MCSORELY'S - OLDEST PUB IN NYC

This is McSorley’s Old Ale House, one of New York City’s oldest and most storied pubs. Established in 1854, this historic ale house has been a gathering place for generations, offering a unique glimpse into the city’s rich past.

If you step inside, you’ll be immediately transported back in time. The sawdust on the floor, the well-worn wooden bar, and the walls adorned with decades’ worth of memorabilia all tell stories of the countless patrons who have passed through these doors. McSorley’s has a storied tradition of serving its own ale, famously offering only two choices: light or dark.

Once inside, first notice the chandeliers just above the bar, and the dusty turkey bones, delicately balanced upon them. These bones are sacred. They date back to World War I. Bill McSorely, the pub’s owner and heir, would host a fine turkey dinner for neighborhood soldiers as their last meal before they shipped off to war. When their meal was done, each soldier would hang their meal's wishbone from one of these chandeliers. Upon their return from war, each soldier would reclaim one of the wishbones. The ones that remain hung, suspended in time, belong to the soldiers who never made it back.

On a brighter note, let’s talk about some of the notable figures who have enjoyed a drink here. As we discussed, Abraham Lincoln is one such figure, as he visited McSorley’s many times in the early 1860s. His visits added to the ale house’s reputation as a place where history is made.

Teddy Roosevelt is another distinguished patron. Before becoming the 26th President of the United States, Roosevelt was known to stop by McSorley’s, adding to the pub’s lore of hosting influential leaders.

McSorley’s has also been a favorite haunt for artists and writers. The poet E. E. Cummings immortalized it in his 1925 poem “I was sitting in McSorley’s.”

An essential part of McSorley’s history is its policy towards women. For much of its existence, McSorley’s was a men-only establishment. Women were not allowed until 1970, following a court order that mandated their inclusion.

Even then, it took time for the ale house to adapt; they didn’t install a ladies’ restroom until 1986. Let’s put that in context because it’s important to highlight the complexity of an ever-evolving city like New York.

Cooper Union, just around the corner, expressly prohibited discrimination of any sort. Hard to imagine it would take 120 years before the same neighborhood's local bar would install a women’s restroom.

Grab a drink here if you have the chance. They serve only light and dark McSorely’s ale, and they serve it two glasses at a time. Be sure to ask the bartender why!

While enjoying your ale, feel free to have a look around. These walls are a veritable museum, adorned with photographs, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia that chronicle the history of New York. It also makes for a great pit stop should you need a restroom break… men and women alike.