Posted on 01/07/2011 7:06:52 AM PST by Pharmboy
By DIANE CARDWELL
It may be almost a year later than originally expected, but Fraunces Tavern, where Gen. George Washington bade farewell to his officers at the end of the Revolutionary War and where patrons have been eating and drinking on and off since 1762, has finally taken a big leap forward in its reincarnation.
The bar, operated by an Irish outfit called the Porterhouse Group, opened last night for the first time since closing in February, attracting a mellow crowd of industry insiders, people who worked on the project and longtime patrons drawn to the place’s sense of history and extensive collection of craft beers.
“To be the first customers at Fraunces Tavern, we couldn’t give up that opportunity,” said Mike Carroll, a lawyer who, along with his friends Kevin McAdams and Eddie Brady, was the first to come in for a drink. “It means we’re here before George Washington.”
Well, sort of. First opened in 1762 as the Queen’s Head Tavern, the building once housed the administrative offices for the fledgling nation, when New York was its capital. But by 1904, after centuries of operating as a tavern, rooming house and hotel and falling victim to fire, it was rundown and significantly altered.
The Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York acquired the building, at 54 Pearl Street, and turned it into a museum, restoring the Long Room on the second floor, where General Washington bade his famous adieu, with a restaurant on the ground floor.
(Excerpt) Read more at cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com ...
My parents took me to NYC — once — when I was very young. My only two memories of that trip are of a wax museum of some sort (scary) and visiting Fraunces Tavern. I have no idea why I remember the Tavern, I guess I had heard something about George Washington, so the Tavern “meant something” to me. I was probably 4 at the time.
Fraunces Tavern at Broad and Pearl Sts.
The Sons of Liberty met here in the 1760s; from 1765 through 1770 NYC was the hotbed of revolution, whereas it shifted to Boston afterward. Sam Fraunces was half white and half black and very close to Gen. Washington; he was put in charge of President Washington's food in his residence in NYC.
The RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list
A good memory to have. You would certainly enjoy the place now...esp. the “long room” on the second floor where the general—too choked up to speak—embraced each of his officers who stood with him during the struggle.
I like this place too Pharmboy! I haven’t been there in a a couple years but now that I know there’s been some renovation, I’ll definitely have to stop in when I’m downtown.
I was never upstairs though. Is the Long Room a private meeting room or do they have it open during lunch?
Part of the museum (nominal admission charge) at the site. Since the new group is now in charge, I do not know how the upstairs will be administered.
I went there in 1997 and would like to go back again. Thanks for the ping.
The beer flowed anew, under new management, at the Fraunces Tavern on Wednesday night.
I hope they have made other improvements. In the old bar, the Coke was FLAT. You couldn't get a decent Captain and Coke to save your life. Let's see if the gas lines are better this time around.
The decor looks so much more inviting. Tons of new bars have opened within a three block radius in the past few years so this place needed a face lift. Can't wait.
Cool. I in the middle of reading D. McCullough’s 1776 right now.
cool. wish it was open when I visited last year.
How cool! I've been by the Fraunces Tavern probably hundreds of times, but have never been inside. Looking forward to a visit at some point soon...
Thanks for the ping, Pharmboy.
So what’s a pint cost ya? I’d guess about $10!
Ruh roh ... exposed filament bulbs? I hope they stock up on lots of replacements or find a way to declare them as heat globes.
Ha! We can always go back to whale oil lamps, I s’pose...
...about 3 quid.
I’ll have to stop by when I’m in NYC. Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the ping.
In case you missed it I found this worth reading:
http://www.city-journal.org/2010/20_4_urban-entrepreneurship.html
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