The Bards

The BardsThe Bards
The BardsThe Bards
Bar, Eatery

2013 Walnut St
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.79
Reviews:
8
Ratings:
9
pDev:
10.29%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by sbw138:
Photo of sbw138
Reviewed by sbw138 from Pennsylvania

2.98/5  rDev -21.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 2.5 | food: 3.5
This is really just another average place in Philadelphia. I think it is better than the Philadelphia Irish Pubs, but still very similar. Just a half ass attempt a creating a mock Irish Pub.

They is usually a laid back atmosphere here, except late on the weekends when it get overrun with the beligerent Center City crowd.

Service gets the job done, not great, or poor. They bring your food and drink, what else can you ask for?

The beer selection is alright. Just like the Irish Pubs, they are overrun with all the macro brews.

Food isn't bad. It's a decent place to stop for lunch in Center City if you aren't trying to spend a fortune.
Jan 12, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of DoubleSimcoe
Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

3.41/5  rDev -10%
vibe: 2.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
Bard’s is sandwiched between one of my favorite restaurants in Philadelphia, Vernick’s, and one of my favorite bars in the city, Tria Taproom. I never thought about stopping here, and why would I? There’s too much good stuff around… but then I saw the Bard’s tap list on PhillyTapFinder and was surprised and intrigued. Crème Brulee, Bourbon County, Nugget Nectar? Sure, let’s check it out!

The atmosphere is mighty blah- just another Irish pub populated with old drunks, regulars and union types. Even a couple with two strollers taking way too much room at the bar. Beyond that, prices weren’t the best either at $6.50-$7 for the better beers, which are served in snifters. Even Nugget Nectar! Who damn serves the Nugget on a snifter??

The BCBS I wanted was gone (even though the chalkboard menu outside still had it) and Crème Brulee was not yet on. Major disappointment. We had one and left for better pastures. This ain’t a bad place, but you know, this is Philadelphia and we have a million world-class bars.
Feb 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by soulcougher from Pennsylvania

Jun 03, 2014
Photo of paddyos
Reviewed by paddyos from Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +6.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Fantastic Irish pub just off of Rittenhouse Square. To the right in the front as you walk in are a few tables next to a wall set up like an Irish cottage, complete with thatched roof. Up a couple steps to the bar which is just past a couple of dart boards. Bar along the right seats maybe 20 with booths on the left. The room opens up past the bar and has a fire place against the back wall. Live Irish music session can be found back there every Sunday night.
The beer selection is nothing spectacular, but the Guinness is great. Other taps include the typical BMC, Yeungling, Stella, Bulmer's, Hoegarden...
Guinness stew, burgers and salads are all good, however the fish and chips are excellent. Pair them up with a few pints of Guinness and you're in heaven.
Apr 18, 2006
Photo of IrishRedRock
Reviewed by IrishRedRock from Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4
The Bards is a frequent stop for me and the lads when we've a hankering for Guinness (sometimes) and darts (always). Most "Irish" pubs in America can't be compared to the real deal in Ireland, but the Bards does a decent job of giving the place a true Irish pub feel. A wooden bar and surroundings, in addition to a staff of young Irish men and women certainly help, and they do pour one of the better pints of Guinness in the city.

There's always a good crowd here, but the only time I've ever felt overwhelmed here was on St. Patty's Day. Couple of TV's above the bar. Crowd ranges in age from 20-something right on up. Live traditional Irish music here sometimes as well, Sunday nights I think...which is always a treat.

Beers are always good quality, especially the Guinness, which is usually all I drink here, but I've also had some Magic Hat and some of the other "imported" standards like Hoegaarden, Stella, etc. As has been said, there is also a very nice selection of Irish whiskeys: various vintages of Jamison, Bushmills, Paddy's, Powers, etc. A great place if you like Irish whiskey. I know I do.

I've also eaten lunch and dinner here on a number of occassions, and the food is pretty good. I've always stuck to the more Irish dishes, like the Guinness Beef Stew and Shepherd's Pie. Both are excellent.

All in all a great place to hang out with friends, take a date for a drink or a quick meal, or what have you. My frequent apperances here tell the story.
Jul 01, 2005
Photo of BCMan
Reviewed by BCMan from Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 4
This place is a great Irish place. One of the best in Philadelphia. It's not very big so it's easy to fill it up with a crowd and have a good time. The beer selection is decent. They boast a "Best of Philly" award for their Guinness and have a couple of other nice beers to pick from. They also have a good selection of Irish whisky. The food is very good but was a little pricey before they raised them the last time. My favorite thing on the menu is the Amish Chicken Sandwich. Not very Irish but so good. The Shepards Pie is real good as well...best in Philly maybe. The thing I like the most is the staff. IRISH! The real deal. The kitchen is a bit slow but I have no idea who's driving that bus. It's hard to get in an out in an hour for lunch. I would highly recommend this place.
Feb 17, 2004
Photo of NeroFiddled
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania

3.81/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.25 | food: 4
The Bards is a very comfortable, farily small pub. It doesn't quite have the atmosphere of a real Irish pub, but it'll do. It's at least more authentic than Kildare's. The food is very nice, but a tad pricey. The service is good and the beer selection is OK if you look at it as an Irish pub and not a "beer bar". Worth a visit if you're in the vicinity.
Sep 24, 2002
Photo of WilliamPhilaPa
Reviewed by WilliamPhilaPa from Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
The inside of The Bards is in a country cottage setting, with a fire place and all...although the fire was fake, still felt relaxing. The bar area is a long wooden bar, which seats about 15-20 people. The bar looks very nice. Good Irish hospitality and good wholesome food. They have about 12 taps, consisting of Guinness, Bass Ale, Caffreys, Harp, Young's 2x Chocolate Stout and other brews.
Jul 25, 2002
Photo of stingo
Reviewed by stingo from Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +17.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
Of all the "Irish" pubs I've ever been in outside of Ireland, The Bards is the best of the bunch. Serving Irish cuisine (e.g. they have a killer boxty) and great brews on tap - I had an Abbe Leffe Ale which was superb, in a friendly, casual atmosphere is a winning combination in my book. Definitely drop by on your next trip to the City of Brotherly Love.
Jul 18, 2002
The Bards in Philadelphia, PA
Place rating: 3.79 out of 5 with 9 ratings