Old Eagle Tavern

Old Eagle TavernOld Eagle Tavern
Old Eagle TavernOld Eagle Tavern
Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

177 Markle St
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19127-1709
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.21
Reviews:
13
Ratings:
17
pDev:
9.98%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BARFLYB:
Photo of BARFLYB
Reviewed by BARFLYB from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Went here a few times since hearing about it not to long ago. In my opinion it's the best option for beer in Manyunk, even surpassing Union Jacks.

A very unassuming old white plain building on the outside, the only way to know Old Eagle is a bar is from the sign out front. Not much neon signs in the windows here. Inside, it's pretty dingy, old looking and looks like your average VFW. I cant believe this is owned by the same people as Devil's Den, complete opposites. Some beer decorations on the wall and a parch full of brewery type frisbees going all around.

Once in the front door a lowercase J shaped bar seating about 12 or so, comfortable enough seats with a place to rest your feet. To the right a separate game room with pool table, darts, etc plus some extra seating. There is also a seperate back area with more seating plus a ladies room. The mens room is kinda of a bad place if your a guy and have to take a shit. I would advise to hold it in because there is no lock making for some awkward moments.

Im here for the beer so the rather drab appearance does not bother me. About 12 taps in total and I don't think there is a cask pull or at least I did not see it. Good taps to including Yuengling which IMO should be in every bar by default. Also other interesting locals and stuff from far away. CWBBBW 09 for example during beer week, Hill Farmstead Abner to. A very respectable bottle selection as well in the refrigerator including RR and other goodies. I believe they do take out but no growlers, yet.

The beer tasted great and I love a place where you can just drink and forget about your worries for a few, this is my type of bar. No snobby ass waiters forcing you to get some food if you sit at a table. Service at the bar was good, no problems, my glass was filled in no time and I made good chit chat with the tenders. The beer lady is also very nice and knowledgable and willing to answer my questions about upcoming drafts.

They also offer a banging happy hour and Old Eagle grows some produce in the backyard to go with some of the food choices on the menu. Alot of interesting bar food here done up but not overly extravagent. I really should not talk seeing how I did not eat here yet, this is going off of what I saw.

I plan to make this my regular haunt in the near future when I move nearby. Best beer bar in Manyunk, screw Union Jacks, they are good to but their tap selection needs a revamp and they alwats have the same bottles for sale.
Jul 18, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.5 by tkdchampxi from New Jersey

Oct 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by kcq101 from Pennsylvania

Sep 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Mcallaghan04 from Pennsylvania

Jun 17, 2014
 
Photo of NoLeafClover44
Reviewed by NoLeafClover44 from Delaware

4.45/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
This is my favorite place to grab a beer in Manayunk. The Happy Hour special is hands down the BEST in Philly. Half off all drafts Monday-Friday 4-7. They have an everchanging selection of high quality beers on tap (I have seen The Bruery Mischeif, Hill Farmstead Everett, Lost Abbey Bourbon Barrel Angel's share, DFH WWS, and tons of quality local beer). They only keep 8 or so taps at a time, but I have never had any trouble finding something delicious. Their flights are a great option during Happy Hour (only $4 for four 6oz. pours). The food is excellent. I highly recommend the wings with their homemade habanero or stout BBQ sauce. They have a pretty wide variety of bottles to go for a discount fromt eh drink-in price (most are ~$3/bottle) and even some Russian River stuff for the same price you'd see at a bottle shop. My only knocks would be that he bar can get a little cramped and there are plenty of regulars, so the vibe can be a bit intimidating. If you are in the area, especially for happy hour, give the Old Eagle a try.
Jun 27, 2013
Photo of tgbljb
Reviewed by tgbljb from Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +16.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Stopped by for brunch on a Sunday while visiting my brother-in-law in Manayunk. He and his girl friend did not know about the place, even though they lived 3 blocks away. What a great place!. The service was excellent. The beertender was extremely knowledgeable about the beers on tap, the tap selection was great (and very reasonably priced), the food was delicious (also very reasonabley priced). I could not have asked for better service or a more comfortable atmosphere. One of the better kept secrets in the area.
Nov 15, 2011
Photo of trags15
Reviewed by trags15 from Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
I lived in Manayunk, PA during my college years and this was, by far, the best thing about living there. The Old Eagle Tavern is a hole in the wall type of place, but it's a beer drinker's heaven.

