The Ear Inn is in a Federal-style brick building constructed in 1817 — one of the oldest surviving buildings in Manhattan. The pub itself has been pouring since the 1850s and operated as a speakeasy through Prohibition. The interior is preserved 19th century: original bar, tin ceilings, gas-lamp wall sconces.
The pub serves reliable beer and pub food. The kitchen is decent and the burgers are honest. The Sunday afternoon jazz brunch is a local institution. The bar runs until 4am on weekends.
The crowd is mixed Soho locals and tourists who came for the heritage. Pair with Employees Only in the West Village for a downtown Manhattan heritage-and-cocktail evening.
