McGillin's Olde Ale House
Philadelphia's Historic Tavern Tradition
McGillin's Olde Ale House opened in 1860—the year Abraham Lincoln was elected president—making it Philadelphia's oldest continuously operating tavern and one of the oldest taverns in the United States. Located at 1310 Drury Street (an alley connecting 13th Street and South Juniper Street between Chestnut and Sansom in Center City), McGillin's has survived the Civil War, two pandemics, a fire, and even Prohibition.
Initially called The Bell in Hand, the famous pub opened in the home of Irish immigrant William "Pa" McGillin. It was nicknamed McGillin's by frequenters and eventually adopted the title officially. "Pa" McGillin operated until his death in 1901, then his wife Catherine ("Ma" McGillin) continued running the business, which had grown to encompass the neighboring oyster house and the entire McGillin house, displacing her 13 children in the process.
The building itself tells Philadelphia's history. The ceramic tile floor—installed by "Pa" McGillin because he was "tired of replacing wooden floors because of wear and tear from workers' boots"—was inspired by a local butcher shop for its durability and easy cleaning. Ship bells and cow bells behind the bar ring for great tips, to celebrate Philadelphia sports teams' scores, and occasionally to "gong" bad karaoke singers.
Thursday Open Mic Night
Every Thursday at 9:00 PM, McGillin's hosts Open Mic Night on the second floor, starting with sign-ups at 9:00 PM. Hosts Tom Monari and Ashton John create a welcoming atmosphere in the historic upstairs room, where musicians perform surrounded by Philadelphia memorabilia including the original "Bell in Hand" sign, Wanamaker's and Strawbridge & Clothier logo signs, and F.W. Woolworth's tiled subway sign.
The vibe combines history with accessibility—this is a neighborhood pub that happens to be a landmark, where tourists and regulars intermingle without pretension. The Thursday open mic attracts a mix of Center City workers unwinding after the week, students from nearby colleges, and dedicated performers working on their craft.
The second-floor location creates intimacy while the first floor maintains full bar and restaurant service, allowing groups to split between supporting performers upstairs and socializing downstairs. The open mic welcomes all genres, from acoustic singer-songwriters to comedians testing material before the Wednesday comedy open mic.
What They Offer Patrons
McGillin's specializes in 29 beers on draft focusing on local, fresh microbrews, plus seasonal cocktails. The pub menu features homemade items from famous nachos and French Onion Soup to Irish Mixed Grill and Cape May Stew. The food has earned consistent praise for quality and value—menu prices feel like they're from 20 years ago, making it refreshingly affordable for Center City.
Daily specials include: Sunday/Monday all-day specials, Tuesday half-price pizzas, Wednesday $3.99 margaritas and cheese nachos, Thursday 40-cent jumbo wings, Friday $5 wine and well liquor, Saturday pitcher specials, and Sunday $3.99 Bloody Marys and mimosas (until 3:00 PM).
The venue operates Sunday karaoke at 9:00 PM and Wednesday karaoke at 9:00 PM, with McGillin's considered "the BEST place for karaoke in the city." Hours are 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM daily (kitchen closes at 1:00 AM), with bar opening at 11:00 AM Tuesday-Friday and kitchen opening at noon.
Private event space is available upstairs for office parties, birthdays, anniversaries, retirement parties, holiday gatherings, luncheons, and baptisms. The historic atmosphere, friendly staff, and fresh fare make McGillin's perfect for any celebration.
The pub's romantic history includes countless couples meeting at McGillin's—more than anywhere else in Philadelphia. One couple, Diane and John, met here October 17, 1969, married two years later, and still visit occasionally. Their love story was even featured on FYI Philly.
What They Offer Musicians
Limited backline available—primarily an acoustic venue given the second-floor historic space. The Thursday open mic provides free performance platform in one of Philadelphia's most storied establishments. Performing at McGillin's means your music becomes part of 165 years of tavern history.
The Center City location ensures foot traffic from Pennsylvania Convention Center, nearby hotels, and downtown workers. The pub's authentic character—real candles, historic fixtures, friendly staff with decades of service—creates atmosphere where music feels like natural extension of the space's traditions.
For musicians seeking to connect with Philadelphia's history while reaching diverse audiences (tourists, locals, convention-goers, students), McGillin's offers rare combination of authenticity, accessibility, and atmosphere. The $17.76 Angus Burger, fries, and pint of McGillin's 1860 IPA special (11:00 AM-1:00 AM) makes it easy for performers to enjoy quality food and drinks while waiting to perform.