McGillin's Olde Ale House

This is a must go place at least once. the inside decor will keep you occupied for a long time - because they have a lot of really cool old stuff relating to Philly. Sometimes, it can be a little tourist-y in there, but locals know and love it too. It's packed on Fridays ar happy hour, but the crowd gives it a fun vibe. The frozen marguritas are surprisingly quite good. There's also an upstairs room which is nice for large parties. We've gone to holiday parties and rehearsal dinners up there and always had a great time. more

McGillin's Olde Ale House is located in an alleyway off 13th Street between Chestnut and Sansom. It falls into the brewpub category and famously refuses to carry Guinness. What it does carry is $5 pitchers of domestic beers, a large selection of other beers on tap and a full bar, a friendly barkeep in the style of Robert Redford, and prompt service. It's a relaxed, vaguely Irish ambience that's popular with Center City professionals for afterwork happy hour. It's also popular on Friday nights for atrociously bad karaoke - the place to hear your co-workers sing "Love is a Battlefield." It's not trendy, it's not see-and-be-seen, it's not by Stephen Starr, but it's consistent authentic atmosphere in a Philly establishment with character and good prices. more