A Historic Tavern in Wilmington, DE
Stanley's Tavern has been part of the Wilmington community for nearly a century. While the building dates back to the early 1920s, the first recorded liquor license was issued in June of 1935 to Bill Patton under the name Bill's Place.
In 1947, Stanley Minakowski moved from Browntown in Wilmington and purchased the tavern, renaming it Stanley's Tavern. It quickly became a welcoming meeting place for locals and travelers alike — a neighborhood gathering spot built on hospitality and familiarity.
For decades, Stanley's remained a beloved local watering hole. In 1972, Bill Brooks purchased the tavern and began several additions and renovations, doubling the size of the building while preserving its comfortable, community-driven atmosphere.
In August of 1982, Brooks sold the business to a group of doctors and local restaurateur Steve Torpey. This marked the next evolution of Stanley's Tavern — transforming it from a corner bar into a casual, sports-themed American restaurant serving thousands of meals each week, along with banquets and takeout.