Archive for the ‘Bars’ Category

Sly Fox Keep the Glass

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Tonight it the Sly Fox U Buy The Glass Night at the Abbaye. A supremely affordable $10 will buy you a keepsake pint glass as well as free refills from 7-9 P.M. Featured Sly Fox beers include the Abbey Xtra, Dry Stout, and the Seamus Red Ale, which I recently sampled and thoroughly enjoyed. Who am I kidding? I love almost everything that Sly Fox brews. I’m totally biased. In addition to hanging out and drinking, U Keep the Glass Night also offers the chance to win a whole bunch of swag from the featured brewery. Then you can have a sensible late dinner while you keep drinking. Good times.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 7-9 P.M.
The Abbaye 637 N. 3rd St.

Snow Day Specials

Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Let it Snow

Let it Snow

I discovered the last time that it snowed that lots of bars and restaurants panic over the loss of business (especially since it seems as though the extreme weather has fallen on the weekends.) To try to lure people out they send out “hey, we’re still open” e-mails with specials. Now, I’m not subscribed to every restaurant mailing list in Philadelphia by far, but here are a few specials I know are happening today. Feel free to leave any others in the comments. Then if you’re hale and hearty, strap on the snow boots and support your local businesses.

Fork Restaurant (306 Market Street) is offering a complimentary “Blizzard” (LaColombe coffee, chocolate mint liqueur, kahlua and fresh whipped cream)! Just mention the e-mail. Valid only with the purchase of a dinner entree.

Tria Rittenhouse Square (123 S.18th Street) and Tria Washington Square West (1137 Spruce Street) – Are both offering Sunday-school style specials today. St. Joseph Syrah ‘02 – meaty Rhône red. $5 Ewephoria – crunchy sheep’s milk Gouda. $5 Dogfish Head World Wide Stout – massive 18% rarity. $5 Starts at noon. Today only.

Brauhaus Schmitz has been open since the early AM for Konferenz Channel which is some . . . soccer thing. They’re offering a German breakfast of Brotchen, cheese, salami, ham, hard-boiled egg, butter and nutella! Specials include $1.50 Koelsch while FC Koeln plays and $4 beer specials for Franziskaner, Warsteiner and Hausbrau.

There is a metric crapton of Super Bowl Specials happening tomorrow, so perhaps people are waiting on this snow thing until it looks like we know what the weather is going to do. Surprised I haven’t heard anything yet from Varga or Foy’s . . .

Memory Lane – Venture Inn

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
ventureout

The Venture Inn on Camac. Don't miss it!

Sometimes a bar is just a bar. You go there with friends, or because it is close by. Other times a bar may have a drink special that you love. But more often than not, the true magic from your favorite haunt comes from the distributor of libations, the keeper of recipes and tabs . . . the bartender!

The bartender can make or break a place for me. Of course I don’t want a rude bartender; forgetful is also a frustrating trait. On the other end of the spectrum too chipper or no personality at all is weird. And when you find that special barkeep you will go back to that institution again and again. And if that person leaves, you probably won’t go back again for a very long time.

So is the tale of the Venture Inn. Some folks may remember my very first ArtinBars post about a forgotten love between me and the Venture. The truth about the Venture is it is an old gay man’s bar, and I never had any business there at all. But after going a few times with friends, I noted that the bartender Anthony was very nice, and let’s just say he was heavy handed with his pours. Over time I started going a couple of times a week with my partner in drinking crime, Brian, but only on days Anthony worked because the other bartenders in the place were kind of rude. The three of us built a very awesome bartender/patron camaraderie. After a while the other regulars got to know us, and Alabama Slammers (Brian) and Red-Headed Sluts (Me) would appear before us without even ordering. Those were just the drinks assigned to us by this little community Wednesday and Friday nights on Pine and Camac.

Anthony the bartender set the tone for true awesomeness and fantastic memories. I have at least one hundred stories from my time at the Venture Inn, all of them different and fun. Most of them include TOO much fun. But what’s wrong with that? So you see dear readers the bartender is the most important part of the bar experience, they set the climate for the night. When Anthony left the Venture Inn, I only went back once. It wasn’t the same.

makos throw down

Monday, November 30th, 2009

49 cent beers

49 cent beers

Best Part Of the Cake Is the Frosting — I’m strolling down South St. peeping my two favorite things. Boobies. I love wearing my s.g.’s cause I can bug out for like a whole quarter block without looking like a registered sex offender. Though I “get it in like that” I sometimes find my self stunna free, so then I gotta pull my patented move “the tourist”, that’s when I bobble my head sharply from left to right, squint my eyes like I’m Mickey Rooney in a black and white movie, and tilt my head back at an obtuse angle until my top row of teeth are exposed and I invariably look like a lost “Neasty” thereby distracting any talent that passes by from noticing me noticing their “tastee cakes”. It’s a classic move and I fully intend on teaching it to my illegitimate half breed son I’ll end up having by mistake one night at a barn party in Amish Country after a comely gypsy with silken wings feeds me too many Root Beer and Bourbons, a concoction she likes to call “The Bat Masterson”.

