09/26/09

Just don't expect to enjoy it.

by Bloody Mess

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.

• Pros: walking distance from many real bars
• Cons: poor service, too crowed, over hyped, dirty

07/07/09

A classic swillery, overrun by frat boys.

by eb118

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.

• Pros: classic ambiance, no place like it
• Cons: crowded, fratty

03/23/09

great beer

by JXD

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

• Pros: great beer
• Cons: none

11/24/08

Great Place

by claire124

You should bring visitors here- as it is a great place with lots of history and character. Don't come here looking for an absolut and cran.. you get 2 choices.. light or dark. Do it and enjoy..

11/13/08

One of a kind place. Fraternity like atmosphere.

by GONZODONZO

McSorley's is not for everyone, as you can tell by the negative reviews. However, if you are the type of person who likes being in a crowded, noisy bar with lots of drinking and laughing, this is the place for you. McSorleys is a national institution. Women weren't allowed in until the early 1970's and I remember when they only had one co-ed bathroom. There are a tremendous amount of historical momentos on the walls from the 1850's on. Many past presidents and famous people have left their mark at McSorleys. It is old school. They sell 2 draft beers, dark and light. The servers can be rude or brusque, but that adds to the old world feel. This is not some trendy, metro, stylish bar. This is a throwback to the old saloons of yore. The floors are covered with sawdust to keep the place clean. The decor hasn't ever changed. The sandwiches are good enough to satisfy. Tables are hard to come by and if your group is done drinking and just hanging out, you may be asked to give up your table to drinking customers. They have one rule which I've seen enforced pretty frequently- "Be Good or Be Gone". The big, burly, accented bartenders and servers have no trouble getting the "ungood" out the door in a hurry-trust me. Mcsorleys is a one of a kind, never to be copied, experience for all beerlovers. Bring lots of friends. The more the merrier.

• Pros: old time atmosphere
• Cons: hard to get into. Always crowded

10/31/08

People Cant Enjoy History Should be Shot

by red07gti

Hey to all who didn't give this pub a good review either you cant enjoy history or arent truly irish. the pub is like this for a reason ITS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR A HUNDRED AND FIFTEY F'N YEARS AND AINT GONNA CHANGE FOR NO ONE. IF YOU CANT APPRECIATE IT THAN YOU SHOULD BE SHOT. I WENT THERE FOR MY 21ST AND HAVE GONE BACK EVERY YEAR FOR MY BIRTHDAY AND CANT WAIT TO GO AGAIN THIS MARCH GREAT PRICES CRAPPY SERVICE AND CHEAP FOOD IT DOESNT GET BETTER. GREAT ATMOSPHERE AND LET ME GIVE YOU A LITTLE TIP TO THE HATERS EITHER KEEP GOING TO YOUR WUSSY NIGHTCLUBS ILL GO HERE AND HAVE SOME REAL FUN. OR MEET ME THERE TALKING TO MY OLD GLASS CLEANER FRIEND HAVIN A BLAST. HE WILL TREAT YOU ALOT BETTER IF YOU RESPECT HIM AND FOLLOW HIS RULES YOU CRAZY PEOPLE CANT TREAT HIM BAD HE WILL TREAT YOU BAD IN RETURN SO PLEASE BE NICE HE DESERVES THAT HE HAS NOTHING ELSE BUT THIS BAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Pros: GREAT ATMOSPHERE GREAT PEOPLE REAL IRISH PUB
• Cons: CROWDED ON WEEKENDS BY REAL PEOPLE WHO CAN HAVE FUN

10/12/08

Leave your trendy friends at home...

by AstoriaBorn

Quickpik just can't appreciate what makes McSorely's the best bar in NYC. If you want to go to some trendy night spot and hang out with snobs and sip overly expensive fruity cocktails, then theres a million places in the city you can go. But if you want to go hang out with real people who pass the time by knocking back a few and actualy talking instead of listening to lame hip hope music, then you want Mcsorely's. The people at Mcsorelys are the best. Old irish drinking songs break out all the time, and everyone in the place has a blast. Ive been there no less then 20 times. Its clean, the ale is incredable, the bartenders aren't rude but they aren't going to smile and start a conversation either. This is my favorite bar in the world. DEFINITLY CHECK THIS ONE OUT!

09/11/08

We visit every time we travel to NYC

by terry14513

Quickpick, you must be a snob, the fun of this place is that it is old fashion, I have never had any problems you incountered and have always had a great time going here.We travel to NYC probably twice a year and always make it a point to stop in for dinner on every trip. Dinners are simple and easy.

08/17/08

I wouldn't take a dump in this dump.

by quickpick

I'm sorry I didn't follow the advice of the other negative reviews.

First off, the staff inside is extremely rude. These morons have no sense of common courtesy, particularly one idiot with a cheesy Australian accent who could best be described as a dingo-berry. Instead of working with the crowd, they seem to go out of their way to make things difficult.

What I haven't seen mentioned is how unsanitary this place is. There is a guy who looks homeless who seems to be shuffling around with "clean" glasses, but I got the feeling they also might be reusing glasses left on the bar. Considering how the homeless guy looked, I might chance the disease I get from a used glass than something this guy handled.

Finally, the price was nothing to write home about, and the beer was mediocre at best. Personally, I get suspicious at overly negative reviews, but I promise you this place has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. So if you got the feeling I didn't like the place, you are correct.

If you are someone local looking for a night out, there are a zillion other options, and if you are a tourist, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere. I certainly wouldn't want to bring a female back in here, which I felt bad I did in the first place, unless you have no consideration for her.

• Pros: We left quickly.
• Cons: Rude employees and lack of cleanliness are the highlights.

02/28/08

Brilliant spot

by Doveman

This magic place was recommended to us by our neighbour who's from New York...it's his favourite bar.

Good cheap beer, great atmosphere, $3 sandwiches.......enough said.

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: Nothing