McGlinchey's Bar — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Beware, this place is very unwelcoming if you're under 30 and not a regular.

I'm sure this is probably a great bar, but unfortunately the experience my friends and I had was disappointing. We're all young professionals (23+) from outside the city and decided to begin the night with somewhere different; a more chill bone them our usual. This place had good reviews and was more the "dive" type of bar we were looking for. While the beer was amazing, the way we were treated was embarrassing.

After we got in and seated, the bartender coldly told us that they're not going to serve us. Apparently, she was suspicious that we were drugs or something because one of my friends couldn't find the bathroom and was walking around. I guess that raised suspension? So we had to explain this is legit our first time there, and my friend just walks weirdly I guess.

Then, she asked to check our ID's again. Mind you, we were already checked at the door! Our bartender kept mentioning on how young we looked or something. It definitely felt a little age discrimination.

Look, I get what they're trying to look out for and they want to kick out any of the crazies. That's completely understandable. But there's way more respectable ways of going about it then the treatment we received. And it's alarming that a couple of casually dressed young people, would raise them suspicion. If we were in raggedy clothing and yelling cross the bar like some other people, I could see their reasoning. But unfortunately, this didn't seem to make any sense.

The only reason this is two starts and not one is because the beer was...

As stated in previous reviews, the place wasn't very welcoming. I liked the fact that I could smoke and use the jukebox, but overall, the experience was very passive aggressive.

I walked in with a friend of mine and we initially chose some corner seats (as they were the only two available that were next to each other). When another group of customers left, we took their place so we could be more comfortable. This seemed to personally offend the bartender for some indiscernible reason.

After a round or two we decided to get a couple of tequila shots and the bartender decided to serve them to us in these frilly shot glasses with stems (like miniature champaign glasses). No other customer who had ordered shots up to this point had been served in the same type of glasses that we'd received. Maybe they were out of regular shot glasses... Maybe the bartender was trying to imply we weren't welcome somehow. I don't know.

Next thing to mention, this is a cash-only bar in the middle of Philadelphia, but when my friend tried to pay with a $50 the bar tender told us he couldn't break it. So if you're determined to go here make sure you bring small bills.

Lastly, the bathrooms...

Worst dive ever.

Heading north or south grants you more fun than a pretentious bar where you can smoke inside. Many people only go there for the thrill which doesn’t exist for any dive enthusiast.

The experience primarily consists of $19.65 rolling rock pitchers on weekends yet $12.50 IPA pitchers on Monday’s.

I wouldn’t call this place a tourist trap, because ultimately ‘locals’ go for the ‘thrill’. Unless you’re scared of graffiti in the bathroom, it’s a complete disappointment for dive bars across the country (trying getting a PBR!!). I was told this place was where I’d find a dive by locals and was utterly disappointed; you can get a Stella and yet no pabst which is insane. I’ve had a deeper dive in to 2 foot pools designed to cool dogs off on hot summer days.

Try finding your audience besides wannabe cool dudes and schizo-type personalities; and keeping your Guinness properly poured. This was a disrespectful experience for anybody participating; regardless...