Atmosphere: It's your standard local corner bar, but with an awesome patio with a HUGE (Has to be at least 10 feet diagonally) projector outside to watch the games on. There's also a cool firepit with seating and a place to put your drinks around it. Beverages: I was drinking the $3 16oz cans of miller lite, they also had $2 High lifes. Seems like everything is very affordable. Cuisine: Hands down the best wings in the Cheltenham area. It's unfortunately the only food I've ever eaten there, but the fries looked very good too. Service: Friendly enough, what you would expect from a local corner bar.
(4)
Steve C.
I'm giving two stars. Cheap drinks are worth an extra star. I'm frugal. Otherwise, i'd be giving it a single star. I sat outside, early afternoon, and was smoked out by wasted townies. It was a breezy day, outdoors, in a cloud of smoke; yet the bar still stunk like it hadn't been cleaned, ever. I ordered a burger, asked for it medium rare. I was told they come cooked only medium well, and they no longer use fresh meat. That says it all. No need to delve deeper into any other details. We've all, unfortunately, stopped at these places, and know how the rest of the visit plays out. We've all seen Bar Rescue and Kitchen Nightmares enough times to be wise enough to stay away from the food at that point, You make sure there's no bugs in your booze, and hope for the best.. I wasn't that wise. I sat pissed off staring at my $8 hockey puck, RJ Reynolds burger, listening to a 50yo, drunken, ginger screaming about an AL baseball team from some shitty city I didn't care about. They also started blaring dance music half way through my stay. I was the only person under 50. 80% of the patrons were older families and friends eating wings. Nobody was exactly itching to bust a move. Some people even had walkers with them. Maybe they were trying to scare them all away and stage NE Philly version of the pool party at Rehab? This is the type of place you come to get wasted cheaply, and stumble home within walking distance. If i lived around the corner, maybe I'd give it another star. Not five stars like all the locals who have reviewed this place. If I'm driving through this area again, I'll grab much better food and atmosphere somewhere in Jenkintown.
(2)
Nile H.
They have a pretty decent rotating craft beer list. However, the best parts about this bar are: 1) the wings* 2) the fire pit out back 3) the rest of most of the food *they have the best wings in the area (hands down!). The mild is a bit spicer then one would expect, so order accordingly. It's a neighborhood bar in every sense of the meaning. I'm usually there with a group and we have a good time.
(4)
steve e.
You won't leave hungry,upgraded beer choices, and just a hint of smokiness on a still afternoon...some old fishermen gather here for years, and you could see the old man and the sea in their weathered faces
(4)
Kelly W.
Excellent neighborhood joint! They no longer permit smoking indoors, which is a big plus. We sat on their patio- really cute with a fire pit and its own little bar. Menu isn't extensive, but the food is delicious and very reasonably priced. Wings are large, sandwiches well-grilled, and quesadillas loaded with chicken! We had 4 drinks, the food listed above, plus an order of fries... $40. Can't beat that!! Plus it came with a nice atmosphere and friendly service.
(4)
Nicole H.
Back patio is awesome. When it gets a little colder, they have a firepit and heat lamps. Food is delicious (cheese fries!). Beer is cold. They do allow smoking inside, which isn't my cup of tea, but sitting outside is more fun anyway. Big screen TVs outside to watch the games. Would definitely recommend this dive bar!
(4)
Max R.
Grrrrrrrrreat! Great for late night food items (kitchen stays open, with a limited menu, until 130ish). Fantastic for late-night industry types. Staff is capable, friendly, and great to spend some quality time with. Pat: he's a sweet angel. Jen: all-around great bartender-slash-sexbomb. Steve: bar wizard. Kieran: sweet, gentle giant. Grace: great bartender/wonderful human being. This place is hands-down my favorite local spot.
(5)
Louis W.
I drive past here every day on the way home, and so this weekend I grabbed my cousin and we went there for a beer. Nice! Very much a local's bar, and I appreciate that for all that it is. The drink prices were very reasonable, and the service was good. Suprisingly, there was actually a little eye candy here! They do have an "outside" bier garten type patio setup that has it's own bar too, so you can head outside or stay inside. Lots of TVs to watch the game, and everyone was friendly. I'll be back!
