McSorley's Old Ale House

Founded in 1854 by Irish immigrant John McSorley, this East Village landmark claims the title of New York’s oldest continuously operating bar. Presidents (Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt), song-writers (Woody Guthrie), and Beatles (John Lennon) have all squeezed onto its well-worn benches. Inside, pot-bellied stoves glow, wishbones from WWI soldiers hang above the bar, and century-old newspaper clippings blanket walls seasoned with history—and ale. The menu is famously simple: order “light” or “dark” and you’ll automatically get two half-pint mugs of McSorley’s house brew; pair them with a cheddar-and-raw-onion plate, a liverwurst sandwich, or a steaming bowl of chili. Don’t bother pulling out plastic—the place is strictly cash-only, and minors are shown the door after 6 p.m. Though the crowd now ranges from neighborhood regulars to camera-wielding tourists, the bartenders keep the no-nonsense charm alive, slinging beer with practiced speed across the scarred wooden bar. Whether you come for cheap rounds, living history, or the unmistakable scent of sawdust, McSorley’s offers a uniquely unpolished slice of New York that hasn’t changed much since horse-drawn carriages rattled past East 7th Street.