4. Restaurants

4 Avenue Bakery

8511 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11209
  • (718) 748-4580
  • Store is closed

4 Avenue Bakery Menu

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  • Jia J.

    Now that the clock has long since catapulted us headlong into 2013, I can trumpet the verdict that Fraunces Tavern is the best possible place to ring in the new year if you MUST observe it in NYC, because here in the FiDi is where you can find liveliness, intimacy, AND authenticity all at once on any given day...and I'm not sure why. Why is the historic waterfront of downtown Manhattan not defiled by the masses that overcrowd and cheapen and pretty much ruin every other dining and wining experience? Why?? How?? No matter; I'm downright grateful. NYE of 2012, the plan was to have a quiet night at my Brooklyn apartment with a friend who'd driven down from Boston and a childhood pal who moved to Germany in the late '80s and was visiting the states (with her boyfriend) for the first time in 18 years; the last time we saw each other. To my horror, I was unable to reach her at her Newark hotel, then missed a call from her German cell phone which I couldn't dial back asking me how to navigate the "difficult" trains to Brooklyn. This was bogus for so many reasons (i.e. Germans are smart, I'd sent her gratuitously explicit directions to my house weeks prior to her arrival in the U.S.), but I digress. The message left me freaking out about making this poor foreign couple come allll the way to Brooklyn. My gal pal, being wicked smart, recalled that a friend of hers had had her wedding rehearsal dinner at this place called the Fraunces Tavern, and that this same friend had mentioned that there was no cover for New Year's Eve celebrations. It was all of 11 a.m., but I rang up the bar to talk to a human (while my friend calmly made an online reservation for 6). Miraculously, someone answered, and even tolerated my paranoia as I asked again and again to confirm our seats, and verify that we wouldn't be slapped door fees. We arrived slightly past due at 9 p.m., but the hostess in the low-ceilinged foyer with a glowing Christmas tree was all smiles. Along the wood paneled walls were delightful stains (either watermarks from Hurricane Sandy or marks of the tides of time or both). There was a stairway leading to a museum devoted to the rich history of the place (once frequented by George Washington himself!). We were led through a maze of old spaces (think Faneuil Hall area in Boston minus the anachronistic douchebaggery that prevails over the atmosphere) to a white-walled, warmly lit, recessed dining area with its own bar. The beer list was diverse enough to cause a headache. Once I got over the fact that the whiskey/brandy flight and Porterhouse Oyster Stout with 1 raw oyster deals were not going on, I quickly found solace in the sampler of three 7 oz. glasses of mix-and-match draft and/or house ales on a paddle for $8.00. The most memorable choice for me was Oyster Stout, with a starchy-and-salt attack (smacking of oyster crackers) that evolved into rolling waves of chocolate and dirt tones and ended with the aftertaste of clean rainwater. I also came to favor the Erdinger Hef. A part of me regretted that the Porterhouse "Brain Blasta" (7% ABV) wasn't available that night, or that I never did find the National Geographic approved Dingle Whiskey Bar. But this was probably a mercy, as all that good drink filled me up and I scarcely had room to appreciate the food. I swear there were beef sliders, but now I don't see them on any menu. One thing for sure was that the $8 mac & cheese was a stunner - fat pasta elbows smothered in a sharp cheese (Swiss? Gruyere?) served in a deceptively small looking bowl that secretly had the volume of a 12-family casserole dish. It was mindblowing, and lay to rest my previous determination to try the Smoked Haddock Chowder ($9), Roasted Garlic Fries ($6), or of course, good old Traditional Fish and Chips ($16). Warning: the salads didn't look all that great. Know why? They're fuckin' salads. I'm not sure they even had salads back in 1783 when G-dubbs bid farewell to the Continental Troops, so why would you order one now? The server forgot one girl's order (salad) and sometimes left us to our own devices for lengths of time. Yet, our cups were never empty, and later, she invited us to filter into the bar rooms as the countdown approached, and followed our wayward paths through the woody labyrinth to continue tending to us. In the DJ party room, cowhide-backed sofas were the first sign or renovations that had been unveiled in 2011. Nicki Miniaj and the like pumped at a tolerable volume, but then abruptly changed to "Wonderwall" with everyone unironically singing along. YEAH. Then, a little Duran Duran, and the safe choices of "1999" and "Celebrate" to ship us into 2013. Camaraderie and privacy mingled into the wee hours. We danced on tables. We laughed. We sat quietly at the bar. Two folks got engaged, but not in an annoying way. The best was stepping out to breathe the first breaths of 2013. The empty, old streets looked brand new, and just that night, the city was all ours.

    (5)

  • Syddie P.

    My friend had a birthday party here on a Saturday. The place was pretty dead and empty but it worked out for us because we felt like we had the place to ourselves. Although I was worried that it was down in the FD and in a pretty dead area on a weekend, because we liked the bartenders and the DJ I tried to make a reservation for 30+ people for another Saturday. The event planner flatly refused to take the reservation. No negotiations, no exceptions, just flat out no. She said it's their policy to not take reservations for the bar area because they have to keep it open to the public - I guess for that massive crowd that wasn't there this last Saturday. I told her I'll be bringing 30+ people but she said no. I'm a little flabbergasted. I mean, the bar was DEAD - we were pretty much the only people at the restaurant/bar. I couldn't understand how she could turn down a reservation for 30+ people when the bar was so dead. It's their policy?? To not make money and have a dead bar? I'm sure the bartenders and the DJ won't appreciate her decision. Since there are about 5 billion other bars in the City, I'm moving on but her cold, flat out rejection was just so unbelievable...

    (1)

  • Kaia T.

    Atmosphere (5/5): A very historical restaurant and tavern. It was established in 1710, the oldest bar / tavern in NYC and also where Washington gave his farewell address to his troops during the revolutionary war. There's a museum upstairs and downstairs there are several rooms dedicated for the lounge area and several dedicated for dining. Service (1/5): Our waitress, Jill was our original server. She ended up leaving our table for a larger party in the other room. She didn't even make us aware when we were searching for her. Francis ended up being our server for the remainder of the night and did a better job serving us than our previous server. Food (4/5): The food was great. The wine was decent, we ordered 2 Pinot noirs, 3 porterhouses, 2 jambalayas, 1 fish and chip and a side of Mac and cheese w bacon bits as our side item for the table. All were very good. We asked for the steaks to be cooked 2 medium rare, 1 medium and were cooked the way we asked. We got 2 blackberry mousse and 1 apple pie with ice cream. I didn't care for the mousse, but the apple pie with ice cream was delicious. Come here for the experience, especially if you are a local. It is a must to check out the oldest and most historical bar in NYC. The ambiance and food were delicious, but beware of the service if you are planning to dine here.

    (3)

  • Andrew G.

    How is this only 3.5 stars? Warm, cozy, charming, unique place with so much history and great food! Located in the oldest building in Manhattan.

    (5)

  • Sora Beta A.

    The burgers are great and they have a nice beer selection. The staff is friendly and intelligent. I would go back here again.

    (4)

  • Ben S.

    Good food, horrendous service. To be clear, our waiter was quite courteous. It was everything else about the experience that made this restaurant less than stellar. First, it took them probably 15 minutes to take our orders. Two of the people at our table were allergic to dairy, but when one asked if she could get a dish without cheese, the waiter refused. He told us that the kitchen has a strict no-substitutions policy, including for allergies. He then confirmed this with the kitchen. So basically, our dairy-allergic people had to look through the menu and ask whether each dish was cooked with dairy. The waiter then didn't know off-hand which dishes might contain dairy, so a second waiter had to walk through the menu with the dairy-allergic people to say what they could eat. They then forgot to take the order of one of the people at our table, and we had to ask them to come back. Once the orders were taken, it was probably another 20 minutes before the appetizers (two cheese plates) arrived. After that, it was probably another 20 to 30 minutes before the entrees were served. When the orders finally did arrive, two of the orders had cheese on them despite requests to hold the cheese. These then had to be taken back, adding more time to the meal. All told it took us around an hour to begin eating our food, by which point one of us had to leave. No sooner had she walked out the door than her plate was cleared while we weren't looking, without asking us whether she was coming back or whether she wanted her food wrapped up. The food was pretty good, though the portions were gargantuan. I had the chicken biscuit sandwich, which was definitely tasty. The biscuit itself was a little dry but the fried chicken was excellent. The cheeses and meats on the cheese plates were also quite good, though most of the cheeses came in thin slices rather than in blocks or wedges. If I had been relying on the cheese plates to fill me up, I would have been very upset. One last complaint: the layout of the tables is a little weird. The long tables have benches that appear to be church pews. That's fine, but the tables and pews are so long that for a group of 6, like ours, people were constantly reaching past each other for appetizers. Those tables would be better to serve groups of 10 to 12 and are simply too large for a group of 6.

    (2)

  • Kathleen H.

    This tavern is quite a gem. It's a neighborhood pub, an after-work bar, a weekend brunch, a destination for history junkies, a place to stop for a beer & a snack in the middle of the day, a place to enjoy live music, a watering hole to kick off the weekend, or a restaurant enjoy a modern take on a classic dish. Whether you stop in for a cocktail in the Dingle whiskey bar or indulge in a hearty meal in the dining room, you will feel a sense of being in another time. The food is upscale american/irish & pub fare, simple and delicious, and you will definitely not leave hungry! If you're focused on drinking, this is the right place. Beer. They have it. Lots of it on draft and what seems like an endless selection of bottles - craft, local, imports, seasonal - there is something here for everyone. I think there are 4 different bars in this tavern - check them out and find the one that suits your mood.

    (4)

  • Zach S.

    I had no idea this place existed until a visiting friend made reservations. It's a pretty cool, historic place on Pearl Street. They claim George Washington used to hangout here and eat the pot pie. Maybe he, maybe he didn't. Regardless, I found myself eating a late dinner here this past weekend. We made a reservation for the regular dinning room for two. When we arrived, we saw they had a more causal looking lounge near the bar with a set of small tables and comfy looking chairs (in the Whiskey bar area) . Each small table had 4 chairs with it. This looked more inviting than the colonial style set up in the dining room. We politely asked if the one table was reserved, which it wasn't - so, they let us sit there. They said the lounge is on a first come first serve basis. SCORE. The chairs were very comfortable but it was a little difficult to eat dinner on the small table. Anyway, we ended up ordering the tavern salad, a cheese plate, the tenderloin steak burger, and the gnocchi. Unfortunately, they were out of the crispy pork belly! The salad and cheese plate were pretty standard. The burger was good but not the best I've had in NYC. The burger is huge and difficult to eat. The fries that accompanied the burger were quite tasty but i was too full to finish them. We also both had a few drinks: wine, texas mule and a beer. Our bill came to around $120, which wasn't bad for the service and food we had. In the end, I was satisfied but wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again. I would consider grabbing some drinks and light food in the whiskey lounge. Tip - arrive early to score a table in the Whiskey Lounge - the chairs are uber comfortable.

    (3)

  • Joanie K.

    I never would have thought I'd like Fraunces Tavern, but it's really a beautiful piece of NYC history and there's something for everyone. Chef's table, speakeasy, whiskey bar, large restaurant... and my favorite room, the Bissell Room. If you're from out of town, it's a nice, easy stop before wandering through the FiDi or through South Street Seaport. The food portions are pretty generous and decent, but don't come for just that... there's live jazz Saturday for brunch in the Bissell Room. So pretty and a different thing to do

    (4)

  • Fancypants J.

    I LOVED this place! Came here with a friend of mine after the dreaded Staten Island Ferry trip so my friend could see the Statue of Liberty. I was searching online for a lunch place nearby and this looked interesting. Although the building is not 100% original it is one of the oldest if not the oldest bars in Manhattan. It has quite a history. It's also reputed to be haunted but unfortunately I didn't get a chance to investigate any of it. Nice ambiance inside, reminded me of old pubs in London. The food was on the pricey side but I really enjoyed my blackened salmon sandwich and the portions were huge. Service was friendly and pleasant. I wish I had had more time to check out the museum upstairs. Well worth a stop if you're in the area and looking for a nice lunch.

    (5)

  • Chris B.

    I visited the tavern today with my kids to see the museum upstairs, which was fantastic, and stayed for dinner. My kids had the traditional kids menu items but I had the most amazing burger that I ever had. It was really just incredible. They also had a very nice extensive beer and whiskey menu. I had just one beer and it was very good. The service was great and the employees were friendly and courteous. Great historical and culinary experience all around.

    (5)

  • Michelle L.

    Fraunces Tavern is one of the few remaining gems of old New York City. The history of the building is amazing by itself, but the fact that they've managed to maintain a restaurant & bar that continues to provide great food and service for so many years is quite impressive! It's has been my "go to" spot for decades when I am in that part of downtown Manhattan. It's unique atmosphere makes it stand out from all the usual tourist traps down there. The clientele is a great mix of locals and tourists and everyone feels welcome there. When you walk in, you feel like you have stepped back in time. For a moment, you almost feel like you might run into George Washington on your way to be seated! The service is good here, despite the hustle and bustle that is going on at all times (especially in the bar area). The servers are friendly and attentive. They have a great selection of beers, wines and whiskeys, along with a full bar. The menu does not disappoint. The bacon wrapped shrimp appetizer is juicy and flavorful, as is the octopus. The fish fry is really your basic fish and chips, but just spruced up with a crunchier, more flavorful batter that has a nice kick to it. The pork chop is juicy and flavorful as well. My favorite dish has to be the red snapper over fava bean risotto. Truly one of the highlights of their menu. It's fun to bring out of town guests here, both for the history of the establishment, as well as the atmosphere. They've got some great live music in the bar area, that often includes traditional Irish music. You're guaranteed a fun night out here without being engulfed in tourists!

    (4)

  • Lisa S.

    This place is a legend. Great place to bring tourists while on the down-town circuit. Mid-day they are actually lovely about big families + kids. Great food, terrific atmosphere. Great bar scene later.

    (4)

  • Yael S.

    there are vegetarian options, including mac and cheese my friend said was the best she's ever had, and some delicious brussels sprouts in apple butter. Desserts are good, there are lots of drinks available, and it's a fantastic spot to bring visiting friends to. the 18th-century charm is something even those who don't know much about American history can sense and enjoy. it's a really great place. take an awesome old tavern, add some great food and an even better story to go with it, and you have a place that's sure to charm without being overly kitschy or overwhelming

    (4)

  • Jaime K.

    This is the oldest bar In NYC and is Definitely a must see! The vibe in this bar/restaurant is so cool and feels very historic. When we arrived there was a live band from 1-4 on a Saturday, which made the atmosphere feel even more inviting. There are whiskey flights and a huge beer selection in bottles and draft. I would recommend stopping in for a drink.

    (5)

  • Roxanne W.

    Love it love it. Great beer selection, amazing food, great staff and the historical factor is just beautiful. My favorite place for a drink in Manhattan, for sure.

    (5)

  • Gunter S.

    A historical gem. If you're into the birth of a nation then this is the place to come to and eat. A real find was the Apricot cider which, given the heat of the day, was most welcome. The lunch menu was great too. Aside from the size of the plate, the quality was excellent.

    (4)

  • Kan. J.

    Great spot and Good food. Good for big groups! My friends love this place :) Conveniently located near WeWork charging bull, so easy to walk over to and get some beers. The place has a historical touch to it and live Irish music played on certain days.

    (5)

  • Lindy P.

    Our first stop on our self-guided bar hopping tour in lower Manhattan found us at Fraunces Tavern. We took a cab to Stone Street, but we ended up on the wrong side... so as we walked around the block, we discovered this tavern that touted they have their own beer. Since we'd been searching for great beer in the city for two days now, I *had* to go see what this was all about. Little did I know we found a hidden gem! (Apparently not so hidden- Fraunces Tavern is very well known). How much more authentic can you get than all 4 bartenders from Ireland?! And the nice gentleman seated next to me was also from Ireland (Hey Sean!). I felt like I just crossed the big pond! They had excellent live music on Sunday at about 6pm, and they have $6-8 20oz pours of their 5 taps all brewed at Porterhouse Brewing Company in Dublin. They had 4 stouts- and they were all superb! I enjoyed the dry stout the most, but I also enjoyed a Wrassler Stout from the dear Irishman seated next to me.. what a joy in NYC! We decided to share the bacon cheeseburger sliders cooked as rare as you could get. They did just that- often sliders are overcooked, but these were perfect. Their house-made chips were delightful too. The food was a bit pricey ($13 for sliders) but they were worth it. I'm not sure why this place gets bad reviews, because it was one of my favorites in the city... I'll certainly stop back by here next time I'm in historic downtown NYC.

    (4)

  • Dani O.

    If you are hunting for an old, historically significant restaurants in NYC, having a meal at the pub where George Washington drank his beer couple centuries ago- is probably difficult to beat. There is even a live acoustic chamber - jazz music on site, during the brunch. Food wise- they are provably OK, at least from what I was able to see from my table. My chef's salad was an average ride, but the other party of my table loved her stake and eggs. There is an option of sitting in " original" low ceiling lounge. The place is a tourist attraction so don't look for a specific "neighborhood" wibe. However Im giving it 4 star because Im a " sucker " for the preserved but living historic sites. If interested , I would advice you to go there sooner , rather than later - before some big shot editor buys it out , put the white cloths on each table , raise the $$$ , attracts celebrities and turn it into a " Waverley Inn #2" ;)

    (4)

  • Matthew F.

    Awesome Tavern in lower Manhattan by Battery Park. Feels like you are walking back in history when you step in. Staff is incredibly friendly and the food is amazing. Really enjoyed the atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Ben D.

    Perhaps one of the most underrated burgers in NYC. Sirloin patty topped with Monterey Jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, peppers, sunny side up egg and a slice of filet mignon that turns this hamburger into a true STEAKburger! And the unbuttered brioche bun is up to the job of holding this work all in place.

    (4)

  • Restaurantista S.

    The service was absolutely horrible and non-existent. I love history but peek into the dining room and eat somewhere else. I went for brunch and requested an egg white omelet. The server said, let me see if the chef will only do only egg whites. Really? This is 2014 and not 1776. Then I asked if there was a lot of oil on the veggies. She said no. There was and the salad was dripping in dressing. My server was no where to be found. My omelet took forever to cook. They apparently, had a large order prior to my order. I am not sure if the order was from the bar area since there was practically no one in the restaurant. At no time did the Manager ever come over to apologize. It was more like, oh well... Bread is not served. The server found me a roll that she sliced into thin slices. The inside was doughy and possibly not fully cooked. My server never asked me how my food was and didn't bring the bill. Another server had to get the check and process it. I am not clear if my server even knew I left the restaurant. George Washington would be appalled. It is time to rally the troops and take over this place...

    (1)

  • Stephen B.

    Perfect place for a downtown lunch if you're doing the touristy thing. Lots of different rooms to choose from but we sat in the main dining room (although the whiskey room and the tavern both looked pretty cool). Interesting beers on tap and hearty food on the menu. I had the chicken cutlet BLT. It was delicious and HUGE. My friend had the fish and chips and they were solid. Definitely wander around the restaurant but you might want to save your seven bucks and skip the "Museum" upstairs. Just a lot of old knick-knacks and flags...not really anything I hadn't seen before.

    (4)

  • Scott H.

    We ate here recently on a Thanksgiving week trip to NYC. Staff friendly & helpful, setting nice, & beverages are EXCEPTIONAL! Red stout, plain stout were both delicious, but the Oyster stout is AWESOME! Smooth & as creamy as the finest chocolate milk! Plus the 1776 Punch served in the Whiskey room will cure what ails you! Delish! Now to the food; many options but as we were eating early dinner after a day of heavy rain & 35* temps, most of our group of 9 went for chicken pot pie, steak-burger, fish & chips, or pork chop. Food was all very good! Check this place out!

    (4)

  • Caroline H.

    We came here to take out our friend for her birthday. Every room is different. We had the chicken pot pie and pulled pork flat bread. Both items were very good. We also got a Malbec for $32 a bottle, which is good value if you and your mate have 2 glasses of wine each. Sundays from 3-6pm, live Irish music. Run here if you would like to see some good live Irish music!

    (4)

  • Michele H.

    Like Mike (below) I like history, too. I just wish Fraunces Tavern had a bit more of that ambiance. While the food - chicken and chicken pot pie for the 2 of us - was good and the service was very good, what's with the contemporary soundtrack? Spare us. Surrounded by such a great decor and theme, I didn't want to hear music from today or even 30 years ago. Yes, we've been to City Tavern in Philly which is very much on the re-creation side. We didn't need a replica of that. More appropriate music, please. We would very well return for two good reasons - food, location - but we'll definitely check out the bar next time, too. It looked great.

    (3)

  • Marcel K.

    Mediocrity at its best. Came here for dinner with a good friend and had some wonderful drinks to start the night off. Some awesome and warming (spiked) apple cider. It was a fantastic drink and that's where Fraunces Tavern shines -its drinks. The ambiance of the restaurant gave it a very homey feel, not so stuffy, though the prices were quite stuffy for the value. We ordered the 46oz Tomahawk Rib-Eye for two (with a side of local roasted vegetables). We also ordered two side dishes: Truffle mashed potatoes, Braised Brussel Sprouts and Fontina & Cheddar Mac & Cheese. First off it took quite a long time for us to get our order but the frustrating part was that the beautiful steak came in a bit cooler that we would have liked. It was cooked perfectly, though so that was very nice. The jus added a layer of complexity to the steak which worked very well and was delicious. There were some roasted potatoes and string beans on the side which were a bit under seasoned. I would say many of the dishes we had tonight were quite under seasoned which was a shame. As for the side dishes the truffle mashed potatoes were awesome. They tasted very buttery the way mashed potatoes ought to be made: 4 sticks of butter for 1 russet potato. Works every time! In all seriousness, this was actually my favorite side dish. Can't go wrong with it, except it's a pretty small portion for what it is worth. But you haven't seen small until you've seen the Mac & cheese.. The Mac & cheese is something I always look forward to in a steak dinner. The sharpness of the cheese really provides an amazing contrast to the subtle in flavor but delicious steak. I look for something sharp and that really was not present here. The pasta was a bit undercooked and it was dreadfully under-spiced. My friend and I have a loving relationship with Mac&cheese and were heavily disappointed. There just wasn't any flavor. The last side dish we had, compliments of our waitress were the Brussel sprouts. What I look for in a Brussel sprout is its amazing complex flavors from the caramelization process. My favorite are when they are roasted in the oven and have a slightly crunchy exterior. It's so rewarding. Here, they were mediocre. They were a bit on the raw side and I guess that's just a subjective thing but I was expecting something better. For dessert, we shared the cherry tart which wasn't so memorable. I had a bite and didn't care to have another and I have a huge sweet tooth which says something. What I look for in a satisfying meal is the first and last impressions, both of which were sub-par for the price. I recommend Porterhouse/Ruth Chris/Quality Meats/Peter Luger for the best steak in this amazing city. Don't waste your money here unless you'd Iike a nice drink.

    (3)

  • Evan S.

    Went with a party of 8 for brunch. 26 bucks for a price fix which included an appetizer, entrée and a choice or two bellinis or bloody Mary's. Portions were generous and the drinks strong. Atmosphere was nice and tranquil.

    (3)

  • Justin M.

    Go to the Dingle Whiskey room for some great Irish whiskey and Scotch tasting. The bartenders are well informed and they have many selections. A great bar in downtown Manhattan rooted with deep history.

    (4)

  • Khody A.

    Pros: 5 stars for its history and good service. Cons: 2 stars for the food. Tip: Explore all rooms.

    (4)

  • Richard R.

    I am an avid history buff and when visiting NY wanted to get a little "old time" in. The place is great from a true to life history setting. Sure, there are anachronistic touches, but those of us in the modern world wouldn't want all the benefits of sanitation of the 1700's. The service was spotty. While Kaitlynn did a good job of saving it, the first waiter that came by the table and took my order really ignored me as a customer. I ordered the Chicken Pie. It was more than just a pot pie, with a deeper flavor than you usually expect. The crust was a little doughy around the edges, but when paired with the ingredients inside was quite tasty. The chicken meat inside was of differing sizes and consistency- which I mean as a positive. There was both dark meat, which lent the better flavor, and big chunks of chicken breast. Lots of mushrooms, carrots and celery were in it without the filler of potatoes (at least I didn't notice them). It comes paired with a nice fresh salad. The dinner was $18, which I felt was well worth it. I opted not to have any dessert as $9 for apple pie seemed a bit steep and I had no one to share it with. Lots of options on the menu ranging from salads and burgers up to $81 steaks for two. A couple of different bars were available, and looked to have a full selection- the whiskey bar had a whole wall filled with choices. I would return. I wanted to see the upstairs museum, but it closes early.

    (4)

  • Justin L.

    A Gorgeous Looking pub With good beer and History! Prices and music not great.

    (3)

  • Trisha W.

    This review is for the bar only, at a specific time. Sunday night at 5:30 pm, also known as FAMILY TIME. There are little children running all over the bar, with their moms in an old ratty house-sweater carrying yet another child running after them. The toddler enjoys grabbing at unattended beers. The horde (between 5-10 of them) are free to run the aisles and into and in-between the legs of the wait staff and well-heeled drinking Wall Street crowd. If you're into FAMILY TIME at a bar on Sundays, definitely this is the place for you.

    (2)

  • Steve S.

    We decided to give Fraunces a try based on its 4 star rating, not knowing it's actually a colonial style restaurant and museum. I looked at the entryway and thought it was some cheesy tourist trap and nearly didn't ask the hostess to be seated. My friend was starving so we decided to give it a whirl. The Fraunces dining room was full so we had to either sit in the brew pub next door or in the small Dingle Whiskey room. We ended up sitting at the small bar in the whiskey room, which apparently has over 200 varieties of whiskey. The room has 3 round tables with 4 nice looking leather chairs. The bar seats are really booths where you kind of have to lean forward to be able to eat your food. They have some house brews plus a decent selection of craft beers. The mixed drinks were okay, no complaints about my old fashioned or from my friend's manhattan. Dinner was actually a nice surprise. I decided to go with the shepherd's pie rather than George Washington's favorite, the chicken pot pie. The dish arrives in legit cast iron skillet and it's a decent size. The potatoes didn't really have that much of a crust and while it looked very plain, the lamb underneath was very tasty. Most places will only use ground beef, but Fraunces' shepherd's pie had more flavor than any beef one I've ever tasted. The lamb was finely ground, finer than standard burger meat. It's the type of grind you would find in a high end meatball. The dish is a hearty, filling meal and just what you'd expect from something served in a heavy cast iron skillet. My friend enjoyed his crispy half chicken. It arrived nicely plated and said it tasted good. If you've never been here, I say give it a try. I'm not sure if I would seek to specifically come here again, but I'd suggest it to someone if they were in this area.

    (3)

  • David L.

