August 29, 2011
With all the media reports that Hurricane Tropical Storm Irene was going to level New York City, I didn’t expect to be able to go out tonight, so I stocked up on booze and expected to stuck in my apartment all day and all of the night. Below is my stockpile for the storm which I figured would go on all though the day and into the night.
I ended up with three bottles of tea, four bottles of water, fifteen sixteen ounce bottles of Budweiser, 6 bottles of Red Stripe, three bottles of Ballantine Ale and four bottles of Diet Mountain Dew. Yeah, I admit I overdid it, but I was certain from the news reports that I’d lose power and that this thing would rage on through the day and night and wreak powerful damage.
Well, it came and went during the morning, I slept through it and now it’s just spitting a little rain and is a little windy out. So I’ve decided to have a few beers at home and then have my Sunday dinner at McSorley’s and meet some friends. Usually the place is packed, but since the subway is still down, I’m thinking it might be a good night to go there. We’ll see!
My neighborhood was lucky and this is the extent of the damage that came from Hurricane Tropical Storm Irene.
The skyline doesn't look threatening at all tonight.
And here we are, McSorley's Old Ale House. Hopefully it won't be packed in here like it usually is.
There's only one way to find out and that's to go through the doors and take a look.
Jesus Christ, it's fucking packed in here and really loud.
There's a small spot at the bar and I've managed to squeeze in.
A view of the bar from where I'm squeezed in at.
There's always sawdust on the floor in here.
A photo of someone taking a photo. We'll call this "Photo Squared."
And of course there's texting going on.
When you order one mug of beer at McSorley's, you get two, it's the way things are done here.
Michael's the only bartender on duty tonight...
And as you can see, he's very busy. There's a lot of thirsty people in here relieved that Irene didn't cause as much damage as the media predicted.
I got a ham and cheese sandwich for my Sunday dinner.
I slathered it with McSorley's spicy homemade mustard (sorry Kari and Britta) and it was delicious!
After I ate it, I went back and thanked Maeve in the kitchen for a job well done.
Here's the legendary wishbones that hang over the bar that recently had to be dusted off. You can read about it here.
And here's the Duncester, Ed and Goggla. We managed to score a table in the back, but it was still really loud in there.
And here's Lindsay and Shawn to complete the party!
After a couple of beers we were ready to move on and go to a quieter place. On the way out, The Duncester points to a picture of a friend of his on the wall.
It's Peter Farnan who was a manager/bartender at McSorley's in the '70's and '80's. His mother still lives in The Duncester's building.
And Shawn leads the way out the door and onto quieter pastures. Goodnight everybody and that includes you, Irene! See you tomorrow after dark.
McSorley’s Old Ale House
15 E 7th St (between 2nd and 3rd Avenue)
212-473-9148
Further reading: 365 Bars, Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, EV Grieve and Beer Travelers.
You might also like: Tom and Jerry, Tom and Jerry and Tom and Jerry’s.
Four Sunday Songs
Sunday Girl by Blondie
Sunday’s Best by Elvis Costello
Sunday Morning Coming Down by Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson
Sunday Bloody Sunday
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