Free Bridge Wine & Spirits

Free Bridge Wine & SpiritsFree Bridge Wine & Spirits
Free Bridge Wine & SpiritsFree Bridge Wine & Spirits
Bar, Beer-to-go

9 Union Sq
Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 08865-2329
United States

(908) 387-1380 | map

Formerly known as The Wardell.
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.34
Reviews:
19
Ratings:
34
pDev:
18.2%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Afroman:
Photo of Afroman
Rated by Afroman from Arizona

5/5  rDev +15.2%

Aug 08, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of Bouleboubier
Reviewed by Bouleboubier from New Jersey

1.86/5  rDev -57.1%
vibe: 2 | quality: 2 | service: 1 | selection: 2.5
Visited two days ago, looks as though it's being gutted. This was my second visit; first one was in April 2014, and it was decidedly excellent. Went with two friends, each of us leaving with a mixed case of bottles. I do believe we also had a draft or two while we sat in big plush chairs around a table playing Jenga. Was always looking for an excuse to return... Cut to the other day - I'd talked this joint up to my brother several times - we find ourselves in the area and pay a visit. Dark and dingy, dank cellar smell. The person ostensibly in charge there barely even acknowleged us, and didn't even say a word. The stock looked long-depleted. One or two shelves against the wall carried some strays singles and bombers that appear to have been there since my last visit. The bar and taps appear to have been broken down, drained... Tried searching online to see what the hell happened. At any rate, not even worth a visit anymore. Who knows what's up... We salvaged the detour by hanging at Weyerbacher for an hour (my bro's first visit), so it wasn't a total loss... Naturally, my marks would be way higher had I reviewed the joint back in 2014. But y'all oughta know.
Nov 20, 2019
Photo of jzeilinger
Reviewed by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev +2.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
This gem sits across the river from Easton, PA and has a bar area and bottle shop mashed into the same space. Nothing fancy, off street parking is available, and a really impressive selection of tap beers and bottles to go. A hidden gem if you're looking for top shelf craft tap selections by people who know their craft beer.
Nov 24, 2017
Photo of ThinBlueLine
Reviewed by ThinBlueLine from New Jersey

4.86/5  rDev +12%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Half priced pints on Mondays! My regular day off from work. $2 for craft beers. Tricia seems to be an amazing barkeep. Can't wait to go back. Amazing selection as well.
Oct 02, 2017
Photo of DoubleSimcoe
Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

3.97/5  rDev -8.5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
A small store+bar in Phillipsburg across the river from Easton. You'd think it is a liquor store but it comes with a bar too... over a dozen taps with some goodies when I visited like Dogfish 120 and World Wide stout, Game of Thrones beers and vintage Mad Elf.

The bottle shop is nothing to write home about, but because they do not move their stock they have vintages of Double Bastard, Bitches Brew and others.

Service is relatively friendly and the atmosphere is small-town dive. Worth a visit.
Jul 10, 2017
 
Rated: 4.65 by Stofko1992 from Pennsylvania

May 23, 2016
 
Rated: 4.29 by hozersr from Pennsylvania

Apr 16, 2016
Photo of jas3
Reviewed by jas3 from Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +11.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75
Outstanding craft beer only bar with 31 taps and decent bottle shop. Small place with good selection and fun crowd. Every Thursday is $5 Growler fill night. Tricia, the owner and all staff are very knowledgeable on craft beer and extremely helpful and easy to talk with. If you are looking for something specific which they don't currently have Tricia will effort to acquire from her distributors if at all possible.
Mar 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.34 by st9647v3 from New Jersey

Oct 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.76 by Kwak from New Jersey

Aug 25, 2015
Photo of tmbgnicu
Reviewed by tmbgnicu from Pennsylvania

4.36/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Very solid shop. Hit them up periodically for Carton stuff(closest place for me to get them). They have a fantastic selection of very reasonably priced draft beer and a solid selection of bottles/cans. Pricing is good, inline with other stores in the area though often a little off the wall for limited stuff($4 a bottle for brown shugga and $4 for founders harvest). Overall, very highly recommended for a stop especially for "local"
stuff like carton, neshaminy creek and weyerbacher.
Apr 25, 2015
 
Rated: 4.07 by orangesol from Pennsylvania

Mar 24, 2015
Photo of Knapp85
Reviewed by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev -6.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
I have a love/hate relationship with this place. I love the beers they get on tap, I love a lot of the beers they get in the coolers to take home. I like that you can also buy liquor there to if you want too. The things I hate are that the place isn't air conditioned so in the summer it's pretty hot in there and if you're just grabbing stuff to go it's maybe not so bad but usually I like to sit down and have some beers on tap as well. The other thing I hate is that the entrances to the building are basically just screen doors. So the flies can get pretty intense during the summer which is kind of annoying. I can't say it keeps me from going there but it does bother me.
Mar 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4.75 by CreightonSM from New York