My buddies would come here almost everynight and get some food and some good beers and it was never over priced, ever. The selection was always top notch and they people who worked there were so nice.

The owner has a sweet dog who always comes down to visit and it just makes the environment so friendly. There is a pool table and darts and it's such a great atmosphere to be around.

This location is off main st. by about 5 minutes but because of that, you do not have to witness fist pumping guidos while drinking BMC.

I rate this place high and I wanted to thank it for being the number one reason to live in Manayunk
Oct 11, 2010
Photo of Tiklmelmo
Reviewed by Tiklmelmo from Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I live next door to this place, and I go there at least once or twice a week. The food is above average, rotating menu of bar fare that's all made in house and a bit more upscale than you'd expect from a corner bar.

The owners are great, friendly, and knowledgeable about beer (They also own Devil's Den in the city). They take pride in both the beer and the food.

Beer selection is constantly rotating. They might not have the limited run rare stuff that they get at the Den or other places in the city / suburbs (Monk's, Capone's, etc), but definitely a solid variety of micros that I havent' seen many other places. I'm rarely disappointed in the draft list (10 taps. Usually 2-3 locals plus 7-8 various micros. One nitro tap, no cask.)

Bottle list is solid, but not huge. 80% of it is fairly constant, but they do rotate in some seasonals and swap out the whole thing a couple times a year.

On the whole, my go-to neighborhood bar that I never get tired of. Highly recommend for a low-key but friendly corner bar to hang out at and have a reasonably priced by tasty dinner with some good beer.
Nov 11, 2009
Photo of marybeergarden
Reviewed by marybeergarden from Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 5
I've been here several times. Most recently, about a week ago. Good selection of rotating micros usually includes at least 1 Belgian on the 10 or so taps in the $4-5 range (plus $3. Yuengling Lager always seems to be available) There's also a smallish but decent bottle selection. This corner bar looks like it hasn't changed in 50 years with wood paneling, beat-up red vinyl chairs, and a huge beer tray collection mounted high on the wall all around the place. It's clientele is a mix of young and older and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. The service is always great. The food is very good with an impressive foodie-pleasing menu that changes frequently. I recently had a very good Lamb Meatball sandwich ($9). They seem to have themselves together of late as far as having all of the menu items/ingredients. They accept credit cards. They have a Happy Hour with $1 off drafts. There's a jukebox, TVs, and pool table. They sell bottled beer to go. Parking can be hard to find at night so be prepared to walk a few blocks. It is walkable from Main Street. Highly recommended.
Oct 09, 2009
Photo of MmmIPA
Reviewed by MmmIPA from Pennsylvania

3.86/5  rDev -8.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
I stopped in here with two of my buddy and had a great time.The advocate sort of went out of the window though.They had Yards ipa and DFH 60 minute ipa.They also had a belgian beer on tap that escapes my mind.Great service and about 100 bottles of beer,very nice ranges also from germans to belgians to usa's.I would stop here again.Friday night was alot of younger people.Dark woods occupy the place.Great beer and great place.I didnt try any food but I heard it was good and I heard they are opening another place down in south philly.This place will always stand out in my mind.
Oct 14, 2007
Photo of ktyson01
Reviewed by ktyson01 from Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -1.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Atm: Very much your corner bar. A nice bar with not much seating. A nice pool table and some table seating.

Quality: Had some very good choices including 3 selections from Yards on tap with some Victory and Rouge waiting to put on the taps next. Of course, being a corner, there were some macro beers as well.

Service: Got very good service and input from our attentive bartender. She happy to tell you about the beers and give her opinion as well.

