McSorley's Old Ale House
- Nearest Transit:
Astor Place (6)
8th St-Broadway (R, W)
3rd Ave-14th St (L)
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Music: Juke Box
- Best Nights: Tue, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour: No
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: No
170 Reviews for McSorley's Old Ale House
Would you like beer or beer? 'Cause, that's all they're serving at McSorley's.
The wonderfully old -- think 1800s -- tavern has loads of character and a few surly, burly waiters thrown in too.
You may end up sitting with a family from Oklahoma and sharing either "light" or "dark" beers well into the night. We did.
ATTENTION LADIES: Don't go into the door marked "restroom" unless you're a dude, because you will get cheered by the entire bar. That's what happens to a place that just began allowing women through its doors in the 1970s. There's a door for us too, ladies, just look for the skirt.
And I'd be willing to bet it's a tad cleaner, too.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Well even though I'm not a beer drinker, I had a great a time. Great atmosphere, everyone's having a ton of fun. Probably best to go in a big group. Very divey. I'm not sure it's worth the line I waited in for 20 minutes, but in my world no bar or club is. But any bar that serves saltines with cheese and raw onions can't be said to lack charm. :)
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
get the dark they will give you two because so much head. dont touch the dust on the lights. Do use the mensroom oldschool
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
You know what? Fuck McSorley's. Any bar that pushes you right out the door immediately after ordering your beer is not a bar-it's a house of bullshit. If I wanna get yelled and harassed, then I'll go hang out with a bunch of cops. Out of all the lameass McIrish bars in Manhattan, this place is the fucking worst.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
If cleanliness is next to Godliness, McSorley's is as close to hell as they come.
Established (and last cleaned) in 1854, McSorley's boasts of being New York City's "oldest continuously operating saloon". Another in the long chain of wannabe-genuine Irish pubs in America, McSorley's does appear to be staffed by genuine tramps.
"Continuously operating" may be somewhat of an overstatement. When I visited, there was little to distinguish McSorley's from a swampish miasma, filled with the least evolved of life-forms. Bones of some historical significance (and inches of dust) hang from the light above the bar, and the floor is covered in sawdust. The gents toilet is labeled simply "toilet", which causes hilarity and drunken cheers whenever ladies accidentally venture in and are faced with a row of urinals and the local Irish.
Nice beer is available at McSorley's, which is about all it has to its credit. It comes in two varieties, "light" and "dark", which come in half-filled half-pint mugs, and are ordered in pairs. This complex set of doubling and halving mathematics has proved confusing enough to convince the locals that the beer is good value. (We ordered five of said tiny beers, but were presented with twelve of the mugs for the fee of $27. Do the math. I can't.)
McSorley's has had a very interesting history with regards to its women patrons. Up until 1970, McSorley's flat-out refused to allow women inside. This could have been for a variety of reasons, including that one of the little ladies, with her fragile nature, might have done what came natural to her and cleaned the place.
A woman actually owned McSorley's back around mid-century but even she wasn't allowed to go inside. I too, would like a job where I don't (and, further, am not allowed to) report to work.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
What more is there to add to 160+ reviews, and an amazing history that includes being quite possibly America's oldest continuously running bar?
My $5, for sure.
Sign me up for a couple of the dark if I can push my way through that door, baby.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
Too many reviews.
Order the Dark. It's delicious. When beer is served in half pint mugs, life feels that much better.
Cheese platter is awesome. Get a small there is a lot. Careful with the mustard it's super spicy and will blast your sinuses.
Soak up the ambiance because it is one of a kind.
Get drunk.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
154 reviews. At this pt, it all comes down to narrowing degrees of freedom and reaching some asymptote of truth. So the truth?
McSorley's is as awesome as they say. Once you step foot inside, you are stepping in the sawdust footprints of countless after-work beer fans. The waiters run the show here, old gents with a badass attitude. Only they can bestow upon you the right to a seat, so don't bother sweet talking all the boys in blue button downs. They fill the place.
Speaking of the boys in button downs, can it really be that McSorley's brings in a solid Irish demographic? Cos, damn, those boys are tall & fair skinned. I stood out with a punky starred turquoise t-shirt, but man I was finally in a place where at 5'11 I was looking into faces rather than the tops of heads.
And thank god for dark beer! You are forced to double fist a pint here at $5 two mugs one pint. Soooo good. And convenient to chug if so desired, because even the dark beer won't put you to sleep right away. At least, not if you're good and Irish.
