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

Table Of Content

• Great Black-Owned Shops and Boutiques in Philadelphia
• National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Latino-Owned Restaurants to Check Out in Philadelphia
• A new taste for Philly theater: Tiny Dynamite offers performances made-to-order
• McGillin's Old Ale House in Philadelphia
• October 2022 - McGillin's Serves RED Beer for 1st Time

This deep amber-colored ale boasts flavors of grapefruit and pine balanced by a hint of spice and complex malty notes of caramel and toffee. The use of whole flower hops creates a bright, citrusy aroma. Henjes said Doyle is so proud of his job he hands out his business card to everyone he meets (he gave me one after I interviewed him at McGillin’s this week, in case I forgot where he worked or why I was there). They married in 1970 and had twin daughters six years later. When Doyle’s wife stopped working to take care of the kids, his part-time job at McGillin’s helped supplement their income.

McGillin's Olde Ale House in Philadelphia Named Nation's Best Irish Bar by Travel Channel - Hoodline

McGillin's Olde Ale House in Philadelphia Named Nation's Best Irish Bar by Travel Channel.

Posted: Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Great Black-Owned Shops and Boutiques in Philadelphia

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. 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.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

The celebration begins this Saturday at McGillin’s and culminates next St. Patrick’s Day, which will be Doyle’s 50th at the bar, said Christopher Mullins Jr., co-owner of McGillin’s. But his big break came when the downstairs bartender broke a bottle over an unruly customer’s head (the patron had reached behind the bar to serve himself). Doyle had to cover the bar when his coworker was hauled out by police in handcuffs. Inspired by his new gig, Doyle attended a six-week course at Ronnie’s Bartending School (he still keeps a tiny laminated copy of his 1975 diploma in his wallet) and began tending the bar upstairs at McGillin’s. But “they knew how to party and have a good time.

Latino-Owned Restaurants to Check Out in Philadelphia

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. There is a ship bell and a cow bell behind the bar which the bartenders ring when they get a great tip. They also ring it to "gong" or "boo" a bad karaoke singer. During a Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Union, or Philadelphia Flyers game, it can be expected that the bell will be rung when the home team scores. McGillin’s made history – celebrated 150th anniversary with giant party, visit from Budweiser Clydesdales and introduction of McGillin’s 1860 IPA. J.E. Caldwell, a jeweler in business since 1839, closes.

Watch the games on our high def and projector screen TVs. Click here to see our new Baseball, Beers & Brotherly Love t-shirt & sweatshirt. And don’t miss our food & drink specials including our Phillie-tini and random dollar dog days throughout the season.

A new taste for Philly theater: Tiny Dynamite offers performances made-to-order

McGillin’s Olde Ale House opened in 1860 and has survived not 1, but 2 pandemics — one in 1918 and the other in 2020! Owner Chris Mullins, Sr. locked the doors on March 16, 2020 (1 day before St Patrick’s Day) and then gleefully re-opened them about a year later. Modelo has paired with the International Rescue Committee, an NGO that responds to humanitarian crises and helps people rebuild their lives.

McGillin's Old Ale House in Philadelphia

Its sign added to McGillin’s iconic sign collection when it closes in 1987. Its sign added to McGillin’s sign collection when it closes in 1997. Although Lincoln visits Philadelphia, we have no proof that he visits McGillin’s.

Philadlephia's McGillin's Old Ale House named 'Best Irish Bar' in US, according to Travel Channel - WPVI-TV

Philadlephia's McGillin's Old Ale House named 'Best Irish Bar' in US, according to Travel Channel.

Posted: Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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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. 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.

If you ever visit McGillin’s — and you should if you can — their exclusive McGillin’s 1860 IPA is the beer to order. Back when I was in college they had some sort of ridiculous Friday night wings special — 100 wings for $10? — that never ceased to seem too good to be true. 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. Billing itself as the bar that “outlasted the Civil War and even Prohibition,” McGillin’s Old Ale House, the oldest continuously operating bar in Philadelphia, is a major point of pride for natives of the city.

Of course, we have no proof that he doesn’t either.

Going to Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade? Stop by for authentic Irish stout, St. Patrick’s Day cocktails, green beer & a rotating list of Irish food specials. 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. Philadelphia’s history is some of the most fascinating in the United States.

Warm up the new  year sipping an Irish Coffee, Hot (Spiked) Cocoa, Hot (Spiked) Cider or regional beer and watching the bowl games. We’ll start the new year by opening one hour early – at 10 a.m. $10 cover charge with in/out privileges (if we have capacity). 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! Celebrate this Mexican holiday at an Irish fiesta!