P. J. Clarke's

P.J. Clarke's describes itself as New York's classic American restaurant and bar, in operation since 1884. Its official site lists four Manhattan locations — The Hudson, Manhattan West, the Upper West Side, and the Upper East Side — and also names Third Avenue, Lincoln Square, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Sidecar NYC/Sidecar DC. The restaurant presents itself as an oyster bar built for New Yorkers, serving raw-bar oysters and clams and timeless American classics, with a history of star-studded diners such as Frank Sinatra and Jackie Onassis.

According to the official Our Roots page, a red brick building went up on 55th Street and Third Avenue in what is now Midtown Manhattan in 1868. In 1884 a certain Mr. Jennings converted the building into a saloon, serving mostly Irish immigrant laborers. In 1912 Patrick "Paddy" J. Clarke, who had arrived from Ireland and began bartending for the second owner, Mr. Duneen, a decade earlier, bought the establishment and chose a natural moniker for it. During Prohibition (1920–1933) Clarke made bathtub gin and bootlegged Scotch from Canada, serving loyal customers on the sly. Four Clarke sons were born in the tenement above the bar between 1916 and 1924. In the 1940s the place gained a reputation, with Frank Sinatra regularly closing it down at Table #20 and Johnny Mercer writing "One for My Baby" on a bar napkin. P.J. Clarke passed away in 1948 and the restaurant was sold to the Clarke's neighbors, the Lavezzos. The official site also states the restaurant has been in operation since 1884 and lists locations including Third Avenue, Lincoln Square, On The Hudson, Manhattan West, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Sidecar NYC/Sidecar DC.

New York's classic American restaurant and bar; an oyster bar built for New Yorkers serving timeless American classics.

• Raw bar (oysters and clams)

  Fresh-off-the-dock oysters and clams served classic or modern, raw or cooked.

• Classic burgers

  Classic burgers offered alongside raw-bar items.

• Classic cocktails

  Classic cocktails and a glass of bubbles available at the bar or a table.

1. 1P.J. Clarke’s Restaurant & Barpjclarkes.com
2. 2P.J. Clarke's Reservations | Contact Uspjclarkes.com
3. 3P.J. Clarke's Restaurant and Bar | Our Roots - PJ Clarke'spjclarkes.com