(5)
Tammy W.
Great jukebox!! Great food! Great atmosphere ! I'm sold! Definitely going back
(4)
Charlene T.
I'm a fan. First time in this place. Friendly bartender. I had jack cheddar bacon fries. YUM. All fries are not created equal. The patrons are diverse and friendly enough. The kitchen served us late and was super nice about it. Nice pint of Guinness too:)
(5)
Adam H.
Beer selection is okay, bar staff was nice. We ordered food and it took over an hour to come out. I understand places get busy (it wasn't really), but that was ridiculous. Once we did get our food, one of the chicken sandwiches didn't even have chicken on it. Not impressed, won't be going back any time soon.
(1)
Claudia H.
Best bar ever. Cheese steak sliders and wings are always good ideas. The bartenders are lovely and friendly, and so is the crowd. They're well known for their Tuesday Night Open Mic, but they also have Wednesday Karaoke and Thursday Bingo (with cash prizes!)
(5)
JC C.
Went back once smoking was disallowed. So much better. Nice variety of beers and the food was surprisingly really good.
(4)
Taylor B.
Back in Elkins Park. My first stop was Mckinley's they continue to set the standard! Inexpensive beer and great food! Get the mother McKinley hot roast beef!
(5)
Marion C.
Let me start by stating that this place has signs by each entrance that smoking is permitted . As soon as I read that I turned and left!!! I went their because I searched for a place on yelp with outside seating and they had good reviews..... But no one mentioned SMOKING!!!!!
(1)
Teri M.
Cheap drinks. Wednesday night karaoke madness w/ $4 mega glass of Blue Moon special. Fun upbeat local vibe. It's very warm & cozy here and they make most excellent hot wings (Tell them to fry 'em hard! So good!) One of my friends always has the pizza fries when he goes. The bartenders (that I've met, not counting old Eric, if he's still around, who was rather indifferent) are pretty nice and really, this is the ONLY bar I've ever frequented that I feel like everyone is my peer and unpretentious (including the cool bartender chick). I mean it's more relaxed than Cheers. I promise you will probably start talking with someone even if you go alone (which I have done) and end up having a decent time, regardless of first impressions. Their chicken fingers are FANTASTIC. And I'm really picky about those. The only downside is that they allow smoking. *cough* But even I rough it for karaoke night. They also have an outside patio area with a blazing firepit to sit around when it's cold and is of course, a nice spot to chill during the summer nights.
(5)
john r.
The McKinley Tavern is the best little bar you never heard of in Montgomery County. Why? Well, there are a few reasons. 1. If you are a graduate of Abington, Cheltenham or Jenkintown High Schools no doubt you will see someone there you graduated with. 2. The patio is a little-bit-of-paradise right in downtown E.P. 3. Food is consistently good. Beer is always cold. And the patio is kid friendly.
(5)
Jim L.
Good bar food, very reasonably priced. We enjoy the deck, inside can get a little too smokey.
(4)
Andrew K.
Whenever I have the good fortune of finding myself in the happening and eventful suburbs, there is nowhere else I would rather plant myself than good ol' McKinley's. There was a period of time when I would spend every night of the week here, as many of the other patrons do. The reason for this degenerate behavior may not immediately be apparent upon one's first divey McKinley's experience. One might say, "This is a shithole in the middle of nowhere, and the ceiling has been torn apart for years!" The place, however, grows on you. The people you will encounter are mostly blue collar, sometimes old and kooky, and perhaps pitifully drinking themselves to wet-brained delirium, but at least they aren't the Goo Goo Doll crowd you'll find at Vintage or the Wet Whistle. Indeed, McKinley's is far superior to such establishments. The juke box will be playing (usually) good music. No one will be bitching to turn it down. The drinks are beyond reasonably priced. The wings are the best I've had anywhere, and I've been everywhere. The staff are cool. There's a band that plays some nights, there's karaoke. And I went to Elementary School around the corner...so the place kind of feels like home. So stop on in and get sauced for cheap around some real folks...and watch out that you don't get pulled over on the way out. I never have;) PS- McKinley's is better than Buckets and Archie's, as well. And in much further proximity from a suburban police station!!
