New York Village Classic Minetta Tavern

The Minetta Tavern is a Greenwich Village institution frequented by its famous literary clientele, layabouts, hanger-ons, various writers, poets and pugilists.

 

It opened in 1937 at 113 MacDougal street, taking its name from Minetta Brook, a small stream that once ran from around 23rd Street down to the Hudson River though what is now Greenwich Village. 

 

The original owner was Eddie “Minetta” Sieveri, who ran it for decades and became so associated with the place that he adopted the tavern’s name as his own.

 

The tavern is closely linked in memory to the tail end of Prohibition and its aftermath, when it functioned in part as a speakeasy-style hangout.

 

In the 1930’s-50’s it became a bohemian and literary haunt, drawing writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound,  Eugene O’Neill, E.E. Cummings, Dylan Thomas, and the eccentric Village character Joe Gould, who was said to receive his mail at the bar because he spent so much time there.

 

The quintessenal New York city tavern is still decked out with its dark wood bar, checkered tiled floors, red banquettes, murals of village street scenes and walls covered with caricatures and photos of past regulars, preserving the sense of 1930-50’s New York. 

 

Because of its long association with writers, artists and village characters, Minetta Tavern is often cited as one of New York York’s classic literary and cultural watering holes,  linking contemporary diners to nearly a century of Greenwich Village history. 

 

Their Black Label burger is known as the best burger in New York city. a unique blend of dry aged ribeye steak, short ribs and brisket.

 

It’s also famous for its French onion soup and the chocolate souffle.

 

Reservations can be tough because the place has turned into a hot ticket-celebrity magnet, so sitting at the bar is still a good time.