In short, I am so in love.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Fun, no frills, easy going, and cheap beer. Add that to the sawdust floor, and the Irish-family-get-together-ness of the place, and you'll have a grand ol' time.
I particularly liked how you just order a 'dark' or a 'light' beer. Easy. A single serving if two small glasses of you beer of choice (does anyone know why, rather than 1 big glass?).
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
Since nobody is reading reviews because of Silent Date Auction Madness '08, I'm going to review a place that doesn't really need to be reviewed at all.
Obviously, this isn't to say that McSorley's isn't good, it's awesome. But with 151 reviews already here, what could I possibly add? I don't know, but that's never stopped me from plowing ahead blind before, so here it goes.
McSorley's =Beer. Beer, beer and more beer. And none of this name brand crap, you get light and you get dark. When I walk into this place, I almost certainly leave intoxicated. My favorite time to go is on a Saturday afternoon. It's crowded but not crazy crowded. The waiters usually recognize our group even though we only come 2-3 times per year (tipping well on a big tab helps I guess) and we usually have a table pretty quickly. Then the fun starts.
There's really no need to order beer when the waiters just bring it over anyway. And if you can't keep up with what they are bringing, you just lost your place. Someone else can. By the way, if you do want a table and you're new, slipping a waiter $20 can probably help your cause.
Here's another key that might not have been mentioned by the masses. The food is actually kind of decent. If you don't get a cheese plate, which is basically a sleeve of Saltines, some cheap cheese and the world's hottest mustard, it's not even worth going. And every trip I make to McSorley's needs to also include their turkey sandwich. Perhaps it's a stretch to call it the best in the city, but it's the best at the time.
One other quick note before I'm done. You'll notice a set of very dusty wishbones hanging on a chandelier above the far end of the bar (from the door). During one trip to McSorley's, we asked about them. We were told that before a group of regulars left to serve in World War I (note the singular roman numeral), they hung those wishbones above the bar. Apparently, the ones that are still there were the guys who didn't come back. We asked what would happen if anybody tried to touch them and were told "they wouldn't leave this bar alive," and I believe it.
So if you like beer, bars with sawdust on the floor, and seeing cool shit like wishbones from nearly a century ago, go to McSorley's.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
Two Choices: Light or Dark! That's it! Don't boggle the waiter w/long requests and brand options, just say light or dark. Unless you want "a scene" or love to go against the grain, then DO IT (but they won't have what you want though, so no point)! While you're ordering, order yourself 2 at a time. They're small glasses.
The decor: old. Very old looking. Saw dust on the floor, cob webs on the fixtures above the bar, wear/age on all the original wooden furniture. It's quite the experience. It brings you back to the old timey days where you would stare immediately at the doorway when someone enters, while you have your hand ready and cocked on your 6 shooter! Yeehaw! Okay, my imagination is wild, but it sure is cool there!
Food? Don't know nothing about it. Too busy getting wasted on the beer because you're too busy thinking, "hey, they're small glasses. I can down more of these babies."
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
You know what else is really old?
Slavery. And leaving babies out by the side of the forest to die in times of famine.
People thought this was:
Funny (3)
Cool (1)
What a rad place. I wish there were bars like this in big ol' stinky LA.
The staff were so incredibly friendly and as a first timer tourist type, there was lots of shit on the walls to keep my brain occupied.
Three snaps in a Z formation.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
Ladies, if you don't mind drinking beer... check this place out. The girl/guy ratio is awesome. I am not ashamed to say I met my boyfriend there... hahaha! I would go during the off hours to avoid the claustrophobia and the line.
"Drink Up! What do you think this is?... Starbucks or something?!?"
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
Such a fun place to hang out with friends after work. Once you walk in you'll feel like you definitely went back in time.
A few things to note...
-Drink options: Light or Dark Beer Only
-When you order one beer, you actually get two glasses
-Cash only
You'll leave with a nice buzz and some cash still in your pocket! : )
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I know I'm in the small, small, minority that doesn't like this place.... but that's okay.
A friend of a friend recommended we hit this place up on our NYC trip. We Yelped it, read all the amazing and fantastic reviews, and although I do not like beer, decided it would be a fun place to go because she really likes beer, and I figured I'd take one for the team and slam down a few brewskys.
The four of us arrived around 10pm on a Thursday night, and it was packed. The dude at the door said that it'd be about 5 minutes for a table. Yeah right. He was telling that to everyone and all the tables were filled with people who weren't going to be going anywhere anytime soon. The two beer lovers slid into a spot at the bar first, I was next, and the extreme non-beer drinker followed. The first two got the bartender's attention and ordered a round of dark each. I asked for a round of light, but he totally ignored me. Ok. Fine. I really didn't want to drink the beer anyway, but was going to for the sake of being there.
