It can be exhausting getting a drink in NYC when you have to shell out $20 a cocktail, but not at Rudy’s! This near-landmark of a bar has been serving up cheap beer and free hot dogs for almost a century. Rumor has it that before it was slinging hot dogs and inexpensive brews, it was first a speakeasy that Al Capone used to frequent.
Post-prohibition in 1933, Rudy’s was one of the first establishments to secure a New York liquor license. You can recognize it nowadays by its outdoor pig mascot, known as Baron, who will welcome you before you head inside. Fun fact: Baron had to be stolen twice before he was eventually bolted to the floor.
Before there was Baron, Helon Rudy, one of the original founders, made sure two German Shepards stood guard at the door. And we’re not talking “aw cute, can I pet them?” type of dogs; I’m talking about dogs, that if given a signal for a misbehaving customer, they’d come barking and growling to get them in line or out of the bar.
By 1996, Rudy’s was even awarded Best Jukebox by Rolling Stone for its expansive collection of Jazz and Blues. To this day, Rudy’s still has a jukebox customers can choose tunes on.
Moreover, you never know who you might stumble into as a long list of celebrities including Paul McCartney, Julia Roberts, Lauryn Hill, Tommy Ramone, Sonia Braga, Ethan Hawke, Slash, JFK Jr., Johnny Knoxville, Halle Berry, Jimmy Fallon and more have been a patron of Rudy’s.
The extensive beer menu offers tap (draft), bottles and cans, with many starting at just $4 a drink and $15 a pitcher. The steepest the beer gets is about $9 for a pint.
And if beer gets you hungry, you’ll be delighted to know Rudy’s hot dog policy, which is a free hot dog with any purchase.
Rudy’s also has shot deals and other specials like $7 picklebacks, the $5 All American Shot & a Beer (Seagram’s 7 American Whiskey + Rudy’s Blonde Draft), $4 Fireball shots, and $7 Wolf Water Combo (hard seltzer and & tequila shot).
Learn more about Rudy’s cheap beers & dogs or its fascinating history online.
đź“Ť627 9th Avenue, New York
⏰ Open daily; Monday – Saturday from 8am to 4am; Sunday 12pm – 4am