    A TOTAL CLIP JOINT! If you want to walk through this place - definitely worth it, BUT DO NOT SIT AND ORDER THERE! Be forewarned! With me it was just charging me for two drinks we didn't have. So I paid for four drinks when we had two. The owner was completely non-responsive. I am pretty sure he rides the whole museum thing and feels he has an unlimited amount of customers BUT I am writing this to warn ALL TO STAY AWAY FROM THE RESTAURANT PORTION. Our waitress was rude, unhelpful and then disappeared. Our 'story' is that I wanted a beer without bitterness, their menu suggested one, I asked the waitress before ordering she said "it's a lager'. Soon as it arrived I had a sip, it was bitter, I told her, she took it back and told me she would still charge me. OK, now we have an accident with one of the cocktails just after it was delivered, so we ordered a replacement - also charged for both of those. I emailed the owner to address this, NEVER RESPONDED. I waited a whole week, called him, NO RESPONSE. So if you want what ALL PEOPLE call mediocre food and over priced drinks with attitude and charging you for anything and everything - then go to Fraunces. But otherwise just walk around and see the history AND GO almost anywhere else in the 'hood'. Honestly I hope this helps many people to avoid this rip off attitude.

    (1)

  • Kevin E.

    The place was very unique. You feel like you're eating in a different city. However, I made the mistake of getting the salmon burger. I know most restaurants do not make a healthy burger healthy, and I ordered the burger expecting this. However, the salmon was pretty tasteless and underseasoned.

    (3)

  • Randy C.

    Dear Troops; With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable. Ciao. P.S. Try the oysters - they're fresh and magnificent. The beer list here is pretty varied and the service is attentive so stick around. The menu is interesting and the food is good so if you are hungry you should have a bite. I'm going home to Martha. She's pissed at me because I forgot to put the trash out. Your General, George Washington (AKA Splinter Tooth)

    (4)

  • carl e.

    My personal experience was outstanding at the Whiskey Bar! What a cozy marvelous atmosphere - kind of makes you feel like being in an 18th century pub or inn. It was dark, romantic and rustic but comfortable. And when I got the bill I was pleasantly surprised not to be gouged for the experience - it was the same, if not less, than a bill from any other run-of-the-mill antiseptic feeling bar without the noisy rowdiness! I will definitely go back to experience some of the other multiple dining and drinking rooms. I find this to be a hidden gem - even though it is a landmark and tourist attraction.

    (5)

  • Jia J.

    Now that the clock has long since catapulted us headlong into 2013, I can trumpet the verdict that Fraunces Tavern is the best possible place to ring in the new year if you MUST observe it in NYC, because here in the FiDi is where you can find liveliness, intimacy, AND authenticity all at once on any given day...and I'm not sure why. Why is the historic waterfront of downtown Manhattan not defiled by the masses that overcrowd and cheapen and pretty much ruin every other dining and wining experience? Why?? How?? No matter; I'm downright grateful. NYE of 2012, the plan was to have a quiet night at my Brooklyn apartment with a friend who'd driven down from Boston and a childhood pal who moved to Germany in the late '80s and was visiting the states (with her boyfriend) for the first time in 18 years; the last time we saw each other. To my horror, I was unable to reach her at her Newark hotel, then missed a call from her German cell phone which I couldn't dial back asking me how to navigate the "difficult" trains to Brooklyn. This was bogus for so many reasons (i.e. Germans are smart, I'd sent her gratuitously explicit directions to my house weeks prior to her arrival in the U.S.), but I digress. The message left me freaking out about making this poor foreign couple come allll the way to Brooklyn. My gal pal, being wicked smart, recalled that a friend of hers had had her wedding rehearsal dinner at this place called the Fraunces Tavern, and that this same friend had mentioned that there was no cover for New Year's Eve celebrations. It was all of 11 a.m., but I rang up the bar to talk to a human (while my friend calmly made an online reservation for 6). Miraculously, someone answered, and even tolerated my paranoia as I asked again and again to confirm our seats, and verify that we wouldn't be slapped door fees. We arrived slightly past due at 9 p.m., but the hostess in the low-ceilinged foyer with a glowing Christmas tree was all smiles. Along the wood paneled walls were delightful stains (either watermarks from Hurricane Sandy or marks of the tides of time or both). There was a stairway leading to a museum devoted to the rich history of the place (once frequented by George Washington himself!). We were led through a maze of old spaces (think Faneuil Hall area in Boston minus the anachronistic douchebaggery that prevails over the atmosphere) to a white-walled, warmly lit, recessed dining area with its own bar. The beer list was diverse enough to cause a headache. Once I got over the fact that the whiskey/brandy flight and Porterhouse Oyster Stout with 1 raw oyster deals were not going on, I quickly found solace in the sampler of three 7 oz. glasses of mix-and-match draft and/or house ales on a paddle for $8.00. The most memorable choice for me was Oyster Stout, with a starchy-and-salt attack (smacking of oyster crackers) that evolved into rolling waves of chocolate and dirt tones and ended with the aftertaste of clean rainwater. I also came to favor the Erdinger Hef. A part of me regretted that the Porterhouse "Brain Blasta" (7% ABV) wasn't available that night, or that I never did find the National Geographic approved Dingle Whiskey Bar. But this was probably a mercy, as all that good drink filled me up and I scarcely had room to appreciate the food. I swear there were beef sliders, but now I don't see them on any menu. One thing for sure was that the $8 mac & cheese was a stunner - fat pasta elbows smothered in a sharp cheese (Swiss? Gruyere?) served in a deceptively small looking bowl that secretly had the volume of a 12-family casserole dish. It was mindblowing, and lay to rest my previous determination to try the Smoked Haddock Chowder ($9), Roasted Garlic Fries ($6), or of course, good old Traditional Fish and Chips ($16). Warning: the salads didn't look all that great. Know why? They're fuckin' salads. I'm not sure they even had salads back in 1783 when G-dubbs bid farewell to the Continental Troops, so why would you order one now? The server forgot one girl's order (salad) and sometimes left us to our own devices for lengths of time. Yet, our cups were never empty, and later, she invited us to filter into the bar rooms as the countdown approached, and followed our wayward paths through the woody labyrinth to continue tending to us. In the DJ party room, cowhide-backed sofas were the first sign or renovations that had been unveiled in 2011. Nicki Miniaj and the like pumped at a tolerable volume, but then abruptly changed to "Wonderwall" with everyone unironically singing along. YEAH. Then, a little Duran Duran, and the safe choices of "1999" and "Celebrate" to ship us into 2013. Camaraderie and privacy mingled into the wee hours. We danced on tables. We laughed. We sat quietly at the bar. Two folks got engaged, but not in an annoying way. The best was stepping out to breathe the first breaths of 2013. The empty, old streets looked brand new, and just that night, the city was all ours.

    (5)

  • Matthew B.

    We are residents of Battery Park City and have been to Fraunces many times over the years. Had a wonderful experience on Monday June 1 at the Tavern. First, the food was great and our server Stephanie made sure that the food was hot and to our liking. After some of the server's we've encountered recently it was such a pleasure to meet someone like Stephanie. She was helpful with suggestions from the menu, cheerful and positive. She treated you like someone that she genuinely cared about while serving you. She efficiently dealt with an issue that arose without pause or question with quick initiative, decision-making and action. We are all the more ready to visit Frances Tavern for a pleasant dining experience because of Stephanie and , of course, the food.

    (5)

  • Richard L.

    The history of this place and atmosphere is not to be missed. I really love this places they're connected to this dingle pub right from Ireland and it's the real deal. Can't wait to frequent this joint once I start my New job down here

    (5)

  • Kari S.

    One of the best options in FiDi for happy hour. $6 wine, $5 snacks, great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Jimmy K.

    They couldn't have made a bigger pigs ear out of this place if they'd stuffed a big neon porterhouse sign outside it...oh wait they did. Well it's a good signal to anyone with a shred of decency to steer well clear of this hell hole. With staff straight out of the twat olympics. Fresh off the boat, real oirish c**ts for ya. Have at it. I'd rather give all business to the White horse just down the road. One sweaty bar stool in the horse has more pathos than all the cowhide in this shite cave. bye bye, the losses will kill you in no time at all.

    (1)

  • Nicole F.

    Ok this restaurant is nice for history buffs but other than that it's awfully dull. I came here a few times with friends who work in the area. I order wine normally and the menu is rather expense so we usually don't stay long.

    (3)

  • Heather G.

    The beer list is great, they make a killer coffee-infused-vodka-like-white-russian-type cocktail, and they serve Stumptown. That's basically the end of the highlights of this place. The decor is cute/cool as well, all colonial-throwback-and-historical, but due to its placement in downtown NYC, it just looks theme-y, despite how beautifully-executed the decor is. All (all? all we could see) servers/hosts were Irish, which of course helped create the ambiance, and the hostess and server were nice, friendly, and accommodating. Why the two stars? Pretty expensive, very mediocre food. I should have been tipped-off by the lack of patrons eating on a Thursday night around 8pm, but we were starving and exhausted and in no mood to trek to another neighborhood. Truffle fries and sweet potato fries saved our meals, and these are must-gets as sides. Appetizer order of scallops came out 4-mini-guys to an order,and lacked an even sear. My intended ordered a special of the night - whitefish dish atop what looked like smashed potatoes but tasted like nothing - in dire need of seasoning. Fish was grilled, which dried out the delicate, once-flaky white fish. I had an entree salad of heirloom tomatoes and watercress, which was abundant in watercress, lacking in tomatoes, and poorly dressed. The result was my crunching down a rather large pile of roughage. the damage was about $140 for 2 beers, 1 cocktail, 1 entree, fries, 1 salad, and 1 appetizer before tip. For an incredible meal, i'd suck it up. For a very-very-average meal, the price was simply too lofty. Cute place, but I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Olivia K.

    Awesome atmosphere with great vibes! This building has a lot of history in NYC. They have a museum, restaurant and several bars. We got a couple beers at the speakeasy bar. They have a huge beer selection and the bartender was really helpful. I decided to get the beer sampler (3 little beers for 11$) and asked the bartender to pick three random ones for me. He did a great job - all of them were delicious. Ill definitely be going back!

    (5)

  • Lynette B.

    We were recommended to go to this Tavern when visiting New York and were not disappointed. We have travelled all the way from Adelaide South Australia. The tavern has a warm and friendly atmosphere, the barmen Cia Rian and Cian were very welcoming and made us feel as tho we were in Ireland!! A great range of imported Irish beer . Come on New Yorkers and travellers George Washington visited so should you !!

    (5)

  • Tara H.

    This place was very good! We are from out of town and celebrated Thanksgiving here with our family of 5. They had a traditional turkey dinner that was very very good. Our reservation was at 8pm, and they had already run out of one of the appetizers so out choices were between scallops or soup. Both were very good. My only gripe was that there wasn't a traditional dessert for Thanksgiving. The choices were apple tart, cherry pie or peach crumble. Would have rather seen some pumpkin or pecan pie. Even with those little trimmings missing, we still had a great Thanksgiving and while I know most people don't want to work thanksgiving I'm thankful they did so my family could spend much needed time together.

    (5)

  • Mark A.

    Fraunces Tavern deserves its status as an excellent destination bar. Not only is it steeped in history (see: General/Prez Washington's museum upstairs), but it also has awesome live music on weekends. Oh, and there is a classy whisk(e)y tasting room, a formal dining area for events, as well as the amazing beer options and munchies. Compared to many other old bars in the city, it has a very chic ambiance, and while large, it feels intimate (probably because of the dark lighting and well-designed layout of tables). The staff is very professional and friendly. On multiple occasions, they have had no problems finding a plug to charge my phone, and they are definitely helpful with providing drink suggestions based on taste/preference. As a Guinness fan, I was recommended the Wrasslers 4x Stout here, and to this day, it stands as one of my favorite beers. Note: the timing of Fraunces' crowd is the opposite of most major bars in the city in that it is packed during the week (see: I-bankers' happy hour) and more lightly attended on the weekends (less foot traffic in FiDi). As a result, the staff really will take care of you on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon as they want your business. Conclusion: Make our forefathers proud. Put Fraunces on your bucket list.

    (5)

  • Alexandra K.

    This the place George Washington came to bid farewell to his officers after the Revolutionary War. It's just one of those pubs you have to visit in NYC because of the historical context. I sat in the restaurant room instead of the tavern as it is quite beautiful with wooden tables and chairs and lets in a nice light. The tavern on the other hand is very dark, rowdy and has a full bar. As for the food... -Cream of Carrot Soup (special): doesn't taste much like carrot or any taste really. It's definitely warm and has a nice consistency but lacks spicing. The raisin bread has a nice pumpernickel taste and goes well with the soup, the raisins adding a nice sweetness. -Fraunces Tavern Pot Pie: it's much soupier than I thought it would be--a broth with peas, carrots, chicken and onions. I tend to like my pot pies a bit creamier. But I have to say it is well spiced and has a good taste. The crust is like a croissant--very deliciously flakey. But overall I'm not impressed. It lacks that good hardy consistency and once the broth is gone, it's pretty dry tasting. FINAL VERDICT: I didn't try any of the beers (I know, who comes here and orders nothing to drink) but the food was mediocre and certainly not worth the price.

    (2)

  • Chris C.

    Great spot for Happy Hour drinks after work ( happens to be close to our office ) Try the pretzels for a snack while putting back a few brews

    (4)

  • Jenn M.

    Cozy winter bar. They make a mean Old Fashioned and have an awesome selection of whiskies & scotches. Independently brewed beers are great...good quality of microbrews! Highly recommend if you're in the Financial District! A plus for history buffs bc GW was there! Check out its history!

    (5)

  • Lucy G.

    Excellent ambiance and loved the music in the dining room, Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, etc. Very relaxing tunes, set at a very pleasant conversation friendly volume. My husbands Jambalaya and my Chicken Pot Pie were delicious. Service was just right. Highly recommend this restaurant.

    (4)

  • Tamara P.

    So where should I begin... Came here on on 4th of July for Dinner and drinks. We made reservations a few hrs prior to arrival, when we got there no one knew who we were. No reservations were actually made.... It took them about 30 mins to seat us... finally we sat down at a cozy table picked out what we were going to eat, and patiently started waiting for our food... So...10 mins pass....20.....30....40....ONE HOUR.... and nothing!!! Not even a piece of bread arrived, not a cracker, not a crumb!!!! So, we decided that we were not gonna wait and ask the waiter to bring out w e was ready and to just get the bill and go... so the waiter told us that actually NOTHING was ready... so drinks should be paid for and food he will remove from the bill... Nothing was offered to us, I mean after such a long wait they could have at least given us a round of drinks on the house... just common courtesy.... Ok, I get it!!! It was a holiday weekend, and downtown was swamped with people, but if you know you will be busy why not hire more waiters for that one particular day at least?!! There are no excuses for the way we were treated... Definitely not a place I ll be coming back to and I def do not recommend you do as well!!

    (2)

  • Augie R.

    This is a very easy place to recommend. First of all, it's been open since 1762. Nestled among the high rises of lower Wall Street is this tavern that's been operating since before the US was a country, and it feels rich in history. Second, the food is very good here. My dad is a huge clam chowder fan and has eaten it in hundreds of places, and he said this one of the top ten he's every enjoyed. We brought a vegetarian friend here, and he said the grilled vegetable wrap was among the best he's had. Lastly, the place has a great selection of beer and whiskey, so you could come here for a drink and soak up the historic atmosphere of the Fraunces. One of my favorite spots in lower Manhattan!

    (5)

  • Danny B.

    Ok, here we go. Son. I am the biggest pushover at restaurants. I will shut my mouth and accept the wrong order, not make a fuss over an incorrect item on the bill, or even send back a plate that tastes clearly off. Pushover. Fraunces has a great history (if you believe it, I don't). They have a great ambiance and decor. It's a nice little place to eat. I came here for my dear dear cousin's bachelor party dinner. We had the chef's table, which is just a table for about 10-12 people. I guess my review is just about the chef's table experience, I suppose. For what we paid (nearly $1000), and for being at the ostensibly VIP table, I am sorely disappointed in the service. There was basically one guy, who was quite nice and pleasant, and he was clearly doing full service across the entire restaurant. Because of this, it took 20 minutes to get drinks, 45 minutes to order apps, over an hour to order entrees, and then 1.5 hours to get entrees. Too long for the special table, and very uncool to pay extra for no extra anything. Again, I'm a big pushover. But for what we paid and for what we were supposedly getting, this was unacceptable. I don't expect much, but you can't have one guy work a big "chef's table" in a special private section and not have him even address the table once! Oh, and the table location... Yes, it was next to the kitchen. But it was also next to the bathrooms. Basically it was the intersection of waitresses and waiters coming and going from the kitchen and patrons on their way to the bathroom. The chef never came at all. Really stupid expense. The food was good and acceptable. No complaint there. But I'm not a foodie so whatever.

    (2)

  • Teresa B.

    Ive been here a bunch o times since i work down the block and its good for groups and has a great historical appeal. That being said, i would not recommend coming here unless you really want to visit the museum. And if you need that bit of history.... Stop by the Whiskey Room (equipped with a fireplace). The food is good (not fantastic but not horrible) however the food service is not and they are very overpriced. Ive tried lots of seasonal cocktails and mixed drinks - and im being nice when i say they didnt taste well at all. Almost every time i come, the server tells me they dont have the menu item any longer or they bring me the wrong order. After waiting almost 30-40 minutes for a tapas sized meal, i dont even feel like sending it back and waiting for the right food to come out. A few times when i ordered white wine, it was stale and sour - tasted like somebody forgot to put the cork back in the bottle. Its a shame because the bartenders are friendly and cool to talk to.. Lots o lucky charms in Fraunces (Everybody is from Dublin).

    (3)

  • Keith L.

    Fraunces is one of those historic New York restaurants that everyone knows about, but nobody goes to... except me. I love this place! The drinks are fantastic, the food is out of this world, and on Sunday you can crash in the pub for the afternoon and listen to live Irish music. Sunday Funday? Yes, please! And, if you're in the mood for it, check out the museum upstairs for a glimpse of the Long Room. It is the site of General George Washington's famous farewell to his officers at the end of the Revolution. But then run back downstairs for a Rye Manhattan and get yo' buzz on.

    (5)

  • Victoria G.

    I appreciate the history of Fraunces Tavern, but quite frankly the food just isn't very good at all. It just isn't.

    (2)

  • Henry Y.

    A-ok but nothing more. There's multiple rooms inside this historic establishment, including a pub, dining room, and private events room so at the end of the day it's a great place to host a casual get-together with friends. Other than that I didn't see, eat, or drink anything spectacular here.

    (3)

  • Irenka R.

    Where else can you have dinner where George Washington once stood?! That alone was a draw. But the charm of the old dining room and the good food made it a "must-go" in NYC. A tuna tartare appetizer to chicken pot pie dinner, amidst candles and Washington portraits...a great place!

    (5)

  • Dan M.

    If you work in FiDi, trips to Fraunces Tavern are because of the Nuremberg defense: only coming here because your boss and everyone else does. the actual food, drink, and decor of the place is sub-par.

    (2)

  • Charles M.

    This place has great potential but seems to be aware that there is a never ending tide of first time patrons, so why should they try harder to please anybody. The staff were pleasant but neglectful. The food was over price a bit (it is Manhattan, things just cost more here) but more important, they seem to have something against seasoning their food. My wife and I ate there last night. She had the chicken pot pie and I had the jambalaya. She said her pot pie was cooked proper but very bland. My food was also properly cooked but the lack of seasoning would get you run out of a southern city for even calling this dish jambalaya. Her wine was OK and my beer was definitely not what I ordered. I would have had it replaced but we never saw our server again until we asked for the bill. The bill, by the way, was $64 before tip for the little amount I mentioned we ordered. The menu is also Ala-cart, so we did not get anything but the mains. After our dismal food, we decided to try the bar. 40 minutes later, in a practically empty bar, we had each had a drink and were able to pay our bill. She got an old fashioned that was rather underwhelming and I ordered a bourbon neat. The "bartender" did not know what bourbon I asked for; I had to show her the bottle on the shelf. Then, she asked me to find it on the drink menu so she could figure out what to charge me. I was not impressed and will not be returning. There are many better places within a block to eat and drink.

    (2)

  • Fiona H.

    Mostly this place is getting 4 stars because I love the history behind it. The dining room was full for a private party I believe so we were seated in the bar area. It was freezing outside so I was just glad to be indoors, I didn't care where we sat. When we first arrived it was pretty mellow but as it got later the place became super crowded. We were there during happy hour and this place is right near the financial district so I'm sure this is a popular place to go to after the work day. Service was pretty slow because of this but it wasn't terrible. Food was tasty and the drink selection is amazing. I had a hot cider drink and then a cold cider. Both were seasonal and very good. We also ordered a few different things to eat like a cheese plate, truffle fries and onion rings. Pretty decent bar fare. I also ordered a bowl of their soup of the day which was lobster bisque. It was good but by the time I had gotten it, it wasn't as hot as I would have liked. Also I wanted bigger pieces of lobster in it! Guess I got a little spoiled after eating dinner in Boston... Flavor was nice though and it definitely didn't go to waste. Should have tried their famous pot pie, but hopefully I will get a chance in the future. One thing that I found a little strange was the music selection. The bar was playing mostly modern stuff that didn't really go with the rest of the feel of the place, plus it was a bit too loud. I would still return though. I love old buildings like this one with so much great American history. I hope George Washington's ghost still haunts this old bar, imbibing in a fine glass of some old booze and scoffing at all these young folk listening to their Imagine Dragons.

    (4)

  • Jason G.

    Great food, amazing historical character in the first two rooms (then in third room it becomes your run-of-the-mill sports bar with 90s music). It feels like a real old English gastropub, with the expected great food, and the expected horrendous service. Here's a summary of all the things our waitress bungled: - We ordered the daily special, the porter-cured salmon with dill potatoes. She instead brought us the non-special pastrami-cured salmon on waffles. Yes, I know, it's a first world problem... but this really grinds my gears. The waitress probably still does not know, to this very moment, that there are two separate cured salmon dishes being served at this establishment. - My friend ordered the gnocchi nicoise. The waitress asked "tuna or salmon?", failing to represent accurately the extra fish as an extra option with added cost, framing it instead as a mandatory choice. My friend responded "um, I guess.. salmon?" - When the waitress brought us our bill, the cured salmon blunder was confirmed, the extra $8 for the nicoise salmon caught us by surprise, and the missing charge for our $25 whiskey flight was a special delight (woohoo!) - She then later, surprisingly, came by and fessed up to forcing an extra $8 salmon on us, handing us a revised bill with that charge removed (woohoo!) - After we paid up, she came by to surprise us again, this time with yet another bill for the forgotten $25 whiskey flight. (d'oh!) I suppose we were even Steven at this point., except for the wrong curing of the salmon. And the disgrace of eating my cured salmon atop waffles instead of the dill potatoes I set my hopes for. Because salmon and dill go together, and who in their right mind would order salmon atop waffles? But I did not gripe, because I had had enough of this waitress by this point. So, here I am, informing you.

    (2)

  • Jack R.

    You can easily be intimidated by this place. But walking in that quickly fades away and you feel a great sense of comfort. Rustic tables and dark floors gave a warm glowing feeling. A group of 10 of us walked in a few days ago, frozen from the 2 degree temps in nyc. No reservation. We were seated in 2.5 mins. Service was great - attentive and were knowledgeable about the menu. They were out of a few things, but nothing we were going to order anyway. For apps we got steak a la plancha, ricotta meatballs, tuna, beet salad, broiled feta, pate, scallops. The favs were the steak, feta and tuna. We also ordered a wide variety of entrees. The favs were the burger. Oh my! The "signature steak burger" is a bit misleading. It's not a patty made with ground steak, it's a ground beef patty topped with a steak! Oh and an egg, cheese and bacon marmalade. Artery clogging decadent goodness and worth it!! The Seabass was delicious. And the ravioli was also superb. Too full for dessert but I'm sure it would have been good. Drinks were great. We didn't venture too far from the table, but from the vibe in the bar, it looked like an awesome place to hang out too. Will def be back!

    (4)

  • Christie A.

    NY aged strip - tough and sinewy. Chicken pot pie - good. Coffee - bad. Mashed potatoes - fake truffle oil. Requested mashed without truffle oil and got same dry fake truffled ones back. Diet Coke - flat. No refills for bevs offered.

    (2)

  • Matthew S.

    A great find... Don't let the museum fool you, the Dingle Whiskey Bar is awesome. Truly a gem worth deserving of your attention. it is a great place to kick back, have a drink and sit in front of a roaring fire to chase the chill away.

    (5)

  • Ellen G.

    The food was mediocre - my scallops were cold in the center - the service was worse. Unfortunately, I had remembered it to be an excellent restaurant but that was before it was sold. The museum tour was wonderful. I regret not leaving thereafter for dinner elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Lauren K.

    Consistently delicious food, especially the Chicken pot pie! The restaurant is large with plenty of space between tables.They have a nice museum upstairs which is worth walking through!

    (5)

  • Ifigeneia D.

    I loved this spot. We booked one of the room's for my friend's post wedding dinner and it was great! Amazing service, delicious food, and very cool atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Laurie V.

    Surprisingly, the food was way better than I thought! The ambiance is beautiful. Cozy, warm, and historic. The venue is somewhat cavernous with different rooms, each with a different "feel". I had the steak on a stone. It is a great dish- the stone is still hot and the meat is still cooking when it comes out. And a huge slab of meat it is! I cut it a bit, so it would cook better. A half hour later, there was still steam coming off the stone- it stayed hot and continued to cook the rare meat. There was gravy and this garlicy lemon sauce that came alongside the steak. The garlic one was delicious. I dipped my potatoes and my meat into it. Also- creamed spinach on the side. That was probably the best creamed spinach I've had- my friend and I both agreed. She had a burger, which she enjoyed along with the truffle fries. The truffle fries were the only disappointing part of our meal. They were weak on the truffle. Apparently the parmesan that is sprinkled on top contains (a little bit of) truffle. Beyond that, don't expect much from the fries. We each had the pumpkin martini. It was a little too sweet for my taste. Like liquid pumpkin pie! For dessert we shared the strawberry shortcake. That was perfect. Great spot. I could really almost picture George Washington sitting in a corner table eating his chicken pot pie. Now I want to return and visit the museum (which unfortunately closed at 5), located on the second floor. Historic, delicious, and not touristy, as I thought it might have been.

    (4)

  • Jayne M.

    Great looking old world tavern but go for the DRINKS ONLY (the bartender is terrific) the food is below average and overpriced, our server "tricked" us into ordering salads that we thought were included. When we complained two people apologized but no-one offered to take the extra $18 off the bill. If there is one thing I can't stand in a restaurant it is waiters trying to bump up the check using shady tactics. I think they cater to tourists who don't know any better, not really for seasoned New Yorkers like ourselves. Plenty of other places to eat in the area.

    (2)

  • Opinionated B.

    I didn't get food here, just drinks. And I came on a random wednesday night. But, I thought it was lovely. Really pretty place, a little bit of that old school wall street feel to it (if that's your thang). I'd say a nice place for a first date or second date, because you can have a nice easy conversation over a few gin drinks !

    (4)

  • Iris Corine B.

    The renovated part of this place is great. Busy happy hour although the crowd is mainly filled with wall street folks. Awesome beer selection. All in all, great addition to the happy hour scene downtown.

    (4)

  • Chris M.

    This place is open (contrary to its header at the time of writing). I love the old interior architecture and there are intimate, banquet and just normal sized bar spaces to choose from. Good scotch selection, service was professional and fries were really good. No complaints (other than the presence of TVs but you can retreat into the living room-like area if it drives you crazy)

    (4)

  • Adam A.

    Only go for the booze. The place is very nice and homey on the inside but the food is subpar and significantly overpriced. Also gave a friend of mine some stomach issues. They have a very interesting beer list with many things you have probably never heard of. So go for the beer, NOT the food.

