The White Horse Tavern

Posted: 02.26.2025 | Updated: 02.26.2025

New York City, the city that never sleeps, attracts thousands upon thousands of visitors every year for its Broadway shows, stores, and, if time permits, a picture of the Statue of Liberty. The list could go on, but what also makes the city alluring is its hidden locations, which hold stories of the past in plain sight. 

Head to Manhattan’s West Side, where the neatly gridded streets deviate into a scenic labyrinth.  Located at the corner of 567 Hudson Street, the White Horse Tavern sits cozily tucked away.

It has borne witness to Manhattan’s literal rise as the city’s second oldest tavern. It was a place for laborers and union workers, and later, writers, artists and musicians. It’s also the eternal home of one particular ghost who has made sure that everyone here knows his name. 

Spirits are waiting around every corner in the city that never sleeps. Come see for yourself on a ghost tour with NYC Ghosts! Don’t forget to also check our blog for more spooky stories from its most haunted locations.

Is the White Horse Tavern Haunted?

The White Horse Tavern is haunted by one of the most notable poets of the 20th century. 

It was where he found inspiration in the company of other like-minded writers, taking in one drink after another. Now that he’s been dead for over 50 years, some say he achieved his unspoken dream of making the bar his permanent home. 

History of the White Horse Tavern

The West Village derives its name from its location west of Greenwich Village. Today, it’s one of the most eyed real estate locations in Manhattan, with its brownstone buildings coupled with diverse shops and historic landmarks, and it is a brief walk away from the Hudson River or Central Park. Tucked away bars, such as the White Horse Tavern, also add a bit of excitement for those looking to take in the city’s nightlife. 

The White Horse Tavern was built in 1880, a time before New York City’s towering skyscrapers.  It was known as the James Dean Oyster House at the time, with its main clientele consisting of longshoremen and sailors due to its close proximity to the Hudson River ports.

It later became a hub for labor activists and union organizers, including the Catholic Workers in the 1930s. Legend has it that the idea for the Village Voice, a former nationally-known news publication, was even conceived over drinks here. However, the social atmosphere drastically changed by the 1950s. 

Notable Patrons

The West Village became a bohemian haven for artists and writers. At the heart of it was the White Horse Tavern with regular patrons such as Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, and writers William Styron and Norman Mailer

Famous writer, Jack Kerouac frequented The White Horse Tavern as well, promptly followed by routinely being ejected. This happened so often that someone took the liberty of carving the words “JACK GO HOME!” on the bathroom stall. The White Horse Tavern even served musicians such as Bob Dylan. 

Today, the White Horse Tavern offers a fascinating look into a small piece of the mural that makes up New York City’s past. Creative energy of the past and present intertwine and burst at the seams of this historical landmark. However, that’s not the only energy felt here. 

Do not go Gentle into that Good Night

It could be argued that no one loved the White Horse Tavern more than Dylan Thomas. The famed poet would often traverse back and forth between the tavern and his room at the Chelsea Hotel, in fact. That’s because in addition to being a literary genius of his time, he was also a raging alcoholic.

Thomas’ health suffered as a result, even having to be administered morphine on one occasion just to perform a reading of one of his poems. On November 3, 1953 Thomas told a close colleague, “I think I’m going to die.” In the true spirit of his famed poem, he did not by any means go gentle into that good night, however. 

The famed writer presumably went out on a drinking binge that night. He returned to his room at the Chelsea Hotel at 2 a.m. before heading back out to the White Horse Tavern, where he downed 18 shots of straight whiskey. He woke up the next day and continued to drink in bed before returning to the White Horse to have a couple of beers.  

His health took a turn for the worse come midnight, when he woke up with labored breathing and his face turning blue. He was rushed to the local hospital with bronchitis that turned to pneumonia and succumbed to his illness four days later. 

Staff and patrons have since claimed to have seen Dylan Thomas’ spirit still frequenting the establishment. He has often been seen sitting at his favorite table. Thomas has also been suspected of causing mystery beers and shots to appear inexplicably, poured along the bar. 

Haunted New York

There is a different side to Manhattan that hides underneath its mask of modernity. The city that never sleeps is filled with restless spirits and haunts that go bump in the night. One of whom seems dead set on breaking his own drinking record at the White Horse Tavern. 

The second oldest bar in Manhattan, the White Horse Tavern is a staple in the city’s history. It was where literary giants, musical legends and artists gathered to find inspiration over a drink and good conversation. Among them was Dylan Thomas, famed literary poet who, despite his passing over 50 years ago, insists on stopping by for a drink even after death. 

Venture through the darker side of the Big Apple. Visit our website today and book a ghost tour with NYC Ghosts for a chilling walk through of some of New York City’s most haunted spots. One more thing! Be sure to also read our blog for more haunting stories across the nation, and stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Sources:

• https://www.whitehorsetavern1880.com/about
• https://theoldgrowler.com/restaurants/remembering-the-white-horse-tavern/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6uPeM6s1B4
• https://amyscrypt.com/haunted-white-horse-tavern-new-york-city/