Fraunces Tavern

Fraunces TavernFraunces Tavern
Fraunces TavernFraunces Tavern
Bar, Eatery

54 Pearl Street
New York, New York, 10004-2429
United States

(212) 968-1776 | map
frauncestavern.com

The Porterhouse Brewing Company of Dublin, Ireland, has introduced their beers to The Fraunces Tavern, offering their Porterhouse beers on tap.
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.07
Reviews:
13
Ratings:
18
pDev:
11.3%
View: Place Reviews
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Photo of paylstep
Rated by paylstep from Canada (ON)

4.66/5  rDev +14.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
cool nyc vibes!
Feb 14, 2024
Photo of eluvah
Reviewed by eluvah from New York

4.05/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Historic place. More of a food and whiskey pace than beer but they do have a good bottle selection. I went with the Porterhouse Plain Porter because that’s what George would drink. The beef pie (shepherds pie) was fantastic.
Dec 21, 2018
Photo of Bouleboubier
Reviewed by Bouleboubier from New Jersey

4/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Walked over from Chinatown, taking me a little over 20 min to arrive (ymmv). Might not be easy to not spot it on approach, but a big sign juts out from the corner of the second level... Got there around 1:30p, main beer bar was full, as were most of the other seats with brunch crowd in, so I sat at a long bar rail immediately in front of bar... Noticed right away that, despite relatively full house and steady static of conversation, the overall volume was not too loud...

Server was friendly, but proved to provide spotty service as beers arrived slow and I never received silverware until my plate had been sitting in front of me for a few minutes... After my second beer was ordered, my server disappeared altogether and I was served the beer and eventually closed out by a bus person... Don't know what happened but my server may have been new as when I ordered the Porterhouse Red (visited mostly to re-try the Porterhouse beers, which are mostly gone from my market) he told me he had only just tried it recently...

At any rate, the beer selection, though devoid of much UK/Ireland beer unfortunately, is pretty good as they have a sizable bottle/can list of predominantly craft, and the draft list (served from UK-style tap heads) is varied, having local and German varieties on as well as Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break (wanted to, but didn't) - the hard copy menus are of little help with the draft list, so one has to check the tap head logos... Aside from need of salt (didn't bother asking for), my steak and eggs were cooked to perfection...

I do love the atmosphere of the place, especially the main bar area - lots of old brick walls and wood plank ceilings, dim yet warm lighting; attractive, antique decor all around... A separate whisk(e)y bar (they stock ~330 brands) exists off the side of the main bar and that room also looks cozy and welcoming, but was closed :(...

Despite being a touch (but not surprisingly) pricey, very cool place to visit, but the peculiar absence of many of the Porterhouse ales is a bit strange (and disappointing) considering their prominence in the branding (and for me, main draw) of the bar - a separate, stand-alone Porterhouse bar just around the corner from Fraunces also suffered from the same absence of most of their brands, despite the menus boldly advertising their lineup with prices and all - the connection and name is all but meaningless then, eh?
Oct 29, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by paulish from New York

Apr 14, 2018
Photo of laketang
Reviewed by laketang from Arizona

4.21/5  rDev +3.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
When you enter you see iy is a very old esablishment. Kind of caverness, but the bar was nice with many taps and the beer list was very large with msny choices. Easy yo get to if you are in manhatten.
Sep 23, 2017
Photo of bigflatsbeerman
Reviewed by bigflatsbeerman from New York

4.29/5  rDev +5.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
Visited a few weeks ago for dinner. Beer selection was good (I had Hill Farmstead Edward). The bar is apparently run by Porterhouse Brewing out of Dublin, Ireland. Walked through the bar and would like to return someday for a few pints (great atmosphere). Dinner was good accept my wife's chicken was not fully cooked and had to be sent back to kitchen). 4 of us got chicken, mixed sea food plate (special), salmon and beef stew. Also has a very extensive whiskey menu. As a history buff I think it's a must stop.
Apr 30, 2016
Photo of Salsashark3d
Reviewed by Salsashark3d from Kentucky

4.03/5  rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 3.75
Went here with some runners after the new York marathon. Had the oyster stout. Wanted to try the brain blasta but they were all out. Service was slow but they were super busy. But a good bar with plenty of space. Especially for a NYC bar.
Mar 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.24 by rmm123 from New York

