Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The City Tavern
— Independence Hall National Historical Park —
The City Tavern in Philadelphia was erected at a great expense by a voluntary subscription of the principal gentlemen of the city or the convenience of the public, and is much the largest and most elegant house occupied in that way in America.
—Philadelphia Packet, 1884.
Completed on the eve of the American Revolution to serve the elite of Philadelphia, the City Tavern soon hosted the elite of an emerging American nation.
The City Tavern, like many other 18th Century taverns, was more than a “bar.” It was a center for political discussions, business transactions, and social events. Members of the Continental Congress lodged, dined, and celebrated here.
The building in front of you is a reconstruction of the original 1773 tavern. Today visitors from around the world may enjoy lunch or dinner here at what John Adams called “the most genteel” tavern in America.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. (Marker Number 29.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 39° 56.834′ N, 75° 8.668′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. Marker is on South 2nd Street close to Walnut Street, on the left when traveling north. It is in the alley to the right of the tavern, facing the tavern. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 138 S 2nd St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named City Tavern (here, next to this marker); Hannah Callowhill Penn (within shouting distance of this marker); Slate Roof House (within shouting distance of this marker); John Drinker House (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome Park (within shouting distance of this marker); William Penn (within shouting distance
Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 14, 2010
2. The City Tavern Marker
Oval on the upper left of this interpretive panel invites you to call +1-267-519-4295 and enter the Building Number, 29, to hear a brief history of the tavern.
This oval has since been removed from the marker.
This oval has since been removed from the marker.
More about this marker. The interpretive panel has a large color image captioned, “artist’s conception of members of the Continental Congress celebrating the anniversary of independence at the City Tavern on July 4, 1778.”
Also see . . . Philadelphia's Merchants Moved from Coffee House to Tavern to This “Temple of Commerce”. US History:
Excerpt: “By the early 1770s, however, the London Coffee House did not have the capacity to cater to the business demands of a swelling city. Recognizing the need for larger quarters, several nabobs of the social and mercantile aristocracy built the Merchants’ Coffee House which came to be better known as the City Tavern. A business card distributed by an innkeeper at City Tavern in 1789 read, ‘Opened and established by the subscription of Merchants, Captains of Vessels,
Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 14, 2010
3. The City Tavern's North Façade and Marker
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 5, 2019
4. The City Tavern Marker in red circle.
The City Tavern's front awning is removed.
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 5, 2019
5. The City Tavern Marker in red circle.
Courtyard behind the City Tavern.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 14, 2010
6. The City Tavern
Marker is in the shadows to the right of the first tree on the right.
7. Close-up of image on marker
“Artist’s conception of members of the Continental Congress celebrating the anniversary of independence at the City Tavern on July 4, 1778.”
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2012, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 741 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 5, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2012, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on August 8, 2019. 6, 7. submitted on January 1, 2012, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
