meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The Grave Talks | Haunted, Paranormal & Supernatural

Inside the Chilling Lore of McGillin’s Ale House | Paranormal Deep Dive

The Grave Talks | Haunted, Paranormal & Supernatural

Ghost Stores, Haunted, Paranormal & Supernatural Stories

Science, Religion & Spirituality, Society & Culture, Personal Journals, Spirituality, Natural Sciences

4.62.2K Ratings

🗓️ 7 May 2025

⏱️ 15 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

On this episode, Tony Brueski digs into the eerie legend of McGillin’s Olde Ale House—Philadelphia’s oldest operating tavern, where spirits flow in more ways than one. With more than 160 years of history packed into its creaky walls, this beloved pub holds secrets far beyond its beer taps. From phantom footsteps to whispers from the upper floors, McGillin’s isn’t just a place for happy hour—it’s a hotspot for the unexplained.  

Join Tony as he uncovers the history behind the ale house, the characters who ran it, and the strange phenomena that continue to be reported by staff and patrons alike. Is it the lingering spirit of “Ma McGillin,” still keeping a watchful eye over her bar? Or are these encounters simply the byproduct of age, memory, and a touch of late-night superstition? We’re about to find out.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Welcome to the paranormal deep dive from Real Ghost Stories Online and the Grave Talks.

0:07.1

There's a place in Philadelphia where the beer never stops flowing, and apparently neither do the ghosts.

0:15.0

Tucked just off the bustle of Center City, McGillan's old ale house has been serving pints and stories since before the Civil

0:23.0

War. It's a place where generations have gathered, working men, politicians, actors, lovers,

0:29.3

and perhaps a few lost souls who never left. You won't find ghost tours advertised here.

0:37.2

McGillins doesn't need gimmicks.

0:38.7

The building itself does the talking.

0:40.6

Narrow staircases, gaslight chandeliers, and century-old wood that creaks under the weight of history,

0:47.7

and something else.

0:50.4

Patrons speak of cold spots by the fireplace, jukeboxes that play when unplugged, and footsteps echoing above their heads where no one's supposed to be.

0:59.6

Staff have whispered about locked rooms opening themselves, glasses leaping off shelves, and the ever-watchful gaze of Ma McGillen, still keeping tabs on the place she once ran with iron resolve. But are these

1:13.8

stories real? Or just the byproduct of old wood, whiskey, and too many late nights? Tonight, we're

1:20.9

peeling back the wallpaper of McGillan's storied past to find out. I'm Tony Bruske. Let's dig in. It all began in 1860. Just a year before the

1:32.0

Civil War would rip through the heart of America when an Irish immigrant named William

1:36.9

McGillen opened a small tavern in Philadelphia. He called it the bell in hand, though that name wouldn't last long. Before the

1:48.0

paint had time to dry, patrons simply started calling it McGillens, after the towering, mustached

1:53.9

bar keep who presided over the place, with a booming laugh and the kind of no-nonsense presence that earned

2:00.4

both respect and quiet fear.

2:03.7

Pa McGillan ran the joint with pride, pouring local ails by candlelight, and serving up stew to railroad workers, tradesmen, and dock hands.

2:12.2

The building nestled just off Drury Street was humble but full of character, exposed wooden beams, a creaky staircase, and a warmth that brought people back night after night.

2:23.1

Over time, it became more than a pub. It was the second home.

2:27.9

After Paul McGillen passed away in 1901, the tavern didn't close its doors.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Ghost Stores, Haunted, Paranormal & Supernatural Stories, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Ghost Stores, Haunted, Paranormal & Supernatural Stories and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.