McNally’s Tavern

A Chestnut Hill landmark

One of Philadelphia’s oldest taverns. Famous for The Schmitter®, sandwiches, homemade soups, Meg’s cakes, and cold beer from 13 rotating taps. Family-friendly.

Located at the very top of Chestnut Hill just before the trolley tracks turn. Look for a white stucco building, green door and the McNally flag. Please visit our website link of our monthly specials and current beers.  We’re looking forward to meeting you soon.

Our Long Story Short

In 1921, Rose McNally opened “McNally’s Quick Lunch” in a small corrugated steel building at the trolley turn atop the highest hill in Philadelphia. At this northern end of the world’s longest trolley line, Route 23, Rose provided a hospitable respite to Philadelphia Rapid Transit workers including her husband Hugh. Being one of the few establishments where working men were welcome at the time in the privileged neighborhood, word of her simple but delicious fare quickly spread among the chauffeurs and local estate workers.

In 1927 Rose and Hugh purchased one of the new buildings just across the street and moved the Quick Lunch. In 1934, after Prohibition and much family debate, the family obtained a license to sell beer & alcohol. In 1953, Rose’s grandson, Hugh James, returned home from his tour as a Marine and helped his father Hugh Patrick at the bar for a few days. He never left. Today you’ll find Rose’s great-granddaughters Anne & Meg running the store and offering the same generous hospitality and good food that McNally’s is famous for.

This Philadelphia landmark is located at 8634 Germantown Avenue in the city’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood. Look for the white-washed building with cedar shakes over a wide green door next to a bench under a single coach light. When it’s lit you’re in luck.