McSorley's Old Ale House

There seems to be a place – a theme for every square inch of the wonderful Old Ale House, and the northwest corner of the backroom is a monument to music. J. Giles donated a gold record from his million selling album "Love Stinks", the so and so album hangs there along with period sheet music.

Underneath the gold record hangs a complete collection of John Sloan's McSorley art works. The exit door (which was an alternate entrance during prohibition) is currently Stinky and Minnie's (the house cats) way in and out when the crowds get too large.

The literary niche is next. Joseph Mitchell's book (McSorley's Wonderful Saloon) and his obituary from the New York Times, hangs beside a LIFE magazine feature story from 1943. You'll also find a signed copy of Frank McCourt's best-seller Angela's Ashes (A gift from the author after his Tom Snyder television interview which took place in the Old Ale House).

Stepping back into the front room we find the newspaper headline of Daily News (August 11th, 1970) which shouts the landmark admission of women, with an accompanying photo of reporter Marcia Kramer and then manager, Daniel Kirwin.

If the big wood bar is the heart of the Old Ale House, then certainly the coal burning stove is the soul. A fixture for as long as McSorley's has been in business and still working today, it has provided warmth for patrons on cold winter days and cooler nights – red hot fire burning – illuminating – casting it's glow upon every square inch of the place.

It's impossible to put into words the McSorley's experience – there's simply no substitute for being there. However, we hope, in our own small way, that we've given you a tipple of what you can expect when you finally come in and find out for yourself!

Previous Page | Page 3 of 3