A Tour of 19th Century Drinking Establishments

The New York 19th Century Society presentsA Tour of 19th Century Drinking Establishments Saturday, April 26th 2012 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. South Street Seaport area With Rachel Klingberg of The Baritisu Club of New York City.

Limited to 20 participants.

You can purchase your tickets through paypal using the email: nyncs@nyncs.org

You can also purchase thickets through Brown Paper Tickets link HERE

Join us as Rachel walks us through the South Street Seaport and regales you with tales of famous patrons, historical events, and facts of some of the most famous bars and taverns of New York City.

Fraunces Tavern – 1762 54 Pearl Street In 1783, at the close of the Revolutionary War, General George Washington bid his officers a tearful farewell in this tavern. The New York Chamber of Commerce was founded here; and the departments of Foreign Affairs, Treasury and War were once located here until the capital moved from New York to Philadelphia in 1790. Throughout the 19th century, the building suffered many fires and was rebuilt extensively. Famous patrons: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay Signature drink: bourbon, scotch, whiskey, rye

Bridge Cafe – 1794 279 Water Street One of the oldest wooden buildings in Manhattan, it began as a “grocery and wine and porter bottler,” making it the oldest food/drinking establishment in continuous operation in NYC. By 1879, it was indicted by the district attorney as a ‘disorderly house’. During Prohibition, it was run as a restaurant and sold ‘cider,’ but beer was available, supplied by a Brooklyn bootlegger. The interior dates from the 1920s. Famous patrons: Hellcat Maggie, Gallus Mag, Sadie the Goat, Kate Flannery, notorious gangsters The Dead Rabbits, Daybreak Boys, assorted disreputable “river pirates and Water Street hags,” Ed Koch Signature drink: reputedly, “All Sorts”, the remnants of other customers’ drinks

Delmonico’s – 1837 2 South William Street At 11 different locations and under various owners since 1827, Delmonico’s has been at 2 South William Street from 1837–1890; 1891–1917; 1929-1977; and 1998-present. Delmonico’s chef made service a la Russe – dishes brought forth in a series of courses – popular in New York. Formerly service a la Francaise – dishes brought out all at once – was considered the height of cuisine. Many classic dishes are said to have been invented here: Delmonico Steak, Lobster Newburg, possibly Baked Alaska, Eggs Benedict, and Chicken a la King Famous patrons: Jenny Lind, Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, “Diamond Jim” Brady, Lillian Russell, Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, J.P. Morgan, James Gordon Bennett, Jr., Walter Scott, Nikola Tesla, Edward VII, then the Prince of Wales, and Napoleon III of France Signature drink: Delmonico Cocktail

The Paris Cafe – 1873 119 South StreetThe elegant Meyer’s Hotel opened here in 1987 with a luxurious bar called The Paris Cafe. It catered to wealthy travellers arriving by ship. Teddy Roosevelt was said to have dropped in on occasion while serving as the head of the New York City Police department to collar officers who indulged themselves while on duty. Famous patrons: Thomas Edison, Theodore Roosevelt, Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill Cody, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Signature drink: Yeungling or other historic beers

Limited to 20 participants. Please have your tickets ready before the tour starts. Also note that your ticket does not cover for any purchases of drinks or foods at the visiting establishments.

SCHEDULE

4:30 p.m. – meet at Fraunces Tavern

6:00 p.m. – depart Fraunces Tavern for Delmonico’s Bar and Grill

7:30 p.m. – depart Delmonico’s for Bridge Café 7:50 p.m. – Bridge Café exterior view and interior peek (due to its small size, our group cannot fit inside this establishment)

7:55 p.m. – depart Bridge Café for Paris Cafe 8:00 p.m. – dinner and drinks at Paris Café – tour concludes