Table Of Content
- National Trust for Historic Preservation: Return to home page
- The oldest continuously operating pub in Philadelphia...
- President Joe Biden (then VP) visits McGillin's
- Awesome Things to Eat at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia
- Continental Restaurant & Martini Bar
- The Oldest Bar In Philadelphia Has A Fascinating History

The Continental is an upscale diner in Old City where you should go for brunch or for late-night eats until 1am. "He's a very dedicated man, very nice man; everyone loves him. I know he doesn't work full-time now, but still, he's very well-liked as you can tell by the turnout," said friend Robert Devitis. Mary Ellen & Chris Mullins, Sr marked the 30th year of owning McGillin’s, which they bought on February 8, 1993 from her father and uncle, Henry Spaniak and Joe Shepaniak.
National Trust for Historic Preservation: Return to home page
Fortunately, there was minimal damage to the 1st floor tavern. The band was playing “Light My Fire” as smoke filled the room and the crowd left in an orderly fashion, some even stopping to blow out the candles on their tables. In 2016 we installed a sprinkler system to ensure we’ll be around for years to come. Serves food and ice cream and perhaps, a few tea cups were tipped on the second floor.
The oldest continuously operating pub in Philadelphia...
Watch the games on our high def and projector screen TVs. Click here to see our new Baseball, Beers & Brotherly Love t-shirt & sweatshirt. And don’t miss our food & drink specials including our Phillie-tini and random dollar dog days throughout the season. 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 is known for being a place where people gather to celebrate milestones, big or small.

President Joe Biden (then VP) visits McGillin's
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. Catherine “Ma” McGillin, who had taken over operation of the establishment after her husband passed away in 1901, managed to carry the bar through Prohibition by hiring a chef. She served food and ice cream on the first floor and “tea” (i.e. bootleg liquor) on the second.
McGillin's Olde Ale House
"The truth is the people, I love meeting people." In 2013, Gourmet magazine called McGillin's one of the three coolest bars in the United States. 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. J.E. Caldwell, a jeweler in business since 1839, closes.
Awesome Things to Eat at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia
McGillin’s month-long Oktoberfest celebration continues through the Midtown Village Fall Festival. We’ll serve a rotating list of Oktoberfest beers, pumpkin beers and a rotating list of German food specials. We’ll be closed on the 4th of July – 1 of only 6 nights a year that we close so staff can celebrate the holiday with family & friends).
Continental Restaurant & Martini Bar
The ambiance inside transports you back to the 1860s. Dark wood paneling, vintage photographs, and antique decorations adorn the walls, creating an authentic and cozy atmosphere. Whether you’re a regular coming in for their daily happy hour special, or you’re a first-timer, you’ll feel right at home. From the kind bartenders, to the attentive waitstaff, to the generous management team that took time out of their day to speak with us, McGillin's employees are the bread and butter of the restaurant. As with most bars and restaurants whose reputations precede them, crowds are commonplace at McGillin’s.
The Oldest Bar In Philadelphia Has A Fascinating History
The storied heritage and classic pub ambience draw all types of bar-goers, from college kids avoiding the library to young professionals grabbing after-work beers, families catching an Eagles game, to retirees. 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.
We realize that wait times are sometimes long — thank you for your patience. PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- McGillin's Olde Ale House, considered the oldest continuously-operating tavern in Philadelphia, has a 164-year-long history. We try to keep this listed up-to-date but please forgive us if it’s not 100% updated. McGillin’s Genuine Lager – Can only be found at McGillin’s and Troegs Independent Brewing. This golden Helles lager is smooth and satisfying with a clean malt character reminiscent of fresh-baked bread. German hops add a hint of floral notes and subtle bitterness, while lager yeast lends a crisp, refreshing finish.
In a No-Brainer, McGillin’s Named One of the Best Irish Bars in the Country - Crossing Broad
In a No-Brainer, McGillin’s Named One of the Best Irish Bars in the Country.
Posted: Sat, 02 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Please respect our residential neighbors by keeping noise to a minimum on the patio or around the food trucks. Due to Culver City Municipal Code this is a 21+ establishment. We’ll celebrate the way Ma McGillin always did – by giving out carnations. In 1936, on her 89th & last birthday, she gave out nearly 4,000 carnations.
McGillin's Olde Ale House Has Long History Of Philly Love Stories With Some Even Meeting On St. Patrick's Day - CBS News
McGillin's Olde Ale House Has Long History Of Philly Love Stories With Some Even Meeting On St. Patrick's Day.
Posted: Thu, 17 Mar 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world.
This month marks 50 years for Doyle at McGillin’s, which opened on Drury Street near 13th in 1860, and in true Philly fashion, the bar is throwing a yearlong party in his honor. He started going to the storied Center City bar regularly on Friday nights in the early ‘70s, when his wife would go to her mother’s house to do laundry. Billing itself as the bar that “outlasted the Civil War and even Prohibition,” McGillin’s Old Ale House, the oldest continuously operating bar in Philadelphia, is a major point of pride for natives of the city. After Irish immigrants Catherine and William McGillin opened the Bell in Hand Tavern in 1860, it gradually became known only as “McGillin’s” by regulars. You’ll find every liquor license since 1871, the year that construction on Philadelphia’s City Hall started just two blocks from the establishment, hanging on the wall.
This month marks 50 years for Doyle atMcGillin’s, which opened on Drury Street near 13th in 1860,and in true Philly fashion, the bar is throwing a yearlong partyin his honor. Festivities begin Saturday, with an open-to-all party featuring surprise guests at the bar from noon to 5 p.m. Celebrations will continue throughout the year, with specials like Doyle dollar dog days, and will culminate on St. Patrick’s Day. He’s also met Chase Utley, watched Jason Kelce play cards in McGillin’s, and worked the bar during the Phillies 2008 World Series parade, the busiest day he’s ever seen. And that’s how Doyle, 79, a married father of two and grandfather of four, came to be the longest-serving bartender at Philly’s oldest-operating bar.
Sign added to McGillin’s collection of iconic 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. Catherine & William McGillin opened the Bell in Hand Tavern. The Irish immigrants, who raised their 13 children upstairs, soon become known as “Ma” and “Pa” and the laborers who frequented the bar called it “McGillin’s.” The nicknames eventually stuck.
During a Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Union, or Philadelphia Flyers game, it can be expected that the bell will be rung when the home team scores. Shortly after the Liberty Bell cracked and long before ground was broken for City Hall, McGillin’s Olde Ale House threw open its doors. 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. Going to Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade?