New York’s Oldest Pub: Mc Sorley’s Old Ale House
Sawdust on the floor. It smells of fermented barley. Everyone speaks in their last voice. Everything is almost the same from the door to the tables as the first day. No credit cards. Moreover, their beer presentation differs significantly from that of any other pub. You ask for a single beer and get two 33s in front of you. So, one beer here means two beers. Introducing Mc Sorley’s. It would help to visit the oldest pub or bar in New York.
Breathe in the Smell of History: McSorley’s Old Ale House
Hidden in the magical atmosphere of New York City, McSorley’s Old Ale House is one of the few places that carries the traces of the past, a place that takes its visitors on a journey beyond time. Located at 15 East 7th Street on Manhattan’s East Side, this historic venue is one of the oldest bars in the United States. Founded in 1854, McSorley’s is a pub and monument that keeps New York’s history and culture alive.
McSorley’s: Traces of a Century of History
When you first step into McSorley’s atmosphere, you suddenly find yourself in an ancient century. The bar’s interior decoration has not changed since the day it opened. This place is like a time capsule with wooden floors, antique gas lamps hanging above the bar, sawdust on the floor, old photographs adorning the walls, and objects that witness history.
It’s a place to enjoy a beer and sit in a place that smells of history and traces the past. The history of New York is etched on the walls of McSorley’s. The famous names that have visited the bar and the events that took place in different eras of the city make this place feel like a museum, not just a bar. You will understand what we mean as soon as you step inside.
So what to eat and drink here?
McSorley’s has its own rules and traditions. For example, the bar serves only two types of beer: light and dark. When you order, two small glasses of beer are traditionally brought to your table. (When you order one beer here, they always leave two beers before you.) One of the classic accompaniments to beer is the cheese, cracker, and onion plate. This is the hallmark of the place. You sip your ordered beers while you eat your cheese and crackers accompanied by mustard. But aren’t there other types of food? Of course, there are. All of them can be called bar food. Not for saturation but for tasting. But as we said, if you are going to McSorley’s for the first time, the only thing you should eat there should be cheese/cracker and beer pairing.
Another exciting feature of the bar is that women were banned from entering the bar until 1970. Yes, for 116 years, McSorley’s served only men. This situation changed under the pressure of feminist movements, and McSorley had to open its doors to women. Come to think of it, it took years to even build restrooms for women. This exciting history is an indicator of how the bar adapted to the changing social structure of the time.
McSorley’s: A Literary and Art Space
McSorley’s has been one of the favorite places of art and literature as well as history. Famous writers and artists frequented the bar and used it as inspiration for their works. O. Henry depicted McSorley’s in his works, while John Sloan’s 1912 painting McSorley’s Bar captured the timeless atmosphere of the bar.
In the early twentieth century, McSorley’s became a favorite haunt of both bohemians and ordinary people. Legend has it that notable figures such as Abraham Lincoln, John Lennon and even Bob Dylan spent time here. McSorley’s is a very special place that has hosted people from all walks of life and witnessed their lives.
Why Should You Visit?
If you want to feel like a local in New York and touch the soul of the city, McSorley’s Old Ale House should definitely be on your list. This is the ideal place for those who want to get away from the pace of the modern world, return to the past for a moment and have a simple and powerful experience. McSorley’s is not just a pub, but a place where the past and memories are blended. With every sip you take, you will feel as if you have gone deep into history.
McSorley’s is waiting for you as one of the rare places that has carried the spirit of time to the present without losing it.
Make sure to put it on your list when you visit New York.
Enjoy your meal.
Mc Sorley’s Old Ale House
15 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003, USA
Tel: ?
