Thirteen children grew up above a tavern that still swings its doors open every single day at 11 AM. Their parents were Irish immigrants nicknamed Pa and Ma, and their small business has outlasted nearly everything around it.
Every license the place has received since 1871 still hangs on its walls. I like how that turns boring paperwork into a family scrapbook you can actually read over lunch.
You’ll find it down a narrow alley in the busiest part of a big Pennsylvania city. I can’t imagine many spots where shepherd’s pie, old department store signs, and over 160 years of local stories share one cozy room.
Some places serve more than a good meal; they give you a little taste of the generations who made them what they are.
1. The Pub Started Life With A Totally Different Name
Originally, McGillin’s Olde Ale House went by The Bell in Hand Tavern.
William and Catherine McGillin, Irish immigrants better known as Pa and Ma, opened it in 1860.
That was the same year Abraham Lincoln won the presidency.
Pretty good company for a neighborhood tavern’s birthday, right?
Regulars didn’t care much for the fancy bell name, though.
They simply called it McGillin’s, the way you’d name a friend’s house.
In 1910, the tavern turned 50 and finally made the nickname official.
Sometimes the customers really do know best.
The family story goes beyond the bar itself.
Pa and Ma raised all 13 of their children upstairs, which means the building has heard plenty of footsteps, homework complaints, and bedtime arguments.
Today the pub is run by Mary Ellen Spaniak Mullins and her family, who have owned it since 1993.
The Spaniak family first acquired the tavern in 1958.
That kind of continuity is rare anywhere in Pennsylvania.
It helps explain why the place still feels personal instead of polished.
When you visit, look around and think about who stood in that same spot long ago.
It’s a fun brain game while you wait for your food.
2. Read The Walls Like A Timeline You Can Touch
Most businesses toss old permits in a drawer and forget them.
McGillin’s went the opposite direction and framed every single license issued since 1871.
They all hang on the walls together.
It’s basically a paper trail of survival, displayed proudly for anyone who looks up.
Here’s why that matters.
Each license marks another year the doors stayed open, through hard times, big changes, and plenty of city growth outside.
Seeing them lined up makes the long history feel real.
A date on a menu is one thing, but over a century of official stamps hits differently.
Kids and history buffs especially enjoy hunting for the oldest one.
Try spotting how the designs, fonts, and paper styles change over the decades.
The licenses also show how seriously the family treats doing things right.
Staying open that long takes more than luck and good gravy.
So grab a seat near a wall if you can.
You get a meal and a free mini museum at the same time.
Just don’t be surprised if your table turns into a guessing game about the years.
That’s half the fun here.
3. Ma McGillin Once Turned The Place Into An Ice Cream Parlor
Ice cream sundaes at a historic tavern?
Yep, that actually happened, and it’s one of the best twists in this whole story.
During the 1920s, national rules forced taverns to rethink how they did business.
Ma McGillin didn’t panic, and she didn’t close up shop either.
She converted the first floor into a food and ice cream parlor.
Neighbors could stop in for a bite and a sweet treat instead.
Picture the same rooms that now host karaoke filled with scoops and spoons.
It’s a funny image, but it kept the family business alive.
Her quick thinking is a big reason McGillin’s Olde Ale House can claim such a long, unbroken run.
Smart moms have been saving the day for a very long time.
The lesson still works today for anyone running a small business.
When the world changes, change the menu, not the address.
Next time you’re there, give a little nod to Ma.
Her clever pivot is part of why you can sit down and eat in that room at all.
Honestly, she deserves a sandwich named after her.
Luckily, her secret roast beef rub still carries her name.
4. Old Philly Shop Signs Cover Nearly Every Inch
Wanamaker’s and Woolworth’s may be gone from the shopping scene, but their signs found a forever home here.
The walls are packed with names from bygone Philadelphia businesses.
Old photographs fill in the gaps between them.
Together they tell the story of the city one storefront at a time.
The overall look leans toward a cozy English pub.
Think dark wood paneling, antique decorations, and vintage pictures in every direction.
A fireplace adds even more warmth to the room.
On a chilly day, that alone might win you over.
I love how the decor works like a scavenger hunt for grown-ups.
Ask an older relative which signs they remember, and you might get some great stories.
Younger visitors can guess what each business sold before it closed.
Some answers will surprise you, and some will make you laugh.
The space has two floors, so there’s more to explore than the first room.
Wander a bit and you’ll keep spotting new details.
Bring your phone camera, but keep your eyes up too.
This is the kind of place where the walls do most of the talking.
5. Comfort Food That Fits A Pub This Old
Homemade comfort food is the whole idea behind the kitchen here.
The menu leans hearty, familiar, and easy on the wallet.
Shepherd’s Pie is a natural pick for a pub with Irish roots.
It’s the kind of dish that matches dark wood walls perfectly.
