The Legendary White Horse Tavern in New York
In what was originally a saloon for Irish longshoreman in 1880. became a cultural hub for the Bohemian crowd in the 1950s and 60s.
It was a gathering place for poets, writers and artists, including notable figures like Dylan Thomas, who had his last drinks there in 1953.
The tavern’s history stretches back to its namesake in Newport, Rhode Island where the White Horse Tavern has been open since 1673.
During the 20th century saloons like the White Horse Tavern played an important role in the shaping of New York’s social and cultural scene.
While women faced significant barriers in public spaces, with many bars and saloons once banning them, the White Horse Tavern was part of a broader shift, where women began to challenge the social norm.
The White Horse Tavern was also a gathering place for literary and artistic figures, many of whom shaped the intellectual and cultural movements of the time.
Writers like Jack Kerouac and Norman Mailer frequented the tavern, while it also attracted musicians Bob Dylan and Jim Morrison.
As a gathering place for creatives, it witnessed the intersection of different artistic movements, political ideologies, personal struggles and philosophies.
New York Magazine called the White Horse Tavern “a nostalgic high temple of the Alcoholic Artist”.
Writers James Baldwin and Hunter Thompson were often surrounded by poets like Alan Ginsberg, John Asbury, Frank O’Hara and Delmore Schwartz.
The Irish folk group The Clancy Brothers drew Bob Dylan and other musicians there.
The White Horse Tavern is New York City’s second oldest bar and it’s still going strong today.
There’s an LP jukebox there filled mostly with heroes like Sinatra, the Doors and the Stones.
It’s got to be one of the most favorite pubs in the village.
David Garland NY New York Jun 14, 2025 Back in Time Bars Words
Jun 14, 2025
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