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Best Irish Bar in America Mc Gillin's in Philadelphia

For 166 years the beer has been flowing at one of the oldest taverns in America.

In 1860 when Lincoln was elected president, an Irish immigrant that fled the Great Potato Famine opened a tavern located down an alley in Philadelphia on Drury Street.

Ma and Pa Mc Gillin raised 13 children upstairs above Mc Gillin’s Olde Ale House.

Over the many years the famous frequented the bar including W.C. Fields, Will Rogers, the Marx Brothers, Tennessee Williams, John and Ethel Barrymore.

A story goes that in 1971 the band was playing “Light My Fire” as smoke filled the room as a fire started on the second floor kitchen and burned down the third and fourth floors, fortunately there was minimal damage to the first floor tavern.

If you’re at Mc Gillin’s on a weekend you might catch their beloved bartender, John Doyle credited with being a matchmaker, saving marriages, and pouring nearly a million drinks, that’s been there since 1974.

Today, Mc Gillin’s has 30 beers on draft, they are committed to Eastern Pennsylvania breweries and serve a large selection of regional microbrews. The best deal is the beer sampler where you select six drafts for $11.50.

There is a ton a memorabilia on the walls there, including every liquor license since 1871.

Mc Gillin’s wears its age well, the bar’s homages to the past emmits a vibe that feels part cathedral, part German beer hall and part Irish pub.

The food is affordable for downtown Philadelphia and the menu serves staples like wings, burgers and shepard’s pie.

You can’t come to Philly without stopping at Mc Gillin’s.

David Garland May 16, 2026 Philadelphia PA Back in Time Bars History

Location: 1310 Drury St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

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