South Philadelphia resident Joanna Kelly and her brother Patrick operate Kelly’s Logan House, the oldest family-owned Irish tavern in the nation, writes Gina Lizzo for The Hunt.
The siblings inherited the bar that has been in their family since their great-great-grandfather, John Kelly, purchased the Wilmington, Delaware, property in 1889. Originally a resort hotel, the building’s proximity to the train station made it a popular stop for travelers, many of them Irish immigrants like John.
Joanna and Patrick took over the business back in 2022 after their father, Michael, a successful trial attorney, passed away.
“He was an incredible figure—not only in our lives but in the entire Delaware community,” said Joanna.
While their father never forced the idea of taking over the tavern on them, it was something they genuinely wanted to do. Joanna, who works in South Philadelphia as a public defender representing indigent clients, admits that running the tavern has been more challenging than she was anticipating.
“There was a lot to learn,” she said. “His shoes are ones I’ll never be able to fill, but I’d like to think we’ll try to do that.”
The siblings each spend at least two days a week at the tavern.
Read more about Kelly’s Logan House and the siblings who now operate it in The Hunt.
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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on DELCO Today in September 2025.
