Few addresses in Manhattan carry as much lore as the corner of Third Avenue and 55th Street. Since 1884, P.J. Clarke’s has served the city’s working class and its biggest stars alike, making it one of the true iconic celebrity restaurants NYC has to offer. For anyone searching out famous guests at New York restaurants, this historic bar is where the search usually ends; it’s a living piece of vintage NYC that still pours the same classic cocktails and serves the American cuisine that drew legends through its doors more than half a century ago.
Famous Guests Through the Years
P.J. Clarke’s has been a magnet for famous entertainers since the mid-20th century, and its guestlist reads like a highlight reel of American culture. Frank Sinatra was a longtime regular who repeatedly claimed Table 20 as his own; a detail still pointed out to guests today! Jazz and pop icon, Nat King Cole, was equally devoted: in the late 1950s, he tried the bar’s bacon cheeseburger and famously declared it “the Cadillac of burgers,” a nickname the menu still carries decades later.
The guest list didn’t stop there. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and boxer Rocky Marciano were all counted among the legendary guests who passed through P.J. Clarke’s in its heyday, drawn by its unpretentious atmosphere even as their fame grew larger than the room itself. It’s this mix of famous restaurant regulars and everyday New Yorkers, shoulder to shoulder at the same bar, that has always set P.J’s apart.
Celebrity Stories Behind the Bar
Every regular left behind a story, and that’s what makes celebrity restaurant stories at P.J. Clarke’s so enduring. On June 20, 1958, 22-year-old Buddy Holly met Maria Elena Santiago for the first time, and proposed to her at P.J. Clarke’s just five hours later. She said yes! A photo commemorating their wedding kiss now hangs above Table 53, a small but powerful piece of memorable experiences built into the room’s décor.
Songwriter Johnny Mercer is said to have penned the classic “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)” on a bar napkin while sitting at P.J. Clarke’s. Broadway actress Elaine Stritch, meanwhile, credited a chance conversation at the bar with actor Peter Falk for landing her a role on the CBS series The Trials of O’Brien. These are the celebrity stories behind the bar that longtime staff and regulars still repeat to first-time visitors, and that continue to draw fans of classic celebrities back to the same tables where it all began.
The Bar's Role in NYC History
P.J. Clarke’s isn’t just a backdrop for famous faces; it’s a fixture of NYC nightlife and dining history in its own right. The building has operated continuously since 1884, making it one of the oldest surviving saloons in Manhattan. It survived Prohibition, when Patrick Clarke reportedly kept pouring for loyal guests using bathtub gin and Scotch smuggled in from Canada. It survived the wrecking ball, too: in 1967, when developers wanted the property, the Lavezzo family – who bought the bar in 1948 – refused to sell outright, instead negotiating a 99-year leaseback that keeps the iconic venue building standing at Third and 55th through 2066.
Why Visitors Keep Coming Back
The consistency is why people keep returning to P.J’s today: the Cadillac is still on the menu, made with the same straightforward approach the bar has used for generations. The tin ceilings, the mahogany bar, and the old handwritten order pads are still here too, giving every visitor a genuine sense of vintage NYC.
“There’s nowhere else in the city where you can order the same burger Nat King Cole loved, at the same bar Sinatra called his own.” — a line regulars have repeated for generations.
Historic Bar Frequently Asked Questions
Which celebrities were known to visit P.J. Clarke's?
Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Buddy Holly were among the famous restaurant regulars who made P.J. Clarke’s part of their routine.
Is the original P.J. Clarke's bar still open?
Yes. The flagship location at 915 Third Avenue has operated continuously since 1884, and it remains open to the public for dining and drinks. You can find all current locations, including the original, by visiting P.J. Clarke’s locations.
What is the story behind the "Cadillac" burger?
In the late 1950s, Nat King Cole tried the bar’s bacon cheeseburger and declared it “the Cadillac of burgers.” The nickname stuck, and the burger remains one of the most requested items on the menu.
Can I host a private event at P.J. Clarke's?
Yes. The bar’s historic rooms are available for private dining and celebrations. Explore options for Private Affairs at P.J. Clarke’s or stop by the P.J. Clarke’s Raw Bar for something casual.
