Ear Inn Introduce
When you're looking for an authentic piece of New York City history, few places offer the genuine charm and character of the Ear Inn. Located in a landmark building in Lower Manhattan, this isn't just a bar and grill; it's a living relic of the city’s past. Housed in a building that has stood since the early 1800s, the Ear Inn has a storied history that you can feel the moment you walk through its doors. It’s a place where locals and tourists alike can step back in time, away from the fast-paced modern city, and enjoy a relaxed, cozy atmosphere.
The Ear Inn is well-known for its laid-back vibe and no-fuss approach to great food and drinks. The establishment is part of the city’s fabric, a testament to its enduring appeal. It's a place that feels real, with warm wood details, old-school bar decor, and a lived-in coziness that sets it apart from more polished, pretentious venues. Whether you're coming for a quick lunch, a casual dinner, or just a drink after work, you're guaranteed an experience that is both authentic and welcoming.
The Ear Inn is perfectly situated at 326 Spring St, New York, NY 10013, USA. Its location in the vibrant SoHo neighborhood makes it easy to find and a great stop during a day of shopping or exploring the area’s art galleries. Its proximity to the Hudson River also offers a great spot to catch a sunset with a drink in hand.
Getting to the Ear Inn is straightforward for anyone in the city. The area is well-served by public transportation. You can easily reach it by taking the 1 train to the Spring Street station or the C and E trains to the Spring Street station. The neighborhood also has both free and paid street parking available, though as with most of NYC, it can be a challenge to find. The establishment is also committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance and seating, making it a welcoming spot for everyone.
The Ear Inn prides itself on providing a range of services to accommodate all its guests, whether they are looking for a full meal or just a drink.
Dine-in and Table Service: The main offering is a classic dine-in experience, complete with full table service. The staff is known for being friendly and attentive, ensuring you have a pleasant meal.
Outdoor Seating: On pleasant days, the outdoor seating area is a popular choice, providing a perfect spot to enjoy your food and drinks while soaking in the historic atmosphere of the neighborhood.
Takeout: For those on the go, the Ear Inn offers takeout, allowing you to enjoy their classic American fare from the comfort of your home or office.
Reservations: The restaurant accepts reservations, which can be a good idea for planning a meal with a group or during peak hours.
Happy Hour: The Ear Inn has a happy hour with specials on drinks, making it a great spot for a quick bite and a drink after work.
The Ear Inn's charm lies in its unique combination of historic atmosphere and quality offerings.
Live Music: One of the biggest draws is the live music. The Ear Inn hosts live performances, particularly on Sunday evenings, which adds a vibrant and authentic touch to the dining experience. It's an intimate setting where you can enjoy great music while you dine.
Exceptional Drinks: The bar is known for its excellent selection of beers and great cocktails. The staff is knowledgeable and can mix up a perfect drink to go with your meal. They also have a full bar offering hard liquor and wine.
Historic Charm: The building itself is a highlight. As one of the oldest operating bars in the city, its interior is filled with history, from its warm wooden bar to the relics and pictures that line the walls.
Quality Comfort Food: While the atmosphere is a big part of the appeal, the food stands on its own. The menu features classic American comfort food, made with quality ingredients like Pat LaFrieda beef. The dishes are consistently satisfying and well-prepared.
Diverse Crowd: The Ear Inn attracts a mix of people, from local residents and workers to tourists eager to experience a piece of real New York City culture. This diverse crowd contributes to the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
To plan your visit to this legendary New York City establishment, here is the contact information you'll need.
Address: 326 Spring St, New York, NY 10013, USA
Phone: (212) 226-9060
With a menu of classic American dishes, choosing what to order at the Ear Inn can be a pleasant dilemma. To get a taste of their best, start with the Pat LaFrieda Burger, an 8oz burger that is a consistent favorite among patrons. If you're a burger enthusiast, the Lamb Burger or the Veggie Burger and Beyond Burger are also excellent choices.
For starters, the Fried Pork & Chive Dumplings are a must-try. Many customers have called them some of the best dumplings they've ever had, praising their crispy texture and flavorful filling. The Oven-Roasted Buffalo Wings and Mac and Cheese are also popular comfort food staples that are perfect for sharing.
For a more substantial meal, consider the New York Strip Steak or a daily special like the Fish of the Day. The Ear Inn also offers classic dishes like the Philly Cheese-Steak and Chicken Pot Pie, which are perfect for a cozy, satisfying dinner.
Beyond the food, make sure to ask about the Soup of the Day and other daily specials, as the kitchen often prepares unique dishes not found on the main menu. And, of course, no visit is complete without enjoying one of their signature cocktails or a cold draft beer from their extensive selection. The combination of its historic setting, lively music, and delicious, no-frills food makes the Ear Inn a place worth visiting again and again. It truly embodies the spirit of a classic New York pub.
