Inside The Oldest Irish Tavern In NYC | Legendary Eats

McSorley's Old Ale House is the oldest Irish pub in America and the most legendary bar in NYC. The 165-year-old watering hole is steeped in history, as seen through the countless old photos and artifacts covering every inch of its hallowed walls. Here, the current owners explain what makes McSorley's the most storied Irish bar in the country.
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#Beer #NYC #FoodInsider
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Inside The Oldest Irish Tavern In NYC | Legendary Eats

[@JW52654]

I was probably 16yrs old when I first stepped in there with my friends, everything is still the way it was back then, even the table we sat at... I'm 68 yrs old now. I miss my friends.

[@endtheworld1]

Keep thriving old timer keep thriving

[@JW52654]

@@endtheworld1 Thank you.

[@JackHynes-ce7td]

​@@JW52654we as the younger generation have a responsibility to keep up with your established traditions and I hope to visit mcsorleys next year

[@jettlii5872]

damn man, I was having a great day too...

[@jackmitton2534]

40 light and 40 dark. Be good or be gone!

[@PantsB4Squares]

1:40 her facial expression doesn't say "great beer"

[@simvig765]

I was just thinking that

[@barakbacharach9491]

@@simvig765 their beer is crap, it's what you'd have expected from American beer 30-40 years ago prior to the craft revolution. But you don't go for the taste

[@priabernamadimas]

It's bitter

[@ilsunnylo3562]

When you are shaking your head in denial...

[@ChrissyGotTheCoils]

🤣🤣

[@alocascio5825]

When I turned 21, my dad took me there for a few beers. Priceless memories were made that day.

[@rajo741]

Beautiful. They know what’s important. The spirit of all the souls who hoisted pints. How can you not love this.

[@BobMarley-wh4sb]

If they served a pint of beer with a head on that big in Ireland you will get beat up ...

[@PlannedObsolescence]

@laser325 Sweet is a flavor.

[@gabrielchiangjunyang4781]

Neanderthal Cave Becky found the American

[@kklejdi6752]

@@PlannedObsolescence owned him lol

[@Hawksandlagers]

I disagree, that’s how you pour beer. Especially in the old world

[@unfairtrout]

laser325 what the hell does that even mean? You’re talking out of your ass

[@matthart4465]

Didnt believe in alcohol....opens bar to serve alcohol.

[@fawadahmed9370]

Ale is still very much alcohlic

[@PantsB4Squares]

I think he was referring to liquor. Not all alcohol

[@kchiridyasser1897]

@laser325 he is a muslim so his opinion dosent count lmao

[@fawadahmed9370]

@Ben's Views74 m neither

[@farouqomaro598]

Fawad Ahmed Funny how people assume your religion by just looking at the name. I get that a lot. Thankfully back home here in Borneo, names don't necessarily reflect your faith.

[@mohammedcohen]

...I LOVE this joint...it's one if the few things I miss from the NYC Metro/NJ area since moving to Florida in 1979...I first went there ca. 1977 on a wintry Saturday afternoon - while I was in that mecca of military, modeling, armor, aviation and civilian transportation books & magazines, the late Bill Dean's "Sky Books', on E 52nd street - a fellow modeler/painter from the NJMMA (North Jersey Military Miniature Associates) asked me for a ride home to Jersey City - said that he'd pay for drinks at McSorley's - I didn't drink anything at the time - especially if I was driving, but I told him I'd get him home - and took him up on the offer to visit a new (to me) place...WOW WHATTA joint!!! the dust looked like it had been there since the place opened in 1854...it didn't matter if you didn't know anyone - everyone, friends/strangers (but not for long) sat at a round table set on top of a beer barrel...the deal was that each person paid for a round for the entire table - forget if that went clockwise or counter so...there was a plate of crackers, slices raw onions and HOT (read Colman's) mustard..dunno if I'd eat onions if I was trying to impress a babe - but they were GOOD - and the sandwiches you ordered from the kitchen were HUGE!!! Thoroughly enjoyed myself and wouldda stayed longer but he needed to get back...I made plans to get back as soon as I could...The memorabilia - and the layers of dust in that place is seriously impressive - at the time they didn't have a 'ladie's room' but the guys would stand guard outside the door of the one john. Up until 1972 McSorley's was the one place a man could go and hide from an angry - or pissed off wife - where she couldn't follow him with rolling pin - or sharp tongue- but after the court's ruling the owners said = Fine...but we ain't building a separate john - if you ladies wanna be here ya gotta use the same john as the rest of us....I've been back a few ti,me - prolly three - since I moved to Florida - hard to really enjoy the place though, when you can't drink the ale because you're diving