(more…)

Things to Do Today and Tonight:

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Now, I stalk the internet. It’s what I do. Lurking around the local interwebs to see what’s happening out in the real world. Unfortunately, despite all this stalking, I rarely get to actually participate in anything going on about town, as I frequently work nights. Tonight is no exception. A couple of fun things to do tonight, and I’m working. Boo-urns. But you, you’re young and free! Get out of the house today/tonight.

In the Devil’s Pocket (best. neighborhood. name. ever.) Resurrection Ale House is hosting their Wednesday Movie Matinee. At 1pm they’re showing that Philadelphia classic Rocky (which I have never seen) and serving $2 Yards Brawler drafts. They do this every Wednesday, and are open to movie suggestions, so all you underemployed artists, barristas, and servers, get thee to an affordable afternoon of entertainment! 2425 Grays Ferry.

At The Abbaye it’s once again U Buy the Glass Night, tonight featuring Lancaster Brew Company. They’ll be pouring Hop Hog I.P.A., Amish Four Grain, and their flagship Milk Stout. Starting at 7 P.M. through 9, for a mere $10 you buy a keepsake pint glass and receive free refills of all Lancaster brews. Trust, this is a excellent deal. Although the last time I participated I left my pint glass at the bar. Whoops. 637 N 3rd St.

Nodrink November

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

If you know either my partner or myself, you are aware that we are a drinking household. Bottle of wine with pizza? Yes please. Meet you at a bar for lunch? But of course! We’re both fond of an evening cocktail, and those three kegs of homebrew in our living room aren’t going to drink themselves. Which is why with some trepidation I announced that I was going to attempt a Nodrink November. Just to make things even more interesting, I, the lover of offal was also going to attempt to make it NoMeat November as well. It’s like the opposite of Beerlass’ Porktoberfest. Of course, there were to be few blackout dates; birthdays and beer club meetings were planned, special ladydates  and cocktail parties that were already on the calendar, and I am going to enjoy wine with my Thanksgiving dinner.

It takes announcing that one is abstaining to really make one realize how much drinking is a part of one’s personal culture. People always asked why, and with the absence of a “good” reason, deemed the idea stupid and set out to tempt me at every occasion. I’ve done the meatless / drinkless month before (last September) and literally every single day of that month my partner offered me a drink. Not to test my will, but because the concept of me refusing a drink failed to stick in his mind. I soldiered through then, but alas, a mere week into this month I’ve already cheated three times and am thinking of throwing in the towel. For the drinking at least. There are just too many planned drinking occasions this month, and I enjoy the social aspect of it. People have suggested February might be better suited for teetotaling; less engagements and all.

In this friendly, freedom-loving land of ours - Beer belongs . . . enjoy it!

In this friendly, freedom-loving land of ours - Beer belongs...enjoy it!

Which brings up how inherently social drinking has become, in my life at least. I don’t run with a mixed shots let’s get wasted kind of crowd, but everyone I knew enjoys having a few beers with dinner or while playing rockband. Bad day at work? Let’s split a bottle of wine at home, or treat ourselves to one nice cocktail at an upscale joint. I know I am capable of going a month (or longer) without drinking, and this is an essential skill to posses if you fancy yourself a potential breeder and would not like to incur the wrath of strangers. But for now, I am young, childless, enjoy making my own beer, and sampling the mixology of my partner (he’s really far better behind the bar than I) so nuts to you, NoDrink November. You were a noble experiment, but one that failed miserably. So stop by my place to sample some of the brews, or I’ll meet you at Tria for Sunday School, and I’ll try this again in the colder months.

Dive-ing: 12 Steps Down

Friday, October 23rd, 2009
12 Steps Down
12 Steps Down

When I used to work as a barista (a job I think one is contractually required have at some point in time in order to receive a degree in Art History) I was rich both in cash tips and frustration with humanity. My third favorite place to blow off steam was 12 Steps Down.

