McSorley's Old Ale House
McSorley's Old Ale House
4.5
11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Monday
11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Friday
11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Tours & experiences
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
How to get there
- Astor Place • 3 min walk
- 8th St – NYU • 4 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 5 kms
Attractions
2,495 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- NoelPrendivilleCastleconnell, Ireland176 contributionsSo simpleYou can have any beer you want here as long as it’s either light ale or dark ale. Both very tasty. Oh - you will need dollars as well. No cards just cash. And a very unique customer service experience as well as the exquisitely old and battered decor. Don’t miss itVisited April 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 19 April 2023
- Saoirse M15 contributionsA piece of NYC historyThis piece of NYC history is unlike any Irish pub in the world. Preserved as it was 100 or more years ago, this is exactly how our Irish ancestors would’ve had their pints, which is what makes it so special. As soon as you walk in to the dark, beautiful interior with sawdust floors, you’ll be quickly sat down by a barman in a big table with other patrons (if you’re not a big group yourself). Then you’ll be asked if you want dark or light beer. Minutes later, you’ll be handed 2 half pints each with flowing, beautiful beer. All the hallmarks of Irish drinking are there - chatting to strangers, storytelling and pints that don’t stop coming. But what makes this place so special is that is a truly New York irish experience and totally different to a modern Irish bar. Absolutely must see in NYC.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 May 2023
- BillyBobSledLondon, United Kingdom741 contributionsTop historic barSmashing, historic bar - friendly servers, interesting decor and a diverse clientele. Beer is simple - dark or light - and so is the enjoyment of having two glasses for each serving. Don’t expect the usual American range of choice for drinks. Worth a visit just for the atmosphere.Visited June 2023Travelled soloWritten 11 June 2023
- Birgitta-KennethSolna, Sweden1,484 contributionsMust visit if you are in to magic old bars and historyJust a must to visit this old ale house with an interior that dates back to the 1850s. Absolutely unreal that it has kept its grace for so long and the interior and the memorabilia and pictures on the wall could keep you there for hours on a historical excursion. Loved it!Visited September 2023Travelled soloWritten 3 October 2023
- Rob t20 contributionsPerfect 1st visitAlways wanted to visit this ale house and we wasnt dissapointed. We sat looking at so much history that you never get from these modern pubs today. The smells, the atmosphere & especially the hospitality was wonderfull. I my self never been into a bar steeped in so much history and was in my eliment. The owner made it special taking time out to speak to us about the history and all about the place. Definatly be back next time in new york. Thank you for making an English man & his wife so welcomeVisited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 October 2023
- Roberto Alfredo FBuenos Aires, Argentina158 contributionsa must in new yorkA bar that has oppened his doors in 1854 and had never closed it. I went wth my 32 years old son to have a beer at this typical New York bar, When you step inside you found yourself submerged in a typical saloon of the 1900 century. Its funny its a only cash bar and when you order one beer they serve you directly two, really quite uniqueVisited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 30 October 2023
- Matthew JNew York City, New York15 contributionsThis place is just greatThis pub claims to be the oldest pub in New York. I believe them. I'm originally from Nottingham and we claim that we have the oldest pub in the United Kingdom called "Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem". That pub was founded in 1189AD, compared with 1854AD. Somehow McSorley's felt older and I think it's because a lot of the pub simply hasn't changed in that time. There were all sorts of trinkets and pictures that must date back to around that time. The atmosphere and the environment really made me think that the walls of this pub had seen some things, in a really good way. There was also sawdust on the floor! The beer selection is "light" or "dark"; simple and beautiful. The staff were also really great. All in all, a top experience.Visited November 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 5 November 2023
- MarkLA73Aberdeen, United Kingdom56 contributionsMust visit bar !One of the oldest bars in NY. Preserved to be like the original bar and n terms of decor and drink served. Sawdust on the floor and only serve 2 alcoholic beverages- light and dark beer. I had both and enjoyed them greatly. Prices reasonable. Similar with food with a limited menu but this adds to the charm. I had a chilli fig and my wife had a hot dog. Would recommend this bar to anyone visiting NY.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 November 2023
- Pano HadjipaschalisJohannesburg, South Africa19 contributionsOnly two beersIncredible Irish vibe. The bar is packed with people and the walls are full of miscellaneous objects- each with their own story. There are two beers - light or dark - and you have to order in pairs, so it’s $8 for the two beers that you have to order. The bartenders were hilarious and made the experience even better. A must visit for sure!Visited December 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 19 December 2023
- Kevin BMount Juliet, Tennessee2,325 contributionsGreat historic bar!McSorley's is great! It's the oldest Irish saloon in NYC and one of the oldest continuously operating bars in the city. It's cash only, has only two beers (light or dark) and still has sawdust floors. The walls are absolutely covered with historic photos and newspapers and it's just a great old dive bar. It's a window into a different time (it was men-only until 1970) and it's a fun place to visit with new people. I would definitely come back again!Visited June 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,418 reviews
