Legendary Pub Peter McManus 'Should' Stay Open Despite Building Sale, Owner Says

Word’s been spreading that historic pub Peter McManus Cafe might close after the building sold, but owner Justin McManus says his family is in negotiations with the new owner and "should be able to" stay. The bar at 152 Seventh Ave., at 19th Street, has been open at the corner since 1932, making it the oldest family-run bar in the city. Developer The Renatus Group bought the property for $10.5 million in April, and even though other tenants have left, McManus says in an email that talks so far have been for the bar to remain in business. "I'm meeting with the building manager this week, and if his intentions are still the same from the last time I spoke with [him], we should be able to come to an agreement," he says.

The Chelsea bar is one of the city’s last old-school, classic Irish pubs. It’s open during the day and late into the night for food, and it’s known for a solid bar burger. McManus has also been the unofficial party spot for improv group the Upright Citizens Brigade since original members like Amy Poehler started it. A private Facebook group to save the bar has launched since Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York said yesterday that it might close. At press time, the Coalition to #SaveMcManus already had more than 300 members.

Still, it’s not quite the end of the line for the legendary bar yet. Stay tuned for updates as negotiations continue.