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McSorley's Old Ale House

Pub$$$$

East Village, New York

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8.9^/10

2,095

ratings

Ranked #7 for bar food in the East Village
The dark beers at McSorley's Old Ale House is a can't miss
"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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beer
sawdust
authentic
casual
good for groups
great value
pubs
good for singles
sandwiches
tours
breweries
chili
happy hour
cheese
inexpensive
spicy food
crowded
mustard
city
crackers
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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
Upvoted 3 weeks ago
Josh KongmanyJuly 25, 2017
Rustic pub with a long heritage. Only offers "light" and "dark" beer, but both are great! Beers are served in pairs and are perfect for the economic drunk
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.
Upvoted Jan 21
WhiskeyAvengerJune 17, 2018
An old bar that gives you the best selection of beer. Just kidding,you’re limited to light or dark beer. The dark tastes better but it’s actually the history you go in for. This place is dripping w/it
XavierJuly 22, 2018
If you take a beer here, you will be taking with you a piece of history. Oldest bar in NY. Wood-chips on the wood-floor makes it so authentic.
RobJune 25, 2019
Classic pub with character and a refreshingly limited selection: beer, light or dark. If the landlord likes you, you’ll get a free cheese plate. Very anti-Manhattan, in the best possible way.
P. D.July 26, 2019
Great, simple and cheap snacks of New York: saltines in a sleeve with cheese, onions and hair singeing mustard.
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.
Valerie SDecember 30, 2017
Oldest bar in NYC. Authentic ambiance, and staff does a diligent job of managing the crowds. Choice of beer either light or dark (both are good). And try the cheese plate- saltines, cheese, and onion.
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.
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, 2017
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 !
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!
Michael VierraFebruary 2, 2016
Been here 5+ times
If you drink and occasionally go to NYC. Go here for a history lesson, some saltines, onions and spicy mustard. Stay for the nostalgia, again & again.
Dave CamarilloFebruary 27, 2016
Greatest pub I've ever been to. Love the look, the feel and the menu. Feels like America!
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.
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
Bokyung ParkFebruary 7
This Irish ale house opened back in 1854. There is this unique atmosphere in this historical pub with old pictures hanging on the wall. Cash Only!!!
Chris SlatterySeptember 8, 2012
Been here 5+ times
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!
Dan HebertNovember 5, 2017
Really special spot - a great NYC pub with a lot of character and history. Two options for beer: light and dark.
Simon ChildFebruary 18, 2019
They only serve light or dark beer...worth it just for the experience and the nic-nacks hanging on the wall. Lots of history behind this place so have a read up on it before you go
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
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
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.
Colleen SheaNovember 12, 2017
A cool old timey bar, the bartenders are Irish and there’s sawdust all over the floor. U can order a light beer or a dark beer and that’s it, they’ll give you 8 mugs of it for like $20
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
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.
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.
Brian StraussMarch 21, 2023
Start with two lights and two darks. No it’s not too much - you’ll see. Side of cheddar is a must.
Tilman BeneckeMarch 25, 2017
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!
Alex StillJuly 13, 2022
Light beer or dark beer. One beer equals two mugs. Pretty much all you need know.
Jake PaulJuly 14, 2018
Ale, ale, ale 🍺. Make sure to carefully choose between the abundance of choices, including light and dark.
Kirill KukuruzaJune 27, 2017
One of the oldest saloon in NYC. Great beer and atmosphere!
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.
Nisa GOctober 17, 2014
very authentic beerhouse, you feel almost like you time traveled! It is also good value for money: 2 beers for 5.50!
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!
Jake ClementsFebruary 4, 2018
Dark or light beer only. We tried the dark, it was yumbos. Pub is worth a visit for the history and old times feels
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!!
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.
Julia ColosimoDecember 27, 2017
Always a two for one deal. Great historic little bar. Always packed, but a must visit. Only two options: light or dark beer.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Marie La RueFebruary 23, 2023
Fascinating historical place. If you’re a newbie, make sure you know how to order. Cash only.

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McSorley's Old Ale House

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