New Yorkers are by no means strangers to “traditional” British pubs. Hundreds of bars across the city claim a level of verisimilitude unmatched outside of the United Kingdom by way of serving Guinness and refusing to clean their floors. If you were to simply look at The Slaughtered Lamb’s dinner and drinks menus, you wouldn’t be completely wrong in thinking it was another generic McPub in Manhattan. However, one look at the outside of this bar would change your mind.
Across the awnings on the facade drape skeletons in various (somewhat suggestive) poses and the pub sign above them bears a vicious, bloodstained wolf. Named for the pub from the beginning of the John Landis movie, An American Werewolf in London, The Slaughtered Lamb at 182 W 4th St strives to stay as true as possible to its cinematic inspiration.
Even during the afternoon its kept dimly lit, with various scenes of torture and death acted out gruesomely by wax models around the main Pub Room. The Werewolf Lounge boasts a large open fire place, in line with a traditional village public house in the English countryside, thankfully not used during the summer. The downstairs–or Dungeon–houses darts, pool, and decor to live up to its name while still capturing the timeless charm of a classic pub.
The menu as well is suitably themed, with British standards such as fish and chips and a variety of burgers as well as “Wings from Hell.” The beer menu boasts imports from all over the world with 23 from the United Kingdom alone. The speciality which was first brewed in the bar’s basement is (of course) the Full Moon Ale, a perfect drink while admiring the life-sized werewolf model.
While most of the crowds entering The Slaughtered Lamb may do so for the big screen TV’s and wings, the pub’s decor and atmosphere keep it from being run-of-the-mill. On any given Friday night, expect to see people in costume or even a flogging or two. In all, it may not be the worst place to wait out a full moon.
The author can be reached at his twitter @jimipage26
