McSorley’s Old Ale House
Pub · East Village ·
Sawdust floors, Irish bartenders, light or dark ale
Sawdust floors, Irish bartenders, light or dark ale
"Their claim to fame? McSorley’s is the oldest bar in NYC. You have 2 options when you come here, light or dark ale. Although you are seated at communal tables there is no sharing! This 150-year-old tradition is a rule here and you might get called out if you try to share. It can be somewhat touristy but a fun place to visit." - Champions
"McSorley’s also makes a claim—to be NYC’s oldest saloon—and the only corroboration we really need is the sawdust on the floor and old newspaper clippings around the East Village space. They serve two beers here: light or dark, both of which they make. Despite it being a bit of a crowded tourist trap, get a post-work drink (and some raw onions and cheese) here at least once." - bryan kim, molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah
"Open since 1854, McSorley’s is one of the city’s oldest bars, and it’s still packed most nights of the week. The only choice here is between light or dark beer; it comes to mugs to an order for $8. A short food menu with burgers, hot dogs, and ham and cheese sandwiches is written on a chalkboard that hangs behind the bar." - Melissa McCart
"A lot of Irish pubs are long-time neighborhood stalwarts, but none for as long as McSorley’s. The East Village bar has been around since 1854, and there’s literally a cobblestone with the message “Please help us keep our neighborhood in order” paved into the sidewalk out front. There’s sawdust on the floor, framed news articles and photos of regulars from the past 170 years on the walls, and they only offer light or dark beer, which they make themselves. And while this place can get overrun with the thirsty Thursday crowd, the fact of the matter is that it’s a part of NYC history, and a cool place to pop in for a beer and a cheese plate with a side of raw onions." - bryan kim, willa moore, will hartman, neha talreja, sonal shah
"Grab an ale at this beloved New York institution and have a seat near the fire. The fireplace, by the way, has a banner that reads “bible house” across the mantel, pointing to the building’s past as a bible manufacturing center. Founded in 1854 and still retaining many of the original fixtures, McSorley’s serves only its own ale — dark or light — and provides an accurate picture of what bars were like in the 19th century. Cash only." - Eater Staff
