Although The City Tavern (2nd and Walnut) has been in existence since the 1700's, McGillin's Old Ale House is the oldest pub in Philly. McGillin's can lay claim to the title of "Oldest Pub in Philly" since it has retained its liquor license since 1860. It's too bad for The City Tavern.

McGillin's is truly an Ale House. The bar occupies the right hand wall with the remainder of the room occupied by about 50 tables. Along the Drury Lane windows is a ledge and bar stools that come in quite handy when the shutters are pulled back and the windows are open to let the warm summer wind blow in. A banquet hall and bathrooms occupy the second floor.

True to its Ale House pedigree, the beer taps don't disappoint. Featured brews on tap include McGillin's Ale, McGillin's Lager, Beamish Irish Stout, Miller Lite and Yuengling Lager. If you're a little curious about the taste of the 2 house brews, ask the bar keep for a sample and they'll be glad to oblige. For the record the McGillin's Ale has a bitter finish, while the McGillin's Lager has a sweeter end. We noticed a sign for Guinness Stout, but, alas, there was none of the brown Irish wonder on tap.

McGillin's has a drink special for every night of the week (except Sunday). Check out their webpage for the entire list  Every night draft beers are reasonably priced at about $3 a glass. But it should be noted that you're not actually getting a full pint of beer. The beer glasses resemble pint glasses, but they're narrower, hence less volume.

For entertainment there is one big screen TV and 2 smaller TV's mounted at either ends of the bar. On Wednesday Nights, McGillin's hosts a Karaoke night. On the weekend nights, it's pot luck whether or not you encounter a live band or DJ. On the Friday night of our visit, the DJ was playing everything from Irish music to Madonna to the Bee Gees - talk about an eclectic mix?!?! With speakers in every corner of the building, the volume was a bit too loud for an ale house. When you think of "ale house" you think of friends gathering over brews, telling jokes and stories of failed love. The loud music kills the experience.

The interior walls of McGillin's are decorated with many old photo's of Philadelphia. There are even pieces of Philly history bolted to the walls, like the old "John Wanamaker" letters from the now defunked  Philly department store. McGillin's even got hold of a plaque from the old "Woolworth" building. True to their patriotic colors (or maybe they are just getting ready for the Republican Convention), 3 full sized American Flags hang from the rafters.

Even though there are no colleges in the vicinity, the crowd at McGillin's is primarily in their early 20's. We're chalking this phenomenon up to the nightly drink and food specials. When and if you tire of McGillin's, there are 3 fine pubs 2 blocks away: Fergies, Moriarty's and Dr. Watson's. Don't worry, all 3 have Guinness on tap.

Click Here to Visit McGillin's Old Ale House on the Web