The New York City Traveler

"Be Good or Be Gone" at McSorley’s Old Ale House

by Heather on March 4th, 2008

Marking the opening of the first tavern in Boston in 1634, today is officially known as Tavern Day. In New York City there is no better place to kick back a few ales than at the East Village establishment that has been the source of inspiration for over a century, McSorley’s Old Ale House.

McSorley’s Old Ale House, has had ale flowing freely since it was founded in Manhattan in 1854. Famous patrons are said to have included Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt, among others. The famous bar has found itself to be the subject of countless books, songs, paintings, and even the e.e. cummings poem, i was sitting in mcsorley’s. In the poem, cummings refers to the famous McSorley’s beer as “the ale which never lets you grow old.”

In the more recent sorted history of the tavern, it is worth noting that McSorley’s was one of the last “men-only” bars that did not allow women patrons. That all came to a crashing halt with the rise of feminism and in 1970 when the court case Seidenberg v. McSorleys’ Old Ale House was taken to the District Court. The court ruled against McSorley’s and the bar was obligated to allow women through the doors.

Located in the middle of East Village, a stone’s throw from New York University, there isn’t a college frat boy in sight at this bar. The sawdust floors and walls that are covered in memorabilia made me forget that I was in the middle of East Village.

The drinking menu at McSorley’s is very simple: McSorley’s own recipe dark beer or light beer, both of which is served in two half-pint glasses ($4.50). Just a note, the “light” beer isn’t really that light. From the food menu, you can expect some very “down-home” and thoroughly unpretentious snack options. The most popular offering, the Cheese Plate (small $2, large $3), is served with a sleeve of saltine crackers (not kidding), sliced raw onions, hot English-style mustard, and contains what looks like Kraft singles. I have been assured my many people that it is quite delicious.

Location: McSorley’s Old Ale House, 15 East Seventh Street 212-474-9148

Subway: 6 to Astor Place; N, R to Eighth Street

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-1am; Sunday 1pm-1am

Tavern Day can be enjoyed by anybody, anywhere in the world. Check out fellow b5media bloggers in D.C., Las Vegas, Paris, San Diego, Sydney, and Europe to see their suggestions on where to best celebrate this Tavern Day.  Even the Geeky Traveler chimes in and tells us about a device that finds the nearest bar by using GPS technology.  Sign me up for that service!

Photo credit: Personal Collection (Taken after three rounds of McSorley’s Dark Ale)

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POSTED IN: East Village, Food & Beverage, History & Information, Nightlife