Denver Nuggets Players, Including NBA MVP Jokic, Unwind at Philly’s Historic Pub After Tough Loss

Following their Tuesday night defeat against the Sixers, several Denver Nuggets players opted for a post-game rendezvous at one of Philadelphia’s iconic watering holes. Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets’ center, made a late-night appearance at McGillin’s Olde Ale House, as confirmed by the bar.

During his visit, “The Joker” indulged in a drink, relished the establishment’s “wing night,” and showed enthusiasm when a particular song played on the jukebox. Christopher Mullins Jr., co-owner of McGillin’s with his parents, highlighted that athletes, like everyone else, appreciate a lively bar with a friendly atmosphere and a great beer selection. Whether from Philadelphia or other teams, athletes recognize the authenticity and warmth of McGillin’s, ensuring a pleasant experience.

According to Mullins, the night remained quiet until Denver guard Collin Gillespie, a Montgomery County native and former star player at Villanova University, arrived at around midnight wearing Nuggets sweats. Gillespie requested to arrange some tables, and Jokic joined a group of approximately eight individuals, some in Nuggets attire, with one person donning a Jokic jersey. It was unclear if the companions were affiliated with the team.

Jokic opted for a Bud Light and wings, a fitting choice considering the bar’s 50-cent wing night. Jake McGuigan, a server at McGillin’s, shared that Jokic and his group erupted in excitement when “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band played on the pub’s TouchTunes jukebox. The staff couldn’t determine whether Jokic’s companions paid for the song or if they were simply thrilled to hear it.

Known for his reserved nature, dry sense of humor, and passion for horse racing, Jokic, despite the team’s loss, displayed good spirits while engaging with McGillin’s staff and patrons. Mullins mentioned that Jokic graciously offered to cover the check for his group, but someone else had already taken care of it. As a gesture of appreciation, Jokic left a generous tip.

Jokic now joins the esteemed list of celebrities, including Philadelphia favorites like Jason Kelce, Donovan McNabb, Ryan Howard, and Eric Lindros, who have visited Philadelphia’s oldest continuously operating pub over the years. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-11, Jokic’s stature adds a literal high point to the legacy of McGillin’s, with the bar jokingly noting that they were more interested in checking his height than his ID.

As McGillin’s continues to welcome notable figures, the anticipation grows for Joel Embiid, who outscored Jokic on Tuesday and dethroned him as the league’s MVP last year, to make his own appearance and potentially claim the title of the tallest McGillin’s patron.