What McSorley's Old Ale House is and where to find it

McSorley's Old Ale House is a bar located at 15 East 7th Street in Manhattan's East Village, between Second and Third Avenues. It opened in 1854 and has operated continuously at the same address ever since — making it the oldest bar in New York City that has never closed. The bar occupies a narrow, two-story building wedged between taller structures, with a sawdust floor, wooden booths, and walls covered in photographs, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia from its 170-year history.

The bar is famous not for cocktails or craft beer, but for serving only two things: light ale and dark ale, both brewed to McSorley's specifications. The bar does not have a liquor license in the modern sense — it operates under a grandfather clause that allows it to continue serving under rules that predate current licensing law. No credit cards are accepted; payment is cash only. The bar does not advertise, has no website, and relies entirely on word-of-mouth and its reputation as a historical landmark.

Key Takeaways

  • McSorley's has operated at 15 East 7th Street since 1854 without relocating or closing, making it New York City's oldest continuously operating bar.
  • The bar serves only two types of ale — light and dark — and does not serve cocktails, wine, beer from other breweries, or food beyond cheese and onions.
  • Payment is cash only; the bar does not accept credit cards, debit cards, or digital payment methods.
  • The bar was male-only until 1970, when a lawsuit forced it to admit women; today it remains a working bar, not a museum, and operates under rules that predate modern liquor licensing.

The building layout and what to expect when you arrive

The entrance is straightforward to miss because the storefront is narrow and unmarked. Once inside, you enter a small front room with a bar counter on the left side and a few tables. A doorway leads to a larger back room with wooden booths lining both walls. The walls throughout are covered with framed photographs of customers, politicians, and celebrities dating back decades, along with newspaper articles about the bar's history and its role in New York City life.

The floor is covered in sawdust, which is swept and replaced regularly. The lighting is dim — mostly from bare bulbs and small lamps on the tables. There is no jukebox, no television, and no music. The bar does not take reservations. During busy hours (evenings and weekends), you may wait 30 minutes to an hour for a table, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Weekday afternoons are typically quieter.

What the bar serves and how ordering works

McSorley's serves only ale — a light ale and a dark ale. Both are served in small glasses, typically in pairs. You order by the round: one round usually means four small glasses (two light, two dark), which costs a fixed price that varies slightly year to year. The bar does not serve cocktails, wine, beer from other breweries, or spirits. There is no menu to browse; you straightforward tell the server how many rounds you want.

The only food available is a cheese plate (cheddar and onion) and a plate of onions. There are no hot foods, no sandwiches, and no other options. The cheese and onion plates are meant to accompany the ale, not to be a meal. Many customers order ale without food; others order both. Prices are intentionally kept low and have not risen dramatically over the decades, though they do increase periodically.

The bar's history as a male-only establishment and its legal change

From 1854 until 1970, McSorley's admitted only men. Women were not served at the bar or allowed to sit in the booths. This policy was not unusual for bars of that era, but it persisted at McSorley's long after other establishments had changed. In 1970, a group of women filed a lawsuit challenging the policy as sex discrimination. The case went to court, and McSorley's lost. The bar was ordered to admit women, and it has done so since then.

The lawsuit and the forced change are now part of McSorley's documented history. The bar does not hide this chapter; it is mentioned in historical accounts and in conversations about the bar's role in New York City culture. Today, the bar serves men and women equally and makes no distinction in seating or service.

Why McSorley's operates under old liquor licensing rules

McSorley's does not hold a standard modern liquor license. Instead, it operates under a grandfather clause — a legal provision that allows a business to continue operating under old rules if it was already operating when new rules took effect. In New York, this means McSorley's can serve alcohol under licensing rules that predate current state and city law. This is why the bar can serve only ale, why it does not need to offer a full range of beverages, and why it operates with minimal regulatory oversight compared to newer bars.

This status is also why the bar is protected from many modern licensing requirements and why it has been able to maintain its straightforward, unchanging operation for so long. If McSorley's were to close and reopen, or if it were to change ownership in certain ways, it would lose this protection and would have to comply with current licensing law. This legal reality is one reason the bar has remained so consistent — change would trigger regulatory complications.

How to get there and what hours to expect

McSorley's is located at 15 East 7th Street in Manhattan, between Second and Third Avenues in the East Village neighborhood. The nearest subway stations are the Astor Place station (6 train) and the First Avenue station (L train). From Astor Place, walk south on Lafayette Street and turn east on East 7th Street; the bar is a short walk. From First Avenue, walk west on East 7th Street.

The bar is open seven days a week, typically from late morning until late evening, though hours vary by day. It closes on major holidays. The bar does not publish a detailed schedule online because it has no website. If you are traveling from out of town and want to confirm hours before visiting, you can call the bar directly at the phone number listed in local directories, though staff may be brief on the phone.

Why McSorley's matters in New York City history and culture

McSorley's is significant because it is one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in New York City and because it has remained largely unchanged for over 150 years. The bar has served as a gathering place for working-class New Yorkers, immigrants, politicians, and artists. It is mentioned in books, films, and historical accounts of New York City life. The bar's resistance to modernization — no credit cards, no cocktails, no expansion — has made it a symbol of old New York in a city that is constantly changing.

The bar also has historical importance because of its role in the 1970 women's rights lawsuit. That case is studied in law schools and is cited in discussions of sex discrimination and civil rights. For many visitors, McSorley's represents a tangible connection to New York City's past — a place where you can sit in the same booth, drink from the same recipe, and experience something that has remained essentially the same for generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation to go to McSorley's?

No. McSorley's does not take reservations. You arrive, wait for a table if necessary, and are seated when one becomes available. During quiet times (weekday afternoons), the wait is usually short. On Friday and Saturday evenings, waits of 30 minutes to an hour are common.

Can I pay with a credit card or my phone?

No. McSorley's accepts cash only. There are no credit card machines, no digital payment options, and no exceptions. There is an ATM in the bar, but you should bring cash or plan to use it if you do not have enough on hand.

What if I do not drink alcohol or want to bring children?

McSorley's is a bar, not a restaurant, and alcohol is its primary product. Children are not prohibited, but the environment is designed for adult drinkers. If you do not drink, you can order the cheese and onion plates, but there are no non-alcoholic beverages beyond water. Many families do visit during daytime hours, but evening visits are typically adult-focused.

Is McSorley's the oldest bar in America?

No. McSorley's is the oldest continuously operating bar in New York City, but other bars in the United States opened earlier or have longer histories. However, McSorley's is among the oldest and is notable for never relocating and never closing, even during Prohibition (when it operated illegally).

Can I buy McSorley's ale to take home?

McSorley's ale is brewed specifically for the bar and is not sold in bottles or cans for off-premises consumption. You can only drink it at the bar itself. The ale is not distributed to liquor stores or other retailers.