McSorley’s: From Men-Only to Shared History

McSorley’s Old Ale House has been around since 1854, holding its ground in New York City as a bar where not much changes—and that was kind of the point. It became known for doing things its own way: sawdust on the floor, beer served two mugs at a time, and a deep resistance to anything that resembled modern updates. For a long time, that included who was allowed to walk through the front door.

For over a century, McSorley’s held fast to a men-only rule. It wasn’t just part of its brand—it was part of its identity. That changed in 1970, not by choice, but by law. A federal court ruling forced the bar to serve women, marking the end of one chapter and the start of another. It wasn’t smooth, and it wasn’t immediate, but it was necessary.

A Bar Stuck in Its Ways

For 116 years, McSorley’s ran on its own terms. Two types of ale, both served two mugs at a time. No music, no frills, and definitely no women. Its walls were (and still are) covered in old clippings, faded portraits, and even Houdini’s handcuffs. The bar was a holdover from another era, with a slogan that said everything it stood for: “Good Ale, Raw Onions, and No Ladies.”

The Lawsuit That Changed the Rules

In 1969, two lawyers—Faith Seidenberg and Karen DeCrow—walked in and got turned away simply because they were women. They filed a lawsuit saying that since McSorley’s was licensed to serve the public, it had no legal ground to exclude anyone based on gender.

A year later, Judge Walter Mansfield agreed. The court ruled that the bar’s policy went against the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. McSorley’s had to let women in.

Adjusting to the New Normal

Change didn’t come easy. The bar didn’t add a women’s restroom until 1986—sixteen years after the ruling. Some regulars weren’t thrilled either, but over time, the pushback faded. The bar adapted, the regulars adjusted, and the doors stayed open.

What It’s Like Today

McSorley’s hasn’t lost its character. The two-beer rule is still in place. The sawdust still covers the floor. And the layers of history still hang on the walls. But now, the crowd is more mixed. The place still feels like a throwback, but it’s no longer stuck in the past.

Visit McSorley’s

You’ll find it at 15 E 7th St in Manhattan’s East Village. It’s not fancy, and that’s the point. Come for a cold beer, and you’ll leave with a story or two. Visit McSorley’s Official Website

Conclusion

McSorley’s didn’t decide to change on its own, but it did change—and it’s better for it. What happened in 1970 wasn’t just about a legal order. It was about making space in a place that had shut people out for generations. That decision turned a one-sided legacy into a broader, more inclusive story.

The walls still talk at McSorley’s. They just speak to more people now. It’s still the same place in many ways—but the crowd reflects a fuller version of the city outside. And that’s part of what keeps it relevant.

More…

• https://www.ny.eater.com/2015/1/21/7865851/crusader-for-women-at-mcsorleys-faith-seidenberg-dies-at-91
• https://www.untappedcities.com/the-top-10-secrets-of-mcsorleys-old-ale-house-in-nyc/
• https://www.chowhound.com/1727631/oldest-ale-house-new-york-mcsorleys/
• https://www.overhereny.com/tariffs-take-center-stage-what-the-u-s-china-trade-spat-means-for-everyone/