Walk down 14th Street and you'll usually find chaos. It’s a loud, frantic stretch of Manhattan that connects Chelsea to Union Square. But if you stop right near 8th Avenue, there’s a spot that basically feels like a portal to a different decade—or a different country entirely. Honestly, Grace's at 252 West 14th Street is one of those places you walk past a dozen times before you realize it’s exactly what you were looking for.
It’s an Irish pub. But not the kind with sticky floors and neon shamrocks.
Grace's is modeled after the traditional "snug" style pubs of Ireland. If you aren't familiar with the term, a snug was a small, private room in a pub where people who wanted to drink in peace—like local priests or women who didn't want to be seen in a public bar—could tuck away. Grace's has one of these, and it’s arguably the coolest seat in the house.
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The Real Deal on West 14th Street
People get confused sometimes. If you Google "Grace's New York," you might see Grace’s Marketplace, the famous Upper East Side gourmet grocery store founded by Grace Balducci Doria. That place is legendary for its pesto and high-end produce, but it’s not on 14th Street.
Grace's on West 14th Street is a bar and restaurant that opened its doors in 2018. It was started by brothers Danny and Bobby McDonald, along with Peter O'Connell. If those names sound familiar to NYC nightlife nerds, it’s because they’re behind other heavy hitters like Swift Hibernian Lounge and The Dead Rabbit. These guys know how to pour a pint.
The vibe here is dark wood, warm lighting, and a total lack of pretense. It bridges the gap between the high-energy Meatpacking District and the more residential Chelsea. You’ve got locals sitting next to tourists who accidentally wandered in after walking the High Line. It works.
What’s Actually Good on the Menu?
Forget the standard frozen bar food. The kitchen here leans heavily into family recipes. They do an Irish chicken curry that is remarkably close to what you’d find in a chipper in Dublin—served with both rice and "chips" (fries), because that’s the only way to do it.
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- The Guinness: They take the "perfect pour" seriously. They actually have a dedicated dispenser that keeps the stout at exactly 42 degrees.
- The Lamb Chops: These aren't dainty. They come with Kerrygold mashed potatoes that are probably 50% butter.
- Irish Breakfast: Available daily, featuring black and white pudding and those specific Irish sausages that have a different texture than American ones.
Every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., the place transforms. They host traditional Irish music sessions—"Seisiún"—where musicians gather around a table with fiddles and tin whistles. It isn't a "performance" for a stage; it’s just people playing together while the bar carries on. It’s loud. It’s crowded. It’s great.
Why 14th Street?
Location is everything in New York. This specific block of West 14th Street is a weird crossroads. You have the L train entrance right there, the A/C/E just steps away, and the Google building looming nearby.
Back in the day, 14th Street was the "Main Street" of New York. It was where the big department stores were before they moved uptown. Now, it’s a mix of discount shops and luxury condos. Grace's feels like an anchor. It’s a place where you can actually hear your friend talk, which is becoming a rarity in Manhattan.
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think all Irish bars in NYC are the same. They aren't. There’s a big difference between a "St. Paddy’s Day Every Day" tourist trap and a place that actually respects the culture.
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Grace's doesn't try too hard. The "snug" isn't a gimmick; it’s a nod to how people used to socialize. The staff usually has a dry sense of humor and they won't rush you out the door the second you finish your drink.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Visit
If you're planning to head over to Grace's West 14th Street New York NY, keep these things in mind to make the most of it:
- Snag the Snug: If you have a group of 4-6 people, try to get there early to claim the snug. It has its own little window to the bar so you can get drinks without leaving your seat.
- Time Your Visit: Go on a Wednesday night if you want the music, but go on a Tuesday afternoon if you want to read a book and drink a quiet Smithwick’s.
- Don't Skip the Curry: Even if you think you don't like curry, the Irish version is sweet, savory, and perfect for a rainy NYC day.
- Check the Hours: They stay open until 4:00 a.m. every single night. In a city where "the city that never sleeps" is increasingly closing at 10:00 p.m., this is a godsend for late-shift workers and night owls.
The beauty of a place like Grace's isn't that it's "hidden"—it’s right there on one of the busiest streets in the world. The beauty is that once you're inside, the rest of 14th Street just sort of disappears.
To visit, head to 252 West 14th Street. It's easily accessible via the 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, and L trains at the 14th St/8th Ave station. If you're coming from the High Line, it's about a five-minute walk east from the 14th Street entrance.