Pete’s Tavern
On the corner of 18th and Irving, just up from Union Square, is New York’s oldest continually-serving pub/restaurant: Pete’s Tavern.
It was early on a sunny evening when I arrived, and I pulled up a stool at the quiet bar. There was a good selection on the pumps, but I opted for the 1864 Old House Ale – brewed by the tavern, and named for the year they opened. It was a darkish bitter, with a flavour that was light and refreshing but with some depth to it. At $5.50 for a not-quite-pint it seemed reasonable enough.
I was in no great rush and the bar had a costy pub feel, so I stayed for another: Brooklyn Brewery’s Summer Ale, at $6.25. It was amber in colour, and hoppy in taste, with some lager-like undertones. As I sat and read the papers, I helped myself to some of the (heavily salted) popcorn freely available in large bowls on the bar. A ploy to get customers drinking more, perhaps? It soon got busier too, mostly locals – regulars, it seemed – but a few students and tourists, too. The menu looked enticing, but I didn’t stick around for dinner, heading out into the cool evening light instead.