Initially active from 2000 to 2013, they are known as part of the 2000s-era post-punk revival in New York City, particularly for their critically acclaimed single "The Rat".

The band released seven studio albums during their initial run: Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone (2002), Bows + Arrows (2004), A Hundred Miles Off (2006), "Pussy Cats" Starring the Walkmen (2006), You & Me (2008), Lisbon (2010) and Heaven (2012).

The band went on hiatus in 2013, with Leithauser, Bauer and Martin all pursuing solo careers, and Barrick joining Fleet Foxes in a session capacity.

[5] The three members from Jonathan Fire*Eater, borrowed money from their family and friends to construct a rehearsal space in Harlem.

[8] Shortly after the release of the EP, which featured a blend of upright pianos and other vintage instruments, the Walkmen made their official live debut with a performance at Joe's Pub in the East Village.

[9] The album was noted for its innovative approach to atmosphere and instrumentation, with sparse bass and drums complemented by plinking piano, jangly guitars and Leithauser's unique vocal stylings.

[5] Bows + Arrows was noted for containing a more immediate and focused sound than its predecessor; both "The Rat" and "Little House of Savages" were seen as stark contrasts to much of the band's past outputs.

[13] The band was forced to close Marcata Studios that same year after Columbia University purchased the building it resided in.

The Walkmen made the album available for $5 on Amie Street, with all proceeds donated to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

[20] The Walkmen recorded 13 songs for their album Lisbon in five days in August 2009 with John Congleton and Chris Zane.

In October 2020, Hamilton Leithauser was asked about the possibility of a Walkmen reunion during a Reddit AMA, to which he replied: "No plans right now, but I guess stranger things are happening every fifteen minutes right now... so you never know.

In May 2023, they announced 29 additional shows on their 2023 reunion tour: in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Boston in May; in several European festivals and cities in June and August; and in Nashville, Minneapolis, the U.S. West Coast, Austin, and Toronto in September and October.