McSorley's

"McSorley’s is heralded as one of the oldest and most historic bars in Manhattan. The Ale House was opened in the mid-19th century by John McSorley, who made the perilous journey from Ireland to New York to start a new life. He modelled his saloon on a working man’s pub he had known in Ireland naming it “The Old House at Home”, however no-one called it by this name and after the signage was blown off by a good old NYC storm, a new façade was ordered that renamed the pub - McSorley’s Old Ale House. It is known to be one of the longest serving ale houses in New York due to the fact that whilst prohibition took place, they served “near beer” which contained too little alcohol to make it illegal. Although rumour has it that the bartenders would step on a hidden pedal to fill the mugs of long-standing patrons with proper McSorley’s ale. It was also one of the last standing “Men only” drinking holes up until 1970 when they were legally forced to admit women. “Old John” believed that men couldn’t drink in peace in the presence of women and had a motto of “Good Ale, Raw Onions, No Ladies”. McSorley’s has always had a reluctance to change, something that is displayed through maintaining the original paintings, memorabilia, newspaper cuttings, trinkets and artifacts which John McSorley placed on the walls himself over 150 years ago. With their sawdust floors, gas lamps and Irish bartenders, they continue the spirit of John McSorley and the ambience of an “Old New York”, which is what makes the bar so special and significant today. Behind the bar you will see a series of wishbones hung from an iron chandelier, which were left by young men who were conscripted to fight in World War 1. Here many had their last taste of home, before going to the front line and significantly the wishbones which still hang there are from those who never returned. Some iconic faces have been known to set foot in McSorley’s including Abraham Lincoln who celebrated his Cooper Union address here, plus keep an eye out for the original “Wanted” poster of his assassin John Wilkes Booth, offering a $100,000 reward for his capture. Other presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy have also been known to enjoy the signature ale here. Elvis has carried out an impromptu performance after being ‘over served’ and other musicians who have dropped by include Frank Sinatra, John Lennon and Woody Guthrie. E.E Cummings even dedicated a poem to the place named “I was sitting in McSorley’s”. Your drink choices are pretty simple consisting of either light or dark McSorley’s ale – which are both full of flavour and I would highly recommend pairing your beer with their traditional bar snack of crackers, cheese and raw onions. Soak up some old New York history and as all those who have sat and drank here before you, abide by their time-honoured rule of “Be Good, or Be Gone”, whilst revelling in what is the perfect apotheosis of the true American dream."