The acyl substitution of (N‐methyl)isatoic anhydride with N,O‐dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride in CH3CN gave N‐methoxy‐N‐methyl 2‐(N‐methyl)aminobenzamide, which was treated with ethynyllithium reagents to afford 1‐[2‐(N‐methyl)amino]‐3‐phenyl‐2‐propyn‐1‐ones. The 6‐endo cyclization of 1‐[2‐(N‐methyl)amino]‐3‐phenyl‐2‐propyn‐1‐ones using NaOCH3 in CH3OH at 65 °C gave various (1‐methyl)‐2‐phenyl‐4‐quinolone derivatives in high yields.