Description
Old Town Bar is a flagship of old‑New York charm, located at 45 East 18th Street in Manhattan’s Flatiron/Union Square area. Operating continuously since 1892, it began as a German-style saloon and weathered Prohibition by transforming into a speakeasy named “Craig’s Restaurant,” using hidden booths and a dumbwaiter for discreet service. The bar still retains a 55‑foot long mahogany and marble counter, soaring 16‑foot pressed‑tin ceilings, mirrored walls, antique cash registers, and one of the city’s oldest working dumbwaiters. The men’s restroom even features historic Hinsdale urinals from 1910, which were famously honoured with a 100th-anniversary celebration.
Old Town is known as a "conversation bar"—a space where Wall Street professionals, writers, students, and longtime locals gather to talk, eat, and drink in a classic setting. Pulitzer Prize–winning author Frank McCourt once called it “the king of New York bars—where you can still talk!” The bar has also been a haunt for literary figures like Seamus Heaney and Billy Collins, whose signed book covers now hang on the walls. Its atmospheric interiors—complete with tiled floors, vintage booths, and moody lighting—have appeared in movies and TV, including Sex and the City, Bullets Over Broadway, and Madonna’s “Bad Girl” music video.
Old Town Bar serves classic American bar fare, including beloved burgers, crispy onion rings, buffalo wings, and bison burgers. Guests also enjoy local beers—such as those from Brooklyn Brewery—and pints of Guinness served with no pretence. The experience is intentionally casual and refreshingly screen-free, making it a go-to for people who want to unwind, talk, and enjoy the timeless ambiance. The vibe is easy-going and group-friendly, perfect for anyone looking to soak up authentic New York without the fuss of modern nightlife trends.