Nov 02, 2014
 
Rated: 1.36 by Hophead99ibu from Pennsylvania

Oct 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by JimmyAloysius from Pennsylvania

Sep 17, 2014
Photo of sulldaddy
Reviewed by sulldaddy from Connecticut

4.79/5  rDev +10.4%
I visited this store on the way from CT to PA. Only a 10 minute diversion off of I-78.
Ample parking just behind the store after you cross the bridge between PA and NJ.
Walking in the front door there is a wall of coolers to the left and several shelves of bottles on the right. Wine and liquor a on the far right wall. There are several table and chair setups as this is also a bar. I am there early 11 AM and it is empty minus one staffer who immediately asks if I am looking for anything and is very helpful with pointing out some of the local wares when I ask about them.
She knew her beers and was pretty good about offering suggestions per my favorite style too.
I walked up to the bar, which was short and had maybe 10 stools.
About 20 drafts, all craft and a good mix of styles. I asked for a sample of an Allagash Fluxus 2013 which has been aged by the owner. Beer was pretty cold and the sample was basically in a medicine cup, but tasty and cool beer to have on tap. Good friendly service with a great selection and easy to find.
I think the selection is a 5.0
Service was also a 5.0
I didnt see any issues with the quality of the products sold and have enjoyed several bottles.
this is a must stop if in the area and I will probably hit it up again in the colder months to gather up some smattering of stouts and other big beers.
Aug 18, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by Shamisan from New Jersey

Jul 28, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by natestahlnecker from Pennsylvania

Jul 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by tomgoehring from Pennsylvania

Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by JArmour15 from Pennsylvania

May 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by eagles22 from Pennsylvania

Mar 29, 2014
Photo of smitty23
Reviewed by smitty23 from Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +12.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
so many great beers, great service, beautiful women, and handsome men, all on the Delaware River. Trish is the BEST barkeep on the East coast.

What makes this establishment intriguing is that Trish will only sell certain beers to certain individuals.

What makes this establishment unique are three Bernese (sp?) Mountain dogs, Bubbles, Piper and Baby that are beautiful and wonderful creatures. She is also selling fabulous dog food and dog treats now, not to mention spirits and wine.
Mar 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by NonicPanic from Pennsylvania

Nov 29, 2013
Photo of themind
Reviewed by themind from New Jersey

5/5  rDev +15.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Amazing place, with a very knowledgeable staff. This hidden gem gets some of the states rarest beers. With a wide variety of Kane and Carton beers routinely on tap, this place is a must stop if even for just a moment. $5 growler night will have any beer aficionado drooling, so grab a stool and enjoy!
Nov 02, 2013
Photo of TTripp725
Reviewed by TTripp725 from Pennsylvania

4.19/5  rDev -3.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 5 | selection: 3.75
We were recommend this place from a bar maid and staff at Two River's Brewery because we were looking for a certain beer. The owner was awesome. We asked her about the beer we were looking for, she didn't carry it but immediately she went on-line and emailed the brewery in an attempt to carry the beer that we were looking for. She was was awesome in attempting to help my wife try and find another beer that she might like. Tricia is very friendly and is very knowledgeable about the beer that she has on tap and in stock.
Sep 02, 2013
Photo of jd18
Reviewed by jd18 from New York

4.19/5  rDev -3.5%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25
Nice selection of bottles and stuff on tap. Prices seemed inline. Parking was a little tough even midday when I stopped in. Inside was a bit dark and I'm not sure the method for organizing the beer on the shelves/cooler. I was offered help as soon as I made 1 tour through the selection which was cool, seemed like they knew I was hunting for something specific, and were ready to help me find it. Selection was clearly marked and priced clearly. Online inventory seemed up to date.

Staff seemed friendly and knowledgeable. Even on my first visit they seemed ready to chat taking interest in my selections.
May 02, 2013
Photo of danedelman
Reviewed by danedelman from Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Just got back with a $5 growler of Mikkeller Ris a la M'ale!! Not only did I get to sample some of the others but was able to geek out beer talk, Spoke to Trish the owner for awhile. Great service. Also picked up a bottle of Panil and Northern Hemisphere Hop Harvest. Prices lower than that of Abe's in Bethlehem where I also go.

Will definately go back many many times. Love the growler/on tap selection. May be a good hangout for a pint before going home.