Excellent
927
Very good
351
Average
72
Poor
26
Terrible
42
Harry K
Telford, UK43 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Unfair to review really because we visited on the day of an Ireland/England rugby match. The pub had a long queue just to get in and was very crowded. We would have been better to go on a quieter day. Very old wooden fittings lent a unique atmosphere. Deliberately tiny range of beers. All part of the experience
Written 13 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer R
Lakeside, MT170 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
Stopped in for a beer with family and got two each! Fun and festive atmosphere with great service! Very busy, so no table, but no problems😊
Written 11 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LittleApple1973
Sheffield, UK10 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Bad service and severe food poisoning. . .One of the waiters (the older one) is rude and spends lots of time counting his tips and kissing them, not enough time doing his job professionally. My partner and I and both ended up very ill after our visit. This place was recommended to me around 6 years ago. I didn't manage to catch it on my last trip to NYC but was keen to this time. My partner and I visited on 22nd Feb 24. We had a little trouble finding the place, but we're glad when we did. We were met by a friendly doorman, but that's where the good experience ended. . . The place was heaving, we were met by a stern faced elderly waiter who, when we asked for a table, shoved us on a table with other customers even though there was a free unreserved table. As a sociable couple, we though hey this is OK, we can meet new folk." The atmosphere was friendly with good old world vibes. There are only 2 draft options, light or dark beer. We had light and a bowl of corned beef hash and stayed around an hour. On our return to our hotel, we were both very ill with vomiting and diarrhoea and are still ill...three days later. It's the worst food poisoning we both have ever had, and we both physically ache with pulled muscles from all of the vomiting. It's ruined the rest of our trip to the Big Apple. I would never recommend this place to anyone.
Written 25 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin B
Mount Juliet, TN2,325 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
McSorley's is great! It's the oldest Irish saloon in NYC and one of the oldest continuously operating bars in the city. It's cash only, has only two beers (light or dark) and still has sawdust floors. The walls are absolutely covered with historic photos and newspapers and it's just a great old dive bar. It's a window into a different time (it was men-only until 1970) and it's a fun place to visit with new people. I would definitely come back again!
Written 30 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlexFive
New York City, NY61 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
Last night I went to this place with my girlfriend and a friend of ours.
It was a really terrible experience, which put me and the people I was with in a bad mood. This is what happened:
We arrived and the bar was full of people and very noisy.
My girlfriend and I, arrived before our friend, and an older waiter, maybe the owner, I don't know, directed us to a table shared with other people and we sat down.
The large square table he had given us was at least 9 people, and when my girlfriend and I arrived it was only occupied by two guys, so 7 empty seats, which with us seated became 5 empty seats (at least)
Our friend had warned us that she was a 5-minute walk away.
After about 3 minutes that we were drinking the beer, three more guys, strangers, came and sat at our table, again accompanied by this elderly waiter. He pointed them to the table and I, since there were 5 free seats and they were only 3, asked them if they could leave the chair next to me and my girlfriend free since our friend was now a 2-minute walk from the place.
When I said this to the guys, who of course told me there was no problem since there was a seat for everyone, the waiter had a violent reaction.
He started yelling in my face in a very rude and violent way, getting very close to me and in a provocative way. His reaction was completely overreacted, without any reason, and embarrassing for him especially because he appeared as ridiculous, and for all the people at the table who felt very embarrassed.
I think this is absolutely no way to treat customers. I am convinced that with the confusion and noise in the bar, the waiter did not even understand what I had said to the three guys, but still he had this reaction that was completely unprofessional and unnecessary.
Maybe this elderly man should consider starting to stay home at night. This is not about politeness, this is about respect between human beings.
It was really all outrageously ridiculous.
Even the other people at the table, who didn't know me, apologized to me for him, in fact, they even added, "Don't take it personally, that's just the way he is."
I will NEVER go back there again.
It was a really terrible experience, which put me and the people I was with in a bad mood. This is what happened:
We arrived and the bar was full of people and very noisy.
My girlfriend and I, arrived before our friend, and an older waiter, maybe the owner, I don't know, directed us to a table shared with other people and we sat down.
The large square table he had given us was at least 9 people, and when my girlfriend and I arrived it was only occupied by two guys, so 7 empty seats, which with us seated became 5 empty seats (at least)
Our friend had warned us that she was a 5-minute walk away.
After about 3 minutes that we were drinking the beer, three more guys, strangers, came and sat at our table, again accompanied by this elderly waiter. He pointed them to the table and I, since there were 5 free seats and they were only 3, asked them if they could leave the chair next to me and my girlfriend free since our friend was now a 2-minute walk from the place.
