The Oldest Ale House In New York City Was Also One Of The Last To Serve Women

The first evening of a co-ed McSorley's

On the inaugural evening when women were allowed into the bar, several of the first female patrons were served without any major issues—aside from a bit of booing from some male customers. However, an article from the New York Times archives recounts at least one significant altercation. It started when NOW Vice President Lucy Komisar attempted to grab a piece of paper from a man who had shown her an obscene poem, and it culminated in the man being ejected from the bar after he poured a stein of ale over Komisar's head. Following this incident, she reportedly sat down and enjoyed her own stein of ale, and as she was leaving, the bartender asked if she had a good time. "Not particularly," she replied, according to the archived article. "But politics isn't always fun."

Many men voiced their discontent at the thought of a space they once considered a "sanctuary" from women being disrupted. Others felt that the new policy wouldn't make much difference, believing that women wouldn't appreciate the bar's rough atmosphere. They thought women were more interested in simply having the right to enter. To some degree, this might have been accurate. A woman entering the bar could symbolize breaking down barriers, like the pub door, that had historically excluded women from certain spaces and experiences. However, women can certainly enjoy ale, hearty snacks, and lively moments with friends—after all, there are some pub dishes that everyone deserves to experience.