McSorley's Old Ale House, New York

What an amazing step back in time - great historical memorabilia here. Look for the handcuffs on the bar rail... put there by Harry Houdini himself! (according to the ghost tour app we were following). Cool.

We were seated at a round table with a bunch of other people, but it wasn't really crowded or stuffy. We were rushed two half-filled glasses each, which really counted as a full beer. Some people don't understand that they pour the beer so fast that half of the glass is foam, so they just give you two half-full glasses to make a whole beer and charge you for one. Nice atmosphere. Ideal if you're just looking to have a few beers before heading somewhere else. That's what we did.

everything a bar should be. this place is a time warp. it hasnt changed much in the 160 odd years it has been in business. its dark, dirty,dingy,the waitstaff are salty characters,the atmosphere is amazing! the energy of this place is right out of the movie "GANGS OF NEW YORK". they only serve thier own brand of ale, dark and light, and it is the best! if you like fruity cocktails and leather couches this place aint for you!if you like a loud drinkers bar run the way it was in 1900 there is no better place in the world than this.

My grandfather, father and I all drank at McSorley's. I bought my first illegal and legal drink there. The atmosphere is true Old New York … food is great (watch the mustard it's hot), the dark is the only way to go. There is more disorganized history on the walls than you will find any where else in NYC. Mid-afternoon is the best time to go to really get the flavor of this landmark. Skip weekends, holidays and St. Patrick's Day to avoid long lines, and crowds.

This was a great start to the night..... serious fun pub...like stepping back in time. The energy in the place was something else! They've got 2 options - light ale and dark ale and they keep em coming.

Wow! Ya gotta go here just once. I loved it! Dirty? Whats your definition of dirt? Or is this is close as you will ever get to the history of this place and not (sadly) ever know it. Loved the waiter "We serve ale light or dark," what'll it be? Prices? Is this really in NYC? I will be back, no doubt!

The PC crowd has really hurt this country's great icons. The Clam Brooth House in Hoboken is gone, and women in McSorley's just ain't right.....This was THE spot for college kids from NJ in the mid '60's. It is still neat to visit.

Loved this joint. It's like going into a wormhole in Time, going back to the late 1800s/early 1900s. Lots of history on the walls. Bought a book, The McSorley Poems, right there at the bar for $10. Great poems about the bar itself, the characters, etc. Ale was deliciously cold, great cheddar & cracker & onion dish. Lots of local color people in there, too, as well as tourists. Very inexpensive for Manhattan. If you get a chance, go.

The food and beer was good and cheap. One of the cheapest in Manhattan. Can't wait to go back. Seems to be as close as it gets to being in a pub 100 years ago.

Not for the faint of heart. A drinker's bar. Great atmosphere and more than reasonable prices for Manhattan.