Cedar Tavern
The Cedar Tavern
The Cedar Tavern, also known as Cedar Street Tavern, was a legendary bar and restaurant located on the eastern edge of Greenwich Village, New York City. During its heyday, it became a renowned gathering place for avant-garde writers and artists, specifically prominent during the mid-20th century. The tavern was a hub for the Abstract Expressionist movement and played a significant role in the cultural and artistic landscape of its time.
Historical Significance
The Cedar Tavern was originally situated at 24 University Place, near 8th Street, a location notably central to the vibrant art and literary scenes in Greenwich Village. The tavern was a favorite haunt of many influential Abstract Expressionist painters, such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning, as well as Beat Generation writers and poets like Allen Ginsberg.
The Cedar Tavern was located within proximity to the offices of the Village Voice, a key publication for the arts and culture sectors. Every Tuesday night from 1973 to early 1975, the staff of Textmasters, Inc., the production subsidiary of the Village Voice, would gather at the Cedar Tavern after completing the production negatives for the weekly newspaper.
Demise and Legacy
Despite its cultural significance, the Cedar Tavern faced closure in 2006. However, its legacy lived on through its distinctive 50-foot mahogany bar which was sold to Austin businessmen John M. Scott and Eddy Patterson. The bar was meticulously disassembled and transported as if it were a piece of fine art, to be put into storage for ten years. In 2016, this historic bar was unveiled as the centerpiece of Eberly, a restaurant in Austin, Texas.
The original site at 24 University Place, where much of the Cedar Tavern's storied history unfolded, has since been transformed into a full-block residential building. Today, the primary ground-floor retail space of this building is occupied by a CVS Pharmacy.
Cultural Context
The Cedar Tavern was one of several iconic venues in Greenwich Village that served as incubators for revolutionary artistic and literary movements. It can be likened to other famed establishments such as the White Horse Tavern, another notable meeting place for writers and artists in New York City.