Must-hit beer destination in Philly...

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by BleepBloopBlap, May 11, 2012.

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  1. BleepBloopBlap

    BleepBloopBlap Zealot (503) Aug 19, 2011 Massachusetts

    Not named Monk's Cafe?

    Discuss.
     
    #1 BleepBloopBlap, May 11, 2012
  2. callmemickey

    callmemickey Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2007 Pennsylvania

    Memphis Taproom
    Local 44
    Belgian Cafe
    Brauhaus Schmitz
     
    #2 callmemickey, May 11, 2012
  3. joeebbs

    joeebbs Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Standard Tap
    South Philly Tap Room
    Eulogy
     
    #3 joeebbs, May 11, 2012
  4. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    To the OP: is there something in particular that you are looking for?

    For example if you are looking for local draft beer (and very good Gastropub food) then Standard Tap is your choice.

    If you are looking for a good tap selection in a non-fancy setting that the Irish-Pol is your choice.

    If you like New Orleans style food and a good draft selection than Khyber Pass Pub is your choice.

    A good selection of Belgian Beers and great mussels: Eulogy.

    Cheers!
     
    #4 JackHorzempa, May 11, 2012
  5. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yeah, I'm with you on this Jack. I almost want to say "must hit" spots? None. In other words, it all depends upon what the OP is looking for. Philly has so many great spots; one persons "must hit" spot is another person's dump. For instance, I'm not a big fan of Good Dog and I had a less than stellar experience last year at Kraftwork and Sidecar. However, other folks rave about those places, and for them, their reasons are fully justified (I thnk).

    So many places have a great beer selection in Philly, that I find myself preferring one beer bar over another for completely subjective reasons. One of the things I really like about Philly are some of the great neighborhoods, where you often times, out of the blue, will find an absolute gem of a retaurant and/or bar. Consequently, for me, must hit spots include the Memphis Taproom, Kite and Key, Greylodge, South Philly Tap Room and POPE. There are places in town with a better beer selection, but the combination of good food, great beer selection and cool vibe, at least for me, set those places apart.

    ... and oh by the way. Unless you've never been, at least for me, Monk's doesn't qualify as a must hit spot.
     
    #5 John_M, May 11, 2012
  6. BleepBloopBlap

    BleepBloopBlap Zealot (503) Aug 19, 2011 Massachusetts

    Hi everyone, thanks. I've been to Philly and just didn't know if the locals had any specific suggestions. From my own research it looks like Standard Tap and Memphis taproom appeal to me the most.

    I've been to Monk's Cafe and Belgian Tavern in the past. I agree that Monk's isn't a must-hit spot, it just seems to be the place most people talk about when it comes to Philly - so I didn't want the thread to be packed with Monk's, Monk's Monk's!! Personally, when I went I was underwhelmed (I'll leave it at that).

    I guess what i'd be looking for most is great tap list with good -> great good and/or great tap list with rarities.

    Thanks again.
     
    #6 BleepBloopBlap, May 11, 2012
  7. Mark

    Mark Initiate (0) Jun 18, 2001 California

    Are there any good beer bars or brew pubs in the historic district?
     
    #7 Mark, May 11, 2012
  8. ThoreauLikeAGirl

    ThoreauLikeAGirl Initiate (0) Mar 11, 2011 Pennsylvania

    Race St. Cafe
    Triumph Brewing
    Khyber Pass Pub
    Irish Pol
    Eulogy
     
    #8 ThoreauLikeAGirl, May 11, 2012
  9. Mark

    Mark Initiate (0) Jun 18, 2001 California

    Thanks so much for the info. A few more questions if you don't mind.
    1. Do you know how far the 30th street train station is from the historic district?
    2. Are Philly bars and brew pubs smoke free?
    Thanks much.
     
    #9 Mark, May 12, 2012
  10. FooFaa

    FooFaa Guest (0)

    Khyber Pass and Race Street Cafe are pretty close.
     
    #10 FooFaa, May 12, 2012
  11. JBette01

    JBette01 Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Except that the food at Khyber blows Race St out of the water. I havent had a meal there that I have enjoyed in a while.

    You can take the Market Frankford Line eastbound at couple stops and get off at 2nd. 10ish minute ride. All of the places mentioned here are smoke free, to my knowledge.
     
    #11 JBette01, May 12, 2012
  12. Hophead717

    Hophead717 Initiate (0) Oct 21, 2011 Massachusetts

    I'll hop onto this thread--I'm going to be living in University City this summer, on the same block as Local 44. I can tell that's going to be my "go-to" place. Are there any other spots in the UC neighborhood that I should check out? I have the standard list ready to go when exploring, but am curious about neighborhood spots.

