EAST VILLAGE — McSorley's Old Ale House has re-opened after a brief closure by the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene largely due to a rat infestation.
The iconic tavern was shuttered Wednesday when a health inspector discovered rat droppings in the basement, as well as food stored at an unsafe temperature, according to the DOH.
The bar was slated for a Monday hearing at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings and expected to re-open soon after, owner Matthew Maher said at the time — and according to the businesses's Facebook page, everything went according to plan.
"We're back open for business! See you at McSorley's!!!" reads the announcement, posted Monday afternoon, which had garnered over a thousand 'likes' as of Tuesday morning. "And thank you for your support!"
Many fans of the 162-year-old pub took to the post to express their relief.
"Ah, then all is right with the world once again!!!" wrote one relieved bar-goer.
Owner Matthew Maher had attributed the rat infestation to a nearby city-led construction project — the years-long reconstruction of Cooper Square had recently wrapped up, he said, and the construction equipment had become a haven for the vermin.
He also speculated that the rodents had gotten into the building when the basement door was left open as workers re-installed a new heating system.
On Thursday, the business had hired an exterminator, was working to seal off the basement from vermin, and had purchased a new refrigerator to ensure food was safely stored, according to Maher's daughter, Teresa.
