And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
No visit to New York is complete without a visit to McSorley's. The oldest bar in NYC. This picture doesn't show it but hanging on the wall behind the bar is a simple chair upon which Abraham Lincoln stood during a campaign appearance. Women were not allowed in as late as 1970.
I lived on the East Coast for nearly 40 years and spend some time in NYC but never visited McSorley's Ale House. I have been told that the ceilings have rail like fixtures that contain tens of thousands of chicken wish bones that came from the "free lunch" that ale houses used to serve their drinking patrons.
It's turkey wishbones, maybe a couple of dozen, looped over the arms of two ceiling lamps. They were placed there after a free dinner provided to departing WWI GIs. Those who didn't return? The wishbones remained. About 10 years ago NYC Health Dept. demanded the bones be removed, hygienic concerns. McSorley's people carefully removed them, dusted them off and returned the ones that didn't break in the process. Used to be a lot more but certainly not tens of thousands. I visit McSorely's every time I visit NYC. Lots of videos available to learn why this place is amazing.
TOM: I thank you for the correction. My story originated in 1965 when my roommate at Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado, told it to me. I guess that being teenagers, the story was a bit exaggerated.
I really have no desire to go back to NYC after the past few years. I might make an exception for McSorley's, especially on a cold winter's day when they the coal-fired stove going. The turkey wishbone story was told to me directly by the owner. The go-to eats are the cheese and crackers!
The liverwurst on rye with raw onion and very hot mustard is a classic. I've got photos of the porcelain urinals column. They are molded like Buick fenders lined in a row. The only pisser I regret leaving... but the commotion in the front room... the back room... I've had some stellar moments at McSorley's.
Was there in 1990 for my friend’s bachelor party. Awesome bar, even though it is in NYC. The city was still in rough shape back then, whores, thieves, and drug users filled Time Square.
My first trip there was in 2017 on a visit to NYC. Wife grew up there and told me she was surprised they finally added a "women's" restroom. The dark beer is great and the food was delicious and reasonable.
I lived on the lower east side (6th and C) for a time in 66. McSorleys was on the way home from work on Union Square (or at least not too out of the way) and I would often stop there for dinner.
Ale that made guinness was "Today Only" 30 cents for one mug, 35 for 2. The sign looked like it had been there forever. A 1/2" thich slab of roast beef on deli rye bread with a slice of raw onion and change back from a dollar.
Still no women allowed then.
Great stories about "McSorley's Wonderful Saloon" in Joseph Mitchell's book of that name from the 1940s or 50s.
The forever situation in McSorely's is you get two medium glasses of ale. Amounts to about a pint. The only beverage in the building is light ale and dark ale. They'll split the flavor per order if you ask but ale is all it is. If you order a MaiTaiCocktail you'll be laughed out the door. My sister did that one time but they were lenient with her. Embarrassed the crap out of me. It's been maybe 8 years last time I was in there so I can't say what it costs these days. I live in Santa Fe but I began life on the east coast.
No visit to New York is complete without a visit to McSorley's. The oldest bar in NYC. This picture doesn't show it but hanging on the wall behind the bar is a simple chair upon which Abraham Lincoln stood during a campaign appearance. Women were not allowed in as late as 1970.
ReplyDeleteazlibertarian
May you always stay open, never change the decor, once your gone should that happen the likes of you will never again appear.
ReplyDeleteThe beer must simply taste better there than anywhere- just because.
ReplyDeleteUsed to be cash only, like JG Melon's (3rd @ 74th).
ReplyDeleteI lived on the East Coast for nearly 40 years and spend some time in NYC but never visited McSorley's Ale House. I have been told that the ceilings have rail like fixtures that contain tens of thousands of chicken wish bones that came from the "free lunch" that ale houses used to serve their drinking patrons.
ReplyDeleteIt's turkey wishbones, maybe a couple of dozen, looped over the arms of two ceiling lamps. They were placed there after a free dinner provided to departing WWI GIs. Those who didn't return? The wishbones remained. About 10 years ago NYC Health Dept. demanded the bones be removed, hygienic concerns. McSorley's people carefully removed them, dusted them off and returned the ones that didn't break in the process. Used to be a lot more but certainly not tens of thousands. I visit McSorely's every time I visit NYC. Lots of videos available to learn why this place is amazing.
DeleteTOM: I thank you for the correction. My story originated in 1965 when my roommate at Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado, told it to me. I guess that being teenagers, the story was a bit exaggerated.
DeleteI really have no desire to go back to NYC after the past few years. I might make an exception for McSorley's, especially on a cold winter's day when they the coal-fired stove going. The turkey wishbone story was told to me directly by the owner. The go-to eats are the cheese and crackers!
ReplyDeleteThe liverwurst on rye with raw onion and very hot mustard is a classic. I've got photos of the porcelain urinals column. They are molded like Buick fenders lined in a row. The only pisser I regret leaving... but the commotion in the front room... the back room... I've had some stellar moments at McSorley's.
DeleteWas there in 1990 for my friend’s bachelor party. Awesome bar, even though it is in NYC. The city was still in rough shape back then, whores, thieves, and drug users filled Time Square.
ReplyDeleteMy first trip there was in 2017 on a visit to NYC. Wife grew up there and told me she was surprised they finally added a "women's" restroom. The dark beer is great and the food was delicious and reasonable.
ReplyDeleteI worked for Roche Labs in Nutley NJ in the late 90's. My first visit to the city was a pub crawl that started at McSorley's.
ReplyDeleteI lived on the lower east side (6th and C) for a time in 66. McSorleys was on the way home from work on Union Square (or at least not too out of the way) and I would often stop there for dinner.
ReplyDeleteAle that made guinness was "Today Only" 30 cents for one mug, 35 for 2. The sign looked like it had been there forever. A 1/2" thich slab of roast beef on deli rye bread with a slice of raw onion and change back from a dollar.
Still no women allowed then.
Great stories about "McSorley's Wonderful Saloon" in Joseph Mitchell's book of that name from the 1940s or 50s.
Picture looks just like I remember.
How much is a glass of ale these days? How much for 2?
ReplyDeleteThe forever situation in McSorely's is you get two medium glasses of ale. Amounts to about a pint. The only beverage in the building is light ale and dark ale. They'll split the flavor per order if you ask but ale is all it is. If you order a MaiTaiCocktail you'll be laughed out the door. My sister did that one time but they were lenient with her. Embarrassed the crap out of me. It's been maybe 8 years last time I was in there so I can't say what it costs these days. I live in Santa Fe but I began life on the east coast.
DeleteThe motto at McSorley's: "Be Good or Be Gone.'
ReplyDeleteMy kinda ah Place!!!
ReplyDelete