What the Future Holds for McGlinchey's and Philly's Smoking Bars

This week, news broke that McGlinchey’s would close permanently after tomorrow. But the owner, Sheldon Sokol, told Philadelphia Business Journal, he wants to stay open but close for a vacation at the end of the week, then sell the bar and retire. So what’s all the fuss about this place? McGlinchey’s is a long-standing dive bar on South 15th Street downtown. It’s also one of the few bars that still allows customers to smoke, despite a 2008 ban on smoking in most indoor spaces. We’re listening back to a 2023 conversation with host Trenae Nuri, Ali Mohsen, former food and beverage reporter for Billy Penn, and Sokol about the bar’s history, culture, and more broadly the policies of smoking bars in Philly.  Read Ali’s full story here.  This episode originally ran on July 6th, 2023. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag. Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our newsletter: Hey Philly Call or text us: 215-259-8170 We’re also on Instagram: @citycastphilly You can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Philly Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:  Independence Seaport Museum Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise