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I'm An Irish American Who Visited The Oldest Irish Tavern In New York City For The First Time. Here Are 9 Things That Surprised Me.
I was surprised by my experience at McSorley's Old Ale House.
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- Ahead of St. Patrick's Day, I visited McSorley's Old Ale House, which was established in 1854.
- I was surprised by the inexpensive prices and the quality of the food.
- I was also surprised by how it made me feel pride as an Irish American.
I've lived in New York City for almost six years, but I have never been to McSorley's, the oldest Irish pub in the city.
Not only is McSorley's the most historic Irish tavern in New York, but it's also often called the oldest Irish tavern in America that's still in operation. Established in 1854, McSorley's is celebrating its 171st anniversary this year, and it is certainly the place to go around St. Patrick's Day.
Though famous, McSorley's hasn't always been on the right side of history. The New York Times reported that women have only been allowed inside the bar since 1970, when two members of the National Organization for Women sued the bar for violating the equal-protection ordinance of the 14th Amendment.
I wanted to visit the bar given its rich history and connection to my heritage. My grandparents were first-generation Irish immigrants who later moved to England. That fact, in combination with my very Irish name, makes me proud of the close connection to my heritage.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed my visit to McSorley's in 2023. If you choose to visit yourself, here are some things that might surprise you about the oldest Irish bar in the country.
I was surprised by McSorley's location in a very modern section of the East Village.
The outside of McSorley's.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
While I expected to find McSorley's on a quaint cobblestone street given its history, it's located in a built-up section of the East Village on East 7th Street, by Astor Place.
I actually lived around the corner for a semester in college. This part of the East Village has very little old-world charm, thanks to its high-rise buildings, businesses, and chain restaurants, despite being just a stone's throw away from one of the city's most historic establishments.
However, when Irish immigrant John McSorley founded the ale house in the 1850s, it was in a prime location close to a transportation hub for horse carriages and a busy market.
McSorley's is cash-only, which I learned when I arrived. There's an ATM right out front.
The ATM outside McSorley's.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
It's pretty standard at any cash-only bar or restaurant in New York City to find an ATM either inside or just outside the door.
I was pleased that they had an ATM available so close by, but I couldn't spy any signs inside that made it immediately apparent it was cash-only — I didn't suss it out until I saw everyone else paying in cash.
I expected to find a lot of Irish pub food, and I did, but McSorley's also had distinctly American foods like hot dogs and hamburgers.
The menu at McSorley's.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The menu at McSorley's is limited, but they have quite a few fan-favorite menu items, from burgers and a fried chicken sandwich to more traditional items like corned beef hash and chili.
I was also surprised by how low the prices were at McSorley's compared to what I usually pay in New York City. I ordered a hamburger and fries for $10, and two beers for $8.
I was pleasantly surprised by the burger — I just wish the cheese had been more melted.
The cheeseburger at McSorley's.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
When I visited McSorley's, the bar was teeming with people and there were very few places to sit. I'm always a little hesitant about ordering bar food — you just never know what you're going to get, especially from places popular with tourists — but I was surprised by how much I liked the burger.
The beef patty was juicy and large, while the onions and tomatoes tasted very fresh. The fries were also piping hot when I received them and deliciously crispy. The only downside, in my opinion, was that the cheese on the cheeseburger wasn't melted on the patty.
However, for $10, I was pleased with my dinner.
McSorley's has two options for alcoholic drinks — light or dark beer — and they serve two at a time per person.
The beer at McSorley's.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I paid $8 for two beers, a light and a dark ale, which I was surprised by. I'm not a huge beer drinker, but even that seemed pretty inexpensive to me.
The beer prices have crept up over the years, of course.
When Business Insider's Sarah Jacobs visited in 2017, the beer cost $5.50. She noted that it cost only a dime per mug in 1940 and 35 cents for two half-pints in 1966.
Other guests also appeared to be surprised by their orders. When one guest ordered a light and a dark beer for himself and someone else, they seemed surprised when they were each handed two beers. The bartender explained they always give people two beers each.
The beers are much smaller than your average pint. Eater reported that each mug holds roughly 6 ounces per glass — a US pint holds 16 ounces — which makes each drink easier to finish and carry around the bar.
I enjoyed both the light and the dark ale, though I preferred the light. They went down smoothly, and I could see why someone would want two at a time.
In addition to the low prices and historic feel, part of McSorley's charm is the lack of choice. In a city like New York, I'm accustomed to lengthy drink menus with steep prices. I actually enjoyed the lack of choice, which made ordering fast and simple.
I was also surprised by just how much history was crammed onto every inch of the walls.
Pictures hanging on the walls inside McSorley's.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Almost every inch of the walls was adorned with old photos, newspaper clippings, pictures of Irish American presidents, and festive St. Patrick's Day decorations.
The bar also houses a few other historical mementos, like Houdini's handcuffs and World War I-era wishbones dangling from a gas lamp above it.
I could have spent hours looking at every piece of art and history, and it made me feel proud of my Irish heritage. It felt as if I were in a living time capsule, surrounded by people who were there for a great time in one of the city's most historic spots.
The bartender who served me was Irish, making for an even more authentic experience.
Behind the bar at McSorley's.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Despite how busy the bar was, I was pleasantly surprised by the friendly and fast service I received from the bar staff and bouncer.
If you're looking for an immersive experience, you can't feel much closer to Ireland anywhere other than McSorley's.
If you're unable to grab a spot inside, the restaurant has plenty of outdoor seating.
The outdoor seating at McSorley's.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I wasn't surprised that when I visited a few days before St. Patrick's Day in 2023, finding a spot to sit inside the restaurant at prime time was a little difficult. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that as the night went on and it turned 8 p.m., tables started to open up.
There was also a large outdoor dining area set up on the street outside, so finding a place to sit on busy days like St. Patrick's Day shouldn't be completely out of the question.
Overall, I was most surprised by how visiting McSorley's made me feel connected to my Irish roots.
The window outside McSorley's.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Before going to McSorley's myself, I half-expected to find a rowdy group of drunk people dressed up for St. Patrick's Day and drinking overpriced beer. What I experienced couldn't have been more different than my expectations.
There was a strong sense of pride and camaraderie in the bar, with customers happy to let others through to the bar, introduce themselves, or tip their Irish bartenders. I felt more connected to my own Irish heritage than I have in years, and proud of the role Irish people have played throughout history in this country and in New York City.
As I made my way home, I thought to myself that I hoped McSorley's would be open for another 170 years. All I know is that they've made a returning customer out of me.
This story was originally published in March 2023, and most recently updated on March 13, 2025.
Read the original article on Business Insider
