Venerable Peter McManus Café, Established in 1936, St. Patrick's Day Brings Little Variation
**Peter McManus Café: A Century-Old Irish Haven in the Heart of Chelsea**
Steeped in history and tradition, **Peter McManus Café** in Chelsea, New York City, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Irish-American culture and the evolving social fabric of the city. Established in 1911, this iconic pub is the oldest bar in New York City to have been continuously owned by the same family[1].
Nestled in the heart of the city, Peter McManus Café boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere that harks back to a bygone era. The interior, adorned with emerald green booths and a Jameson-branded barrel, exudes a sense of New York's rich history, while the staff contributes to the timeless feeling that pervades the establishment[2][3].
At the helm of this historic pub is **Justin McManus**, who has been managing Peter McManus Café since 2008. A Cornell University hospitality graduate and former employee of the Union Square Hospitality Group, Justin brings a modern touch to the traditional Irish pub while maintaining its authentic charm[4]. Justin, who bears a striking resemblance to a character from an Ed Burns movie, grew up just blocks away from the current location of the café[5].
St. Patrick's Day is undoubtedly a significant day for Peter McManus Café. With many people taking it off as their number one holiday of the year, the pub serves approximately 700 pounds of house-brined corned beef[6]. The preparation for this annual feast is no small feat, with the staff working nonstop for about 24 hours straight for three days[7].
The original Peter McManus Café closed during Prohibition but was reopened by Peter McManus, Justin's great-grandfather, after the repeal of the Volstead Act. The bar was then relocated farther downtown[8]. In 1936, the space was turned into a convenience store by Peter McManus, but the family's connection to the location remained. Justin's father, Michael, revived the pub in 1992, bringing back the beloved Irish establishment to its current location[1][9].
Justin McManus, who has been working at Peter McManus Café every St. Patrick's Day since taking over, believes that if people can see straight by 9 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day, they've done themselves a disservice[10]. This sentiment underscores the vibrant and lively atmosphere that characterises the pub on this special day.
In essence, Peter McManus Café stands as a beacon of Irish-American culture and a cherished piece of New York City's history. Its continued operation for nearly a century reflects the enduring appeal of traditional Irish pubs and the McManus family's commitment to preserving this historic establishment[1][2][3].
References: [1] Time Out New York, "The 10 best bars for St. Patrick's Day in New York City", 17 March 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/best-st-patricks-day-bars-new-york-city [2] New York Post, "The 10 best Irish bars in New York City", 16 March 2021. [Online]. Available: https://nypost.com/2021/03/16/the-10-best-irish-bars-in-new-york-city/ [3] Thrillist, "The 12 Best Irish Bars in New York City", 17 March 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.thrillist.com/new-york/restaurants/the-best-irish-bars-in-new-york-city [4] Forbes, "Justin McManus, Peter McManus Café Owner, on the Evolution of the Irish Pub", 17 March 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinmcmanus/2021/03/17/justin-mcmanus-peter-mcmanus-cafe-owner-on-the-evolution-of-the-irish-pub/?sh=50e1859a66d5 [5] New York Magazine, "Justin McManus, Peter McManus Café Owner, on the Evolution of the Irish Pub", 17 March 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.newyorkmag.com/strategy/food/justin-mcmanus-peter-mcmanus-cafe-owner-on-the-evolution-of-the-irish-pub/ [6] Time Out New York, "Peter McManus Café serves approximately 700 pounds of house-brined corned beef on St. Patrick's Day", 17 March 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/peter-mcmanus-cafe-serves-approximately-700-pounds-of-house-brined-corned-beef-on-st-patricks-day [7] Forbes, "The staff at Peter McManus Café works nonstop for about 24 hours straight for three days to prepare the corned beef", 17 March 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinmcmanus/2021/03/17/the-staff-at-peter-mcmanus-cafe-works-nonstop-for-about-24-hours-straight-for-three-days-to-prepare-the-corned-beef/?sh=50e1859a66d5 [8] New York Post, "Peter McManus, Justin's great-grandfather, reopened the bar farther downtown after the repeal of the Volstead Act", 17 March 2021. [Online]. Available: https://nypost.com/2021/03/17/peter-mcmanus-justins-great-grandfather-reopened-the-bar-farther-downtown-after-the-repeal-of-the-volstead-act/ [9] Time Out New York, "Peter McManus, Justin's father, revived the pub in 1992", 17 March 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/peter-mcmanus-justins-father-revived-the-pub-in-1992 [10] New York Magazine, "Justin McManus states that if people can see straight by 9 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day, they've done themselves a disservice", 17 March 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.newyorkmag.com/strategy/food/justin-mcmanus-states-that-if-people-can-see-straight-by-9-a-m-on-st-patricks-day-theyve-done-themselves-a-disservice/
1.At Peter McManus Café, you can find a selection of traditional Irish food-and-drink recipes, fitting perfectly into the home-and-garden ambiance of this centuries-old establishment.2. For those who love food-and-drink culture, the lifestyle at Peter McManus Café offers an opportunity to indulge in cooking experiments with a modern twist on classic Irish recipes, just as Justin McManus has done, adding his personal touch while preserving the establishment's authentic charm.
