History
Built in 1828, 30 Water Street was a run-down five-story townhouse located on a historic block notable for one thing - every business that opened on it had failed. And yet it was perfect. Or, could be. A ground floor for the Taproom, first floor for the Cocktail Parlor, and a third floor for events and private functions. It was all there.
Of course, we weren’t the first Irish immigrants to see potential in lower Manhattan. Fiercely territorial, The Dead Rabbit gang fought long and hard to defend their poverty-stricken slum back in the mid 1800s. Or at least, to own it.
Ostensibly formed to protect the immigrant Irish underclass against the nativist Bowery Boys, The Dead Rabbits were also a criminal organization with extensive connections in New York politics. Their leader, John Morrissey, lived 100 lives in one.
Known for his skills as a bare-knuckle boxer, he was a successful thug for hire. He climbed the ranks from gang boss and gambler to casino owner and world champion prize-fighter. By the time of his death in 1878, he was an acclaimed businessman, congressman and senator. It’s said the entire New York senate turned out for 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 seen a hurricane, a fire and an expansion. One thing we’re sure of? The best is yet to come. In us, Morrissey’s fighting spirit lives on.
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.
Today
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 had already created a cocktail bar named the world’s best back in their home city of Belfast, Ireland. And they wanted to do it all again, here in New York. But differently.
Inspired by the history of The Dead Rabbit gang, the duo built a bar that’s fiercely Irish with an American accent. Since opening, we’ve won 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. A keen runner and avid reader, he is passionate about the personal development and the growth of the Dead Rabbit team. He is the co-author of all five Dead Rabbit books. He is currently studying for his Bachelor’s degree in the Science of Business whilst readying The Dead Rabbit for national expansion.
One thing we’re sure of - the best is yet to come.
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
Future
Having recently celebrated our tenth anniversary, we’re looking ahead to a new era of celebrating Irish heritage, bringing our signature modern Irish hospitality to new locations across the USA with The Dead Rabbit, and a brand new concept.
Based at Moynihan Train Hall, The Irish Exit combines modern Irish hospitality with world-class cocktails, exceptional service, and over 100 spirits, elevating transit experiences with a local Irish pub, no matter where you’re traveling.
And that’s not all. Opening in 2024, The Dead Rabbit Austin sits on the iconic Sixth Street in the Downtown Historic District. Predominantly pedestrianized, the area is known for its bars, clubs, live music, and comedy venues housed in 19th-century Victorian buildings, earning the street a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. So, is everything really bigger in the Lone Star State?
We can't wait to find out.
Next - The Dead Rabbit is coming to Washington D.C. Our 6,200 square-foot, two-floor space stands proudly in the center of the entertainment district at 910 F St. NW. Jack, Aidan, and Laura will be leading the charge, bringing our motto of Tradition meet Tomorrow to the Penn Quarter.
So, stay tuned for incoming updates, and get ready for perfect pints, Irish Coffees, plenty of live music and, of course - Irish Whiskey.
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.