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McSorley's Old Ale House

Pub$$$$

East Village, New York

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8.9^/10

2,097

ratings

Ranked #9 for cheap drinks in the East Village
Has a stamp of approval from Food Network and The Corcoran Group
"Light or dark beer 🍺 Always a great time!"(15 Tips)
"Literally a spit and sawdust place"(11 Tips)
"... dark beer, loved the light beer-- can't go wrong with your beer choice here"(11 Tips)
"Oldest bar in NYC! Definitely worth a visit"(6 Tips)

443 Tips and reviews

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authentic
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good for groups
great value
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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 LangdonMarch 18, 2019
Love this old Irish Pub. Worth the visit if you are in New York. One of a kind experience.
Tom M.August 16, 2014
Loved the dark beer, loved the light beer-- can't go wrong with your beer choice here
TaniaJune 18, 2017
Soooooooo cool place))) Highly recommend!
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 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 La RueFebruary 23, 2023
Fascinating historical place. If you’re a newbie, make sure you know how to order. Cash only.
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 CheadleMarch 12, 2019
Amazing interior, great service and really simple ordering - light or dark beer? A must if you're in the area
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.
Kyle ShawDecember 31, 2019
Make sure you check out the area around the bar to find Harry Houdini’s handcuffs!
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.
James CNovember 17, 2014
Great history place. Great beer. Does get very crowded but worth at least one stop especially if visiting.
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 MadridMarch 30, 2016
Amazing old OLD atmosphere and only two options of drinks: dark and light ale
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 CourtneyMay 3, 2015
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 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 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 LangenscheidtJuly 2, 2015
Timeless classic. Never out of style, whether for a pre-dinner beer or post-dinner group drinks. McSorleys always goes. Bring cash.
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 💥💥💥September 24, 2014
Welcome to the oldest bar in Manhattan. Abe Lincoln came here! Grab a beer and some history.
Corey ManiconeJuly 25, 2014
The oldest bar in NYC serves two types of beer: Light & Dark. Can't go wrong.
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!!
NoviDecember 31, 2019
Lots of history and museum-worth stuffs. They sell light or dark beer on even numbers 🍻
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 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 ClarkFebruary 15, 2015
Super cool historic bar, beer (light or dark are the options) is pretty good and cheap for the city
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 HayesMarch 23, 2019
Been here 10+ times
Both light and dark beers, love the cheese and mustard
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 TogenderMarch 20, 2016
Just an amazing place. Bring your friends and enjoy the old traditions and delicious beer.
Arash NarchiJuly 26, 2017
Food is worth skipping but the atmosphere and history of the place makes it worth checking out for sure
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
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 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 MontiNovember 28, 2016
The atmosphere. People you meet. The beer. The mustard. Everything is exactly as perfect as you would expect
Washington FajardoMay 2, 2013
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.
Matthew GordonSeptember 21, 2014
Simple-but-good classic. If you're looking for a basic, relaxed experience this is it.
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
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 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 HotelMay 22, 2012
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 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 Neurohr-PierpaoliFebruary 21, 2015
Try the Roast Pork Plate - Roast Pork Plate at McSorley's Old Ale House (via @Foodspotting)
ChrisJuly 23, 2018
Old school Irish pub. Excellent spot to get a beer.
Lisa McKownNovember 2, 2018
Their dark beer is phenomenal and the Hash is probably the best I have ever eaten!!
Alessandro OltramariMay 9, 2013
cheap in-house beers (only), great snacks like cheese and onion platter! A must-see in NY.
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 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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McSorley's Old Ale House

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