[@nastyham5302]

in the uk and ireland you’d get glassed for serving a pint with a head the tall

[@nastyham5302]

laser325 oh it was a joke joke you humourless oaf. in the uk we don’t allow heads like this on our pints, no ones actually going to “glass” a barman over a tall head.

[@timfredrickson3889]

Saw the thumbnail, was the first thing I thought as well.

[@MonarchPoolPlaster]

I was thinking the same thing and I'm not even from there.

[@jrw3349]

laser325 He was joking but it’s true if you served a pint with a head that takes up half the glass in Ireland or the U.K. then the customer wouldn’t be happy

[@drumclaypete]

If I had a head like that... I’d head home

[@erikc1775]

Still amuses me that 1854 is portrayed as super old in the US. Probably because the country is young but basically everything that is older than 100 years is super old over there. In Europe we have pubs that are over a thousand years old.

[@randommusings5449]

Ha! Now I think of it, my local pub dates back to the 1250’s. Even my house is older than the pub in the video.

[@Nightdiver20]

Americans think 100 years is a long time Europeans think 100 miles is a long distance

[@willfakaroni5808]

Well we have a lot better square mileage with our history

[@WorkloadWithdrawal]

Name one

[@aztronomy7457]

@@Nightdiver20depends where in the states. I live in Arizona and we have Native American ruins here dating back to 10,000 BC

[@lindsey4227]

went there for the first time with my girlfriends last night! such a lively atmosphere. my pop pop used to come here nearly 100 years ago, glad this place is still running

[@boogiedownnyc]

I love this place. The beer is good no complaints there. The owner is cool. I went there one time for lunch. He's a talker, you can tell he loves the place. He'll tell you stories about the place all day. One part the video did not show was the food. Good eats at an affordable price. Feel free to stop by for a good atmosphere.

[@hejdu13337]

What an amazing place, so much history and respect.

[@anhornart]

I answered the payphone at McSorley's when I was there in the year 2000. The payphone was the business line. So much fun and drunkenness were had here with my friends. The men's room's urinals are unmatched in size by any other establishment in the United States! And freakin' cats! Bless your souls for taking care of the fire department after 911.

[@-4subscriberswithahammerad521]

Welp, time to add a place to visit for my bucket list

[@Rob901]

I enjoyed drinking there back in the 80's . They have to give you two beers at a time cause of all the foam. Thought the dark ale was good. Limited menu back then . Cheese platter or ham sandwich . More items now

[@alldayubum]

I agree i like the dark beer better there and the liverwurst and cheese and raw onion crackers with spicey Mustard

[@SuperBobby118]

I would love to open my own tavern or a bed and breakfast

[@SuperBobby118]

I don't drink much but I wonder how many Al there is would be interesting to know

[@cmnyc4286]

I've been a regular for a long time. Even though it's really basic - I enjoy the cheese platter too even though my friends make fun of me for eating Saltines!

[@jimwright1148]

Had a great night in there 23 years ago,the night before my flight home,i made a point of going there after reading about it in the'Time out' guide,and was not dissapointed👍💚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪

[@jumbod]

Been going here since 1991. Always try to go at least once a month. During the lockdown was the longest time this place had been closed since it was originally opened.

