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At a Glance
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72% ambiance
“Rude service, bad atmosphere”
89% drinks
“Awesome beer”
100% food quality
“Most of the food is good, and I would recommend the corned beef or the cheese plate.”
100% overall
“McSorley's is a lower east side landmark, and a good place to visit twice.”
100% return potential
“My wife and I spent a wonderful Friday afternoon recently and would return anytime.”
33% service
“The people at Mcsorelys are the best.”
55% value
“Good cheap beer, great atmosphere, $3 sandwiches.”
0% wait time
“Once on a slow afternoon to take in the pictures on the walls and the old-style environment (and in my case have a chat with fellow Irish immigrants in the form of the waiters).”
Write a Tip for McSorley's Old Ale House
What Our Expert Scouts Say
November 25, 2012
Sometimes I feel ambivalent about McSorley's. It's the ultimate old-time New York bar, the subject of an essay which is itself a classic, and the framed pictures on the wall make the place essentially a museum you can drink (very good) beer in. On the other hand, it's too well-lit, too self-aware, and its frat-boy crowd is always threatening to turn it into an outright bro hole. The fine hamburger and corned beef hash always settle the issue for me, though: McSorley's is a treasure.
0
Heart
December 07, 2012
McSorley's is a wormhole into 1854. And the prices are close to the times too. One of the only tourist bars with integrity.
0
Heart
Tips for McSorley's Old Ale House
January 08, 2013
McSorley's is the perfect bar to go to
and get a round of one of the two beer choices, some mustard and crackers, and just enjoy the old time feel of it all.
More often than not, you're going to have to sit with some people you don't know. That's not a bad thing. Last time I went, my friends and I met a bunch of guys who were in the process of sailing from Maine to Florida just for the fun of it. We all talked, laughed, and at the end of the night raced to chug our last round. Great beer, even better mustard, and ambiance straight out of Ireland.
0
Heart
July 24, 2011
This place is a "MUST STOP". Wow, I have not been to McSorley's since college in 1985. Eveything you said about this place is mostly true... IT IS GREAT TO SEE THE PLACE HAS NOT CHANGED. McSorley's is a classic. It is unfortunate, but you missed the experience. This place is a MUST STOP.
0
Heart
February 23, 2011
Terrible.
My friend randomly picked this place for lunch today...I'm never going back.
The staff was not necessarily rude, but very short and unwelcoming.
The place is filthy and looks like it hasn't been cleaned in 100 years...not to mention that there is sawdust all over the floor.
Only two beers to drink--dark or light. I didn't have any, so I cannot comment on the taste, but the glasses were dirty.
No TVs or music.
Crowd is stuck up and pretentious, even though the place is a dump.
Food was not bad and reasonably priced, but very small selection.
I understand this is supposed to be a throwback to bars from the early days, but there is a reason for evolution!
Also, I'm Irish and these people give us a bad name. Not all Irish people are stuck-up, arrogant and rude!
0
Heart
December 27, 2010
Be good or be gone.
For those who complain about the "mediocre" food and the "rude" service...did you happen to not see that this is an "Ale House". Perhaps you came here because you couldn't find the Hard Rock Cafe or Cheesecake Factory?
Don't you think it is somewhat ironic that you would refer to a place with "rude service, limited menu, and mediocre food" a "tourist trap" seeing as they obviously don't cater to you?
For those of us who call this place home, we say to you...BE GONE.
0
Heart
December 25, 2010
Tourist Trap.
Rude service, limited menu and mediocre food. There is only two beers, one ale & one porter. Image an Irish bar without a good stout on tap!
I was so very disappointed on the entire experience. It was the low point in an otherwise excellent four day NYC visit.
0
Heart
June 22, 2010
*** Luke's Review *** McSorley's.
McSorley's is one of a kind.
If you like history, good beer, the smell of beer/saw dust, laughter, and can handle a few rude employees at times. This place is a must. If you answer “No”, to any questions then this place is not for you, go find a pub that will server you your “Shirley Temple”- you have no right to be here!!! I have been visiting McSorley’s for over 20 years. I have introduced this pub to many people and all love this place. Yes, this place can get crowed at times. Yes, this place is small, Yes, they server food, and I recommend the cheese/cracker/onion platter, and don’t’ forget the hot mustard. To me this place was recently remodeled in 1854. Sit back, tip a few enjoy the scenery, and learn their few rules.
1) Be good or be gone
2) Lite or dark
3) 2 or 4
4) 10 min for a table
5) Do not sing alone
6) Do not get sick or your friends will get mad at you
7) If you drink too slowly, you will be asked to leave.
Sparky,, it your turn to buy a round!!!
0
Heart
January 11, 2010
Simple Place!.
I was reading over one review that stated "over run by frat boys".... I have been here several times in a years time and not once have I seen one "frat boy" in this bar.
Typically it is filled with all types of travelers or your typical hipster ordering Dark or Light beers and possibly snacking on a plate of cheese and Saltines.
I absolutely love this place!
0
Heart
September 26, 2009
Just don't expect to enjoy it.. Not worth your time. Mcsorley's will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth (pun intended). Obviously they are only open because of people that would rather enjoy "history" than the company of their friends or GOOD beer. Enough said.
0
Heart
July 07, 2009
A classic swillery, overrun by frat boys..
On my last visit we did the drill: ordered a dozen dark beers, smelled the sawdust and tried to keep the decades-old cobwebs from falling into our mugs.
I noticed that they now have a TV, which is kind of disappointing. As with the last couple of times I went (dating back five years or so), it was packed with thick-necked fratboys chanting USA USA USA and screaming the national anthem. Maybe they are plotting their own beerhall putsch; the "patriotic" ambience is uncomfortably overwhelming.
It was more fun when the East Village still had an edge.
0
Heart
March 23, 2009
great beer. great old pub with only two types of beer, light and dark, and you have to buy two. Had sawdust on the floor. very friendly
0
Heart
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