Also I feel that this place may be overlooked for some of the awesome Gem's that land with Hunderton Distribution.
Dec 27, 2012
Photo of mortal1313
Reviewed by mortal1313 from Maryland

4.58/5  rDev +5.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Great customer service and knowledgable staff. Wonderful selection of bottles and a great bar with rare and unique beers to try. They offer growler specials on Thursdays and the owner, Trish, is always willing to order something that her customers recommend. Wonderful vibe and selection! They have 25 beers on tap and about 291 bottles.

Prices are good and there is also a good selection of wine and liquor for great one-stop shopping. If you haven't stopped by this place yet, you should definitely check it out.
Nov 21, 2012
Photo of boz4uali
Reviewed by boz4uali from Pennsylvania

4.74/5  rDev +9.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
P-burg and Easton's little secret...I drive by this place every day on my way home from work, and always meant to stop in. Man was I happily surprised when I did! I knew it was a liquor store/bar...but this place has 24 taps of amazing stuff. Got a pint of Firestone Walker Double Jack (yay), Stone Russian Imperial Stout, and Good Juju to cool me off on the hot summer day I visited. Bought two FW §ucaba (Abacus) and a few other gems. Beats Bourbon Street Liquors prices for sure.

The spot is very unpretentious and kind of a mess, but I like it. The owner is very laid back, friendly and warm and is asks if you need help. The three HUGE bernese mountain dogs laying around, good fries/hot dog place next door that you can order in and copies of beer advocate magazine on the bar make it my new favorite place.
May 26, 2012
Photo of HopDropandRoll
Reviewed by HopDropandRoll from New York

4.74/5  rDev +9.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
FreeBridge is a great little gem of a place. Doesn't look like much on the outside, but the inside is pretty impressive. Great selection of local beers, and also a wide array of harder to find beers or things that just aren't widely distributed. The kicker here is the bar and the new tap tower. 24 TAPS and all really good craft beer. The employees know their stuff and are really easy to talk to, and you even get the pleasure of a few big dogs lounging around sometimes. Well worth looking into.
Apr 07, 2012
Photo of NoLeafClover44
Reviewed by NoLeafClover44 from Delaware

4.14/5  rDev -4.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
I found this place online while doing a search for Firestone Double Jack. I was impressed they had it because I had come up empty at several places in PA and needed it for a trade. It is located right over the free bridge in union square. I wasn't sure what to expect as I opened the door, covered by an old school awning and entered into a dimly lit hallway. I was greeted by a huge, friendly Burmese mountain dog, and a maze of beer filled the room. I was told they were in the process of reorganizing but beer all over the place didn't bother me one bit. The owner was very friendly and helpful and assured me she would order anything she could that I didn't see. They had a good selection of local beers as well as some of the harder to find craft brands. Firestone walker, weyerbacher, ithaca, green flash, etc. There was nothing extremely rare but it was an impressive selection and very reasonably priced. There is also a bar with several taps of craft beer available in pints or by the growler. They do special tastings thursdays and usually have a brewery reps or even the brewmaster on hand. They also have a good liquor and wine selection, so it is a convenient one-stop shop that the PA laws would never allow. Whenever I need to go to easton I am sure to stop in at Freebridge to see what new bottles they have and grab a pint.
Mar 01, 2012
Photo of lumberjake
Reviewed by lumberjake from New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Stopped in for the first time in late September and they were just getting their act together. Been back regularly since and they have made a real commitment to craft beer. NJ locals Kane and Carton always on draft plus limited allocation stuff from Sixpoint, Rogue and others. Tastings every Thursday with brewery reps and often brewers themselves. Place is small, but the shelf space they have is crammed full of almost nothing but craft beer with a surprising number of great breweries represented given the space available. If they don't have it the owner Tricia will order it for you if it's available. A real find in this part of the state with stuff you can't find without driving an hour+. Part bar, part liquor store, you can grab a pint while you peruse the bottles, order a hot dog from the shop next door and bring it in and sit at the tables. Warren County has needed a place like this for a while. It's gotten nothing but better since I first stopped in, and they are extremely committed to making it even better.
Jan 26, 2012
Photo of DaveHack
Reviewed by DaveHack from Pennsylvania

3.11/5  rDev -28.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 2.5
Stopped on a whim on my way back to PA. There is nothing exceptional on the bottle selection. Not many to choose from. I asked if they have Firestone Walker and they really put effort into looking into this for me. They took my name and offered to call me if they get any. The highlight of this place is they have a small bar with 8 taps. Although completely average, you can get a draft beer there, or a growler fill which is very cool. This place has tons of potential, but hasn't lived up to it yet.
Jul 09, 2011
Free Bridge Wine & Spirits in Phillipsburg, NJ
Place rating: 4.34 out of 5 with 34 ratings