McSorley's Old Ale House

McSorley's Old Ale House

Pub$$$$
East Village, New York
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8.9/10
2,098
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  • Stars
    Has a stamp of approval from Food Network and The New Yorker
    • Food Network
    • The New Yorker
  • 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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  • Connie C.heart icon on user image
    Connie ChiuAugust 23, 2014
    Historical and unique spot. Only two types of beer. Very crowded and often standing room only unless you go early.
  • Simon V.
    Simon VreemanMay 4, 2019
    An old bar with sand on the floor and only light or dark beer. Nice and simple!
  • Ryan E.heart icon on user image
    Ryan EickSeptember 15, 2018
    An institution of NY drinking. Visit at least once
  • Satish
    SatishDecember 16, 2012
    Oldest Irish Tavern in Manhattan dating back to mid 19th century. Visitors said to have included Abraham Lincoln, Boss Tweed, and Woody Guthrie (NYT)
  • Farhana S.
    Farhana SheatsMay 10, 2015
    Come for a fun classic bar night! Choose light or dark beer. Have a snack. Pay in cash.
  • Ro J.heart icon on user image
    Ro JMay 31, 2018
    They only serve two types of beer - light ale and dark ale. Excellent service!
  • Louis M.heart icon on user image
    Louis MendezJune 10, 2021
    Love the history and vibe at this landmark. Bartender add some spunk to the experience.
  • Ryan W.heart icon on user image
    Ryan WarrenderJune 13, 2016
    Dusty, old, and epic. Ask the bartenders how to properly order a round.
  • Brandon F.
    Brandon F.September 25, 2011
    Been here 5+ times
    Go here. Drink here. Take in the experience and history. Wishbones on the lamp were left on Thanksgiving by our boys leaving for WWI; the one's that remain are the one's that never returned. Respect.
  • Annaheart icon on user image
    AnnaJuly 7, 2015
    Authentic and filled with character. Dark or lite can't go wrong with their ale. Slainte!
  • Vanessa R.heart icon on user image
    Vanessa RuedaOctober 23, 2014
    this is one of the truly hidden gems in nyc. Every detail has a story.
  • prince of A.
    Fantastic place! A real old school tavern with great beers and a super atmosphere
  • Lily v.
    Lily van DiepenOctober 23, 2010
    Great old school vibe and boisterous atmosphere, though unless you enjoy being shoved every 20 secs, avoid this on Fridays and Saturdays, unless you get there early enough to snag a table in a corner
  • Tom
    TomMarch 5, 2013
    As a visiting Brit, was amused to see how very american this place was. Dont try to pay at the bar (the brit/irish way of paying for drinks), it just confuses the staff. Good service and cheap drinks!
  • Bobby C.
    Bobby CollinsAugust 26, 2010
    The oldest bar in New York try a mix of the light and dark, can you drink them both at once? Check out the wishbones on the anchor above the bar maybe a local will tell you the story!
  • Carson N.
    Carson NevadaSeptember 21, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    On busy nights you're forced to sit with strangers. Which make for an even better night than you'd originally planned.
  • Erik J.heart icon on user image
    Erik JacobsJanuary 19, 2018
    Bring your cash and choose from light or dark beer. And you will love it.
  • Nitzan B.heart icon on user image
    Nitzan BMarch 4, 2017
    Oldest bar in manhattan. Only beers, no fuss and you sit where the old man tells you to 😁
  • Jimmy L.
    Jimmy LawlorOctober 6, 2010
    The food is good too! Great burger and steak fries. Love there cheese plate: white Irish cheddar, fill sleeve of saltine's, and a sliced white onion. Great!
  • Greg P.
    Greg PhilippiApril 27, 2012
    Original hang for Kennedy clan. Pix of Bobby in the front corner wall. Former Irish men's club...Check out the history ...great ale too!
  • Mazda
    MazdaNovember 22, 2010
    Established in 1854 - McSorley's can boast of being New York City's oldest continuously operated saloon. Everyone from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon have passed thru Mcsorley's swinging doors.
  • Heidi E.heart icon on user image
    Heidi EisenbeisSeptember 10, 2016
    Loooove this place! Great vibe, fantastic customer service. Cash only.
  • Elaine E.
    Elaine EnglundSeptember 16, 2014
    If you order "two beers" and they ask you "for how many?", and you answer "two people". You'll get 4 glases of 1/2 pints. 5$ = 2 beers 🍻
  • Jason B.heart icon on user image
    Jason BrewApril 2, 2016
    An authentic New York institution! Order the dark... Not as if you have much choice
  • Dunja
    DunjaApril 26, 2014
    They have the original wanted poster for John Wilkes Booth. Also, almost nothing's changed since 1910, great pub!
