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We provide our guests with a truly unique experience.

At Tanner Smith’s, we strive to provide our guests with a unique experience in a warm setting. The Main bar area is styled as an early 20 th century New York drinking house. Artfully created cocktails along with our rotating craft beer selection and wine list are accompanied by thoughtful food selections served with a twist





Who Was Tanner Smith?

  • 1887
  • 1887-July 26

    Thomas F. “Tanner” Smith

    Thomas F. “Tanner” Smith was born in 1887 on the west side of Manhattan. Growing up on the streets from a young age, he became wellversed in the ilicit underground antics of New York’s criminal underworld. Tanner was reportedly related to local ward and district politicians and was heavily involved in and around Tammany Hall. These connections helped Tanner acquire leadership of the Marginal gang who constantly battled along with allies, the Gophers and the Pearl Buttons, to defeat the Hudson Dusters for control of the west-side waterfront.

  • early 1910

    Winona Club

    The leader of the Gopher gang was a man named Owney Madden who would go onto be close friends and business partners with Tanner. Around 1910 Tanner and Owney joined together to open up the Winona Club on the corner of West 47th Street & 10th Ave. This was a boisterous drinking den, where late night rendezvous behind closed doors raged until all hours. The club reportedly had one of the best warning systems around to let occupants know when the law was outside and provided a series of tunnels and exit routes out. Politicians, gang members, judges, ladies of the night and the odd off-duty police officer were known regulars at the Winona Club.

  • 1914-June 19th

    Gopher Gang

    On June 19th, 1914 Tanner was arrested for involvement in a gun fight with a member of the Gopher gang on west 20th Street & 10th Ave. Tanner was chased and arrested by Patrolman Krozer and sentenced to a year in the Tombs for carrying a revolver. The year inside helped Tanner realize his wrongdoings. Upon release his mother and sister convinced him to turn away from the criminal underworld he once ran on the west side. He then took a job as a boss stevedore on the Hudson Docks, overseeing the unloading and loading of ships. Tanner became somewhat of a modern day Robin Hood over the next five years–opening his own contracting business and using his profits from the wealthy to help the communities along the west side. He opened several boys’ 9 clubs in an effort to stop the local youth from going down the same path he once did. Unfortunately, the criminal life was never far away. Tanner being the astute business man that he was saw the financial potential that awaited with Prohibition looming. The 18th ammendment had recently passed and with Tanner’s connections on the docks, he and his old ally Owney Madden began forging alliances to start running liquor into New York

  • early 1919

    Marginal Club

    In early 1919, Tanner opened the Marginal Club on 11th Street and 8th Ave. The Marginal Club was located above a saloon and was created with the premise of later becoming a speakeasy when the Volstead Act would commence. The entrance had tight security and there were several exit routes out. The club was a hangout for Tanner’s & Owney’s key figures such as Big Frenchy the accountant, The Razor Riley, Goo Goo Knox, The Monk Eastman & One Lung Curran. Tanner’s foray back into the criminal underworld of the west side would be short-lived. On the night of July 26th 1919, Tanner and a few of his associates played cards in the Marginal Club when a masked gunman burst in and shot Tanner in the back. In the days that followed Tanner’s death, his gang unleashed a wave of violence on the west side and Hoboken in retaliation for his murder.

  • Nov 4th 1920

    Rumours

    Various rumours circled as to the motive and individuals behind Tanner’s murder. One being that it was Owney’s Gophers who had done it, as they no longer needed Tanner once the smuggling routes where in place. Another rumour was that a former Hudson Dusters leader was behind the assasination. On Nov 4th 1920 George Lewis, a former member of the Hudson Duster’s was convicted of the murder of Thomas F. ‘Tanner’ Smith, ending any furthur speculation. Here at Tanner’s we honour the man who helped ensure New Yorker’s would not go dry during prohibition whilst giving back to his neighbourhood to ensure a better way of life for those who would come behind him.

Social Buzz

The Word on Tanner Smiths

Check out what people have to say about us!

  • Great new bar in NYC,super atmosphere and the cocktail list is amazing. Not to mention the bartenders who are of the best in New York. This bar is a must see for both residents and tourists!!!

    Graham O' Reilly

  • Al rocks! We stumbled on this place and it is a goldmine. As a former New Yorker, go here.

    Marlon Hall

  • Amazing cocktail bar. The smoked cocktails add a new dimension to classic cocktails. Fantastic service. Great space to accomdate all groups. A keeper and great addition for the area

    Abi Areas

  • Go order a Winona and be ready for your life to change... A much needed break from reality. Keep my barstool warm lads.

    Zia Nita

  • A lovely, well appointed pub with friendly service. It was a perfect spot for drinks after a Carnegie Hall concert.

    Sue Uhlig

oldmplayer Best Speakeasy Cocktail Bar Midtown | Craft Cocktails | Tanner Smith's


divider Best Speakeasy Cocktail Bar Midtown | Craft Cocktails | Tanner Smith's

Bottomless Bootleg Brunch

$35 With the purchase of an entree


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Thurs - Fri 12pm - 3pm
Sat & Sunday 11:00am to 3pm.

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Bottomless Brunch Special
Choice of: Mimosa, Bloody Mary,
Rose spritz, or Tanner's Punch


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*Bottomless cocktails for 90 minutes*

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Bottomless Bootleg Brunch - Tanner Smiths

    Hours & Location



    204 West 55th Street, New York NY 10019
    Trains: N Q R to 57 St. - 7 Ave
    P. 646.590.2034 | f. 646.590.1453
    Reserve Table | Book Event

    HOURS
    Mon-Wed: 2pm - 2am
    Thur: 12pm - 2am
    Fri: 12pm - 4am
    Sat: 11am - 4am
    Sun 11am -2am
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    Bottomless Bootleg Brunch:
    Thurs - Fri 12pm - 3pm, Sat-Sun 11am - 3pm

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    WE ARE STRICTLY 21 AND OVER FROM 4PM DAILY
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    where are we ? click for map
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    P.646.590.2034 info@tannersmiths.com

    204 West 55th Street New York NY 10019