McSorley’s Old Ale House being the first pub to open in New York City has been around for quite a while compared to most businesses, since 1854 to be more specific. It has been passed along multiple generation since its founding by Irish immigrant John McSorley.
I came across a newspaper article from March 16th, 1936 from The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. It talks about how 75 year old William McSorley, son of John McSorley, has chosen to retire and give away his business to 58 year old police officer, Daniel O’Connell. The retiring owner did not give away his prized possession to any willing buyer, as O’Connell was a loyal customer and ale-lover for many years. The article talks about McSorley’s as a popular local business that seems to be important to many of the citizens int he surrounding neighborhood, since this was enough news to be mentioned in the newspaper.
Photographer: Abbott Berenice, McSorley’s Ale House
Taken: 1937-11-01
Looking at the photographs from the late 1930’s, you can tell what the general crowd of customers is like at the ale house. No women were allowed in the pub up until the 1970’s so of course they are all men. Many of the customers are sitting around the table and conversing so this was definitely a social atmosphere and a place for friends to gather and enjoy a beer. Because of their attire it may be disputed that they come here between or after work to relax and take a break.
Since the business has been around since the 19th century, one must wonder how a bar was able to operate and stay successful during the Prohibition Era, a time period int he 1920’s when alcohol was not allowed in the United States. Joseph Mitchel explores this technique in his novel McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon written in 1943. The 18th Amendment in the Constitution prohibited the sale, manafacture, or transport of alcohol within, into, or out of the United States. Because of the large number of bars already present in the city, it was hard for the government to completely monitor the illegal activity with an insufficient federal staff to enforce the law. The bar no longer had a brewery to produce beer in, so they had to improvise for their loyal customers. It’s important to note that the collapse of the Stock Market and the beginning of the Great Depression caused many people to turn to alcohol, so the pub owner had a larger number of customers to care for at the end of Prohibition. William McSorley is the creator of what he called “near beer” which was sold to customers during the Prohibition Era to substitute for their original famous ale. “McSorley’s ale was produced mysteriously in rows of barrels and washtubs in the cellar by a retired brewer named Barney Kelley.” (Mitchell, pg. 10) This method allowed the business to continue to flourish and overcome the obstacles of the government.
