In my pre-convention guide to NYC, I said that Pete’s Tavern and McSorley’s Ale House contend for the honor of being the oldest bar in NYC. They do contend, but not, it seems, with reason, according to Mr. Richard McDermott, who wrote to tell me (with copious documentation) that the oldest drinking establishments in NYC are The Bridge Cafe (1794), Pete’s Tavern (1851), Fanelli’s Cafe (1857), and McSorley’s Ale House (1862).

Anybody disagrees with that, you’ll have to take it outside.