[@heavyhitta52]

One of my favorite bars in NYC

[@JohnnyMac2237]

When I live on 9th street I would go there sometimes when it was snowing out at night and the fire is roaring and it was quiet in the middle of the week and just read my book at a table..great memories

[@tobydammit6599]

“Probably the most famous bar in the world” my guy nobody outside of the east coast knows about this spot. Edit: probably nobody outside new york even knows about this.

[@njung1990able]

it isnt really arrogance if you see them talk. when they use the word 'the world', they dont mean earth; that bar is literally their whole world. i respect that.

[@Hawksandlagers]

The only thing that bugs me upon further research is that their beers are brewed by Pabst Brewing Company now in LA, which not only means that it’s not regional, but that the beers themselves are probably Pabst recipes that they contract brew for many establishments claiming to have their own house beer when in reality it’s the same batch in pubs nationwide. Kind of cheap and tacky for somewhere proud of its authenticity, but helps explain the decent price.

[@emintey]

"the beers themselves are probably Pabst recipes that they contract brew for many establishments claiming..." Assumptions like this are very dangerous. The fact is that you don't know if this is not McSorley's own recipe produced by Pabst, and you then proceed to call McSorely's cheap and tacky for it. I think you need to retract your statement because you simply don't know what you are talking about until you can make an authoritative statement, according to at least one website it is in fact McSorely's own recipe.

[@Hawksandlagers]

Edwin Mintey well for one thing their history talks proudly of when they used “New York City water” which I’m sure they don’t use anymore brewing in Los Angeles. And it is definitely likely the recipe is from McSorleys but there is still plenty of changes it would go through to be brewed macro. Also I’ve met multiple brewers even at craft breweries that get contracted to help get a place started and in these cases they bring in their own recipes, in one case a man had been apart of at least 12 breweries and mentioned how all these places still use his recipes and all the beers have different names, kind of off topic but just showing similarities in the beer world. I’m just saying it’s not a bad thing, it makes economical sense for them. I don’t think the assumption is very dangerous because I don’t think people go to McSorleys for great beer, they go there for a great time, and when you’re having a great time beer goes down easy!

[@kimberly1567]

@@emintey MillerCoors has been mftring beef for PBR for many years...but just stopped. Took a long court battle. PBR may be gone soon

[@JW52654]

I don't think it was so back in the early "70s when I use to attend the pub. The ale was awesome, didn't taste like cheap american beer at all.

[@Joao-id4dn]

nice info. it would be interesting to know when their beer started being produced by Pabst

[@totallynotaaliyah74]

Wow love the videos keep it up guys

[@elizamccroskey1708]

I have many fond memories of this place.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

1854....wow. This place looks cool

[@danh6432]

I’ve been going to this place for 20 years now… love this spot.

[@CK-dd7eq]

What's the craic with the heads on them ales 😥

[@rmorton8281]

I know right

[@abovemadness]

I like a good head, but those are way too tall. I’m happy with about an inch.

[@rowanadair4616]

£6 a pair of pints tho la

[@KCJbomberFTW]

What are you on about they look PERFECT

[@1218Draco]

Dirty lines?

[@risteardwest3384]

I've been there several times it is just unbelievable the smell alone remind you of something from the olden days which it is the reason they put the sawdust on the floor people will always spelling stuff and the sawdust sucks it up which is a good idea because of that old good old fish and smell anyway the place is fantastic I would recommend it if you're ever in New York City I know in the summertime there's a line outside waiting to get in so try to get there early and good luck 🍀🇨🇮💯

[@cmnyc4286]

Best time to go is in the afternoon if you don't want to wait in line or be there when it's too crowded.

[@FBGM2bb]

And Irish bar with no whiskey what kind of sick joke is that

[@netticornell9255]

For real you at least need a double of bushmills with your two beers

[@holyravioli5795]

@@netticornell9255 Couldn't agree more.

