McGillin's Ale House Welcoming Customers For Socially Distant St. Patrick's Day Celebration
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The good times were rolling once again at a Center City institution. McGillin's Olde Ale House was forced to scrap its Saint Patrick's Day celebrations last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but with the luck of the Irish, they were back on this year.
Saint Patrick's Day returned to McGillin's on Wednesday morning.
"Great to be back, cheers to everyone," Kimberly Evans said.
McGillin's is the oldest continuously operated tavern in Philadelphia, but the taps suddenly stopped flowing last year.
"The 16th of March, 3 o'clock, a day that shall live in infamy in my mind," McGillin's owner Chris Mullins said.
Mullins laughs nervously now, but there was nothing to laugh about last year when Saint Patrick's Day and every other holiday was canceled due to the pandemic. It took him up until the lead up to this Saint Patrick's Day to feel normal again.
"Saturday was the first day in over a year where we actually did the same or nearly the same business as we did the same day a year ago," Mullins said.
During the flu pandemic of 1918, McGillin's was about 60 years old. That was over 100 years ago. They made it through that one, and they were determined to make it through this one.
The tavern on Drury Street was founded in 1860 by the McGillin family. That's the same year President Abraham Lincoln was elected. They survived two pandemics, two world wars and prohibition.
"This is an institution of Philadelphia," Sandy Abraham said, "so I'm not surprised that a place like this made it through."
Mullins says they have the luck of the Irish and loyal customers to thank.
"It's just wonderful and a joyous feeling," he said. "I always say Saint Patrick's Day is the first day of spring. It's like the first day that everybody is out and about."
McGillin's will have Irish specials all day long and everyone is welcome, but the luck eventually runs out. There is a 90-minute time limit on tables.
