at McGillin’s Olde Ale House

PHILADELPHIA (February 9, 2007) – The countdown to St. Patrick’s Day begins at McGillin’s Olde Ale House, recently voted “best Irish bar in Philadelphia” by AOL CityGuide and one of the Top 100 Bars in the U.S. by Nightclub & Bar Magazine. A month-long series of events is planned at the city’s oldest continuously operating tavern.

The celebration begins on Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17 with live Irish music by the “Bad Boyz from Boston.” The band, originally called Harvest Home, features Fiddler Patsy Whelan. The event begins at 9:30 p.m. each evening. No advanced reservations are needed. A $2.00 cover will be collected at the door.

            The celebration continues on Saturday, March 10 with Erin Express Day - a citywide pub crawl.  Wear your green, stroll Midtown Village, and imbibe at Philly's Irish bars – especially McGillin's Olde Ale House. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. Then cap off the great, green day at McGillin’s with a deejay, starting at 9:30 p.m.

            Philadelphia ’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the second oldest in the nation, is held o n Sunday, March 11, on Broad Street – just steps away from McGillin’s. McGillin’s will open at 11 a.m. with green beer, Irish pub menu, Irish music and more.

Later that night McGillin's will host “St. Patrick’s Day in the Biz Night,” an opportunity for the hospitality industry to come out and celebrate together - with a drink specials, give-aways, and a deejay.  The party starts at 10:00 p.m. and is open to the public. 

McGillin’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Party will be held on Saturday, March 17. The celebration will feature green beer, authentic Irish Brews and Chocolate Leprechauns, plus Corned Beef & Cabbage, Bangers & Mashed (Irish sausage and mashed potatoes), and Shepherd’s Pie. There is no better place to be Irish for a day!

Background

McGillin’s has been attracting notice since shortly after the Liberty Bell cracked and long before ground was broken for City Hall. 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.

            What’s the secret? For locals, McGillin’s has become just like the fictional “ Cheers”—the place they go for its welcoming atmosphere, good food at a reasonable price, comradery and, of course, large selection of local and regional beers on tap. Tourists seek out the tavern, which is tucked away on a tiny alley in the heart of Center City, for its colorful history.

            History

McGillin’s history can be seen on the walls of the tavern, which reveals a story woven into the very fabric of the city. The original bar sign, a wooden arm holding a real bell, hangs above the bar. It’s flanked by 146 years worth of liquor licenses and surrounded by musical instruments, vintage beer cans, varsity banners, caricatures of past regulars, retail memorabilia, aged newspaper clips, old photos and much more.

A classic English pub-look with a beamed ceiling, tall windows, dark paneling and a large working fireplace create a warm atmosphere for enjoying the large selection of regional microbrews such as Yards, Stoudt’s, Flying Fish , Victory, Sly Fox and Dogfish Head beers on tap, as well as imports. Two house specialties, McGillin’s Real Ale and McGillin’s Genuine Lager are brewed in Adamstown by Stoudt’s, emphasizing McGillin’s commitment to Eastern Pennsylvania microbrewers. McGillin’s serves more of Stoudt’s draft beer than any other tavern in the Commonwealth. Zany additions like pumpkin martinis, Iggletinis and King Tutinis keep things lively.

The good feeling comes from the staff, several of whom earned the right to call customers “dear” by working here for 25 years, and the Irish owners, who are only the second family to run the tavern in its long history. Husband/wife team Chris and Mary Ellen Mullin have been serving good, home-made comfort food since before it was trendy. Back in the 1800s, the owners served free baked potatoes to the lunch crowd. That tradition continues today, as lunch includes free, unlimited soup ladled from a giant kettle. And practically free are the 25 cent Buffalo wings on Tuesdays, 50 cent chili tacos on Wednesdays, half price pizzas and other nightly specials. Favorites include the half pound burger ($4.89), Grilled Reuben ($5.99) and bountiful salads ($2.79-$7.29 with shrimp), served during the day and at night. Popular dinner entrees include the 16-ounce rib eye steak ($12.99) and the Irish Mixed grill (one pork chop, grilled chicken breast, grilled shrimp with Cajun ranch dipping sauce, vegetable and potato for $6.99 at lunch/$9.99 for dinner).

Originally called The Bell in Hand, the tavern opened in 1860 inside a small row house. The laborers who frequented the place just called it McGillin’s after William McGillin, the Irish immigrant who owned the bar and raised his 13 children upstairs. The nickname stuck and the tavern grew to encompass the oyster house next door, the back alley/washroom, and the McGillin’s house. On August 31, 1901, “Pa” McGillin died and “Ma” McGillin took over running the restaurant. No push-over, “Ma” had a list of troublemakers who weren’t allowed into McGillin’s. The list included her own father, as an antique newspaper clipping hanging on the wall reports.   McGillin’s survived Prohibition and Ma ran it until her death in 1937 at the age of 90. The McGillin’s daughter, Mercedes McGillin Hooper, who grew up above the tavern, sold it to brothers and experienced barkeeps, Henry Spaniak and Joe Shepaniak in 1958. (That’s not a mistake, the brothers actually spelled their name differently.) Keeping it in the family, Henry’s daughter, Mary Ellen Spaniak Mullins and her husband, Chris Mullins have run the restaurant since 1993. Mary Ellen’s sister, Kate Newcomer, (another of Henry’s daughters) is the general manager. Mary Ellen and Chris’ son, Christopher, Jr. (Henry’s grandson), recently joined the business, as well. Mary Ellen and Kate grew up in East Falls. Mary Ellen and Chris currently reside in Narberth. Kate currently lives in Brigantine, NJ. And Christopher, Jr., resides in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood of Center City Philadelphia. Chris, Sr., a native of Elkins Park, also came from a family who understood how to entertain guests and make them feel welcome. He is the son of a chef.

Over the years, many big names have frequented the friendly tavern tucked into one of Philadelphia’s littlest streets, including Will Rogers, Tennessee Williams, Thomas Eakins, Ethel Merman, Vincent Price, the Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields and John and Ethel Barrymore, That tradition has continued in recent years with visits by “The Frugal Gourmet” Jeff Smith, Robin Williams, Ed Bradley, Will Ferrell, Ed Rendell and Tug McGraw.

The tavern that opened around the time the Liberty Bell cracked and long before anyone ever tasted a cheesesteak, is a stone’s throw from City Hall, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, the Philadelphia Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton and other Center City hotels. A private upstairs room for 90 plus guests is available for beer tastings, bus groups, fundraisers, and more. Hours: Mondays through Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. Sundays 11 a.m. to midnight.

McGillin’s, 1310 Drury Street, between Chestnut & Sansom, 13^th & Juniper 215/735-5562. www.mcgillins.com.  

###

Chef2Chef News DeskNews at Restaurant.OrgResearch and MarketsNation's Restaurant NewsSpecialty Eatery News