Whenever you travel abroad, certain things stand out more than they do at home. In Wales, a flag might blend into the everyday, but fly thousands of miles away across the Atlantic, and the sight of a Y Ddraig Goch instantly grabs your attention.
That’s exactly the case at The Liberty, NYC, a Welsh-owned bar and restaurant tucked just a short stroll from the Empire State Building.
A warm Welsh welcome in midtown Manhattan
From the moment you arrive, The Liberty makes its heritage clear. A huge dragon guards the doors, while large Welsh flags hang proudly across the signage and outer doors. Inside, black-and-white photographs of iconic Welsh figures and moments in history line the walls, and memorabilia is scattered throughout the venue – all celebrating its roots.
The Liberty is the creation of Haverfordwest-born brothers Glenn and Owen Treacher, who have proudly woven their heritage into the fabric of the venue. Together, they’ve built a space that brings a little piece of Wales to the heart of Manhattan, while staying true to the buzz and atmosphere of a traditional New York bar.
We didn’t venture downstairs to the bar, tempting though it was, especially with the glowing neon Welsh dragon sign, but travelling with under-21s meant that would have to wait for another time.
Food & drink
One disappointment was the lack of Welsh beers on the menu. Instead, we opted for a Coney Island IPA ($9 for 12oz), which delivered a pleasing balance of strong malt backbone, clean hop bitterness, and fruity haziness. Soft drinks came in at $5 each.
Food-wise, we went all in on the New York classics. The strip steak ($38) was a generous portion, grilled with that peppery, charred flavour you expect from a New York strip. With two sides included, it was hearty and well worth it.
The margarita pizza ($16) was one of the cheesiest we’ve tasted since arriving in the city, and excellent value compared to the two-slice prices at many Manhattan pizzerias.
To finish, the restaurant surprised us with a complimentary slice of New York vanilla cheesecake, complete with strawberry sauce and whipped cream. Whether it was because we were Welsh, or perhaps they’d caught wind of our secret anniversary celebration, we don’t know, but it was a lovely touch.
The verdict
Our total bill came to $126.27 including tax (but excluding the cheesecake) – plus gratuity. For central New York, that’s reasonable, especially considering the portion sizes.
Overall, The Liberty, NYC offers good vibes, hearty food, and one of the most welcoming atmospheres we’ve experienced in the city. It’s not just a restaurant – it’s a little Welsh outpost in Midtown Manhattan, proudly flying the dragon thousands of miles from home.
Maybe it’s time to start a new travel series exploring Welsh connections across the globe, and ask ourselves the question: is it Welsh?
The Liberty NYC. 29 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001 (between 5th & 6th Avenue).