    (2)

  • Hana Y.

    Came here on the firm's money for a celebration of a colleague's marriage. The architecture was nice--it's a very historical place, with George Washington's portrait greeting you when you walk in. Besides that, all in all, pretty mediocre. Service, food, prices, everything. The food's okay, just over-priced. But I guess they can get away with that being a landmark place and all. The service is okay, just not amazing, like you'd expect. A lot of tourists. My turkey club sandwich was okay, I mean, I've probably had better in a cheaper bar. I don't think I'd ever go if I'm paying for myself. Just went to the restaurant though, not the museum or the bar section (which I THINK they have). So those may be cool.

    (3)

  • Ed D.

    Love this spot...the ambience is great..very vintage..a nice place to hang out with co-workers or friends over a few beers/drinks...they have an awesome selection of beers and whiskies :) happy hour is from 4-7 pm..i think the beers are cheaper by couple dollars..

    (4)

  • Alf O.

    They charge $17 for a dinner comprised of frozen food service items re-heated or deep fried. Also, the service is terrible. The "colonial" ambiance is of course pretty neat, however be aware this is a 19th century building, NOT the original building (which fell down due to decay centuries ago).

    (2)

  • Scott Y.

    I never even made it to the museum. I had too much fun at the tavern. It wasn't crowded. The bartender was great. The selection of bourbons was respectable. What more can you ask for? Historical significance? OK, George Washington drank there. Seriously, how cool is that? My only problem with Fraunces is that I can never find the right subway after I've had a bunch of drinks, and it's a long cab ride to the Upper West Side.

    (4)

  • Ryan N.

    Great historical little place. Food and service were great.

    (4)

  • James H.

    Love this place. It's like 3 different places. You have the restruant on the right side, the bar on the left, and the back left of the bar more social/drinking area. Food is good on either side. Love the atmosphere. Quite the after hours hang out, since most of lower Manhattan closes up around the Wall Street area.

    (5)

  • John M.

    Great "old English" tavern atmosphere with tons of great choices on tap. Wandered in here on a lazy Sunday afternoon downtown and were thoroughly impressed. Halfway through our lunch they started some live music with an accordion and guitar - felt like we had been transported back a couple hundred years. We only had the cheese appetizer (fantastic) and drinks, but everything was great.

    (4)

  • Skip S.

    While the beer selection was dope, the food was less than stellar. Wedge salad tasted old. Ew.

    (3)

  • Trevor G.

    Massive tap list in a historic building. The live Irish band was really great, and the bar in the back had sports on. Great ambiance.

    (3)

  • Maurice H.

    Fraunces Tavern is still Fraunces Tavern...but it has new owners. The Porterhouse Brewing Company, out of Dublin is running the show. This company has other locations in different parts of the world, and has a good reputation. The Tavern is still vintage, historical and a place with a lot of history. I had probably the best Shepherd's Pie ever in the room George Washington addressed his officers and troops. My fellow diner had excellent fish and chips. Bangers and mash looked great at the next table until the plate was empty. Service was helpful and excellent in making appropriate suggestions. So for our lunch, it got 3 stars but close to 4. Maybe Yelp will do 1/2's someday.

    (3)

  • Hannah L.

    for the oldest building in NYC, the inside is totally well kept. my friend and i moseyed here after wandering in battery park, and this is the perfect place to go if you are in the area. the inside is so historic and pretty, it does not even feel like manhattan. the beer selection is amazing, and there are like 5 different bar spaces inside for you to hang out in. there's a leather lodge room, super cool bar area with booth seating, smaller cool bar room, and a divey bar room. honestly, this is the best bar in the area. not a lot of button-up/tie-finance types, but normal average people who like a good beer and interesting ambiance. the history of this place is amazing, and the exposed old wood floors and panes make the fraunces tavern my go-to bar if i happen to be in financial district!

    (5)

  • Yi Shun L.

    We went at 4pm on a Saturday afternoon for a friend's birthday. The food was truly lovely, and the prices more than fair for what it was. I'm not a huge fan of what the new owners did to the bar area to the left as you enter the pub--they've turned it into a hipster's version of Lukenbach, Texas, with pony banquettes--but they've kept the main dining room the original way. I wandered back to take a look at the huge mural that kept on catching my eye, and ran into Oliver, one of the owners. He informed me that they'd only just opened the back room six months ago (that's where the mural was), and that it had been a year since they started leasing the place from the Sons of the Revolution. He took it upon himself to introduce himself and tell me more about the place, so that earns huge, huge points. I was last here a good eight, nine years ago, so I was happy to hear that it was in good hands--and even more shocked to hear that's Oliver's only other restaurant is in Ireland. While it's a little mind-bending to hear that the location of George Washington's last speech of the Revolutionary War is now being run by a native of Ireland, Oliver is clearly enamored with the restaurant, and the care he and his partners have taken in it is obvious. The sister restaurant is a brewpub, and some of the draft and bottled beer is shipped over for this restaurant. We spotted some favorite micros on the menu--Dale's, Smuttynose, Ommegang, Allagash and the like--and, ad I'd mentioned before, the food was fantastic: My Shepherd's pie was properly done, with generous chunks of lamb in it. We'll be back. The beer prices could be a little more fair,but they're in keeping with the neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Andy R.

    There is nothing like sitting in Fraunces and having feeling the history and significance of the place whilst sipping a proper beer.. alternating glances at the big screens with glances out the box-pane windows out on to Pearl.. I am a regular due to this feeling alone.. Though the beer selection (*Old Speckled Hen on draft ! HB & others!) and the awesome super friendly and casual bartenders are a huge huge plus that keep me coming back without second thought. The food isn't my main draw, I stick to the bar for the most part.. though I can't say I've eaten toooo much there, I can say that the corned beef for St.Paddys day was surprisingly the best I had on my many station pub crawl haha Great place.. Pure NY in many respects.. = P.S. Mei Mei~ NYC/New Amsterdam has been around for 315 years! And Fraunces sits where the old town hall sat during the Dutch (first!) period!

    (4)

  • Heath R.

    We skipped the museum part upstairs because it was about to close in 20 minutes and the admission is $10, but beforehand, we ate lunch here, which was a welcome repast in the middle of our walking day. C. got the fish and chips, which was well prepared. The fish was more fresh and flaky than a lot of fish and chips, and the potato wedges were hot and tasty. I got the pot roast with mashed potatoes and vegetables, figuring pot roast may have been on the menu when Washington, etc., hung out here in the late 18th century. That's why you should go here. The building is a throwback to colonial and revolutionary times, and you can feel the history in the wood grain of the windowsills beside your table. Walk through the space to look at some of the historic Americania hanging on the walls -- a letter giving privateers the rights to attach British ships, a painting of the city in the late 1700s -- and go upstairs if you have the chance; I haven't yet. But stick to the dining room side. The pub side -- while they do have $5 pints (reasonable, I think, although I don't drink) -- is more modern in its decor, and I think is even in a newer part of the building connected with a short passageway. We went in our walking clothes -- but I didn't feel underdressed in my T-shirt and cords. Evening time, I might dress up a little more for dinner.

    (4)

  • Mike B.

    It was neat eating in the oldest building in the city, but the food was rather average. My wife actually didn't even finish her dish.

    (2)

  • Dora P.

    so i had the pot pie that apparently was george washington's favorite. it needed a dash or four of salt but overall the experience was good. it wasnt as packed at lunch time as i have heard it gets packed during happy hour. their prices are outrageous. i have heard they have a good brunch menu for the weekends.

    (4)

  • Randy H.

    Have dinner with the Patriots! No more historic eatery in the USA and the traditional American fare is more than adequate.

    (3)

  • Mike L.

    A must try, even for locals. Great beer at the Porterhouse, fantastic whisky selection at the Dingle, restaurant was good. Touristy, but with the booze selection, who cares?

    (4)

  • Matt V.

    Came here for a work happy hour. Beer is imported from Ireland, and beer guys like myself will really appreciate it. They have an extensive list and many bottles and drafts to choose from. I had two pints of the brain blasta and it was incredible. Food is good too!

    (5)

  • T L.

    We were doing the tourist thing and the rain began to fall so we had to find a spot to get out of the elements where we could get a little bite to eat and a cold drink. A very historical place, George Wahington bid farewell to the officers of the Continental Army here in 1783 after the British left New York ending the Revolutionary War. Making the venue all that much more special, we ordered several beers and appetizers while waiting for the storm to pass. The setting is very rustic, and appears to be from the age of Washington. The food was good, although here we are several weeks later and the only thing I remember was the oysters, they were fresh, had some different sauces, but we're fairly pricy. Service was average, kind of on the slow side even with not many people in the building until time passed and folks began trickling in after getting off work. Close to Battery Park, and the subway we used to get around, visiting the Fraunces was a good experience and one you'll enjoy if in the area.

    (4)

  • Ty J.

    Any establishment that can offer a frosty pint at a reasonable price is automatically placed on my 'good times' list. Rarely crowded and always great service. Wash your deliciously crisp sweet potato fries down with a Blue Point and a dash of historical significance. Highly recommend this place - go here and do it often.

    (5)

  • Jane A.

    Stopped here while on a "tour" of downtown. We saw the museum upstairs just before it closed. It was really interesting. Only $20 for a 'family group' After the museum we went downstairs for a few drinks. The bartenders were friendly and attentive. I ordered one of their gin specialty drinks that I just didn't care for. After that I stuck with things I know. My boyfriend ordered their Scotch flight and seemed to enjoy siping them. Dad just ordered his usual. We had seats at the bar, never felt pressured to order food. The Chef's Table area looks awesome. There's lots of room for seating. Looks like a fun place for happy hour!

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    Great Victorian holiday ambiance. Ornate and decorative. The staff are a little tightly wound; I brought in outside food and drink. It was immediately brought to my attention that neither were allowed. I politely requested that I be able to eat my food, especially since I was with a party of five who were going to indulge in alcoholic drinks. The manager stepped in and relayed the same information that the waiter did. I put my food away and ordered off the menu. I was the only one in my party to order food, which took 30 minutes to arrive - much longer than my party cared to sit and drink. I can't bring my own food but if I order off the menu, my party and I are held hostage by the wait of my order? My mistake was thinking it was a dive bar in which I could sneak a bite of my own meal while my comrades ordered drinks. Not that kind of place.

    (3)

  • Alex T.

    Excellent atmosphere and very accommodating staff. A group of 11 of us made reservations, and had been initial sat in a very nice semi private room off one of the main bars. It turned out to be a little loud for the group, and we were immediately moved to another room that was perfect! Good beer, great food, and a great venue with some great history!

    (5)

  • Katrina L.

    This place has different rooms of various styles and sizes, all of which are gorgeous, and that you can reserve. Come here for the drinks, not the food. Drinks - so many selections of beer, ciders, cocktails, and flights. Food - overpriced and below average. Pretzels - Comes with two medium-sized pretzels, that are tough and dry. Thumbs down. Fries - They aren't even fries! They're more like potato wedges or cuts of baked potato. No crisp. Super thick chunks. Deceiving and needs to be named something else. Wings - The hot wings are too salty and the honey wings are too sweet. No happy medium. Skip the food and come for drinks only and you'll enjoy it here.

    (3)

  • Colin A.

    This has been a go to favorite for myself and my colleagues for several years, we've been here so many times I've lost count. We prefer the lower lit more relaxing pub area than the brightly lit dining room. The food and service have been consistently good. I pined the lack of Shepard's pie when it was removed. Another thing that sealed the deal for my colleagues and I to visit so regularly is the diverse selection of food given their equally diverse tastes and religious backgrounds we found we all got what we wanted. A final bit of icing on the cake is that even though Fraunces would seem to be an obvious tourist Mecca given its long history and location , it doesn't feel obnoxiously touristy.

    (4)

  • Becky L.

    The first time I came here (a few years ago) for dinner, I had the lamb shepherds pie. It was amazing. Hearty and flavorful comfort food. I came for lunch a few weeks ago and had the Jefferson's Cobb salad with salmon. The salmon was overcooked and overall underwhelming. I prefer The Cobb salad from Lenny's Sandwich over the Cobb salad here. That's how disappointing it was. The waitress was friendly though.

    (3)

  • Jess S.

    Though I only stopped here with my friends for a beer, I really enjoyed the experience. I loved that the place was historic and you could actually feel it. The building is gorgeous and has an authentic feeling. I especially enjoyed the fireplace and cozy atmosphere in the lounge and pub areas. Lengthy beer list with a ton of bottled choices. Also an extensive whiskey list. Our waiter was friendly but only came by once at the end. Overall, a cool experience and I'd go back to try out the food. It smelled great, at least. I'd go back earlier to see the museum and learn a little more of the history. Worth a stop.

    (3)

  • Ned L.

    If you're visiting lower Manhattan, I definitely recommend this old classic gem. There are several different seating areas, including the back room with a historic mural, a little whiskey bar, a newer section that still looks very traditional & classy, and best of all a spartan colonial room with long tables that takes you back in time when people were so formal they wore powdered wigs and so informal that they rubbed elbows while noshing oysters and quaffing stout. The place is so authentically colonial that they've got a museum upstairs commemorating George Washington among other famous patrons. When we went, they had some delicious tapas specialties to go along with their traditional Irish pub grub. Can't remember what everything was called, since the porter was impeccable. I do remember I loved the scotch eggs and some people were fighting over the poutine. Steaks & chicken pot pie looked huge & smelled delicious. Everyone said their dish was the best, so way to please the picky crowd! For this neighborhood, the price is very reasonable, especially compared to Delmonico's, which too often is inaccurately called the oldest restaurant in NYC. Fraunces' Tavern appears to have been forgotten in many lists of authentic New York atmospheric restaurant experiences, but with solid fare, fine service, impressive bars, new management and real history, well, it's worth a hearty meal with plenty of ale!

    (4)

  • Ingrid A.

    If you are looking for a packed FIDI bar with tons of HISTORY and drunk engineers this is the spot to be. Actually lovely inside with warm wooden and Colonial period furnishings and live and active fireplaces. It is a large space with ample room for bar service and smaller quieter dinners if you are in the mood for good ol' American cusine. The noise level is always loud so great for happy hour but not so much if you are looking to have a private conversation because at the level you will be speaking, everyone will be up in your personal Kool-Aide. Also if you are looking to hop during the evening, there are alwys the bars at Stone Street which are .....wait for it..... a STONE'S THROUGH away...... I crack myself up.... The food is actually good: We shared: -Blackened Salmon-cucumber, tzatziki, arugula on pumpernickel...... thank you for making mine medium like i like it! Yummmyyyy -Traditional Fish and Chips- Porterhouse Brewing Co.® beer-battered cod & lemon tartar sauce..... this was yummy too.

    (4)

  • Teresa C.

    5/15/15 Lunch with coworkers. PROS: - Portions are very big - Chicken Pot Pie - Humongous!! I could barely finish it. It's piping hot and delicious. - historical location - large selection of beer/ciders/drinks THE OKAY: - Fish and Chips - Apple Cider is good.

    (3)

  • Casey P.

    The history of this building is really quite impressive... Check out the $7 museum upstairs or just look it up on Wikipedia for free! Also why not take a tour while you're enjoying your plain porter.

    (5)

  • Marika C.

    5 stars if you're coming for a drink bc it's so historic and charming, but if food is part of the deal, then I hate to so say it but it deserves 3 stars. The decor is perfect and keeps to the old world charm. Wood beams, cow hydes on chairs, beer bottles surrounding the seating area in glass cabinets, and a dark wood whiskey tasting room. Got the BLT and the burger was dry and just so so. Also the price was high for the quality of the food. Service was great even though they ran out of 2 beers a friend wanted. Again I feel bad about the three stars but if you don't care for the decor you will not be too impressed with the food. I personally will return for a drink with pleasure

    (3)

  • tamsen s.

    Very sad to say that our second visit to this restaurant for brunch was a rather dreadful experience. There were four of us and everything went smoothly until we placed our order, after which everything went downhill. The restaurant was not packed, but the food took ages to arrive. When it did all our eggs were overcooked and some of the other items were cold. One member in our party sent back his hard "over-easy" eggs to be redone, and when they arrived, again after a wait, they were still hard!!! Brunch cooks have one thing to do, cook eggs as ordered. Especially for $18. At this point our waitress was completely frazzled and no manager came over to apologize. My husband and I had enjoyed our first brunch so much we wanted to show it off to our friends. but it ended up more of an embarrassment.

    (1)

  • Katie V.

    I'm definitely returning here! I was planning to visit a nearby business, which was too crowded for my liking. I walked past this building, which is very inconspicuous, and it looked as if people were in there having a good time. Hoping I wasn't crashing anyone's party, I walked through the unmarked door. The interior is huge and contains a lot of vintage decor and furniture. I counted 3 bars total, and there are many rooms. I had read about this place, but I didn't put 2 and 2 together right away. The bartender, a hospitable young man from Ireland, took the time to educate me on the rich history of the place. I'm a history student, and would encourage any history fans to visit. The truffle fries were delicious! The tavern also has a spicy house made sauce, and it's irresistible. The bartender gave me 4th drink on the house. I was in here this past Monday.

    (5)

  • Tatyana B.

    Great, unique spot in lower Manhattan. We came in for the Saturday brunch, had a couple of Bloody Marys, the beet terraine, and salmon on pumpernickel. My sister had the omelette, and all were delicious and very reasonably priced-especially for Manhattan. What really sets this place apart is the history, it is where George Washington said good bye to his officers. There are multiple atmospheric rooms which make you want to come back and have another distinct experience. Save time to visit the museum, we had free entry after our meal. Would love to come back.

    (5)

  • Ben T.

    There is a lot of debate over the "Oldest Bar" in NYC, but it's my opinion that this one takes the cake. After all, George Washington toasted his troops from the steps of Fraunces Tavern way back when. Since then it has lost a lot of its historical flair and has become both a restaurant and a scotch bar with a wide selection. I went to the scotch bar, and my friend and I were able to snag 2 comfy leather chairs.

    (4)

  • Stephen S.

    We visited the 9/11 Memorial & Museum on a Sunday morning and took the guided tour, and then headed to historic Fraunces Tavern for lunch. When our group of 14 arrived, we stood around for about five minutes before the hostess, Renee, showed up. Although we had 12:30 reservations and the place was practically empty, they clearly weren't ready for us because she told us we'd have to wait to be seated. In fact, we wound up standing around for probably another 15 minutes before our table was ready. We eventually got seated in the Bissel Room, right under a mural that shows New York Harbor in 1717. I later learned that the crack in the mural is due to a bomb that exploded here in 1975 that killed four people and injured 50! I asked our waitress, Lisa, for a beer similar to Guinness, and she recommended that I try the Porterhouse Brewing Company's Plain Porter, which I thought was pretty good. Although we were there at lunchtime, most of us were handed a brunch menu while others at our table received either the lunch or dinner menu. People in our group selected a variety of dishes, including the fish & chips, chicken pot pie, chicken schnitzel BLT sandwich, one of the available omelettes, and the grilled New York strip steak & eggs. I opted for the traditional Irish breakfast, which included scrambled eggs, small bangers (sausages), rashers (Canadian bacon), black pudding (blood sausage), white pudding (similar but with no blood), mushrooms, grilled tomato, toast, beans. I couldn't find fault with any of this, except that it was a bit pricey at $18. It was a delicious, filling breakfast. Service was only okay, though. It took a while for our food to be brought out, and although some of us had toast, Lisa didn't bring any butter. We wound up asking her for butter multiple times before she brought any to our table. She also didn't refill any of our sodas until asked, and it turns out you're only allowed one refill at Fraunces Tavern. Before we were seated, Renee had offered to show some of us the room in which George Washington bade farewell to his officers at the end of the Revolutionary War. I decided to wait until we were done eating, but I later regretted not taking her up on her offer right away. By the time we finished lunch, the place was slammed by the lunch crowd and she didn't have time to show me the room.

    (3)

  • Matthew P.

    Bartender was extremely rude. Live music @3PM did not exist. The historical building is neat, however the service was awful.

    (1)

  • Lauren K.

    Well this was a former watering hole when I worked on Insurance Row. I gathered here with law talkers and underwriters to discuss claims. Now I go hang out and chat with bartenders over the large craft beer selection. Did you know they stopped serving Blue Point after those fools sold out to InBev? Good Call Fraunces Tavern! That's what I like to see from a bar that supports local crafts, once a microbrewery sells out to a mega corp: kick them off your tap and make room for someone else. This bar has been around since George Washington gave his farewell address to his soldiers. It has been renovated but it still holds the revolutionary war charm. I like the wooden planks in the back bar and the low ceilings. It shows how tall humans have gotten over the past 200 years - no joke - we are growing. Must be the water. The food is alright too. I haven't dined in the restaurant, only the bar area. But everything I have tried has been a-ok. I do not recommend coming here on Thirsty Thursday when all of Water Street is out. You cannot move inside this bar. It's much better on Tuesday or the weekend. Cheers!

    (4)

  • Michelle R.

    I wanted to really give this place 4 stars because of its charm, but the place needs to get their organizational skills in order. We had a 12:30 reservation for 14 people, and when we walked in, no hostess at the station. We waited for about 5 minutes (really thinking it was seat yourself!) when Renee walked up to the podium. We checked in, and she told a staff member to prepare our table. We were told it was a semi private room (which is wasn't) and it took 15 minutes to get our table. We were in the back room which was very charming, and there was a mural which was dated back 200 years ago. Unfortunately the room was too bright, and the glare on the picture made it impossible to take a decent photo. While looking through the menu, we found out that 1/2 of the table had the Brunch menu, while some had the dinner menu. Our server was Lisa, who for the most part did an OK job. We had to ask her multiple times for things (ie: BUTTER!) and even had to ask her for refills, which she didn't do automatically. I also found out that Fraunces Tavern has the strangest refill policy on soft drinks. You only get ONE refill. The cups are about 14 ounces, normal drinking glasses so a diet coke full of ice really isn't 14 ounces but more like 10. Stingy on refills for such a small glass! On my 2nd refill she said she would charge me, until my friend said she didn't get her refill (we both had diet cokes) and I could have hers. Lisa then replied "OK, I'll let you do this... this time" Considering we are tourists, its highly unlikely we'll be back for her to remember she's letting us get away with refills the next time. Some of the food items we had were: - Irish breakfast - pretty good. Very low carb - Chicken pot pie - Piping hot, flaky crust, but don't get if you do not like mushrooms - Steak and eggs- the eggs were perfect, but I asked for rare steak and mine came out medium. - Chicken schnitzel BLT - heard no complaints - Hamburger - HUGE, but the bun was very bready, which is why you'll fill up. - Omlette - came with toast, but no butter... so it took a while to get butter. The butter came iced cold and so by the time we got butter, the bread was cold, too. I'm glad I came here (its checked off my bucket list).. but overall service could be better. It was a 2 1/2 hour lunch. It seems its a better place for drinking.

    (3)

  • Julio S.

    We were wandering lower Manhattan waiting for Independence Day fireworks when we stumbled upon this gem. This establishment is about 4 venues in one. There is a museum which tells of George Washington's meeting with his soldiers in the revolutionary war timeframe. Then, there is the low key whiskey bar with lounge sofas and laid back feel. If that doesn't do it for you, then there is the classic Irish pub where they serve great craft beers including the Porterhouse brews. Great vibe in the pub with live music and friendly wait staff. However, I did mention four venues, so you can wander deeper into the place where you will find what feels like a little hideaway towards the "back." The food was really good with tons of options. The chicken pot pie and the fish and chips were very good. However, the menu had some variety with jambalaya also offered on the menu. Highly recommend this tavern in lower Manhattan.

    (4)

  • Vanessa C.

    5 stars for the decor and drinks .This pub is beautiful inside .always a great atmosphere.the live music is great.We have eaten here a good few times and have had a staff Christmas party here.The only downfall is the food it's ok .great menu but the food is very disappointing.But don't let that stop you from stopping by.The staff is really friendly and welcoming

    (4)

  • Nick F.

    This would have been 3 stars had the food been good after waiting 45 minutes for it. I received, after the long wait in the empty dining room, over cooked lukewarm salmon seriously over salted on one side and bland on the other. I asked the waiter if something was wrong in the kitchen as that would be the only excuse to get terribly cooked food after a long wait in a dining room with only 3 other tables seated only one of which seemed to get their food. He went to the Chef and the response was "sorry the food was not up to my expectations" and politely offered coffee on the house. I'm a little curious as to what my expectations should have been. We came here for a private party 2 years ago expecting the same great food this time as well. Dissapointing.

    (2)

  • Leila G.

    This is a good place to grab dinner with a couple of friends. Average food for average prices. Lots of seating so we've never had to wait.

    (4)

  • Kristy R.

    Have you ever wanted to pretend to be George Washington and drink a beer at Fraunces Tavern? No? Okay, perhaps that's just me. Perhaps it's because Fraunces Tavern is right across the street from my office and I really like a solid beer list. My coworkers and I recently came here for a birthday lunch. My first thought was, "this place is massive!". My second thought was, "every room has its own thing going on". It's true. There's the whiskey room, a lounge upstairs, multiple bars, etc. Every turn leads you into a different room. We were given our own area since we had a rather large group with us. Of course they started us off with the beer and wine lists. The beer list is great but a bit pricey. I stuck with an Abita because I wasn't in the mood to experiment with different beers during lunch hour. The food menu has something for everyone. Flatbreads, apps, sandwiches, salads, etc. A few of us decided to split some apps. Keep in mind we ordered our food and drinks at 12:30. The drinks came out in spurts. First a bottle of red, then one beer, then another beer, then bottles of water for the table, then forgotten glasses which took another 5 minutes to receive. We were chatting and drinking before we realized it was already 1:30 and our food was JUST getting to us. An hour for apps, sandwiches, and soup? Our waitress also seemed to not be on top of things and almost returned some items to the kitchen. Besides the so-so service, this place is great. You really do feel like you went back in time. The chairs at the standalone tables range in height so some of you will feel 6 feet tall, while others feel 4 feet tall. If you can get past the mediocre service, you'll enjoy your time here. Next time I want to see in the whiskey lounge for my lunch hour.

    (4)

  • Nermis R.

    I came here with a few coworkers last week and really enjoyed my time here. The place is pretty spacious with a room in the back that accommodates a decent number of people. I would recommend walking all the way to the back if you are looking for a more quiet area at Frauces. Crispin Honey Crisp Cider!

    (4)

  • Ruggy J.

    I've been to Fraunces several times in the past and I always seem to gravitate towards the whiskey flight. There's just something about sipping on the brown stuff in a room that George Washington used to rally his troops in that gets me going. But for the first time yesterday I tried their signature Porterhouse beers. Boy have I been missing out! I had their Plain Porter and their Oyster Stout. Both had similar mouth feels (they were almost identical to a Guinness) and both were absolutely delicious. Maybe I'm late to the game, but why don't more beer people give credit where it's due? These are fantastic pints of beer that you need to try ASAP if you're a fan of of hops and barley. They were out of the Brain Busta beer which apparently packs a punch, so I'll have to swing by sooner than later to give that a go. I'm quiet excited about this new discovery!

    (4)

  • Aileen K.

