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McSorley's Old Ale House

Pub$$$$

East Village, New York

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9.2^/10

1,772

ratings

On the list: #BabysFirstTime: NYC Edition
Has a stamp of approval from Food Network and The Corcoran Group
"Plus the atmosphere is awesome and it's the oldest bar in NYC."(17 Tips)
"... dark beer, loved the light beer-- can't go wrong with your beer choice here"(9 Tips)
"wishbones on the anchor above the bar"(9 Tips)
"Hope you like light or dark beer."(8 Tips)

402 Tips and reviews

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oldest bar
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lively
Irish pubs
authentic
casual
good for groups
good for a late night
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wishbone
great value
good for singles
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Aaron BatchelderAugust 4, 2016
10/10!! Incredible history, cold delicious beer, authentic old style sandwiches, and an awesome atmosphere. Check out this video for the history on the place! https://youtu.be/t6ThJe3Foyc
Richard RevillaApril 24, 2013
Cash only. Order light or dark in even numbers and enjoy the cheese and crackers. A old school gem that should never change in the East Village.
Aniruddha MandkeMay 17, 2015
Loved it. Old school. Dark or light ale. Not a place for hipsters but for everyone. Kind staff. Prepare to wait. If you are fussy about which table-which corner etc then it's not for you.
Upvoted Apr 17
The Brew NoobAugust 29, 2013
New York City's oldest Irish pub only serves two kinds of beer: light or dark. Pick your favorite from the old-school brew recipes, or bring a friend and split the order until you find which you like!
Michiyo NakashimaJanuary 8, 2015
They said it was the oldest ale house in New York and I could believe them. They offer two ales, light or dark only, but the best way is to get them half and half. We spent New Years there. Awesome.
Nuri JeonDecember 7, 2014
OMG. As soon as you enter, you will feel like you are in a different world back in early 1900. Order '1' of either dark or light, you will get two glasses. Love the place and will definitely come back
Zach HedrickJanuary 22, 2016
This place is perfect. Such an experience. Step through the door and you'll step back 150 years in time. Sawdust floors, (faux) potbelly stoves and two choices of beer; light or dark. I love it!
Gwenda BarathMay 15, 2016
Menu...great and simple. Beer...great and simple, light or dark. History... Great and anything but simple. Decor...great and it takes all day to absorb it all. Atmosphere.. Great and easy to hang out.
The New YorkerOctober 29, 2013
"The wooden bar, the icebox, and, one suspects, the mood of near-conspiratorial intimacy have changed little since it opened, in 1854." Read more
Chris SlatterySeptember 8, 2012
Beers come by the pair only. Two lights, two darks, or a light and a dark. Try the Chili, and cheese and crackers. Make sure to study the decorations on the walls carefully, to get the full flavor!
seth meyerowitzOctober 13, 2012
This place is awesome. 2 beer options, light or dark. Beware because they slam the beers on the table, mind your phones. Old time , classic style pub. Highly recommend.
Tyler LundDecember 28, 2015
McSorley’s is a place so touristy, you kind of have to go just to consider yourself a true New Yorker. They’ve got sawdust on the floor, bathrooms that were voted among the five grossest in the city
Gustavo MoradaSeptember 22, 2014
Very nice pub, excellent drafts. Good burguer. The only con is that there ir no control of the bill, it is a good idea to control your bill yourself
Kev SkinnyAugust 14, 2014
Best most iconic bar in city. Be good or be gone. Burger is great, cheese plate is awesome in abgrandmas house kind of way. 2 options light or dark for beer. Both are amazing.
Missie De Leeuw-BonoMay 26, 2016
Beer, crackers and cheese is all you need. Feel the sawdust under your feet. Ask the bartenders about the bones on the lights over the bar. McSorley's is the best in historic bars.
Viren KaulJanuary 22
Great in the weekends. Even better off rush hours.. the history in here is mind boggling .. you choose .. light or dark and have the time of your life !
Party EarthApril 16, 2012
“Along with the cheese plate comes the famous McSorley’s Onion. It has a historical significance, so order it for the full experience.” More at http://www.partyearth.com/venues/mcsorleys-old-ale-house
TrentApril 10, 2015
