If you were visiting Philadelphia in the mid-18th century — you may have lodged in, taken a meal in, or imbibed at the City Tavern. In fact — you may have done all three. Five years before the Coronavirus brought the worst US Pandemic in nearly one hundred years to the East Coast of America— I had the opportunity to experience a modern version of the City Tavern that once hosted John and Samuel Adams with that same colonial feel. The experience was every bit as incredible as the food.
Michael Thomas Leibrandt explains.
The City Tavern, part of Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA). Source: Public domain, http://www.nps.gov, available here.
By the time that the mid-1770s arrived in Philadelphia — the largest City in North America needed gathering places for both food and lodging. And although the Delaware Waterfront had a plethora of locations where those disembarking from ships could seek food, drink, and lodging like the Tun Tavern — at the corner of 2nd and Walnut — was another, perhaps Philadelphia’s more prominent Inn. The original City Tavern.
A few weeks back at the newest version of the City Tavern (built for the Bicentennial) — is opening a 1776-themed outdoor experience in the courtyard behind the building that will showcase both meals and beverages as well as an experience right from the 1700s. It’s known as the Garden at City Tavern and is just another way to get the feel of 1776 while in Philadelphia this summer. And while the current City Tavern is not the original version in Philadelphia — it sure feels like the 18th century experience.
Philadelphia’s original City Tavern was built just three years before the start of the American Revolution in 1773. By 1776 — the City Tavern was even visited by Founding Fathers. Benjamin Franklin loved the Dining Room while The Second President of the United States (John Adams) called it, “the most genteel tavern in America.”
In May of 1774 in response to the Boston Port Act —punishing colonists for the Boston Tea Party — over 150 Philadelphians assembled in the Gallery of the building. The year 1777 was big one for the City Tavern. The one year anniversary of America’s Independence was celebrated there, George Washington met Marquette De Lafayette there, and during the British Occupation of 1777? The upstairs lodging housed British Officers while the basement was a prison for American Patriots. In 1783 — friends of George Washington even gathered there before he returned to Mount Vernon.
Fifty years later in 1834 — the building was significantly damaged and was demolished in 1854 — at approximately the same decade that the last retaining walls of the President’s House at 6th and Market were torn down to build Independence Mall. A replacement structure was constructed prior to the 1976 Bicentennial. Six years ago — the City Tavern ceased operations — partially because of the loss of business from the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The Garden at City Tavern will be welcoming visiting tourists and residents alike for the next few months — between Thursdays and Sundays.
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Michael Thomas Leibrandt lives and works in the Philadelphia Suburbs.