed to be funny as it refers to the Boer war, but it is just insulting

The Prices-where do they get off charging the prices for beer they do?

11/17/07

A NEW YORK INSTITUTION

by saunterinn at Citysearch

A comfortable place that makes anyone feel at home in New York.

When you walk in, there is a warm glow & chatter at the bar that engulfs you. You'll meet people from all walks of life at the old town. It's a hundred year old meltingpot of what made New York so great. An unprentious place where anyone to can bond with their neighbot at the bar over a pint & burger.

I like Saturday & Sunday afternoon when the sun pours in the glass front doors & you can grab a pint & burger & read the newspaper without the crowds. Start a conversation with the barman if you can, if anything you learn more from an old barman in new york than you can learn in any newspaper.

• Pros: High ceiling, mahoghany bar, Ice COld SIERRS nevada on draft, Fresh Shoestring Fries
• Cons: It's not a secret anymore

09/21/07

A little too much atmosphere

by rockymcnuts at Citysearch

Had a weird experience here - got up to leave, couldn't find my jacket. After a minute it was located, on the other side of the bar from where I left it. While I was outside saying good night to my friends, the bartender came out and asked me why I had accused them of stealing it. While I was explaining I had done no such thing, he physically grabbed a phone out of the hands of my friend who was trying to use it. Kind of unfortunate, because I've been going a couple times a year for the last 10 years. There's a line between friendly neighborhood bar and divey bar where you need to watch your step.

• Pros: Old time NY
• Cons: a little too much old time NY

08/26/05

This institution has been serving up cheap brews since 1892.

by Kara Zuaro at Citysearch

In Short
Ornate tin ceilings tower over old tile floors at this slim, historic tavern. The pathway between the dark wood bar and the big booths fills up when the mixed after-work crowd--sporting suits and tattoos and everything in between--files in for aged whiskey or beer. The burgers here are known as some of the best in town, and if you need a break from the bar scene, there's a classic dining room upstairs.

08/08/05

best place to catch up...

by boogiedown at Citysearch

... with people you haven't seen in ages. i always come here to chat with old friends and find it's the perfect place for it. service is great, food is affordable, nice atmosphere. never feel rushed. sometimes it's a bit packed, but it's worth the wait. i recommend the mac & cheese and fries over the burgers.

• Pros: great wait staff, chill atmosphere
• Cons: sometimes crowded