    I was hoping for a great night here but I was less than pleased with the food at Fraunces Tavern. We came here on Friday night, which happened to be Halloween, and when I told the hostess I made a reservation for 4 people through yelp she advised me the system doesn't recognize when Fraunces is fully booked and unfortunately all their tables were reserved. I was there at 8PM and she said a table reserved for 7:15 never showed so she would give us their table (don't most busy restaurants only hold tables for 15 minutes?). Just to note: the restaurant NEVER got packed. There were tons of tables available so it's a good thing they sat us when we arrived. I always get worried when ordering cocktails at a new restaurant because I never know if the bartender will make the drink to my liking. I requested to have a cosmopolitan, but only with a splash of cranberry juice (hardly a Cosmo, I'm aware). When I received my drink it was the sweetest "splash" of cranberry I've ever encountered and I couldn't drink more than 3 sips. Next was my meal, the Jambalaya dish that I was excitedly looking forward to. My plate wasn't even hot when it came to the table - I ate a forkful and it was cold. Additionally, there was NO flavor whatsoever. I ended up eating the fries off of my boyfriend's plate because the jambalaya was so unappetizing. My boyfriend also wasn't a fan of the burger he ordered, which I would imagine is a standard and easy dish to perfect. The servers were friendly but SLOW. The museum seems pretty cool, there's so much history in the building. But the food wasn't good, and I most likely won't travel all the way down town to Fraunces Tavern again.

    (2)

  • Victoria S.

    Beautiful place inside .. Old with lots of character. Met our friends from Florida there - so this place wasn't about the food but more for socializing .. But when we did order the food - oh boy! I ordered a burger - I don't even think it should be called that - all bread - the burger patty was so thin - I couldn't even find it in it! Go here for a beer - and not food! There are way better restaurants in NYC for food. My friends daughter ordered a kids meal and she got sick from it! Not a very good food experience here!

    (1)

  • Michael D.

    Very cool place for starters. You can feel the history seeping out of it and I really dig places like this so it totally had my vote for going here. We were seated on the pub side and thankfully they were still serving brunch (even at 3PM). My drink was out of this world. It was made with small batch gin and had cracked pepper on top. Yum! I got poached eggs served on top of spinach and waffles with a light cheese sauce. Sounds awesome but it was just OK and I needed to eat all of my friend's french fries to quench my hunger after cleaning my plate (the steak fries were exceptionally good). Service was slow but the conversation was good and they had people playing some really cool 1920s esque music live in the pub area so they get really high marks for ambiance. The food and the service were just a little off though which held back my rating. Still a must-see if you're into history and a good drink.

    (3)

  • Karen B.

    A historical delight! The atmosphere is historic and very cool. The service was outstanding and the food, oh the food, was magnificent!! I wanted to order everything on the menu! I highly recommend the calamari appetizer. You cannot go wrong by eating here. Make sure you head upstairs for a trip through the museum. As a fifth grade teacher, the historic significance of this establishment cannot be beat!

    (5)

  • Erin S.

    I threw a 70th Birthday party at Fraunces Tavern on 8/29/15 in the Dingle Whiskey Bar for 16 people. The service by Brianna, who handles the private rooms, was quick and thorough. We had the BEST bartender, Kevin. He was quick to pour drinks, offer to take pictures, knowledgeable about everything drink related and Fraunces and set the tempo for a positive night. I could not say enough great things about the Dingle Whiskey Bar. I was looking for a cozy, fun, intimate room to "rent" and this fit the bill to a T. Many great drinks were had and the food was great (ordered a few of all the party platters). Great time and many thanks to the staff and owner (who made an appearance with a drink in hand for my dad). Thanks!

    (5)

  • Amanda J.

    Very cute place. A little expensive, but the aesthetic is awesome, and is a great place for taking clients. Service is pretty great as well

    (4)

  • Proteus D.

    Dropped in for some drinks and some food. Very expensive. I paid nearly $30 for a plate of 4 lonely ravioli. Also tried the mushrooms and the asparagus. Plain and over priced. The waitresses were not really super attentive and the selection of draught beers disappointing. Trading on their location and historical novelty factor probably.

    (2)

  • Aaron T.

    For any history buff, this place is fantastic. The ambiance of this building is appropriate to the revolutionary era of the United States and serves as the oldest surviving building in Manhattan. As a dinner location, they have a "high end" pub menu with several quality selections. I chose a cheese board as an appetizer and the filet on a stone for my entree. There are no gluten free options clearly marked on the menu, but my server instructed the kitchen of my need and clearly communicated any concerns on the menu items during my visit. The cheese selections they included for the board were all exceptional and of high quality, complimented with grapes, toasted almonds, and figs (you'd also get some bread if you're not gluten sensitive). The filet on a stone was extremely tender and tasteful. It was served with a chimichurri and mustard. It took a long time for my meat to be served, which was surprising given it's brought to the table raw; I'm guessing they were delayed heating the stone. Nevertheless, my server still acknowledged me during my wait and ensured my experience remained pleasant. Be sure to suck up the history of this building while you're here. George Washington gave his farewell address to the Continental Army Generals here and this building served as the Treasury, Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of War for a fledgling United States. A wonderful dining experience in an a significant historic location!

    (4)

  • Keo N.

    This is a historic restaurant. From wikipedia; "The location played a prominent role in pre-Revolution, American Revolution and post-Revolution history, serving as a headquarters for George Washington, a venue for peace negotiations with the British, and housing federal offices in the Early Republic. It has been owned by Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York Inc. since 1904." We had a private buffet for our group. The food is quite good on top of all the history. We started with the cheese plate which was very nice and tasty. The salad was good and pork roast and salmon fillet was notable. The panna cotta dessert was great. The bread pudding was too dry and hard for my liking. Overall a very pleasant experience.

    (4)

  • Rachel M.

    Fraunces has a great, extensive beer and cider list with a couple unique cocktails thrown in for good measure. But when they're served lukewarm with an extra helping of snide, I'm less than impressed. They stuck us in some kind of intolerable purgatory between bar service and table service - they made us order at the bar, but then go back to the table to wait for drinks, never checked on us again, then ignored me for like 3 minutes when I finally bellied up to the bar again. The place was only about 35% full on a Sunday night - and that was only the bar, since everything else was closed. Super disappointing service for such an awesome site. Too bad for a place with great history.

    (2)

  • Alies V.

    I would want to give this place 3.5 stars. the food has been improved and could have 4 stars. However service could improve for sure. plus - - historical location - good portions - decent food - 80s music in the bar minus (during dinner) - they brought out the main while we were still eating the starter and didnt even seem to find this strange. I find this rude and impolite. Any server should keep an eye out when their table is ready for the main. Not the first time this happens in NYC - bad behavior and really something to improve on

    (3)

  • Grace B.

    I used to be a HUGE fan of this place. It is a historic landmark in the city and the inside is very impressive with multiple rooms for different settings (bar, dining room, private event space). I've been coming here for the past seven months now on a regular basis (about once every two weeks) and up until recently, had always had a wonderful experience. In particular, I loved their burger which was called the steak burger and had a burger patty, a generous piece of steak, topped with onion rings, a fried egg, and a generous serving of cut fries for $18. This place was one of my favorite places to go for a burger. However, it appears that just this past month, they redid some of the menu items meaning that they lowered the quality of the food and increased the prices. The price of the burger increased nearly 20%??!?!?!?!!??! and they got rid of the steak piece, reduced the size of the burger patty, and added some "bacon marmalade" which is just some bacon bites in a sweet sauce. They also got rid of the generous serving of fries and replaced it with 8 PIECES of a thicker-cut fry. 8 PIECES!??! Now fries are supposed to be crispy but the thicker cut makes the fries way too potato - it's like eating cooked, unflavored potato. Also, the wait time has increased significantly. Last time I came on a Friday night and while the restaurant was relatively empty, I attributed this to the weekend blues. The burger took over 30 minutes to arrive. Just yesterday, again on a Thursday night, it took 35 minutes!?!? Previously, my food had taken 20 minutes or less to arrive. I don't know what happened in the last month or so but VERY DISAPPOINTED and the server paid NO ATTENTION to us (me and my bf) :( This meant no asking if we wanted drink refills when we had finished our drinks 15 minutes ago even when we were sitting right in the middle of the room, in her line of vision. I've decided to write this place off permanently for burgers. However, my reasons for the 2 stars is that there steak on a stone is pretty good. Not sure how it changed since I last had it in November but I'm still holding onto my last bit of hope for this place...

    (2)

  • Ethan M.

    Fraunces Tavern had been on my radar for a couple of years, which deepened my disappointment after an already decidedly poor experience. The atmosphere is what you'd expect: antique and a bit gimmicky; but the food and service were the main causations of one of the worst restaurant experiences I've had in New York. The staff was clearly shorthanded, despite it being a Saturday night, which forced my waitress, who was redeemingly friendly, to be frustratingly inattentive. The biggest issue, however, was the steak. My girlfriend and I ordered the tomahawk steak for two ($90), which is an in-bone cut that includes filet mignon. The portion was so disappointingly small that, despite the "medium" steak being so rare that my girlfriend couldn't bring herself to eat any of it, I was still hungry after eating the entire cut myself. The size and quality paled in comparison to Peter Lugers', which serves at a similar price point ($99 for a steak for 2). Simply put, the meal was slow, overpriced, undersized, and undercooked. I will say that the whisky room looked cool as we passed it on the way out; this would be the only part I'd return for, though I'm not sure I'd even consider that.

    (2)

  • M C.

    WHAT A WONDERFUL PLACE TO BE HATED:-) I bought tickets for a helicopter ride and to drown our fears we searched for a bar, which is where we found this place, we should have kept walking. The place is huge, the decor is awesome, like a hunting lodge meet Matilda meets mystery novel. We walk in, there are tons of people just standing around and looking at each other, this was about 1:40pm on Sunday. No body who worked there was there, helping. So we finally were like lets explore, cause its huge, we walked to our left and there was a full bar with no bartender and people sitting around it reading, sitting. Then to our right was a lounge area with people sitting there. It looked like everyone was sitting there for a long long time. So I was like there has to be a bar somewhere? So I kept walking, no one there to help me find the bar, or even see a person WHO WORKED THERE. I found the back bar, all the tables were full, but the bar wasn't that full. Again dont see a person working except two bartenders running around. We found a spot to sit at the bar and looked at the liquor. They have a great selection of liquors, was great. I love whiskey and scotch so I was like YES! We discuss what we wanted while we stood there for about 5/8 minutes. Finally the young dirty blonde skinny guy with scruff SLAMS a menu infront of us and says "HERES THE MENU" I say " We just want drinks" He says "STILL LOOK AT THE MENU"..... I was taken back how angry and grouchy he was, then I said "Well we are ready to order, are you ready" Then he got all bitchy, we took forever to measure a double shot of jamesons and elijah craig neat, while that was happening, the meth addicted looking order woman, (short, long hair on her head, shaved sides) that was there said something bitchy to him and they both laugh, obviously insulting the customers infront of us. I ask for the amount when we served the drinks, he didn't know. It took him about 3 minutes to figure it out on the computer, where he didn't verbalize the amount to me, he just slammed the receipt in front of me again. I gave him 6 dollars for 2 drinks. (I tip well) We sat and talked, then we ordered again, I asked for the same money back (tipping him 6 dollars, asking for 4 dollars back) then he stiff me the amount I asked back. He took an extra dollar. I knew it, but I didn't say anything cause we had to leave for our helicopter ride. Also I'm not a tourist, I LIVE HERE! Thats when I knew we would never return again, THE WORST PLACE TO HAVE A QUICK DRINK --------------------------------------------------­----- WHAT A WONDERFUL PLACE TO BE HATED:-)

    (1)

  • Patthara C.

    Dropped by Fraunces Tavern the other day for a company lunch with my boss and I preselected the items prior to our visit. The history of this establishment as well as the decor and service was phenomenal. Walking into the building, I felt like I was stepping back in time. With the long wooden benches and tables, it really encourages us to have conversations. The staff were very friendly and were able to accommodate us with every request we had without any issues at all. For the appetizer, we had a choice of Green Field Salad and Ricotta Meatballs. I chose the Salad which was decent. I tried the Meatballs (with Mash Potato) as well which was a little salty, but was so good I preferred it. For our main course, we had a choice of Crispy Salmon Filet (with roasted veg) and 10oz Angus Skirt Steak. I chose the Salmon and oh my god, it was out of this world. The portion was huge and it tasted so good, I woke up the next day craving for it. After lunch, we went up stairs for the museum. The museum had so many rooms, it was surprisingly big and was worth the visit.

    (5)

  • Peter D.

    They run a club called The Dingle Whiskey Society. I could just stop there because you're already sold,* but I'll go on. In my limited experience, the Fraunces (and the Porterhouse Brewing Company -- not sure how they fit together) is an excellent choice for a gathering of friends, small or large. The selections of beer and whiskey are extensive, and they've also got a nice wine list for those of you who go for the grape. There's a variety of plates good for sharing or hoarding: we personally enjoyed the Spanish meat and cheese extravaganza (my word, not theirs), the hearty chicken pot pie, and the ricotta meatballs. I wasn't enamored of their oysters, but they can't all be winners. Our server was also friendly and gracious enough to laugh at our bad jokes/faux tantrums. And that's really all you can ask of someone you're paying to tolerate your presence and bring you alcohol. _______________ *If you're not, I don't think I want you reading my reviews. You're effectively banned from this page.

    (4)

  • Matthew S.

    I love history and I love George Washington. So, I took my Pops here for an educational and delicious dinner while he was in town visiting. The food was totes good and the dining room reminded me of all of the trips to historic Jamestown we used to take. Go here if you're into the 80's...the 1780's!! oHhhhhhh! (Is this thing on?) (And I'm pretty sure George Washington would kick my ass for using the word "totes" in this review.)

    (4)

  • James S.

    We enjoyed the look and feel of a 250 year old tavern. Worth one visit. Good service and satisfactory food. Except their signature/famous chicken pot pie (maybe the claim is that it was enjoyed by George Washington) has only a trace of chicken and is so soupy that is is served with a soup spoon. Not much substance to it. Mostly gravy/liquid. So expect cream of chicken soup and know that it is both expensive and a poor value. Noise level can be high.

    (3)

  • C L.

    It might be a bit touristy but the beer selection was pretty damn good. Only had a drink there so no review for the food but it did look good coming out. Will definitely be back if not to only to say I drank where George Washington did.

    (4)

  • Beebe G.

    great place to eat and drink if you are in the downtown area. was in town for business and this was recommended by many folks at the office. i went with a group dinner. fraunces has a fantastic selection of beer and spirits of all kinds. i had the fish and chips which had a nice batter and texture. i enjoyed sitting in the back room/speakeasy after dinner and having a couple more libations. will definitely come back when i return to nyc.

    (4)

  • Patrick M.

    If you work on Wall Street you have to go to Fraunces Tavern at least once. I have had dinner, lunch and met co-workers for drinks after work here. It is eating and drinking in a piece of history. A very cool building.

    (5)

  • John D.

    A very old building in lower Manhattan that is a must see. The food was tasty and the beer was good. They even had a favorite Riesling from WA state. We tasted a flight of Irish whiskers that was very good. I recommend the Fraunces Tavern if you are in the area.

    (4)

  • Lara R.

    This place had a fun historic atmosphere to break up the work day, for sure. I *almost* forgot I had to go back to work. Almost... it wasn't cheap, but the portion sizes were good. The bread brought out beforehand was perfect and fresh. I opted for the fish and chips - only appropriate, I thought, for a tavern. The fish reminded me of the fish from Sunburnt Cow, but not quiiiiite as good. Not bad though. For a place that is perhaps a bit more touristy and busy, the service was very prompt and our food was out to us very quickly. I'd definitely head back over if I had a co-worker in from out of town or a friend in town who ventured down towards the Financial District during the day to meet-up. Based on comments by others, I'd be curious to check the place out for drinks post-work at some point.

    (3)

  • John H.

    The building is historic, but the food is modern and very flavor fully. Had a wonderful soup d'jour of Cream of zucchini. Fresh oysters were delicious. Just didn't have the time to visit the museum upstairs.

    (5)

  • Adam G.

    Great beer options. The history and backstory are what make this place fun. It looks like they tried a little too hard to create an authentically old aesthetic.

    (3)

  • Christina T.

    if you like history check this place out! while you're there get the buffalo burger in the dining room where George Washington ate pretty cool!

    (4)

  • La L.

    I feel like a need a wooden leg, a silver beer stein and some background music featuring a fife when I eat here. Food is decent and it's a good place to take out-of-town guests since they will certainly enjoy the history.

    (3)

  • K K.

    I'll give this place 3 stars simply because I am a lover of history, and it scores off the charts on the "coolness factor" in that regard. Just think, people have been getting drunk at this location for a quarter of a millenium, even if much of the building is reconstruction. As a bar, however, it's pretty bland. I have not had dinner there, however, but I've been told by others that live in the area the food is pretty good. I think it's a great place to go and experience, sit down and have a relaxing drink and learn a bit of the Revolutionary history. George Washington used to be a frequent visitor of Fraunces Tavern, AND gave his famous farewell address to his troops here. From the account of Col. Benjamin Tallmadge, Washington's deputy for intelligence: The time now drew near when the Commander-in-Chief (Washington) intended to leave this part of the country for his beloved retreat at Mount Vernon. On Tuesday, the 4th of December, it was made known to the officers then in New York, that Gen. Washington intended to commence his journey on that day. At 12 o'clock the officers repaired to Francis' Tavern, in Pearl Street, where Gen. Washington had appointed to meet them, and to take his final leave of them. We had been assembled but a few moments, when His Excellency entered the room. His emotion, too strong to be concealed, seemed to be reciprocated by every officer present. After partaking of a slight refreshment, in almost breathless silence, the General filled his glass with wine, and turning to the officers, he said, "With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable." After the officers had taken a glass of wine, Gen. Washington said: "I cannot come to each of you, but shall feel obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand." Gen. [Henry] Knox being nearest to him, turned to the Commander in Chief, who, suffused with tears, was incapable of utterance, but grasped his hand; when they embraced each other in silence. In the same affectionate manner, every officer in the room marched up to, kissed, and parted with his General-in-Chief. Such a scene of sorrow and weeping I had never before witnessed, and hope I may never be called upon to witness again. It was indeed too affecting to be of long continuance--for tears of deep sensibility filled every eye--and the heart seemed so full, that it was ready to burst from its wonted abode. Not a word was uttered to break the solemn silence that prevailed, or to interrupt the tenderness of the interesting scene. The simple thought that we were then about to part from the man who had conducted us through a long and bloody war, and under whose conduct the glory and independence of our country had been achieved, and that we should see his face no more in this world, seemed to me utterly insupportable. But the time of separation had come, and waving his hand to his grieving children around him, he left the room, and passing through a corps of light infantry who were paraded to receive him, he walked silently on to Whitehall, where a barge was waiting. We all followed in mournful silence to the wharf, where a prodigious crowd had assembled to witness the departure of the man who, under God, had been the great agent of establishing the glory and independence of these United States. As soon as he was seated, the barge put off into the river, and when he was out in the stream, our great and beloved General waived his hat, and bid us a silent adieu. We paid him the same compliment, and then returned to the same hotel whence Gen. Washington had so recently departed. RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!!!

    (3)

  • Andy S.

    The beer was authentically Irish. It wasn't blasting cold but was not warm. Was the perfect temperature. Had the bangers and mash. The sausages were nicely seasoned. The mashed potatoes were really well done. Fluffy, potatoey, not too buttery, not mushy. Neat atmosphere. Wished my dinner date and I had checked out the bar area though as a decent sounding folk band was playing. Next time. Service was good. No complaints.

    (4)

  • Shirachachacha J.

    My coworkers and I have been holding happy hours at this place for the past 2 years and have seen it rapidly go downhill until it hit rock bottom last week. The bartenders and waitresses used to be awesome, greeting us by name, never messing up orders etc but most have been replaced by inexperienced people who constantly screw up orders and "accidently" slip drinks on our tab. This has happened on several occasions. The breaking point however, was the other night when the snobby manager with the Napolean complex kicked us out of one section of the lounge because a more important party was coming. Mind you, this party was three hours late for their reservation and the manager had no qualms about our party using the space (and dishing out money) while they were on their way but as soon as they came, we were basically expected to guzzle our drinks and shoo out of "the reserved area" to make way for Goldman Sachs. YES, the manager actually named dropped as if we were supposed to be impressed! He is basically a greedy little man who should've closed off the whole area in the first place if he were to really honor a groups reservation- not squeeze as much money as possible out of people in a given amount of time. He lost a large group of regulars with his bad attitude. I wouldn't be surprised if he's the reason the awesome bartenders and waitresses are no longer there. In conclusion, spend your money elsewhere. Don't contribute to this poor man's ill-fitting suits tailored from the boys section of Bloomingdales. It makes me sick to think of how much money my friends and I have spent at this establishment before coming face to face with this troll. Had we known what evil lurked here, we'd have changed venue long ago. UPDATE 4/28/10: FRAUNCE'S CLOSED??? Another victory?? cityroom.blogs.nytimes.c… "The owners of the complex, Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York Inc., said in a statement that the restaurant may be closed briefly, perhaps a week, to make room for new management. The museum will not be affected." WOO HOO!!! NEW MANAGEMENT! THE TROLL IS SLAYED!!!

    (1)

  • Bailes B.

    Fun decor and story behind the building, but I've generally found the food underwhelming (given the price) and the service at the bar frustrating.

    (3)

  • Tammy L.

    I was taken here by one of my new bosses at my new job across the street in the Fidi. It has great decor and I love the history of the place. They make you feel like you're eating during the time of the revolution, though the food is a bit more sophisticated. When we arrived, the waiter told us that they had just changed the menu three days before, so there would not be any specials. I had the chicken and bacon salad sandwich. It was very creamy and tasty, but there was very little bacon taste. If I didn't order it as a chicken and bacon salad, I wouldn't have thought there was any bacon in it. It was really messy and hard to eat as a business lunch since the bread was open on all sides and the salad kept falling out. A roll would be easier to eat. The bread they served when we sat down was amazing. It was rye with raisins and it was still warm. Delicious! It's a bit pricey, so I'll defintiely go back for a business lunch, but it's too expensive to go on my own.

    (4)

  • justin v.

    $22 Prix fixe lunch. Good choices. I grew up (Swiss-Italian) on polenta and I loved theirs. Had the gnocchi which were a bit too chewy for my liking. And of course just as American/Colonial the building is the desert was Apple Pie....however, I've had better from Entemans. For a prix fixe in the FiDi the service was pretty slow.

    (3)

  • Christina M.

    It really does feel Colonial in there! I didn't go to the museum (booo...) but I did sample the Caesar salad, crab cakes and sea scallops... quality. i was nervous because I heard the food wasn't that good..but that seems to be a lie. I went there sort of unexpectedly, so I didn't do my usual pre-game research, psyching up for the "Big Event" activities, so perhaps I wasn't as well-informed as usual, but in any event, I hung out in one of the oldest (or THE oldest, depending how you look at it) bar in NYC, and that's pretty hot.

    (4)

  • Garrett N.

    Stopped into the bar for a drink and some lunch. Food was excellent, a little on the pricey side. Turkey sand was amazing. Great beer selection, one of the cooler bars in this area for sure. Engaging staff. Was a cool environment.

    (4)

  • A S.

    My family and I went to Fraunces Tavern for Thanksgiving Dinner this afternoon and it was a truly awful experience. I don't know if it was their regular staff, but it was filled with a bunch of kids who stood around and did nothing while you are trying to get their attention. It took forever to place our order, and then only half of our starters came and it took 10 minutes (really, 10) for the other starters to arrive before we could start eating. They didn't even apologize and we actually had to send a family member over to the hostess to ask about our starters as our waitress was MIA. Then, a few minutes later our main courses arrived. We hadn't even finished our starters, and despite us telling them we were still eating the first course they just stood their with the main courses looking at us blankly, and made no move to accomodate us or allow us to finish eating. Finally they just took away our starter plates, half finished (but not by choice) and gave us a very bland turkey meal. The best part was that it was real turkey meat, which we appreciated, but the gravy was bland, the potatoes were not homemade, and the asparagus was limp and overcooked. The dessert portions were extremely small for the price, like airline meal sized - traveling in coach - a tiny square of pie about the size of a postage stamp. Oh, and the staff knocked over glasses, spilled water pitchers on the floor, etc, and then they would just laugh about it. It was an extremely disappointing Thanksgiving dinner.

    (1)

  • salty o.

    After reading all the positive reviews of Fraunces Tavern we decided to try it for Sunday Brunch. The menu read well for brunch all the items you would expect. We ordered and started with clam chowder, not the best I've ever had but definitely the best thing they serve. After our entree's came we realized it was the best thing that we ordered. The fish had seen better days and the hamburger we ordered rare was rare but so dry. The other unfortunate part of brunch was the waiter we got was in his own world. The service was terrible but the other waiter on the floor seemed to be very good. Wish we had been in his section. Other than wasting calories on a terrible lunch it was expensive as well. Would rather have had a hot dog on the street and a beer there. That's my recommendation.

    (1)

  • Sandeep M.

    Nice place to hang out and relax with people from work... They have a pool table in the back, but it's not regulation size. Food is pretty good, but portions could be larger.

    (4)

  • Edward I.

    This place will never be torn down due to progress. Located on the one block in downtown that has no buildings taller than 5 stories, there's a lot of history here. Check out my review for the museum if you're bored and have nothing else to read. The food is great! The problem is that it's not enough! The price is in the upper teens and in the 20s. A great place to take clients, or just hang out after visiting the museum, go after 2PM when the crowd dies down. Just a block from work.

    (5)

  • Seema U.

    Been here a few times with a common theme- always on Fridays, always with a large group, always around the same time (like 7pm ish). They do a good job of dealing with crowds and managing tabs. Pretty good beer selection along with your standard cocktails/liquor options. It's not the cheapest place- I usually get beer and pay about $8-10 a drink. It's pretty busy on Fridays but we have been able to find table(s)/space in the back and there is a separate bar there which is nice. I've never tried the food but it looks tasty although expensive (~$20 burgers and what not). Basically, this isn't the worst place but not my favorite either. I would say it's good for groups and has pretty good service.

    (3)

  • Laura M.

    Came here for a friend's birthday the other night and my feelings about the experience hover just above meh. Firstly, service was VERY slow. To be fair, our party arrived at different times and we ended up being two people short of the reserved amount so I can maybe see why it took the waitress a legitimate 45 minutes to end up taking our food order, but I felt that there definitely could have been more communication involved. The food was fine. Nothing to write home about, except I might include a post script of "By the way, bring lots of money". I did feel like everything was a bit over priced. My salad of watercress, tomatoes, shallots and orange segments set me back $12. I did not partake in the drinking that night, but I did notice that the drinks were also on the pricey side. $21 for a cider? That better be the best goddamn cider I've ever had in my life. My friends all seemed to enjoy their food and I nibbled here and there. One standout item that was the Spanish Charcuterie & Cheese plate. There was an amazing sausage with blue cheese that was to die for. Not sure which one it was, but my guess would be the Chorizon. It was nicely presented as well, though again, I thought it was overpriced. I will say that the fries were delicious. We ordered truffle fries for the table and then I ended up eating half my friend's fries as well (so much for ordering a salad), but french fries are kind of my thing, so maybe that's just me. In the end, I probably wouldn't eat here again unless someone else was paying for it.

    (3)

  • Wei V.

