McGillin's Olde Ale House

McGillin’s Makes History

McGillin’s Olde Ale House threw open its doors more than 150 years ago -- making it the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia and one of the oldest in the country. The tavern marked its 150th anniversary in 2010 with a series of events including the launch of its own anniversary ale, called McGillin’s 1860 IPA, beer tours, roll back pricing, costume parties, street festivals, readings of books featuring McGillin’s, special events, contests and more.

TIMELINE

	1860	Ma & Pa McGillin open the Bell in Hand (patrons call it "McGillin's" and the name eventually sticks). Abe Lincoln elected president. Although Lincoln visits Philadelphia, we have no proof that he visits McGillin's. Of course, we have no proof that he doesn't either.
	1860
	1862	Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla -- now marked by Cinco de Mayo, celebrated annually at McGillin's, with an Irish twist.
	1865	Civil War ends. McGillin's doesn't really have anything to do with this -- but will happily take credit.
	1871	Construction of City Hall begins (completed 1901) two blocks from McGillin's.
	1876	America celebrates 100th Anniversary, The Centennial. John Wanamaker Department Store opens around the corner from McGillin's (now Macy's). McGillin's outlasts Wanamaker's.
	1880	McGillin's customer, W.C. Fields, born. "Philadelphia is a wonderful place; I spent a week there one night."
	1885	McGillin's celebrates 25th anniversary.
	1901	Pa McGillin dies & Ma McGillin takes over bar.
	1910	McGillin's celebrates 50th anniversary with a new facade. Name officially changes to McGillin's Olde Ale House.
	1920	Prohibition enacted. During Prohibition, Ma McGillin hires a chef. Serves food and ice cream and, perhaps, a few tea cups were tipped on the second floor.
	1930	Philadelphia cheesesteak invented. A top-seller at McGillin's.
	1933	Prohibition ends! Ma McGillin takes the key from her breast pocket and reopens the pub's front door.
	1935	McGillin's celebrates 75th anniversary.
	1937	Ma McGillin dies at age 90. Daughter, Mercedes McGillin Hooper, one of the 13 children who grew up in the rooms above the tavern, runs the Ale House until 1958, with her nephew, Doc.
	1941	Pearl Harbor Day. Thousands of soldiers and sailors pass through McGillin's doors on their way to the front.
	1958	Brothers Henry Spaniak & Joe Shepaniak (yes, they spell it differently) buy McGillin's from McGillin's family. 52 years (& 3 generations) later, it's still in the family - with the same old fashioned values & prices.
	1960	McGillin's Olde Ale House celebrates 100th anniversary.
	1964	Ethel Merman, frequent visitors to McGillin's, where she reminisces about her childhood days on the road with her Vaudeville parents. Says to owner Henry Spaniak "tell anyone I'm here and I'll never come back." Guess she's not coming back?!
	1971	Tennessee Williams visits McGillin's
	1985	McGillin's celebrates 125th anniversary.
	1987	One Liberty Place breaks Philadelphia skyline. Curse of Billy Penn is born (see 2008). Don't blame McGillin's -- we were here 41 years before City Hall (see 1871).
	1993	McGillin's sold to second generation of Spaniaks -- Henry's daughter, Mary Ellen Spaniak Mullins, & son-in-law, Chris Mullins. McGillin's Real Ale & McGillin's Genuine Lager debut on draft, the Philadelphia Craft Beer Scene begins.
	2006 2007	McGillin's named to the list of Top 100 Nightclubs & Bars in the U.S. by Nightclub & Bar Magazine -- 2 years in a row!
	2006 2007	Third generation of Spaniak family joins management team at McGillin's -- Christopher Mullins, Jr., son of Mary Ellen & Chris Mullins & grandson of Henry Spaniak.
	2008	Gourmet magazine names McGillin's "one of the 14 coolest bars in the U.S."
		McGillin's dives into social media (Twitter & Facebook) -- proving you can teach an old dog new tricks!
		Curse of Billy Penn ends -- Phillies win World Series! Big crowd watches at McGillin's!
	2010	McGillin's made history - celebrated 150th anniversary! Pix from McGillin's 150th Anniversary party on Facebook! More at: thepubscount.com, phillychitchat, Phillymag.com & aroundphilly.com!