Awesome place, I always take people from out of town here and they all enjoy it. Only have beer- "light or dark". Snacks are simple but good, personally a fan of the cheese & crackers.
Avin NarasimhanApril 7, 2015
Love this place. Servers will be rude, and you'll like it. 2 kinds of beers-- light or dark. Get the dark, and go thirsty-- if you don't want a refill, you're expected to leave
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.
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!!
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.
Jack GashiOctober 15, 2014
Great spot to have beers on a rainy day, less crowded. Get a cheese plate, it comes with onion (no chicks today) and a mustard that'll have your nipples standing at attention
Nicholas WagnerDecember 31, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Three things to remember: 1) light or dark beer. 2) learn your waiters name 3) Don't be shy to just sit down a table and start talking. If you are shy this is a great place to practice not being shy.
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
Tammy SellnerMarch 4, 2012
Hands down greatest Irish bar in all of NY ! Order the McSorley Darks, tip well (these guys deserve it), and make sure to take in all the amazing artifacts around the place !
Pierre van MedgeAugust 8, 2014
'Two light, two dark' is the best way (the only way, in fact) to order beer here. Check out the chicken wishbones hanging by the wall, they're historical artifacts!
Nisa GencOctober 17, 2014
very authentic beerhouse, you feel almost like you time traveled! It is also good value for money: 2 beers for 5.50!
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.
raymondNovember 21, 2012
One of my favorite vintage places to grab a half-pint of ale. (Oldest historic Irish pub in NYC, circa 1854.) Best deal in town -- go with the dark! Cheers!
Owen HerterichAugust 28, 2016
Oldest bar in NY. Only serves their own beer, in two varieties (dark or light), two beers at a time. Gets insane on weekend nights, but pretty fun for a quick drink.
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.
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.
Drunken HistoryDecember 13, 2011
"Good Ale, Raw Onions, and No Ladies..." This place should be a museum!!!! Ask the bartender about the wishbones hanging from the lamp and then enjoy a liverwurst sandwich and a pint or two of ale.
Robbie CluttonMay 27, 2012
Literally a spit and sawdust place, it's a must go on any Manhattan tour. Order the light beer, or dark beer. That's the only choice you have. It's cheap, but cash only.
DoubleDeuceFebruary 12, 2015
Been here 5+ 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.
Gustavo MoradaSeptember 22, 2014
Very nice pub, excellent drafts. Good burguer. The only con is that there is no control of the bill, it is a good idea to control your bill yourself
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!
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 !!
Food NetworkAugust 10, 2011
On Food Network's FoodNation with Bobby Flay, Bobby stops by McSorley's Ale House, the oldest Irish tavern in New York City's East Village, to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Find more tips at FN Local. Read more
Jenna HellerJanuary 12, 2013
2 beers for $5 is a great deal. Plus the atmosphere is awesome and it's the oldest bar in NYC.
Untapped CitiesJanuary 22, 2014
Nestled quietly into the East Village, this pub serves beers in orders of two. Fun fact: McSorley's has some of the oldest urinals in the city! Read more
Noëlle DevlinJanuary 10, 2015
Love this place! Prepare for crowds & light pushing from busy staff if you're in their way. It's all in good fun! Cheap beer & great atmosphere
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
Tom M.August 16, 2014
Loved the dark beer, loved the light beer-- can't go wrong with your beer choice here
Tilman BeneckeMarch 25
What an awesome place this is... you can feel the history of this bar - great. Just two different beers on the tap - white & dark homebrew stuff - both are great!
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.
AKDecember 13, 2013
Take an old jacket most likely it will go on the back of your chair and the sleeves will drag in the sawdust and beer
Brian PApril 19, 2016
Always lively and fun. Great memorabilia on the walls, beers by the fistful, sawdust on the floor and open since 1856! A must see.
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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