    This place is literally right across from my work building. Therefore, this is our go-to after work spot. ::Ambiance:: This place is huge with a lots of rooms. I have only been to the main bar area and the back bar area. There's a new chef's table room, which looked pretty interesting. It would get very very LOUD. Definitely not a place to have a date. ::Food and Drinks:: The happy hour food selection was pretty good. I liked the mac n' cheese and the wings. They do have a large selections of local beers. I discovered two of my favorite beers here: Bluepoint blueberry and Crabbie's alcoholic ginger beer. ::Service:: The staff were very nice and friendly.

    (4)

  • Angelus K.

    Okay, everyone knows that George Washington gave his farewell speech to his officers here and that it is the oldest building in NYC. There is a pretty goos museum upstairs with knowledgeable guides. Downstairs, the space covers several rooms and is pretty rustic (in a good way). There is a good beer selection and this is a good place to grab one if you are around Wall Street (esp. late at night when there aren't too many other places nearby). There is a fairly broad menu--though I didn't try the food.

    (4)

  • Alyson M.

    Overall pretty disappointing I took my dad here as part of a Christmas present (we got him a whole trip to NYC to visit us). The food was tasty but nothing outstanding, the building was extremely cool and very nicely restored, without losing the historic feeling. The service, however, was pretty bad. We had a fairly early reservation and were greeted and seated without incident (although, also without any great enthusiasm or warmth). Our waiter came over and at first was quite friendly but quickly realized that we were not going to be padding the bill with wine and other extras --I can't help this, my dad does not drink, we all prefer water to any other beverage (free or not), and no one was really feeling any of the appetizer options. When the waiter realized we were not 'big spenders' his attitude totally changed and treated our table as a chore, an unpleasant obligation. Honestly, this completely ruined my experience with the restaurant and I left feeling disappointed and a little put-out. I wouldn't recommend this unpleasant and uncomfortable experience to anyone else. As a note, the museum closes at 5pm, so the "Free admission with meal" does not apply to dinner.

    (2)

  • Naomi H.

    Dinner was fantastic and dining in such a significant historic location is inspiring to me. I decided to have app-inner tonight and enjoyed the soup du jour (lobster bisque - thinner than many bisques I've had but more actual lobster), the salmon salad (capers, diced red onions, boiled egg, & salmon over mixed greens salad), and the mushroom Brie toast (definitely must have!!). I decided to have a signature cocktail and ordered the Chamomile Whisky Sour but they are currently out of the House-infused Chamomile Irish Whisky. My server knowledgeably suggested another option - The Dubliner (Jameson Black Barrel, Grand Marnier, Sweet Vermouth & Orange Bitters) which was delicious. In fact, everything was delicious. The only reason it's not a 5 star is that I had an odd shift back & forth between a couple different servers and it wasn't quite the signature experience that could be delivered with all the plusses this restaurant has on its side. All in all, I definitely recommend a visit.

    (4)

  • Eric B.

    A fantastic restaurant to go along with a classic piece of American history.

    (5)

  • Steve M.

    The "Plain Porter" is the best beer I have ever tasted! Their wings are also awesome! The building and decor is really cool.

    (5)

  • M P.

    I absolutely love the vibe and decor, like nothing I have ever seen in NYC and I'm a NYer. Old Pub feel, great waitresses Molly was helpful and friendly and loved her Irish (?) accent! I just wish the food was more interesting with more healthy choices and more affordable. They need a menu overhaul with more interesting items or even more typical items. There are only two salads on the menu and overall the menu is not vegetarian friendly, definitely a heavy meat menu which is a big disappointment otherwise I would give this place more stars. I ended up ordering the Tuesday night special avocado salad for $14 which looks like guacamole without the spice and a few strands of arugula and small pieces of feta, overall a very small portion. $7 for a coors light? Really? Definitely walk around and check out all the rooms as they are all different! Overall: Come here for the ambiance and not the food.

    (3)

  • Dean C.

    Interesting place to dine. It is rich in history and has a very old feel to it. Overall the food is good. I got the Fish and Chips. The fish was great but the chips part was just average. The service was fast and my waitress checked on me often. The Banana desert was not worth the $9 I paid for it. I'm glad I went and will return.

    (4)

  • Danielle B.

    This place has history, great Irish beers, cool specials and food. What it doesn't have, is service. I had the Oyster Stout that comes with 3 oysters and it's only $12! Great deal and tasty! I just wish the people were nicer.

    (3)

  • Polina S.

    One of my favorite downtown bars. Great beer selection and so many side bars within it, that you are bound to get a seat be it one on one quiet catch up, a large group for drinks or a nice lunch/dinner. The live music on weekends makes this a great environment. Only removing a star since the bartenders aren't consistent in their service.

    (4)

  • Lauren B.

    Great building and great atmosphere. This really does feel like a Tavern or Lodge or blast from the past. I went on a Thursday and it was a bit crowded but the services was great. There is a lot of history here to soak up as well as a lot of tasty drinks!

    (5)

  • Carol D.

    Booked reservations for Thanksgiving evening and was so excited since I love history. When we arrived there was a little wait but not bad considering it was a holiday. They eventually seated us upstairs which has no charm, not quite the ambiance I was hoping for, felt like we were just being pushed out of the way. We ordered wine while waiting for our dinner, which took a little bit of time but not unexpected. My husband food came out cold and the server apologized. My daughter's steak was way over done - she couldn't even eat it, I shared my meal with her. The server then informed us the wine was on the house. She knew we still were unhappy so she had another server come over to apologize and give us a gift card (didn't tell us the amount on the card - not that it would matter at that point). We never saw the manager or owner! We paid the check and still tipped the server because we've all worked in the business and know it's hard working on holidays. We then went down to the bar and had drinks since we were celebrating our daughter's engagement and didn't want the night ruined. We used the gift card ($25.00) in the bar. Once home from our trip my husband contacted the owner of the restaurant to inform him of our experience. He said we obviously had a good time since we stayed at the bar for drinks - really!. He couldn't care less about our experience in his restaurant. Cool place to check out for the history and maybe a drink but definitely not the food.

    (2)

  • Andre P.

    I liked it better with the previous owners when it was more old fashioned and truer to its 18th century roots. But it was packed on Thursday in December with young professionals. Food is okay.

    (3)

  • Leana D.

    We took another friend visiting from out of state (DC in this case) to have dinner at FT on Friday night. I was horrified to learn that they took their salads off of the menu. Very strange. They still have salads on their menu online, but the server told us they removed them and were no longer serving them. I had oysters instead, and they were good (fresh from Long Island), and my friend enjoyed her hamburger. My fiancée's jambalaya was mediocre at best, and had dry chicken in it, though the shrimp was good. The truffle fries were so huge, they were like eating a chunk of whole potato. Very strange. Also, the hostess acted like it was a huge ordeal that we didn't have a reservation, even though there were empty tables in the room. I still love this place and will continue to go there, but I hope they bring the salads back soon!

    (3)

  • Cynthia P.

    Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon. Great beer selection and good food. They had live music as well.

    (5)

  • Laura D.

    I came to Fraunces Tavern for a wedding dinner so we had limited items to choose from, and I don't know if they're also on the regular menu. But I'm gonna make a review anyway :P Appetizer: Crab Cake - I know it was an appetizer, but it was tiny! Literally like two bites. And the greens that came with it wasn't that great. Entree: Pan Seared Salmon - a bit burnt on top. Maybe it was upsidedown when put on the plate because the other side was fine. It came with more greens. Dessert: Apple Crumble - apparently it's a British thing. A bit sweet for my taste. Another entree option that we had was New York Steak with mashed potatoes. Wish I got that because it looked really good!

    (3)

  • Collin C.

    We used to love this place until this past week. My company comes here multiple times a week for group lunches because it's close to our office and we usually have a great experience but after last week we will not be returning. We made a reservation through open-table as we always do, and we even got a call the day before to confirm the reservation. When we showed up to the tavern they had no record of our reservation and made us stand there as they seated multiple parties coming in after us. They finally seated us (after I had to complain to the manager with all of my employees standing there feeling embarrassed). They sat us in the back of the restaurant at a table that looked like it was sized for children, with tiny little mini bar stools with no backs. Since we were hungry and running late at this point we dealt with it. It took 15 minutes to have a drink order placed and then took an hour and 10 minutes for our food to come out. Now what blows my mind about this is that we all ordered the steak special which is uncooked and comes out raw on a hot stone. So how did it take over an hour to prepare uncooked steak? The others at the table had cold sandwiches so nothing even required cooking except our french fries! Sorry to say it's probably the last time we will go there for our weekly group lunches. Time to find a new favorite spot.

    (1)

  • Pro K.

    It was really different experience here. Feels like tavern. Feels like old new york. I like it. Service was slow but probably because of a lot of patrons.

    (4)

  • Jill H.

    I would give this place negative stars if I could. I've been here twice and literally have no idea how this place is rated four stars. It must be really relying on the historical factor rather than any sort of quality going on because this place is terrible. The #1 problem with this restaurant is the service is horrendous. Like, actually it hardly even deserves to be called service because it was clear that not only was I dissatisfied with it, but the four tables that were near me also were utterly disappointed. It took the waitress over 40 minutes to bring my coffee both times I went here. The second time we had to remind her after minute 35 and it still took about 15 more minutes. The first time I went to this garbage restaurant they brought someone at my table pancakes with literally less than 1/20th of a ramekin of syrup. He politely asked for more syrup to be told they were out. There are at least three supermarkets within walking distance of this restaurant. How does no one have the brains to go pick up some syrup before brunch service The second time I went. I ordered the Irish Breakfast and was told they were out of beans. I said fine, but when it arrived it also was lacking the roasted tomato. So essentially they were out of two of the five items on the plate and still serving it. Again, go to the fucking store to buy some supplies before you begin service. At the table to my left, a gentleman got up and went to the bar to refresh his drink on THREE separate occasions. I assumed the table to my right must have already eaten and were just hanging out because they had been there for so long, but as their young children became restless I realized they still hadn't gotten their food. Then when it was finally brought out, the bus boy dropped both of the children's dishes on the ground. Accidents happen and I'm not offended that he made a mistake. I am offended that about 15 minutes later she came by and asked them how their food was. She acted as if she didn't realize their food had fallen to the floor. Meanwhile she was about a foot away from it when it happened and it was super loud and caused a big scene in the restaurant. She didn't even apologize to them for making them wait. She eventually brought them their food which I overheard the young kid say looked disgusting. The food is fine, but not worth the wait at all. It took literally an hour for me to get two eggs over easy, three sausage links, four pieces of black/white pudding and a floppy piece of bacon, which is unacceptable. It is also overpriced. I could give a shit if George Washington ate at this place because it literally sucks. Not only would I never return to this restaurant, but I would also actively discourage anyone from ever going to try for themselves. This place SUCKS.

    (1)

  • Maeve M.

    Fraunces Tavern pulls of a pretty challenging feat: it manages to be both a historical institution and a modern watering-hole for the after-work Wall Street crowd. It anchors a row of interesting bars and restaurants on Stone Street, and the vibe is, as others have mentioned, really unique and old-school, like an antique store. it's definitely a beer place, but they have a wine list that isn't bad, and some nice happy hour deals. But honestly, it's worth a trip regardless of the cheap drinks for the history and the atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Danan R.

    THE perfect place for those history buffs out there and those of us who simply love history. The tavern is the actual location where George Washington bid farewell to his troops after the Revolutionary War so there is an actual museum upstairs (admission is free if you dine at the tavern). We had an early dinner at the tavern and the colonial ambiance and service were great. I loved the lanterns on the window sills! My smoked salmon salad with a side of creme fraiche, olive oil, and black baguette was great! It was also huge and was piled with rolls of thinly sliced salmon. My friend really liked his Shepherd's Pie and Manhattan Clam chowder, as well. Definitely recommend if you want a meal with a historical setting or are in just the mood for a quiet dinner with friendly staff and solid food.

    (4)

  • Amanda C.

    Such a cool place!! It's brimming with history. The food was pretty good and service was great. I love history and in this place I felt like I was transported back in time. It's a great place to have good food if you're looking for a different kind of atmosphere. It's not your typical New York restaurant which I really appreciate occasionally. They have multiple rooms, it's a huge place and all the rooms are decorated differently. In the bar area they had live music, so cool! I'd definitely go back for the food and drinks again.

    (5)

  • Joelle K.

    Great surprise!!! We walked in and I was a little nervous...kind of dark and not many people, but we stuck it out and glad we did!! The striped bass was delicious and the fish and chips was a great choice as well. Service was excellent and food was even better!!!

    (5)

  • Beth W.

    Had lunch here today. In a word it was awful. The service was fine, fairly disinterested waitress, ordered the cobb salad. Chicken was dry and over cooked, the tomatoes were old and the lettuce was wilted. Paid $18 for a very bad salad probably won't go back

    (1)

  • Chris K.

    Love to spend a Sunday here! Great place to have drinks with friends and hear some music. Bartenders are great. Atmosphere great.

    (4)

  • Emma M.

    Are people serious with the 4 and 5 star ratings? I guess I shouldn't be surprised judging by all of the douchey wall street types inside of the bar. First of all, this place gets packed on a Friday night with former frat boys now wearing suits, straight off of work. It would be a good place to go for a single girl seeking attention. Secondly, the drinks and food are overpriced. The scallop entree was $22 and came with 4 small overcooked scallops surrounding a mound of frozen peas and corn (the menu called this succotash). It was laughable. Thirdly, the waitress (who we only saw once) forgot to bring out a dish we ordered. That being said, the fireplace and dining are were both pleasant. All in all, I will not be returning. What did I expect though?

    (2)

  • Annie P.

    This place is one of the go-to places for people at work after they leave for the day. I really like this place actually. It's a lot more complex than meets the eye. First off, it's more classy and elegant than the other bar that people tend to go to (White Horse Tavern) and it's so much more spacious. It's almost like a maze to go through it. The drinks are way better and the food is just delicious. I had the truffle fries, the calamari, and the mac and cheese and they were all just scrumptious! It's not as loud as the other bars so you can still have a conversation with others but it's never boring either! Once happy hour is over, everything is a bit expensive but then again...what did you expect? It is in the FiDi after all. I look forward to many more parties there in the future!

    (4)

  • Lauren K.

    Interesting atmosphere...historical feel. Not a great place if you have little ones FYI. I was with my husband and 2 older teenaged sons. We enjoyed the food but it was nothing spectacular..Jambalaya, boneless chicken (which was not boneless...go figure), Salmon and the burger. Once we got the check..we waited entirely too long for her to come back for payment. We ended up leaving cash on the table (I hate doing that) and told another waiter as well as the hostess. They weren't concerned. On our merry way we went.

    (3)

  • Laura Kate S.

    Full of history and full of good food! After meaning to come here for ages, I went with my in-laws. As it's full of American history - particularly of the revolution - it was amusing to be here with a table of Brits. Solid food. Decent service. Fabulous atmosphere. We wanted to check out the museum, but didn't really want to shell out more cash. Another time :)

    (4)

  • Meghan H.

    I really feel in love with the atmosphere of this restaurant - it's got some great historic charm to it. It's fun how many different dining rooms there are in here, each with their own quirkiness and personality. The food was decent. But the various breads that were a part of each of our meals were really great. LOVed the irish soda bread and the rye. They also left a vase of water on the table that had cucumbers in it, which was awesome because the cucumber accents the water in such a way... :) reference to the movie The Other Guys right there. Fraunces had a nice location too in the financial district, as it was relatively near Battery Park, which made it a convenient lunch spot after we went to see The Statue and Ellis.

    (4)

  • Labreque K.

    I love this kind of stuff. It is the kind of food that you grow up on but not really because your mom wouldn't let you eat it. This is the place to go and get food beer battered food when you dont care about your health anymore.

    (4)

  • Jon S.

    The Fraunces Tavern works not because of its current cliente - this is after all downtown Manhattan - but the sense who might have eaten there in the past. Sure, there's the much vaunted George Washington connection, but his visit was an aberration even back in his day. On a recent visit, I was more curious about the every day dockworkers, fishmongers and tradesmen who frequented the place in the latter half of the 18th century. What did they eat? What types of chairs did they sit upon? Did the beer taste anything like the what the Porterhouse Brewing Co. churns out today? In New York, the historical eating and drinking establishments tend to fall into two camps - stuffy waxworks where the experience is solely the fact that the place is old and dives where the the cornerstone may be old but it's been a shithole for several generations. Fraunces Tavern avoids this through the great selection of microbrews and the palatable sense of fun that people have drinking here. The place may be old and there's quite a bit more exposed rock than in a 20th century building, but you still have a good time here. The food is more than adequate and the beers flow until past two in the morning. I think even 18th century Americans could appreciate that.

    (4)

  • Rachel O.

    This place is AWESOME! My sweet husband took me here for my birthday dinner last weekend and immediately upon entering the restaurant I couldn't wait to explore it. Drink list is creative, bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly, wait staff was on top of things. The place was pretty empty when we arrived at 6 for our reservation, and that was fine with us. We pushed back our reservation to 6:30 and then 7 due to the fact that we were enjoying a few drinks in the bar and chatting with the bartender. The hostess and wait staff were happy to move our reservation to 7 for us. When we finally decided to sit down for dinner, we ordered the Tomahawk steak for two and it was just the right size for us (and we are big steak eaters). I can't describe how it is served without creating a "that's what she said" situation but it was cooked to our liking on the inside (medium rare) and perfectly blackened/crispy on the outside. We also had a house salad and another salad-y appetizer that was served on a flaky, crusty bread that was just ok (the salad was good but the flaky thing was bland and perhaps random) but we weren't there for the salad. The dining rooms make you feel like you are sitting in a movie set for a George Washington-era flick, with large, flickery candles, gorgeous wood floors and large wood tables in the center of the room. The place started to get a bit crowded around 8ish, and with a few tourist-y looking people, but that was ok. After dinner we returned to our comfy spot at the bar on the left side of the restaurant for a couple more drinks, as we couldn't get enough of the atmosphere and ambiance of this place. Oh, and there was a two-man band there that night, which was quite enjoyable. Needless to say I can't wait to go back and plan to sooner rather than later.

    (5)

  • Nikole W.

    The decor is very tavern like. Wooden everything. The food is pretty good. The crab cakes are amazing! Our server, Anna S, was NOT attentive to the point of rudeness. I would come here again for the food but will definitely not let Anna serve me again.

    (3)

  • Pat D.

    Great historic place off Wall Street to have a nice lunch. Great history, food and drink. Exceptional staff.

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    What a wonderfully historic place to eat. Sat there thinking about what it would have been like during the Revolutionary War. Washington eating there as well as a load of other extraordinary people that shape our country and world. I realize much has changes since then but this was the location of some history. When we visited they were renovating parts of the building. The menu was limited but still had ample selection. I had the roast beef sandwich which was served with pickled red onions and horseradish. I love new york bread and the bun was great, the meat was decent but the pickled red onions and just enough horseradish brought it home. Not the greatest roast beef sandwich I have ever had but very balanced that I enjoyed every bite. My wife got the chicken pot pie. She gave me a sample and I knew right away that I was missing out. It came with a salad side that would have been a meal in itself. She loved her CPP and salad leaving the table happy. The staff was pleasant and attentive without being hovery. Sat for a few minutes after they had cleared the table and we declined dessert, finally having to ask for the check. I would consider it again when I am in lower Manhattan and would recommend it to friends that were visiting the area.

    (4)

  • Katie C.

    One of the most beautiful, warm and cozy bars I've ever been to. Fraunces Tavern was unexpectedly big with several different rooms. We were here very late, around midnight or 1 on a Saturday night and it was pretty dead. I'm not from NYC but it seems like the financial district is dead late night. Anyway, this was the perfect place for our little group to chat and drink. The music was also really good. I don't remember if it was a juke box or maybe the restaurant just has good taste in music. I can't wait to go back and try the food and most definitely visit the museum. This really is one of the best bars I've been to. The coziness and history of this bar reminds me of the places I love most in Newport, RI or my hometown of Fredericksburg, VA (downtown area). Loved every thing about it.

    (5)

  • Jaci H.

    Fraunces Tavern is like taking a step back in time. I've lived in NYC my whole life and for some reason never noticed this place. Came here yesterday for a friend's birthday and had a really nice time. Its definitely pricey, but its worth checking out. When you come here, take the time to really look around the different rooms they have. Each dining room and bar is different - it was fun discovering all the interesting decor chock full of history. Staff was nice and attentive enough to ensure we always had drinks or could order food. Most of the party stuck with beer or whiskey. They have a very extensive beer list, something for everyone's palate. Most beers cost between $7 and $10, so its a little more than the bars I usually go to. However, their partnership with Porterhouse Brewery in Ireland offers you access to beer you will not find anywhere else in the US. I'm not a huge fan of porters or stouts, but my friends were loving them. They also have a very impressive whiskey selection and even a cute bar that's dedicated this fine beverage. Their food was also really good, although not cheap. I ordered the chicken pot pie, which was huge and delicious. I would give this pot pie 5 stars - definitely worth the hefty $18. My friends enjoyed the shepard's pie, which was also very large and flavorful. Overall, it was a really pleasant way to spend the afternoon and will definitely be back. I'm not sure how busy it gets on the weekends, but it was rather empty on President's Day.

    (4)

  • Rachel L.

    The food is classic, American fare with incredibly fresh ingredients. The flatbread was the best I've ever had, because it was very clear that the dough was made fresh to order. This is the perfect place for a warm meal on a cold afternoon.

    (4)

  • Claire G.

    Our nonprofit company held a retirement event here in January. The event - food, service - went well and we were very satisfied. However, we were erroneously charged sales tax. The following day I contacted the event manager and was assured that this would be refunded to our credit card. Several weeks and emails later there has been no response. Very disappointed.

    (1)

  • Samantha D.

    This is now one of my new favorite places in NYC. It is such a unique spot with a lot of history and amazing energy. Although the financial district seems to be the most boring place in NYC for some people- Fraunces (as well as the surrounding area) has a really nice and relaxed atmosphere. The streets are quiet but wherever you go there seems to be a good crowd. It is much more laid back than the rest of Manhattan which aids to having a really great and calm time. I was very surprised at how low-key it was on a Saturday night. The decor was intriguing and you could tell that they are trying to keep the historical feel about this area consistant. Drinks: The in-house brews were $8 but are definitely worth the price- especially since the are so unique to this spot! They have an extensive drink menu so everyone can find something that they would like. I think they may have a happy hour but I came much later in the night so that's something you may want to double check. Food: Looked and smelled delicious. Though I was on a budget, I went with a friend who is obsessed with the location & their food. So I'm going to take it as they have amazing burgers. The burger plate was around $16- depending on your choice- but they do come with a side of awesome fries. All in all- I am anticipating my return to Fraunces Tavern. Can't wait to try more of their beers and listen to some live music. If you're in the area- this place is a must!

    (5)

  • Matthias H.

    I work nearby, so I'm glad I finally visited. The ambiance is what you'd expect--lots of old wood, historic fixtures, maps and paintings on the walls. It's a nice change from the rustic-modern look that you find everywhere. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. The slow-roasted pork sandwich is deliciously messy, with tender meat topped with a red cabbage and apple slaw. Service is friendly and prices are quite reasonable. I plan to return and check out the museum!

    (4)

  • Alex L.

    Great place to relax and enjoy some good beer. Being located in historical building adds a bit of a charm. Gets busy in the evening and can get noisy in bar area. Overall solid experience every time I go there. Tried different dishes, everything was pretty good. Good for family dinners as well as small parties. Service is ok, waiters can get very busy but normally quite friendly and responsive.

    (4)

  • Johanna B.

    I really like Fraunces Tavern. It's a stone's throw away from where I work and last night, I introduced my friend to this place. I've been here several times in the past and it's always been a great experience. Fraunces Tavern has a lot going for it--first of all, it's historical. It dates back to the time of George Washington. This place also serves as a museum. The interior is quite charming and there are different rooms including a main dining area that is situated with farm tables. They have many different types of beers and whisky among other great choices of drinks. I have also eaten here in the past and it was satisfying. My friend was quite impressed with Fraunces Tavern and we will be coming here a lot more often.

    (4)

  • Jimbobo M.

    Always love coming here. Great beer, amazing food, fantastic atmosphere. I really like their beer selection with their porterhouse brewing company selection and other different beers than the rest. Would love to write more but I should go back to work because i spent so much here on their fantastic beer and food. :)

    (5)

  • Glenn C.

    3.3-3.4 will finish later OK Food, Good Beer, Interesting Service Mini review ++ Grilled onions (when is it not), french onion soup broth (beery,) beer menu, beer, beer prices (etc.) + Steak = Shepard's, fries, Burger -= Fries, server - Busboy -- Hostess You might notice the three at the bottom and the three/4 at the top Bigger review later when I feel like it (wut)

    (3)

  • Yan T.

    For a tourist trap, this place is pretty cool. The food is decent (I had a Fraunces Burger most recently). You will overpay by about $5, but in return you get lots of space in a well-lit uber-pub, not something you'll always find on the Island of Manhattan. There's a nice, long list of beers, including some "exclusive" taps courtesy of a German brewery. And you can chill here for hours (should the mood strike you). Not something I would shell out money for often, but nice when you're in the hood.

    (4)

  • Tobin T.

    I love this place! I really felt I was part of history coming here. The cozy dining area is full of historical significance (damage to the wall from bombing attempt), charm from the colonial period, and mystery as this was George Washington's place of politic/military business and watering hole. And extra bonus- the food was fantastic (at least what I ordered)! Most historical landmarks cover up their food with all their folklore, tales, and list of famous patrons to create that "experience" that people come to receive upon their visit. You get all that here, PLUS GREAT FOOD! True, I'm a huge American History buff, and I can talk for days about the JFK assassination, but I digress. Could I have been affected by the smokescreen secondary to this historical landmark tavern? Perhaps. But I suppose you need to visit for yourself and make your own determination. This is DEFINITELY one of those places you take outside visitors to NYC for the first time. Of note, go there early in the month; they have very limited complimentary tickets to the museum upstairs when you dine at the Tavern and usually run out quick. Of course, free for you and guest with Military ID. OOHRAW!!

    (4)

  • Tyler R.

    I really want to give this place 4.5 stars but there were a few very minor flaws. It is probably one of my favorite bars in the world based on aesthetics. I have this goal of going to all of the oldest bars in the US that I can...it's one of my bucket list things. Fraunce's was on that list and it didn't disappoint at all. The little whiskey bar inside is probably the coolest thing in an alcohol serving establishment that I've seen. We were here earlier in the day so I didn't get to experience it for myself, but just walking through and looking was still cool enough. The food was decent but not knock your socks off. My burger was what you'd expect from any other average restaurant but my fiance had "George Washington's Favorite" pot pie which had amazing flavor but the chicken was a little dry and overcooked. This is one of those places I wish I had closer to home. Also, we decided to check out the museum upstairs after reading other yelp reviews and I have to say it is a MUST SEE after a meal down below in the tavern. The history is really interesting and the paintings are absolutely amazing and I'm not even an art fan. If you're in NYC and down at the southern tip of Manhattan, definitely check this place out.

    (4)

  • Giannina R.

    Oh, my ABSOLUTE most favorite place in the financial district. Great for drinks with friends, large parties, or a cozy date. I could stay here for hours. ps. make sure to check out all of the rooms (including the upstairs area) for a little history lesson.