    Thanks!
     
    #12 Hophead717, May 12, 2012
  13. Dweedlebug

    Dweedlebug Initiate (0) Feb 28, 2012 Pennsylvania

    I guess I don't understand how you could be underwhelmed by Monk's. Amazing beer list, very friendly and helpful staff.

    Seriously, there's a reason it gets into the "top 10 places to have a beer" list on a regular basis.

    Aside from that, I would say Standard Tap, Nodding Head and Eulogy.
     
    #13 Dweedlebug, May 12, 2012
  14. callmemickey

    callmemickey Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2007 Pennsylvania

    Expensive, occasionally snotty staff, food that occasionally misses the mark, most of the beer is available elsewhere, crowded, dark, occasionally loud...

    That said, I love the place, but it's not perfect and depending upon what you are expecting/looking for, I can see how its underwhelmed... the place ain't flawless
     
    #14 callmemickey, May 12, 2012
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  15. ThoreauLikeAGirl

    ThoreauLikeAGirl Initiate (0) Mar 11, 2011 Pennsylvania

    1. historic district is around 3rd-ish to 6th-ish & Market to Arch St-ish (correct me if i'm wrong, anyone, but i've never played philly tourist and always seemed that was the correct area)
    30th St. Station is at 30th and Market. So about 26 - 28 blocks depending where you are =/ Best to cab it or take the Market-Frankford Line which is the subway that goes that entire way down Market Street (straight shot)
    2. The very high majority of the good places are smoke free. You'll find a very few dive bars that allow smoking, but for the most part if you're looking for good craft beer places, those would never apply. 12 Steps Down is the exception, but it's not a place i would truly recommend... since they don't do Karaoke Obscura there anymore *sad facha*
     
    #15 ThoreauLikeAGirl, May 12, 2012
  16. ThoreauLikeAGirl

    ThoreauLikeAGirl Initiate (0) Mar 11, 2011 Pennsylvania

    The only really good craft beer places in West Philly are Local 44 and the City Tap House. for good times, though, check out Gojjo and Dalak (both ethiopian places) on Baltimore Ave. Nothing in the way of good beer, but they always have DFH and Yards, etc at Gojjo in bottles, but it's always my place where i end the night and have fun. Only when the back decks are open outside (ie, spring and summer). Also, the OTHER ethiopian place at 45th and Locust called Abyssinia has a bar upstairs (it's unlabeled outside) called Fiume that has great craft beer, but the place kinda of uh... has character that a lot of people i know hate. tight cramped place, but a great bluegrass night =)

    *EDIT: oh, and how could i forget Dock St Brewery? 50th and Baltimore. Probably the first place i would recommend, actually. ha.
     
    #16 ThoreauLikeAGirl, May 12, 2012
  17. FooFaa

    FooFaa Guest (0)

    Agreed. The food at Khyber is awesome.
     
    #17 FooFaa, May 12, 2012
  18. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    To the OP: I have personally been “underwhelmed” at Monk’s Café many times. I really like Belgian beers so I have gone there many times in the past but I have now written this place off.

    To utilize callmemickey’s quote: “occasionally snotty staff” my personal experience is that the staff is not occasionally snotty, it is frequently snotty.

    Cheers!
     
    #18 JackHorzempa, May 12, 2012
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  19. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    "To the OP: I have personally been “underwhelmed” at Monk’s Café many times."

    Likewise. Once upon a time I would put up with all the nonsense associated with visiting Monk's, just because the beer selection was so stellar, with beers I couldn't find any place else. However, that's no longer the case. In fact, it's a very rare day when Monk's has a better selection of Belgian beers then what I can find right here at my local in Baltimore (currently, the 2008 Pannepot reserve is on tap here at Max's, just as an example).

    Occasionally I'll take out of town friends to Monk's, just because of its history and notoriety. However, except for the occasional special event there, I just don't see any reason to ever go there again.
     
    #19 John_M, May 12, 2012
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  20. SPG8

    SPG8 Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2010 Pennsylvania

    I wouldn't say underwhelmed, but personal preference can enter the picture...

    - I prefer the neighborhoods to downtown
    - I don't really care about food when drinking beer, in fact, I usually wind up regretting eating dinner at bars because I seem to walk out with a tab that would have covered a nice BYOB
    - It's the #1 go to spot for out-of-towners
    - I don't get out enough to establish a presence in a place like that, so even if somebody opens a bottle I doubt I'd get in on it

    Haven't been in a long time, definitely owe them a visit.
     
    #20 SPG8, May 12, 2012
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