 | New York City McSorley's Ale House Reviews | 1 - 10 of 18 |  |
McSorley's Ale House, 15 E. 7th St. (btw. 2nd Ave. & 3rd Ave.), 473-9148
M-Sa 11am-1am, Su 1pm-1am. Food served.
This is a New York city landmark. They don't serve commercial beer or hard alcohol, only McSorley's own Ale (light or dark). Leave a Comment Theme: People Watching
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This place is quite unique as it opened in 1854, and 150 years later remains open serving up beer to its faithful patrons. To give you an idea of how old school this place is, they only started allowing women to patronize the place in the 1970's!! Don't worry though, you'll find no sexism here these days.
True to its roots, McSorley's serves two types of beer: Light and Dark. And by the way, that's all they serve except for your usual bar food. The bar tenders and door men still wear the old uniform of the ale house and when you step inside you will discover that it looks as if the decorations haven't changed since 1854! That is was makes this place so unique. The walls are covered with authentic old photos, paper clippings and memorabilia that date from the 1800's until today.
This is a 'come as you are' type of place - nothing fancy here - but it is rich in history and good times! Although it is a well known place, it is still one of my favorites.
No dress code - Come as you are. If you are dressed for the clubs you will stand out. Leave a Comment Theme: Eating and DrinkingPhone: (212) 473-9148Directions: Between Bowery and Second Ave. (East Village) Subway: N, R to 8th St.; 6 to Astor Pl.
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McSorley's -- a small alehouse with sawdust on the floor to keep it dry (sort of) and relieve the smells (not at all) is one of America's most famous bars, thanks in part to a Life magazine picture essay from 1940 about a day in the life of this alehouse, which was first opened back in 1854 and modeled after an old pub in Ireland the owner (McSorley) remembered from his youth. Prior to that Life expose, artist John Sloan did a series of paintings there -- completed between 1912 and 1930 -- and whenever there was a public exhibition of Sloan paintings, business boomed in the bar. Finally, Joseph Mitchell immortalized the bar in The New Yorker, and his essays were later compiled in the book McSorley's Wonderful Saloon. Woody Guthrie sat at a table with regulars shortly before he headed off to the Merchant Marines. Quite a history, right?
The saloon looks much today as it did 50 years ago in the pages of Life, except the walls are more cluttered with pictures, and those pictures have grown even browner with age. Many politicians were among the regulars, which is one of the reasons that Bill McSorley paid no attention to Prohibition, not even bothering with the customary peephole as he continued to serve beer!
The only reason I was able to visit this bar at all, was thanks to a court case in 1969 which was filed to allow the alehouse to serve women. Prior to that, it was "men-only." Even when I used to go there often (it was right around the corner from my old apartment in the East Village), there was only one unisex bathroom with open-door stalls, a not-so-subtle form of discouraging women according to many. Thus, for women, it was a good idea to go with a friend who could stand guard at the door.
McSorley's ale came from a local brewery, and in 1934 Bill McSorley sold the Fidelio Brewery the right to brew and sell McSorley's Cream Stock Ale. Today, the Stroh Brewing Co. makes the McSorley's Ale sold at the bar and throughout the mid-Atlantic states. The beer is not the real reason to visit the bar, and we wouldn't advocate waiting in the long lines that sometimes appear on weekend nights. Then, it's nearly impossible to get a good look at the place. But on a weekday afternoon, McSorley's remains what we think a saloon is supposed to be. Leave a Comment Theme: Eating and DrinkingPhone: (212) 473-9148Directions: Between Bowery and Second Ave. (East Village) Subway: N, R to 8th St.; 6 to Astor Pl.
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McSorley's Ale House is one of the most historical bars in Manhattan. It was opened in 1854 and feels it. Obviously the owners go to a grea degree to make sure that the bar looks like it did in the mid-19th century with special attention paid to decor and furniture. The beer in here is cheap with a half-pint costing $2.00. The clientele is most students from the nearby University of New York and tourists. It is well worth dropping by for a brief drink but after a while you sense a tourist trap of sorts.
casual Leave a Comment Theme: Eating and DrinkingPhone: (212) 473-9148Directions: Between Bowery and Second Ave. (East Village) Subway: N, R to 8th St.; 6 to Astor Pl.
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This is a definite must-see. I've been here countless times. Be careful though - you might plan to have just one drink and before you know it the whole evening has passed. When my parents came to visit we went in for one drink - next thing my mum recognised the owner whom she had known about 25 years ago in Ireland and we ended up staying for the afternoon.
McSorley's is the oldest bar in New York, dating back to the mid 19th century. They only serve two drinks - light ale and dark ale - both of which are home brewed. You can't even get coffee here! There are photographs on the walls that are older than some states in the US, and walking in the door you feel as if you are taking a step back in time. (Walking out the door you feel happy if you can take proper steps!)
None Leave a Comment Theme: Eating and DrinkingDirections: East Village.
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McSorley's. I don't know if that is the correct spelling or even what street the place is on.
But it is supposed to be the oldest bar in the city. Great place to go with friends just to drink.
Normal casual Leave a Comment Theme: Eating and DrinkingDirections: ask a cabbie.
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An absolute mecca for beer drinkers. Do NOT order a mixed drink! You'll get your ass beat!
Casual, casual, casual - any other is unacceptable. Theme: Adult SpotPhone: (212) 473-9148Directions: Between Bowery and Second Ave. (East Village) Subway: N, R to 8th St.; 6 to Astor Pl.
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This is a New York city landmark. They don't serve commercial beer or hard alcohol, only McSorley's own ale. Mugs of house-brand ale are served in pairs (like Twinkies) -- one light, one dark (with your eyes closed, they taste identical). Leave a Comment Theme: Adult SpotPhone: (212) 473-9148Directions: Between Bowery and Second Ave. (East Village) Subway: N, R to 8th St.; 6 to Astor Pl.
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Holy F. I've been here 3 times - walked in sober, left trashed. I even ate a Liverwurst sammich here! WTF! WHo does that when they are sober?! NO ONE! Beers are sold in either Lite or Dark and in sets of two pints - with a healthy head on them. Go here to get trashed. And punch people.
And yeah, it's the oldest pub in the USA supposedly...looks and smells like it too :)
DRINK BEER!
You must wear only orange pants. This is strictly enforced by killing eels at the door. Leave a Comment Theme: Eating and DrinkingPhone: (212) 473-9148Directions: Between Bowery and Second Ave. (East Village) Subway: N, R to 8th St.; 6 to Astor Pl.
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McSorley's is the personification of atmosphere. If there was ever a pub that seemed to jump on a ship at the harbour in Belfast and hitch a ride to New York, this is it. And they combine the irish culture (not like the irish wannabes named Finnigan's and Finn McCools, etc..that you see in every city in North America) with their pride of being New Yorkers to make it into a place you are actually proud to drink in. The barmen and cooks are all irish...their accents prove it.
It is one of the best pubs I have ever been to. And the beer is simply fabulous!
most likely you can just show up without stinking too much and be alright. Leave a Comment Theme: Eating and DrinkingPhone: (212) 473-9148Directions: Between Bowery and Second Ave. (East Village) Subway: N, R to 8th St.; 6 to Astor Pl.
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