McSorley's Ale House in East Village

Established in 1854 by Irish John McSorley in East Village, NYC, McSorley’s Old Ale House has been a gathering place, a drinking hole, the subject of art and literature and even a United States supreme court controversy. Everyone from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon have indulged in a “One and One.” Woody Guthrie rallied the early American union movement from a table in the back – guitar in hand while constitutional attorneys Faith Seidenberg and Karen DeCrow had to take their case to the U.S. Supreme Court to gain access – women finally being allowed entry in 1970! From it’s humble origins as an Irish workingman’s saloon – cheese and crackers on the house-ale for pennies more, to its discovery by the mainstream in a 1940′s LIFE magazine pictorial, McSorley’s is steeped in a cultural cacophony of Americana. Presidents, residents, authors and thieves – the lot of humanity has sat and shared, all obeying the McSorley’s golden rule “Be Good or Be Gone”.

When McSorley’s first opened in 1854, it was one of 2,400 saloons in New York City. Now, it is the ONLY saloon where still serve up dark and light ale to the locals and tourists. Nothing much has been changed at McSorley’s since its opening. The interiors and food are almost about the same. Two mugs served for each order and their signature burgers and chili are still reasonable in price as well.

No women were allowed in 1970. With feminism was high in the movement, Faith Seidenberg and Karen De Crow won the Supreme Court appeal to legalize the allowance of females to McSorley’s. Although the place was not and still is not kind of place where women would like to hang out, this remarkable change in 1970 sure turned the place into something else.

McSorley’s Ale House 15 East 7th Street (bet. 2&3 Avenue) New York NY 10003