Posted in New York Bars & Nightlife, Food & Dining, History March 06, 2023 by

Dine At The Historic Spot In New York Where Dozens Of Celebrities Hung Out And Drank

If you’re looking to dine and drink at a famous bar in New York, few are more famous than the White Horse Tavern on the corner of West 11th St and Hudson Street. Not only is this small tavern the second-oldest continuously operating bar in Manhattan, but it was also very popular with quite a few celebrities over the years. It’s a great place to visit if you like beer and history, but you’ll also find that the food is quite good, too. Read on to learn more about this very special bar that so many people have loved for so many years.

The White Horse Tavern in New York City's West Village neighborhood has been serving patrons since way back in 1880.
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It's always been a popular place for people looking to enjoy a beer after work, but it really became well known in the 1950s when Welsh poet and author Dylan Thomas started spending time there.
Xavier Badosa, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
From there, its popularity grew and grew throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Other famous patrons during that time period included Bob Dylan, shown here, plus Jack Kerouac, Hunter S. Thompson, James Baldwin, Mary Travers, Norman Mailer, and Jim Morrison to name a few.
The interior of the White Horse Tavern hasn't changed much since those days.
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It's still a gathering place for interesting people and it has always been an excellent place for the discussion of big ideas.
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Most people come to the White Horse Tavern to drink in the place that celebrities once did. However, don't overlook the food served here. It's elevated bar food, and it's all quite good.
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These chicken wings are mouthwatering!
It's unlikely that Dylan Thomas ever had nachos here, but he really missed out.
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Perhaps Bob Dylan would have liked the house-made roasted red pepper hummus and pita bread appetizer if it was offered back then.
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Maybe he will like it, if he stops by sometime soon.
James Baldwin might have enjoyed this caesar salad.
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I can't imagine that anyone drinking here in the 1950s or 1960s would have turned down this gorgeous burger.
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Based on what we know about Jack Kerouac, he likely didn't often make it to Sunday brunch. But, if he did, he might have liked this beautiful goat cheese omlette. Who wouldn't?
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Jim Morrison probably wouldn't have attended brunch either. Norman Mailer? Maybe... He and three others discussed the idea for The Village Voice here before they founded it in 1955.
No matter what you get for food at The White Horse Tavern, you'll surely want to get a cocktail or a beer to go with it.
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Raise a glass to these incredible, historical, iconic people who spent time here so long ago.
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The White Horse Tavern is a very special spot to eat and drink. You can almost hear the ghosts of the past whispering to you: "Cheers!"
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If you’ve ever read any books or have listened to music by any of the very famous folks who frequented this place so many decades ago, you should stop into the White Horse Tavern and have a meal and a drink. It’s an iconic spot, known to many, and you’ll be glad to spend some time there, thinking about all the musical and literary greats that spent time here too. Enjoy!

Looking for more bars and nightlife in New York? Check out our Bars & Nightlife in New York page for more ideas on great places to check out!

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Address: White Horse Tavern, 567 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014, USA