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McSorley's Old Ale House

McSorley's Old Ale House

Pub$$$$
East Village, New York
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8.9/10
2,097
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    This pub is famous for their dark beers. It's one of the most popular in the city!
  • Tips
    Lauren T.
    "Light or dark beer 🍺 Always a great time!"(15 Tips)
    Robbie C.
    "Literally a spit and sawdust place"(11 Tips)
    Tom M.
    "... dark beer, loved the light beer-- can't go wrong with your beer choice here"(11 Tips)
    AJ W.
    "Oldest bar in NYC! Definitely worth a visit"(6 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon443 Tips and reviews
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  • Anya🍀 L.
    Anya🍀 LibovaSeptember 23, 2013
    5.50 for two beers. Choice is just light or dark,they serve beer from their own brewery. Very old bar with awesome atmosphere! Check it out !!
  • Derek L.heart icon on user image
    Derek LangdonMarch 18, 2019
    Love this old Irish Pub. Worth the visit if you are in New York. One of a kind experience.
  • Tom M.
    Tom M.August 16, 2014
    Loved the dark beer, loved the light beer-- can't go wrong with your beer choice here
  • Taniaheart icon on user image
    TaniaJune 18, 2017
    Soooooooo cool place))) Highly recommend!
  • Eugene T.
    Eugene TroynovJuly 13, 2013
    Best bar I've ever been to!!! This place is crazy! Great beer. Sailor-bartender. You feel like you're on the sailor ship deck. Definitely must see!
  • Nina Y.
    Nina YiamsamathaJanuary 8, 2011
    Grab a table and look around at the century-old decorations. They'll bring you endless rounds of beer if you want, but if you linger too long without a fresh mug, they'll kick you out.
  • Marie L.heart icon on user image
    Marie La RueFebruary 23, 2023
    Fascinating historical place. If you’re a newbie, make sure you know how to order. Cash only.
  • Bob S.heart icon on user image
    Bob St ClaireJuly 8, 2016
    Perfection. Two kinds of ale...sawdust on the floor. Get the cheese & saltines...and don't forget the mustard. 😊😳
  • Simon C.heart icon on user image
    Simon CheadleMarch 12, 2019
    Amazing interior, great service and really simple ordering - light or dark beer? A must if you're in the area
  • Kyle S.heart icon on user image
    Kyle ShawDecember 31, 2019
    Make sure you check out the area around the bar to find Harry Houdini’s handcuffs!
  • Matthew S.heart icon on user image
    Matthew SpectorMarch 5, 2015
    Light & dark. That's all. French fries are a surprise and the atmosphere is perfect. The oldest bar in NYC and still the best.
  • James C.
    James CNovember 17, 2014
    Great history place. Great beer. Does get very crowded but worth at least one stop especially if visiting.
  • DoubleDeuceheart icon on user image
    DoubleDeuceFebruary 12, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    A great old institution of bigotry. Sawdust on the floor, ancient urinals, double the beer you'd expect and you're sure to meet someone from out of town. Be renewed with the old.
  • Bo D.
    Bo DePeñaJanuary 15, 2012
    Bring cash, and be ready to be sit with random people and start up conversation. Try both beers before making your decision. Service is great, but be quick with your orders and don't jerk them around.
  • Juan Carlos M.heart icon on user image
    Juan Carlos MadridMarch 30, 2016
    Amazing old OLD atmosphere and only two options of drinks: dark and light ale
  • WillMcD
    WillMcDAugust 16, 2011
    Been here 5+ times
    One of the oldest bars in the city. Recently they were forced to clean the wishbones. Ask the bartender about it. PS light or Dark only. (Dark) and you have to be invited to sit down. Great Bar
  • Jonathan C.heart icon on user image
    One of my favorite bars in NY. Crazy fast service, 2 beers served at a time and looks like an ale house from the 1800s
  • Calvin M.heart icon on user image
    Calvin MultanenJanuary 18, 2015
    Great bar with a lot of character and history. They have a light and a dark beer which are both pretty good
  • Alex H.
    Alex HayworthJune 19, 2017
    Oldest Bar in NYC...I think. Only two types of beer - light and dark. E. E. Cummings wrote a poem about this place.
  • Raphael L.heart icon on user image
    Timeless classic. Never out of style, whether for a pre-dinner beer or post-dinner group drinks. McSorleys always goes. Bring cash.
  • Zaarly NYC
    Zaarly NYCOctober 9, 2011
    Beer and strangers becoming close friends by the end of the first round. Light or dark, you can't go wrong and the beer comes in pairs for $5. Good enough for Abe good enough for everyone.
  • Phoenix 💥💥💥
    Phoenix 💥💥💥September 24, 2014
    Welcome to the oldest bar in Manhattan. Abe Lincoln came here! Grab a beer and some history.
  • Corey M.
    Corey ManiconeJuly 25, 2014
    The oldest bar in NYC serves two types of beer: Light & Dark. Can't go wrong.
  • Claire D.heart icon on user image
    Claire DivverOctober 10, 2012
    It's a great bar to get a cheap beer and meet new people since they push you together at a table when it's busy. And it's funny if someone tries to order hard liquor..they get kicked out!!
