After a morning packing meals at God’s Love We Deliver with a group from the Manhattan Women’s Club, we 
wanted a place to grab a bite.
One of the members remembered a bar not far from where we were called Ear. Her recollection was that in the 70s part of the lights of the “B’ went out and was never replaced making that letter look like an “E.” Thus the bar became Ear. Funny story.
On reading about the history of this speakeasy, I learned that this multi-story, Federal-style townhouse is the James Brown House built in the 18th century. This bar on the ground level — one of the oldest operating drinking taverns in the city — is now in the National Register of Historic Places.
When the bar got new owners in the 70’s, they kept the name the “Ear Inn” to avoid issues with the Landmark Commission’s lengthy review of new signage.
Knowing that we hadn’t come to Ear for the food, we all ordered simply as what we wanted was a place to yak after our morning’s work.
I had an old fav, the BLT on toasted whole grain bread ($9) served with a salad and some nearly warm home fries. Was fine.
I’d recommend the Ear Inn, not for the food — for the conviviality, like we had when we volunteered that morning.
– bonnie
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BonnieBOTB
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The Ear Inn
Soho
326 Spring St.,
New York, NY 10013
212-226-9060
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