Dec 13, 2014
Photo of jazzface78
Rated by jazzface78 from New York

5/5  rDev +22.9%
Just come here. Offers so much, including a great selection of brews and their own brews. One of my favorite places in NYC
Nov 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by TTTBeer from Massachusetts

May 12, 2014
Photo of knightlypint
Reviewed by knightlypint from New Jersey

4.68/5  rDev +15%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5
IMO the upgrade of FT's pub spaces by Porthouse of Ireland has been a success. The several spaces are open and not congested, and there's a live Irish group on Sundays between 3 and 6. The historical significance of FT cannot be underestimated, and there's a lot to see in the neighborhood. Nicely lit and usually a breeze blowing in off the harbor.

The beers on tap are excellent, no need for bottles here unless you don't like Irish styles. All the regular PH stouts, porters, reds, etc are on tap. FT also has Brain Blasta, if you're so inclined.

Service, Irish waiters and waitresses...above average.

All the Porterhouse beers can be had on tap, I think in bottles too. Usually several Yankee micros on tap plus a big bottle selection. Stick with the PHs on tap, they're great.

Food is good but fairly standard.

If you are fan of Irish styles this is must-go joint in NYC. The PH beers are fresh and true. (I only drink the PH beers while at FT so I can't comment on other brands.) They're doing something right down at FT, about time. Not many places in NYC can claim such quality for their on-tap beers.

The tap beers, PHs too, are $8 a pop. Not bad considering the quality, you'll easily pay as much or more for subpar stuff throughout much of NYC.
Apr 18, 2012
Photo of DoubleSimcoe
Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
I was curious to try the ”new and improved” Fraunces after Dublin’s Porterhouse took over the aging and –judging from the reviews- not so successful old establishment. When some British friends were in town visiting and we were down by Battery Park, I decided to take them and the wife there.

It looks really great inside, truly old and intriguing. Plenty of rooms and nooks and crannies to explore and a dining room that brings you back to Geo Wash times. Dim lights, elegance, candles, low ceilings… The whole joint reminds me of a country English pub, although my Albion friends quickly corrected me and said the place actually looks Irish. Huh, well…

There is a staggering selection of beer here, some 27 taps. The menu is confusing, though, so it ain’t so easy ordering stuff here. 5 Porterhouse beers, 9 Oktoberfest-themed brews (including Sam Adams Okto, Hofbrau, Erdinger); 2 “limited” beers (Sam Adams Oak Aged, Sam Adams Maple Pecan), 1 “draft of the month” (Founders Centennial, wrongly printed on the menu as “Flying Dog Founders Centennial”) and some 10 “regular” taps (Abita, Smutty, Dale’s Pale). 75 bottled beers to boot, divided by stiles and with some cool stuff under “smoke” and “barrel”.

Food was good, not great. The wife’s duck confit was correct; my whiskey-cured salmon was nice. Nothing mind-blowing, but solid. The house beers were so-so. Their famous oyster stout bored me (no brininess whatsoever), their strong ale “AinBrain Blasta” was a dirty boozy strong lager and the XXXX stout saved the day.

The food is well-priced, the beer is not ($8 a pint for the Porterhouse brews). But there are some specials, like dollar oysters, happy hour, $10 oyster stout and three oysters…
A cool place that deserves a visit or two, maybe three!
Nov 03, 2011
Photo of RblWthACoz
Reviewed by RblWthACoz from Pennsylvania

3.29/5  rDev -19.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 2
So it's the oldest operating tavern. Okay, that's nice. But this is beer advocate, not history advocate. So keeping that in mind, this is definitely not a destination for beer. The highlights of the draft list were the following: Blue Point Toasted Lager, Harpoon IPA, Weihenstephaner Hefe, something by Hofbrau, and Sam Adams. In the grand scheme of things, not really bringing the funk. Especially with Heartland not all that far away and with this city having access to so many different beers. Vibe of the place is old time, but too clean. Clearly this has been done up for tourism, which is fine. But still, just lacks that certain oomph. Service is fine. Especially if you're the type of lonely guy that loves being called "honey" by your "barmaid" during your visit. Overall, this is great for history, and totally boring for beer.
Apr 25, 2009
Photo of sgoodship
Reviewed by sgoodship from Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -18.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 1.5 | food: 3.5
Everyone is going to tell you how amazing this place is from a historic standpoint. It is! The thought of the things that have happened here is mind boggling. It's a beautiful building and it transports you back in history when you approach it down a narrow winding street.

