Day 57—Sunday, March 7th
White Horse Tavern
Today’s the last day of my daytime bar crawl as my parents are leaving and it’s back to the sweet night time for me tomorrow. Today I thought we’d travel to Greenwich Village and visit the legendary White Horse Tavern. Legend has it that poet Dylan Thomas drank himself to death here at the bar after downing 18 shots of scotch and then returning to his Chelsea Hotel apartment to sleep it off. Instead of sleeping it off, he died in his sleep. Other famous patrons through the years include: Bob Dylan, Mary Travers, Jim Morrison, Norman Mailer, Jack Kerouac and Hunter S. Thompson. Let’s go check out this legendary watering hole, just watch the shots, I don’t want any drunken deaths on my 365 watch! Oh, wait, I don't have a watch, so do whatever you want to do.
Here we are at the White Horse Tavern, deep in the heart of New York City's Greenwich Village.
Wow, it's crowded for an early Sunday afternoon. I spy one empty stool though and it's mine!
Behind the draft beer pullers stands Bob the bartender. Ready to serve up a cold beer.
I think this sign went up after they served Dylan Thomas those 18 shots of scotch.
John told me he was a semi-regular in the joint. He lives in the neighborhood, but also has a place in New Orleans. He was waiting for his better half to show up.
And baboom! Here she is, the lovely Lea.
Eddie and Anitra came in from Park Slope to have a couple beers and lunch. Cheers!
A giant white horse painting in the back room.
Seated nearby were Carl, Anne Marie and Mitch, enjoying drinks and the ambiance of the White Horse Tavern.
There's tables in front to relax and drink too.
Phil stopped by for a quick glass of wine at the tavern.
Some of the beers available and more white horses adorn the top perimeter of the bar.
Bill and Gigi were seated next to me at the bar. It was Gigi's first time at the bar and she had been trying to find the owner of a lost Blackberry earlier.
Here's a painting of Dylan Thomas at the bar. Can we buy you a shot Dylan?
Koaus came in for a drink and told me he works in the fashion industry.
After talking to Joe and Stephanie who were seated at a corner table I found out that both of them live on my block! Neighbors at the bar. See you round the hood, Joe and Stephanie!
And finally with the aid of some prop glasses and beers, I perform my Dylan Thomas impersonation. Goodnight everybody!
Review
The White Horse Tavern is a legendary literary watering hole. In the ‘50’s beat poets and writers gathered here, drank and listened to the Clancy Brothers jam in the bar. Legend has it that poet Dylan Thomas pounded 18 shots of scotch and then retired to his Chelsea Hotel residence and died a John Bonham-like death. There’s a large portrait of Thomas to be seen in the bar along with a painting of a white horse and other memorabilia and photos from the past.
Today the crowd consists of neighborhood regulars, curious New Yorkers and college kids looking to drink and reminisce of literary and beat days gone by. Tourists also flock to this haunt where drinking is still the main focus. There’s 13 bottled beers to choose from including, Sierra Nevada, Widmer (Hefeweizen), Budweiser, Woodpecker Cider and Amstel Light. There are seven drafts to wet your whistle among them are, Guinness, Sam Adams, Newcastle, and Stella Artois. In addition to the booze, food is also available and the menu has burgers, sandwiches, nachos and Shepherd’s Pie and Steak and Kidney Pie.
When the weather permits they have an outdoor patio with tables and seating. Stop by and admire a chunk of New York’s writerly past and one of the city’s legendary drinking haunts. Just remember though, if you’re doing shots, keep it sensible, limit yourself to a dozen or so. Cheers!
White Horse Tavern
567 Hudson St. @ 11th St.
212-243-9260