Irish Pubs in Philadelphia

Swing a leprechaun in Philly and it won't take very long to hit an Irish pub. Let me introduce you to three of my favorite Irish pubs in the grand City of Philadelphia.

McGILLIN'S OLDE ALE HOUSE: Established in 1860, McGillins is the oldest bar in Philadelphia. Located in the heart of Center City, McGillins offers reasonably priced food, camaraderie, and an extensive selection of beers on tap, as well as nightly drink and beer specials, and hosts karaoke on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

McGillin's lunch and dinner menus consist of beef, seafood, chicken and pork entrees, ranging in price between $5.99 and $12.99. Their sandwich menu includes the R.B. McGillin (roast beef with Ma McGillin's special secret rub), Reubens, crab cake and, of course, Cheesesteaks, priced between $5.99 and $6.50. All lunches include a free bowl of self-served soup from their kettle.

Its grand celebration is St. Patrick's Day, which begins in mid-February with a "Countdown to St. Patrick's day." McGillin's rolls out its imported Irish O'Hara's Stout and O'Reilly's Stout from Phoenixville's Sly Fox brewery in Phoenixville. St. Practice Daze feature live Irish music and food, and St. Patrick's Day Parade-goers are welcomed to take a seat at McGillin's by the fire and enjoy an Irish Coffee, Hot Chocolate with Butterscotch Liquor or a Hot Toddie.

McGillins is located at 1390 Drury Street. Phone: 215-735-5562. Visit this link for their full menu, a listing of their special events, and the history of this historic alehouse.

MORIARTY'S RESTAURANT AND IRISH PUB: Moriarty's draws the theater crowd, shoppers, Center City workers from all walks, tourists, and students and interns from nearby Jefferson University Hospital. Located in a circa 1830 building, it retains three original fireplaces. Opened as a bar in 1927 when the Forest Theater was built next door, historic memorabilia and photos, rare prints and antique water pitchers take you back in time. The magnificent sixty-five foot mahogany bar on the first floor was created by two Irish artisans, and an imported antique bar graces the second floor.

Moriarty's offers international cuisine and American and Irish pub fare and signature "South of Ireland" Mexican dishes, incorporated into the menu when an Irish-Mexican cook came to work there. Shepherd's Pie, Whiskey Salmon, and Baltimore Style Crab Cakes are a few of their entrees. Their prices are in the medium range. Location: 1116 Walnut Street. Phone: 215-627-7676. Visit their website here for menu and additional information. Visit this website for the colorful history of Moriarty's.

THE IRISH PUB: What list of Irish pubs would be complete without one called "The Irish Pub?" Directly across the street from Moriarty's, The Irish Pub is a narrow, two-story tavern where you can share drinks and food with sports stars, local celebrities, tourists and the locals. Memorabilia-covered walls surround a turn of the century hand-carved, cherrywood bar. Opened in 1975, the Walnut Street Irish Pub is perfect for lunch, dinner or chilling out after the workday.

The Irish Pub menu is "American with an Irish Concept." Their menu includes appetizers, salads, hot and cold sandwiches on brick oven steak rolls, pub rolls, sourdough or seven-grain breads, all under $7.50. The Irish Pub Signature Entrees include Buttermilk Ale Fish and Chips, a Crab Cake Platter, Saloon style Cod filets, Chicken Thumb Platter and Chili, all under $8. And don't miss their dessert menu, which includes Bread Pudding with whiskey sauce. They offer a wide selection of draught and bottled beers, both imported, domestic and from local microbreweries. Located at 1123 Walnut Street. Phone: 215-925-3311. Visit their website here for more information.

(Finally, an article where my misspent youth has paid off!)