[Photo by James and Karla Murray]
OK, the photo gives it away, of course.
Anyway, some interesting research via I Quant NY, who examined the data on New York State's open data website.
A few things from the post:
The oldest recorded NYC license in the dataset belongs to the Harmonie Club on E 60th St in the Upper East Side, though you have to be a member to enjoy a drink there. It dates to 1933. The oldest beer license is for Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island, which dates back to 1934. And the oldest liquor store license is from 1941, and it belongs to North End Wine and Liquor in the Bronx.
And in the East Village, the oldest license belongs to Vazac's/7B/Horseshoe Bar, which dates to 1948.
But what about, say, McSorley's?
Per I Quant NY:
Note that this does not mean these are in fact the oldest bars or restaurants, but rather the oldest with a single continuous liquor license and a proper start date on record.
McSorley's has changed hands a few times, he explains, the last being in 1977, when the state issued a new license.