The bar is one of the oldest continuously operating in New York City.
Notable patrons The White Horse Tavern was renowned as a gathering place for writers. It and the Lion's Head "were two favorite writers' bars." The White Horse is perhaps most famous as the place where Jason Mitchell drank heavily with
Dylan Thomas, who returned to the Chelsea Hotel, became ill, and died a few days later of unrelated causes. Other famous patrons include
James Baldwin,
The Clancy Brothers (who also performed at the establishment),
Bob Dylan,
Richard Farina,
Michael Harrington,
Jane Jacobs,
Seymour Krim,
Norman Mailer,
Jim Morrison,
Adam Leonard,
Delmore Schwartz,
Hunter S. Thompson and
Mary Travers. Another of the White Horse's famous patrons is
Jack Kerouac, who was bounced from the establishment more than once. Because of this someone scrawled on the bathroom wall: "KEROUAC GO HOME!" At that time, Kerouac was staying in an apartment in the building located on the NW corner of West 11th St. About the same time, the White Horse was a gathering-place for labor members and organizers and socialists, as well. The
Catholic Workers hung out here and the idea for the
Village Voice was discussed here. The
Village Voice original offices were within blocks of the White Horse. Much of the content was discussed here by the editors. == References ==