Now I can forgive the interior wood panelling in the bar and other characteristics that have been lost to time but I can't forgive the choice of beer. For crying out loud, your main claim to fame is George Washington and a few crappy lagers is what you can come up with? Sorry - nice try but no points for Boston lager. Where's the porter? Where is the rich selection on craft beers? Shame on you. Washington used to have casks sent to the White House from here and this is what beer has been reduced to? Very disappointed but don't let my opinion stop you from visiting and paying respects to something that ones was a symbol of true beer advocacy!
Mar 28, 2009
Photo of lehows
Reviewed by lehows from New York

3.93/5  rDev -3.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
This place is the oldest operating pub in New York City. So much history and atmosphere here its incredible. From a balcony above the pub George Washington bid farewell to his troops during the revolutionary war. It was also bombed during the 60's or 70's (cant remember exactly) by that Puerto Rican separatist group (can't remember that name either, FLMN or something like that). I usually stop at this place before the Anglers Club dinner upstairs at least once a year. As far as the beer goes, its ok. Only good stuff on tap was Fuller's London Pride, Blue Point Toasted Lager, Sixpoint Brownstone, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. The rest was your typical macro fare. But thats enough to keep you going and take in the history for at least a couple of pints. Check it out.
Nov 29, 2006
Photo of Billolick
Reviewed by Billolick from New York

3.56/5  rDev -12.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
Wall street area of NYC, so expect the typical loud, hard drinking wall street frat boy crew come 4-5 pm during the week, dont go here specifically for the beer, the highlights when I visited were Sixpoint Brownstone, SNPA and Blue Pt. toasted lager on tap. Beyond that you'll be able to choose from a host of typical middle of the road large marcos, Guiness, stella, Harp, Bass, Sam, and then on downhill to Mich. Light, Bud etc etc. Bottles were worse, with Schneider weisse as the most interesting and everything else being Bud light and crew. The building has pleanty of history and its a decent spot to at least get afresh tasting pint of Six Point, but not much beyond that. A ten minute walk to the seaport Heartland location. Slim pickings beyond these two spots for BA worthy brew in the financial district.
May 06, 2006
Photo of plaid75
Reviewed by plaid75 from New York

3.85/5  rDev -5.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3
I visited Fraunce's for happy hour. Excellent two for one special on all beers. The tap selection included Magic Hat, Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada and Blue Point.

The atmosphere is incomparable. You get really wrapped up in the history. From the period furniture to the original floorboards, ceiling beams and fixtues, this place has authentic character.

The location is awesome as well - corner of Pearl and Broad. A beautiful 18th century structure hidden among modern skyscrapers. A true oasis.

I didn't eat, but the dining room looked impressive.
Apr 20, 2006
Photo of putnam
Reviewed by putnam from Michigan

3.48/5  rDev -14.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5
Drink beer in the place that housed the first American Departments of Treasury and War, just like those beer-swilling founding fathers did.

For those interested in what America was like before prohibition, visit this museum and bar to absorb its important history. The food, service and selection are just above average, but that's ok. I drank - what else - an Anchor Liberty Ale with a chicken pot pie. Located in the financial district.

From the website:
"Taverns were vital centers of community activity in the 18th Century, as important as the local church or Town Hall. They were a crucial link in a new and growing society, places where strangers were introduced, where merchants could conduct business, and where everyone could get the latest gossip as well as the news on the growing political unrest in the colonies.

It was here, in 1768, that the first New York Chamber of Commerce was born., Fraunces also played host to the Sons of Liberty who galvanized popular support for the coming revolution, It was at a meeting of the provincial Congress of New York, that Samuel Fraunces first met George Washington. The two men developed a long lasting friendship, which led to Fraunces’ appointment as Chief Steward in our first President’s household.

Although many events of great significance occurred at Fraunces Tavern, it is most often remembered for its association with George Washington, who spent many hours enjoying his host’s dinners and well appointed bar. It was in the Museum’s Long Room, in 1783, that General George Washington made his emotional farewell address to his officers."
Jul 12, 2004
Fraunces Tavern in New York, NY
Place rating: 4.07 out of 5 with 18 ratings