The Beers and Burgers Crawl

New York’s East Village makes a fine setting for a food-and-drink walk, but this tour’s real hook is McSorley’s Old Ale House, the city’s oldest bar, opened in 1857. Guide Ben then leads you to 7B Horseshoe Bar, a local hangout with a Hollywood connection, and finishes at Alphabet City Beer Co. on Loisaida Avenue.

I like the small group size, capped at 12, and the way food is part of the route rather than an afterthought. I also like that Ben brings local knowledge and personal stories, giving you a view of New York far from Times Square. The main thing to consider is pace: in roughly two hours, you visit three bars and two food stops, so this is a tasting walk, not a long evening spent sitting in each place.

Key points to know before you book

• McSorley’s opened in 1857: You visit one of New York’s oldest drinking institutions and hear about its place in the city’s past.
• Three bars, two food stops: Expect burgers and a chicken sandwich along with drinks at the bars.
• Ben leads the walk: His local food knowledge and easy conversation are a major part of the experience.
• The route stays in the East Village: You move from Lafayette Street toward Loisaida Avenue, with neighborhood stories along the way.
• Groups stay small: A maximum of 12 people makes conversation easier than on a large bus or pub crawl.
• The first drink costs extra: The tour information explains that the first drink is paid by you, while a complimentary drink is provided at McSorley’s.

Why this East Village crawl works

The best thing about this experience is its sense of place. You are not being taken from one generic bar to another in different parts of Manhattan. The route stays in the East Village, a neighborhood where old taverns, immigrant stories, food shops, music history, and newer craft beer culture sit close together.

Ben’s role matters here. The supplied details identify him as a local who knows the area and enjoys talking about food and drink. His style, based on the experience description, is conversational rather than formal. You can expect stories about the neighborhood from the Prohibition era to today, along with background on the people who make the food and drinks you try.

That personal angle is especially useful if you are visiting New York for the first time. You get a meal, a few drinks, and a walking introduction to a part of Manhattan that can feel confusing at first. You also get the chance to ask questions as you go, rather than simply listening to a guide deliver a fixed speech.

The group limit of 12 helps. It is small enough for the outing to feel social without turning into a private tour. Solo visitors should find it easy to join the conversation, while couples and groups can enjoy the evening without being separated into different tables or vehicles.

Starting at Lafayette Street at 6:00 pm

The experience begins at 400 Lafayette Street at 6:00 pm. That start point places you near the western side of the East Village, making the opening walk part of the tour rather than a transfer between distant attractions.

The first 30 minutes are devoted to the neighborhood itself. This is a useful choice. You begin with context before settling into the drinking stops, and you get an idea of how the East Village changed from the Prohibition era to the present.

The exact route between stops is not given, so you should expect walking but not assume a particular distance or terrain. The activity is near public transportation, which makes getting to the start and leaving the final stop fairly practical. Wear shoes you can walk in, especially since you will be moving between bars and food locations instead of staying in one place.

Starting at 6:00 pm also gives the crawl a natural evening shape. You can make it an early-night activity, or continue elsewhere after the final stop. Since the official duration is about two hours, plan on finishing around 8:00 pm, though the timing can shift slightly depending on the group.

McSorley’s Old Ale House and the weight of 1857

McSorley’s is the tour’s strongest historical stop. It opened in 1857 and is described as New York’s oldest bar, giving the evening a clear anchor.

This is not just a place to grab a drink and move on. Ben explains the bar’s past and its connection to the neighborhood, with the Prohibition era included in the wider story of the East Village. For anyone interested in old New York, this stop gives the experience more substance than a standard bar crawl.

A complimentary drink is included at McSorley’s. The first drink on the tour is paid separately by you, as explained in the tour details, so keep that small extra cost in mind when working out the total price.

McSorley’s is also the stop most likely to appeal to people who prefer historic places over polished new venues. You are visiting a bar with more than a century and a half of life behind it. That does not mean everyone will find it comfortable or exciting, but it gives the tour a memorable reference point.

The tradeoff is time. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so you will not have a long period to sit and study every detail. The value comes from the combination of the setting, Ben’s explanation, and the included drink.

7B Horseshoe Bar, also called Vazacs

The next stop is 7B Horseshoe Bar, also known as Vazacs. It is presented as a local’s bar with a Hollywood background, which gives it a different character from McSorley’s.

That contrast is one of the better features of the route. McSorley’s represents an old New York institution. 7B offers a more off-the-beaten-track stop, one associated with local life and film history. You are not simply collecting famous names. You are seeing two different kinds of East Village drinking places.

The bar is described as a local’s-only style venue. You should not interpret that as a formal membership rule, but rather as a sign that it feels less aimed at sightseeing crowds. This is the sort of stop where Ben’s local perspective is useful, since he can explain why it matters and how it fits into the neighborhood.

The visit is planned for about 30 minutes. Drinks are included at the bars, but you should read the payment details carefully because the first drink is not covered. The supplied information does not specify a particular beer, cocktail, or serving size, so do not book this expecting a fixed tasting menu.

