McSorley's Old Ale House

One of America's favorite pasttimes is having an occasional drink or two at a bar. The establishment of pubs go way back to the time of our country's founding. An example is McSorley's Old Ale House located in the heart of the East Village. This Irish tavern opened its doors in 1854 and has welcomed many guests famous and infamous including two of our nation's presidents Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Rooselvelt. This bar has many past times including old newspapers and Vinyl records plastered on the walls. They are open from 1PM to 1AM nearly every day. The bar is truly one of a kind. The beer they offer is either light or dark and the bartenders bring many foamfilled jugs by the arm full. Complimentary Saltine crackers with cheese, onions and spicy sauce are offered to patrons old and new. When you enter the floor is covered with sawdust. On the chandelier to your right hangs old dusty wishbones hung there by soldiers who never returned from The First World War. Also below to your right on the floor are Houdini's handcuffs chained to a metal bar perpendicular to the barstools. You seat yourself wherever there is room and by then there will be many frothy glasses awaiting your consumption. An interesting fact about the bar is that women were not allowed as patrons until 1970. When you need to answer nature's call the men's room on the left is labeled "Toilet". To the right of that is the women's restroom. In addition to your beers you can also order the food listed on the nostalgic chalkboard menu. I had been here twice this past summer with a few friends from church after Mass and the experience is quite unique. Though I'm not old enough to drink alcoholic beverages this bar puts a top on drinking in New York City!

-tbtcom1213

http://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/19/realestate/streetscapes-the-bridge-cafe-on-the-trail-of-new-york-s-oldest-surviving-bar.html

http://www.yelp.com/biz/mcsorleys-old-ale-house-new-york