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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. PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- McGillin's Olde Ale House, considered the oldest continuously-operating tavern in Philadelphia, has a 164-year-long history. You can watch the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers Flyers and Union in a historic Philadelphia bar packed full of life-long fans that want a win more than anything. If you can get a seat, McGillin’s is a great place to watch the big game while you’re in town.
h Anniversary
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.
Doyle for President
Philadelphia’s history is some of the most fascinating in the United States. 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. 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. While young 20-somethings fill the place for karaoke on Friday nights, happy hours at McGgillin’s are typically filled with a very diverse crowd. The Sons of Ben, a supporter group of Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union, was created at McGillin’s!
McGillin's Olde Ale House kicks off year-long celebration in honor of bartender's 50th work anniversary - CBS Philly
McGillin's Olde Ale House kicks off year-long celebration in honor of bartender's 50th work anniversary.
Posted: Sun, 28 Apr 2024 03:20:00 GMT [source]
Bartender celebrates 50 years working at McGillin's Olde Ale House
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. Troegs Independent Brewing became the official brewer of McGillin’s 3 house beers – McGillin’s Real Ale, McGillin’s Genuine Lager & McGillin’s 1860 IPA.
Doyle earned a "Best of Philly" award in 2010 when he was named the city's best bartender, and his wife, Laura Doyle, said all these years later she doesn't mind sharing him with the rest of the city. As Doyle gets ready to turn 80, he's scaled back his schedule to one day a week, but he's now worked for three generations of owners, and his tenure has spanned eight Philadelphia mayors. He's also served then Vice President Joe Biden and many other national politicians, athletes and celebrities. And that’s how Doyle, 79, a married father of two and grandfatherof four, came to be the longest-serving bartender at Philly’soldest-operating bar.
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.
Continental Restaurant & Martini Bar
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. McGillin’s Olde Ale House celebrates 100th anniversary. Thousands of soldiers and sailors pass through McGillin’s doors on their way to the front. Serves food and ice cream and perhaps, a few tea cups were tipped on the second floor.
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.
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