Gekko is incorrect. There are many reasons to suffer the poor beer selection, crude accommodations and rustic fare at McSorley's. I like all the authentic 19th century memorabilia the original owners put up (in the 19th century) on the walls. I also like that the NYC Board of Health recently asked the present owners to please clean the turkey wishbones over the bar, which had been gathering dust sine WWI. For a partial listing of this extraordinary collection, see page 7 in "The Old House at Home" at link http://www.amazon.com/Up-Old-Hotel-J...0425491&sr=1-1

But, I must agree, it is no place for a beer connoisseur or the fastidious. The draw is it's history and the literature it inspired.

Adu's description is I am sure correct. Unfortunately, the same can be said for many bars in NY on St Patrick's Day.

I agree with much of the above as it relates to McSorley's. It is kinda gross, it does get too crowded, but I think the historical aspect makes it a "you need to go once" kind of place.

Having said that, I've been there way more than once. Out-of-town visitors always wanted to go, and they always had a good time - as did I. Plus, I got to lure them down the street to Burp Castle afterwards (or when McSorley's got TOO packed). :-)

Is Annie Moore's Pub next to GCT a lame recommendation? I like the bar and the food isn't horrible.

Wow, plenty of suggestions to choose from and I think I will give McSorley's a miss. Just so everyone knows, I am travelling from England and staying in Manhatten for 5 nights the week before Christmas. I am not really into the young scene (I am 55) but I do like a good night out and somewhere that has a good atmosphere. I thinks its going to take me all of the next 5 weeks to trawl through the suggestions and decide where to go.

Okay, that's good information to have. St. Mark's Place is probably NOT the place for you. Too young.

My DD and SIL play at the American Legion in Harlem on a Thursday night. It is listed as a jazz jam session you never know what musicians are going to turn up. Not your typical New York bar I would imagine.