McGillin's Olde Ale House [Edit Name/Address]

BruCrew description written 6/2/08

"Originally opened as the "Bell in Hand" in 1860, McGillin's is the oldest continuously operated bar in the City of Brotherly Love. William McGillin, who lived upstairs with his wife and thirteen children until his death in August of 1901, founded this bar. The bar was then run by his wife, "Ma" who prohibited a long list of area citizens from entering the bar, including her own father), until she passed in 1938. The bar then passed through children's hands until it was eventually sold by daughter Mercedes in 1958 to two brothers who spell their names differently (Henry Spaniak and Joe Shepaniak), who's family still manage the bar to this day. This award winning Irish pub boasts the unique claim of being the only bar in Philly that was established before town hall, and is also perennially listed among America's leading night clubs. If you are in the area, be sure to stop in an order a Cheesesteak and a Yeungling, in order to take in the full experience."