There are some people (Jenn) who will say that 12 Steps Down is categorically NOT a dive, but rather a gastropub masquerading as a dive. Perhaps this is true with the *gasp* average pricing on the microbrews, and especially with the gourmet food they manage to churn out. However, much like their Karaoke Obscura night, it is an element of the bar that I remain completely ignorant of. 12 Steps Down is my favorite brunch dive.

You won't need to break the bank for this brunch

You won't need to break the bank for this brunch

Of course, when one mentions “brunch” and “dive” in the same concept, eggs benedict are not involved. Rather, they have the best liquid brunch in the city. Sundays from 11 A.M. until 3P.M. there are $2 Mimosas and Blood Marys. This is insanely cheap for these cocktails, and they are really good ones at that. The mimosa is a nearly full flute of champagne with a whisper of orange juice, as well as a tip of triple sec. The Bloody Mary mix is made in house, spicy with horseradish but not too gritty, and no stranger with the vodka.

With pours that generous, prices that affordable, and no food to be had, the liquid brunch at 12 Steps Down is an event that must be experience at least once. There’s nothing quite like emerging buzzed from a basement bar, with still so much money in your pocket to realize the afternoon is still young. Take a walk around the Italian market. Enjoy the autumn air.

12 Steps Down
831 Christian

Not Sports Bars Bars to Watch Sports (in)

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

gophiliesSo as some of you may be aware, tonight is a major sporting event for Philadelphia. This noble, dying sport known as The American Pastime has shone a light on our complex little city, and once again we just might shrug the chips off our collective shoulder and rise to what we know we are capable of; hard-earned elegant excellence.

As per usual, I’m working (sitting) till around 11 tonight, so I won’t be out drinking and watching the game. Actually, before the partner and I got rid of tv, I wouldn’t have been out either. However, lately watching the live streaming feed on postseason.tv through my laptop is getting a little irksome, so I’ve been researching sports bars that aren’t, you know, quite so sports bar; those warehouses of giant tvs where ever you look, shitty, overpriced drinks, loud vomitous patrons, veritable incubators for ugly, thoughtless flash mobs. Here’s a list of places for one to go if they want, say, just a side of Phillies Phever (is that how I do that, just substitute a ph for any f?) with their beer. (more…)

Art in Bars on the Road: Detroit

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

He laughed at accidental sirens that broke the evening gloom
the police had warned of repercussions
they followed none too soon
a trickle of strangers were all that were left alive
Panic in Detroit.
-David Bowie

Comet Bar
Comet Bar

One of my dreams since I was a young dude, was to be in a band and go on tour. I wanted the experience of traveling in a vehicle, marinating in the funk of me and my band-mates, eating truck stop junk food, and eye glazing interstate nature on the way to some unsuspecting town in the middle of a pocket of America progress ignored. Although I never got the call up to be in the latest incarnation of Creed, I sometimes find myself in the position to leave the “City of Firsts” and ply my trade in faraway markets.

My most recent sojourn led me to Detroit. (more…)

Franklin Mortgage Mural

Thursday, October 8th, 2009
franklin1

I wish there was a Franklin Mortgage and Investment Company when I was younger. The Franklin would have totally impressed my dates, or my friends visiting from my hometown. This place would have been perfect to rock my brown and cream wingtips with my double-breasted pinstriped suit. This would be back during that curious swing dance craze in the nineteen nineties. This place would’ve blown their minds. This bar is set up like a speakeasy with all the details in place. The shiny dark brown leather seats and chandeliers makes you feel like you’re drinking in secret luxury. If this place would have been around when I was in college, we would go to the Franklin just before going dancing. After a couple of excellent top shelf old timey drinks we’d be ready for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

franklin2

The art in the Franklin is a 20 foot long mural depicting scenes from 1920’s life. The focus of the mural is a three piece suit wearing gangster in the middle. I’d like to believe men walked around casually carrying around Tommy guns with sweet brown and cream wingtips. I’d also like to believe the boxer Jack Dempsey had a fight at a party while a beautiful couple danced the night away. The greatest thing in the mural is Ben “Mr. Electric” Franklin is in a crap game with what looks like the cast of Newsies.

franklin3

These scenes play out nicely because of the well-placed columns and doorways to separate the vignettes . Because all the figures are about 4 1/2 feet tall, it makes me believe this is the actual size of 1920’s/ 30’s Philadelphians. You gotta experience this in person. Feels like you’re in a time when adults drank illegally.

Franklin Mortgage and Investment Company
112 S. 18th St.