Two and Two: McSorley's, My Dad, and Me

by Rafe Bartholomew

A deeply stirring memoir of fathers, sons, and the oldest bar in New York City. Since it opened in 1854, McSorley's Old Ale House has been a New York institution. This is the landmark watering hole where Abraham Lincoln campaigned and Boss Tweed kicked back with the Tammany Hall machine. Where a pair of Houdini's handcuffs found their final resting place. And where soldiers left behind wishbones before departing for the First World War, never to return and collect them. Many of the bar's traditions remain intact, from the newspaper-covered walls to the plates of cheese and raw onions, the sawdust-strewn floors to the tall-tales told by its bartenders. But in addition to the bar's rich history, McSorley's is home to a deeply personal story about two Rafe Bartholomew, the writer who grew up in the landmark pub, and his father, Geoffrey "Bart" Bartholomew, a career bartender who has been working the taps for forty-five years. On weekends, Rafe Bartholomew would tag along for the early hours of his dad's shift, polishing brass doorknobs, watching over the bar cats, and handling other odd jobs until he grew old enough to join Bart behind the bar. McSorley's was a place of bizarre rituals, bawdy humor, and tasks as unique as the bar protecting the decades-old dust that had gathered on treasured artifacts; shot-putting thirty-pound grease traps into high-walled Dumpsters; and trying to keep McSorley's open through the worst of Hurricane Sandy. But for Rafe, the bar means home. It's the place where he and his father have worked side by side, serving light and dark ale, always in pairs, the way it's always been done. Where they've celebrated victories, like the publication of his father's first book of poetry, and coped with misfortune, like the death of Rafe's mother. Where Rafe learned to be part of something bigger than himself and also how to be his own man. By turns touching, crude, and wildly funny, Rafe's story reveals universal truths about family, loss, and the bursting history of one of New York's most beloved institutions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, New York, Biography Memoir

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2017

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heard about this through the Longform podcast, and it was a good listen! The book was an enjoyable read, I liked hearing about all the history and the logistics of working in a bar. It was neat to hear about how Rafe learned to tell his own version of the bar tales.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. A story of love between a son and his father, and a story of love between a bar and it’s city. There are joys and loss along the way, and so many incredible stories. Just a joy to read.

[Aengus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book brought back a lot of fond memories of raucous evenings spent in a small room smelling like 200 years of spilled beer(the room, not me). While McSorley's Old Ale House has been written about before, notably by the legendary Joseph Mitchell, Rafe Bartholomew, a fine writer himself is uniquely qualified to add to the canon: his father has been the chief bartender there for over 30 years, and Bartholomew grew up working there.
He gives a pretty good account of the labor involved in operating New York's oldest continually operating tavern-nauseating bathroom duty, back breaking ale delivery, etc. He has lots of bar stories, but they quickly descend into "One time, there was a guy so drunk. . " territory. Where the book shines is Bartholomew's stories about him and his father, a recovering alcoholic, and failed novelist who found his metier as poet laureate of McSorleys. But I found it strange that this son and grandson of alcoholics who has spent goodly time serving drinks to sots doesn't have a lot to say about the problems caused by drink. McSorley's is a convivial place, nothing to see here. Contrast this with J.R. Moehringers' "The Tender Bar", another tale of growing up in a saloon. Moehringer loves his bar, but uses it to come to grips with his own alcoholism.
Maybe I'm being too harsh. If you want to add to your McSorley's library, or want a touching father/son memoir, "Two and Two" is a fine book.

[Dave Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, but I'm most definitely biased. I've been a patron of McSorley's for over 35 years, and Rafe's dad, Bart, has been pouring my ales since before it was legal for him to serve me. I know many of the characters Rafe portrays, and I have an intimate view of what it's like to be a patron of McSorley's, but it was fascinating to see the view from the other side of the bar, and learn so much about how the place operates.

So, what does "Two and Two" offer the reader who's not familiar with the bar? You get a wonderful father-and-son story. For me, the best part was how Bart and Rafe end up sharing not one but two careers. You also get a funny and honest picture of how men interact when there are no women around. Even though women have played key roles in the bar's history (and that will certainly be even more true in the future), it's still very much a man's place, and than comes though in Rafe's loving description of the bar and the people that work there. And finally, you get that loving, detailed picture of McSorley's itself, which is as much a character of the book as Bart and Rafe. Places with a history like McSorley's are rare and unique, and seeing such a place through the eyes of someone who literally grew up there is very much a treat.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.

