If these walls could talk at Peter McManus Cafe what stories they would tell. Peter McManus Cafe stands as one of New York City’s oldest family-owned bars. It is located at 152 Seventh Avenue. You’ll find it right on the corner of West 19th Street in Chelsea. Peter McManus Cafe opened its doors in 1936.
Peter McManus Cafe is more than just a bar. It is a neighborhood institution with universal appeal. It is a microcosm of what makes New York City great. Pull up a stool and order a pint. The conversation flows as easily as the Guinness on tap. There is also a dining room in the back with plenty of seating. You can enjoy lunch, dinner, drinks and laughter.
The Peter McManus Cafe has seen triumph and tragedy through the years. The Yankees were once known as the Highlanders. The Met Life Tower was the tallest building in the world. A bullet hole marks the stained glass cabinet behind the bar. Ask Jamo McManus about it. He would rather not commit it to print.
Peter McManus Cafe has graced the silver screen many times. You might recognize it from Highlander starring Sean Connery. Woody Allen’s Radio Days also featured it. So did Keeping the Faith with Edward Norton. The Other Guys starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg filmed here. You may have spotted it in Seinfeld, Law and Order or Saturday Night Live too.
Peter McManus Cafe prides itself on being a port in the storm. It holds fast in a rapidly changing city. Peter McManus provides great food, drinks and memories to generations of New Yorkers. Wander in on any given day and you will find yourself at home.
The Peter McManus Cafe won Time Out Magazine’s Battle of The Burger in 2016. A version of that award-winning burger is still on the menu. It is called Pop Pop’s Top Shelf Burger. It features eight ounces of brisket, chuck and short rib blend. It comes on a brioche bun. Cheddar cheese, pickles and red onions top it. Peter McManus calls their special sauce fancy sauce. It is a McManus version of thousand island dressing. Steak fries or tater tots come with the burger.
Peter McManus is a dive bar in the truest sense of the word. It embraces the dive bar concept in an authentic way. This is especially true in one of the most upscale neighborhoods in NYC. It is Christmas year-round. The booths in back are a garish green and red. Many seats and upholstery are ripped and torn. Inside, you will find old school and kitschy items. These include old phone booths. There is a great old jukebox inside. Arcade games offer a bit of fun. Intriguing markers hint at its long history. That includes a supposed bullet hole in the glass behind the bar.
Settling into Peter McManus Cafe for a Pop Pop burger and a McManus ale is a classic New York experience. Strike up a conversation with the bartender for a ton of fun.