Bar
Village Vanguard
A tiny, wedge-shaped basement jazz club on Seventh Avenue South that has hosted the music's greats at the same address since 1935.
McSorley’s Old Ale House
Dating from 1854, this sawdust-floored East Village tavern serves its own house ale and is one of New York's oldest continuously run bars.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic ale house
- Area
- East Village, New York, United States
- Price
- $ · Budget
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- mcsorleysoldalehouse.nyc
- Last checked
- October 23, 2026
Good to know
- Cash only
- No reservations
- House ale
Why we recommend it
McSorley's Old Ale House has been pouring on East 7th Street since 1854, and stepping inside feels like stepping back a century or more. The walls are crammed with yellowed newspaper cuttings, photographs and memorabilia, sawdust covers the floor, and the furniture is worn smooth by generations of drinkers.
The drinks menu is famously simple: McSorley's own ale, served in small mugs, usually ordered two at a time. It is cash only and takes no reservations, so bring notes and be prepared to share a table. Afternoons are calmer; evenings and weekends get loud and crowded. It opens at 11am Monday to Saturday and noon on Sundays.
Reviewed by Lifestylemetro · Details checked October 23, 2026
McSorley’s Old Ale House FAQs
Does McSorley's take cards?
No — it is cash only, and it does not take reservations.
When was McSorley's founded?
In 1854.