If you’ve ever found yourself wandering the Theater District around 7:00 PM, you know the vibe. It’s chaotic. Tourists are doing that stop-and-stare thing in the middle of the sidewalk, and the air smells like a mix of roasted nuts and desperation. Most people end up settling for a mediocre burger at a place with neon signs just because they’re tired. But if you walk a few blocks up to Haswell Green's at 240 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019, the energy changes.
Honestly, it’s kinda weird how much character this place has for being so close to the Times Square madness. It’s not a "hidden gem" in the sense that it’s empty—it’s usually packed—but it feels like a secret club where the members actually like good music and wood-fired pizza.
Most people just think of it as a pre-theater watering hole. They’re wrong.
The Weird History Behind the Name
The first thing you notice when you walk into Haswell Green's at 240 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019 isn't the bar; it’s the giant face painted on the wall. That’s Andrew Haswell Green. If you aren't a New York history nerd, you’ve probably never heard of him, which is wild because the guy basically invented the city as we know it.
He was the "Father of Greater New York." He’s the reason the five boroughs are one city. He helped create Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the New York Public Library.
The owners, Patrick McNamee and the team (the same folks behind Tanner Smith’s), decided to name a bi-level, high-energy saloon after a guy who was famously... well, a bit of a prude. Andrew Haswell Green didn't drink. He didn't smoke. He didn't "carouse." He was a flinty, frugal lawyer who probably would have hated the idea of a "That’s So Fetch" cocktail.
✨ Don't miss: Am I Gay Buzzfeed Quizzes and the Quest for Identity Online
But that irony is part of the charm. The decor is a "historical mish-mash"—African masks, vintage books, African animal heads, and maps of the Greensward Plan. It’s like a Victorian explorer’s study got drunk and decided to host a rock concert.
What Actually Happens at 240 W 52nd St?
You don’t come here for a quiet conversation. You come because it’s 10:00 PM on a Tuesday and you want to hear a live band that actually knows how to play.
The music is constant. Seven nights a week.
On Mondays, it’s live band karaoke, which is exactly as chaotic as it sounds. Tuesdays through Thursdays usually feature soul or rock acts like Madame Daley or The Big Woozy. But the real madness happens on Friday and Saturday nights with the Flying Ivories Dueling Pianos.
If you’ve never seen a room full of people screaming the lyrics to "Mr. Brightside" while two guys beat the hell out of some pianos, you haven't lived the full Midtown experience.
The Food Isn't "Bar Food"
Usually, at these high-volume spots, the food is an afterthought. A soggy wing here, a frozen mozzarella stick there. But Haswell Green's has a wood-fired oven, and it makes a difference.
🔗 Read more: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
The menu is handled by Chef David Coleman, and it’s surprisingly tight.
- The Smashburger: Double patty, American cheese, caramelized onions. It’s simple, greasy in the right way, and $22.
- The Pizzas: They do a "Bee My Honey" pie with pepperoni and Mike’s Hot Honey that is addictive. The crust has that charred, bubbly texture you only get from real wood heat.
- The "Drunk Burrata" Pizza: It uses vodka sauce instead of regular marinara. It’s heavy, it’s messy, and it’s perfect after two Old Fashioneds.
Then there are the "That's So Fetch" cocktails. A few years ago, when the Mean Girls musical was across the street at the August Wilson Theatre, they leaned hard into the theme. They’d pour a tequila and passionfruit mix over a ball of pink cotton candy. It’s flashy, sure, but the drink actually tastes balanced.
Why This Place Works When Others Don't
Midtown is a graveyard of tourist traps. You know the ones—the places with $25 margaritas that taste like lime Gatorade. Haswell Green's at 240 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019 manages to avoid that trap by actually caring about the craft.
The space is bi-level and massive. It can hold hundreds of people, yet there are these little nooks with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that make it feel intimate for a second. It’s "industrial-chic," which is a buzzword people use too much, but here it just means exposed brick, high ceilings, and enough natural light from the big windows to make you forget you’re in a basement-heavy neighborhood.
Planning Your Visit: What to Know
If you’re going to show up, don't just wing it on a Friday night.
💡 You might also like: How is gum made? The sticky truth about what you are actually chewing
- The Wait: Peak hours (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM) are brutal because of the theater crowd. If you aren't seeing a show, wait until 9:30 PM. The theater people leave, and the "nightlife" people arrive.
- Bottomless Brunch: On Saturdays and Sundays, they do a bottomless piano brunch. It’s $20+ on top of an entree, and they serve Espresso Martinis and Pornstar Martinis as part of the deal. It gets loud.
- The Location: It’s right across from the August Wilson Theatre. If you’re seeing a show there, this is the obvious choice.
Actionable Insights for the NYC Visitor
Don't just order a beer. Try a signature cocktail like the "Pin Up Girl" (Irish whiskey and torched rosemary) or the "Silver Screen," which features toffee popcorn bourbon. It sounds gimmicky, but the smoky-sweet combo actually works.
If you're with a group, skip the individual entrees and go for the "Smalls." The Truffle Mac & Cheese and the Smoked Brisket Bao Buns are the move.
Haswell Green's at 240 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019 is one of the few places in Midtown where you can get a high-quality meal, a legitimate cocktail, and see a live band without feeling like you’re being milked for every cent in your wallet.
To make the most of your trip, check their "Happenings" calendar online before you go. Different nights bring different bands, and you don't want to show up for dueling pianos if you were actually in the mood for a quiet-ish jazz set (though, let’s be real, "quiet" isn't really in the vocabulary here). If you want a table during a show, book it at least four days in advance.