Blue Monkey

Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

1092 Howertown Road
Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, 18032
United States

(610) 266-1550 | map
bluemonkeysports.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.45
Reviews:
3
Ratings:
3
pDev:
16.52%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by wtrbeer:
Photo of wtrbeer
Reviewed by wtrbeer from Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -20.3%
vibe: 2 | quality: 2 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 2
I have to say I wasn't that impressed with the Blue Monkey. I'll start off with the good, the beer selection was a surprise. They had a decent selection of micro's and your standard macro's. The beer wasn't priced too badly either. But, that is where the positves end. The atmosphere is only OK, I mean I guess it's standard. They do have a bunch of TV's which is also good. The food (to be very generous) is less than average, plus it's way over-priced. I just didn't understand why they were charging large prices for below-average food. Place somewhat clean, but also a little grungy (maybe a hit them at a bad time)? Staff wasn't bad, but at the same time weren't overly helpful or attentive. I wouldn't say this is a place you have to visit, but it's not the worst...I guess with a name like "the blue monkey" you can't expect much...
Jan 22, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of ShaneThePain
Reviewed by ShaneThePain from Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
The Blue Monkey is a glorified sports bar in Catasauqua replete with many TV's and plenty of local sports swag. The food is standard bar fare and they have a full size dining room opposite the bar area as well. Food is kind of pricey for a sports bar and they charge extra for everything, so unless you're famished, stick to the beer. There's an upstairs section, but I've never been up so I can't tell you what's up there...

The surprise about this place is the pretty extensive beer menu you'll find here. Ahhh, I shouldn't say "menu" as they didn't have an actual beer menu, at least they didn't the last two times I stopped in. If there is no one sitting at the bar in the middle section, you can see what's in the cooler, but if you see something you've never had before, you probably want info/recommendations from the bartenders. While most are cute little chickie things, they're not too knowledgeable about the beer and that may damper your mood.

But, if you don't mind bugging them or feel adventurous, then you will probably enjoy the selection. They have around 20 taps, with about half dedicated to rotating micros. Last time I was there they had a Speakeasy, Arcadia Double IPA, Bullfrog IPA and more on tap. In the cooler, locals abound from Weyerbacher, Victory, Troegs and Stoudts plus Bells, Avery's and more I didn't recognize. Nothing really outside of the USA craft/micro brews, but still a good selection all around.

Overall, me and my friends stop by frequently when in the area. They have a full-sized shuffleboard (we love shuffleboard) and with the beer selection, the place gets a decent thumbs up. If you are a hardcore BA and don't really dig the whole sports bar theme, then the BM might not be for you.

---UPDATE 1/3/2009---
Was back at the Monkey this weekend for a brew, and happy to see they now have an actual beer menu, quite extensive in fact. They even have what looks to be BA ratings for each beer, which I thought odd as who would want to buy a beer rated badly...

Overall, glad to see it and I give the Monkey kudos.
Aug 12, 2008
Photo of AlexJ
Reviewed by AlexJ from North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +20.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
I was surprised on my last visit home to PA to see this new Bar/Restaurant only a mile or so from my folks house. It's got a pretty basic sports bar atmosphere with a twist of monkey and tropical theme. Nothing terribly exciting. The waitresses were all very friendly and prompt, a good thing when you're hungry. I thought the food was great. It was your typical Bar and Grill food with the nice addition of pastas, steaks, and seafood. The buffalo wings are freakin awesome and the Quesadillas were the best I've had, no joke. Huge, and overflowing w/ grilled chicken, bacon, and the works, killer. I ordered a Philly steak and it was also very good, with nice tender meat and grilled onions, peppers, and mushrooms. The rest of my dining companions were equally satisfied with everything they got.

The beer selection was definately better than I expected. Taps included Hoegaarten, Guiness, Bass, SN Celebration, Blue Moon, and at least 10 or more decent brews along w/ your typical macro. Bottle selection was comparable and included such goodies as Legacy Hedonism, several local offerings from Stoudts, Victory, and Weyerbacher. I ordered 2 Stoudt's Imperial IPA's for less than $3 a bottle. Prices are very fair. Overall a great local joint for good grub and tastey beer. I will definately stop hear again next time I'm home!
Oct 03, 2006
Blue Monkey in Catasauqua, PA
Place rating: 3.45 out of 5 with 3 ratings