NYCReview
Old Town Bar
Included In
When that person said “respect your elders,” they were probably talking about Old Town Bar in Gramercy. This straightforward burgers, beer, and whisky kind of place opened in 1892, and though there’s been a heck of a lot of inflation since then, a pitcher of beer is still relatively affordable at $32, and the burgers come in at under $20. The two-floor spot also has the oldest active dumbwaiter in all New York City—a fact we really enjoy sharing. (Reactions are never quite as excited as we want them to be.)
This is a place we’re happy to remember still exists, unfazed by NYC's always-changing microneighborhood trends and martini-related fads. Over a century of Big Apple history lies within these walls, saturated into the Prohibition-era marble bar, and the vintage urinals and toilets. The key to Old Town's multiple generations of success is its no-frills formula: it’s all about the company you keep here, and the beer you drink.
Sure there are Beyond Burgers on the menu now, along with salads and sandwiches—all of which we're sure are relatively tasty in their own right. We wouldn't know though, because we come here for primarily one reason: hamburgers. We’d also come here for a few large orders of chicken wings with friends at one of the big upstairs tables, or a low-key date night with martinis in a dark wooden booth. Or even just a bowl of mildly spicy chili at that history-soaked bar.
Food Rundown
Cheeseburger
This isn't one of these fancy short rib or dry aged rib eye burgers that get all the headlines these days. Not even close. Simplicity is the key to Old Town's success. Served on top of a toasted sesame bun, these aren't much to the naked eye, but they get the job done. You can taste the grease from their grill, and that's a good thing.
Buffalo Wings
As a general rule in life, if there are buffalo wings, we’re probably going to end up ordering them. And are they spectacular? No. But are they slick with sauce, and aggressively crispy? Yes. For that reason, they’re a good way to start your meal here. And the blue cheese is quite good. It’s the little things.
Fries/Onion Rings
Shoestring fries that are typical pub quality—you'll happily house a whole side order without thinking twice. The onion rings are nice and big, but a tad over-breaded for our tastes. Stick with the fries.