For some people, “preppy” means pink and green Lilly Pulitzer dresses, polo shirts with popped collars, or a girl named Muffy and a guy named Biff. But ask a real prepster and they’ll tell you it’s not just about a clothing style or weird names; it’s a way of life. New York preppies have to entertain themselves somehow when not playing paddle tennis or taking their labs out for a run in the park. Want to bump blazers and twinsets with post-Ivy Leaguers? Here are some NYC bars where you’ll find them, in all their khaki glory:
J.G. Melon
1291 3rd Ave. (@ 74th St.)
Upper East Side 212.744.0585
All the elements of a great preppy bar are in place here. It’s been around for at least 30 years, it serves arcane drinks, it’s on the Upper East Side, and it offers an excellent—and cheap—burger. (Preppies are notorious tightwads.) Elbow your way past the cable-knit sweaters and sip a Bloody Bull (that’s a Bloody Mary made with beef bullion) as you wait for your table.
Kingswood
121 W. 10th St. Greenwich Ave. & 6th Ave.
West Village 212.645.0044
No one is quite sure why, but this is the latest bar to be adopted by preppies. Perhaps the laid-back Australian vibe resonates with preppy American men, who also enjoy rugby and drinking tankards of beer.
Spotted Pig
314 W. 11th St. @ Greenwich St.
West Village 212.620.0393
This is where preppies go when they’re trying to be all “downtown.” Even though it’s a trendy spot, the WASP-y food and décor of Spotted Pig feels like home. Bric-a-brac in the dining rooms, loud floral wallpaper in the bathrooms, and “devils on horseback”—bacon-wrapped dates—will take you back to Mumsy’s cocktail parties, circa 1983.
Tortilla Flats
767 Washington St. (@ W. 12th St.)
West Village 212.243.1053
One thing preppies love is slumming it. The fun thing about being in a dive bar is the irony of it all, so the more over-the-top the dive, the better. Tortilla Flats, where nearly every inch is covered in Mexicali style blinking lights, is a riotously fun place to end the night. And as any Southern preppy girl can tell you, there’s no better mating call than “I’m so drunk.”
Dorrian’s Red Hand
1616 2nd Ave. (@ 84th St.)
Upper East Side 212.772.6660
The fact that the preppy murder happened here in the ‘80s only increases the preppy prestige of this fratastic Upper East Side pub. If you played lax in college, this is the place for you. Wear your white baseball cap and prepare to get wasted.
Old Town Bar & Grill
45 E. 18th St. (Broadway & Park Ave. So.)
Flatiron 212.529.6732
Contrary to popular belief, not all preppies proceed directly to JP Morgan after graduation. Some of them go into—gasp!—publishing. Find budding limousine liberals here, talking Obama over cheap burgers (see above) and mugs of beer in a historic pub that hasn’t changed much since 1892.
Session 73
1359 1st Ave. (@ 73rd St.)
Upper East Side 212.517.4445
Preppies didn’t diss that sophomore internship to follow the Flaming Lips for nothing—they like their music. Bust out that old tour tee and sing along with the cover band at live band karaoke on Wednesday nights—just don’t be surprised if no one can keep a beat.
