The White Horse Tavern has inhabited the corner of Hudson and 11th since the late 19th century when it replaced the James Dean Oyster House. It may have long ago itself been replaced were it not for the fact that Dylan Thomas chose the location as the place to drink himself to death in 1953, thereby creating a place for it in the annals of literary history. Today it attracts a fair, but not overwhelming number of tourists to mingle with the neighborhood locals. They seem to mix well, which is fitting as Dylan Thomas, a Welshman, was in New York as a tourist himself.

Why You Should Go

One of the oldest bars in New York City, The White Horse Tavern first opened its door in 1880.
A mix of tourists and locals makes for a friendly and varied crowd.
Service at the bar is quick and attentive.
The foot traffic in the area makes for great people watching in the summer months.

What You Should Know

From April to October the sidewalk tables are a great place to people watch.
While literary lore has it that Dylan Thomas drank 18 shots of scotch before dying on the stoop here, the truth is a combination of a huge dose of morphine and undiagnosed diabetes led to his collapse the morning after spending the night drinking in the bar til 4am.