    (5)

  • Phil G.

    Fraunces Tavern does a good job of catering to the historically curious while still providing a worthy selection of food and grog. The building is the star of the show, the beer is co-star and the food supports the main players. The menu is a blend of olde world fare and modern day bar grub. We've had the chefs plate, sliders, onion soup and shepherds pie. There is live music on weekends and I plan to listen to a set or two soon.

    (3)

  • Evan J.

    I came for a quick bite on a Sunday afternoon in search of a decent burger. In short, I didn't find one. Mind you, this review is literally just for the burger, which took quite a while to come out... I was also in a hurry so maybe it felt like longer, but it was definitely about a 20-25min wait even though the place was about 1/3 full and the rest of the parties had already been served. My other gripe is that evidently, the chef couldn't differentiate between medium and well done. It also ran me $17+tip. At least it seemed hot of the grill when they served it...? Otherwise, the vibe is cool, very historic, and feels like a proper pub. Fries are good. Server was attentive enough, and the water was fine. $17?!?! For a place that's 294 years old, you'd think it'd have figured things out by now... jk... but seriously. Just ok, so maybe I'll give it another shot, but it'll most likely be at the bar instead.

    (3)

  • Mike C.

    Lots of beer here. The dining room side has a lot of the original art work, wood paneling and architecture. I sat at the bar area, where everything was just a replica. Looked real though. Again, lots of beers on tap. I ordered the Smuttynose IPA, nice and refreshing. And I also ordered an Irish cheese plate as well. It's just enough to get me going. yelp.com/biz_photos/jjLc… They have a happy hour that starts at 4pm. yelp.com/biz_photos/jjLc… Upstairs is the museum itself. Imagine, eating and drinking here at the tavern where George Washington did the same back in the 18th century. Pretty neat stuff. This is the oldest bar in New York city, so you should stop by and dine inside and experience what it was like back in the 18th century. I also recommend doing the museum portion as well.

    (3)

  • Jessica H.

    why? i went here for a business lunch and was completely underwhelmed. maybe it was what i ordered (a rueben sandwich). perhaps if i had the chicken pot pie, i would've rated higher. there's nothing about this restaurant that makes me want to go back, sorry george washington.

    (1)

  • Victoria G.

    We came here last year for Valentine's Day and it was so good that we decided to make it a tradition. This year, for only $50 a person it included a 4 course meal with choices of burrata or scallop appetizer, surf and turf or red snapper seafood medley, and choice of dessert, all of which were exceptional. The wait staff has always been friendly and food came out promptly, especially on a holiday. I would definitely recommend going here.

    (5)

  • Mark G.

    Superb lunch. Cheese platter, burger, brussel sprouts, coffee, atmosphere and service all superb. That's five stars to me.

    (5)

  • Shulin T.

    It was my second time there. Having been there both on a weekday and weekend night, i much prefer the latter, when it is less crowded and there is live music too. Great selection of beer. Definitely want to try their oysters next time. Great ambience!

    (4)

  • Madhu R.

    What a great, warm, classic space with friendly staff and awesome beer.

    (5)

  • Casey R.

    I'm writing the review for lunch only because I haven't been here any other time. The atmosphere of the place is great. We walked in and were kindly greeted by the hostess who asked us if we had a reservation (Reservation? Who makes reservations for lunch?). So they didn't have space in the dining room but there was space in the bar area. The dining area is nice and open but with several communal tables. The bar area is darker and has a lot of animal skin seats. I really like the space. The reason I am only giving it three stars though is that while the food was good, I think it is very overpriced. For lunch my coworker had the soup of the day and the appetizer crab cakes. I had the cobb salad. She had a cappuccino and I had an espresso at the end but we didn't have anything else to drink. Our bill came to $68!!!! That's one expensive lunch considering what we ordered! I'd go back to this place to eat but only if I can expense it!

    (3)

  • JANELLE W.

    This place was packed. It is pretty big. There is a bar, restaurant and whiskey room. I didn't care for the crab sliders. The beef sliders and lamb meatballs were good. The music was good. The service could have been better. We had a small room to the side of the bar. It was excellent. I was surprised to learn that we didn't have to pay a deposit to reserve it and there wasn't a food or beverage requirement. This is a nice after work spot.

    (4)

  • Little Miss L.

    Get the Gouda Mac N Cheese with Bacon Bits from the menu! Service was awful though. But DAMN that Mac n Cheese!

    (4)

  • Shirley C.

    This is a solid bar/restaurant. They have a huge beer selection and the waiters are really helpful if you want to try something new and not sure what to try. I had the chicken pot pie and it just automatically makes you want to curl up in front of the fire- ultimate comfort food. They have multiple rooms so depending on what you're looking for, there's a room for you. Loud happy hour, quiet dinner, sit around and have a scotch- yep they have a room for all of these. Good selection of beer, nice service, great atmosphere, and comfort food available makes for a delightful evening.

    (4)

  • Timothy U.

    Amazing beer and whiskey selection! You could come back everyday for a month and not try every one. The atmosphere was comfortable, and the bartenders were friendly. To top it off, the prices were very reasonable. Would definitely come back.

    (5)

  • shay N.

    I guess it was not bad. Then again, I guess it wasn't that good. There was a museum? Meh.

    (2)

  • John B.

    We went to FTPorterhouse for drinks on a lazy Sunday afternoon and frankly I'm glad we did. The live trad. (Irish...I think) music was top notch and the crowd was lively. The wine was tasty too. The menu looked solid, hoping to try the food next time.

    (3)

  • Christian P.

    The building this restaurant inhabits dates back to 1671, and I'm positive, given the inexplicably horrendous service, that the original restaurant patrons are still propped up somewhere in a back booth, covered in the thick dust of ages, waiting in vain for food some 340 years later. It took well over an hour and a half for a couple of turkey club sandwiches and a plate of m-effing pancakes- during which time our server was a ghost- nowhere to be found. There were only a handful of tables occupied. How does an establishment stay in business for two seconds (never mind hundreds of years) with performance like that? It's probably also fortuitous that, by this time, the taste buds of those skeletonized, multi-centenarian diners have all but turned to vapor, because they really won't be needing them. The only thing worse than waiting an epoch for food is waiting an epoch for food that tastes like newspaper and discount pillow-filling. I suppose, given their extensive beer selection, they figure most people will be too drunk to notice or care. Apparently, I was nowhere close. Also, you actually need a server to be physically present on occasion in order to get drunk in the first place. By all means, go for the history- and you can become part of it- because you'll never get out of that structure. Not well-fed, in any case... A TOP FIVE ON MY CURRENT "AVOID LIST".

    (1)

  • Mike G.

    I love history and you can't beat just being here. Can comment on the food, but the atmosphere is out of this world. And who doesn't love a place with whiskey flights in it's own whiskey bar. And George Washington was here for chrissakes!

    (5)

  • Catherine A.

    eAs one of the oldest bars in the city, a George Washington Haunt and a great place to hear amazing Irish musicians, Fraunces Tavern has earned a Top Five Best Bar in NYC spot in my book (maybe even Number 1). This old school brick house establishment that looks so out of place on Pearl Street in FiDi functions not only as a local watering hole and brewhouse, but also features the Dingle Whiskey Bar, a casual dining restaurant (good for kids) and a Museum that pays hommage to George Washington upstairs. As this place is typically active during the work week with all of the Wall Street employees catching a late night cocktail, the weekend is really a perfect time to visit if you're not a normal FiDi-Frequenter. On Saturdays they have a musician singing better renditions of the Rolling Stones, Billy Joel and Paul Simon and on Sundays they play traditional Irish music. You really can't go wrong with either day. This really is Must-See in NYC.

    (5)

  • Natan A.

    Great atmosphere, great food. Price is reasonable considering you are in NY. Definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Phil L.

    This place is a historical landmark, one of the few original buildings in NYC. Fraunces Tavern is an Irish bar serving up Irish bar food in an old building that has been around for hundreds of years. I definitely enjoyed the historical location and seeing how much of the original structure still remained and think about the people who have been through here. I had the pot pie here and I must say it was a very good meal. The service from the kitchen was pretty fast and they have a great selection of beers. I would definitely mark this place down as a place to try brunch.

    (4)

  • Annaline D.

    Brunch update! My husband and I tucked into the cozy Fraunces Tavern Sunday afternoon with a stiff hankering for a hot and hearty brunch. Like a pot of gold from the foodie gods, along came my Irish Breakfast selection. The toast - an oft-overlooked sad, soggy afterthought- was crisp and fresh! The British baked beans were steaming and spiced to perfection and the bacon was delightfully salty and smoky. It was the best brunch I have had in a long time. My husband Robert ordered the Corn beef hash. While it was undeniably tasty, it was slightly potato-heavy and the overall cook on the dish was a little too al dente for his liking. This small offense was by no means egregious nor will it deter us from a return visit! The ambiance was great (and more than a little romantic) and I had a blast sitting by the window and shutting my eyes, pretending I was back in the 1800's.

    (5)

  • Megan C.

    Historical Treat + Live Music + Newly Renovated Loved it! Came here with a friend to grab a quick bite to eat. Was walking by and took notice of the old bricks out front. As if turns out Washington spent sometime here. When we walked in there was a beautiful little dining room to the right, a cozy sitting area to the left, an upstairs, and a lively back bar with live irish music playing. The food was good, I had the duck my friend had some fish, and the portion size was perfect, not too big and not too small. We didn't stay too long, but would definitely come back. Such a great place, it's nice to move from quiet to lively without having to leave the building. Date Rating: 7 Pick up Scale: 6 Strong Suggestion: Take a look at the writeups on the history of the tavern.

    (4)

  • Marc L.

    After years of wanting to go here, I finally made it down to Fraunces Tavern last weekend and boy was I disappointed. I thought the food and service was absolutely horrible. I ordered the shrimp cocktail which was completely tasteless and a tuna sandwich which, while definitely not bad, left a lot to be desired. Additionally, I had really wanted to try some of their oysters, but they were all out. :( The waitress took our order and then seemingly vanished even though the place was nearly deserted. So strange. The redeeming qualities which allow this review to be moved up to a three rather than a two is that the beer I had here was great. I had the Oyster Stout and loved it. If I had more time on my hands, and if the food had been good, I may have stayed longer to try the other brews. Also, the history of this place is the real selling point. As anyone reading the other reviews know, George Washington spent time here. Your imagination runs wide with all of the events which must have taken place inside those walls over the years. With all of the above said, the other reviews for Fraunces all seem very positive. Maybe I just ordered the wrong items and I should have stuck with a burger??? The fact that so many others like Fraunces leads me to believe I should try and go back at some point. Maybe I will. If so, I will be more than happy to upgrade my review.

    (3)

  • Alex V.

    Really, really loud music and people. The dweeb at the table next to me kept shouting to talk to his friends for some reason. And a bit on the overpriced side, though that's kinda expected, considering the area. I think this place is intended for the bankers & other employees in the finance sector. The two thing that were pretty good were the fish & chips, and the vast selection of beers.

    (3)

  • Liam M.

    Came to NY from Brisbane, Australia for Christmas and New Years last year. After going to McSorley's, I thought the Fraunces Tavern was massively underrated. Just as much history, with a brilliant range of award-winning genuine imported Irish beers on tap and a cracking little whiskey bar. Sitting in a cosy corner with the missus, a pint of stout, watching the snow coming down outside was unforgettable. This is my favourite pub in the world.

    (5)

  • Jon B.

    A group of five came here for dinner recently, and we all left happy. Front of the house service was very kind, as they directed a friend and I to the bar to grab a drink and wait while our table was being prepared. A staff member then found us in the bar to let us know the table was ready. Plenty of in-house beers to choose from, though they were out of my first choice, the oyster stout. Luckily, the red ale I had was a very good backup plan. I never met the guy, but George Washington must have had a good sense of taste, as the chicken pot pie, which the menu said he had, was very good. It had big pieces of chicken and myriad seasonings and vegetables. Be careful for small bones though -- probably just a fluke. Bread was served with dinner, and not before, which kind of seemed odd to me. The bread, which had a hint of anise in it, was good, though. Others got corned beef and cabbage, a beet salad and a burger, and they all seemed satisfied. All in all, nice place. I wouldn't go out of my way to go there again, but I enjoyed it.

    (4)

  • Lisa A.

    How is it that I've lived in this city for 13 years and never dropped in here for a beer?? It's located in one of my favorite parts of Manhattan, it's a state and federal landmark, George Washington drank here AND, it's part of the American Whiskey Trail. I mean, if you love NYC history like I do, I suggest that you stop by for a drink. I've been here a few times during the week and it's not crowded, though it can get rather lively on a Friday night, but nothing too terrible (you know how those Wall St. types like to party. Ha). Very nice bartenders too. You seriously cannot go wrong with a nice pint of Porterhouse on tap, or, as I like to call it, "Dublin's *other* brewery*. I prefer Porterhouse Plain myself, but the Oyster one is also tasty, as is the Wrasslers. Their beer/drink menu is quite extensive, so feel free to bring even your pickiest friend, as I'm certain they will be able to find something to drink. I freely admit to ah, having a few too many glasses of Rioja here as well. There's a nice & cozy whiskey room that I'd love to go sit and drink it too. I've only had food at the bar: a nice, warm olive plate served with crusty bread, and an order of perfectly crisp, thick cut fries (yes, I go full-on carb). I've not yet eaten at the restaurant, but would love to come here on a Sunday for brunch and some trad music in the afternoon. Ah, I really do miss Ireland.... *They give Guinness a run for their money. And you're talking to a woman who loves her Guinness. Actually, I might like it better than Guinness. ::grin::

    (5)

  • Colleen R.

    Above and beyond our expectations. Dervila and staff executed a great rehearsal dinner and welcome mixer the night before our wedding. We hosted an intimate 10 person rehearsal dinner in the Tallmadge room. Food portions were very large and equally delicious. Welcome mixer knocked it out of the park. Guests were wowed by the volume and assortment of food and loved having their own private Speakeasy bar. I can't give them a 5 because the bathroom for guests was terrible.. I mean cockroaches scurrying along the walls terrible. I understand that the tavern hosted the likes of George Washington, but the bathrooms at least need an upgrade.

    (4)

  • Alana L.

    I. Loved. This. Place. I went to this place on St. Patrick's Day dreading the large, drunken crowds but my fears were alleviated when we arrived. It was more crowded, but it was much more of an adult crowd. We had dinner and drinks. I had the Sheppard's Pie and it was amazing! Absolutely delish! The ambiance is even better! We walked through a historical maze when being lead to the table. The bar is very clean and lots of smaller areas where you can be a little more intimate and away from the crowds. All different places and different rooms make it fun to walk through What even better is that it is a 5 minute walk from the Staten Island Ferry, so its easier to get to for all you Staten Islanders! : ) We will defiantly go again!

    (5)

  • Candy S.

    Great ambiance! Gotta love the history at this place! We went on a Saturday night and there was a live music. Music was great! Played everything from Irish music to classic rock. Bartenders are awesome!

    (5)

  • Shoshana C.

    Love the atmosphere of this place, the whiskey tasting room may just be my favorite. I've never had a bad meal here. It's a great place to meet up with friends, and also a great place to take your parents/in-laws for a sit down meal and a little bit of history. Not to be missed if you are in the Battery Park/FiDi/Seaport area.

    (5)

  • Dianne R.

    i've been going to Fraunces for happy hour after work for quite some time because they have great happy hour prices including bar food options. today we actually went in for a sit down lunch and i was very satisfied with their food! i had the roast beef and swiss sandwich with fries (yum!!) and co workers had the salmon salad, roast chicken, and grilled chicken sandwich. we were all very satisfied. plus there is a historic museum upstairs (which i have yet to check out). if you're in the area, this is a great bar/restaurant to check out!

    (4)

  • Tracy N.

    For those of us who work in the Financial district and are sick to death of the same old scene on Stone Street, the Porterhouse at Fraunces tavern is a nice change of pace. They staff is very friendly, if not always fast, and the after work scene is much more interesting than the other nearby pubs. The building is an interesting maze of whiskey, wine and tap rooms and makes for a bit of old timey adventure after work.

    (4)

  • Stephanie H.

    I absolutely love this place. I was hosting a great Gatsby themed party for my birthday and I came across this place. I contacted someone at Fraunces who handles party reservations and they were very accommodating. I just wanted an area where my friends could put their stuff down and have the option to sit down but I didn't want the responsibly of having one tab for an entire table. They gave me the option to get wristbands for an open bar but I preferred my friends to just get their drinks on their own. I must say all my friends had an amazing time. They also had a live DJ that played Top 40 music and anything anyone suggested. This place has an old and great atmosphere for the roaring 20's and I would definitely go here again on the weekend. Also, it wasn't too crowded which was great because I had about 30 guests. They also have different rooms such as the Whiskey bar and the speakeasy room. Fraunces has a variety of great beer. The blueberry beer was delicious!

    (5)

  • Steve G.

    (3.50 stars) Fraunces Tavern is a likable restaurant, full of charm and historical significance. The dining room is cozy, and exudes an aura of colonial presence. Service here is well intentioned and generally efficient, although not always warm or effective. The menu defies easy categorization; some classic continental dishes, some nouveau-tinged favorites, some steak-and-chop American. I've sampled quite a few of the choices. Most are fancified and very good, without being pretentious. Yet, in spite of the interesting variety, I find myself frequently returning to their steaks. Fraunces Tavern is underrated in general, but as a steakhouse in particular. It is a favorite Lower Manhattan spot to share with first time visitors to NY, and a comfortable place to enjoy a steak and beer experience.

    (3)

  • Chad B.

    Great location, great beer selection, clean bathrooms, and a pretty damn cool place to have a beer at. Despite its location, we did not feel out of place dressed casually during the lunch hour.

    (4)

  • Trish D.

    History and drinks... can't get better than that.

    (5)

  • Kristen M.

    Food was great in an historical setting. Lamb burger really hit the spot. The salad greens were fresh with a delicious honey balsamic dressing. The porterhouse pork chop with baked apples was thick, cooked perfectly and tasty. The lemonade was tangy. The setting was lovely. Service was mediocre. Arrived too late to visit the museum upstairs.

    (4)

  • Lindsay J.

    Fraunces Tavern is a historical oasis in a strange little area. I absolutely love this place. I have been here for brunch, dinner, and late night drinks. They have my favorite cheese board in the world and are the only place I have found Kopparberg Strawberry Lime Cider, which is basically summer in a gigantic jar. They also have a wonderful beer selection, George Washington's favorite pot pie, and great mixed drinks. Really recommend it.

    (5)

  • Helen B.

    Very disappointed in the service, food and price. I has the smallest beet salad ever made and the saltiest braised mushrooms. I love the history. ugh.

    (1)

  • Raven H.

    This place is awesome. Great bar, great history and great food. Nice place to go with a group of friends and co-workers. Try the mac and cheese, steak tid-bits and fish & chips. Never been disappointed.

    (5)

  • M L.

    Had my rehearsal dinner here and was disappointed. Prices were ok for the event, but I was constantly looking for food and I was the guest of honor! Service was great at the bar and the private room was beautiful. Regular lunch and dinner is delicious, but a bit overpriced. Brunch specials are good.

    (3)

  • Caleb C.

    Good drinks, friendly service, my only complaint is they stopped serving food at midnight.

    (4)

  • Gary J.

    Wow - what a cool and historic tavern! I really enjoyed the charm of this place, there is a separate dining room or you can sit in the tavern booths which we did. It gets a bit loud but it is a bar after all. The food that I had was very good and I recommend the halibut chowder. The fish and chips were good as well with a small issue, the fish were cooked a little to long for our tastes but it was real cod and still tasty. They have many beers to choose from including some signature stouts and ales from Ireland. I did not give a full 5 stars only because it was a bit pricey for us but it was in Manhattan and we are from Georgia so that had alot to do with it.

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    Have only hung out at the bar and never eaten there,but if you are a beer or whiskey lover, you must stop in.....

    (5)

  • Pallavi B.

    Loved It Loved It Loved It! My husband and I stumbled upon this place while exploring the south ferry neighborhood a few weeks earlier. We were in a mood to celebrate the formal wardrobe that we were able to find for me in a shop nearby for a very reasonable price. This place is inconspicuous and one cannot make out what is housed inside the building from its facade. We missed the museum as we were there later in the evening. We cannot stop marveling at the rustiness and antiquity of this building even now. It seemed like the 'Hogwarts School of witchcraft' to me! No kidding there. Even the restrooms have a charm of their own. My husband ordered a beer for himself and an apple pie and cinnamon drink for me which was very nice and different. The appetizers comprised of mac and cheese, crab cakes and home fries which were all scrumptious. The mac and cheese was so different than the one which we eat at all the other places and so were the home fries. My husband is a fan of the crab cakes that he eats at Hyatt during his office meetings but he was smitten by the ones served at Fraunces. All in all it was a fun experience and we absolutely loved this place. We are def. going back again maybe this time to celebrate a special occasion with the family.

    (4)

  • Kim W.

    I have been here twice, they have a alright beer selection. We once went on a Sunday but the live music they advertised outside was cancelled...not really a big deal but false ads are a little annoying. The food is mediocre, probably priced a little higher than necessary due to the touristy nature of the place. They make a decent bloody mary, but not fantastic. A fun place to take friends visiting the city, neat atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Asta S.

    I've been twice and both times were a surprise - we were in the neighborhood and decided to go in. The first time, dinner was lovely and romantic, and would recommend it for its early American cuisine and as a place to go in the winter months. The second time we went for drinks, and I have to say the street view is deceptive. The bar area was huge and the tables were spread out so the various groups didn't bump into each other. Because of the area it attracts high-end types. The bartenders know their stuff. I highly recommend the whiskey & ginger beer nuts!

    (4)

  • Phil G.

    The venue itself is quaint and all the history makes it very interesting. Like many other reviews here, the service was terrible. We came in for lunch on a Thursday afternoon and it took a good 40 minutes for our food to come out. When it finally got to us it was mediocre at best. 2 of us had the turkey burgerr and the beef patty was small and dry. Ive had better at Applebees.

    (2)

  • Milos P.

    Some friends and I decided to try this place a few weeks ago and finally made it back yesterday night. Both times the food was good: tasty and high quality and surprisingly well priced for a place in the Financial District (apart from the shrimp cocktail which is three shrimp, that have not been deveined, on ice for $13). The burger is old school, a nice hunk of good quality beef, lettuce, tomato, onion and a cheese of your choice. The shepherds pie is rich and tasty while the bangers and mash hits the spot perfectly. However, the desserts are not very well described on the menu. The apple crumble is good but I wouldn't really call cooked apples and cinnamon a 'crumble' as there was no crumble to it. The cherry pie is not that great and is more of a tart lacking the 'tartness' of a cherry dish. Essentially, the kitchen consistently does a good job on the mains but the desserts... not so much. Now to the service... I really don't understand what is going on here. The first time, we had a reservation and the place was half empty but we still ended up waiting to be seated for 15 minutes. The service is very slow but I get the impression that this is more the fault of general management than the staff. There doesn't seem to be assigned sections and/or they are taking care of multiple rooms. At some points during the dinner there was no waiter in the room for more than 5 minutes. The staff is also under-trained: when ordering dessert we asked if the apple crumble came with ice cream and were told it came with whipped cream (a plus because one of use does not eat vanilla) and when it came out, lo and behold, vanilla ice cream on top of the crumble. There were also two large chunks of ice in the apple pie dish which we pointed out to the waiter, not complaining or anything, just an FYI, and he went to investigate and came to tell us that it wasn't possible (he was nice about it but seriously not a good way to handle the situation). Bottom line, this place is good for a cheap(ish) dinner and a beer if you are not in a hurry.

    (3)

  • Sim D.

    The old decor of this bar makes me feel i am back to the old times. There are a few different rooms, I like the bar in the far back. its usually less crowded. Large beer selections if you are a beer lover. A good place to come for happy hour in financial district, also the brunch menu deal is pretty good as well.

    (4)

  • Brad M.

    Great food and drinks. Quite enough to have a conversation while enjoying a meal. Good joint. Washington was here!

    (5)

  • Chad P.

    If you are out by Wall Street and are looking to quench your thirst, stop by this historic landmark and escape back into the 1700s. Truly a great experience for all patriots and history buffs. Had the Porterhouse Red. Quite foamy on the pour, but the ale was excellent. Didn't get a chance to eat, but will definitely be back on my next trip to the city.

    (4)

  • Joe Y.

    Don't come here for the Porterhouse Brewing Company Irish beers and a variety of whiskys and whiskeys. Have a good old Porter in honor of our General Washington in the oldest tavern on Manhattan. Check out the museum upstairs during the day.

    (5)

  • Lorelei D.

    Wow, the food here is amazing, try the steak, creamed spinach, the pot pie and the truffle fries. You MUST HAVE the pumpkin pie martini.

    (4)

  • Tommy K.

    Good bar with the usual suspects at the tap. Beer was cold and taps were clean. Service was excellent. Atmosphere very nice - cowhide, wood trim, old sliding doors - the place looked and felt historic. We had some food - lamb sliders were good and the shrimp too. Would try more food next time. Good whiskey selection too.

    (4)

  • Andrea C.

    I'm so torn!!! The ambiance of this place ROCKS! The many different rooms and they're all cozy. The polished copper everywhere is so comfy. The lighting is...it's dark is most of the rooms - but I like that. Absinth bar - cool. Whisky bar - cool. Slab bar - cool. The food is 'ok' and not overpriced at all!! ($20 - $40 for an entree isn't bad) The drinks on the other hand - overpriced!! but I get it - I'm in the financial district in NYC, George Washington. Yea, yea, yea... The people I were with were satisfied. A burger came out on a pretzel bun - good. There wasn't a flake of Pot Pie left - good. I had fish and chips - blech! And all the fries were super salty. (I love salty...but I love when I pour my own salt on) Someone had the corned beef and cabbage and the amount of cabbage and potato they put on the dish was embarrassing! Seriously, it's cabbage and potato - load it up! They're cheap grocery items! And he said that dish was 'ok'. The two stars are for the stomach cramping due to the fish and the service. Like I've read in the other reviews...they need to brush up on politeness and attentiveness and the chickies need to stop giggling at the guy in the suit because he's not buying you a LV bag and a Michele watch...he's just a slob in a suit. We were in a room with a juke box so the music was good - it was what I picked! lol The group that I was with wants to go back when they visit NYC again...but I think we're gonna try the Bavarian Bier House next. Hmmmmm

    (2)

  • Ryan C.

    Very cool, historic tavern in Manhattan! We just stopped in to grab lunch and this place is really cool. George Washington used to frequent the establishment and there is even a George Washington museum upstairs for those that are interested. For lunch I had a smoked salmon BLT and it was great. Perfect place to duck in for lunch!

    (4)

  • Mike T.

    Nothing better than a good burger and a well crafted beer. I have to say I was really impressed by this place. One of the largest beer selections I've seen on the side of the pond and had one of the Best Pumpkin Ales in years! This wonderful draft ale was brought to you by the folks in Greenport, NY and is called "Greenport Pile Leaf Pumpkin Ale." I know that's a mouthful to say, but it's a truly worthwhile oral pleasure, if pumpkin ale is your bag. The Tavern Burger w/ Chedder Cheese was delicious, well cooked and served hot off the grill...the French fries were equally good. Both of these items were excellent with my pumpkin ale! Also, this place had a wonderful ambience about it....a great place for food, ale and conversation.....a nice place to unwind after a stressful work week or last minute dinner date.