When I said this to the guys, who of course told me there was no problem since there was a seat for everyone, the waiter had a violent reaction.
He started yelling in my face in a very rude and violent way, getting very close to me and in a provocative way. His reaction was completely overreacted, without any reason, and embarrassing for him especially because he appeared as ridiculous, and for all the people at the table who felt very embarrassed.
I think this is absolutely no way to treat customers. I am convinced that with the confusion and noise in the bar, the waiter did not even understand what I had said to the three guys, but still he had this reaction that was completely unprofessional and unnecessary.
Maybe this elderly man should consider starting to stay home at night. This is not about politeness, this is about respect between human beings.
It was really all outrageously ridiculous.
Even the other people at the table, who didn't know me, apologized to me for him, in fact, they even added, "Don't take it personally, that's just the way he is."
I will NEVER go back there again.
Written 20 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pano Hadjipaschalis
Johannesburg, South Africa19 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
Incredible Irish vibe. The bar is packed with people and the walls are full of miscellaneous objects- each with their own story.
There are two beers - light or dark - and you have to order in pairs, so it’s $8 for the two beers that you have to order.
The bartenders were hilarious and made the experience even better.
A must visit for sure!
There are two beers - light or dark - and you have to order in pairs, so it’s $8 for the two beers that you have to order.
The bartenders were hilarious and made the experience even better.
A must visit for sure!
Written 19 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cruiser621986
2 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Thanks Teresa Ritchie and son for your welcome really enjoyed the visit from Pat and cecilia halfway house
Written 8 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
glynnbob
Manchester, UK15 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Rip off joint - basically it’s just there to fleece tourists. A thimble full of beer served by obnoxious staff-don’t bother visiting!!
Written 3 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarkLA73
Aberdeen, UK56 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
One of the oldest bars in NY. Preserved to be like the original bar and n terms of decor and drink served. Sawdust on the floor and only serve 2 alcoholic beverages- light and dark beer. I had both and enjoyed them greatly. Prices reasonable. Similar with food with a limited menu but this adds to the charm. I had a chilli fig and my wife had a hot dog. Would recommend this bar to anyone visiting NY.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca M
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Couples
Staff seating and serving were extremely rude. I’ve never been treated this way in a bar anywhere in the world. The two drinks on offer are, of course, poor and overpriced. I’d really recommend you avoid this place. This is not a pub but a commercial enterprise that is pretending to be authentic to Americans/those that don’t know any better. I should have known better!
Written 11 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hildamay1
Stourton, UK174 contributions
It’s our favourite in NYC and we’re coming back with our family. Our grandsons are 11 and 13. Are they allowed in the bar?
Leigh K
Denham, UK29 contributions
Hi. Apologies but not sure, there was certainly nobody under 21 when I visited this bar, not that I will be going there again. Perhaps try checking their website.
Larnadaisy
Caernarfon, UK119 contributions
Does this place just serve beer???
Any wine ???? Or other drink alternative??
Dodi C
3 contributions
Beer only
ScottyBny
New York City, NY1 contribution
It reopened?
TheForrestGump
Nottingham, UK153 contributions
Didn't know it ever closed, but it's very much open now!
Can kids go in?
Eric M
Brooklyn, NY167 contributions
If you have ever seen the movie SWEET HOME ALABAMA the quote goes like this:
"You have a baby....in a bar."
I know what the writers were thinking. The humor is simply what it should be. Babies and children in bars are the same as tuxedos at TGIFridays. You can do it, but everyone will stare at you. The bar is meant for the amazing taste and design. There will be no drunkeness....maybe. Loud discussions at other tables ranging from size of dildo to whether Caitlin Jenner takes it anally might not be how you want a 7 year old to remember NYC.
Emma C
Enfield, Co Meath1 contribution
What time is the best to arrive on Paddys Day? Its my chaps "big bday" on Paddys Day and we can't think of anywhere better to spend it... :)
Thanks in advance.
BillySalts
New York City, NY555 contributions
You can get there when they open but that day will be a mad house. Cheers!
Georgina W
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom
Hi, how much is it to upgrade to the preferred club? We're staying in January and weren't going to bother in doing so but from reading the reviews it seems well worth it!
Thanks in advance!
BillySalts
New York City, NY555 contributions
Hi, this is a bar. There are no upgrades needed, come one come all!
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Claim your listingMCSORLEY'S OLD ALE HOUSE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about McSorley's Old Ale House
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- (0.03 km) Deluxe East Village 2BR w/ W/D, nr Tompkins Sq Park, by Blueground
- (0.10 km) The Standard, East Village
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- Restaurants near McSorley's Old Ale House:
- (0.04 km) Ise Restaurant
- (0.04 km) MA-GE Tee
- (0.05 km) And Beer NYC
- (0.10 km) Spot Dessert Bar
- (0.18 km) Mighty Quinn's Barbeque