This place is cash only and smelled like a fraternity basement. Old wood, beer, sweat, etc. Nasty.... but fitting... as this place is definitely a "boys club" where you go to hang out with the fellas, chug your beers, and get completely wasted.
The other non-beer drinker and I were not having a good time... at all.... so after a couple rounds for the others, we dipped out and went in search of another bar.
I'm sorry McSorley's, I really tried to give you a chance in lieu of not liking the only drink you serve - but compounded with the bartender that ignored me and the stench that derives from the underbelly of your establishment.... I could not take it.
Summary:
If you're not a beer drinker - even if you want to hang out with the group of people that is going... just stay home or go somewhere else. You're not going to have a good time here, and you're going to bring the group down.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
A part of history. A beer saloon "Established in 1854". Being from the left coast, I am easily impressed by such things. I love history, especially American history, and this place is part of it. Sawdust on the floor, 2 types of ale on tap (we have both kinds, dark AND light). Let's face it. The place is older than dirt and if you're visiting NYC, you just have to go here. The food we had was pretty good too. Can't remember. Liverwurst sandwiches? Pub food from a different age perhaps?
The newspaper review on the menu is cool. It's dated early 20th century, but reading it you wouldn't know. The old dudes behind the bar were cool. The young dudes working the tables were, uh, a trip? The clientele was young and hip. It was hard deciding whether to give this place 4 or 5 stars, because, lets face it, you're there for the history, but the beer is OK. Is it fair to compare it to every other beer place on the planet? Probably not. But, first and foremost, I'm a beer lover, so, in the end, I have to give it 4 stars. On the historical, visiting NYC meter--5 stars for sure.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Fourteen Texans in Cooper Square, and where do we run to? Hell yes, McSorley's!!
I'm so pissed that I was already sloshed from Cooper 35 (bleh) that I didn't notice the elements adorning the walls, or the chicken bones over the bar. I love history....but I also love alcohol. Alcohol won that night.
The bald and wonderful employee had us wait for 10 minutes while he wrestled up some tables so we could all sit together on a Saturday night. The minute bottoms hit the chairs, glasses hit the tables. Thirty mugs of foamy-headed dark and amber brews surrounded us, and the attack began.
The Fuzz and I reached for the dark stout first. I cringed, expecting a tar-like texture and a Guiness-esque licorice taste. I sipped, then swallowed.....DELICIOUS!! The stout was lighter than it looked, but smooth and even. The rounds magically kept appearing, thirty mugs at a time. Three Sarah-sized glasses later, I'd already sung an Irish drinking song (with hand motions included), walked into the men's room "accidentally," and declared my love for the sawdusted floors.
I didn't notice the crowd much, but I find it amusing to learn women weren't admitted until the 70's. And still, if you worship Kerri and Charlotte and all of those over-dramatic idiots from a certain retarded show and movie, and if the thought of drinking anything other than a Cosmopolitan in your Chanel Silk dress makes your pretty little head dizzy, stay the hell away. I WILL spill my delicious beer on you, and then promptly order another round. You go here to drink, not to model.
Its how bars were. Its how bars should be.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (5)
Cool (5)
A really great bar. Don't expect any special service but the beer and the atmosphere is unbeatable.
You get two kinds of beer here: light or dark. Surprisingly, the dark tastes like a light.
Sawdust all over the floor -- in case someone gets sick, or a bloody beatdown. Our server and everyone else in there looked drunk. And happy.
I like this place. Where else can you get 10 beers for ~$20? And they are amazing. They can carry so much beer at one time, it blows your mind.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
This is what all bars should aspire to be. I was in New York for a day to visit my friend Albert with one mission in mind: Get as drunk as I can at as many different bars as I can and when the dust settled and the foam cleared, one bar stood head and shoulders above all others: McSorley's.
You walk in and the first thing you notice? No music. That's right, no music. No jukebox, no DJ, no Ipod shuffle. Just conversation and drinking but we'll get to that in a second. Talk about the perfect place to go to ham it up with your friends over some drinks. Few things irritate me at a bar more than having to scream over music just to talk to someone sitting next to me, not a problem here.