Ear Inn Menu
APPETIZERS
- Soup of the Day
- Cowboy Chili
- Fried Veggie Dumplings $10.00
- Steamed Pork & Chive Dumplings $11.00
- Hot & Spicy Garlic Shrimp $14.00
- Mac and Cheese $12.50
- Steamed Mussels-white wine and garlic sauce $16.50
- Oven-Roasted Buffalo Wings $13.50
ENTREES
- 8oz Pat La Frieda Burger $17.50
salad, home fries
- 8oz Lamb Burger $19.50
Tzatziki sauce, salad, home fries
- Veggie Burger $14.50
salad, home fries
- Cobb Salad $16.00
grilled chicken, romaine, bacon, tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese
- Turkey B.A.L.T $14.00
bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato
- Chicken Pot Pie $17.50
- Grilled Salmon over Mesclun Salad $18.00
- Beyond burger $16.50
- Philly Cheese-Steak $16.50
- Fish of the Day
- Pasta of the Day
- New York Strip Steak $33.50
Ear Inn Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Live performances
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Food
- Food at bar
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Organic dishes
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Historic
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- Locals
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Ear Inn Photos










Ear Inn Location
Ear Inn Reviews
historyschoolguinnesslive musicdumplingsirish pubpot piecharactercrayonsale
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1We’ve come to The Ear Inn many times for cocktails ,it’s one of our go-to spots to catch the sunset with a drink in hand. The vibe is always relaxed, the view is lovely, and there’s a timeless charm to the place.But tonight was the first time we decided to dine inside and we’re so glad we did. On Sundays from 8pm, they have live music, and we happened to get a beautiful table right in front of the band. It felt intimate, authentic, and full of life.We ordered the New York strip and a classic burger, both were perfectly cooked and satisfying in that no-fuss, well-done kind of way. The cocktails, as always, were spot on. But they do everyday special as well! Don’t forget to ask !The interior brings you back in time , warm wood, old-school bar details, and a lived-in coziness that reminds you this is one of the oldest bars in New York City. It feels like a piece of local history , not polished or pretentious, just real and full of character.It’s the kind of place that feels like your neighborhood’s secret backyard , somewhere you can relax, hear good music, and enjoy good company.We’re really glad we finally experienced the full Ear Inn charm. Can’t wait to come back
July 13 · ZoeWow, what an incredible experience at the legendary Ear Inn! 🤩 From the moment I stepped inside, I felt like I'd been transported to another era – it's pretty surreal to enjoy some food & drink in a space that's been serving patrons since 1817.Biggest surprise? The food! The fried pork and chive dumplings were out of this world. Seriously, the best dumplings I've ever had. Crispy, flavorful, and perfectly paired with their dipping sauce and some incredibly "horseradishey" English mustard. I highly encourage double-dipping in both and washing it down with an ice cold draft beer.The service was also top-notch. Colin was friendly & attentive and shared some fascinating stories. This place has a classic NYC charm that you just can't find in newer establishments. You can feel the history in the walls and see the relics they've accumulated over the years.If you're looking for a truly authentic NYC experience with great food, cold drinks, and a fantastic vibe, make sure the Ear Inn is on your list.
May 13 · Michael LeeThis is one of the very few places that still captured and preserved the "old spirit " of NY.Considered the date when this place established it was able to do so for few hundreds of years. The place has a vibrant collection of locals who seems to have this place for socializing., the place provides you with crayons and playing cards while you are waiting for your order, but it seems lots of people just keep entertaining themselves and after meal is over. The place is crowded and a bit loud, but this is expected from such place.The wings were very good, they are baked instead of fry and literally falling from bones. I also really enjoyed their chicken pie and fried dumplings. We walked in and waiting time was about 5 minutes, not sure if they get reservations.
June 26 · Alex SerebrovReviewers mention that this place feels like the old New York City. I wasn't around in those days, but stopping through Manhattan I rolled around Hudson Square for a bite to eat and a cold beer and this place spoke to me. This is a very historically-significant bar; I recommend reading about it. The area is very quiet for Manhattan, and this space offers a cozy bar with food options and plenty of outdoor seating.Late at night, the entrance is suffused with the glow of a red neon sign and it sets a great mood.The beer selection is quite good; they have some popular favorites as well as some local beers. I recommend grabbing a pint and moving to sit outside if you're like me and didn't order any food. Bartenders and staff are friendly, and many of the patrons seemed to be regulars.
September 08 · MarshallYou are not coming to Ear Inn for the Instagram Photos (or you may be kicked out or spit on...)... You are coming for a taste of history and an even more incredible taste of food, if you have the opportunity! I watched enough YouTube videos about every place I "planned" to visit on my trip and this was no exception. The second oldest bar in NYC and the history of this place deserves it's own attention, so go look at YouTube for yourselves. The owner, Gary, was the bartender the day I was there. I did not need to re-watch the YT video to realize this immediately upon walking in based on his incredibly strong, yet empathetic and deep down, softie personality. He had all the flavor of someone who has dealt with everything and I loved it. The bar regulars were exactly that and their love for their favorite spot was so evident in their energy and enthusiasm for it all.Now, let's discuss the Chicken Pot Pie... I have always been a fan of the CPP, but there is a level of "homemade" vs "ok this is good"... This was the homemade vibe all the way home and I am pretty sure they put an entire chicken worth of chicken in it. It was everything it could have been and you could tell it was made with love. THIS is a hidden gem in a hidden gem.
June 06 · Jennifer Kopp
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