Entry No. 10 — the New York City file — filed under: haunted

McSorley's Old Ale House

New York's oldest Irish saloon, pouring since 1854 and a men-only bar until a lawsuit forced it to admit women in 1970. The walls are caked in memorabilia untouched since 1910, including Houdini's handcuffs chained to the bar rail after the magician, a regular here, slipped a cop's cuffs in the early 1900s. Wishbones hung above the bar by WWI soldiers who never came home still dangle there, and regulars say a cat in the window means Houdini's ghost has come back.

The move: Order the only two choices (light or dark ale, served two mugs at a time) and hunt the ceiling for Houdini's cuffs and the dead soldiers' wishbones.

📍 Before you go Cash-only historically; gets packed and rowdy on weekends. The only drink choice is light or dark house ale, served in pairs.

• 📍 East Village, Manhattan
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 15 East 7th Street, New York, NY 10003

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23