Early Taverns in New York City

Dutch and later English taverns were the usual place used as lodging for travelers in Manhattan in the 17th century. At the time, taverns were very important in the community. They were places where people went to drink alcoholic beverages, where meals were served, and where people gathered to discuss political or social issues. Sometimes, taverns could also be used as courtrooms, trading posts, post offices, and convenience stores.

In the 17th century, on the site of today's number one Broadway (occupied by Washington Building) stood a tavern kept by Pieter Kocks, an officer of the Dutch service.

In the 18th century, the City of New York was a major slave market and a supply port for pirates and merchants. In September 1784, the number of taverns was so big that the Grand Jury recommended that fewer be licensed. In 1789, the directory listed 169 tavern and lodging-house keepers in the city, but, between March 1788 and March 1789 there were granted 330 tavern licenses.

By the late 18th century, among some prominent tavern keepers were:

• Samuel Fraunces, from 1756 to 1795, when he died, owned a few taverns in the City of New York, including the iconic Fraunces Tavern, restored in the early 20th century at 54 Pearl Street. It housed historical meetings before, during and after the Revolutionary War. He also had other popular taverns in the city, like the Mason's Arms, Vauxhall Garden (both resorts) and at 49 Cortlandt Street (the former Hall's Tavern was also called Fraunces Tavern at his time). The General Stage Office was kept in this tavern.

• Edward Bardin, who kept the City Tavern.

• John Jones established the Ranelagh Gardens in 1765 and was one of the operators of the iconic Fraunces Tavern and Mason's Arms, both established by Samuel Fraunces.

• Aaron Aorson, corner of Nassau and George (Spruce) streets, who had been a captain in the revolutionary army.

• George Rawson, No. 82 Water Street.

• John Battin, corner of Nassau and John Streets.

• John Francis [or Fraunces], who opened the True American in August 1785 at No. 3 Great Dock (Pearl) Street. He removed in May 1789 to the historic Fraunces Tavern, corner of Broad and Pearl streets.

• John Simmons, whose tavern was on the northwest corner of Wall and Nassau Streets.

• Jonathan Pearsee, No. 28 Nassau Street corner of Ann Street.

• Richard Varian, at the Bull's Head Tavern on the Bowery Lane.

• Widow Bradford, at the Coffee House on the southeast corner of Wall and Water Streets