  • Matt E.heart icon on user image
    Matt EdwardsJanuary 5, 2016
    Hope you like light or dark beer. You should, they're both delicious. Get both.
  • nils j.
    nils jansonJanuary 24, 2015
    Make sure to look up at the chandeliers to see decades-old wishbones with attendant dust collection.
  • Nope M.
    Nope MayvilleFebruary 24, 2012
    There is a secret way to order your rounds. Tell the bar tender to do the @jessebrightman jig and you and your friends will drink free.
  • Bachelor10
    Bachelor10April 6, 2011
    As long as you’re drinking, you can stay. Once you take a breather, your butt will be on the street to make room for a fresh supply of thirsty patrons. Read more
  • Martina C.heart icon on user image
    Martina CarusoNovember 27, 2017
    THE BAR of New York. There is so much history and cool happenings connected here. Look at the walls and ceilings. And remember: with one beer order you get two small pints!
  • David T.
    David TawilFebruary 6, 2013
    they say the Babe drank here and abe Lincoln sat in that chair behind the bar on top all the stuff -- try the light and the dark!!
  • Mike K.
    Mike KirwanSeptember 1, 2013
    excellent bar and very very old school...saw dust still on the floor, old fashioned "speakeasy" in NYC
  • Daniel B.
    Daniel BarrettMay 15, 2012
    The smell of 150 years of beer on wood is like nothing you've ever smelt. Also, the bathrooms open straight onto the room with a swing door...enjoy looking at bar patrons while you pee!
  • Karl B.heart icon on user image
    Karl BergerDecember 13, 2018
    Authentic, non-touristy bar. Large cheese and crackers easily satisfies three people.
  • Kheart icon on user image
    KFebruary 4, 2016
    An absolute fav and must. Ask for 2 light and 2 dark!
  • Matt C.heart icon on user image
    Matt ClineDecember 14, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    The cheese plate is the best in the union.
  • Vicky S.heart icon on user image
    Vicky SunFebruary 23, 2014
    Been here 50+ times
    Light or dark ale only. No credit cards, no shots, no awful music. Best pub to go to if you want to meet people and have a great time but leave that douchebag attitude at home.
  • NYU Wagner
    NYU WagnerMarch 15, 2012
    Order a light and dark. Don't be alarmed when they hand you four 1/2 pint glasses. That's all they have. The food's pretty good too.
  • Justine D.
    Justine D'AmourOctober 14, 2011
    The grey-suited Brendan has been working there since the dawn of time - check out his presence in the old newspaper clippings around the place. DARK ALL THE WAY!
  • Patrick M.heart icon on user image
    Patrick McFaddenJuly 18, 2012
    Worth going to just to see a legendary brew pub. Read the newspaper on the wall that is reporting Abraham Lincoln's assassination.
  • T S.heart icon on user image
    T SSeptember 16, 2018
    You ask for one beer and you get two. :) how great is that (OK they are small)
  • Wyngspan
    WyngspanJanuary 24, 2014
    Just remember light or dark beer. Visit the oldest bar in the city and give it a trust rating: http://bit.ly/KR4sNL
  • Anders I.heart icon on user image
    Anders IngendohFebruary 18, 2017
    One light, one dark, one of each. It's all good.
  • Shailesh M.
    Shailesh MishraSeptember 8, 2013
    More than a century and half old! Not for the fancy types but definitely one for the beer lovers!
  • 💎Theart icon on user image
    💎TAugust 7, 2015
    Fantastic beer selection. They've got so many IPAs!
  • Ashley D.
    Ashley DickinsonJanuary 14, 2013
    There are 2 choices: light and dark beer. Order one of each, end up with 4 glasses in front of you. I don't ask questions.
  • Ed C.
    Ed CigarApril 27, 2011
    delicious beer at NYC's oldest, manliest, and possibly Irish-est pub. i prefer the dark but you can't go wrong either way.
  • Rich G.heart icon on user image
    Rich GallagherJuly 12, 2011
    Been here 10+ times
    Not much has changed at McSorley's over the years (no ladies until 1970), but that has created NYC's best drinking experience. Order a round of light and darks, bring cash and "Be Good or Be Gone".
  • msheart icon on user image
    msMarch 11, 2015
    Great place to take parents. My parents. My dad. Who likes history. And beer.
  • Andrew Z.heart icon on user image
    Andrew ZhulidowJuly 19, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    Just must visit! This place has history and good beer.
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