Selection: Not a huge selection, only about 6 taps, but the turnover seems to be good and the take out selection wasn't bad for small corner bar.

Food: I only tried the polenta fries and they were delicious. I saw a burger or two come out and they looked fantastic. I will definitely try when I get the chance.

Value: The beers(on tap) were very resonably priced. The food was well priced as well. I didn't look into take out so I can't comment on the bottle prices.

I'm only a 5 minute drive away. This will be a regular stop for me.
Feb 02, 2007
Photo of carlosd74
Reviewed by carlosd74 from Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -17.3%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4
Ok I live like 5 minutes drive from here. I just went again last week with another BA. I don't have to much to add to what has already been written. I think Roan22 covered a lot of ground.

I don't care much for the atmosphere unless you like to pretend you are a teenager in your family's rec room. I don't need glitz but I just felt like an outsider in some ones private party. Not a welcoming feeling like say at Grey Lodge. The rest of the patrons were mostly under 25 and drunk. If you hate smoke...don't go here because as of the new year it is not smoke free. Oh and if you ar shy, the mens bathroom has two doors that do not close.

So if don't give a shit about the other patrons and don't give a rat's ass about environment, then its a good place. The beer selection is solid. I didn't try the food but from what I could see it was just typcial pub grub. I fyou want service you have to go to the bar. It was a Friday night and there was no wait staff.

Bottomline...go if you are near manayunk and want to be sure to find at least one good tap. Other wise it's not worth seeking out.
Jan 10, 2007
Photo of roan22
Reviewed by roan22 from New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
One of the few under-the-radar beer bars left in the city, Old Eagle is a big neighborhood corner dive with a 20's and 30's crowd of lushes late at night, although its a laid back crowd so there's no fights (not that I've seen). The couple who own the bar, confident and beer-passionate, have opted to keep the overall look/style of the bar dressed-down, and it works in a neighborhood known for the falseness and the pseudo-glitz of Main St.'s newer bars/lounges. Flat Rock Saloon however is also pretty decent.

Since I don't live in the neighborhood and I don't know anyone who does, I like going here sometimes with my friend when we want to get away from downtown. We mean that as a compliment. Next time I promise I will try the food. Oh yeah, I discovered one of my favorite beers, Magic Hat's Hi.P.A., here the first time I came. Also, Dale's Pale Ale rocks! Never had it before and they have it on tap now, nice! Somebody there had a big white dog and the bathroom doors were really narrow and cute. Jukebox was playing classic Southern rock, Johnny Cash and Stevie Wonder/James Brown funk. Parking sucks. Be prepared for a frustrating search.
Jan 07, 2007
Photo of JerseyDevil
Reviewed by JerseyDevil from New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev -1.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
I waited too long to write a truly detailed and eloquent review, so instead I'll just leave a shorter review with my impressions of the place.

I went to the Old Eagle Tavern last week (11/16/06) because they had something truly special on tap: a full 1/2 keg of Heavyweight's 2005 Old Salty! This alone pulled me out of NJ and into the narrow streets of residential Manayunk. After circling the area 5-6 times I finally found a spot to park nearby...

As soon as I walked inside I immediately had that "wow this is the classic been-there-for-ages corner bar". It was a rainy Thursday so the place wasn't too busy. I sat at one end of the long wrap-around bar, got a glass of the Old Salty and a menu. Both bartenders (or barmaids, if you will...Holly & Tabitha) were very friendly and helpful. They had roughly 10 taps, all quality microbrew and at least half of them immediately appealed to my tastes. The menu was small but obviously high quality (hangar steak sandwich, lamb sandwich, polenta fries, etc).

Being there for the Old Salty, that is all I had. I'd ordered a burger, medium (pink in the middle I asked) and I got a nice, thick, very juicy burger, fresh spinach and ripe tomato... and they even substituted the polenta fries for regular. They were VERY tasty, as was the burger. I found out later that the bartender Holly's husband is the cook (Collin) and even the burger roll was HOME MADE... baked on site.

