Below is the 2023 State of the Tavern Address, delivered to our friends and neighbors. Please watch with us as we enjoy a recap of our journey over the past 2 years, and a peek ahead at 2023!    

Expand to See Video Transcript Dear friends and neighbors, As the excitement and wonder of the holiday season fades, Pete’s Tavern returns to a normal pace, giving us the opportunity to reflect on the past year and begin executing our exciting plans for 2023. We are pleased to report that the state of our Tavern is strong. Looking Back: Resilience Through Uncertain Times To fully appreciate 2022, we must remember the uncertainty of the previous two years, as the pandemic raged and we undertook major repairs to our building. During that time, our resolve was buoyed by your well wishes and encouragement as you rooted for us to reopen. Though we were closed during the 2020 holiday season, we honored your support by keeping our lights on — including the red and green Pete’s globes and swags of holiday garland — illuminating our magical corner at Irving Place and East 18th Street each night. In August 2021, still without gas service, we installed a temporary electric kitchen and welcomed you back to our bar, dining rooms, outdoor patio, heated curbside dining on both 18th Street and Irving Place, and the refurbished Speakeasy Room on our second floor. At the same time, we welcomed back most of our former employees, all of whom were offered their pre-pandemic jobs. By November 2021, just in time for the holidays, our gas service was restored, allowing us to offer our full menu once again. We expanded our hours and decorated enthusiastically for the holiday season, though we did so with concern about how the coming year would unfold. 2022: A Year of Growth and Gratitude As our sisters would say, “we’ve come a long way, baby.” Today, as we take down our 2022 decorations, we are already planning the most dramatic holiday transformation in our 159-year history for 2023. Installing our holiday décor is a labor of love, and we are deeply grateful that our efforts were recognized this year by so many of you on social media and in the press. Pete’s Tavern has withstood the test of time because it has always been a place where people of all ages and backgrounds feel welcome — a place they enjoy visiting and look forward to returning to. Our Mission and Commitment We continuously strive to serve tasty, satisfying dishes and generous, honest drinks at fair prices. Beyond that, we work to provide something less tangible but just as important: an environment where all who walk through our doors feel comfortable and happy. In 2022, we were open 363 days, and we expect to repeat that in 2023. We cannot imagine a more enjoyable mission than providing you with great meals and libations. All of us at Pete’s are delighted and humbled each day as you choose to spend your precious time with us. Our Team: The Heart of Pete’s Tavern In 2023, we will continue focusing first and foremost on service. While serving thousands of customers each week is no small task, we do so with respect, courtesy, skill, and honesty. Our bartenders are experienced, loyal, and compassionate. We are proud to enter 2023 with our team fully intact — not a single bartender has left since reopening in 2021. Our servers are deeply dedicated to making your experience outstanding. Some have served here for up to 45 years, and regardless of tenure, all are professional, conscientious, and well-mannered. They arrive early each day, preparing eagerly to serve you. Given our historic building and vibrant daily pace, maintenance is a constant challenge. Our porters and bus staff work tirelessly to keep Pete’s clean and safe, preserving the charm and beauty of our irreplaceable location for future generations. History, Literature, and Legacy Pete’s Tavern is proud to be a custodian of history — a place where you can enjoy a drink much as O. Henry did over a century ago while writing The Gift of the Magi at what we now call the O. Henry Booth. We proudly serve as an unofficial steward of his legacy, supporting efforts to introduce new generations to his work. Most recently, we hosted a live reading of The Gift of the Magi at last month’s Queens Farm event. Throughout our history, Pete’s has been a friend to writers, and we are always delighted to welcome our neighbor, one of America’s greatest living novelists, whenever he stops by. Food & Beverage Improvements in 2022 In 2022, we made significant enhancements to our beverage program, introducing new cocktails, seasonal specialties, and a greatly expanded selection of top-shelf liquors. Our wine list was completely revamped, offering more selections by the glass and new bottle options. Our 18 draft beers were improved with sought-after craft brews alongside longtime favorites such as Pete’s 1864 Ale, Pete’s Craft IPA, Guinness, and Stella Artois. From the kitchen, we introduced new dishes including: Porterhouse steak for two Lobster roll Grain bowl salad Brisket sliders Gluten-free and plant-based options We also upgraded the quality and consistency of our menu staples by sourcing premium meats, seafood, poultry, and produce. A state-of-the-art kitchen equipment upgrade is planned for this winter, allowing us to fully realize the potential of these top-tier ingredients. Looking Ahead: What’s New in 2023 To coincide with Dry January, we introduced a new lineup of non-alcoholic spirits, enabling high-quality zero-proof versions of many signature cocktails. We also expanded our non-alcoholic beer selection and will continue developing this program throughout the year. Our aperitif and digestif offerings have been overhauled, now featuring a wide range of amari, ports, and grappas. For Winter 2023 NYC Restaurant Week, we introduced three new menus: lunch, dinner, and a wine, beer, and cocktail pairing menu. We hope this encourages more guests to explore our enhanced cuisine. Private Events & The Speakeasy Room In 2023, we look forward to expanding private party options in our Speakeasy Room, which accommodates up to 65 guests depending on the event. In 2022, we hosted corporate parties, business meetings, wine tastings, alumni gatherings, family celebrations, and private dinners. Sample plans and pricing are available on our website, and events may be customized. Our private event coordinator, Gary Egan, takes great pride in ensuring each event exceeds expectations. Celebrating the Past & Preserving Stories Later this year, we will celebrate our 159th anniversary, marked by the opening of a newly discovered secret safe hidden behind a basement wall. We are also launching the 1864 Project, dedicated to collecting and preserving stories, photos, and memories of Pete’s Tavern. We warmly invite you to share your recollections — your own or those of family and friends — at 1864project@petestavern.com . Closing We are deeply grateful for your support and look forward to welcoming you back throughout 2023. Please feel free to share inquiries, suggestions, or greetings at marketing@petestavern.com . May God bless our friends and neighbors, the United States of America, the City of New York, and Pete’s Tavern. Thank you.