Paddy’s Old City Pub

«Tails never fails! Tails never fails!»
So this is the inspiration of Paddy’s Pub in It’s Always Sunny. To be honest, a part from being significantly smaller, this looks and feels just like Paddy’s from the TV show… which is awesome!
So I showed up at this place at like 10:30 am to start my degenerate Sunday morning drinking routine (the morning drive from Maryland to Philly wasn’t going to deter me!), and there was a local already in there. He was pretty cool, but the first thing I noticed as we were talking was that he was smoking; ironically, I found it rather refreshing that this bar allows smokers rather than this standing outside and 50 feet away from public buildings blah blah stuff nowadays.
And the beer prices, yoooo. I think I paid like three bucks for a mug of draft beer (Kelsinger). That is insanely cheap. I could easily see myself getting tanked here. You can use a card here now, but there’s a 20 buck minimum. So make sure you have some cash before going drinking by yourself.
The bartender was great; a total pro with the banter. By the time I was ready to go, I felt like I knew her whole life story, all the way up til she stabbed her ex with a fork!
And you know Philadelphians keep it classy. This guy brings his daughter into the bar to sell some Girl Scout cookies. I bought a box of Samoas and it was a good choice.
I can totally see how this place was the model for IASIP. Like the other patron told me, «Wherever I go, I always look for the first Irish sh – hole I can find.» And in Philadelphia, this is the place to go for a small bar with tons of local flavor.

Awesome local pub where you can still smoke and drink your favorite beer with great tunes playing on the juke box. Make no mistake, this a local dive bar that rocks. Cinnamon is the best!

What a gem. This is an old dive bar that still allows smoking and these kind of places are a dying breed in gentrified Philadelphia. Let me just say that I am not a hipster, but a dark bar filled with smoke, the hum of the yellowed 80’s smoke eater on the ceiling working away, and a bar top that remains slightly after decades of spills is heaven. I don’t need fancy cocktails with fresh fruit juices and bartenders who insist on being referred to as «mixologists». This place offers a quiet refuge in the middle of a tourist filled space, and while I do not smoke cigarettes, being able to enjoy a great cigar, a good beer, and a shot of whiskey on a weekend afternoon will keep this place a favorite of mine.

What once was a neighborhood bar for local regulars has become more diverse. People stop in to see what the connection is with IASIP.
There are three different bartenders at Paddy’s. They’re all pretty cool. They don’t serve any food but you can order out and eat in there. You also can smoke cigarettes. The music is from a juke box and has a lot of fun tunes. Paddy’s is also very accepting of the LGBT community.
It’s not a great place to bring a big group of rowdy people. It’s fairly low key on most nights. Weekends may surprise you though!

The place smells like cigarettes. I had to interrupt the bartender who had her back to me while she was texting. It was clear that they have not cleaned their taps or beer lines in YEARS when I asked for a Miller Lite draft. I asked for the Miller Lite only because I was a bit leery and I assumed it would be a fresh keg… I was very wrong. Don’t waste your time and money. Go down the street 100 ft to a better bar.

I came to this place with high expectations. Those expectations were quickly deflated once I stepped in the place. Smells like cigarettes and mold. Came here mostly because I’m a fan of Always Sunny… looks nothing like the place. Bartender was polite and helpful, though. Customers, that looked like regulars, were a bit obnoxious. I got my picture, my drink and left.

This place was a bit odd when I went in. 5 odd jobs yelling at each other about a made up game called «CharlieMacDennis» and I sat for a bit before I got my first beer. Place wasn’t clean by a long shot, there was a chicken sitting in blue jeans on the bar, and the only two things on the dinner menu were «Milk Steak» and «The Famous Grilled Charlie». A rough start. But then I had a long convo with the Janitor, Charlie before I left, and that changed my opinion. He goes on and on about the number of Rats he smashes in the basement, odd holes in the men’s bathroom stalls, and crazy chores that the 5 owners and he go through to make the place bearable. It’s only for certain people. When you go, be aware of their Spaghetti Policy.

I had no idea this was from Always Sunny in Philadelphia haha and I’m a huge fan of the show too. I ran into the bartender next door and told him I liked beer so he said to stop by and have one at his bar.
Great beer list. Was definitely worth checking out this bar and having a few beers. I could definitely see myself coming back here with friends. I’m a sucker for beer, what can I say

Bartender was so friendly and even though it maybe a dive bar it is a fun environment a must go in Philly

Headed in the pub about an hour before closing the bartender there must have been wasted because she was stumbling around and was beyond rude. I put four Coors lights on my card but only served three beers, she gave me my receipt and saw she charged my card $ 38, When I asked her about it she took back my receipt without me signing it and threw a $ 20 at me to make up what she overcharged me. I didnt even get a chance to sign off on the receipt. If you like being treated like a piece of shit and ripped off then this is your spot. Avoid. Not worth the hassle

This is a great bar to have a drink when you want to get away from the usual Old City craziness. The place has that very neighborhood/​South Philly feel to it. The bartender was real friendly and the beer options was quite impressive. You also don’t have to break the bank here as well. I will more than likely come back if I want to avoid the overcrowded trendy bars in the area.

