It's no secret that New York City is full of hidden treasures. The secrets are the spots themselves.
Many a historical establishment still exists around the city, having been preserved or continued instead of being leveled to the ground so that a luxury high rise or skyscraper could be erected in its place.
If you're ever in need of getting back to the roots of NYC, know that there are still places out there reminiscent of a city gone by out there.
After all, if you're going to be a New Yorker, you've got to get down to basics and experience vintage NYC, right?
Here are 8 old school bars and restaurants still around in NYC that you need to visit right now.
1. Fraunces Tavern (54 Pearl Street)
![[via Viewing NYC]](/2015/05/1fraunces-tavern_viewingnyc.jpg)
Fraunces Tavern is situated in a building that was built in 1719, meaning that it is nearly three hundred years old and still thriving in its FiDi location. Say whaaaaat?!
The tavern itself opened in 1762, just a few years shy of the Revolutionary War that would result in the United States forming after breaking out from underneath the imperial wing of Great Britain.
Fraunces Tavern was actually involved in some of the significant events that helped contribute to the forming of our nation, as it was used as a grounds for negotiating between the Continental Army and the British Army.
There was even a goodbye party for George Washington thrown at the Fraunces Tavern in 1783. We'll bet you've got that #FOMO (we know we do!) because that was probably the very first can't miss party in NYC.
2. Delmonico's Steakhouse (56 Beaver Street)

Delmonico's started off serving coffee, pastries, and cigars down in FiDi in 1827 before becoming a major NYC steakhouse in 1837, when ordering dinner in a restaurant was a luxury known to few. Can you imagine?
Today, Delmonico's steak is an authentic NYC staple, and the restaurant has been modeled to resemble its original digs down on Beaver Street. Steak enthusiasts, look no further.
3. McSorley's Old Irish Ale House (15 East 7th Street)
![[via Leonard J. DeFrancisci]](/2015/05/3mcsorleysoldalehouse_leonard-j.-defrancisci.jpg)
Where do you think all those Irish bars along the streets of Midtown East got their inspiration from? It would have to be McSorley's, which is NYC's oldest Irish pub since it opened its doors in 1854.
McSorley's is packed with memorabilia from the olden days in NYC, the floor is painted with sawdust as a traditional Irish pub should be, and its signature raw onions are still served as a part of the cheese platter.
When it comes to upholding traditions, McSorley's doesn't disappoint.
4. Pete's Tavern (129 East 18th Street)

Pete's Tavern has been serving NYC since 1864, where regulars-- including literary great O. Henry-- could eat, drink, and be merry with the best of the Italian-American culinary traditions.
You're invited to do the same, as Pete's is still proudly open and operating in Gramercy Park. Grab a plate of one of their classic Italian specialties and a glass of their house brewed 1864 Ale.
,5. Whitehorse Tavern (567 Hudson Street)

Established in 1880, the Whitehorse Tavern is perhaps most notable for being the stomping grounds of the Beat generation and other New York based writers.
Located in the West Village, this infamous bar was just a few blocks from where the radical literary and artistic community of Greenwich Village flourished during the 1950s and 1960s.
Here is the place where famous writer Dylan Thomas had his last drinks before his death.
It is a place where you could've found talents like Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and James Baldwin hanging out during the last half of the twentieth century.
How crazy is that?
6. P.J. Clarke's (915 3rd Avenue)
![[via travelchannel.com]](/2015/05/screen-shot-2015-05-12-at-5.41.20-pm.png)
P.J. Clarke's is now a staple in NYC, with multiple locations in Manhattan.
It has even transcended onto a national and international level, as you can now find a P.J. Clarke's as close as Washington, D.C. and as far as Sao Paolo, Brazil.
P.J. Clarke's started as a saloon opened in 1884, being turned over to eponymous owner Patrick J. Clarke in 1912.
The 3rd Avenue location was just walks from the Third Avenue El, and it was frequented by stars like Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor when they were young in the city.
Today, P.J. Clarke's is home to a bangin' burger, customized to your liking and built for a king. Its new owners keep it as traditional as possible, something that is rare to find in this day and age.
7. Keen's Steakhouse (72 West 36th Street)

Keen's opened up in 1885, but before that, it had its beginnings as a part of the Lambs Club, which originated back to an English theater and literary group.
Located in the Herald Square Theater District, Keen's quickly kept up with the tradition of being affiliated with the theater, and its Pipe Room became a space for writers, playwrights, and more to exercise their creative talents.
Although the theaters have since moved out of Herald Square, Keen's continues to flourish as a renowned steakhouse, serving up the most gigantic, buttery mutton chop in the city.
8. Lombardi's Pizzeria (32 Spring Street)

In 1905, Lombardi's was licensed and would become America's first pizzeria, located of course where pizza is at its best in NYC, obviously.
Today in 2015, Lombardi's just celebrated its 110th anniversary back in March, complete with pizza prices that were back to what they were in the year 1905 (5 cents a slice, which is unimaginable by our standards).
Check out Beyond the Tourist Attractions: 16 Bucket List Must-Dos for 'Real' New Yorkers.
[Feature Image Courtesy: FoundationsofAmerica]

