McSorley's Old Ale House

McSorley's Old Ale HouseMcSorley's Old Ale House
McSorley's Old Ale HouseMcSorley's Old Ale House
Bar, Eatery

15 E 7th St
New York, New York, 10003-8001
United States

(212) 473-9148 | map
mcsorleysoldalehouse.nyc

Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 11am–1am
Sunday: 1pm–1am
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.62
Reviews:
81
Ratings:
109
pDev:
18.51%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Neorebel:
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Reviewed by Neorebel from New Jersey

3.14/5  rDev -13.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 2
In my opinion, McSorley's is a must see if you have some time to kill with a group of friends hanging out near the lower east side. I was going to a concert at Webster Hall in the evening and took a detour here. The atmosphere is awesome - The oldest saloon in New York! There's tons of authentic old memorabilia adorning the wall, as well as pictures, articles, badges, etc. You really have to see it. The place has a lot of historical significance. The old wooden tables are scratched to hell and there is sawdust all over the floor. Not TVs or music to distract you from your present company, just loud conversation going on everywhere and bustling staff. Don't try to engage the bartenders much - the place is always super busy and I'm sure it's hectic to keep the beer flowing. The beers are very cheap - choose from either 'light' or 'dark,' and you receive 2 small mugs for $5. They are unpretentious and straight forward beers, but definitely a huge step up from PBR or Coors Light, etc. It's a great 'man's type of place' for a reunion with old friends and other such occasions.
Jul 08, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 5 by lamb-chop from Minnesota

Jul 08, 2023
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Reviewed by andypeters1971 from Georgia

2.75/5  rDev -24%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 3 | service: 2.25 | selection: 2.25 | food: 2.5
A cliche but a really fun, unusual and enjoyable cliche. It's what you think it is but it lives up to what you think it is, as long as what you thought it was was not the Disney Epcot Center version of an Irish bar in lower Manhattan. Because it's not that.
Feb 26, 2021
 
Rated: 3.85 by leprechaunandfatman from Ohio

Jan 27, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by MICAMD from Maryland

Dec 27, 2019
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Reviewed by VoxRationis from New York

4.01/5  rDev +10.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.75
Was on a daytime, New York walkabout and had to stop in at McSorley's, a New York institution. I had been an occasional visitor years ago, but, of late, found it so overwhelmed with the NYU crowd, it was too hard to get in. Since school is out for the summer, problem solved! Two friends and I ordered 10 "darks" and a cheese platter. We finished the beer before the platter, so ordered 10 more. Note to the wise: be careful with the mustard. Reminds me of how New York neighborhood bars were in the 60's and 70's, especially the saw dust. Really hard to rate since the ambience is really the main thing; selection and food really just are not. Just the quintessential dive bar in which to have a few laughs with friends.
Jul 26, 2019
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Reviewed by EMH73 from New York

3.18/5  rDev -12.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 2
I was in the neighborhood and just had to go back in to relive my twenties. I remember the days when women were not allowed in the bar, OK I was not old enough to drink then but I do remember them. If you are looking for craft beer DO NOT go here. Light and dark are the only options. If you are looking for an old fashioned throw back, McSorleys is a must. Interesting mix of older and younger people created a very nice atmosphere with lots of conversation across the generations. So glad I stopped in.
Aug 26, 2018
 
Rated: 2.38 by chiefz1 from New York

Jul 01, 2018
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Reviewed by Act25 from New Jersey

2.23/5  rDev -38.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2 | selection: 1.5 | food: 2.5
Always was a fun stop when in my 20s. Nice to return to same.
Read Joseph Mitchell's New Yorker piece. Pub is sawdust, simple and old... " a time machine back to the 1800s." Liverwurst & Onion sandwich is a must, beer selection is poor.
Jun 25, 2017
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Rated by breardon1776 from New York

3.78/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 2
Obv slection is 2 so I scored a 2. Time machine indeed. 1st timer and I love it
Apr 07, 2017
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Reviewed by Kubishark from Maryland

4.58/5  rDev +26.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4
If you've ever read Joseph Mitchell's classic New Yorker piece about this place, or even if you haven't, it's worth the visit. This is the kind of place I love, simple and old. You walk out of the street in one of the most ridiculous, wealthy cities in the world and enter a time machine back to the 1800s. The ales are simple and standard, the service is outstanding, and the selection of light and dark ale is good enough for me.
Sep 02, 2016
 
Rated: 3.44 by smithj4 from New York

Jul 14, 2016
 
Rated: 3.59 by tmac from New Hampshire

Feb 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.55 by Gkruszewski from New York