(5)
Krifka S.
Love the patio! I'll be sad when winter comes and they close the patio ( until next spring). The patio is the only way to go with kids. The crowd here is great, friendly people who always end up playing with my son. The staff is really nice too, food is good, but some items are better than others ( quesadilla and nachos are fantastic) - a smaller assortment of truly craft beers, but more than most. Draft always tastes fresh. A must do for outdoor, pub dining.
(4)
Michael C.
I'll start by saying, I haven't eaten here yet. I've been here 2 times in the past week and had a great time. Their doing some renovations, so when the football season starts this will be like a mini hooters, without the b**bs. Just mug clubs and great bar food, OK, I haven't eaten it yet, but it looked good on the bar. Plans for 7 flat screens straight across the wall. Grab a seat, a basket a wings, and a coaster for your beers. They have direct TV and a great bar staff.
(4)
Glen S.
I like the bar, when I can sit outside. This is a smoker's bar so I will not complain about that (Like when vegetarians complain about selection at a steak restaurant). I go occasionally when I need a quick bite and a beer. Last night I went and got a burger. REALLY not impressed with my meal. I have told others that the McKinley tavern has good burgers, but alas the burger has been a victim of cost cutting. I could have sworn that this was a fresh-ground burger at one time but last night my requested medium-rare burger was a cheap boca/bubba organ meat tasting, well done protein disc. I think I read that these mass produced frozen patties can have by-products from over 60 cows in a single patty! So overall, good hang-out bar, nice deck, Paul, the owner is a real good guy and I know he cares about the food he serves, but please bring back the real meat! Update: Last burger I had was much better, thanks! Upping my stars
(4)
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Address :881 Township Line Rd
Elkins Park, PA, 19027
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Late Night Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Loud Music : Juke Box Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Yes Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Carl B.
Atmosphere: It's your standard local corner bar, but with an awesome patio with a HUGE (Has to be at least 10 feet diagonally) projector outside to watch the games on. There's also a cool firepit with seating and a place to put your drinks around it. Beverages: I was drinking the $3 16oz cans of miller lite, they also had $2 High lifes. Seems like everything is very affordable. Cuisine: Hands down the best wings in the Cheltenham area. It's unfortunately the only food I've ever eaten there, but the fries looked very good too. Service: Friendly enough, what you would expect from a local corner bar.
(4)Steve C.
I'm giving two stars. Cheap drinks are worth an extra star. I'm frugal. Otherwise, i'd be giving it a single star. I sat outside, early afternoon, and was smoked out by wasted townies. It was a breezy day, outdoors, in a cloud of smoke; yet the bar still stunk like it hadn't been cleaned, ever. I ordered a burger, asked for it medium rare. I was told they come cooked only medium well, and they no longer use fresh meat. That says it all. No need to delve deeper into any other details. We've all, unfortunately, stopped at these places, and know how the rest of the visit plays out. We've all seen Bar Rescue and Kitchen Nightmares enough times to be wise enough to stay away from the food at that point, You make sure there's no bugs in your booze, and hope for the best.. I wasn't that wise. I sat pissed off staring at my $8 hockey puck, RJ Reynolds burger, listening to a 50yo, drunken, ginger screaming about an AL baseball team from some shitty city I didn't care about. They also started blaring dance music half way through my stay. I was the only person under 50. 80% of the patrons were older families and friends eating wings. Nobody was exactly itching to bust a move. Some people even had walkers with them. Maybe they were trying to scare them all away and stage NE Philly version of the pool party at Rehab? This is the type of place you come to get wasted cheaply, and stumble home within walking distance. If i lived around the corner, maybe I'd give it another star. Not five stars like all the locals who have reviewed this place. If I'm driving through this area again, I'll grab much better food and atmosphere somewhere in Jenkintown.
