It’s no secret that writers like their booze. Hell, some of literature’s most celebrated classics were written under the influence, from Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises to William S. Burroughs’s Naked Lunch. From Faulkner to Kerouac to that daiquiri-drinking boozehound himself, Hemingway, scores of famous scribers took to the bars of New York for some liquor-induced inspiration. Drink like your favorite lit legend at the very watering holes that fueled these writers and allowed words to flow outta them like beer from a tap.

-Jinee Son

The Algonquin—William Faulkner The Algonquin’s a go-to hangout for those who want to be haunted by ghosts of literary past. Everything about this historic hotel oozes genuine “era-descence,” with its tuxedoed cocktail waiters, echoes of cabaret and all that jazz. Proudly the staple of The Round Table meetings and the birthplace of The New Yorker, many writers, journalists and actors have found themselves gathering to sip spirits and talk business with pleasure, but arguably no penman is more associated with The Algonquin than William Faulkner, who took to the hotel’s lobby bar to write his 1949 Nobel Prize acceptance speech. The hotel’s currently under renovation but is reopening in May, perfect for a springtime escape from the sound and the fury of the city. The Algonquin 59 W 44th St. Bt. 5th & 6th Aves. (Midtown West) 212.840.6800

116—Allen Ginsberg 116 MacDougal’s seen its fair share of literary cool. Back when it was just a coffee joint called The Gaslight Café, the subterranean spot was a bohemian hang for beat poets and folk lovers, with writers like Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and famed lyricist Bob Dylan gracing the stage. While now the beatniks are more of the Billyburg hipster kind, 116 still carries on its artistic legacy with poetry readings, live music, comedians and the occasional retro-tastic DJ set. Fair warning: just be sure to don those Ginberg-esque glasses, and you’ll fit right in. 116 116 MacDougal Bt. Bleecker and Minetta (Greenwich Village) 212.254.9996

Kettle of Fish—Jack Kerouac Misplaced Wisconsinites flood the Kettle of Fish when football season rolls around but this bar was originally the upstairs neighbor of The Gaslight Café when it opened in 1950. It now resides on Christopher Street, just a 3 minute cab ride from its old digs. The bar used to be a nightly hotspot for Kerouac and his cronies after a day downstairs waxing poetic in the café. It may be more Green Bay than Gaslight now, but you can still soak up some of Kerouac’s cool at this Christopher St. spot. Simply ignore the TV when September rolls around, put a quarter in the jukebox while you play darts and take a cue from Old Bull Lee by heckling the Packer fans just for the hell of it. Kettle of Fish 59 Christopher St. @ 7th Ave. South (West Village)212.414.2278

White Horse Tavern—Dylan Thomas Legend has it that the eighteen glasses worth of whiskey Dylan Thomas guzzled down at the White Horse Tavern ultimately caused his demise in November of 1953. The truth behind that account has been debated over the years, but at least one thing’s true— Thomas, along with writers and musicians like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Jim Morrison, loved this bar. Portraits of the poet are plastered on the walls along with a plaque dedicated to his last visit to the iconic bar. Heading to the West Village for the usual draft beer and good old fashioned American-styled pub grub (like a meaty cheeseburger and fries $7.95) isn’t so standard at a place that has so much character. Just be sure not to mess around with more whiskey than you can handle! White Horse Tavern 567 Hudson St. @ 11th St (West Village) 212.243.9260

Pete’s Tavern—O. Henry O. Henry was the pseudonym William Sydney Porter used as one of the most memorable short story writers of all time. Beloved by many middle school English teachers, “The Gift of the Magi” author was a loyal patron of long-running resto Pete’s Tavern, as much for the bites as the booze. The 140-year-old historical landmark serves up an Italian-American-infused menu featuring fresh scallops ($21.95), classic chicken parmigiana ($17.95), a 16-oz. New York Sirloin ($28.95) and more, perfect for soaking up the bar’s impressive selection of liquor that Mr. Porter heartily approved of back in the day. Pete's Tavern 129 E. 18th St. @ Irving Pl. (Gramercy) 212.473.7676

Minetta Tavern—Ernest Hemingway The trattoria/bar combo that Minetta Tavern offers was more than enough to entice big lit names like the legendary Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound and e.e. cummings. The talented threesome was Minetta regulars and from the looks of it, there’s good reason why. The menu is as long as some of those famed writers’ stories. From scrumptious hors d’oeuvres to decadent Italian-inspired dishes, foodies everywhere can enjoy a delicious dinner in the same place icons once sat and discussed their fave topics, namely poetry, sex and women, over steak and martinis. Tasty ‘tails such as the “Sucker Punch” (rum, ginger syrup, pineapple & lemon juice, $15) will remind you of the fruity concoctions Hemingway liked to down on his travels abroad. Minetta Tavern 113 MacDougal St. Bt. W. 3rd & Bleecker Sts. (Greenwich Village) 212.475.3850

The Plaza—Truman Capote The Plaza’s known for being the elegant spot where future brides dream of getting married and Kevin McCallister wreaks havoc during a Christmas vacation. But The Plaza also served as the setting for Truman Capote’s infamous Black and White Ball, an epic amalgamation of famed actors, artists, politicians and literati, with a guest list that included the likes of Frank Sinatra, Oscar de La Renta, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Renting out an event space at The Plaza will put you back a couple hundred thousand but a great alternative is hitting the hotel bar, The Oak Bar. With views of Central Park, upscale cocktails and food to die for, you’ll feel just as glamorous as Capote and his guests did on that iconic night in ’66. The Plaza 768 5th Ave. Bt. 58th St & 59th Sts. (Midtown West, Midtown East) 212.759.3000