This is a book that I never would have picked off a shelf to read on my own so I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying this book. While at first glance it might just seem like a story about a bar, Bartholomew writes a beautiful and vivid memoir about his life growing up in New York with McSorley's as the focal point from which he shares many important life stages and events. He recounts happy, sad, funny, sometimes crude, and meaningful moments in his life, focusing especially on his relationship with his father, a longtime McSorley's bartender, in a way that transports the reader into the front room of the historic bar. He describes the atmosphere, as well as the cast of characters that the bar has drawn over the years, in such a way that this place and these people come to life. And along with all the times you'll find yourself chuckling at some of the stories, the book also serves as a touching tribute to his dad and provides an intimate view of the bond between father and son. A touching, funny and enjoyable memoir!

[Brad Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

McSorley's Old Ale House is an iconic saloon in lower Manhattan that's been serving light and dark ale since 1854. My own experiences there started in 1980, as a 16 year old Stuyvesant student, listening to Frank McCourt tell tales of Limerick in the back room. In the 30+ years since, I've come to love the dirty old bar on East 7th street and love to swap stories about it. So when I saw this book was coming out, I immediately let my kids know that I wanted it for Fathers' Day. As soon as I received the book, I dove in and thoroughly enjoyed every page. From funny back room tales of vomit and chaos to touching stories of family, Two and Two was one of the most enjoyable reads I've ever had.
The only downside is the now I NEED to trek to McSorleys for an evening!

[Mike Thornberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good quick read on a historic NYC landmark I've bee a patron of occasionally since 1979. Have to visit again soon.

In fact, will go with my son on 6 August, my birthday as pregame "2 & 2" and burgers as pregame for Dropkick Murphys and Rancid at Coney Island. Seems appropriate.

[Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I thought he came across as one of those young authors trying to tell a story he just was not mature enough to tell. My take completely changed and I connected with his voice and realness when he wrote about his mother. After that chapter and the rawness he so honestly shares, I was completely engrossed and loved how he ended the story. Definitely a pleasant surprise.

[Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Heartwarming memoir about father and son, and Mcsorley's, and what it means to them both. Well worth reading

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very heartfelt - true to the NYC pub scene and the father-son relationship that modeled the strengths and poignance needed for growing up to become a writer.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read Joseph Mitchell's "McSorley's Wonderful Saloon" or Luc Sante's accounts of the old Lower East Side, this should be next on your list. McSorley's is the oldest bar in Manhattan. The author grew up at the legendary ale house, helping his dad who managed the bar for over 40 years. This is a history of the place with stories passed through generations. It's a memoir of his close family upbringing. If you've ever worked behind a bar, you'll be entertained. It's also a story of classic NYC and how the bar has withstood so many changes in its hundred plus years.
Ten minutes into this book I had a craving for a liverwurst and onion sandwich!

[Rhonda Lomazow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely memoir of this iconic bar Mcsorleys&of this wonderful family.The father and son will have you laughing smiling .Wish I could visit their bar,

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think I am really the target audience for this book, not being a guy and all. Oh, and I don't care for fart jokes or stories about projectile vomiting.

[L.C. Fiore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the author's Dad, McSorely's was the first bar I went to when I moved to NYC many years ago. I remember the old stove, the sawdust, sharing tables with strangers, and, one St. Patty's Day Eve, watching a drunken Irishman chug a jar of McSorely's homemade mustard.

It's a great place, and this is a great book. Especially if you've ever been there (and if you haven't, you'll make a point to go next time you're in Manhattan), but also if you've ever worked in a bar or restaurant, you'll appreciate this book.

The author Charles D'Ambrosio once challenged himself to write a short story that ended with the words "I love you." The result was the emotionally moving story "Drummond & Son."

Spoiler alert: Bartholomew accepted the same challenge and surpassed even D'Ambrosio's achievement by penning an amazing memoir and historical reckoning of arguably America's most iconic bar.