[@abovemadness]

laser325 love me a good stout

[@Soxruleyanksdrool]

​@@netticornell9255Protestant Bushmills?

[@dannyganelin9777]

I've been to pubs that were opened in the Middle Ages and they don't serve Pabst...

[@triggered8556]

k

[@ragejinraver]

I visited there for the first time yesterday on the fourth of July. I will definitely be going back . It literally was like walking into a time capable 🍻 😁

[@CrazyMonkey679]

Looks very cool, next time I’m in NYC I must visit!

[@kirbyculp3449]

Please visit the Orthodox churches in the neighborhood, those are much more impressive.

[@shiko098]

The amount of half full glasses makes me exceedingly sad. That would not fly well over here in the UK.

[@oliverproctor8889]

if that happened in Spoons people would go mental!!!

[@Colestercamps]

shiko098 ya but it’s cheap very cheap

[@FatherDinny]

that can’t be controlled. Which is why they serve 2 at a time.

[@FatherDinny]

@Rooster Sauce you think they have time to sit there making it a full pint ? 🥴

[@JackBWakeham]

I mean if you care about beer quality that's how you serve beer, keeps oxygen away from the beer. Unfortunately most people in the UK know very little about beer quality.

[@i_dont_live_here]

“If you left a good man alone with an ale you’d have no trouble.”❤

[@Nightdiver20]

Went here for the first time back in May, super cool little place

[@bam12383]

Def on my bucket list 👌

[@ngozi.r8799]

i love irish pub the most best

[@radianteclipse75]

imma head over there soon. can't wait to experience the pub.

[@RandyMarsh654]

I was 10 years old the first time I went to McSorleys. That was in July of 2001. I've been back twice since to have the iconic beer both light and dark. Delicious!

[@TypicalKid100]

My favorite bar in the world.

[@covarrubias93]

She made that I definitely dont like the taste of this face lol

[@badazz2969]

This bar is on my bucket list before I die I come from a military family mad respect for this bar and those who served

[@masterfarr8265]

I've been there and it's a joy

[@farouqomaro598]

Looks like a must visit place for those going to New York. I'd love to have a few pints here.

[@anelam71]

We had a blast here a few weeks ago!

[@IM-iw7wd]

I’ve been here and there’s nothing better when the waiter brings 20 beers and slams it on the table. CHEERS

[@angusroewl7206]

Could just have 5 beers that are poured correctly, would have the same amount of beer 😂🍻

[@jensclarberg6419]

Let me guess, you think a 'correct' pint is without any head? Lmao@@angusroewl7206

[@ericlewis9472]

This bar is so cool I’ve never seen anything like it I wish I could see it in person

[@jessicalefebvre9683]

Seeing the Flemington Raritan rescue squad badge reminds me of one of my great uncles who actually helped get that squad up and running. How one of the badges from there got to NYC from Hunterdon county NJ is a story that would be amazing to hear.

[@mikemike5973]

Incredible

[@tristanwright5986]

If I ever visit I'll definitely stop in here looks awesome 🏴‍☠️

[@mikeflanagan6521]

I was in there once and a waiter tossed a tableful of people out for not drinking fast enough. "You're occupying valuable space, out with the lot of you." We took their table and were never at risk of being tossed out. A great place.

