Great Bars of New York City: 30 of Manhattan’s Favorite Storied Drinking Establishments

Acclaimed photographers James and Karla Murray invite readers inside the doors of thirty legendary watering holes to discover how each has contributed to the social and cultural fabric of New York City.

For nearly three centuries, people have been gathering in New York City taverns, bars, and pubs. Celebrating the historical significance of thirty of those establishments, this book features gorgeous full-color photographs by James and Karla Murray, the award-winning team behind Store Front NYC.

Each drinking den is paired with engaging descriptions that capture the location’s unique identity, penned by journalist Dan Q. Dao. There’s the White Horse Tavern, frequented by writers such as Dylan Thomas and James Baldwin; the Stonewall Inn, renowned for its role in the LGBTQ+ rights movement; the King Cole Bar in the St. Regis Hotel, a sophisticated lounge adorned with a mural by Maxfield Parrish; and quintessential neighborhood dive Rudy’s Bar & Grill, where cheap beer and free hot dogs are served with a side of vintage grittiness.

Filled with legends and stories, it also includes a map. Whether they’re looking to soak up some NYC history or raise a glass to fit their mood, this helpful guide will ensure readers that they’ll find a place to have a good, stiff drink.

James T. and Karla L. Murray are husband-and-wife architectural and interior photographers based in Manhattan’s East Village. Their books include Store Front NYC, Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York, Store Front II: A History Preserved, and New York Nights. Their work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world and featured in numerous publications including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, and the New Yorker.

Dan Q. Dao is a culture writer whose work has appeared in publications such as the New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, Forbes, and GQ. He has held editorial and digital strategy roles at Paper, Saveur, and TimeOut. Besides writing, he also runs his own food and drink consultancy, District One Studios.