  • Noviheart icon on user image
    NoviDecember 31, 2019
    Lots of history and museum-worth stuffs. They sell light or dark beer on even numbers 🍻
  • Ellie D.
    Ellie DMarch 26, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Even if you're feeling hungry, stay away from the cheese and crackers and save your appetite for later. THAT SAID, great dark beer and always a good time at McSorley's.
  • New York Habitat
    New York HabitatNovember 16, 2011
    NYC's oldest bar. It's a bit like a frat house but is a fun atmosphere that everyone should enjoy at least once. Only two choices of beer - light or dark.
  • Mackenzie C.heart icon on user image
    Mackenzie ClarkFebruary 15, 2015
    Super cool historic bar, beer (light or dark are the options) is pretty good and cheap for the city
  • Gigi A.
    Gigi AgiusDecember 3, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    Great old bar. Come when it's quiet so you can catch worth the bartenders and hear cool old stories about Mcsorleys.
  • Vincent H.heart icon on user image
    Vincent HayesMarch 23, 2019
    Been here 10+ times
    Both light and dark beers, love the cheese and mustard
  • Jany X.
    Jany XuFebruary 2, 2013
    Large cheese and onion plate with saltines is perfect with beer, just a bit salty from the cheesy, the crackers make you drink more, and the onion five just enough kick.
  • Naor T.heart icon on user image
    Naor TogenderMarch 20, 2016
    Just an amazing place. Bring your friends and enjoy the old traditions and delicious beer.
  • Nate F.heart icon on user image
    Nate FolkertFebruary 21, 2017
    departing soldiers leaving for war would leave a turkey wishbone hanging on the lamp rail. http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-wishbones-of-mcsorley-s-old-ale-house
  • Arash N.heart icon on user image
    Arash NarchiJuly 26, 2017
    Food is worth skipping but the atmosphere and history of the place makes it worth checking out for sure
  • Nash P.heart icon on user image
    Nash PleasantSeptember 11, 2018
    Get the dark beer. An NYC institution of drinking. Not much has changed over the years and that’s the way they should keep it
  • Lori-Jo S.heart icon on user image
    Lori-Jo SAugust 12, 2014
    Pepe is the best. He tells the same Canadian joke to us all I'm sure, but what a great character. The answer is, BTW, Cabern-EH.
  • Mike M.heart icon on user image
    Mike MontiNovember 28, 2016
    The atmosphere. People you meet. The beer. The mustard. Everything is exactly as perfect as you would expect
  • Washington F.
    Try the cheese plate! Amazing mustard sauce! It's a plate with cheddar cheese, onion, cracks and mustard! Cheap, traditional and works fine with regular beer.
  • Gadling
    GadlingSeptember 7, 2010
    Order a pint, and you get two... both of which are only half-full (but quite tasty). Chug the 2nd pint after you've tried some of the spiciest mustard in the world (comes with the cheese plate). -WV
  • Matthew G.heart icon on user image
    Matthew GordonSeptember 21, 2014
    Simple-but-good classic. If you're looking for a basic, relaxed experience this is it.
  • Tamara H.
    Tamara HJune 11, 2012
    "Notable patrons such as Joseph Mitchell, e.e. cummings and Brendan Behan, not to mention two presidents (Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt), also got two mugs of ale." (via @ShelfAwareness)
  • Paul K.heart icon on user image
    Paul KuhnSeptember 21, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    The barman that looks like Brian Dennehy is the best. Slip him a $5 bill once and he'll make sure you always have seat when you come back. Never forgets.
  • Washington Square Hotel
    Dark, divey and cheap! It's a New York classic. Pick either the light or dark & be sure to have the cheddar cheese with saltines.
  • Royce F.heart icon on user image
    Royce FullertonAugust 6, 2014
    Good value, you have to pop in at least for a quick beer if you are near. It's like stepping into a time capsule.
  • Mark N.
    Mark Neurohr-PierpaoliFebruary 21, 2015
    Try the Roast Pork Plate - Roast Pork Plate at McSorley's Old Ale House (via @Foodspotting)
  • Chrisheart icon on user image
    ChrisJuly 23, 2018
    Old school Irish pub. Excellent spot to get a beer.
  • Lisa M.heart icon on user image
    Lisa McKownNovember 2, 2018
    Their dark beer is phenomenal and the Hash is probably the best I have ever eaten!!
  • Alessandro O.
    cheap in-house beers (only), great snacks like cheese and onion platter! A must-see in NY.
  • Buford B.heart icon on user image
    Buford BarnesFebruary 22, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    Established in 1854 (or early 1860s) and operated continuously since, it is the oldest NYC Irish tavern. Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, & JFK have reportedly drank here. Women weren't allowed until 1970.
  • The Daily Meal
    The Daily MealJune 19, 2011
    This legendary Irish pub is also the city’s oldest continuously operating bar. Based on the dust-caked chandeliers and walls stacked with memories, you'll believe it hasn’t changed much since 1854. Read more
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