Philly weekend

Yes, take the Paoli/Thorndale line and get off at Ardmore for Tired Hands. Noddinghead's and Dock Street are two good brewpubs in the city. You can take the Doylestown line to Ambler and go to Forest & Main.

Check other threads in this forum for plenty of Philly recommendations.

 

make a day out of it with the Paoli/Thorndale R5 regional rail line.
The stops - east to west
Ardmore - Tired Hands
Wayne - Teresa's Next Door
Paoli - TJ's Next Door
Malvern - The Flying Pig
Downingtown - Station Taproom

all places listed are awesome and within a block or 2 of their stops. and, imho, are superior to bars in the city (for the most part)

 

Be aware that Teresa's and, I believe, Tired Hands do not have televisions. I have not been to the Pig in several years, but the food at the other places listed above is very good to excellent.

 

Tired Hands does not have any TV's in their establishment.

 

Flying Pig does have tv's but I don't hold that against them. Good beer list and bar food, it has a nice small town neighborhood corner bar atmosphere. Teresa's, god bless them does not have a tv, has excellent food. The acoustics are not so good though, when it is crowded.

 

If this becomes a must do for you make sure to be aware of the Center City stops (30th St., Suburban Station, Market East) that will get you to the Paoli-Thorndale line when planning where you are staying. It's quite a pain to have to deal with the transfers in the city and infrequent train stops so try and stay close to those locations.

 

I second this. Top 3 would be Tired Hands, Teresa's, TJ's (IMO no particular order) if you're short on time.

 

Listen to Lauren, her recommendations are spot-on. Everything I would hit if I were you.

 

Going an hour+ outside the city if he's short on time? That's funny.

 

Where did he say he's short on time? Unless I missed something...

 

Spend some time walking to the many great bars in the city rather than spending the day riding a train. Nothing against the suburban bars that have been listed, but I think your time is better spent exploring the city while you also explore the beer scene. I think you should head out to Tired Hands for sure, but I wouldn't make a day of riding the Paoli/Thorndale line.

 

I wouldn't say he has to hit all those places, but if he's taking the train to Tired Hands already, why not hit another spot or two? I agree certainly some time should be spent walking around the city.

 

Don't you know that all "Going to Philly" threads need to be all about places that aren't in Philadelphia?

 

Sorry, I should have quoted Hokiesandbeer since I was responding to his comment.

Joeebbs, he did actually ask about going outside the city this time at least.

 

Yes, short on time. As in, if he only had one day outside the city and can't make it to 5 or 6 places then if to focus on those three.

 

Okay that makes sense. I do think traveling to TJs is hard, not because it isn't great, but mostly just because it's pretty far.

Also, howopeeps, don't forget Tired Hands doesn't open until 4pm.

 

the only reason i brought it up was because he's going to be heading out that way anyway and getting a regional rail pass. why not hit up some other great spots.

but i understand where you're coming from. if he had specifically said "i'm going to be in philly. where should i go" i never would have brought it up. i kind of hate when people recommend places like Capones to someone that is going to Philly without a car.

 

also, i'm not good on hotels in philly since i never stay at them... hopefully someone else can help you out with that
but i would try to choose something around center city --- Market St. from the north to Spruce St. to the south, and around the 13th to 18th St. east to west. --- that area-ish.
Which is also located around where you would pick up any public transportation (regional rail to the suburbs, market frankford line to go east to west through the city, and the broad street line in case you want to head to south philly --- other great bars down there)
most of the great places in the city that I would recommend are within walking distance of there --- Monks, Jose Pistolas, Good Dog, Tria (take the wifey there for dinner - it's great for beer, wine, and food), Misconduct, Varga, Nodding Head, Foodery for to-go beer, etc.