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WHEREAS, Raymond H. McArdle, A.K.A BIG Mac, was a staple of the South Side, a legend of sorts of a hard-working man who would help anyone who he called a friend; and,
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WHEREAS, he resided on Sarah Street with his wife and 11 children; and,
WHEREAS, the McArdle's were the cowboys of Pittsburgh, conquering a wild steel town where documentation was secondary to having a good time with your people; and,
WHEREAS, ss luck would have it, Raymond purchased the bar using cash, barter and bets where McArdle’s has been operating since 1939; and,
WHEREAS, in 1999, Raymond then passed the thriving business down to his son, Michael P. McArdle, who has been running the pub since his father’s passing in 2012; and,
WHEREAS, Michael is the 7th of 11 children born to Raymond and Victoria McArdle and literally grew up in the bar, sweeping the floors starting at the age of 10 for a dollar a day; and,
WHEREAS, all of the South Pittsburgh, and all the regulars, know him as Uncle Mike, a well-deserved term of endearment because he has treated all patrons as family - from remembering customers drink orders, to having the infamous 5 for 5 IC light special prepared as soon as a regular walked through the door, Uncle Mike showed that he loved his people; and,
WHEREAS, like a character out of a movie, with his bald shiny head, large frame and intimidating Irish stare, yet the same man who would jump over the bar to stop a fight or protect one of his own - Michael was and is that guy who embodies the essence of the Pittsburgh we all know and love and decades of patrons will never forget this man, father, and friend; and,
WHEREAS, most known for its flaming Dr. Pepper, which ironically enough doesn’t even contain Dr. Pepper, patrons would line the bar with flaming glasses setting the place ablaze with exuberance; and,
WHEREAS, many people have loved McArdle’s Pub for its spirited and welcoming environment, one loyal customer has even been coming all the way from Canada for 40 years to enjoy the atmosphere of the pub; and,
WHEREAS, some notable visitors include Timothy Hutton, George Wendt, some Pittsburgh sports figures, various news personalities, and many others passing through town looking for a good time; and,
WHEREAS, beyond the excitement in the bar, the reality tv stars from American Pickers came through to dig through Michael’s extensive antique collection; and,
WHEREAS, as community advocates, McArdle’s has sponsored local adult and youth sports team, hosted fundraisers for Breast cancer and the MS foundations, and continues to welcome new and returning faces to their home in South Side; and,
WHEREAS, after 25 years running McArdle’s, Michael McArdle will be retiring from the bar business; and,
WHEREAS, there will never be another like him as he raised a generation of South Pittsburgh with his advice, his stiff drinks and his care for all people; and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby declares Saturday, March 16th, 2024 to be “McArdle’s Pub Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.