OUR STORY

Built in 1828, 30 Water Street was a five-story townhouse on a historic block known for one thing - every business that opened there had failed. And yet, it was perfect, or at least, it could be. A ground floor for a Taproom, a first floor for a Cocktail Parlor, a top floor for events and private gatherings.

Of course, we weren’t the first Irish immigrants to see potential in Lower Manhattan. In the mid-1800s, The Dead Rabbit gang fought fiercely to defend their poverty-stricken slum, or at the very least, to claim it as their own.

Ostensibly formed to protect the Irish underclass from the nativist Bowery Boys, The Dead Rabbits were also a criminal organization with deep ties to New York politics. Their leader, John Morrissey, lived several lives in one.

A bare-knuckle boxer by trade, he was a successful thug for hire who climbed the ranks from gang boss and gambler to casino owner and world champion prizefighter. By the time of his death in 1878, Morrissey was an acclaimed businessman, congressman, and senator. It’s said the entire New York Senate attended his funeral, just to be sure he was really dead.

With the determination and tenacity of our namesakes, we opened the doors to The Dead Rabbit in 2013. Since then, we’ve weathered a hurricane, survived a fire, and grown far beyond our early vision - but one thing’s never changed. In us, Morrissey’s fighting spirit lives on. 

When we opened The Dead Rabbit, we did so with little more than a dream and a determination to succeed. At the helm were Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry, who met at The Merchant in their home city of Belfast, named the World’s Best Bar, and wanted to do it all again. This time, in the city that never sleeps.

Inspired by the story of The Dead Rabbit gang, they built a bar that was fiercely Irish, with an American accent. Since opening, The Dead Rabbit has been recognized with eight Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, including World’s Best Bar, twice, and Best International Bartender for Jack, who remains the youngest ever recipient.

As of 2022, Jack holds the reins at 30 Water Street, alongside The Dead Rabbit Austin, The Irish Exit, Grá Mór, San Patricios, and That’s Deadly. A keen runner and avid reader, he is driven by personal development and the growth of the wider Dead Rabbit group. He is the co-author of all five Dead Rabbit books and continues to build new brands while expanding The Dead Rabbit across the U.S.

Much has changed over the years, though our staples and signatures remain - live music every Sunday, over 250,000 pints of Guinness poured every year, a world-renowned Irish Coffee, globally acclaimed first-floor cocktail bar, and classic Irish pub food made with exceptional ingredients.

Today, The Dead Rabbit New York boasts The Taproom, The Taproom Extension, The Parlor, The Green Room, and The Occasional Room - each different, and all created as a love letter to the Emerald Isle.

One thing we’re sure of? The best is still to come.

Having recently marked our 13th birthday, we’re looking ahead to a new era of Irish hospitality. Our commitment is to showcasing the vast talents of home, while celebrating contemporary Ireland and the modern Irish maker, through The Dead Rabbit New York, The Dead Rabbit Austin, The Irish Exit, San Patricios, Grá Mór, That’s Deadly, and more still to come.

Opened in 2023 at Moynihan Train Hall in New York, The Irish Exit brings modern Irish hospitality to a busy transit hub. World-class cocktails, perfect pints, and speedy service deliver an Irish pub experience to those on the go. Our second outpost, at Centennial Yards in Atlanta, will follow in Summer 2026.

The Dead Rabbit Austin opened its doors in 2024, sitting proudly beside our Irish café, Grá Mór. Inside, modern Irish art lines the walls, while furniture and lighting by Irish makers set the tone. Classic and contemporary cocktails are served alongside perfect pints and hearty pub dishes, all enjoyed in our lively Taproom.

Named for John Riley’s band of Irish soldiers who defected from the U.S. Army to fight alongside their Mexican camaradas, San Patricios arrived in Jersey City in 2025. An Irish Pub and Mexican Cantina, it stands as a love letter to resistance, resilience, and the rebel spirit that binds two nations, expressed through food, drink, music, and art.

That’s Deadly is our platform for Irish musicians, comedians, storytellers, and artists. Spanning live shows, unplugged sessions, and exclusive digital releases, it’s put Irish talent on stages from Derry to New York City, Belfast to SXSW, Dublin to Austin, with much more still ahead. This is where Irish culture takes center stage.

Next, The Dead Rabbit heads to Washington, D.C. Our 6,200-square-foot, two-floor space at 910 F St. NW sits at the heart of the entertainment district. Jack, Aidan, Laura, and Gráinne will be leading the charge, bringing our ethos of Tradition Meets Tomorrow to Penn Quarter.

The devil makes work for idle hands - and we’ve always got something new up our sleeves. The future’s bright, when the future’s Irish. Stay tuned for more.