Philly's favorite bartender, John Doyle, is being honored with a yearlong celebration at McGillin's Olde Ale House, marking a milestone that few can claim: 50 years of service behind the bar. Doyle, who started as a regular at McGillin's in the '70s, never imagined a half-century-long career, or that it would become a defining aspect of Center City's local charm. "I would stand by the door, look around, and just have a couple of drinks," he reminisced in an interview with The Inquirer.
As Doyle approaches his 80th birthday, he's cut back his hours to just one day a week but his legacy stretches wide; he's poured drinks for three generations of McGillin's owners and observed Philadelphia's shifting cityscape through the tenures of eight mayors, his presence at the bar has become a steady undercurrent to the city's ebbs and flows, meanwhile customers have gathered around his bar to celebrate the big wins of Philly's sports teams from the Sixers to the Eagles according to his own recollections told to CBS News Philadelphia.
Among the well-wishers is Mags Myers, a friend for over two decades, who described Doyle as "the best, he's just a lot of fun and he's just the best, he really is," as per an interview with CBS News Philadelphia. Not only patrons but also an array of famous faces have enjoyed Doyle's hospitality, including then Vice President Joe Biden and sports figures such as Chase Utley and Moose Johnston; Doyle finds joy in the interaction, "I love meeting people," he said, capturing the essence of his enduring appeal.
Marking an extraordinary career that spans over a third of McGillin's own storied existence, Doyle's 50 years are a testament to a life well-lived in service of others and shared experiences, with heartfelt stories poured alongside pints and punctuated by the historic moments of the city he loves, this bartender’s dedication is a rare brew of loyalty and cheer that keeps the heart of Philadelphia’s community warm even as it turns towards its future. Moreover, few can stitch such a sweep of time into the fabric of an establishment, or indeed, into the narrative of a city until they become, like John Doyle, something of a local legend heard through stories shared by 6abc.
