McGillin’s Olde Ale House opens Philadelphia gift shop

The 165-year-old tavern wants to offer one-of-a-kind souvenirs in honor of the city’s oldest bar and other Philly mementos.

For 165 years, McGillin’s Olde Ale House has operated as a popular Irish tavern in Philadelphia. Now, the longtime tavern has opened a gift shop around the corner for locals and tourists alike who want mementos from their time at the Irish ale house.

McGillin’s Shoppe, located at 123 S. Juniper Street not far from the bar, made its debut June 8. The new 500-square-foot shop offers a mix of Philadelphia-themed souvenirs, McGillin’s custom items, and high-quality Celtic gifts.

“It’s a testament to our faith in the rebirth of Philadelphia that after 165 years as a bar, we’re expanding into a permanent retail shoppe,” says Christopher Mullins Jr., who co-owns the bar alongside his parents Mary Ellen and Chris Mullins. “With so much Philadelphia merch, we’ll strive to be the city’s best souvenir shop, outside of the visitor center.”

McGillin's Co-Owner Christopher Mullins Jr. at the new gift shop cash wrap.

McGillin's

The bar ran popular pop-up shops during holiday season in 2023 and 2024. Mullins says those events were so successful that he and his family decided to expand by opening a permanent gift shop with McGillin’s and Philadelphia-themed souvenirs.

Mullins says the store features custom-designed items unique to the shop, including McGillin’s-themed apparel, Philadelphia name-drop merchandise and some Irish imports such as wool scarves, hats, socks, breakfast teas, candles and other items. The store also features some local merchandise, such as books and baby accessories.

“About 80% of our souvenirs are McGillin’s items, 10% is Philadelphia and 10% is Irish,” says Mullins. “But we’ve found that we’re getting a lot of foot traffic from tourists, so we’re hoping to add some more traditional souvenirs, such as Liberty Bell souvenirs and things people can spend $10 to bring home with them.”

Since opening the gift shop this summer, Mullins adds that green McGillin’s throwback T-shirts seem to be the bestselling souvenir in the store, followed by hats and other namedrop T-shirts.

The new gift shop is designed to be an extension of the historic bar, with dark green walls accented with rough-hewn displays, chandeliers, a replica of McGillin’s iconic neon sign and a large backdrop featuring John Doyle (the city’s longest serving bartender). Mullins adds that he hopes the store appeals to McGillin’s fans as well as locals and tourists visiting the city.

With the new brick-and-mortar store, Mullins says he hopes the gift shop can expand the McGillin’s brand, offer souvenirs to visitors and create a new revenue center for the family-owned business.

“McGillin’s has been an integral part of Philadelphia for 165 years. We strive to live up to every guest’s expectations, whether they have been stopping by with their family for generations or coming for the first time,” he says. “We want everyone to feel warmly welcomed. And now, guests can bring back the warmth they feel at Philly’s oldest bar by taking home a Philadelphia or McGillin’s-themed item or gift.”