About The Oldest Eatery In America
Recognized as both the oldest tavern and oldest restaurant in North America
An eatery is a casual dining establishment where food is prepared and served to customers. It's a broad term that can encompass various types of food service businesses such as cafes, diners, pubs, restaurants and taverns.
White Horse Tavern, located in Newport, Rhode Island, is considered the oldest eatery of any kind in America. It is recognized as the oldest tavern still in operation in America by the U.S. National Park Service. The New England Historical Society describes the White Horse Tavern as the oldest tavern in America. Discover Newport Organization defines it as America's oldest restaurant. Food Republic acknowledges it as the oldest bar in the United States.
White Horse Tavern was founded in 1673 and has been serving up ale and eats ever since. Francis Brinley, an English immigrant and wealthy merchant, constructed the original building on the site in 1652 as his private residence. In 1673, he sold the lot to William Mayes who enlarged the building to become a tavern.
The building was also used for large meetings, including use as a Rhode Island General Assembly meeting place, a court house, and a city hall. William Mayes obtained a tavern license in 1687, and his son William Mayes, Jr. operated it through the early eighteenth century.
In 1708 the Tavern became “home of the businessman’s lunch” as councilors dined there and charged their meals to the public treasury. The operation was named "The White Horse Tavern" in 1730 by owner Jonathan Nichols.
Over the centuries, the White Horse Tavern has hosted many notable figures, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Its said that George Washington even held a dinner at the tavern during the American Revolution.
In 1954 the tavern showed years of use and neglect. Through the generosity of the Van Beuren family, the property was acquired by the Preservation Society of Newport County and was meticulously restored. This helped to save the structure from demolition.
The White Horse Tavern is a National Historic Landmark listed as America’s oldest restaurant. According to the website, the tavern was recognized as a National Historic Landmark and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the year 1972.
The typical colonial style has clapboard walls, gambrel roof and plain pediment doors bordering the sidewalk. Inside, its giant beams, small stairway against the chimney, tiny front hall, low ceilings, and cavernous fireplaces are the very essence of 17th century American architecture.
No building is more typical of colonial Newport than White Horse Tavern. The building is a fine example of colonial architecture. It has been meticulously preserved and restored over the years, giving visitors a glimpse into early American life.
White Horse Tavern continues to operate as a restaurant and bar, serving classic New England cuisine in an atmosphere steeped in history. It is a popular destination in Newport for both locals and tourists alike.
It offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere with colonial décor. However, be aware of your surroundings, as some patrons claim to have seen and heard spooky ghosts while dining at the historic building.
White Horse Tavern stands as a living testament to America's colonial past and remains an enduring symbol of Rhode Island's rich heritage. In 2014, a Newport-based group acquired the property and became the ninth owner in the over 350-year history of the Tavern, which stands today as the oldest eatery of any kind in America.
