12 Great Pubs

The Peekskill Brewery
55 Hudson Ave, Peekskill
(914) 734-2337

Beer doesn’t get better than when it’s brewed mere steps from the bar itself. And that’s exactly the case at The Peekskill Brewery. Here, the flagship beer,

Paramount Pale Ale, is served alongside other house blends and brews from other microbreweries. Get the true pub experience and order from the bar menu. From mussels to steak frites, these dishes pair perfectly with any brew. If you’re looking for some sit-down family time, ask for a table in the pub’s quaint dining room and be sure to try the pork shank braised in local apple cider or the shepherd’s pie.

Rory Dolan’s Restaurant, Bar & Caterers
890 McLean Ave, Yonkers
(914) 776-2946

This is one pub with two personalities. During the twilight hours, you’ll find 20-somethings sipping Harp while dancing to the tunes of a DJ or a live band with almost no evidence of the family-centric atmosphere of the earlier hours. Come for dinner or brunch (try the Irish smoked salmon and the baked steak-and-mushroom pie) or, on a holiday, and you’ll find Grandmothers with brogues, neighbors enjoying a host of Irish beers beyond the requisite Guinness, and families celebrating a confirmation. From hosting Easter dinners to visits from Santa to traditional Irish music every Sunday, Rory Dolan’s stands out in authenticity among the many Irish pubs that dot McLean Avenue.

Molly Spillane’s/Mickey Spillane’s
Molly’s: 211 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck
(914) 899-3130
Mickey’s: 431 White Plains Rd, Eastchester
(914) 395-3838

These sibling pubs almost could be identical twins, if it weren’t for a few minor details. Each boasts a huge mahogany square bar surrounded by comfy leather booths. Each hosts plenty of community events. And each serves traditional pub grub, which usually is gobbled up by families and large groups. But Molly’s gets the slight edge as the favorite sibling, thanks to its huge outdoor space equipped with a fireplace, free-standing heaters, and flat-screen TV, so yes, you can watch the big game outside—in February.

Horsefeathers
94 N Broadway, Tarrytown
(914) 631-6606

The dark, scruffy atmosphere of Horsefeathers mixed with the smell of popovers makes you feel as if you’re tucked away in a tiny pub in London. In fact, the pub is discreetly tucked into a small strip mall, but fans still manage to find their way in—especially in the summer months when the sidewalk patio opens. But don’t pass up a chance to sit indoors amidst a painted wall of famous writers while sampling the crab cakes, ribs, or sweet-potato fries all while sipping ale from the extensive beer menu.

Larchmont Tavern
104 Chatsworth Ave, Larchmont
(914) 834-9821

On any given day—or night—chances are you’ll have to wait for a table or spot at the bar as families and friends tend to linger in what one local called “an extension of our family room.” The LT, as its known to regulars, opened in 1933 by Michael Bruno and his wife, Raffaela, who had prepared meals upstairs in the kitchen. A few things have changed since then, but the LT still serves up comfort food like hot-dog sliders, fish and chips, and overstuffed sandwiches, making patrons feel right at home.

Finnegan’s Grill
1006 Broadway, Thornwood
(914) 747-7574

Fairly new to the scene, Finnegan’s is as simplistic as it gets. No over-the-top menu items, no kitschy décor, no five-page beer menu. Just good food, cold drinks, and a loyal following. The crowd can veer toward the 20- and 30-somethings (especially during company league softball season), but, more often than not, you’ll find families enjoying a meal while watching the game or shooting a round of darts.

J. C. Fogarty’s
60 Kraft Ave, Bronxville
(914) 337-1122

J.C. Fogarty’s may be big enough to host a huge party or a live band, but once you’re curled up in a booth with a spot of whiskey, you’ll feel embraced by the rich wood, Old-World charm and, on a good night, owner John Fogarty himself. Fogarty’s also can hold its own against Bronxville’s more chic restaurants. The pub menu features plenty of staples, but the dinner menu shines with roast duck, filet mignon, and jumbo crab cakes.

Michael’s Tavern
150 Bedford Rd, Pleasantville
(914) 769-9849

With Michael’s close proximity to Pace University, its crowd tends to get younger and rowdier as the night progresses. However, during lunch and dinner, you’ll find the blonde-wood tables (and sidewalk patio during summer months) full of families noshing on traditional pub fare like 10-ounce angus burgers, chili, and wings.

The Katonah Grill
128 Bedford Rd, Katonah
(914) 232-0946

Owned by the folks behind Michael’s Tavern, “The Grill” (as regulars call it) has the same never-ending menu but with an even stronger family vibe. And that’s not shocking since Doug and Nancy Crossett and Scott Pires opened this restaurant near the very towns in which they live, hoping to create a space where locals feel at home.

Kelly’s Sea Level
413 Midland Ave, Rye
(914) 967-0868

A dive in its truest form, Kelly’s is as much of a tradition in this small city as the Rye-Harrison football game and ice-skating at Playland. Sitting in a dented wooden booth, you can enjoy a tasty Rueben, chili fries, or fried clams while The Stones or U2 play on the jukebox. But probably the most pub-like thing about Kelly’s is written on a sign hanging above the bar: “No cellphones allowed.”

Erica Wilders was heartbroken after her favorite pub, The Speckled Door, closed in 2008. Writing this piece helped her move on and realize there are plenty of other beers on tap.