Paddy’s Pub! Like most non-​Philly natives, I visited Paddy’s because I love the IASIP. If you’re expecting something like the show, you’re going to be let down. This is a local dive, which isn’t at all a bad thing. Small, cozy, decent selection, smoking is allowed if that’s your thing, friendly service. What more could you ask for? It’s a great place to unwind, maybe not so much for the younger crowd looking to be rowdy.

Just came out of Paddy’s… What an awesome place. Cinnamon was so nice. Made me a great martini and I know it’s not the norm for this bar. Thank you for making the last stop of our trip the best! Will be back soon. Kathy and 3 others from CT.

Look no further for your typical dive bar. The atmosphere is great and they allow smoking. Although I am not a smoker I can certainly appreciate the freedom. Looks nothing like the bar from the famed tv series but is nothing short of what they are aiming for as far as atmosphere.

Came here last night with a group of friends visiting from my home town, I Wanted to show them some good bars around old city. Drink prices were good and atmosphere was laid back.
The bar had only 5 people when we arrived and the bartender seemed a little overwhelmed. We were not being rowdy or obnoxious, and after about fifteen minutes she whistles loudly and yells that everyone needs to go and that she is closing. VERY unprofessional. I just ordered a beer and I was being forced out of the bar because «she was closing», I never got to finish my beer. WHAT A WASTE.
After working in the restaurant industry in old city I might add, I was shocked with how rude she handled it. If this place is a pub-​a place to drink– why would you be closing early at the time when everyone goes out?! The bars in Philadelphia close at 2am not 1:18.
Overall I will never go back due to the lousy customer service. If you do not fit the bartenders standards you mine as well just leave before ordering a drink.

Cheap beer. You can smoke. Friendly service, if a little laid back and on the slower side. Come here to have semi-​private conversations or catch a game in relative peace.
Not much else to say. I like the Philly-​ness of it. Wouldn’t be the first place to come to mind for me to hit up when I need a beer, but I’d never refuse it.
Check this place out if you’re in the area and don’t feel like walking south a few blocks to pay twice as much to get the same thing.

Great neighborhood place with friendly people. Allows smoking but not smoky in any real sense of the word (though I haven’t been there late on a weekend night). Highly recommended!
Michael J. McFadden

…where to start… if you love a good Dive Bar you will like Paddy’s. Now I admit that I love this place because it’s approximately 42.5 steps from my front door (not that I counted) but overall it’s a really cool place to hang… as long as you keep some «guidelines» in mind…
— Don’t ever put on something like NSYNC, Brittney, or TuPac
— SMOKER — Bring your cigarettes cause you can smoke inside
— NOT A Smoker — Get prepared for alot of second hand smoke
— TIP the bartenders, they are all really cool
— Try to wear something a little more «grunge» so you don’t stand out like a tourist
— Gluten Free — they carry a few ciders, but no GF beer yet (still working on that)
— Close your eyes if you use the bathroom, better yet hold it till you get home
— They have like 5 food items that I pretty sure may come from a microwave so eat before you get there

If instantly taking on the aromas of an ashtray makes you feel very upset, you’ll probably want to pass on Paddy’s. I do not smoke anymore, but I know what I’m getting into if we stop in for a drink, which we are occasionally want to do if we’re in the neighborhood. Sweet freedom, smokers! Inside smoking, you’ll find it here…
Anyway, we’re always met with friendliness in this tiny dive. Instantly comfortable. I like it.
There’s no food to be had here, but you will find a pretty ok good selection of beers, and jukebox tunes. Admittedly, we’re not typically ones to frequent Paddy’s during the busy business of Ye Olde City’s weekend hullabaloo… We’re more likely to be in the area on slow Sunday nights, or so. One such visit, during my still-​smoking-​menthols age, was marked by drinking and smoking while all on the rail quietly watched The Discovery Channel on TV. Sharks. I always remember that night as if it were a scene from a strange, strange movie.

It is funny how some people get so worked up about their experiences vs. their expectations. There are people who come here that are obviously locals/​regulars, and then there are people who come here solely because of the TV show. The night we were here, we saw 2 girls get out of a horse carriage, get their picture taken in front of it, and then came in and split one beer and left.
It is smoky, but nice thing is that they sometimes have the doors open, as well as the windows on the side. We’re not smokers, but the ventilation made it fine.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to go back since there are still so many other places in the city we haven’t been to, but if you’re a smoker in the area, or even just in the area in general, it is worth checking it out. Guinness on tap among some other beers.
It was also nice that it isn’t blaring loud. We were there the night of a Flyers playoff game, and the 4 of us could talk with no issues.