McSorley's Old Ale House

Touting a long and storied history, as the supposed oldest Irish saloon in New York City, is McSorley’s. First opened in 1854 by John McSorley, the bar initially operated as a hang-out spot for working class men (women weren’t permitted until 1970). With a long-standing motto of “Be Good or Be Gone,” throughout the years, McSorley’s became a hub and source of inspiration for loads of legendary patrons like Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and E. E. Cummings. These days, the spot still flaunts decades-old memorabilia like a pair of Harry Houdini’s handcuffs and wishbones circa World War I. The menu is kept short and sweet here with a choice between two specialty beers: Light ale or dark porter.