(2)Nile H.
They have a pretty decent rotating craft beer list. However, the best parts about this bar are: 1) the wings* 2) the fire pit out back 3) the rest of most of the food *they have the best wings in the area (hands down!). The mild is a bit spicer then one would expect, so order accordingly. It's a neighborhood bar in every sense of the meaning. I'm usually there with a group and we have a good time.
(4)steve e.
You won't leave hungry,upgraded beer choices, and just a hint of smokiness on a still afternoon...some old fishermen gather here for years, and you could see the old man and the sea in their weathered faces
(4)Kelly W.
Excellent neighborhood joint! They no longer permit smoking indoors, which is a big plus. We sat on their patio- really cute with a fire pit and its own little bar. Menu isn't extensive, but the food is delicious and very reasonably priced. Wings are large, sandwiches well-grilled, and quesadillas loaded with chicken! We had 4 drinks, the food listed above, plus an order of fries... $40. Can't beat that!! Plus it came with a nice atmosphere and friendly service.
(4)Nicole H.
Back patio is awesome. When it gets a little colder, they have a firepit and heat lamps. Food is delicious (cheese fries!). Beer is cold. They do allow smoking inside, which isn't my cup of tea, but sitting outside is more fun anyway. Big screen TVs outside to watch the games. Would definitely recommend this dive bar!
(4)Max R.
Grrrrrrrrreat! Great for late night food items (kitchen stays open, with a limited menu, until 130ish). Fantastic for late-night industry types. Staff is capable, friendly, and great to spend some quality time with. Pat: he's a sweet angel. Jen: all-around great bartender-slash-sexbomb. Steve: bar wizard. Kieran: sweet, gentle giant. Grace: great bartender/wonderful human being. This place is hands-down my favorite local spot.
(5)Louis W.
I drive past here every day on the way home, and so this weekend I grabbed my cousin and we went there for a beer. Nice! Very much a local's bar, and I appreciate that for all that it is. The drink prices were very reasonable, and the service was good. Suprisingly, there was actually a little eye candy here! They do have an "outside" bier garten type patio setup that has it's own bar too, so you can head outside or stay inside. Lots of TVs to watch the game, and everyone was friendly. I'll be back!
(5)Tammy W.
Great jukebox!! Great food! Great atmosphere ! I'm sold! Definitely going back
(4)Charlene T.
I'm a fan. First time in this place. Friendly bartender. I had jack cheddar bacon fries. YUM. All fries are not created equal. The patrons are diverse and friendly enough. The kitchen served us late and was super nice about it. Nice pint of Guinness too:)
(5)Adam H.
Beer selection is okay, bar staff was nice. We ordered food and it took over an hour to come out. I understand places get busy (it wasn't really), but that was ridiculous. Once we did get our food, one of the chicken sandwiches didn't even have chicken on it. Not impressed, won't be going back any time soon.
(1)Claudia H.
Best bar ever. Cheese steak sliders and wings are always good ideas. The bartenders are lovely and friendly, and so is the crowd. They're well known for their Tuesday Night Open Mic, but they also have Wednesday Karaoke and Thursday Bingo (with cash prizes!)
(5)JC C.
Went back once smoking was disallowed. So much better. Nice variety of beers and the food was surprisingly really good.
(4)Taylor B.
Back in Elkins Park. My first stop was Mckinley's they continue to set the standard! Inexpensive beer and great food! Get the mother McKinley hot roast beef!
(5)Marion C.
Let me start by stating that this place has signs by each entrance that smoking is permitted . As soon as I read that I turned and left!!! I went their because I searched for a place on yelp with outside seating and they had good reviews..... But no one mentioned SMOKING!!!!!
(1)Teri M.