[@hmw-ms3tx]

When I was going to university back in the mid 1990's we used to go to a pub called O'Rielly's and O'Tooles. It was run by an alcoholic Irishman who had recently got out of prison. It was my favourite place to go drinking. One time his liquor license was suspended for serving after hours and he had to close for two weeks. When he reopened he needed cash (i.e. he needed his customers to drink lots). I ordered fish and chips and then my friends and I got down to doing our best to make him some money. A couple of pints in and he confronts the table next to us because they weren't drinking enough. A fist fight ensued and it dawned on me that nobody was in the kitchen looking after my fish and chips (he ran the place by himself). I got up and ran into the kitchen and pulled both the fish and the chips out of the deep fryer before they were too overcooked. When I got back to my table he had just finished kicking them out and then he headed to the kitchen. My supper arrived shortly after and he never seemed to notice that someone had gone into the kitchen and saved the fish and chips. It was things like this that made the place so good. Ken

[@xavithinksblue321]

Chill bar. I had a few there about 2 years ago

[@yellow92591]

Amazing

[@SecretIngredientChannel]

wow, great videos

[@SelimReza-iw4pr]

Beautiful

[@TheGreatCooLite]

This has definitely raised the bar for bars all around the world

[@senthilkumarbalasundaram1938]

Lol

[@FoodandFootprints]

Some serious history here!

[@jameslopez958]

My favorite kind of Bar 🍻❤

[@stevo728822]

Briitish here. Beautiful pub. I'll visit one day on a New York pub crawl. I'll take the dark in Winter and the light in Summer. Though it would be nice if you had a Porter.

[@s.gallagher4851]

Those ales 🍺 are gorgeeeejus!

[@Miles24154]

"Thats Bobby in there" lmao

[@mencken8]

Where we always began our pub crawl.

[@davelynch3064]

...i'd be loving to have a bar, in that beer someday..(Hiccup!! Hiccup!!!)

[@Lagomization]

I accidentally stumbled in here while wandering around Manhattan one of my first times there. Got the history rundown from a nice fellow I met there who turned out to be the father of a man working the same company as me in Chicago. Super neat.

[@nevashnonevashno7779]

Awesome !!! 🤝🤝🤝

[@Wrecktoid]

That place is the best!

[@joeappleton6849]

Educational fun review

[@johnwesley2943]

As the Irishman said on his visit to McSorley's, 'My flat is older than your crappy bar, and the beer looks more like frothy piss than a proper pint.'

[@Mncrr]

The Irishman should stay in Ireland. And we have hundreds of brand new breweries that have popped up in the last 20 years making clean beautiful beer so there’s no need for us Americans to drink pasteurized beer out of a can or bottle.

[@johnwesley2943]

@@Mncrr Do Americans not have a sense of humour? Lighten up!

[@tpower1912]

​@@Mncrr 🤓

[@joshkidd5463]

@@Mncrr hard lad with a straw arse

[@rks5457]

​@@johnwesley2943my American friend one said, "British humor is just saying idiotic and assholey things with a posh accent "

[@krishnathami9335]

super bar i love this bar

[@cheesebuger13]

I went a few weeks ago, it was hands down the coolest bar I have ever been too. Just the history alone is worth going to. 2 beers is 8 dollars now, but is well worth it.

[@mk-m6779]

how do people down like 6-8 beers and get drunk then? I don't understand how people could afford 50 bucks night on night to go to a pub

[@tigerleoneinc.9282]

It’s a Legendary Eats video, so I kept waiting to see an amazing juicy burger or a giant plate of Bangers and Mash.

[@MarcusLeepapi]

Looking very nice...

[@patminnyc]

Glad to be in this clip - love this place !! Yes that's me at 4:20 :>)

[@Joseph-pk7wu]

Congratulations, mate.

[@lukefletcher9644]

Bucket list for sure

[@iantomcharlesworth]

Love this bar, hopefully I’ll be able to go again one day

[@blurbicontotalicus]

Wow, what a place

[@stevemiceter07]

We have pubs in England older than before america was discovered.

[@PripurnanandaGiri-dl5gf]

Really Excellent. Enjoy the Life AMERICA.

[@tior6211]

An Irish bar with no Guinness I’m pissed

[@22grena]

Guinness is pish

[@cpg-fx7ew]

@@22grena Foreign extra stout is pretty good.

[@franktechmaniac7488]

For me a reason to go there! The most boring thing about Irish bars and pubs abroad is they all have Guiness or Kilkenny.

