Ear Inn.

Situated on the ground floor of the historic James Brown House, which belonged to an African-American Revolutionary War veteran and aide to George Washington, the Ear Inn has been in operation since 1817.

Originally catering to sailors with homemade beer and whiskey, the bar has maintained its popularity over centuries. Today, it offers delicious burgers, beers, and pasta accompanied by live jazz. For those seeking one of the best bars in SoHo with a touch of history, Ear Inn is a must-visit. Even if history isn’t your priority, it’s still a fantastic bar serving refreshing drinks!

Fun fact: Wondering how Ear Inn got its name? Since the building is a designated landmark the owners aren’t allowed to make any changes without jumping through bureaucratic hoops. The owners simply changed the lighting in the sign to make it read “Ear” instead of “Bar” and were able to avoid the paperwork of a new sign.

If you’re on the hunt for the best happy hour in SoHo, don’t overlook Ear Inn in Hudson Square, just a few blocks outside of the neighborhood. Housed in the historic James Brown House since 1817, this bar has a rich history, originally serving sailors with homemade beer and whiskey. Today, it’s a popular spot offering delicious burgers, beers, and pasta, accompanied by live jazz. Whether you’re into history or just looking for a great bar with affordable drinks (beers range from $5 to $9), Ear Inn is a top choice. During happy hour, all drinks are $1 off.

Fun fact. Wondering how Ear Inn got its name? Since the building is a designated landmark the owners aren’t allowed to make any changes without jumping through bureaucratic hoops. The owners simply opted to get rid of the round parts of the capital B on the sign out front, to make it read Ear instead of Bar and avoid the paperwork of a new sign.

This building was originally the home of James Brown House, an African-American Revolutionary War veteran and proprietor of a tobacco store on the lower level of the house. Brown sold the building in the mid-19th century to two apothecaries and moved on with his life.

Records show that a tavern has been operating from the location since 1835, but it was most likely a bar even earlier than that (1817), officially making it one of the oldest taverns in New York City.

Time passed, as it usually does, and it 1890 the home was purchased by an Irish immigrant named Thomas Cloke, whose primary clientele were longshoremen and sailors. Cloke was a shrewd businessman and had the foresight to sell the business in anticipation of the Prohibition, but the restaurant later re-opened as a speakeasy by the new owners.

The bar’s historic atmosphere, marked by a distinctive neon sign and maritime artifacts, has been preserved over the years. Renamed the Ear Inn in the mid-20th century, it remains a beloved landmark in the historic Hudson Square neighborhood.

Fun fact. Wondering how Ear Inn got its name? Since the building is a designated landmark, changes can’t be made without extensive reviews and bureaucratic hoops. The solution? The owners manipulated the neon sign to read “Ear” instead of “Bar” to avoid the paperwork (and inevitable hassle) of installing a new sign. How clever!