    (4)

  • Ashley W.

    We were around the ferry area on a Sunday afternoon and I wanted to wander in to a cafe to get a cold drink. Instead of pulling out yelp, we literally just wandered until I saw "Tavern". This was an amazing surprise. Nice and comfy and dark and cool inside. Lots of craft beers on tap. We lucked out and hit it during live Irish music 3-6 on Sundays and shared a trio of interesting draft beers for $8. Great was to cool down and pass an hour. We weren't interested in food, but menu had irish favorites and oysters.

    (5)

  • Selene N.

    Really? What a wonderful space! Oh sorry I meant multi space! And if you re lucky enough to have Michael as your bar tender... Oh well then you know what bartending is meant to be! I'm lucky I live in the are to have such a place to come at any time!

    (5)

  • Nate C.

    We ordered the burgers, cheesteak, eggs Benedict and everything was bland. We saw our waitress once. Took the bus boy 15 mins to fill our waters up. Service is very poor, I do not suggest it. Very disappointing, the execution on food is not at all good. Ambience is the only reason I would give it a star.

    (1)

  • John B.

    Great place to go for great ambiance and horrible service. Couldn't tell you much about the food, since we didn't have any of it, and probably never will, because the service is so bad and almost non-existent. We saw a couple walk out because they weren't getting served at all. BYOB

    (2)

  • Kristie C.

    Staff is very friendly; great service; fun atmosphere; amazing food.

    (5)

  • Angela Z.

    Not impressed. Service: I went here for brunch and chose to be seated in the tavern (as opposed to the dining room). Our waitress was very friendly, but I forgot to order drinks with my prix fixe brunch, and she forgot to ask. I figured she would come back later once she realized it was missing -- nope. So when our main dishes came out, after a round of appetizers, which allowed plenty of time to correct this error, I asked the server who brought our dishes out for one mimosa and one bloody mary, the latter of which I gave to someone else. We were surprised when our check showed a $10 charge for the bloody mary, at which point our waitress explained that the 2 drinks included in the brunch are only for the person who ordered the prix fixe. My memory of the menu isn't perfect, but I don't recall it being clear on the menu that this would not be ok, not to mention that she had completely forgotten to ask about the drinks to begin with. She also didn't check in with us at any point until after we had finished our meals, so there was no opportunity for me to order with her or for her to explain this to me. I've done this before at other brunch places, and I've never had a problem. Food: Memorably below average. All dishes came out lukewarm. Crab cakes were way too salty, eggs were well cooked but unseasoned and cold, the steak was way overdone, the bread on the bison burger was soggy, and the fries were crispy on the outside but mealy on the inside. Drinks: Good but overpriced.

    (2)

  • Echo C.

    Great bar selection! Awesome staff! I come here for their Old Fashioned probably the best in the Financial District.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth T.

    Be award of some butt pinching at the bar and the smell of damp musky odor. Not sure, if it's the old place itself or the problem with the hurricane. To top it off our mixed drinks were a little off. Our friends that ordered the bourbon and whiskey flights were very happy with their drinks, so stick to straight liquor or beer rather than mixed drinks.

    (2)

  • Stuart B.

    Nothing special here. Very plain food.

    (3)

  • Jason T.

    Great food great prices for NYC. Recommencded by NYPD, this place has culture, tons of beer and is historic. very nice and up scale, yet not formal. a must stop for any tourist. will go back everytime i go there. I had the steak on a stone, quite unique!

    (5)

  • Stephanie G.

    Fraunces Tavern is a fabulous choice when you're in the need for some comfort food. The restaurant is very warm and inviting and feels pretty rustic, and I think it's cool they have a museum upstairs. I came here for lunch with some co-workers and ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with fries. For grilled chicken it was very filling and when I looked over at my co-workers dishes, I wish I had gone for the Shepard's or chicken pot pies-- they were hearty portions and looked delicious! I did enjoy my meal but would definitely go for something a little heavier next time. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the restaurant was not packed to the brim as most FiDi places are during lunch hours.

    (4)

  • Wine M.

    Oh How to rate this place Went to visit after 15 year hiatus. Landmark status results in this place still needing a face lift. Was about to walk out because front is dingy, but decided to make it to the bar area. Was immediately impressed by the display of scotch and beers. Got to order a turkey burger. Was real turkey (not some fried frozen garbage) , good fries, and great broccoli rabe. Wine--there is basically none--guess they don't want to pay carrying costs of inventory. Understand this place is packed all week. The restaurant is a maze of rooms, because seems they can't do any structural work If you looking for an 18th century bar with great spirit selections at below market prices this is the place. Also for beer lovers. Wine lovers stay away . Food will come along with it as well as history. But for sure in your life you should pay a visit

    (3)

  • Robyn W.

    We read the rave reviews for this restaurant, and booked it for our Thanksgiving dinner. I made reservations several months in advance. The atmosphere was very nice, and so was our table. The menu was price fixed. Our waiter took our order, and then began the wait. At first we thought it was just talking a long time because it was a special day, or, maybe things just took longer there. But we became concerned when we noticed several tables that had been seated after us, getting, and even finishing, their food. In addition, our waiter had only been back to us once, and our water glasses were empty and we had no silverware. We had to ask another server to find our server. When he came, and we questioned him about where our food was, he said he couldn't get into the kitchen, and there wasn't anything he could do. Miraculously, after he left, our food arrived, lukewarm. We asked to speak to the manager, and were told it would be awhile. After beginning to eat, since our son was starving by this time, and waiting more, I got up and went towards the back where there were several servers, and again asked to see a manager. After an additional 20 minutes, a woman arrived, said she had been upstairs. We told her our experience, and stated that we waited an hour and a half for lukewarm Thanksgiving dinner. She apologized, and offered us drinks to "make it better". We didn't want drinks, as we had already had a drink prior to dinner. We were concerned by her and her staff's lack of recognition and ownership of the apparent problems. These serious issues needed to be acknowledged, so that they can be corrected for the future. Outside of the business aspects of the poor service, we were emotionally distressed by this whole experience. We traveled from DC to have Thanksgiving dinner there. The lack of ownership of the problem by the waiter, "it's out of my hands" in response to "why is our food taking so long?" and then the additional wait for management, created additional frustration. In our opinion, if a customer requests to speak to a manager, leadership should be there almost immediately, to listen, identify, and act. Unfortunately, that was not the case, so after finishing our meal, we paid the check (60 USD per person for the price fix dinner) and left.

    (1)

  • S G.

    After you get past the militant Irish woman at the front where you check in with your reservation, the place is great. Her manner is so unnecessary. It isn't Fort Knox, you didn't build Fraunces Tavern honey, take it light. She must be an investor. Anyway, the barmen are great. We had mulled wine and spoke to Barry, who is a gem. Our waitress was lovely. Our food was excellent and we were served in a professional and relaxed atmosphere. No bum's rush here, even though it was a holiday and priced fixed. We have gone to Fraunces Tavern for holiday dinner for a few years now, and it has continued to be professional and delicious!!!

    (4)

  • Jing Y.

    My friend purchased a deal on groupon for this place, so she invited me to try out the food with her. I didn't have too high of an expectation for this place given the overall 3.5 stars on Yelp, but I have to say I was definitely impressed with the food and the ambiance. For under $20, you can get a huge entree that's more than enough for two to share. I ordered the hanger steak and it was delish! If you are a fan of mushrooms and asparagus like me, then this is your dish! It's great value for the quality / amount of food you get. Also saw their happy hour menu on the table, looks very interesting, so would love to come back to try it out.

    (4)

  • Stephanie H.

    To be clear, this is really 3.5 stars but I'm willing to up it to 4 because I want to go back again. The first time it went it was about a year ago shortly after new management took over and it was for a business lunch. The food was good, the service was awful. We were one of the first tables seated but one of the last to be served. No one- our server, manager, etc- could explain why a hamburger took an hour to be cooked. It was so sad because my shepherd's pie (made with lamb!) was so so good. But on our way out I noticed the bar area that looked like a ton of fun. I went on Wednesday for drinks with a co-worker, the bar area is so cute and fun and a ton of beers to boot (Hitochino isn't found just anywhere). I once again had my shepherd's pie and it was everything I hoped it would be. I will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Brooke C.

    A friend and I had dinner there, and were very pleased. The Talmadge Room was not crowded on a Wedneday night, so we had a good atmosphere for conversation.The food was excellent; pear and endive salad (huge), grilled red snapper with sauteed spinach, apple crumble. Service was professional and courteous. i would go there again.

    (5)

  • Dennis J.

    Stopped by with a large group of people that kept getting larger around 6 PM on a Friday, but luckily a space so large and already filled with people had an even larger room all the way in the back, where our party grew to over 20 at some point. Thankfully, they let me order a few more of the party platters right at the deadline, and they continued to come by fairly frequently throughout the night. The food itself was just alright, but the drink selection is quite big, and there is quite a bit of space for large groups. Nothing I'd necessarily go out of my way to come back to for food or drink on its own, but it's a decent spot for large groups to fit.

    (3)

  • Mike F.

    We solely came in to look around and grab a drink and this place was perfect for that. The interior of the building is stunningly beautiful. The drinks were also very good, as they should be by being produced by Porterhouse Brewing. I'd highly recommend the Brain Blasta or Wrasslers Stout

    (4)

  • Jason H.

    The food isn't anything really special, but they do have a very wide selection of beers. All the different rooms are a nice feel too. But it is pricey.

    (3)

  • Shanti S.

    I've been here at least twice. It's touristy but I do like the bar and whiskey section. The oaky darkness is appealing and they do have awesome beer.

    (3)

  • Walter K.

    This review comes from a work happy hour event with a minimum budget of $2500 for 64 people (only ~34 showed up, so you can imagine how the drinks were flowing once we saw how low are tab was after 2 hours). The food (various group platters) wasn't anything to call home about -- sliders were well cooked, but weren't extremely hot when they came out and the buns seemed a little hard; the fries were crispty but were just fries; the wings were okay, but didn't have the crispiness that I expect; some kind of meat salad on bread was tastey (i think it was tuna); and the smoked salmon was decent as well.. Overall, the food is okay for a large group who didn't really come to eat a full on dinner. The selection of beers and whiskey/scotch and the atmosphere is what makes this place worth coming back. They have 9 beers on tap (at least in the room i was in), several of which have a creamy head taste much like Guinness, but lighter. Since our tab wasn't met, the bartender brought out some very nice whiskeys, scotch, and bourbon. They seemed knowledgeable about all of them (most were running either $40/glass or $80/glass), but I'm no expert on any of this. My favorite was some Australian brand, Tame Impala. The atmosphere made it seem like a real tavern. There was lots of wood everywhere, and it has some class/character to it. I want to know what that contraption is in the men's bathroom...

    (4)

  • Andrew B.

    If you're thinking of going to Stone Street to sit amongst the throngs of suits at crowded tables with long waits for drinks... do yourself a favor and go one block over to Fraunces. Two great bars (each with it's own killer jukebox) and a George Washington connection - what's more American than that??

    (5)

  • JC C.

    Supposedly the oldest bar in NY, it's a great bar which has an old rustic look to it with dim lighting. Went there Friday and Saturday night to grab a couple of beers and it was never too crowded or noisy(pretty laid back crowd). They have a good selection of beers. The Porterhouse Red(Scottish red ale) was excellent. Service was fast and friendly.

    (4)

  • Frank F.

    Went for drinks after work with co workers, good service, polite, great bar tender and lots or room. They were organized especially for being so close to the holidays and having a few parties going on. No comment on the food because all I had was a slider but I would go back and check out the menu.

    (4)

  • Deirdre M.

    Five stars for the cute Irish waiter that works here. Not so crazy about anything else this place offers, mainly the entrees being over-priced for what you get. I think I would go back for the bar, though (and the waiter).

    (5)

  • Lauren B.

    Here is a story of a Monday night in the oldest bar in New York City. Ready? Okay. I arrive early enough, around 7, a little peeved because I had to get my rump on a subway and all the way down to Pearl Street and I don't live or work even remotely close to it. It's totally fine I reassure myself, because I was there for an event with free booze. After walking in and being sufficiently impressed with the fact that there weren't cobwebs everywhere and the whole interior is in great shape, I sunk myself into a leather armchair, waiting for the whiskey tasting I was there for to start. So I am sitting there about a half hour later, tasting whiskeys and learning a lot about how they are made, and suddenly my thoughts are interrupted by another thought... George Washington probably sat right here in this chair. I totally thought that. Then I felt like I was sitting in some sort of weird throne and felt uncomfortable. Then I remembered that I was holding a glass of free whiskey and started drinking that. Then I thought only the brick and mortar was from George's era, and probably not the furniture. Then I forgot all about the General and followed the group into the bar area for mixed drinks. Apparently history is not my thing. But you know what happened to me in the cab on the way home? I remembered that I may have been sitting right where GW sat, and stood in the same bar as him, probably not drinking the same trendy speakeasy style cocktails, but that's not the point. Manhattan has some history, but it's nothing like London or Paris, or anywhere in Europe for that matter. Hit up Fraunces and you are sort of kind of transported to this old place that's full of history and it's cool/creepy to be standing right where Washington did. It's cooler than museums because you can have a drink in your hand while doing it. Historic Landmark Win.

    (4)

  • Yan F.

    I really like this restaurant. Beautiful interior!! It has beautiful decor with historical significance which dates back to George Washington's time. It's a living piece of history. It has a very cabin feel and all the win collection they store behind glass is a place to behold. Just lovely!!! I came here on a Saturday night and according to my client, there will be bands playing every weekend so if you sit near the front, it can get quite loud. Otherwise, you can sit at a different bar or a different part of the restaurant. It is sectioned out so you can get a little privacy. :-) I would definitely come back here just for the decor and the food was pretty good for the price. Cheers!

    (4)

  • Jennifer S.

    LOVE this place. I went with a party of 5 for a going away dinner (come back Curtis!). The atmosphere is colonial and full of character. We each ordered our own entrees and ordered four sides for the table. Each dish was a generous portion and very well done. I ordered the Shepard's pie (perfect for a cold January night) and couldn't get enough of the brussel sprouts with bacon and apple. The asparagus, mac'n cheese, and mushrooms were also very tasty. In addition to the tasty dishes, we had a lovely bottle of red. Although we were quite stuffed from dinner, we still ordered two desserts for the table. Sadly, they were out of our first choice (maple bread pudding - mmMmmmm) so we ordered the cherry pie and the flour-less chocolate cake. Both were good, although I was surprised the cherry pie was served cold. After we had a fantastic dinner - we moved over to their bar and about 20 people joined us there. It had more than enough space for everyone and a great beer selection. I would definitely go back to this place for either dinner or hanging out with friends.

    (4)

  • Lindsey S.

    I went with a friend on a Thursday night. We grabbed a table in the bar area. The waitress was nice, made sure that we kept on having drinks. I ordered two different cocktails. I tried to order the "Dawn of the Union" but when I asked for it I was told that they no longer make it, even though it's featured on their menu on the front page. But the Big Apple Manhattan was delicious as was the Dubliner. I ordered the Tavern Salad. The balsamic dressing was delicious and the scallions made the salad pop. Very tasty. My friend had the Shepard's Pie and I'm assuming it was good because he ate the entire thing. I really liked the vibe of this place and will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Michael V.

    Back when the Coast Guard was stationed on Governers Island this was a regular hang out spot for the Coasties. Years later we still frequent this spot as it is our official going away lunch spot for departing members! Sit at the Chefs table and try their Shepard's pie! The staff is friendly and the crowd is mature. You can feel the history around you. Great selection of beers too! Get the Oyster Stout.

    (5)

  • XtiAn A.

    Loved the drinks selection and the food was great too! I recommend the grapefruit grog and the truffle fries!

    (5)

  • Gray Z.

    I have been here 10 times in the past 2 months; I love this place. Hands down my favorite restaurant in New York City. Pros: - Really really good American food. I was blown away because usually bars have garbage "bar" food. This place has legit American food - from Chicken Pot Pie and Beef Stew to Bacon Wrapped Chicken and Steak on a Stone. Nearly every entree has been delicious so far. I cannot emphasize how unusual this is for a tavern. - Great craft beers on tap (Left Hand Milk Stout - Nitro was a guest beer at one time) - Good atmosphere - good balance of young and old feel - Humongous space (two connected buildings actually), almost always has room - Multiple bars - Open late - Still a good secret Cons: - Won't seat me in the nice dining area which is never full. I often have to be seated in the noisy bar area for some odd reason - Sometimes short staffed and service can be spotty - Can get noisy at times - Seating isn't the most comfortable in the bar floor Tip: - GET THE BRUSSEL SPROUTS (side dish), YUM!

    (5)

  • Stephanie C.

    3 and a half stars is right.. a little too generous, for me. Like many of the other tourist-wrenching joins down in the historic fidi, this place is about the scenery, not the food. So, be sure you order the basics...but even then, you may be disappointed. I just heard about Fraunces Tavern today but it is the oldest structure in the area- it was George Washington's go-to joint back in his day. And the decor certainly shows that- lots of creeky wood, tavern-esque furniture (well the side I saw on had a modern twist, you count cow printed, mildly uncomfortable banquettes- there are two entrances.). The upstairs is a musuem, and the bar seems big so there's something for everyone. I came here for a business lunch. My host made a reservation for three at 12 on a Wed and NO ONE was there. Firstly, the first rule of thumb is that these touristy places are mad expensive. That rings very true here. FT offers lunch, brunch and dinner. For lunch, you can expect apps at $12, and entrees at 16-25. Wowza for lunch. Despite being a red blooded American place (after all, the place salutes GW!), there are sure lots of British things on the menu. So if you like gasto-pub fare, never fear. They got bangers and mashed. My two lunch buddies got the shepard's pie. It looks pretty- nice presentation and gourmet. A medium portion. It was made of lamb, which I don't eat. The mashed p atop did actually look kind of perfect. I was sure to order pub fare, so I got the fish and chips. There are very few things on the menu that come wtih sides, and this is one of them- the chips! Unfortunately, my favorite thing about fish and chips are the chips (fries) and these sucked. They were borderline...stale? There did not have any good fry quality.. not crispy, not seasoned, not even greasy... just very frozen tasting. Boo for no handmade chips. For $16, I expected more. The fries were better than the fish though. The fish meat itself was a bit.. fishy. I'm not sure what they used; probably haddock or cod? It was a bit flavorless. I will say that I liked how the fish batter was not very greasy at all, but it was a flavorless shell- there was no beer in the batter. The tartar sauce was even a bit mild.. but this I didn't mind because I'm a huge fan of tartar. I got my standard store bought malt vinegar (the menu suggests it's not generic) and tabasco. The service is fine- nothing overbearing, but the food came out fast enough and the waitress may have checked up once. She was a little hard to get a hold of, so we instead, got someone else to take care of the bill Very blah. Would only return for the museum; the brunch menu is pretty much the same as lunch with the exception of perhaps oatmeal, and pancakes. The dinner items somewhat expand on the lunch- i.e. a bigger portion of the duck confit, etc.. some of the fancier dishes (duck, skate) actually sounded good so maybe this isn't a pub place after all. Guess I won't find out..

    (3)

  • Tammy T.

    Came to Fraunces Tavern for an office lunch. We ooh'd and aaah'd at the nicely decorated "wine room." That's about all that we liked about the place. I ordered a golden beet arugala salad, it was topped with slivered almonds and drizzled with champagne vinegarette. My advice to the chef: get rid of the burnt almonds, instead top it off with a few candied pecans. For my entre, I ordered the seared scallops and blood sausage appetizer, it was on a bed of pearl barley risotto. The risotto was forgettable, unseasoned and just "meh." The scallops were over cooked and rubbery. The only things that was "good" was the blood sausage, but it was too salty. For a side dish, I had truffle fries... those were good. No complaints about fried potatoes. My colleague ordered the 12 oz steak, it was mediocre according to him. My boss ordered a grilled chicken sandwich, and a side of mashed sweet potatoes. It looked like something you order from the corner deli. Another colleague ordered the chicken wings (BBQ and Buffalo) looked like average wings you order at any bar, one ordered the turkey burger, didn't finish it so it wasn't all that and another one ordered the tuna nicoise sandwich, it looked "meh" also. Dessert: apple crumble was devoured by my colleauge. I ordered the sticky toffee pudding, it was neither sticky, nor was it was pudding. It was more of a dense cake. Not what I was expecting. I remember the food here being much better than this about 10 years ago... what happened to the chef??? Also the waitstaff wasn't all that great either.

    (2)

  • Terry D.

    I am guilty of semi-avoiding this place as it seems like it should be a tourist trap more than a good, local restaurant - and how completely wrong I was! We had brunch here and it was delicious. It was a quiet Sunday, we arrived just when they opened. It is a very Irish-Centric menu with a lot of American thrown in. We ordered the Irish cheese plate and corned beef with eggs. The corned beef was delicious - chunks of beef and potatoes cook with a small amount of pepper, giving it a bit of heat, and two poached eggs on top. The coffee was delicious and the service great. It seems from other reviews that it gets busy and service gets long, but we had the complete opposite experience. I am definitely putting an evening for drinks here on my list, and will go back for brunch especially if I have guests in town. Much recommended.

    (4)

  • Sally C.

    Everytime I come here, I have a great meal and a great time! There's really not much on the menu that I don't like - from appetizers to soups to burgers to sandwiches to entrees to sides to desserts. The burgers here are huge and juicy and come with a generous pile of fries. I came here recently for lunch and wasn't in the mood for a burger so went for a lighter healthier choice - the pan seared cod with cabbage and squash puree. It was light and delectable. We also ordered a side of brussel sprounts with bacon bits...delicious. And for those history buffs, you can visit the museum upstairs.

    (4)

  • William F.

    Four of us had a very nice early dinner here recently, as we listened to music from a talented Irish band. My "Porterhouse Porkchop" was surprisingly good, and quite a size. My companions were all similarly happy with their meal selections.

    (4)

  • Brittany V.

    Food was good. Service was VERY subpar. It was understaffed and they automatically charged 20% tip even thought we had a party less than 6.

    (3)

  • Paul G.

    This is an old place, historic. However, when I asked if George W. ate here, I was told no. The Kitchen is just three years old. I was taking a ferry at the pier later in the evening and wanted a nice place to have a decent meal. Fraunces delivered. They have a nice selection of fish and meat entrees. The prices are reasonable. The beer selection was excellent. Very comfortable dining room with revolutionary ambience. If you would prefer just to have drinks they have a separate bar area as well, although I did not check that out.

    (4)

  • Dave H.

    Very few establishments in U.S. with this kind of history. Perfect service, perfect food, and the most charming building in NYC.

    (5)

  • Diana G.

    Very disappointing! Went with three friends for lunch on Memorial Day and had to wait an hour for our food. When my turkey burger arrived it was burnt black and unedible. Sent it back only to get another dried out burger. My friends complained about their meals as well. We asked, this was the regular chef. And it was not busy. Then....the museum was closed! Excuse me-Memorial Day and this landmark commemorating our history is closed? Lastly, the Tavern has been bought by the Porterhouse Brewing Company who's arrogance is mind blowing.....when you are called to confirm your reservation that's the name that appears-not Fraunces Tavern. I was told the Company wouldn't ever consider that.

    (2)

  • John V.

    Came for happy hour. Great beer selection. We had some wings, lamb meatballs and truffle fries to snack on for the group. The happy hour prices were great on the food. Not sure the lamb meatballs are worth the full price. Good service and the place gets pretty full during happy hour, so there is a good atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Mary B.

    Great food, very large portions, but as other reviewers had mentioned, the service is what disappoints. Our waitress, whilst very friendly, did forget about out desert & coffee order, and it wasn't that busy in the restaurant. But dispite that, don't let that stop you coming here, because the museum alone is worth the trip and the food is actually very tasty. Also, if you are looking for a quiet brunch with no wait, this is your place. We waltzed right in, and enjoyed brunch whilst listening to music at a decent decibel level (many brunch places in NYC are like being in a nightclub - which is fine if you plan on reliving Saturday again, but if you need some R&R, come here!)

    (4)

  • Kanga R.

    Meh. Went here for Happy Hour during work. It's a decent atmosphere and the food is very typical bar food. Would have another star, except the waitress kept coming up to ask if we were going to order soon.

    (3)

  • Firecracker M.

    We LOVED this tavern! The place oozes atmosphere and history and we felt like we were stepping back in time. We expected that. What we didn't expect was that the food would be super good and the service friendly and relaxed. We were a group of 7 for lunch -without a reservation - and we were accommodated quickly. Those at our table who drink beer raved about it. 6 of the 7 people in our group said their food was GREAT. The other said theirs was "okay". I had the fish and chips which was a generous serving, very nicely prepared and delicious. I also had the brownie and ice cream for dessert and it was to die for...the brownie was definitely made from scratch and as good as the ones I bake at home. Although it was crowded, the staff never made us feel rushed. We were there for about 2 hours and we loved every minute of it. After our meal, we headed to the on-site museum was was interesting and added to the experience. The museum is free if you eat at the restaurant. I highly recommend Frauces Tavern and we will definitely return.

    (5)

  • Paublo L.

    Wonderful! Great ambiance (very historic) and each room had a different scene. Wonderful food. We ordered the cheese platter and it was absolutely delightful! The sea bass and pot pie was very good as well. Definitely hope to go to this place again!

    (4)

  • Gamal H.

    This review is only for the whiskey bar inside Fraunces, not Porterhouse or the museum. The "Dingle Whiskey Bar" is a small bar with a silly name. It only comprises a portion of the historic tavern, but this might be the best part. We stopped in for a quick drink and were met with a combination of oversized bankers getting their mistresses liquored up. Since this was our type of crowd, we decided to stay. It was a good choice. Dingle's whiskey menu is impressive with several dozen single malts, Irish, Scotch and Japanese whiskeys, and bourbons as well as wine and cocktails. They have whiskey flights that I would have tried if I didn't have to go back to work. The bar menu has a wide range of choices and the food is a good compliment to the suubstantial pour that you get if you order a whiskey neat or on the rocks. The service is fast, friendly and unobtrusive and the cost is on par with what you'll pay for similar spots in the area like Harry's or Vintry. Dingle is a very nice addition to the drinking choices downtown. I don't know if I would pick it over Wall and Water or Demi Monde, but I would defintiely recommend it. Have fun. G

    (4)

  • Jeff T.

    A historic bar and an absolute must-see for any visitor to the Financial District. There is a small whiskey bar, a main bar in the back and a couple or three restaurant/rooms plus a museum. Very old wooden floors, chairs with cow-hide, cabinets with antique bottles and glasses. A sensation.

    (5)

  • Natasha B.

    I came here on a Saturday evening, and I was surprised at how laid back it was. Given the history of this place, I thought it would be swarming with tourists. Instead, we just walked up to the bar, order Magners cider (on tap!) and had a chill conversation for about an hour and a half. The bathrooms were clean, and the bartenders were nice. I'd definitely come back and check out the museum upstairs!

    (5)

  • Diana E.

    we went for burgers and beer....it was ok, I wanted to like it more :-/ Definitely cool for the history and architecture but there was no ambiance in the dining room...no music....it was kinda depressing.

    (2)

  • Mike F.