Cheap drinks. Wednesday night karaoke madness w/ $4 mega glass of Blue Moon special. Fun upbeat local vibe. It's very warm & cozy here and they make most excellent hot wings (Tell them to fry 'em hard! So good!) One of my friends always has the pizza fries when he goes. The bartenders (that I've met, not counting old Eric, if he's still around, who was rather indifferent) are pretty nice and really, this is the ONLY bar I've ever frequented that I feel like everyone is my peer and unpretentious (including the cool bartender chick). I mean it's more relaxed than Cheers. I promise you will probably start talking with someone even if you go alone (which I have done) and end up having a decent time, regardless of first impressions. Their chicken fingers are FANTASTIC. And I'm really picky about those. The only downside is that they allow smoking. *cough* But even I rough it for karaoke night. They also have an outside patio area with a blazing firepit to sit around when it's cold and is of course, a nice spot to chill during the summer nights.
(5)john r.
The McKinley Tavern is the best little bar you never heard of in Montgomery County. Why? Well, there are a few reasons. 1. If you are a graduate of Abington, Cheltenham or Jenkintown High Schools no doubt you will see someone there you graduated with. 2. The patio is a little-bit-of-paradise right in downtown E.P. 3. Food is consistently good. Beer is always cold. And the patio is kid friendly.
(5)Jim L.
Good bar food, very reasonably priced. We enjoy the deck, inside can get a little too smokey.
(4)Andrew K.
Whenever I have the good fortune of finding myself in the happening and eventful suburbs, there is nowhere else I would rather plant myself than good ol' McKinley's. There was a period of time when I would spend every night of the week here, as many of the other patrons do. The reason for this degenerate behavior may not immediately be apparent upon one's first divey McKinley's experience. One might say, "This is a shithole in the middle of nowhere, and the ceiling has been torn apart for years!" The place, however, grows on you. The people you will encounter are mostly blue collar, sometimes old and kooky, and perhaps pitifully drinking themselves to wet-brained delirium, but at least they aren't the Goo Goo Doll crowd you'll find at Vintage or the Wet Whistle. Indeed, McKinley's is far superior to such establishments. The juke box will be playing (usually) good music. No one will be bitching to turn it down. The drinks are beyond reasonably priced. The wings are the best I've had anywhere, and I've been everywhere. The staff are cool. There's a band that plays some nights, there's karaoke. And I went to Elementary School around the corner...so the place kind of feels like home. So stop on in and get sauced for cheap around some real folks...and watch out that you don't get pulled over on the way out. I never have;) PS- McKinley's is better than Buckets and Archie's, as well. And in much further proximity from a suburban police station!!
(5)Krifka S.
Love the patio! I'll be sad when winter comes and they close the patio ( until next spring). The patio is the only way to go with kids. The crowd here is great, friendly people who always end up playing with my son. The staff is really nice too, food is good, but some items are better than others ( quesadilla and nachos are fantastic) - a smaller assortment of truly craft beers, but more than most. Draft always tastes fresh. A must do for outdoor, pub dining.
(4)Michael C.
I'll start by saying, I haven't eaten here yet. I've been here 2 times in the past week and had a great time. Their doing some renovations, so when the football season starts this will be like a mini hooters, without the b**bs. Just mug clubs and great bar food, OK, I haven't eaten it yet, but it looked good on the bar. Plans for 7 flat screens straight across the wall. Grab a seat, a basket a wings, and a coaster for your beers. They have direct TV and a great bar staff.
(4)Glen S.
I like the bar, when I can sit outside. This is a smoker's bar so I will not complain about that (Like when vegetarians complain about selection at a steak restaurant). I go occasionally when I need a quick bite and a beer. Last night I went and got a burger. REALLY not impressed with my meal. I have told others that the McKinley tavern has good burgers, but alas the burger has been a victim of cost cutting. I could have sworn that this was a fresh-ground burger at one time but last night my requested medium-rare burger was a cheap boca/bubba organ meat tasting, well done protein disc. I think I read that these mass produced frozen patties can have by-products from over 60 cows in a single patty! So overall, good hang-out bar, nice deck, Paul, the owner is a real good guy and I know he cares about the food he serves, but please bring back the real meat! Update: Last burger I had was much better, thanks! Upping my stars
(4)