With the Fourth of July just behind us, it’s a great time to highlight a somewhat forgotten fixture of Colonial life – The American Tavern. We spend a lot of time visiting today’s taverns – they are called tasting rooms and serve craft beers, craft spirits, wine, cider and mead. Take a trip back in time by visiting one of the dozens of historic taverns on the East Coast. During the country’s early years, the tavern was the place to converse with like-minded individuals, eat a warm meal, and enjoy a cold beer.
Over the years we have visited many taverns and it’s always a great experience, so here are five unique stops we recommend. We start with the oldest…
White Horse Tavern (Est. 1673)
Newport, Rhode Island
The White Horse Tavern is the “oldest operating restaurant in the U.S.” and is acknowledged as the tenth oldest in the world. The tavern is steeped in history— it was once a hangout for Tories, housing for British soldiers, and owned by a legitimate pirate.
Today: Visit the tavern for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Reservations are highly recommended; the culinary experience is not a secret. At a minimum, stop in for a drink— we highly recommend the upstairs bar. Don’t be surprised if you stay awhile, it’s a fun place to socialize and strike up a conversation.
Hours: Monday-Thursday (11:00am – 9:00pm), Friday & Saturday (11:00am – 10:00pm); Sunday (11:00am – 9:00pm)
White Horse Tavern
26 Marlborough St
Newport, RI 02840
Fraunces Tavern (Est. 1762)
New York, New York
This Colonial American tavern played a significant role before and after the American Revolution. Fraunces Tavern was the headquarters for George Washington, a meeting place to negotiate with the British, and Federal offices after the war.
Today: The Restaurant and Museum occupy five buildings. There are 8 dining spaces serving lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. We recommend sitting in the tavern area offering over 200 whiskeys, 130 craft beers and ciders, and cocktails.
Visit the Museum’s nine galleries— the collection focuses on Colonial America, the American Revolutionary War, and the Early Republic. Stop in and view the permanent collection of furnishings.
Hours: Daily (11:00am – 2:00am)
Fraunces Tavern
54 Pearl Street
New York, NY 10004, USA
City Tavern (Est. 1773)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Established in 1773, City Tavern was where the nation’s Founding Fathers dined, drank, and celebrated. Originally the building included kitchens, a bar room, two coffee rooms, three dining rooms, and five lodging rooms. At the time, it had the second largest ballroom in the World. In 1777, the first Fourth of July celebration was held at City Tavern.
Today: The Tavern serves lunch and dinner and is the only place in the world you can experience authentic 18th century American culinary history. Don’t forget to try the baked goods made from original 18th century recipes.
The tavern also hosts special events to celebrate major holidays. You can even book your family Thanksgiving dinner at City Tavern.
Hours: Lunch is served daily from 11:30am, Dinner begins at 4:00pm, Sundays 3:00pm. The last reservation is Sunday to Thursday at 9:00pm, Friday & Saturday at 10:00pm.
City Tavern Restaurant
138 South 2nd St at Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Michie Tavern (Est. 1784)
Charlottesville, Virginia
Michie Tavern was operated and managed by the Michie family until 1910. The tavern not only served as a place for travelers to purchase food and drink but also as a social meeting center. In 1927, the tavern was moved seventeen miles to its current location.
Today: Located less than a mile from Jefferson’s Monticello, a meal here is an 18th-century southern culinary experience in one of five dining rooms. The Midday Fare lunch buffet features fried chicken, marinated baked chicken, hickory-smoked pork barbecue, stewed tomatoes, black-eyed peas, buttermilk biscuits and more. The 1784 Pub serves light fare, Virginia wines, beers and hard ciders.
After lunch, spend some time in the unique shops on the property. Visit the Tavern Shop, the Metal Smith Shop, the Artisan Shop, and the General Store. Purchase a few gifts or something to remember your visit to Virginia and the Michie Tavern.
Hours: Lunch served daily from 11:15am to 3:30pm. The 1784 Pub is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00pm to 7:00pm.
Michie Tavern
683 Thomas Jefferson Parkway
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
Gadsby’s Tavern (Est. 1784)
Alexandria, Virginia
Gadsby’s Tavern consists of two buildings— a tavern (1785) and the City Hotel (1792). The tavern and hotel were the center of Alexandria’s economic, cultural, political, and social life during the late 18th into the early 19th century. Nearly all the founders of American Independence spent time here.
Today: The City Hotel now houses the restaurant and ballroom. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday Brunch. Seating is in one of the elegant Colonial dining rooms, and the food is American, with features like Steak and Prime Rib.
The Museum, which is in the tavern, offers guided tours, self-guided tours, and hosts special events. You will see the City Tavern’s Ballroom where George Washington’s Birthnight Ball took place in 1798 and 1799, as well as Thomas Jefferson’s Inaugural Banquet in 1801.
Hours: Lunch is served Monday to Saturday from 11:30am to 3:00pm. Dinner is nightly from 5:30pm to 10:00pm. Sunday Brunch is from 11:00am to 3:00pm.
Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant
138 N Royal Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
