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New York City's real Irish (bars)

By Cristina Velocci | Special to Metromix

11:58 AM EDT, March 11, 2008

A bartender juggles pints of ale at McSorley's Old Ale House. The East Village landmark, which has seen the likes of Abe Lincoln and others, is one of the city's oldest bars. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Spend St. Pat's Day among the city's most historic Irish bars.

Combine the dozens of "traditional" Irish-pub poseurs with every Blarney Stone this city has to offer and it's not hard to see how the spirit of St. Patrick's Day could become as diluted as a gimmicky green beer. Instead of spending March 17 at an Irish caricature, check out some of the city's most historic Irish pubs, which have been around long enough to perfect the authentic St. Pat's celebration.

The Ear Inn Located on the bottom floor of the three-story James Brown House (no, not that James Brown -- the aide to George Washington), this West Soho watering hole has been brewing beer and serving drinks to idling sailors and longshoremen. It was simply known as "the Green Door" during its run as a speakeasy, but it wasn't until 1977, when its then-owners painted the neon "bar" sign outside to read "ear" as a nod to the musical magazine published upstairs. On the 17th, kick back and allow one of the friendly Irish waitresses pull you a draft of Guinness while you listen to Norah Jones' trombonist J. Walter Hawkes play live jazz at midnight. (326 Spring St., 212-226-9060)

P.J. Clarke's Though there are three locations in Manhattan, only this two-story redbrick oasis amid a sea of skyscrapers could draw Frank Sinatra back at the end of each night. (Other locations: across the street from Lincoln Center and at the World Financial Center). The Irish immigrant Patrick J. Clarke purchased the saloon after 10 years of working there, lent his name; old portraits, antique paraphernalia and charming bartenders in ties lend a sense of history (this, despite a massive restoration at the hands of Timothy Hutton and George Steinbrenner, among others, six years ago). A yearly St. Patrick's Day party overtakes the front bar section on the big day. (915 Third Ave., 212-317-1616)

P.J. Hanley's Representing Brooklyn, P.J. Hanley's is not only a bona fide authentic Irish tavern (look to any of the vintage photographs lining the tin walls for proof), but it's one of the borough's oldest bars, operating since 1874. Don't expect the typical slew of hipsters hanging here, as they may be received with less than open arms (though those in the armed forces certainly are: For anyone wearing a military uniform, the first drink is on the house). For the rest of us, $4 pints of Guinness and $1 domestic drafts will have to do. (449 Court St., 718-834-8223)

Landmark Tavern Think 11th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen feels like the end of the earth? Well, at one point it was (for the island of Manhattan, anyway) when Patrick Henry Carley opened his Irish waterfront saloon in 1868. Though the shores of the Hudson have since given way to 12th Avenue, the Tavern still affords righteous water views. After years of steady degradation, Landmark was taken over by the owners of nearby Druids, who temporarily closed its doors and (to the dismay of some) refurbished the space into a polished pub with inlaid tile floors, a tin ceiling and an original Mahogany bar carved from a single tree. Every Monday night, banjo, harmonica and fiddle players Don Meade and Co. jam in a traditional Irish music session from 8 to 11p.m., and this St. Patty's Day is no exception. (757 11th Ave., 212-757-8595)

Desmond's Tavern Though this gritty Irish pub has only been operating since 1936, making it the youngest bar on this list, the few times its ownership has changed hands makes it the fourth-oldest continuously operating bar in Manhattan -- not an insignificant claim to fame. In addition to nine draught beers (all gems along the Smithwick's line) and a dozen more by the bottle, the bar carries authentic Irish whiskeys, such as Tullamore Dew, Bushmill, and Jameson -- all of which were likely served by Veronica Lake when she waitressed here in the '40's. Paul and Linda McCartney, as well as Kevin Costner, are among the host of celebrities known to have swung by. (433 Park Ave. S., 212-725-9864)

McSorley's Old Ale House Can't write about New York pub history without mentioning this classic, if overexposed, tavern. Every day at McSorley's celebrates the convivial spirit of the Emerald Isle (its 1854 origins began as an Irish working man's tavern), so it should be no surprise that the self-professed oldest "continuously operated" saloon doesn't have any grand plans for St. Pat's beyond opening at 8 a.m. -- two hours earlier than usual. The only permissible beverage, aside from the house ale, sold in half-pint pairs of one light and one dark, is the house soda stored in the old ice chest behind the bar. Though everyone from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon has trekked through these sawdust-strewn floors, McSorley's golden rule of "Be Good or Be Gone," hung proudly above the fireplace, ensures that each reveler earns his standing-room-only spot. (15 E. 7th St., 212-473-9148)