[Melissa Pietkiewicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I realize I am not the target audience for this book, even still, around 1/3rd of the way through I found myself enjoying it. While parts drug on a bit and the author romanticized the bar to the extreme at points, it was also a book about his family-- both the one he created in the bar and the ones he lived with. I like how he became part of the history of the place in his own way and we get to see a bit of tenderness from his dad at a point or two. If Goodreads let me choose, I'd give the book a 2 and a half. The author is clearly talented, it just wasn't my favorite subject matter.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joseph Mitchell's essay about McSorley's saloon, The Old House at Home, published in the New Yorker in 1940, is one of my favorite pieces of non-fiction ever. I also thoroughly enjoyed Rafe Bartholomew's book about basketball in the Philippines. And I have a soft spot for father-son tales. So Two and Two seemed like the quintessential book for me. I enjoyed Bartholomew's bar tales, and found it entertaining, but it lacked the depth and quirk of Mitchell's piece. It seemed to want to appeal to the mainstream, and maybe it has, but I prefer my bar books a little grimier.

[CSC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blew through this lively tale of an East Village institution in no time flat. Particularly compelling because it spanned both the vast history of the bar, as well as more recent events that I can actually recall being here for as a more newly-minted New Yorker (Hurricane Sandy, Bloomberg's war on the bar's cat and storied dusty chicken bones). Made me grateful for the time I've spent there over the years, and also long to become the kind of "regular" Bartholomew includes as he spins his yarns.

[Jim Willse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good effort, but not sure there's enough material to support an entire book. Since the place hasn't changed much in 160-plus years, there isn't much to say about its history that Joseph Mitchell didn't say in 1940 in the New Yorker. As a reminiscence of growing up in a saloon, it doesn't compare to JD Moehringer's The Tender Bar. Would have liked some information on the business of the place, including a basic fact like who makes its beer (it's now brewed by Pabst).

[Jason MARTIN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever sat in a bar, had a drink and felt completely at home even though you have never been there before? Did you feel a connection with the drink slingers and the other drinkers just because you were in that barp; whether you were sad, happy, disconsolate, otherwise? If so, this is the book you need to read and then pass on to other bar drinkers, sad sacks and poets who need an ale or two to grease the creative skids....a love story between father and son for the ages and drinkers....

[Koren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just a memoir of a father and son who shared a history of working in the same bar in New York, but also the history of a small bar in New York City. The bar has been in operation for over 100 years so there is a lot of history to tell. In a way it reminded me of the fictional bar Cheers. I was a little confused about why the dust was so special but I guess we all have feelings of nostalgia for weird things.

[Julie Witte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved a copy of this book through GoodReads First Reads. I worked as a bartender for about 30 years in a small town. This book took me back! The characters are great, the scenes are amazing, and the bond between the author and his family really touched me. If by chance you (Rafe) have a book of your poppa's poetry, feel free to send...julie

[Chet Makoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were intrigued by Joseph Mitchell’s stories in “McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon,” as was I, you will truly enjoy learning more about McSorley’s Old Ale House, a New York City institution, in this book written by Rafe Bartholomew, who, along with his father, have worked in the bar for many decades.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the stuff about McSorley's. I was hoping for more about it's history and some stories about the things in the bar. There is some of that, but it reads far more like an autobiography of a part-time employee and focuses more than I cared for on his personal life outside of the bar. Some of that is fine, but I'm disappointed there wasn't less of that and more of the bar's history.

[Sean Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding read. The first part of the book centers of the bar, which I became familiar with during my college years, and brought back many fond memories. The later stories get more personal, concerning his mother, and of course working at the bar with his father.

[Nancy Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Received this book as a giveaway. It took a little while to get into it, but really glad I continued as it picked up later. I found the patrons and staff endearing and if I am ever in the area, would like to visit.

[Ben Horne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rafe's relationship with his father carries the plot. Throughly enjoying their personal and work relationship and all the other stories that crossed paths with them.

Now I need a st pattys day sat McSorley's!!

[Kathy Heare Watts]

I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it to my local library.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 If you haven't been to McSorley's you need to go. I went for the first time last month and there is no other way to describe my experience but magical. Best story in the book by far is the one about Katz and Mel Gibson the racist dolphin.

[Robert Schemitsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of family and connections through the history and time of this historic bar. Reading it made me want to go right back to McSorleys with my friends and have those good times all over again! Highly recommend for people who have been to McSorleys

[Kevin Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read