Rachele

Actually, the tavern area at Gramercy Tavern is one of my favorite places to have a beer -- they always have interesting and hard to come by American microbrews on tap.

Gekko

But let's be honest, despite the moniker, Gramercy Tavern is an excellent, expensive restaurant, not a fun/historic pub or typical New York City tavern.

I'll say it one more time, do not miss Chumley's on a beautiful block in the Village.

twobluecats

Thanks for all the advise so far. Chumley's is sitting proudly at the top of the list so far. I've kept record of all the great suggestions, and I'll be certain to share with the guys!

Loki

I've been to McSorely's dozens of times. The stale vomit stench is all part of the charm as well as the grossness of the "dishwashing". Don't stand at the right end of the bar or else you'll be tasked with giving directions over the pay phone. Made that mistake once, phone rings every minute. It's a good "beer neighborhood" so I usually start here with out of towners on a pub crawl. I wouldn't spend more than 2 rounds here (4 in McSorley's math) but I think it's a must stop.

bardo1

I'll second the Ear Inn - great beer, nice food, cozy and welcoming. Good prices too (for NYC). If its attitude you want, then look elsewhere.

suzanne

Ear Inn is one of my favorites...I'm there at least once a month. This is a place to go if you'd like to hang with some locals - rarely a tourist here. They've got good food (good cheap chili) and it may be the only bar in NY where they let you take the beer out front to the sidewalk (you can stand, sit on the edge of one of the planters, or grab an old rusty folding chair). It was once on the waterfront (before West Side Hwy was built) so it catered to sailors 100 years ago. Above the bar there are tons of historical objects that were found in the Hudson - old jugs and casks, etc. Also- it's thought to be haunted.

Another favorite of mine is Walker's in Tribeca, a historic pub with great bartenders and great food and an interesting crowd. It's across the street from a well-known firehouse (ever see "Ghostbusters"?) so I've met quite a few firemen here.

I also like Pete's but it gets PACKED so I avoid it now. Awesome bar but the food was always pretty bad.

I know Fraunces is historic, but I wouldn't recommend it just for a beer. The bar area, from what I remember, is all ugly linoleum floors and feels like that basement you grew up with in the 70s. The bar food is no good either. You might have to have dinner there (or - I believe there is a museum inside?) to see any kind of historical decor.

White Horse Tavern I also like - and it has some of the cheapest decent bar food in the city (good $5 burgers). It's a very young crowd though.

Burp Castle - wow, that's still open? I haven't been in 10 years. The surly waiters dressed as monks - that was a hoot. Huge beer selection.

starrsville

Chumley's is great. Make sure you know the address because you won't see signage.

This one is not historic and probably won't rank a "not to be miss" status, but it can be fun and is a good meet-up place at the south end of Central Park - Mickey Mantle's. Okay, don't shoot me, but the 34 and 40 year old males may enjoy it and it's a great place to rendevous with other members of the family if folks have gone off in different directions. We got caught in a torrential rainstorm one day and spent hours at the bar there having a blast.

twobluecats

OH MY GOODNESS! I was just reading about the Ear Inn after the suggestions here. It's a must now.....it's in the James Brown building--my brother (the home brew enthiasist)is named James Brown. Further, the newyorkmetro.com write-up references Teamsters as local lunchtime patrons--James has been a Teamster all his adult life!

Kal

C
"I love the smell of fresh vomit in the morning"

:-? Is a "filthy water beer" like a "dirty martini"?

dsm22

I have been to the White Horse Tavern a few times.

Also is there an O'Linnly's or something like that near times square. I cannot remember where we were. (Maybe just one too many mudslides) I do remember that the food (and drink) was really good. I had lamb chops, I think my best friend had a shepherds pie and his wife a chicken pie. The service was good as well.

Maybe it was O'Lunny's. I will try to look it up.