If a bar could be the comfy oversized sweater that still fits you after all these years, Horsefeathers in Tarrytown is it. The bar, which is known as much for its community spirit as it is for its lively Halloween festivities (the decorations go up in August), made USA TODAY’s list of best bars in the country.
The USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2025 list, released July 30, features 29 bars from dives to high-end cocktail bars.
“We try hard to be Tarrytown’s third place,” said owner Julia McCue. “Our goal has always been to be more than somewhere to dine; we want to serve as a local legend celebrating the rich history of Sleepy Hollow country.”
The bar dates to 1981 when McCue’s uncle, Russ Rogers, first opened it, naming it after a Marx Brothers film. McCue, who started working there 20 years ago and served as everything from a hostess to a bartender and waiter, bought it in 2018. Since then she’s done everything to keep it the same, while slightly tweaking it so it still retains that same-as-it-ever-was vibe.
USA TODAY Network food journalists live and work in states across the country. They know their communities, and they pooled their expertise to select the list which includes the places they spend their time and recommend to readers and friends.
Why Horsefeathers was named one of the best bars
Familiarity is what’s made Horsefeathers a perennial Westchester favorite. McCue has elevated the menu but you might not notice — and that’s the point. It’s consistently reliable with stellar burgers, martini’s poured tableside (often with an extra sidecar) and a décor filled with an assortment of knickknacks which pay homage to the Hudson Valley, making it feel like home.
Find more about Horsefeathers and how the list came together.
Add embed of cards for full list right here.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: USA TODAY named its Bars of the Year. This Westchester favorite made the list
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