Oct 19, 2015
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Reviewed by oldn00b from Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 3.25 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 3
This is a place to go to check off your bucket list. For the beer snob, you might thumb your nose at "light or dark" being the only option but if so you shouldn't be here. It's an experience. Mugs served 2 at a time in a dirty old hole in the wall Irish pub. It's an awesome experience, but not a place I'd go frequently.
Aug 04, 2015
 
Rated: 3.81 by Spreetaper from New York

Jun 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.83 by AlpacaAlpaca from New York

Mar 05, 2015
 
Rated: 3.15 by almostjay from Virginia

Feb 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3.56 by Eman17 from Illinois

Feb 14, 2015
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Rated by Moncrief54

5/5  rDev +38.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Best bar in the city. Got to go for the experience.
Feb 08, 2015
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Rated by Sweffin from Wisconsin

2.98/5  rDev -17.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 1
You don't go here for the beer - you go for the historic nature and atmosphere
Dec 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.52 by misternebbie from Pennsylvania

Aug 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Will_Rivera from New York

Jul 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4.21 by Sellen from Connecticut

Jul 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by JKIPA05 from New York

Jul 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.49 by NYR-Zuuuuc from Connecticut

May 13, 2014
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Reviewed by KornWallace from New York

4.74/5  rDev +30.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5 | food: 3
This place is simply an institution. Light or Dark are your only beer options and they are both fantastic. You don't come here for the food, just the beer and the atmosphere, both of which are top notch. This place is traditional down to the saw dust on the floor a must go to for anyone who enjoys a bar with an old style.
Mar 13, 2014
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Reviewed by nycsportster from New York

2.93/5  rDev -19.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3 | selection: 2 | food: 2
Pick light or dark! One of the oldest bars in NYC, McSorley's is famous for its men only policy up to 1970. Saw dust floor and relics everywhere, it's a time capsule of a by gone era. The beer comes by the fist fulls, and goes down quick. Get used to making new friends, as no chairs go unused. Unless you are a fan of cheese and onions, grab a slice before hand.
Feb 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by paulish from New York

Feb 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by sirsteve42 from New York

Jan 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by thefokus from New York

Jan 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by NYR_Rob from Pennsylvania

Jan 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by patm185 from Pennsylvania

Jan 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by -NESTO- from New Jersey

Jan 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by seanchai from Virginia

Dec 31, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by FrankJCurtin from Connecticut

Dec 10, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by LagersAndAles from Connecticut

Dec 09, 2013
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Reviewed by rev_jimmy from New York

4.48/5  rDev +23.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 3
I work a few blocks north of McSorely's. I am a traditionalist and McSorely's is the real deal. It has been around for 150+ years. The stuff on the walls isn't kitschy, it is really old. Pepe, the bartender, has been there for decades and is great at initiating first timers.

McSorely's serves two beers, their light and their dark. I only get the dark. Someday, I'll try the other one. For $5.50 two pints. In NYC, that's a steal. Being kind, the food is pedestrian at best. Do not expect a great menu. However, it is passable and it is cheap.

As for the beer, it is very drinkable. Have two and you will want two more.
Nov 25, 2013
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Reviewed by morebeergood from Massachusetts

3.37/5  rDev -6.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 2.5
Third stop on a recent NYC pub crawl. First time visiting here, so we went out of way to swing by. It's worth it, this place is cool. Talk about a place with tons to look at! Doesn't look like it changed since 1860. It just reeks old NYC, and I loved it. Sawdust on the ground. Two choices of beer: light & dark. Two mugs of beer per order. Waiters wear uniforms. Just crazy that a place like this survives. For lovers of nostalgia, you have to visit here for a beer.
Sep 27, 2013
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Reviewed by brewsclues from Pennsylvania

4.36/5  rDev +20.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 3.25 | food: 3
"Good Ale. Raw Onions. [No] Ladies."

People who have visited McSorley's: Abe "Lincoln Logs" Lincoln. Teddy "Don't Call Me Teddy" Roosevelt. Boss Tweed. Peter Cooper. Winston Churchill. e.e. Cummings. Me.

McSorley's: grimy, dirty, historical, raw, hug-you-bar-neighbor, sing-songs-with-strangers, play flip cup with servers, be good or be gone, raw onions, buy beers in multiples of two, sawdust since the eighteen-seventies, wishbones for doughboys that never came home, graffiti from the great depression, and two solid sessionable ales. Come for the experience, stay for the experience.
Jan 15, 2013
McSorley's Old Ale House in New York, NY
Place rating: 3.62 out of 5 with 109 ratings