Ever have problems deciding on what beer to drink? Not a problem here either because there's only two choices: Light and Dark. What's even better is that you get two, in other words: double fisting isn't just reccomended, it's required! And rumor has it that if you're not drinking, they kick you out. This wasn't a problem for us and shouldn't be for any other good natured, hard drinking American.
If you're looking for a serious no B.S. place to go get hammered with your friends in New York this is the place. And if you're more into the loud music, club type bars then at least come here to pre-game.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
Tried to get in on a saturday night-no dice. Came back during happy hour in the middle of the week and had a blast. Even though I was an obvious tourist the friendly bartender posed for a picture, gave us postcards and a little history on the place. Preferred the Light Beer over the Dark but both were tasty. Closest you'll get to drinking in a museum without pretention.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
McSorley's rocks, based on longevity alone. Oldest bar in NYC, survived prohibition, was a hangout for all the old Irish gangs back in the day, even has Houdini's handcuffs hanging on the wall. Until the seventies, women were not allowed inside the bar, even though the place was owned by a broad.
Best part about it though, is the alcohol menu. Beer, light or dark. That's it. And you get two for one! They are kinda little, but it's fun to double fist.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
I know it looks like I rate everything 5 stars. But believe me, that doesn't make this place any less deserving of them.
It's perfection in a pub. They serve light and dark ale. No other kind of alcohol, I don't even think they have water. They do have some food, hamburger, fish and chips, cheese and crackers, things of that nature. But no real big menu. It's a pretty small place, historical (est. 1854). "We were here before you were born," as they say, and it shows. That is all. I adore it.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (3)
Coolest bar I have ever been too. I enjoyed looking at all the old stuff around the place.
The choice or either like or dark beer made life very easy for an indecisive person like me.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Have you seen Gangs of New York? Well, this place was probably around at that time, and if it wasn't, it looks like it could be.
From the sawdust-covered floor, dim, broken, chandelier lights, surly bartenders, and dust bunnies so thick and stringy that it looks as if its part of the decor, this place is the real deal. If you compare the place now to the crooked black-and-white photos on the wall, you'll see that the place has barely changed.
We went during a weekday, and it was very lowkey. No frat boys, just a bunch of old men with missing teeth sitting around as if they had been there for over a century.
The best part about this place is that it doesn't try to be cool. It is cool.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (5)
As the oldest bar in New York, they have two choices of Ales, light and dark, both of which are very good. There is no other beer and no hard alcohol. Its an old-time place that houses a lot of history and can get very crowded. The bartenders are super friendly too, so feel free to chat it up. Stop by and pay homage to one of the classics from prohibition.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
If you need to have some Ale and crusty mustard with Saltines you have found your place. I have been going here for over 27 years. The lines are long and the staff is gruff (unless you know them) and has all the atmosphere a place that is 150 years old should have. The food is for crap so do not think it is a good place to eat. Do not pet the cat and when your drinking slows you get thrown out of your table. It is an experience and they now have a ladies room (for about 20 years) so that fun is gone. Remember to use the bathroom before you leave and say hello to Jimmy for me.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
A rollicking good time.
Old pictures on the wall are reminiscent of a prohibition period gone past. The place is run by a bunch of men who know their beers. Sawdust on the floor is a funny touch. Lots of rowdy people of all ages but, I can see it being very collegiate during the week nights.
There are only 2 types of beers, lights and darks. 4.50 for 2 miniature mugs suits me just fine.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
The big positive surprise for me was the food.
For $4.75, the roast beef sandwich was excellent. I was shocked. Everyone in our group liked their hamburgers.
We went as a group of 8 family members, so we had lots of fun and no one complained about our noise.
So, why the 3 stars? I want a full glass when I order beer. I don't pay for foam. Normally, I would order "no foam", but that is something you don't [can't?] do at McSorley's.
Would I go again? Yes. Would I recommend it? Yes.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Don't go to McSorley's if you want good service, or to be allowed to finsih your beer.
A group of 6 of us went on a weeknight, and waited a loooong time for the table.
As we were finishing a round of drinks, the owner comes over and without asking starts taking a mug away from my friend. The mug was still 1/3 full. He had to argue with him for about three minutes before he got to keep the beer.
Then the owner rushed us to pay the bill and kicked us out.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
You can only order in rounds, 2 beers at a time, so this is not the place to go unless your entire party likes beer and drinks at the same exact speed.
Otherwise, the history and all is great.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (2)
McSorley's is the place. No more to say....okay I will. The old Ale house is a beacon for real beer drinkers. You can enjoy a laugh when you hear the occasional newbie order a Bud Light and hear someone yell "Light or Dark." The bartenders and waitstaff are no-nonsense, but they're really great guys if you keep showing up regularly. You can sit there for hours at one of the tables and admire all the history on the wall.
