A Million Dollars on the Ceiling: The Pensacola Pub Where Money Becomes Art
Welcome to McGuire’s Irish Pub in Pensacola, Florida—a place where the aroma of slow-cooked corned beef and fresh beer fills the air, and the walls are a gallery of photographs of celebrities, politicians, and sports legends. But the real show is overhead: thousands of signed dollar bills hang from beams and rafters, a living mosaic believed to total more than a million dollars. Each note carries a name, a message, or a dream, turning a simple tip into a personal keepsake. This isn’t a movie set — it’s a Florida landmark, a place where history, tradition, and hospitality come together under a ceiling of cash.
In This Article:
From Firehouse to Irish Pub: The Birth of McGuire’s in Pensacola
McGuire’s sits in a historic building from 1927 that once belonged to Pensacola’s fire department. The venue began as a roadside restaurant, then closed, and later found new life as an iconic Irish pub and brewery. The doors reopened in 1977 in Town and Country Plaza, with owner McGuire behind the bar and his wife Molly serving guests. Inspired by a single one-dollar tip pinned to the wall for luck, the phenomenon began: the next day regulars started adding their own dollars, signing them and leaving messages. What started as a small gesture grew into a grand, beloved feature of the bar.
The Dollar Ceiling: A Tradition That Became an Asset
Today, the money ceiling is not just decor; it’s an asset. The pub officially accounts for these notes for tax purposes, with an accounting firm tallying the inflows each year. The cash on the ceiling attracted trouble, too. There have been theft attempts, but the autographs and drawings help identify culprits and recover stolen bills. There are even reports of people being arrested for trying to pay with stolen McGuire’s dollars. The ceiling is a record of every guest’s wish, a crowd-sourced artwork that has become part of the pub’s identity.
Three Florida Locations and a Growing Legend
McGuire’s started in Pensacola and has since grown into a small Florida network. Today there are three locations: Pensacola, Destin, and the newest in Panama City Beach, opened in 2025. The signature-dollar tradition continues in Pensacola and Destin, with some estimates placing the collection at over two million notes. The Panama City Beach location is just beginning its journey, and the tradition invites every guest to leave their autograph and claim a piece of the legend. Locals with Irish heritage sometimes receive special attention or a small gift.
Beer, Bites, and a Living Legend
McGuire’s is a working brewery as well as a pub, pouring classic Irish draughts like Guinness on tap and a range of craft beers, including Irish red ales and pale ales. The bar also features signature cocktails, such as the green 'Irish Wake,' and warming Irish coffee topped with whipped cream. The menu mirrors the crowd: potato wedges, crispy calamari, shepherd’s pie, juicy steaks, filet mignon, pork chops, giant stuffed burgers, and various pastas. And for thrifty guests, a longtime favorite remains—a hearty bean soup for just 18 cents. This is a place where history, whimsy, and hospitality meet over a pint, creating an experience you won’t forget.