[@comfortablynumb9342]

And yet with light ale it's tough to get pissed 😂

[@brianb7423]

I came here for the giants Super Bowl parade in 2011. Need to return. They had some fantastic food

[@WarriorsBreakfast]

First time I went I was underage, sat outside like a poor little puppy dog while my friends went in for a beer. Years later after coming back from Iraq I finally got to quench my thirst. Stepped up to the bar and looked around for what beer they had. I had not idea, so I said to the bartender can you give two such and such name brand beers. The girl next to me just started laughing her arse off. I looked at her like she was crazy, of course I was the crazy one. And she told me how it works, that you order a light or dark and one means two. LOL! Great freakin' time!

[@gsummy4062]

You have to go here for a beer while you're in newyork. Not many bars in the world that have history like this one. The food and beer are great to.👍🇮🇪

[@Aaronreacher]

"not many bars in the world" have you visit the average European pub? Lots of them are way older than this one. I'm not hating btw

[@muitkito]

I’ve been there, it’s incredible 😋 it reminds me of my family in Ireland. what a great place.

[@muitkito]

laser325 I’m saying the atmosphere reminds me of my family. The antiques, the people, the music, etc. no need to be rude.

[@gunnaretchison9799]

I head that Josh "World of TShirts" Block LOVES McSorley's.

[@davidzimmerman3778]

I’ve spent many days there. 40 mugs at once was the biggest order we made. Great place, good bar food. I’ve been good and been gone lmao.

[@markmendel9883]

At night it can be interesting. Only bar i've seen throw people out for not drinking enough. Years ago anyway, you didn't really have to "order" beers... they just kept coming until you left. If you stopped drinking for too long, they'd kick you out for taking up space while there's a line outside.

[@derekd4394]

I wanna go!

[@teop7887]

Must go!

[@kevinmulligan2006]

This bar was my first stop off the train when I got into New York after college, I was on my way further upstate. But my father had insisted I do a bit of a route through some of his favorite spots in NYC, he grew up in Staten Island. I walked into McSorley's after a long train from florida. It took me no time to find it, it was as if my feet were moving on their own. I sat down at the bar and put my bag down, and the bartender was there standing in front of me, a smile from his last interaction still lingering.. "I'll have a guiness, my father insisted" The barkeep laughed, "a good ol boy eh!? ", I was completely disarmed. It was like irish ancestral roots were emanating from my body and filling with comfort, that space has old energy. I can remember every moment of that day, magical tavern.

[@theclaymaker3330]

Who else is drinking beer while watching this? Cheers!

[@burch2488]

When traveling I try to go to every Irish pub.

[@kevinclancy6051]

I been to McSorleys many times even their 150th anniversary.

[@SPOILER750]

Forgot to mention woman weren't allowed in the bar till like 1970. And they still refused to build them a bathroom.

[@oneoff2798]

My god, civilisation HAS arrived in America :)

[@Ahmadbeik99]

Good

[@davidparrott1507]

I have underwear older than " super old " in the States 😂😂

[@ifwecouldvote]

Sean's bar in Athlone was opened in 900AD. Now that's old!

[@plasticbucket]

Bullshit .

[@Poonamsmartkitchen]

Nice

[@jamesbond9873]

Cheers 🍻

[@MackV99]

Love porters & stouts

[@MackV99]

laser325 bummer

[@MackV99]

laser325 but in the video I clearly see them serving it

[@hectorleon465]

Im just laughing hard cause when i see Irish bars, it just reminds me of Bar Rescue and all the crazy things that John Taffer has dealt with... Especially Packy's or Irish Saloon... Lmao 😆

[@pauloconnor5101]

Great bar tbh.

[@andyaim4764]

Meanwhile in Ireland Sean's Bar has been researched thoroughly by the Guinness Book of Records and proudly holds the record for "The Oldest Pub in Ireland" with an official dating of 900AD.