Peter McManus Cafe: A Vintage NYC Dining Experience

Yo we out here all day, family all day, ask Joe for that sha bang bang he family all day. Runaway bing bing bing

Still the most solid in town. I haven't been here in a few years, and when I did frequent this incredible place I'd come alone, as I did today. My friends aren't of the same mindset about restaurants, which is an unfortunate loss for them. I do understand it's a bit of a schlep to MSG from here, but my newish apartment is within walking distance. So I'll be back more often. Everything about this place is original and perfect. Dark paneling and long bar with stained glass is warm and comfortable. Classic movies on the tellie add to the charm. Everyone who works here has always been super friendly and that tradition continues with the new crop of barkeeps and wait staff. Today's lunch harkens back to my early '80's staple of Roast Beef with mashed and potatoes. I recall with great fondness how many now-defunct restaurants used to serve this dish, but none of them ever could whip up such tender and flavorful food as here. AND serve it at a reasonable price. I am a vintage NY snob. These walls and floor and bar and tables and banquettes and stained glass harken to the ole NY I remember as a kid. I wish there were more of them, particularly those I frequented back in their heyday. But one so conveniently located suffices just as well as 10. Thank you for still existing. And doing things right.

So fun! Friendly bartenders mix up Delicious cocktails in one of NYC's oldest bars. Internet jukebox keeps the music flowing.

Although I like the old time feel, the interior furniture needs a reboot in my opinion with better lighting. In the modern era designs and seating need to be more functional. I had a cheeseburger deluxe with chicken rice soup which was delicious as usual. The waitress has been there for many years and was very helpful. I love the sign out front--a reliable Irish pub is always great.

Burger was great! Cosmo hit the spot. Place is truly a dive and dated but if u love a good dive you'll be fine. Bathroom is slightly atrocious but... its a dive so hey.

Peter McManus is very consistent. The woman behind the bar seemed to be serving the whole pub, but she was handling it as best she could and displayed the best attitude she could. Fortunately, it was an early Sunday evening and the patrons had not slammed the place. I ordered a nice draught pint and the chicken wings, extra crispy, which they were. However, they could accompany them with a few carrot and celery sticks for the great blue cheese dip. The bed of shredded lettuce had to do. The kitchen was again in good form, when I ordered the grilled Reuben with fries. Food here is not skimpy and I had half the Reuben and fries to go. There are better Reubens in this City, but your attention here is on the televised sports, conversation with your date or friends, people watching, or the Irish pub scene generally. The value proposition is well and good here. I ordered the pork chops and lamb chops to go with mashed potatoes, broccoli and salad. Both are delicious, even better than the lauded Reuben actually. Add in another beer and the bill topped out just under a Benjamin before taxes and tip, again we are in Midtown or Chelsea. Two things: Their website does not work if you want delivery and they only answered the phone once for delivery; though, I have tried several times. Some may not like the narrow men's restroom, but this is a pub in a city with plenty of small facilities and this is not a fancy establishment. Come and enjoy yourself.

Peter McManus Cafe has been open for 87 years, and it looks it...not in a necessarily negative way, it just looks its age. Rather than Cafe, PMC looks more like a pub or "bar and grill". Sitting down in the front bar portion, one can feel the past and imagine what the "walls have seen" over the almost 90 years of pints poured and burgers slung. The walls were adorned with old pictures and letters, and there were telephone booths by the corner of the bar. We went there for lunch and it was decently filled with a mix of locals and tourists there for lunch or just a few drinks. The bartender handled the front tables in addition to the barstools. He was a loud-laughing friendly helpful guy, who was born for the business...a natural. I had the Pop Pop burger with tater tots. Pop Pop is a 50-25-25 blend of ground chuck, brisket and short rib, A relatively simple burger with cheddar cheese, onion and pickle that is not "gourmet" with all sorts of cheffed up toppings; it's just a satisfying juicy two napkin burger. That tots were frozen but fried nicely crispy in a way that made it hard to stop eating them. From the outside, and perhaps the inside if you're "dinge" adverse, it may seem to be a dive bar but it really is not...it has character to spare.

Proper Irish pub with a standout cheeseburger. There are tables in the front and booths in the back. When it's busy you may have to be patient to get the staff's attention. Enjoy the timeless decor and always tip your bartenders.

Awesome New York bar with a friendly crowd. We grabbed a cheeseburger which we were hoping to share between the two of us. They had it cut in half and prepared on two separate plates for us which was very nice of them. The prices are reasonable as far as New York goes and I'd be happy to come back. But what made me want to come back more was the fact that the fourth round of drinks was free! We ended up staying a bit longer because of this which we were happy to do.