McSorely's celebrates 150th year [NYC's oldest pub]

The Journal News ^ | 2/17/04 | Michael Gannon

[presidio9]

Being hungry is recommended. The portions are enormous.

[Nexus]

I've been once. Ordered a beer and waited. After about five minutes, I got yelled at and almost kicked out for not having a beer! Barely acknowledged my explaination (I ordered one!). Granted, it was a packed and crazy night, as I imagine all of them there are. Very cool place. I wish we had somewhere like that in Pittsburgh.

[Francisco]

Looks like a great place.
But the Guinness in that pic, looks vile.
Ahhh okay! Pseudo-stout! ;-)

Too funny! The place is overrated (IMHO). Now McDuff's, there was a place!!!! Oh dear was that a place! Down at the South Street Seaport, tucked away in a little alley. The Guinness!!!, I could weep, they closed the place the ba$tards :( Irish and right off the boat, oh could they pour a Guinness. Vanished without a trace, if they were Chinese they would have left them alone. My very dear drinking partner and I would continue to go there after they shut it down, and stare at the chain on the door.

It's been twelve years and I still haven't gotten over it. For the most part, people should be incarcerated for what they do to a pint of Guinness around here.

dozen or so friends of mine ... working NYC?

Perhaps you could perform a great service, and recommend a place that your friends recommend for a really, REALLY good pint of Guinness.

[nutmeg]

Just say the word, evilC... We'll meet ya just about anytime at McSorley's ! ;-)

Thanks for the ping.

[nutmeg]

To all: Any suggestions besides the usual tourist haunts? For what it's worth I'll be traveling with someone somewhat familiar with the city.

For wonderful, authentic Spanish food (especially the seafood paella), and incredible Sangria, try Sevilla Restaurant & Bar in the Village (Greenwich Village): 62 Charles Street (Corner 4th Street). As far as I know, they don't take reservations, so do your best to be at the door by 6pm on a weekend night (probably later on a week night).

I've lost count how many times we've had dinner there, and we've brought friends to Sevilla from Connecticut, California (SF and LA) and NYC. The food has always been consistently great and there's always a line out the door by the time we leave (on weekends, anyway).

Sevilla has a nice Old World/neighborhood feel to it... not "touristy" at all. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, but once it fills up, can be fairly cacophonous (in a fun way). The aproned all-male waitstaff keep things moving along efficiently. Oh, and the prices are pretty reasonable, too.

[nutmeg]

ping!

Also, see brewer1516's post in 26. Have any suggestions?

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[nutmeg]

There are lots of great Irish pubs all over NYC, but the one place where we always meet a big crowd of (usually young) people actually from Ireland - whether living and working in NYC temporarily, permanently or on holiday in NYC for a few days - is "Fitzers" Bar in the Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel - 687 Lexington Ave., between 56th and 57th Streets. We've rarely run into an American tourist there (we've mostly been to this bar on week nights, not so much on weekends).

We were at Fitzers again last night, and had a fantastic conversation with some young Irish guys who flew over from Dublin, and are in town for a few days. The place was full of young Irish people, there for a 'happy hour' after work. I think "zelig" and I were the only two in the place without an Irish accent!

[Happygal]

Francis, mo leanbh!

There's only one thing worse than a bad pint of Guinness, and that's the uneducated hoor that pulled it!!!

I'm afraid it's been a while since I've been to NYC, and the last time I was there the best pint of porter I got was in Joyce's in Sunnyside. I'm not even sure if that place is still there!

Sorry lad...I can't help. Unless you need me to send you a the airfare home to Ireland! ;-)

BTW, 12 years in NY and still ag caint as Gaelige? Maith an bhuachaill! :-)

[Happygal]

Do you know that old Mr. Fitzpatrick, used to manage the hotel on the end of my street (The Talbot Hotel). If you run across his son over there, tell him Wexford is asking for him! :-)

[Clemenza]

For REAL Irish pubs, brougues and all, go to Bay Ridge Brooklyn or Katonah Avenue in the Bronx.

[Clemenza]

Ah, memories of student drunkeness in the mid-90s at McSorley's, followed by a stumble to Kiev...

[Dan from Michigan]

There's only one thing worse than a bad pint of Guinness, and that's the uneducated hoor that pulled it!!!

The worst I've EVER seen was at a sports bar in Lansing. They poured it in a PLASTIC CUP. I almost cried.

Luckily, Moriarty's down the road there has it right. And they are the only place I know that can pour a Black and Tan perfectly as well.

[KosmicKitty]

December 30th, 1979 - my friend Jeff took me & 3 of my girlfriends to McSorely's

One of the more memorable nights of my life

I carved my initials in the bar, just right of center, SRE (well, they were my initials at the time). Wonder if they're still there.

Remember my girlfriend, Pam, getting a bit freaked about the coed bathroom!!

Will have to take my kids there - wow- how did I get so old!!!

[petercooper]

You should be able to find it online

http://www.beerwineonline.com/Main/BuyingBeerOnline.html

[Happygal]

I'm starting to cry now.

A Black and Tan?
Guinness should ONLY be consumed in it's virginal state.
Putting Smithwicks or some other ale into it is Guinness for lightweights.
Have a soda and sit in the corner ;-)

BTW..they don't call it a 'Black and Tan' because of how it looks ye know! Do you know what those Black and Tan bastids did in 1916! And ye call yerself an Irishman! *LOL* ;-)

[Dan from Michigan]

Guinness should ONLY be consumed in it's virginal state.

Don't cry. That's how I normally drink it 99% of the time. BTW - There's a reason why the Irish rises to the top of a Black and Tan. :)

Do you know what those Black and Tan bastids did in 1916!

I can't believe I didn't make that connection, and I'm a history buff.(Good thing I'm back in school...and taking an Irish History class)

And ye call yerself an Irishman! *LOL* ;-)

My lapse must have come from the Spanish blood from the Armada...:)

[Oschisms]

Shoot, I don't really drink much Guinness... It ain't that easy to do after a 5 mile run. I'll take a Bud, thank you.

But if I haven't run that day... I'd say Dublin House on 79th and Broadway. (Though it was a touch too bitter last week)

The Kinsale Tavern on 3rd Ave. between 93rd and 94th is the closest place to my house with a decent pint.

The closest place to McSorleys is the Scratcher, 5th st between Bowery and 2nd Ave. (They don't have a spirits license, just beer and wine)

You can get a decent pint of Guinness in any number of places in this town, it just takes trial and error. With my lifestyle, I've made a lot of errors.

[Oschisms]

BTW, never been to McSorleys. Don't care. Plenty of other places.

[Happygal]

~holds Oschims down in a head lock~

TAKE IT BACK!!!!!! DAMNIT

There is no way that a urine sample (Budweiser) compares to a (three course meal) Guinness.

[Oschisms]

hee hee

A most enjoyable headlock.

Since I've been a runner, I drink watery beer. And Bud is good for what it is, which is watery beer.

A 3 course meal after a 5 mile run? Not me. Someone else.