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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.
Latino-Owned Restaurants to Check Out in Philadelphia
But his big break came when the downstairs bartender broke abottle over an unruly customer’s head (the patron had reachedbehind the bar to serve himself). Doyle had to cover the bar whenhis coworker was hauled out by police in handcuffs. McGillin’s Real Ale – Brewed exclusively for McGillin’s and inspired by Troeg’s HopBack Amber, which has been discontinued in 2021.
McGillin's Old Ale House in Philadelphia
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.
Philly's Oldest Tavern
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.
When it closes in 2008, its sign is added to McGillin’s sign collection. Daughter, Mercedes McGillin Hooper, one of the 13 children who grew up in the room above the tavern, runs the Ale House until 1958, with her nephew Doc. Pa McGillin dies & Ma McGillin takes over bar. 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.
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.
President Joe Biden (then VP) visits McGillin's
Sign added to McGillin’s collection of iconic 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. The tavern grew to include the oyster house next door, the back alley/washroom and the house upstairs. Each additional person over 50 is $35 per head.
McGillin's opens new pop-up, selling bar's merch to holiday shoppers - PhillyVoice.com
McGillin's opens new pop-up, selling bar's merch to holiday shoppers.
Posted: Mon, 20 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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.
If you can get a seat, McGillin’s is a great place to watch the big game while you’re in town. Located on a tiny alley around the corner from City Hall, McGillin’s should be on your list if you’re looking for an authentic Philadelphia spot for a relaxed dinner or friendly drinks. 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. They now own the historic tavern with their son, Christopher Mullins, Jr.
"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.
For more than 150 years, McGillin’s Olde Ale House has been serving up cold beer, solid bar food and friendly service to its loyal patrons, who come in all types. During the week Philadelphia hosted the DNC, McGillin’s hosted MSNBC’s morning show “Morning Joe” hosted by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. Local and National politicians visited McGillin’s throughout the week, the highlight was President Joe Biden (then Vice President) and Vice President Kamala Harris (then Attorney General of California).
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.
Deux Cheminees and Strawbridge & Clothiers signs added to McGillin’s collection. The former opened in 1970s and the latter in 1868. A fire started in McGillin’s 2nd floor kitchen and burned down the 3rd & 4th floors. 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.
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. 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.
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.
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