Whether coming or going at Grand Central terminal or even if you’re just passing through, it can sometimes be advantageous to grab a quick drink. But where to go? There are so many spots in New York City that you can go grab a drink at, it can seem a little bit daunting. There are chain restaurants, seedy looking Irish pubs, way too expensive high-rise condo/hotel bars with prices that are just as high out of reach; the options may seem limitless, making your overall selection moot.
However there is hope. There is one quiet (sic) little street where three bars lay in wait for the weary traveler or celebratory reveler and all are worth a consideration if you are trying to get a drink or a quick bite to eat on your way to or from Grand Central terminal.
New York City has long been known for its pubs. New York is a city of immigrants and the Irish immigrants were some of the first to come through and set up these pubs, many of which still exist today. One of these is our first stop on our pub crawl in the Grand Central terminal area and it’s called Annie Moore’s (50 E. 43rd St in New York, NY 10017). Open seven days from 11:30 a.m. until midnight, Annie Moore’s is a respectable looking pub and restaurant on the outside and they make no claims other than being the “best pub food in Manhattan.” The fare at Annie Morris includes stakes, seafood, burgers, sandwiches, chops, pasta, soups, salads, as well as some of their own brand of beer on tap. Many people get excited by this including my father so if you’re ever meeting my dad the Grand Central terminal you should definitely stop inside! Annie Moore’s also has a full array of other pub type food including shepherds pie, chicken pot pie, open faced turkey, fish and chips, and many of the other pub favorites.
And then if you want something totally ordinary and totally like your hometown or totally retro to what your hometown is if your hometown is some big city or a one-stop sign town (like Oriental, NC; home to my favorite Grandma Wendy and Grandpa Bob) then you should check out just next door at TGI Friday’s. While the main entrance and mailing address is 47 E 42nd St. there is a second entrance betwixt these two pubs out on 43rd and you should definitely check it out if happy hour (4-7PM/M-F) with half-price appetizers, $2.50 Budweiser and Bud light drafts, and $3.50 margaritas on the rocks is what you crave. The TGI Friday’s at E 43rd St is an inspired choice for those first timers to the big city who are a tad trepidatious in their maneuvering or for the old hounds who just want to kick back and have a few beers for not too much money.
Finally going for the trifecta is Patrick Conway’s restaurant and pub (40 E 43rd St) this place is a little bit more expensive looking yet a lot nicer to look at than the other two. People have raved about their burgers but the drinks the thing here and Patrick Conway’s will do just as good as anybody else when it comes to this. Drinks in Manhattan are generally very expensive so you want to be sure you’re getting your money’s worth. While a place like Patrick Conway may run you a little bit more, you will not regret spending that extra little bit. Be sure to come in and check out the prices before you decide to eat here because with prices ranging from a $14 Rubén to a $19 crabcakes to a $23 lamb chop, there may be more affordable places for you to get your food after you get your drink on.
If you know the grid system in the Manhattan streets you know that the streets are not very long and the area between Vanderbilt and Madison Avenue is half of one street because of the fact that Grand Central terminal runs through the middle of it. However on this one tiny stretch of 43rd St between Vanderbilt and Madison Avenue you can get some of the best alcohol right before you get on or just after you get off your train.
