For many Irish immigrants arriving in Wilmington in the late 1800s, the first thing they saw after stepping off the train was a tavern across the street. Inside, owner John D. “Whiskers” Kelly made a point of offering newcomers temporary food, shelter, and help finding work.
Kelly’s Logan House still sits across from where that station stood, and the Kelly family still runs it. They’ve owned the place since 1889, so it’s the oldest Irish bar in Delaware and quite possibly the oldest continuously family-owned Irish bar in the country.
The building is also the only 19th-century Wilmington hotel to survive virtually intact, and it’s been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. These days, it’s a Trolley Square favorite for comfort food, craft beer, and one of the city’s most beloved St. Patrick’s Day traditions.
Simon via Flickr
It belongs on any list of restaurants steeped in history in the First State, and the photos lining its walls make that obvious the moment you walk in. Some family heirlooms are jewelry; this one has a long beer list.
What to Expect When Visiting Kelly’s Logan House in Wilmington, Delaware
Look up when you walk into the tavern. When the building was documented for the National Register in 1979, the tavern’s walls and ceiling were covered in pressed tin, a classic detail of old American barrooms.
Then take a lap past the photos on the walls, which trace the building’s long history. One crowd favorite shows John D. Kelly III sparring with boxing legend Joe Frazier.
The menu sticks to crowd-pleasing comfort food, with vegetarian options and brunch on weekends, and the impressively long craft beer list will keep any beer lover busy. When the weather’s nice, grab a table on the patio.
Sports fans pack the bar on game days, but St. Patrick’s Day is the main event. Kelly’s has been a traditional gathering place for the holiday for generations.
Buffalo Bill, Al Capone, and a Hotel Named for a General
The Logan House was built around 1864 as a hotel and named for Civil War General John A. Logan. It sat across from the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad station, so it saw plenty of travelers passing through town.
Logan House lore says its famous guest list included Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill Hickok, boxer John L. Sullivan, and even Al Capone.
In September 1889, John D. “Whiskers” Kelly bought the property and opened a tavern on the ground floor. The family eventually moved elsewhere but kept running the tavern and hotel, and for many of Wilmington’s Irish arrivals, Kelly’s became their first foothold in a new city.
Today, siblings Joanna and Patrick Kelly co-own the bar, carrying the family business into a third century of Kelly ownership.
Plan Your Visit
Kelly’s Logan House is at 1701 Delaware Avenue, at the corner of North DuPont Street in Wilmington’s Trolley Square. A Delaware Public Archives marker out front tells the story of the surrounding Forty Acres neighborhood. Hours vary, so check the bar’s website before you go.
Simon via Flickr
Expect a crowd on St. Patrick’s Day and during big games. If you’re visiting in March, the Irish Culture Club of Delaware also sponsors a parade through downtown Wilmington ahead of the holiday.
Brandywine Creek State Park, home to Delaware’s first old-growth forest, is a quick drive away, and so is Delaware’s haunted historic town. Saving room for dessert? Wilmington’s donuts you need two hands for are nearby.
FAQWhat should I order at Kelly’s Logan House?
Stick with the comfort food and pair it with something from the long list of craft beers. Weekend brunch is a local favorite, and vegetarian options mean everyone at the table can find something good.
Where is Kelly’s Logan House located?
Wilmington’s Trolley Square neighborhood, in New Castle County, is where you’ll find it, on a corner just minutes from downtown. The neighborhood is easy to explore on foot, with shops and other restaurants close by.
How old is Kelly’s Logan House?
Its building went up around 1864 as a hotel, and Whiskers Kelly purchased it in 1889. Some historians consider it America’s longest continuously family-owned Irish tavern, and it’s certainly the First State’s oldest.
Dining and Cooking