Where is Paddy's Pub? The Real Location Behind It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Marshall Schurtz
- Apr 13
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
If you're planning a Philadelphia pub crawl with hopes of stumbling into Paddy's Pub to catch a glimpse of the Gang from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, I've got some sobering news for you. The one-of-a-kind, grimy, rat-infested dive bar where Mac, Dennis, Charlie, Dee and Frank come up with terrible schemes doesn’t actually exist in Philadelphia – and never did.
But the story behind the show’s central hangout is fascinating, and there are plenty of real-life spots in Philly that capture the vibe and places in Los Angeles you can go to see the ‘real’ Paddy’s Pub.
Where is Paddy's Pub?
The truth is both disappointing and intriguing: Paddy's Pub doesn't physically exist in Philadelphia. The bar is a Hollywood creation, inspired by the real insanity of Philadelphia and the famous bars of TV & movies.
While the show amazingly captures Philadelphia's unique character and references real locations throughout the city, the bar itself is filmed entirely based in Los Angeles. Writer and show creator, Rob McElhenney, a South Philly native, made sure that Paddy’s Pub was true to his hometown, despite being thousands of miles away.
Where is Paddy's Pub in Los Angeles?
The Exterior
If you're determined to see the actual building used for Paddy's exterior shots, you'll need to head to Los Angeles. Down in the Arts District of LA, not far from Downtown, is a rundown warehouse at 544 Mateo Street. Officially known as the Nate Starkman Building, it was built in 1908 as a factory and has been one of the most filmed locations in Los Angeles. Outside of its large brick wall and entrance were where the Always Sunny Gang filmed countless scenes.
The location feels deliberately gritty and industrial, and it was for years. Today, the Arts District has evolved into an expensive and trendy part of the city – you don’t need to keep a lookout for bums! Fun fact, the building that is currently next door houses the Spotify LA Headquarters.
This neighborhood has been a popular filming location for dozens of movies and TV shows. Fans of New Girl can head around the corner to check out the exterior of Jess, Nick, Schmidt, and Winston’s apartment.
The Interior
The interior scenes of Paddy's, where most of the show happens, were once a real location. Seasons One and Two were filmed on a real bar set inside the historic Herald Examiner Building in downtown Los Angeles. This beautiful structure was designed by Julia Morgan, the same architect behind Hearst Castle, and once served as headquarters for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner newspaper.
The Herald Examiner Building, with its Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, became a popular filming location once the newspaper closed in 1989. Countless movies and shows have used the building as a backdrop, from the Usual Suspects to the pilot of Brooklyn 99. In fact, the bar was used in the cult favorite movie, Zoolander. Sadly, as of 2015, renovations led to the end of the building as a filming location.
Can You Visit Paddy's Pub in Philadelphia?
Unfortunately, you can't walk into the “real” Paddy's Pub when you’re in Philadelphia. But before you drown your sorrows in a rum ham, know that Philly offers plenty of authentic dive bars that might have even inspired the design and vibe of the Gang’s watering hole.
Where is the Real Paddy's Pub in Philadelphia?
While there's no official "real Paddy's" in Philadelphia, the show has occasionally placed the fictional bar at different South Philly locations. One bar in Philly’s Old City, named Paddy’s, has often claimed to be Rob’s inspiration for TV’s Paddy’s Pub, but there is little evidence to support that.
Instead, the inspiration seems to be drawn from nearby Rob’s childhood home in South Philly, at the corner of Moyamensing and Dickinson Streets. A number of small corner dive bars on the surrounding blocks have been described as the bar where Rob got his start.
Want to Explore The REAL South Philadelphia?
Take "The Gang Goes to South Philly" Tour to see famous filming locations from your favorite show!
What Bar Was the Inspiration for Paddy's Pub?
According to local lore and bits of information gathered from interviews with the cast, several real Philadelphia establishments likely influenced Paddy's creation:
The Shamrock Pub
Just blocks from McElhenney's childhood home stood The Shamrock Pub, which many believe served as a primary inspiration for Paddy's. This no-frills neighborhood bar was a dive in every sense. Rough around the edges but a place for the neighborhood to gather (and get blasted). The Shamrock was a South Philly staple until it closed around the time of the pandemic.
Historic Google Street View images show The Shamrock operating as far back as 2007, with changes appearing around 2019—suggesting it closed in 2018 or 2019, just before COVID struck.
2Street
Now occupying the spot where The Shamrock once stood is a bar simply called 2Street. The name is a reference to what this part of South Philly calls Second Street, 2Street. The route of the annual Mummers Parade ends down at 2Street and serves as a uniquely Philly drunken celebration of the New Years.
The bar seems to be continuing the dive bar tradition of Shamrock Pub. On a good day (or bad, depending on your perspective), you might find one dude sitting at the bar, nursing a single pitcher of beer with no staff anywhere to be found (true story). From Google Reviews, the bartenders are possibly too much like our Always Sunny friends of Dee, Dennis, Mac, and Charlie:
Dee's Place
Just a couple blocks from 2Street sits another dive bar with an ironic connection to the show: Dee's Place. While not named after the show's "Sweet Dee," this neighborhood spot has been serving locals for decades. How far back? That’s not clear. But Google Street View shows the bar standing there as far back as 2007, just a few years after the premiere of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Could Rob have been inspired to name one of the main characters of the show? It’s a possibility.
Mac's Tavern: The Semi-Official Always Sunny Bar Experience
For fans seeking the most authentic Always Sunny bar experience possible, Mac's Tavern in Old City Philadelphia is your best (and least unhinged) bet. Co-owned by Rob McElhenney (Mac) and his wife Kaitlin Olson (Dee), the bar and restaurant has the strongest direct connection to the show while also serving solid food and drinks—something you'd never find at the fictional Paddy's.
Located at 226 Market Street in Philly’s historic Old City area, Mac's Tavern opened in 2010 and has become a pilgrimage site for fans of the show. While it doesn't attempt to recreate Paddy's grimy aesthetic (thankfully), it does feature memorabilia from the series and creates a space where fans can feel connected to the Always Sunny universe.
In recent years, Mac's Tavern has also become the go-to spot for watching Wrexham AFC matches—the Welsh soccer team that McElhenney co-owns with Ryan Reynolds. This adds another layer of interest for fans looking to experience McElhenney's real-world ventures.
Experience the Real South Philadelphia of It's Always Sunny
While you can't visit the fictional Paddy's Pub, you can experience the authentic South Philadelphia that shaped the show's distinctive character by joining our tour of real Always Sunny filming locations - The Gang Goes to South Philly: An It’s Always Sunny Tour of Philadelphia.
Tours run every weekend and offer you a completely unparalleled way to experience the Gang’s shenanigans with fellow Always Sunny superfans.
But remember, if you do find yourself in a South Philly dive bar that seems suspiciously like Paddy's, be wary of any milk steak offers or invitations to play Chardee MacDennis. Some experiences are best left to television.
