A tavern might seem an unlikely place to host a nationally televised morning talk show for a week, but McGillin’s Olde Ale House isn’t just any tavern. It’s the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia, circa 1860.
Tucked into a historic pocket of town two blocks from City Hall and oozing with old-school character, McGillin’s was chosen as the set of MSNBC’s Morning Joe for six days during the 2016 DNC.
McGillin’s is no stranger to famous folks, and the week of the DNC was certainly no exception, according to Chris Mullins, who has owned the establishment with his wife, Mary Ann, since 1993, when they purchased it from her parents, who had owned it since 1958.
“McGillin’s has been known to have famous people come through—Will Rogers, Tennessee Williams, the Marx Brothers, the list goes on—but none as famous as the vice president of the United States,” Mullins said.
Joining hosts Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Willie Geist and native son Chris Matthews, Vice President Joe Biden was one of the many guests on Morning Joe that week, along with Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and several other politicians. Meanwhile, other notables, delegates from across the country and visitors from around the world partook of the DNC-themed food and drink.
“Meeting Vice President Joe Biden, who I have admired for a long time, was a highlight,” Mullins said. “Madeleine Albright—my wife and I are big fans—was another.
“It was nice to be challenged logistically because it forced us to operate 24 hours a day,” Mullins added. “We fed the staff and talent of Morning Joe, plus all of the guests and patrons. It was a lot of extra work but a great success.”
McGillin’s accommodates groups of up to 300. For more info, visit www.mcgillins.com.