Then there’s the Mile High Meatloaf.
With a name like that, you’d better skip the snack beforehand.
Of course, you’re in Pennsylvania’s biggest city, so the Philly Cheesesteak shows up too.
Trying one at the city’s oldest bar feels like earning a local badge.
Seafood fans get options as well.
Fish and Chips and Crab Cakes both sit on the menu for anyone craving something from the water.
Not sure what to choose?
Pick the dish that sounds most old-fashioned, since that’s the mood this place does best.
The kitchen stays open late, closing at 1 AM.
That makes McGillin’s Olde Ale House a handy stop after a show or game downtown.
Bring friends and order a few different plates to share.
Everyone gets a taste, and nobody suffers menu regret.
6. Sandwich Lovers Should Ask About Ma’s Secret Rub
Ma McGillin’s secret rub still flavors the Roast Beef sandwich today.
That’s a recipe with serious staying power.
Nobody’s sharing what’s in it, of course.
Secrets last longer when they stay in the family.
The sandwich lineup goes well beyond roast beef.
You’ll find a Reuben, Turkey, Corned Beef, and a classic Club Sandwich.
That’s plenty of choices for picky eaters and big appetites alike.
Lunch decisions rarely get easier than this.
Smaller bites cover a lot of ground too.
Wings come Buffalo, BBQ, Old Bay, or Thai, so you can pick mild, smoky, seasoned, or a little exotic.
Nachos make a fun table snack for a group.
French Onion Soup and chili bring the cozy factor on colder days.
Want something lighter?
Fresh hummus is on the menu, which feels like a friendly surprise at such an old pub.
My advice is simple.
Pair a sandwich with a cup of soup and you’ve got a classic lunch that fits the history around you.
Save room for wings if you’re with friends, because sharing them is half the fun.
7. Your Singing Voice Gets A Stage Here Twice A Week
Shower singers, this one’s for you.
Live karaoke runs on Wednesday and Sunday nights starting at 9 PM.
A small cover charge kicks in after 9, so plan your arrival.
Then pick your song and hope the crowd knows the chorus.
Thursday nights bring Open Mic Night, also starting at 9 PM.
Poets, guitar players, and brave comedians all get a shot.
Friday nights mix things up even more with sing-alongs and a DJ.
It’s loud, cheerful, and very much the opposite of a library.
Sports fans get their own show, too.
High-definition and projector screen TVs carry the biggest local games, and the energy rises with every big play.
Want a calmer visit?
The pub itself suggests lunch or mid-afternoon, since things get busier and louder later in the day.
That tip is gold if you’re bringing grandparents or want real conversation.
Evening crowds and game days are a whole different mood.
Either way, McGillin’s Olde Ale House knows how to keep people entertained.
Pick your night based on whether you want to sing, cheer, or just chat.
8. The Holiday Decorations Go Wonderfully Over The Top
Hundreds of ornaments.
Countless bows.
Strings of lights in every direction you can possibly look.
Every holiday season, the tavern transforms into what it calls a Winter Wonderland.
Subtle is not the goal, and that’s exactly the charm.
The decorating usually starts in early November.
That gives you weeks to plan a visit before the season wraps up.
It’s a great reason to pick McGillin’s for a holiday outing with coworkers or family.
Few places in Pennsylvania commit to the festive look this hard.
The decorations pair nicely with the old wood, vintage signs, and fireplace.
It feels like stepping into a holiday card that got a little carried away.
Expect bigger crowds during this stretch, as the pub itself notes things get busier around the holidays.
Earlier visits give you more room to enjoy the sparkle.
Bring a camera and look up, down, and all around.
The ceiling alone deserves its own photo album.
Honestly, if your own tree feels a bit plain this year, a visit here might inspire you.
Or it might convince you to buy way more lights.
9. Finding The Alley Is Part Of The Adventure
Good news for planners: the doors open daily at 11 AM and stay open until 2 AM.
It’s generally open seven days a week, although it closes on six holidays each year.
The address is 1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Drury is a narrow alley linking 13th Street and South Juniper Street.
It sits between Chestnut and Sansom streets in busy Center City.
Keep your eyes peeled, because alleys love hiding their best spots.
The Pennsylvania Convention Center and many hotels are nearby.
That makes it an easy stop between meetings, sightseeing, or a downtown stroll.
Seating works on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations aren’t accepted.
Larger groups can look into the private event spaces instead.
Before you leave, swing by the McGillin’s Shoppe at 123 S.
Juniper Street, right around the corner.
It carries Philly souvenirs, Irish imports, and McGillin’s, Eagles, and Phillies gear.
Merchandise is sold online too, if you forget to grab something.
Still, buying a shirt in person just feels better.
So find the alley, grab a table, and soak in over 160 years of stories.
Not bad for one little side street.
Share this story
