The Monto Is Open in Old City

Every neighborhood has one bar that everyone thinks they know the whole story of, and in Old City, that was Mac's Tavern — the place tourists wandered into hoping to spot Danny DeVito, mostly because the internet told them Rob McElhenney used to own it. Fifteen years and one closure later, 226 Market Street has a new occupant.

That's Fergus "Fergie" Carey, Dublin transplant, 40-year Philadelphia bar veteran, and a man so embedded in the city's pub scene that people half-jokingly call him the unofficial mayor. His new spot, The Monto, took over the old Mac's space this summer. 

Sourced via The Monto’s Instagram

Who's Behind It

The Monto comes from Fergus "Fergie" Carey, the Dublin-born gentleman often called Philly's unofficial mayor, and his longtime partner Jim McNamara. Between them, they're behind Fergie's Pub in Washington Square West, the Jim in South Philly, and the Goat in Rittenhouse, so this isn't a first-timer's operation. 

The Kitchen Drama (Because Every Good Bar Story Has One)

Here's where it gets interesting. The Monto was originally set to open with a kitchen run by N.A. Poe, the Best of Philly-winning sandwich maker behind Poe's Sandwich Joint, blending South Philly sandwich culture with Irish pub classics. That partnership fell apart though, leaving the Monto without a chef or a menu. (Fiorillo, 2026)

Why It's Worth the Stop

The Monto earns its place on a crawl for a few reasons: it's an easy walk from other Old City spots, it's got real Irish-pub pedigree behind the bar, and unlike Fergie's Pub, which famously bans TVs,  the Monto has plenty of them, making it a solid stop for catching a match while you drink. The food situation is still evolving, so this is one to watch and revisit as a kitchen gets locked in.

Looking for another stop nearby? Check out our piece on Broad Street Brewing's new beer garden at LOVE Park — no reservation required, and it's an easy pairing with a night out in Old City.