    Irish music sessions on Sunday afternoon is a must for anyone that enjoys traditional Irish music.

    (4)

  • Matt O.

    Very cool bar with a ton of history and an awesome beer selection! Would love to eat here next time.

    (5)

  • Phoebe J.

    I often come here for happy hour.. and I'm really sad that it's closing it's doors this upcoming weekend. So rich with history, you almost feel like you are drinking back a pint George Washington himself. I mean: The Magna Carta is there, at the little museum they have! The wings are GREAT! And their grilled Weisswurst Platter is one of my favorites.. which includes crunchy-skinned red german potato salad and a nice portion of sauerkraut (and goes perfect with a few $4 Happy Hour Weihenstephans!) I will certainly try to make it back before they close this weekend.

    (4)

  • Leighland F.

    I love this place for the atmosphere of a colonial beer hall. I like going here with big groups of friends and sitting at the long tables, feeling like revolutionary war soldiers swapping stories. The service could be a bit better, though. I particularly like the taps list, and I find that the regular entrees are pretty good. I made the mistake, though, of not getting something that looked interesting off the specials list because I was worried they might have screwed it up. Specifically, a truffled egg salad sandwich. My friends got it, and it was amazing, and I definitely regret not taking the risk. So: if you go here, take the risk. Hell, always take the risk.

    (4)

  • Jeff M.

    Awesome place definitely worth a visit, if you like American history you will really appreciate the small but informative museum. Then head downstairs to the tavern, whiskey bar, or brewery. Really cool places and awesome atmosphere.

    (5)

  • A L.

    I think this may be my favorite establishment in the world. Beer is top of the line (finest crafts as well as house brews), food was delicious (turkey burger for lunch was the best I've ever had) and the atmosphere just kills it. Complimented by Dylan, Young, CSN, and Zepplin filling the room with classic tunes, this place is a true testament to the history of New York and this country. Enjoy it often.

    (5)

  • Suzie H.

    Thought it would be more interesting and historic- it lacked in both areas. Bar was a better atmosphere than the dining room. I was disappointed and really wanted this to be a highlight of our trip to NYC. Wouldn't travel again there as it is out of the normally traveled path in NYC on the weekend in my opinion.

    (2)

  • Eric M.

    LOVE THIS PLACE! Took my girlfriend here multiple times when we were in the area. You can feel the history when you're inside this place. Even though they remodeled and the new style is a little too modern looking. I liked it better the old way but it's still the same Fraunce's. The dining room menu can be pretty pricey but the pub fare is reasonable and the drinks are average price. Not sure how much a beer was when George Washington was here but it was probably less than $6-$8 which is what it costs now. All and all, great place!

    (5)

  • Marco V.

    Great place to eat , and after eating , check out the Museum upstairs. Awesome place to go and go back to 1700s and also great to know that George Washington stood in here and said farewell to the Continental Army : "with a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable." --------------------------------------------------­----------------------------------------- I had the Traditional Fish and Sticks , delicious choice. Recommend to anyone who visits New York , and is in the Financial District area (Lower Manhattan).

    (5)

  • Eric S.

    Great selection of drinks, particularly the scotch and they make a great Manhattan and old fashion. Still wish they served Guinness!!! Grr,. The food is decent, nothing to brag about, typical bar fare. The atmosphere varies as well. All in all, good lunch spot, especially if a mid-day drink is needed.

    (3)

  • Silvia L.

    Good food and trendy ambience. Apparently they have their own brewery as well as a museum, which I didn't get to see. Good for whiskey/scotch fans.

    (4)

  • Jim C.

    I hadn't been to Fraunces Tavern in almost 20 years (not thet the place ever changes in 200+ years!) but we were downtown on a Saturday doing the sight-seeing touristy stuff and walked by. What a pleasant suprize!! It was probably the BEST pub food in NYC and the craft beers were outstanding.

    (3)

  • J. K.

    (Preface: This place is on my "Two-Week List," in which I list the top twenty restaurants and bars that I'd go to if some soothsayer came up to me and told me that I only had two weeks to live. Check out the full list on my profile!) If you are seeking an old-school Wall Street feeling (and maybe not up for something as pricey as Harry's), come here! It's also old-school in a different way: this bar is where George Washington gave his farewell speech to his Continental Army. (No joke, I have goosebumps as I type this.) This is really old, classic New York, and has been an institution for over two hundred years. That speaks volumes! The beers here are top-notch. The beers come from a brewing company in Ireland, so you'll get amazing stouts here (like oyster stout) that you wouldn't find anywhere else. (You won't get beer like Harp here, though-- so come here expecting to try something unfamiliar.) The decor is really amazing. It's rather varied, as well: in the main bar, there are these eclectic cow booths, but one of the entrances has really old-fashioned leather chairs with low tables to lounge around in. There are a couple of dining rooms: one looks like a really formal dining room from the 1700s, and one is more casual (but still really historic feeling)! There is also a back bar that feels kind of speak-easy-ish (or at least, more intimate), and a different room with a huge wooden torso-level table to stand around at, which is great for group parties. If you come here, be sure to walk through the whole establishment and take it all in. You just don't find places like this.

    (5)

  • Keiko C.

    Shepard's pie was tasty. Good beer selection. As everyone else said historical factor. Don't get the corned beef, it's dry and tasteless. We like it more as a happy hour spot than a lunch spot.

    (3)

  • Erika M.

    Great selection of cerveza. I mean, you better, right? A) you're an Irish bar & B) you really have no excuse. But you more than made up for it. Even got me to try your beer of the month which was a porter. For those that know me, I don't like porters. One shade darker than a hef & I've already shut down. But hells yes, FT! Your plain porter was delicious!!!! Kudos to you! Add $1 oysters, $4 mac n cheese bites, & $4 fish & chips, and I'm so there. Too bad you're aaaaallll the way in New York. Sigh.

    (4)

  • Erin A.

    Just had the worst experience- I've never written a blog and i've been in the service industry for over 10 years, and my family has 4 successful restaurants... I am irate... First, we ordered 2 soup and sandwichs at $13 each - (BLTs) as well as wine and beers. When they came, it was actually a 1/2 sandwich and a tiny cup of soup. Ok, we were still quite hungry... Uncomplaining, we asked for one more sandwich to split and a side of brussel sprouts, upon which we were informed that they would have to charge us another 13$ EACH for one whole sandwich to share. (seriously, over 50 dollars for 2 BLTs and 2 tiny soups?!) We reasoned that she could probably talk to her manager and make a concession. So, we waited and 15 minutes later and finally the manager comes over. She agreed to charge us 10$ for another tiny BLT to split. As we realized that nothing had even been ordered yet, we cancelled everything and asked for the bill. No one said anything or seemed to care. So, we tried to nicely inform the manager that we were a little unhappy and she smirked at us and said nothing much except that they should change the wording on the menu to say a 1/2 sandwich..... Unbelievable. We both live and work in the area and entertain friends and clients lots. We actually went to Fraunces Tavern to try out a new place. Guess who's not going to get any of our OR our friend's business? Looks like we'll keep going to Delmonacos, Trinity, and Harry's.... If i could give less than one star i would....

    (1)

  • Marc D.

    We arrived at 5 pm on a Saturday evening to an empty restaurant. We were quickly seated but then things slowed down. It took 25 minutes for water. The waitress forgot my beer order. We had to ask twice for bread. The food, however, was good. I enjoyed the tomato bisque. The 10 oz Angus skirt steak was one of the best skirt steaks I've had, and my friend's meatloaf was tasty. We skipped dessert as we thought we might have to wait another hour for it.

    (3)

  • Franco C.

    Four Score and Seven years ago.. Wait, wrong President - this is the place where ole George Washington gave his farewell address to the troops after the revolutionary way - and I'm guessing he tied one on here too. Really, the guy had an entire army after him, you think he didn't drink? Since I happened to be in the area and I knew it was here and I was trying to make something out of having to go down to Wall St. I figured I would hit this place - just because it is there and I've never been in it. Upon entering you can go to the more formal dining room to the right (which is also the original building) or the tavern to the left which was built later. We opted for the tavern as the dining room looked a little more formal that the shorts we were in. We were seated and totally forgotten. We hit the bar and the bartender was a champ- she took care of matters promptly and we ordered away. Food was solid if nothing totally amazing. The beers were VERY cold and the bartender was there making just the right amount of small talk. We wandered around and looked at all the memorabilia on the walls. Definitely something interesting if only to say you had a beer and took a pee where G. Washington did... No parking - good luck with that.

    (4)

  • Ray B.

    We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere at the oldest tavern in New York. Had a great lunch after touring Manhattan by helicopter. We were even lucky enough to be seated next to a window with an electrical outlet so I was able to charge my camera and iPhone.

    (4)

  • Bruce K.

    Great ole English tavern!

    (4)

  • Eric L.

    Great historic pub feel. Extensive, different rooms and bars. Burger was good enough. Will be back for selection of beers, must stop place to have a drink.

    (5)

  • Jaime R.

    Beer on tap was good. Nice vibe. Red Ale was kind of like a lighter Guinness. Looking forward to getting back there and trying the food.

    (4)

  • Amber A.

    Awesome atmosphere. You can really feel the history in this place. Came here for an engagement party, and from what I heard from she-who-booked-party, sounds like the bar minimum was reasonable to reserve a private room. Service was good. Will definitely be back again.

    (4)

  • Mike S.

    A different type of happy hour yet seconds away from Stone St. Its like drinking at a museum. Dont get too rowdy. I guess it has to be the right occasion. Perhaps you just want to sit on a leather chair and drink without all the obnoxious people and the loud noise. Excellent whiskey list and dont be shy about asking the man about recommendations. He suggested some great scotches I have never tried before and they were excellent. Laguvilin and Lafrouig were my homies. If not for my party that night though, the giant corkscrew in the whiskey room would have just been collecting dust. P.S. I think General George Washington made a speech there some time ago.

    (3)

  • Michael W.

    this is a must do!

    (5)

  • Mariana C.

    Eat in the pub section!

    (4)

  • Cameron C.

    Great history and great ambiance. I've only grabbed drinks there so I'm going with the 4-stars. When I have a chance to grab food I may be back and bump this up to a 5. worth checking out if you're in the area. There is also a museum upstairs that I heard is really great. Will be back to see that too...

    (4)

  • Laura W.

    I was fortunate enough to be invited for an event, so I can't really speak to the crowd aspect; but the space is open and inviting and the bartenders know what they are up to. This is a great option if you are down in Wall Street.

    (4)

  • Michael G.

    Very nice bar. Has that old school feeling reminds me of Boston. Staff was very friendly. But no buy backs.

    (4)

  • Diane R.

    Excellent find! The NYC sights tour app we were following led us there, or we may have missed this hidden gem. We just ordered beer and some bar food, which we were very happy with. Good selection of ales and a great historic atmosphere, especially the bar area.

    (4)

  • Sen-Pei H.

    It's been a while since I've been here but the vibe is still the same- classic, historical, intimate but not overbearing. The crowd is really cool and the bartenders are down to earth and not pushy or wierd. I went to the bar and ordered the Golden on draft. It was good and tasty. I'm getting more into beer because I love these sorts of places, but honestly I do miss my Sancere. What I like about this spot is the decor- brick, wood cabin like and arches. It just feels nice and warm. Had a good time and will definitely come back soon for dinner with friends.

    (4)

  • Tom K.

    Throughout the former colonies, one will find a wide selection of places where George Washington allegedly visited, spent the night, drank and partied down. Fraunces Tavern is one of them and as NYC's contribution to the GW tour excels in preserving the old and embracing the comforts of the new. A spacious tavern that has ample room at the bar and tables, Fraunces is one of the few watering holes where you'll find an ad for the Magna Carta exhibit and murals of Revolutionary War battles. That's because a viewing of a copy of the MC is only an elevator ride away and there's a full museum of colonial artifacts above. Table service was a bit slow, working perhaps on colonial time and the waitresses could have been friendlier. That's about the only flaw I can find in the tavern part of Fraunces Tavern. There is a respectable selection of brews on tap and bottled along with traditional bar foods. I especially like the inclusion of a lobster roll as part of the bar food menu. We ordered "The Platter", a vast disc of fried finger foods that provided enough nourishment for any colonial regiment about to cross the Delaware. Chicken fingers, mozarella sticks, chicken wings, calamari and appropriate sauces rounded up the platter of goodness. It was enough for 6 people to nosh on at a leisurely pace and only cost $30. Two large flat screen TVs hang from the bar to provide sporting diversions and entertainment. Have your beer with a side of history at Fraunces Tavern-- revolution never tasted so good.

    (4)

  • Paul M.

    Good happy hour drinks. The food was alright, but very small.

    (4)

  • Ben G.

    A history buff's wet dream of gastro-experiences!!! I've been to Fraunces a few times now and love it every single time. Just the feeling one gets when walking in the halls of a gorgeous Colonial Era building with the added significance of it being George Washington's haunt is enough to make this place worth it. Add on very respectable selection of beers and whiskeys as well as a very interesting and well done menu, and you have a recipe for a great pub experience. The menu is a very well done and interesting mix of traditional pub / Americana, some modern inspiration, and traditional dishes. The oysters are fresh and tasty (as well they should be, we are in oyster central over here). The roasted beet salad has some great flavors going on. The potato and leek soups is a great dish from an era that no longer exists but here. But the Whiskey Cured Salmon is the draw of the starters and is amazing as it reads!!! Mains I've had the smoked pork loin and shepherd's pie... the loin was tender and juicy with a nice herb sauce to top and the pie was meaty and firm like it damn well should be. It's all about tradition at Fraunces. Great Anglo-American traditional dishes done right, a few new additions for the more experimental eater, good libation selections, and the sweet taste of history with every bite. So, stick a feather where you can, call it modern macaroni, and get down to Fraunces on the double quick!

    (5)

  • Emily O.

    This is our go to after work bar. Good beers on tap, good service & bartenders. In terms of food, I've had mostly apps - wings, sliders, mac and cheese, fries, all good. I remember before they redid this place, it was so empty and dated. So glad they've turned it into what it is now. Sometimes it's a bit dark when its so nice out I wish they had an outdoor area.

    (5)

  • Megan L.

    Ideally, I'd give it 3.5 stars, but the history buff in me will up it to four. My friends and I booked a rather large Sunday brunch here, which came with both pluses and minuses. Pros: * It's a cool location; the building, being on the historical registry, retains much of its authenticity and the owners play it up by putting interesting facts around the restaurant. * They could accommodate a party of 13, and gave us a private table in the chef's room. * GREAT deal; $25 for unlimited drinks, an appetizer and a main. * Bellinis were delicious - not too peachy but you got the flavor of the fruit. * Food was good; I did the potato soup as an appetizer (excellent) and the chicken salad sandwich as a main (Tasty, but the cheese should have been melted). * An Irish folk band started playing in the mid-afternoon, and they were entertaining. Cons: * Not everyone was as pleased as I was with the food. My boyfriend ordered an Irish breakfast, and he did not like it; being British, he's a near expert on them. As a place that touts themselves as being authentic Dublin, the chefs should get that right. * The service at first was very slow; mimosas and bellinis are easy to drink and we sat for LONG intervals without drinks in the beginning. And the water pitchers weren't refilled regularly. This picked up, but only after we said something (politely) to the waitress. * One friend ordered a bloody Mary at the end and was charged $10 for it, since "our time was up." Most places I go to for unlimited brunch always give you one as you get the check. The short story is that I'd come back, but with a smaller (4-6 people) party. Much easier to enjoy the ambiance and experience that way.

    (4)

  • Tiffany H.

    The draft are not impressive although extensive. The location is packed and very loud. Fries are good but stay away from the wings. The worst BBQ chicken wings ever. Soggy and covered in sweetened ketchup!

    (2)

  • Aviva G.

    I enjoy coming to happy hours here after work. They always have a couple beers on special that are pretty cheap and good. The other beers are too expensive. The place gets really super crowded after work with all the wall street types and theres so many different bars, its like a maze connecting them. Very easy to get lost or stuck! The back bar always seems to be the least crowded so thats where I like to be (probably because its so hard to get to!) I have not ordered food at the bar, but my friends seem to really like the mac and cheese, fries and sliders. The bar food is not too expensive and looks gourmet. I probably would have given this place a better rating except that I have had lunch here a few times and have not really enjoyed it. It is a very expensive lunch spot (but what can we expect in FiDi?) so if I am going to pay $15 to $20 for a sandwich it better be amazing. Spoiler: the sandwiches are NOT amazing. They are huge though. I am also somewhat of a vegetarian--I will but would rather not eat meat--and Fraunces has few options for people who dont want a burger or meaty sandwich. I have ended up ordering salads here a few times and paid $15 for a plate of lettuce and dressing. The salads aren't bad, the beets and cheese one is good, but nothing special. so skip lunch and come for happy hour.

    (3)

  • Dan K.

    I wanted to visit Fraunces Tavern because of its historical significance (George Washington) and got the chance the day after Thanksgiving when a friend came to visit from California and we went there for lunch. While waiting for our friend to meet us, the hostess suggested we wait in the whiskey room. She was very nice and another employees came by to make sure we were taken care of. I like the fact that we weren't forgotten or ignored. When our friend came, we were quickly seated in the dining room where fireplace was warmed up the room. The room wasn't crowded and our waitress was also attentive (until the room began to fill up). I ordered the grilled cheese and tomato soup; which was delicious although a little pricey. That didn't matter as it was about the company. As I mentioned the waitress started to forget about us when it got busy, but did suggest that we check out the other rooms (they have three bars) and the large mural in the other dining room. We did and I appreciated the fact that she mentioned it and we ended up in the back bar for a few after dinner drinks. It wasn't crowded but finding the bathroom outside down the hall was confusing (maybe I was buzzed). I wanted to finish with a visit to the museum upstairs but it was closed. Although, they share the same building it is run by another company and even the hostess was perturbed that they didn't mention they would be closed or posted a sign to say such. I've read other reviews that they have had bad service, dealt with snooty Wall Street types (it is way down town) and cold or uncooked food. We had none of this and other then the closed museum enjoyed our visit, food, service and each others company.

    (4)

  • Ben K.

    Beyond the historic nostalgia, this has become one of my "regular" weekend spots to work whilst eating and drinking. It tends to be rather quiet and mature, with a great beer menu and generally helpful staff. The specials change regularly and are generally quite good. The food is good, if not exceptional. I prefer it to many of the spots on nearby Stone Street (at least for pub food - Adrienne's is awesome for pizza). Similarly, the service is just a touch better most of them too. They do have proper chips, but you have to ask for vinegar. All in all, a place I come back to again and again.

    (3)

  • Terry M.

    OmfingG this place is bad. The service if that is what you call it was worse than getting a meal in the trenches of the civil war. They thump their chest about their beer. I asked the clueless, left my brain at home 5 years ago waitress for a small taste (like every other bar in the universe will give you) of the Oyster Stout and the Celebration Stout. She said well we sell a sampler of 3 different beers, I will bring that. No..... I just want a taste to see which stout is best. 10 minutes later I got my warm minuscule samples. I guess they were still fighting the British and brought over some left over swill. I settled on the Celebration Stout which has noting to celebrate about. Bad. Do your self a favor and have a Rogue Chocolate Stout some where else. Now let's get to the food, if that is what you call it. I had a turkey burger. I think it was left over from the Pilgrim's feast with the Native Americans. My wife wanted a salad with chicken salad on it. The waitress kept saying grilled chicken? No... Chicken salad which is cut up chicken with spices and mayo. We were trying to tell her, a chicken salad sandwich with out the bread on top of a salad. She had to check if the chief could do that. I'll keep it short. Skip this place, go some where else and have a real meal with a beverage.

    (1)

  • Victor K.

    Came here strictly for the food. Its expensive and not good at all. Had the lunch menu. My companion had the bangers and mash, and I had the Tavern Burger. Both were blah. I asked for the burger to be medium and it was very dry. Only saving grace, was we used a groupon coupon for this place. Better to come here as a watering hole. There are much better food options down the block... like Zigolini's.

    (1)

  • Kenny C.

    I'm a fan. Oysters are fresh, their house brews are tasty (try the Porterhouse Red), and I've also had the privilege of meeting the owner, who's a great guy with tons of stories.

    (4)

  • Nycole K.

    This is a restaurant that's been around since George Washington, so it comes with some great history (and has a museum attached to it for those that want to learn more!). The food is delicious, with an extensive drink list. I especially like the Dingle Whiskey room, with the whiskey sample flights.

    (5)

  • Carly G.

    We had to stop here; with it being the oldest bar in the US. Such a cool place to stop and grab a pint and also look around the museum. Didn't try the food, but the beer was great; had a decent selection. Only complaint, is the bartender wasn't very helpful; we received most recommendations from a stranger sitting beside us.

    (3)

  • C. D.

    Beautiful, historic bar. Great traditional Irish band was playing, excellent beer selection, and surprisingly good calamari dish.

    (5)

  • Jane R.

    I love this place for it's happy hour and cheap eats however, service seriously sucks here. Even though the size of the crowd is consistently large at happy hour, they usually only have a server or two for all the tables in the bar area and two bartenders. This is the go to place for lots of offices in the financial district, including mine so it's definitely loud during happy hour. Also they recently raised their prices for the food so there goes the $3 happy hour wings and mac and cheese, etc. :( Though still cheap drinks ($5 well drinks, $6 wine).

    (3)

  • Anonymous R.

    The place itself is historic but I would only go in and look . It seems like the food itself was from the 1700s but with 2012 prices. Our service was horrific and took literally over an hour (we were with kids) and was also completely inedible and overcooked...the kids wouldn't even touch the sliders they were so hard. The turkey burger was also hard as a rock. The only thing that I drank was a stout which was good but after 1 hour of waiting - there is no way I would ever recommend this place to anyone. Also - the wait staff AND hostess didn't acknowledge anything AT ALL, never apologized so I can only assume this is normal service there.

    (1)

  • Mrs C.

    Just OK. The place is way too dark. We had a hard time to read the menu. Hanger steak $19 - 4 stars. Ordered rare and came out good. Meat was tasty, tender and came with delicious sauce. Fish and chips $16 - 1 star. The batter was soggy and the fish was bland. Glad to be here to experience this historical place but do not plan to come back.

    (3)

  • Kellee K.

    Not sure what the story was on this place closing, but it was open as of April 10. We stopped in for a drink. I'm glad we did, the bar had such character. I wish the walls could talk. Great draft selection and friendly service. This isn't only a great watering hole for George Washington, I liked it, too.

    (4)

  • CrawfordFitness T.

    Great food with a fantastic atmosphere. I brought a date here and we both had a great time, the food was delicious.

    (4)

  • Ralph L.

    Quaint little museum upstairs, very surprised that there are actual George Washington hair and teeth on display. I thought that the restaurant downstairs was part of the experience and cooked period food. It was just bar food and a bunch of hipsters to go with it. Food was ok but expensive.

    (3)

  • Katie C.

    This place is amazing from the staff to the food to the craft beer. The interior has a lovely and warm ambiance and I love going there for a few drinks with my fiancé. The fish and chips is delicious as well as their signature Shepard's Pie. They have great live music on the weekends which is so much fun to go and relax to. I highly recommend this place for out of towners and meeting for a few drinks for friends.

    (5)

  • M S.

    On a recent trip to New York City, we happened upon the Fraunces Tavern during our open-top bus tour. The place is packed with history - it's especially cool that this is the place where Washington said goodbye to his troops after the Revolutionary War. Another cool hint of history is the plaque with photographs and signed baseballs from previous presidents. We had dinner plans elsewhere, so we opted for some fries and a few brews in the bar. I had the Stella (I'm a pushover for Stella) and my friend had the Old Speckled Hen. Both of us thoroughly enjoyed the experience and have told our friends to check it out when they are in town. We were there mid-afternoon on a weekday, and found the place nearly empty. I'm definitely heading back the next time I'm in NYC.

    (5)

  • Laura W.

    After departing the Staten Island Ferry we were looking for a nearby bar that we could grab a few drinks in. It was a Sunday and we stumbled across Fraunces and decided to give it a go. I was excited to read it is the oldest standing building in NY and George Washington once stayed there. I of course had to take a picture of the sign. We sat at the bar but declined the prix fixe brunch. I was disappointed after getting the bill and realizing it would have been cheaper for us to go with the prix fixe and not order a la carte. I wish the bartender would have tried to sell us more on that. I had the crab cake (delicious) and 3 mimosas but it really wasn't worth the price. I am giving them 3 stars because the crab cake was really fresh and I was trying to eat as much seafood in NY as I could. The mimosas were also nice and cold and full of champagne so I can't fault them for the food/drinks.

    (3)

  • Susan D.

    Pretty cool atmosphere and cool history to the place. The server was knowledgeable about beer and made great recommendations. The veggie wrap was tasty! The first time I went the cheese was not melted and was a forgettable wrap. But the second time (taking family from out of town to see the cool bar) the wrap was sooo good and cheese was melted. Keeping it at 5 though because it still wasn't bad the first time and it is more of a tavern than a restaurant

    (5)

  • k f.

    Tonight was easily the most satisfying meal I've ever had in the financial district. Although I've enjoyed Fraunces several times since they've changed owners, my expectations were tempered for tonight. I was under the impression that the six course meal for craft-beer-week was going to focus more on the beer, with the food playing a secondary role. I couldn't have been more mistaken. Although the beer was in fact amazing, the meal itself was stunning. Here's a list of the six courses, with my comments to follow: A 6 course meal with an award winning beer paired with each course ! East coast Oysters paired with Stoudts Pils Endive & Watercress salad paired with Erdinger Oktoberfest Pan Seared Scallops paired with Allagash Victor Braised Beef Flatiron paired with Porterhouse Plain Porter Irish Cheese Plate paired with Porterhouse Brain Blasta Peanut Butter Banana Bread Pudding with Youngs Chocolate Stout The oysters, a staple of their happy hour, were good, as usual. The salad was very flavorful, but I'm not going to waste my time describing salad. The real show stealer was the scallops, which were served with what I presume to be blood sausage and on a bed of absolutely delicious risotto. This was the game changer of the meal. This is when my dining partner and I looked at each other and realized that it "was on". Then we were blown away by the beef. This was a huge portion of perfectly cooked beef. Knives were completely useless, and if I wasn't in a fine dining establishment, I might have forgone the fork as well. The meat melted in my mouth. I was transported into a different world. And the mashed potatoes were able to absorb all the wonderful juices that escaped from the meat. 4 beers and 4 courses into this feast, and I needed a break. I walked around, and wished I was a smoker, b/c a nice break outside in the fresh air would have done me good. But when I got back, I was treated to a tasty cheese plate and my 5th beer. With a cleansed palette, I had the 6th course, which was a fabulous bread pudding dessert. The peanut butter mixed in really topped off the dessert nicely. As did the dollop of vanilla ice cream. The edges of the pudding were perfectly crusted and ending the meal w/ a warm dessert was perfect. I've had their regular steaks and loved them. I'm a true believer in their happy hour deals. But my god, tonight's meal was once in a lifetime. That is, unless I can convince someone else to go again this week. I hope they do something like this monthly, or at least during the holiday season. This was a meal you want to share with friends and family alike. EDIT: Forgot to mention that they changed some of the beers from the menu. And also forgot to mention that our server was equally awesome. It's rare to find great service in the area, but she was in fact the exception.

    (5)

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4 Avenue Bakery

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