Alphabet City Beer Co. and the final stop

The crawl ends at Alphabet City Beer Co., at 96 Loisaida Avenue. This is a craft beer bar with a useful wine selection, giving the final stop a more modern feel than McSorley’s.

The change in style helps tell the larger East Village story. You begin with an old bar from the 19th century, visit a local venue with a screen connection, and finish at a place focused on craft beer and wine. That range makes the tour feel like a neighborhood introduction rather than a simple list of drinking stops.

The official stop length is about 30 minutes. The end point is supplied as Alphabet City Beer Co., so you can plan to leave from there. The tour does not promise a return to the starting point, and you should not expect the guide to escort you back across the neighborhood afterward.

For a visitor staying elsewhere in Manhattan, Alphabet City Beer Co. is near public transportation, but you should still check your own route before booking. The tour begins and ends in different places, which is useful for seeing more of the East Village but less convenient if you need to return to a vehicle parked near Lafayette Street.

Burgers, chicken sandwich, and what is actually included

Food is central to the experience. The route includes two dining stops, with a burger and a chicken sandwich specifically described in the available details. This is more substantial than a crawl built around small snacks, though you should think of it as a casual tasting meal rather than a full restaurant dinner.

The food also supports the tour’s focus on people and places. Ben is described as a food enthusiast who shares stories about the makers behind what you eat and drink. That can turn a quick sandwich into a better sense of how local food fits into the neighborhood.

The portions and exact restaurants are not specified in the tour information, so you should not assume a choice of entrée, dietary substitutions, or a plated multi-course meal. If you have strict dietary needs, ask before booking. Most people can participate, but that general statement does not confirm specific vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or gluten-free arrangements.

The timing may suit you if you want to eat while walking through the East Village. It may not suit you if you prefer long meals with table service. One less favorable account described the food as essentially a burger and chicken sandwich to go, while the tour provider clarified that the group sat down at three bars and had drinks at each. The practical lesson is simple: expect a moving food-and-drink outing, not an evening of extended dining.

Is $75 a fair price?

The price is $75 per person, before any drink expense not covered by the experience. That makes value depend on what you want from the evening.

If you count only the food, the price may feel high compared with buying a burger and sandwich on your own. You are paying for more than food, though. The fee covers a local guide, neighborhood interpretation, access to a structured route, food at two stops, and drinks at the bars according to the tour details, with the first drink specifically noted as extra.

The small group matters too. A maximum of 12 people gives the guide a chance to speak with you directly. You are also paying for the time saved in finding worthwhile places and linking them into a coherent walk.

I would consider the price reasonable for someone who wants a guided evening with food and local stories. It is less attractive if you mainly want to drink at length, choose your own food, or spend most of the night in one bar. Budget separately for the first drink, and remember that the total experience lasts only about two hours.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a good fit for solo visitors who want an easy social evening. The small group and shared food give you natural openings to talk, and Ben’s conversational style should help keep the mood relaxed.

Couples and small groups can also use it as a first-night activity. You get an introduction to the East Village without giving up an entire day, and the 6:00 pm start leaves room for later plans.

Food-focused visitors will appreciate the chance to try both a burger and a chicken sandwich while hearing about local food makers. Beer fans should enjoy the mix of an old ale house, a local bar, and a craft beer venue with wine available as another option.

This is not the best choice for someone seeking a detailed museum-style tour, a late-night pub crawl, or a long sit-down dinner. The pace is brisk, and the experience asks you to keep moving. It may also disappoint you if your idea of a beer tour means a precise flight of named beers with tasting notes, since the supplied information does not promise that format.

Useful planning details

You receive confirmation when booking, and the activity is offered in English. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate.

The maximum group size is 12. The experience lasts about two hours and starts at 6:00 pm from 400 Lafayette Street. It finishes at Alphabet City Beer Co., 96 Loisaida Avenue, so allow for a one-way route rather than a loop.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. That policy is worth noting if your New York schedule is still shifting.

The tour is booked, on average, about 17 days in advance. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but booking ahead is sensible if you want a particular evening.

Should you book the Beers and Burgers Crawl?

Book it if you want a compact, social introduction to the East Village built around real bars, casual food, and local stories. McSorley’s gives the evening a strong historic core, while 7B Horseshoe Bar and Alphabet City Beer Co. show different sides of the neighborhood.

Ben is an important part of the value. His local background, food knowledge, humor, and ability to connect the stops make this more personal than a self-guided bar list.

Skip it if you want a slow dinner, a technical beer tasting, or a night spent entirely in one famous bar. At $75, plus the first drink, the experience makes the most sense when you value the guide and the neighborhood context as much as the food and drinks.

FAQ

How much does the Beers and Burgers Crawl cost?

The price is $75 per person. The first drink is paid separately, as explained in the tour details.

How long does the experience last?

The crawl lasts approximately two hours.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is 400 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003.

Where does the tour end?

The experience ends at Alphabet City Beer Co., 96 Loisaida Avenue, New York, NY 10009.

How many bars do you visit?

The route includes three bars: McSorley’s Old Ale House, 7B Horseshoe Bar, and Alphabet City Beer Co.

Is food included?

Yes. Food is included at two dining stops, with a burger and a chicken sandwich described as part of the experience.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.