McGlinchey's

Center City is the vibrant heart of Philadelphia, serving as the city’s primary hub for business, culture, dining, and residential living. Known for its iconic skyline anchored by City Hall, Center City offers a dynamic mix of historic charm and modern urban energy. The neighborhood is highly walkable and well-connected by SEPTA’s subway, trolley, regional rail, and bus lines, making it one of the most accessible areas in the region for commuters and visitors alike. The area is home to some of Philadelphia’s most desirable sub-neighborhoods, including Rittenhouse Square, Washington Square West, Old City, and Midtown Village. Residents enjoy close proximity to top-tier restaurants, cafés, boutique shopping, theaters, museums, and green spaces such as Rittenhouse Square and Dilworth Park. Center City also hosts a strong concentration of corporate offices, medical institutions, universities, and government buildings, contributing to steady foot traffic and consistent demand for housing and retail. With a diverse housing stock ranging from luxury high-rise condominiums to historic townhomes and modern apartments, Center City appeals to young professionals, families, and downsizers alike. Its blend of cultural institutions, employment opportunities, nightlife, and public spaces makes Center City one of the most sought-after and economically resilient neighborhoods in Philadelphia.MPN Realty, Inc. is pleased to present the sale of 259-61 S 15th St. aka McGlinchey’s. An iconic Philadelphia landmark bar, the 4,992 +/- SF property consists of a bar with small kitchen on the first floor, a 2nd floor bar with stage area, and a 3rd floor that is currently in shell condition. Zoned CMX-5 the site is ideal for bar/ restaurant operators, or potential redevelopment. What became McGlinchey’s was built in 1922 as a speculative office building by the Lionel Friedman Company, under the designs of the famous architecture firm Hoffman-Henon and built by the Kober Construction Company. After 10 years as the offices of the Allen-Sherman-Hoff Company, Joseph A. McGlinchey purchased the building on September 26, 1932. Mr. McGlinchey leased the first floor to a book and gift store called the Odd Shop, and opened McGlinchey’s Restaurant on the 2nd f loor, while residing on the 3rd floor. By the 1950s, McGlinchey’s was operating on the first floor while the McGlinchey family lived upstairs. In the following decades, McGlinchey’s operated as a venerated neighborhood establishment enjoyed by nearby residents and workers of all different backgrounds. In 1976, the 2nd floor was converted into the Top’s Bar, which started as a disco, later became a music and poetry venue, and finally an extension of McGlinchey’s itself. After nine decades as a beloved Center City business, McGlinchey’s closed on August 22, 2025. The site is ideal for a new owner to make its mark and continue the legacy of McGlinchey’s.