McGillin's Olde Ale House

08/18/2026

Meet Robert, an engineer from Long Island. When he found out he'd have a 6-day work trip to Philly he asked friends where to go and what to do here. They told him about McGillin's. Fortunately for us (& for him), he took their advice. And now he has some new friends in Philly too! Here's to Robert's friends - old and new! 🍺

08/17/2026

Bars have been known to spark romances, friendships and even an occassional bad decision. But it's not too many bars that inspire artwork like McGillin's has! 🎨

08/15/2026

Looking for some good end-of-the-summer reading? You'll find mentions of McGillin's in more than a dozen books -- fiction and non-fiction, murder mysteries, detective stories, comic books, thrillers and even our own book - "Cheers to McGillin's: Philly's Oldest Tavern." We'll drink to that! 📚🍻

08/14/2026

Headed to the shore this weekend? Don't forget to pack your McGillin's wear. Then send us your photos and we might just make you McGillin's famous.

Not going to the shore this weekend, stop at McGillin's, Philly's coolest bar!

PRO TIP: Don't have any McGillin's wear? 😱 Get tees, tanks, hats & more at the McGillin's Olde Ale House Shoppe, 123 Juniper Street, or online at https://mcgillins-olde-ale-house.myshopify.com

08/13/2026

If you pour it, they will come.

Join us TONIGHT (Thursday, 8/13) for a Phillies FIELD OF DREAMS Watch Party with the game sound ON and all the ballpark favorites. We’ll be serving $5 Budweiser Limited Edition Beechwood Reserve 16oz cans & hot dogs topped with candy jalepenos, onions, jack & cheddar cheese, side of spicy ketchup & a bag of Herr's chips — make it the "Ballpark Special" and enjoy both for just $12.

We’ll have Budweiser giveaways throughout the game, plus your chance to win autographed baseballs.

08/12/2026

Some great memories here! Add yours...

McGillin’s Olde Ale House has been pouring drinks since 1860, before City Hall was finished, before the Eagles or Phillies existed, and before most of Center City looked anything like it does today.

Tucked down Drury Street with that glowing red neon sign, it’s survived generations of Philadelphians, changing neighborhoods, championship celebrations, heartbreaks, snowstorms, and probably more questionable decisions than anyone could possibly count.

In a city that constantly changes, there’s something special about walking into a place where Philly has been gathering for more than 160 years.

What's your favorite memory at McGillin’s Olde Ale House?

08/11/2026

Can you name some of the cardboard cut-outs that have graced the barroom at McGillin's over the years? Bonus points if you can say if they visited in person too. Answers follow (don't peek).

ANSWERS:
A: William & Catherine McGillin (aka Pa & Ma). Yes! Their family owned the bar from 1860-1958.
B. Abe Lincoln. He was elected president in 1860, the year McGillin's opened. His funeral procession went through Philly 5 years later. Did he stop by the bar between 1860 and his death? Who can say?!
C. Joe Shepaniak and Henry Spaniak Yes! The brothers owned the bar from 1958 to 1993. And their ancestors still own it today.
D. Pope Francis. No, but McGillin's was one of only a few Philly venues permitted to have a cutout and we did serve Pope-tinis in his honor.

08/10/2026

It’s this little guy’s first visit to McGillin's, but from his reaction, it’s probably not his last!

08/09/2026

Q: Is it McGillin's OLD Ale House (like the neon sign) or OLDE (with an E)?

A: The original name was actually Bell in Hand and that the original wooden hand holding a bell still hangs about the bar. “Pa" McGillin opened the bar in 1860. When he died in 1901 and Catherine “Ma” McGillin took over the bar. On the bar’s 50th anniversary in 1910, she changed the name to McGillin’s Old Ale House, because that’s what regulars called it. She essentially made everyone a regular. At that time there was no E in Old. The E was added in the 1990s to emphasize the bar’s longevity and we still use it today. The neon sign that hangs today is a faithful reproduction of the original sign and doesn’t have the E, but we have used the E in Olde since the 1990s. Now if we could just get people to spell McGillin’s correctly.