Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of History: Why You Should Visit Fraunces Tavern in New York City
I don’t know about you, but when I think of early American history, my thoughts naturally migrate to Massachusetts, Virginia, and Washington DCーnever New York City. Recently, though, musicals like Broadway’s smash hit Hamilton, and television shows like AMC’sTurn, have flipped the script on that. As it happens, New York City is a veritable cornucopia of American history, from momentum-changing events to the rise of some of our most enduring national figures.
Of the many historical landmarks in New York City, Fraunces Tavern stands unparalleled in its significance. The structure was originally built as a private residence in 1719, but Samuel Frances purchased it in 1762 and turned into a tavern. It didn’t survive unscathed for over 300 years, of course. It suffered a hit from a cannon ball as well as numerous fires, but continued to be rebuilt due to its significant role in history.
Since 1762, Fraunces Tavern has been party to crucial events leading up to, during, and after the Revolutionary War. The Sons of Liberty, often incorrectly reduced solely to their famous Boston chapter of Tea Party fame, held meetings at the tavern in its earliest days. Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton also attended a meeting of the The Society of Cincinnati under its roof (just a week before their duel!).
Of particular significance, of course, is that George Washington used the locale as headquarters during the early days of the American Revolution. He also famously delivered his farewell address to his troops at the war’s conclusion on December 4, 1783. It took place in the Long Room, which you can still visit today. To recreate the experience, an excerpt of his farewell toast plays while spice jars recreate the smells of an 18th century tavern. Every year, Fraunces Tavern also conducts a reenactment around the anniversary of the address. Besides a full delivery of the speech, the event often includes other fun activities such as photo booths, guided tours and more.
For those with even the slightest bit of historical curiosity, you won’t be disappointed. The museum on site is excellent, and not overwhelmingly large. It incorporates artifacts from its permanent collection as well as various exhibitions.
Then again, maybe you find all this museum talk stuffy and boring and would prefer to just nibble on a little something and imbibe while you drink in the historic ambiance. Well, it’s not called a tavern for nothing! Fraunces Tavern offers over 140 carefully selected craft beers, over 200 whiskeys from around the world, and sports a full menu, serving brunch through dinner. They even have rooms available for private events focusing on particular spirits, such as Bourbon Lounge, Wine Room and The Porterhouse Bar.
If a visit to Fraunces Tavern makes you wish you’d paid more attention in American History, then there are a number of other historically significant sites in Lower Manhattan you can visit. Consider heading over to Federal Hall, which is home to the first Congress and is the birthplace of the Bill of Rights and the Judiciary Act. Oh, and Washington was inaugurated here too. The neo-Gothic Trinity Hall dates back to 1846 and its cemetery is where Alexander Hamilton is buried. And speaking of the rebranded and repopularized founding father, the stunning US Customs House that bears his name is worth a visit just for its ability to awe. Today it’s home to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and Federal Bankruptcy Court. Don’t forget the New York Stock Exchange, whose Roman-style building dates back to 1903 and is a designated National Historic Landmark.
And since you’re already in the area, wander over to Stone Street, which is rumored to be the first paved street in New York City. While we can’t confirm that it’s the oldest street in the city, we can vouch that it’s one of the most charming. Restaurants and bars line the cobblestone street, which is strictly pedestrian-only. Residents like the Dubliner and Stone Street Tavern lend it a subtle international flair. On warm summer nights, outdoor dining under string lights can make for a magical evening. It’s also a popular photo shoot destination for obvious reasons, so if you run into a model striking a pose, try not to gawk!
Location:
Hours:
Daily 11am – 2am
Make it a date! Pair it with:
The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog
When you have an establishment of The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog’s stature just a few steps away from Fraunces Tavern, you really can’t pass an opportunity like that up. The accolades tell the tale: Best Bar in North America for 4 straight years and World’s Best Bar in 2016. Now, that is a very strong statement. So what makes this place so special?
Well, for starters, it’s situated top to bottom—The Occasional, The Parlor, and The Taproom, respectively—on three separate floors. Each floor has its own individual charms, but the space manages to maintain a cohesive vision throughout. The moniker is based on an Irish American street gang, much like the ones the movie Gangs of New York is based on. There are lots of photographs and memorabilia related to this time for your perusal.
You’ll find lots of gorgeous wood and plush leather seat cushions. And you’ll find pretty much any drink you desire, whether it’s beer, wine, champagne, Irish Whiskey or the dazzling array of creative mixed drinks. (Oh, and the menu for those drinks is a comic book, I kid you not!) Hearty and eclectic pub fare is also on the menu. You’ll even find sawdust on The Taproom floor, if you’re into that sort of thing. In short, you will find your bar—one that speaks to you—among those levels.
Location:
Hours:
The Taproom Monday – Sunday, 11AM – 4AM
The Parlor Monday – Saturday, 5PM – 2AM & Sunday, 5PM – 12AM
The Occasional By reservation
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