History McGillin's Olde Ale House

Table Of Content

• June 2021 - Troegs Begins Brewing McGillin's House Beers
• February 2018 -- Super Bowl LII
• McGillin's Olde Ale House starts year-long celebration for bartender's 50th work anniversary
• The 10 Most Essential Things to Do on Your (First) Visit to Philly
• Philadelphia student makes school history with scholarship to Yale

From 1995 until its closure in 2020, the beers were brewed by Stoudt’s Brewing. At one time, McGillin’s sold more Stoudt’s beer than any other bar in PA. 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.

June 2021 - Troegs Begins Brewing McGillin's House Beers

Get your Halloween boo-ze at Philly’s oldest bar, where we have real ghosts, skeletons in our closet, drink specials and over the top Halloween decor! John Doyle is considered an icon in Philadelphia. The beloved McGillin's bartender is credited with being a matchmaker, saving marriages and pouring countless drinks while working at Philadelphia's oldest continually operating tavern. Doyle’s service even impresses first-time customers. He once served two men a couple of martinis and some stout beers and was shocked when they left him a $500 tip — his biggest ever — which he split with the other bartender working that day.

February 2018 -- Super Bowl LII

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

His first job was “huckstering,” or selling tomatoes, bananas, and other produce door-to-door as a kid. From there, he worked at a Dairy Queen, a soda shop, and sold newspapers at Municipal Stadium. 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.

McGillin’s celebrates 50th anniversary with a new façade. Name officially changes to McGillin’s Olde Ale House. Civil War ends, Union Soldiers, grateful for their survival and for their hard fought victory, return to McGillin’s to celebrate with Pop McGillin’s  cellared ales. Although Lincoln visits Philadelphia, we have no proof that he visits McGillin’s. Of course, we have no proof that he doesn’t either.

Philadlephia's McGillin's Old Ale House named 'Best Irish Bar' in US, according to Travel Channel - WPVI-TV

Philadlephia's McGillin's Old Ale House named 'Best Irish Bar' in US, according to Travel Channel.

Posted: Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

We try to keep this listed up-to-date but please forgive us if it’s not 100% updated. "I met Chase Utley, Moose Johnston came in one night," Doyle recalled. "The truth is the people, I love meeting people." "When I first started working here, I didn't know how long I'd be here. Then I got the job as a doorman, eventually, I became a bartender," Doyle said.

Sign added to McGillin’s collection of iconic signs. When it closes in 2008, its sign is added to McGillin’s sign collection. No pushover, Ma has a list of troublemakers who weren’t allowed in. The list reads like the social registry, including some of Philadelphia’s most prominent citizens.

Philly Park Friends celebrate 30 years of nurturing the neighborhood

McGillin's Old Ale House in Philly is known for many things, including being the place most in the city find love - NBC Philadelphia

McGillin's Old Ale House in Philly is known for many things, including being the place most in the city find love.

Posted: Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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. 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.

Visit Philly Overnight Package

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). Get your Christmas spirit (& spirits) at McGillin’s, Philadelphia’s original pop up bar with over-the-top decor since 1860 and holiday drink prices that don’t pop UP during the holidays. Make it a tradition to stop by before/after shopping & Christmas shows for meal/drinks. McGillin’s Olde Ale House is like a Winter Wonderland with hundreds of ornaments, bows and strings of lights.

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. 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.

With four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms in its 2,512 square feet, it's asking $798,000. Maybe this Boyle Heights house does have too many extras to mention, but would it have killed them to list one or two? The remodeled three-bedroom house built in 1890 is listed for $314,000.

The tavern grew to include the oyster house next door, the back alley/washroom and the house upstairs. It’s a long weekend and that means one more night to party at McGillin’s. We realize that wait times are sometimes long & thank you for your patience. We realize that wait times are sometimes long — thank you for your patience.