For many drinkers, morning drinking is a staple of getting through the work day in Lower Manhattan. Whether it is stopping in before the markets open, taking a food/drink break from the construction site, or relaxing after working the overnight shift, you could count on a friendly and welcoming crowd. There are three bars in Lower Manhattan that are open before 10am, NYDrinker spent a morning visiting them.
White Horse Tavern
25 Bridge Street (Between Broadway and Broad St)
8am
Although it was advertised to be open at 8am, when NYDrinker arrived at 8 on the dot, the front door was padlocked. We would have to return later in the morning.
Number of drinkers: 0
Music for morning drinking: Sounds of construction
TV channel for morning drinking: N/A
Jeremy’s Ale House
228 Front Street (Between Beekman and Peck Slip)
8:30am
A cavernous area adorned with shirts from various Fire Departments and bras, some obscenely large, hanging from the walls and ceiling, the staff at Jeremy’s Ale House were mostly setting up, warming up the kitchen, and running numbers from the previous night. One drinker was dressed in business clothes chugging a red wine. Hands down the best deal in town, a 32oz Styrofoam cup of Coors Original only cost $1.75.
Number of drinkers: 4
Music for morning drinking: Motown
TV channel for morning drinking: ESPN and CNN
Biddy Early’s
43 Murray Street (Between West Broadway and Church St)
9:15am
The busiest of them all, this Irish bar adorned with soccer memorabilia was filled, some getting off their shifts, many about to start, with everyone’s drink of choice at this bar clearly $4 Bud bottles. The female bartender, fighting off a hangover, was not happy with the smell when she was asked to pour a Jameson.
Number of drinkers: 15
Music for morning drinking: 90s Rock
TV channel for morning drinking: ESPN and Soccer
White Horse Tavern
25 Bridge Street (Between Broadway and Broad St)
10am
Doors were open when we returned to the White Horse Tavern, along with a very nice female bartender who was apologetic when NYDrinker mentioned the doors were locked at 8am, all was forgiven with a beer and a smile. She mentioned that White Horse Tavern used to have over a dozen morning regulars called the Staten Island Breakfast Club, as the bar is just steps from the Staten Island Ferry, but many of the Breakfast Club lost their jobs.
Number of drinkers: 6
Music for morning drinking: None, the silence was eerily pleasant
TV channel for morning drinking: ESPN and Fox Business
Recap
Best bartender: White Horse Tavern
Best deal: Jeremy’s Ale House
Most Irish: Biddy Early’s
Emptiest: Jeremy’s Ale House
Fullest: Biddy Early’s
Quietest: White Horse Tavern
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