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"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.
Celebrating St. Paddy’s Day at McGillin’s Olde Ale House: A historic Philadelphia tradition
The bar only took cash, allowed smoking, and charged 45 cents for a mug of Genny Cream Ale. Doyle, who lives in Andorra, was born in South Philly and raised in the Tasker Homes, where he was the middle child of seven in an Irish-Catholic family. Today, he’s the last remaining of his siblings. Doyle was so stoic and observant that the staff thought he was a cop.
A Guide to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month 2024 in Philly
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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Three house specialties — McGillin’s Real Ale; McGillin’s Genuine Lager and McGillin’s 1860 IPA — are brewed by Troegs Independent Brewing. McGillin’s 1860 IPA – Was originally launched on McGillin’s 150th anniversary in 2010. PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- McGillin's Olde Ale House, considered the oldest continuously-operating tavern in Philadelphia, has a 164-year-long history. Things were a lot different at McGillin’s back in Doyle’s early days.
Popular Irish bar is not selling Guinness on St Patrick's Day - Irish Star
Popular Irish bar is not selling Guinness on St Patrick's Day.
Posted: Sat, 02 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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).
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.
A few weeks later, in April 1974, he was asked to work Friday nights as a doorman and agreed. Henry, Mullins’ grandfather, and Joe, his great uncle, took a risk, Mullins said, as the business climate in center city was not good. When Prohibition began in 1920, it was expected to last a few months.
McGillin's Olde Ale House starts year-long celebration for bartender's 50th work anniversary
Office parties, birthdays, anniversaries, retirement parties, holiday parties, luncheons and baptisms. It’s a long weekend and that means one more night to party at McGillin’s. 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.
Modelo commercial featuring Christopher Mullins, Jr.
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.
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.
As he told the story of how he met his wife, Laura, in the late ‘60s at the Jersey Shore, Doyle looked left, then right, and leaned in. He didn’t see active combat, but the experience — his first outside of Philadelphia — changed his life. He’s still able to easily recite Korean words and phrases, and recalls with fondness the people he met there. 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.
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. 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. Locals and visitors, business people and hipsters all seem to agree that McGillin’s is a fine place for a pint and some good conversation.
Catherine McGillin locked the front door and served food. (But Mullins said he wouldn’t be surprised if she added a splash of whiskey to the cups of tea she served.) When it ended in 1933, she took the same key from her breast pocket and opened the door. Co-owner and manager Chris Mullins, Jr. said preparing for the holiday is like holding practices for the big game—it’s the biggest event of the year. “It’s more of a Super Bowl than ever,” he said.
Cover charge with in/out privileges (if we have capacity). 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). 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. 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.
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. In 2007, the national trade magazine Nightclub and Bar included McGillin's in its Editors' Choice Top 100 bars and clubs in the United States. McGillin’s once again served green beer, in an unsuccessful effort to replicate the Eagles’ win of 2018.
