Saturday, April 27, 2024

Daring Fireball: Local Note: 'McGillin's Bartender John Doyle Marks 50 Years at Philly's Oldest Bar'

mcgillins 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.

h Anniversary

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.

President Joe Biden (then VP) visits McGillin's

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Top Irish Bars in Philly - Philadelphia.

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4.3% alcohol/21 IBU.McGillin’s 1860 IPA – Brewed exclusively for McGillin’s and inspired by Troegs’ Hop Knife. This hop-forward IPA is fresh and aromatic with bold notes of citrus and tropical fruit courtesy of six different varieties of classic American hops. Three house specialties — McGillin’s Real Ale; McGillin’s Genuine Lager and McGillin’s 1860 IPA — are brewed by Troegs Independent Brewing.

McGillin’s is celebrating bartender John Doyle’s 50th work anniversary with a yearlong party

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.

Nuggets star Nikola Jokic drank beer and ate 50-cent wings at McGillin's after losing to the Sixers - PhillyVoice.com

Nuggets star Nikola Jokic drank beer and ate 50-cent wings at McGillin's after losing to the Sixers.

Posted: Wed, 17 Jan 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.

April 16, 1937

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.

mcgillins olde ale house

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

Take a break from the boxy, glassy, Tuscan, tricked-out, brand-new houses for a minute and have a look at 17 of the oldest houses for sale in LA and the San Gabriel Valley. All built in 1900 or before, there are Victorians and Craftsmans on the list, some beautifully maintained, a flip or two, houses that needs some love, and a million-dollar teardown in Hollywood. The care and commitment to maintaining a 120-year old house isn't for everyone, but if you love wide shady porches, backyard gazebos, pressed-tin ceilings, and crazy paint jobs, there might be something for you.

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.

mcgillins olde ale house

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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.

McGillin’s Genuine Lager – Can only be found at McGillin’s and Troegs Independent Brewing. This golden Helles lager is smooth and satisfying with a clean malt character reminiscent of fresh-baked bread. German hops add a hint of floral notes and subtle bitterness, while lager yeast lends a crisp, refreshing finish.

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.

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!

He’s also met Chase Utley, watched Jason Kelce play cards in McGillin’s, and worked the bar during the Phillies 2008 World Series parade, the busiest day he’s ever seen. He started going to the storied Center City bar regularly on Friday nights in the early ‘70s, when his wife would go to her mother’s house to do laundry. 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. McGillin’s once again served green beer, in an unsuccessful effort to replicate the Eagles’ win of 2018. This sad-looking house is headed for a probate sale later this month, and is listed for $515,000. The five bedroom house is 2,100 square feet and not too far from USC, and looks like it might scrub up nice.

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.

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.

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