McGillin's Old Ale House in Philadelphia National Trust for Historic Preservation

Table Of Content

• February 8, 2023 - 30th Anniversary Owning McGillin's
• Philly Park Friends celebrate 30 years of nurturing the neighborhood
• McGillin's Olde Ale House starts year-long celebration for bartender's 50th work anniversary
• “Room for improvement.” Philly restaurateurs present case for making streeteries process better
• - Villanova National Basketball Championship
• May 2024 in Philly: The 35+ Biggest Events, Festivals & Exhibitions
• Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums & Attractions in Philly

Its beer taps have been flowing since 1860 — making it the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia. McGillin’s has outlasted Strawbridge’s, the Civil War and even Prohibition. McGillin’s celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2010. McGillin’s Olde Ale House threw open its doors the year Lincoln was elected president. That’s shortly after the Liberty Bell cracked and long before ground was broken for Philadelphia City Hall. The beer taps have been flowing since 1860 — making it the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia and one of the oldest taverns in the country.

February 8, 2023 - 30th Anniversary Owning McGillin's

John Wanamaker, whose flagship department store was nearby, was said to be a frequent customer. “We have heard stories that he did, I assume, in his younger years as he died during prohibition,” said Mullins. And even after the holiday, there’s no rest for the weary. Murph’s is an Irish pub in Fishtown that also happens to make some of our favorite Italian food in the city. The Continental is an upscale diner in Old City where you should go for brunch or for late-night eats until 1am.

Philly Park Friends celebrate 30 years of nurturing the neighborhood

Irish bar - and Philadelphia's oldest - hailed 'unmissable' in city's first-ever Michelin Green Guide - Irish Star

Irish bar - and Philadelphia's oldest - hailed 'unmissable' in city's first-ever Michelin Green Guide.

Posted: Tue, 23 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Besides being one of the oldest bars in Philly, McGillin’s in Midtown Village is also the entire city’s favorite place to day drink and watch sports. If you’re in Philly during football or baseball season and can’t get tickets to the real thing, there’s no better place to be. They also have a fireplace, so it’s especially useful in the winter when all of the outdoor beer gardens are closed and day drinking options have dwindled. McGillin’s has been featured on numerous “Best Of” lists, including being named one of the “14 coolest bars in America” by Gourmet magazine and one of the “50 best Irish pubs in America” by Complex magazine. In addition to these accolades, it boasts a collection of iconic vintage Philadelphia signs from bygone stores and businesses, like Woolworth's and the John Wanamaker Department Store.

McGillin's Olde Ale House starts year-long celebration for bartender's 50th work anniversary

For its annual holiday celebrations, the city’s oldest tavern expects so many customers its restrooms cannot accommodate them. The bar stocks a great selection of local beers like Yuengling, Yards and Victory, while the televisions are always tuned to the most important local sporting event. In 2013, Gourmet magazine called McGillin's one of the three coolest bars in the United States.

“Room for improvement.” Philly restaurateurs present case for making streeteries process better

Mullins said many Irish tourists visiting Philadelphia stop by the tavern, which can be hard to find, as Drury Street is a small side street. Prior to cell phones, many customers or potential customers could wander for a while before they found it. In 2003, a business older than McGillin’s, J.E. Caldwell, a jeweler who started in 1839, closed, and its sign was added to the collection. This year, the tavern will feature a twist on the traditional Irish Coffee, called a Nutty Irishman Coffee. It is the same as the Irish Coffee but with an added shot of Frangelico (hazelnut liquor).

- Villanova National Basketball Championship

Not only did our city lay the framework for the founding of our country, but we set precedents with our shops, architecture, bars, restaurants, and more. It’s no surprise then that the oldest bar in Philadelphia has a fascinating history, and it remains one of Philly’s go-to spots nearly 160 years after it opened. That was the extent of Doyle’s application and interview process.

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During Prohibition, Ma McGillin hires a chef. Serves food and ice cream and perhaps, a few tea cups were tipped on the second floor. McGillin’s is only closed a few days a year  – and Thanksgiving is one of them.

More than 100 years ago, Christopher’s grandparents immigrated to America making McGillin’s especially proud to be part of this campaign that helps immigrants get a fighting chance here. McGillin’s served blue beer in honor of Villanova’s National Basketball Championship in 2016 and again in 2018. Le Bec Fin, which kicked off Philadelphia’s restaurant renaissance in 1970, closes and its sign is added to collection at McGillin’s. Third generation of Spaniak family joins management team at McGillin’s — Christopher Mullins, Jr., son of Mary Ellen & Chris Mullins & grandson of Henry Spaniak.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums & Attractions in Philly

As with most bars and restaurants whose reputations precede them, crowds are commonplace at McGillin’s. Don’t expect lighting-speed service if your visit falls during a weekend or weeknight special (which is basically every day, considering there’s always something on offer). That said, the staff hustle hard to keep service moving. If you can, seek out a barstool in front of barman John Doyle, who’s as much legend as the place itself (he’s been behind the bar at McGillin’s for more than 40 years). In 1910, the bar celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new brick facade and officially changed its name to McGillin’s Olde (the "e" seems to have been dropped in recent years) Ale House.

Initially called The Bell in Hand, the famous pub opened its doors in 1860 in the home of Irish immigrant William "Pa" McGillin, the owner and operator of the establishment. It was nicknamed McGillin's by those who frequented the establishment, and the bar took on the title as its official name. The Sons of Ben, a supporter group of Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union, was created at McGillin’s! Bryan James, Andrew Dillon, and David Flagler founded the Sons of Ben supporters club on January 17, 2007, the 301st anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s birthday. Philadelphia soccer fan Ethan Gomberg suggested the name.

So one night when the doorman had to use the bathroom, he asked Doyle to watch the door and he did. “I would stand by the door, look around, and just have a couple of drinks,” he said. Mulllins does not have children, but said he has many nieces and nephews who might someday carry on the family tradition of hosting an Irish pub. In 1993, Mullins’ parents, Chris Sr. and Henry’s daughter, Mary Ellen Spaniak Mullins, bought the tavern when the city was again on shaky economic ground. A comeback that begun under Mayor Ed Rendell’s administration benefitted McGillin’s and every other restaurant and bar in the city.

They belly up to the bar, reliving the glory days. Generally speaking, McGillin’s gets progressively louder, busier, and younger as the night goes on. During the Mummer’s Parade, whet & warm your whistle by the fire at McGillin’s.

The Sons of Ben are the first Philadelphia Union supporters club, and use the Philadelphia civic colors of light blue and yellow as opposed to the darker shades officially used by the team. The Sons of Ben began during a flurry of rumors regarding Major League Soccer’s negotiations with investors regarding a potential team in the Philadelphia region. Sign added to McGillin’s collection of iconic Philadelphia signs. America celebrates 100th Anniversary, The Centennial. John Wanamaker Department Store opens around the corner from McGillin’s (now Macy’s). Wanamaker sign part of McGillin’s collection of iconic Philadelphia signs.