228 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106   

Phone: (215) 627-3532

Paddy’s Pub is the quintessential Irish corner bar. Patrons come here to get away from the “old lady (or man),” to enjoy an inexpensive frosty brew and to catch the 76ers, Flyers or Phillies on the TV.  You don't come here to "be seen," - Who's gonna see ya? They come to get lost in the dark effervescent sheen of a pint of Guinness.

The set-up of the bar is straightforward: bar on the right and up the left wall a few narrow booths. The bar can seat about 20 patrons. Covering the walls are an amalgam of bric-a-brac including: maps of Ireland, old black and white photographs  of buildings and a rather inconspicuous photo of former Philly Mayor Frank Rizzo. Adding to the kitsch is an underwear mannequin with a shamrock painted on one "cheek." It gives a new meaning to pogue mahone.

The bar itself couldn't be any more basic: particle board, laminate top, footrest. Top shelf liquor is truly top shelf: the liquor bottles are placed on top of red bricks - no fancy schmancy wooden shelves here. The backdrop for the bar is a mirror that runs the entire length of the bar. In the center of the mirror a replica of a stuffed elk juts out from the wall almost as if to say “We don’t serve suits.”

For entertainment, there are TV’s at opposite ends of the bar, a CD Juke box and a video poker machine that makes more noise than the TV’s and jukebox combined.

On tap: Guinness, Bud, Yuengling, and Texas’ own Celis White. Draughts range in price from $2.00 to $3.50.  Ballantines in bottles is also available.

Although a couple of blocks away from the cluster of Olde City bars around 2nd and Market, Paddy's Pub does have company a few doors down in an Irish Pub called John Patrick's. Combine the inexpensive swill at Paddy's Pub with the selection of brews at John Patrick's and you have the makings of a great mini-pub crawl. Relax, it's just the Irish thing to do.