McSorley's Cheers Its 155th Birthday

By
Sarah Kate Kramer
WNYC News | Jul 12, 2010

New York, NY —

McSorley's Old Ale House in the East Village had a 155th birthday party today.

Ale drinkers crowded the bar while a live band played Irish music. Many had been coming for generations, like Pat Merino.

MERINO: I had my first legal drink here, at age 18, in '66. Last August my son turned 21, I brought him here for his first legal drink, and then we did a little bar crawl. But I told him, your first legal drink has to be in McSorleys.

REPORTER: McSorley's is the oldest continuously operating saloon in New York City.

The sawdust covered floor has hosted many celebrities over the years, from Abraham Lincoln to John Lennon.

In 1970, under legal pressure, McSorley's finally opened its doors to women.

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Sarah Kate Kramer

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