There were plenty of regulars amongst the patrons, and I found them all to be very friendly.

Erin, the manager that evening, was very friendly and enthusiastic.

All in all I loved my evening and look forward to returning to sample more of the menu, as it all sounded delicious!

Explanation of my ratings:
Atmosphere: 3.5 ...I would rate it higher but I don't know if most people would enjoy that "old school local bar feel" in the way that I do.
Quality: 4.5 only real complaint: men's room has doors at either end, so on a busy night I wouldn't count on a lot of privacy :)
Service: 4.5 ...also excellent... bartenders were friendly & enthusiastic
Selection: 4.0 ...I'd rate this higher only if there was a larger menu... but what they DID have in terms of beer and food covered a great range and I am sure anyone could find something they'd like
Value: I rate it Inexpensive because the pint/beer prices were just about the lowest I'd seen anywhere in the Philly area. You couldn't possibly complain about the pricing... the food pricing was about what you'd expect for a small, cozy, high-quality beer bar. Not pricy, not cheap, and you get your money's worth.

So, a thumb's up!!
Food: 4.5 ...
Nov 21, 2006
Photo of eldondre
Reviewed by eldondre from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
This place is great. I don't live in that area anymore but I used to frequent this bar. While I liked Dawson's this was not only closer but cheaper. I miss walking down the hill and having a few good brews, throwing some darts, or shooting some stick. The Bartenders were always friendly in the genuine sort of way (that is usually only possible when there are just a few of you). They did a great job of retaining the corner bar atmosphere while introducing some variety. One of the few places in the area where you'll catch roofers, cops, college kids, and young professionals in the same place. Not usually packed but sometimes full. I haven't been back since they revised the menu (new chef is from eulogy) but I'd def'ly recomend this place if you're in the hood or looking for ideas on how to run a corner bar of your own. I usually drank yard's but there were always a good selection of seasonals and bottles.
Nov 17, 2005
Photo of sublimesipping
Reviewed by sublimesipping from Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -6.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
first to review but not the last I reckon. I guess others have taken neighborhood shot and a beer joints and done the mod/modernization thing. I think its hard to do with the right dose and this place I think hits spades in all of the above reviewing catergories. Starts with a neighborhood with history and roots- the Manayunk section of Philly has this still in the hills off of cosmo/Jetta pottery barn main street. this place is still the neighborhood but now a joint infused by owners in the know that good beer is more than Lager or Heinie. 7 taps run mostly to excellent local micro selections- while there we sampled Heavyweight Black Ocean, Sly Fox Weisse, and Troegs Oatmeal Stout. Also had a nice conversation about the Mad elf and Sly fox XMAS ale which will both be pouring closer to the holiday time. 20+ bottles including some good Belgian,German, Unibroue, etc. So the beer list is approaching an "a" grade though minus points for still pouring coors light draft(they tell me they want to take it off the tap but 40 year locals won't let them.)
Let me tell you about the food- Damn good, including, dare I say, better fries than the legendary Monk's Frites. The chef, yes there is a chef, comes from working the line at a couple of the better foody beer bars in Philly, so the menu is Standard tap- esque and from what we had very good and good value. The place has good value all the way around. Also, nice atmosphere with the feel of stepping into someone's comfy local joint. forgot to mention they have a 30 year old collection of 100+ beer trays lining the walls- inheritance from the previous owner along with the Coors Light!
Place is still very quiet and has yet to be discovered. Next time any of you BAs tip a few at the Manayunk brewerey, stoll outside and walk up the hill at the light. Make a right and walk under the elevated train a couple of blocks to Markle and then up the Markle hill a stone's throw and their she be on the corner. Your chalice of mad elf or pint of Lunacy or glass of Hacker-Pchorr may be waiting.
Nov 11, 2005
Old Eagle Tavern in Philadelphia, PA
Place rating: 4.21 out of 5 with 17 ratings