Portraits by Jill DeGroff
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One frigid day in 2006, Dale and I dropped into McSorley's Old Ale House to warm our feet by the pot belly stove and have a couple of beers. We were lucky enough to meet the proprietor, Matthew Maher. He told us his story of how he came to work at McSorley's thirty years ago after a chance encounter and a three day bender. I realized then, that I needed to get a story from everyone I drew. Since that day, I've collected nearly 500 caricatures and stories, many of which appear in my book, Lush Life; Portraits from the Bar.

Here's to all the great characters and old souls who know how to tell a good story. May this great saloon tradition live on.

CHEERS,
Jill DeGroff