White Horse Tavern (New York City)

The White Horse Tavern is a historic bar and restaurant located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City, at 567 Hudson Street, near 11th Street. Established in 1880, it is renowned as a landmark of literary history and a former haunt of numerous prominent writers and artists.

The tavern achieved significant notoriety in the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, when it became a popular gathering place for figures associated with the Beat Generation and other literary movements. Welsh poet Dylan Thomas was a frequent patron, and it is widely believed that he drank heavily at the White Horse Tavern shortly before his death in 1953. A marker in his memory can often be found at his preferred table.

Other notable writers who frequented the White Horse Tavern include Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, James Baldwin, and many more. The tavern's association with these influential figures contributed to its enduring reputation as a hub of literary and artistic activity.

Over the years, the White Horse Tavern has undergone changes in ownership and management, but it has largely maintained its historic atmosphere. It continues to operate as a bar and restaurant, attracting a mix of tourists, local residents, and those interested in its literary past. The tavern's interior retains some of its original features, and its walls are adorned with photographs and memorabilia that evoke its rich history. The White Horse Tavern remains a significant cultural landmark in Greenwich Village and a reminder of the neighborhood's vibrant literary heritage.