"The Bridge Cafe is located at 279 Water Street in a building dating back to 1794. That was the year that Newell Narme opened a 'grocery and wine and porter bottler' in the wooden building, which at that time was two-and-a-half stories with a peaked roof."

"In 1794, the portion of Water Street running through this neighborhood and the buildings on its east side marked the East River's western edge, and Lawrence's wharf occupied the space near where the restaurant's kitchen now stands. In 1888 the exterior of the building was altered to its present form."

"The 1794 date is significant because from that date the building has been 'the site of a food and/or drinking establishment on the same site in New York,' as well as the oldest business in New York City. Chase Manhattan can only trace its origin to 1799. When Henry Williams opened his porter house here in 1847, he began the unbroken record of 279 Water Street as a 'drinking establishment'--the oldest in New York City (eclipsing McSorley's Old Ale House)."

The Bridge Cafe as well as the rest of the building were damaged during Hurricane Sandy (October 29, 2012) and the restaurant has been closed ever since.

It is still not open as of Feb 2024 and I have read that the site has been sold. Apparently it is up for sale again. What will happen now I do not know

An article in the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/23/nyregion/at-219-year-old-building-a-reopening-takes-time.html