Oh, and the simple food is some of the best in the city. Remember, it's bar food, not gourmet, but if you're in the mood for a quick (and cheap) burger or sandwich, have a seat and grab a beer.
Some people might complain that its a tourist trap, and the tourists will drive you nuts, but they're crazy. Its far too loud, and if you drink enough you won't care. The family style tables are great though, and every time I go by myself or with one or two people, I end up meeting someone from halfway around the country, or halfway around the globe.
The only drawbacks are that the place packs out every night, and weekends the line can wrap around the block if you get there at primetime.
Go on a weekday if you want to really enjoy the place, but stop in on the weekends to see a real mix of New Yorkers and tourists alike.
Have a dark! Enjoy!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Two mugs of beer (Light or Dark) - $4
HOW CAN YOU BEAT THAT?!?
I'm still scared to sit under the wishbones - for fear of actual dust chunks falling into my drink... but if I were drunk, i doubt it'd make any difference... I might actually think it was cool to eat a part of history.
So screw the health department!!
^_^
The ambiance in this place is like none other... and my husband and I really enjoy taking turns seeing who can eat the most mustard at once.
Let me tell you, that sh*t is PAINFUL.
I love you, McSorleys... and I'm so glad that I'm allowed in now - even though I'm a girl... (ewwwwwwww.)
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
If I were captured, blindfolded and walked around the East Village, forced to identify some of my favorite spots, I would identify McSorley's by:
-smelling the ancient stench of spilled beer on wood
-hearing shouts of "light!" and "dark!"
-listening to gruff bartenders yelling "watch it" as the twenty mugs they're holding clink and hit the table with a thud
-overhearing chortles near the back, amidst calls of "over THERE!" every time a woman tries to go into the "Restroom"
And then, two for two, it'd be time to get drunk, just like the good ol' days. By the way, if you order water here, they rather hilariously give you two mugs of that, too. Old habits die hard!
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I love McSorleys!! It is so much fun, especially if you wind up being sat with the right people. Unless you are a big group they pack you into tables with 'stangers'. The beer is good, and the choice is simple. A good buy for Manhattan at $4.50 for two smallish mugs! Get there early on the weekends unless you want to wait. It is more fun when it's still light out!!
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
The year was early 2004 -
15 minute walk to McSorley's - $0
10 very good dark beers - $20
Joining New Yorkers in a chant of "1918!!" "1918!!" "1918!!" to a group of obnoxious Red Sox fans.
...priceless. (I think we jinxed it though.)
Love this place.
People thought this was:
Funny (4)
Cool (4)
This place can get pretty busy and there's good reason. It's one of the oldest bars in New York City to date, if not the oldest. From the old dark wood tables, to sawdust on the floor, and the walls covered in photos of old politicians, presidents, and others, this place just takes you back to the old days. Everything in here is old and antique-like. It may get hard to get a table in here so you may have to share, shoulder to shoulder with another group. Beers are pretty simple here, dark and light. You order them easily "2 and 2" if you want 2 darks and 2 lights, etc. Keep those beers coming, as they are only $2 each. The cheese plate with hot mustard and saltines is awesome when drinking here. It may be a little expensive for one package of saltine crackers and cheese, but it's well worth it. Don't forget to try that hot mustard that tastes very similar to wasabi. You must put this bar as to-go if you've never been here before.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
The best bar in the United States.
Impossible to go there and not come out shit-faced. Not the cleanest place for food, but who cares after your 15th beer.
No joke, I saw Abraham Lincoln's ghost in the bathroom.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
Only light or dark, and $4 for two glasses...that is lovely. The interior has that smokey back room feel to it, without being disgusting. However, it is crowded. My friend and I got a place at the bar and stood there for a few hours. There were more guys than girls (not that I'm complaining). This is mostly a one-off sort of place...you visit to say you've been here. I wouldn't make this a regular bar, but I'll stop by if I can find a time it isn't so crowded.
Watch your footing on the saw dust. 8 beers and I thought I was fine (don't let the cute and small mugs distract you), until I stop leaning on the bar, and almost slipped.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
- awesome history (with pictures and newspaper articles to prove it)
- simple choices (light or dark)
- the people who server the beer are cool (as long as you tip well)
- totally awesome old school urinals in the men's bathroom
Make sure you go on a weekday so you can get a table. Bring cash.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
