The Building

The original structure that Moriarty's Restaurant presently occupies was built in 1830. At that point in American history, Andrew Jackson was our nation's seventh president, Arkansas had just become a state, and Philadelphia was the largest city in the country. The Fifth Census Bureau for National Population was taken and counted over 12 million Americans.

The Philadelphia Inquirer was founded just one year prior in 1829, which was the same year that the Eastern State Penitentiary was built. Also in 1829, David G. Yuengling established the Eagle Brewery on Centre Street in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

The Liberty Bell was rung in 1832 in commemoration of George ashington's centennial birthday. In 1833, the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid in Washington Square. In 1834, rowing clubs began to hold regattas on the Delaware River. Also in 1834 the Free School

The Pub

The first occupants of the building had no indoor plumbing, gas or electricity. Gas lighting was added after the Civil War circa 1866. Electricity and water were added in the early 1900s. The building had fifteen fireplaces - three on each of the four floors and three cooking fireplaces in the basement. The fireplaces in the second and third floor banquet rooms are still in use and contribute to the warm and inviting feel of each room.

In the 1920s, Prohibition swept the nation, causing beer and liquor prices to skyrocket. For example, a gallon of quality liquor would have cost $0.66 in Canada, but in Philadelphia, the cost was closer to $7.00. In the year 1920, the first radio broadcasting stations were opened and KDKA Pittsburgh broadcast the nation's first scheduled programs. Neon advertising signs began to grace metropolitan buildings in 1923. NBC started up in 1926 and CBS followed in 1927. At that time, Calvin Coolidge was the United States' 30th President.

In 1927, as the Forrest Theatre broke ground right next-door, the building became a tavern and for over 77 years it has been serving the public good food and spirits. Today, Moriarty's continues that tradition in offering quality food, great drinks and warm hospitality.

Celebrating our 31st year in this historic location, we at Moriarty's are proud to be Philadelphia's favorite Irish Pub. We have won numerous city awards, including Best of Philly, City Paper's Choice, and Best of Penn for our famous wings. We also serve the Perfect Pint of Guinness as well as 30 other draft beers and 50 bottled beers.

Moriarty's is currently enjoying success as a pub and restaurant that incorporates a mixture of old and new with a distinctive Irish feel. We have a flair for details such as candles on every table and old-fashioned mirrors.

Two original fireplaces and a magnificent 1937 sixty-five foot mahogany bar provide the focal point to the first floor in this traditional Irish pub in bustling Center City Philadelphia. The second floor hosts an imported antique bar as the centerpiece for the elegant dining room ambience. Our proximity to historic downtown Philadelphia and the new Constitution Center makes Moriarty's an ideal stop for bus and tour groups.

At Moriarty's, historic and vintage memorabilia covers the walls from top to bottom. Rare prints, sketches, and paintings have been well preserved throughout the years. The rich mahogany bar, wood panels, etched green glass, and Tiffany pendants make this Irish pub a must see. Moriarty's offers a range of international cuisine to suit all tastes, including signature Mexican, Irish and American dishes.

Come into Moriarty's to experience the history and excellence of this established location.

The Saga of Pancho Moriarty

Once upon a time (don’t all sagas start that way) an Irish immigrant named Patty Moriarty took a wrong turn at Albuquerque and ended up in a small village outside Mexico City. There he met a sultry senorita named Donna Maria Elena Rosita Gonzales, who worked in the local cantina. By the time he could pronounce her name they were in love. Due to her great beauty and the size of her father’s shotgun, they were married. Several months later they had a son they named Pancho.

Life for a Mexican kid with red hair and freckles was not going to be easy. The other children made fun of him, so he spent a lot of time in the kitchen with this mother. Tired of him being under foot, she taught him how to cook. When he turned sixteen he took his faithful burro Chico and went out to seek his fortune.

They traveled all over Mexico but he still wasn’t happy. He needed to find the other Moriartys, so he booked passage for two to Ireland. He and Chico visited all his Irish relatives, and developed a great love for Irish food and stout. The only thing missing from Pancho’s life now was a good Margarita. He searched the length and breadth of Ireland, checking every pub, but to no avail. There was only one thing left to do-- go to America.

Having inherited his father’s unerring sense of direction, Pancho told Chico to take a left at the Statue of Liberty. They ended up in Philadelphia. Imagine their surprise, a bar named Moriarty’s that had great margaritas and even better stout. Pancho had found a home. Now Pancho’s been teaching us how to cook some of his favorite Irish dishes and Mexican food, and were proud to present it to you.

Viva Pancho