The Who:
The people at Fraunces Tavern are major players in our city's early history. Samuel Fraunces himself first registered as an "innholder" in New York in 1755. He was an ardent and active patriot. Before he opened this tavern, he owned The Free Masons' Arms tavern on Broadway, which served as the unofficial headquarters for the Sons of Liberty, the political group that ignited the American revolution.
Fraunces purchased the building at 54 Pearl St in 1762, and there opened the Sign of Queen Charlotte, or the Queen's Head Tavern as it quickly became known. He prided himself as being an elite entertainer and was well known for his cooking. After opening a second location in Philadelphia, Fraunces returned to New York to resume personal operation of the original location and renamed it Fraunces' Tavern.
As the owner of the tavern, Samuel met and maintained a strong professional relationship with George Washington, and even served as Washington's chief steward during the first years of his presidency. He continued owning and operating taverns until his death in 1795.
The tavern frequently hosted many of our founding fathers for matters both personal and professional. Many important meetings and dinners were held here during the Revolutionary War. And it was here that George Washington gathered his men to bid them thank you and farewell after the end of the war and the departure of the British.
The What:
Nowadays Fraunces Tavern serves as a meeting place and a museum dedicated to honoring the American heroes and the events that led to our independence and the founding of our nation. There are many photos and artifacts displayed in the museum and throughout several rooms of the tavern. They still serve a traditional pub dinner every night and boast an extensive list of spirits and craft beers from around the world..
It is also somewhat of a satellite tasting room for the Irish brewery Porterhouse. You can come here and work your way through their repertoire of beer, including an oyster stout and a traditional red ale.
The Why:
Fraunces Tavern is not only one of the oldest pubs in America, it's also one of the most culturally significant to our country. On our Hamilton Happy Hour tour, we conclude the happy hour at Fraunces Tavern, for it was here on July 4, 1804 that you would have found Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr seated together, just one week before their infamous duel.
The Tavern was founded as a meeting place for food and entertainment before America became America and still caters to New Yorkers and visitors seeking an enriching and authentic New York experience.
The Where:
Fraunces Tavern
54 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10004
(212) 425-1778
The people at Fraunces Tavern are major players in our city's early history. Samuel Fraunces himself first registered as an "innholder" in New York in 1755. He was an ardent and active patriot. Before he opened this tavern, he owned The Free Masons' Arms tavern on Broadway, which served as the unofficial headquarters for the Sons of Liberty, the political group that ignited the American revolution.
Fraunces purchased the building at 54 Pearl St in 1762, and there opened the Sign of Queen Charlotte, or the Queen's Head Tavern as it quickly became known. He prided himself as being an elite entertainer and was well known for his cooking. After opening a second location in Philadelphia, Fraunces returned to New York to resume personal operation of the original location and renamed it Fraunces' Tavern.
As the owner of the tavern, Samuel met and maintained a strong professional relationship with George Washington, and even served as Washington's chief steward during the first years of his presidency. He continued owning and operating taverns until his death in 1795.
The tavern frequently hosted many of our founding fathers for matters both personal and professional. Many important meetings and dinners were held here during the Revolutionary War. And it was here that George Washington gathered his men to bid them thank you and farewell after the end of the war and the departure of the British.
The What:
Nowadays Fraunces Tavern serves as a meeting place and a museum dedicated to honoring the American heroes and the events that led to our independence and the founding of our nation. There are many photos and artifacts displayed in the museum and throughout several rooms of the tavern. They still serve a traditional pub dinner every night and boast an extensive list of spirits and craft beers from around the world..
It is also somewhat of a satellite tasting room for the Irish brewery Porterhouse. You can come here and work your way through their repertoire of beer, including an oyster stout and a traditional red ale.
The Why:
Fraunces Tavern is not only one of the oldest pubs in America, it's also one of the most culturally significant to our country. On our Hamilton Happy Hour tour, we conclude the happy hour at Fraunces Tavern, for it was here on July 4, 1804 that you would have found Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr seated together, just one week before their infamous duel.
The Tavern was founded as a meeting place for food and entertainment before America became America and still caters to New Yorkers and visitors seeking an enriching and authentic New York experience.
The Where:
Fraunces Tavern
54 Pearl Street
New York, New York 10004
(212) 425-1778