Posts Tagged ‘Bridget Foy’s’

Blog drama and beers

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

People have been asking if Art in Bars has been caught up in the blog / small business kerfuffle that broke a few weeks ago regarding the blog tax. Years ago I went to a blog conference hosted by Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, and one of the concepts repeated many times was if you monetize your blog, you ought to just go ahead and pay the city for a business license. Do you see any adds anywhere on this blog? No, because I am lazy and poor and haven’t set aside the $300 to make AiB a real legit business and chase after the pennies that advertising could bring in. That and there has been waffling with professional-type friends who alternate in opinion as to the best status to glom to. Perhaps we’d make a better non-profit.

Anywho. If you’re interested in this issue and others, the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and the Department of Revenue in association with I-SITE, P’unk Ave, and Independents Hall are hosting a Bloggergate Happy Hour “conversation” tonight at National Mechanics from 5-7PM. This conversation is for small businesses owners, entrepreneurs, creative-types, and the self-employed and will be about taxes, the business privilege license and other issues. I’m of two minds. This might be really interesting and have worthwhile information for me, or it will devolve into paranoid screaming. Think I’ll check it out. There’s no information about any happy hour specials but one can assume that it will be the standard $3 off pitchers, $2 off special drinks, $1 off pints that they generally have. Because that is important to me; what I can save drinking nervously in the corner listening to political types do damage control while the ill-informed rant.

National Mechanics 22 South 3rd St

Not your cup of tea? Interested in getting your drink on sans conversation? Tonight Wednesday September 8th Bridget Foy’s is hosting GIN & SIN. Their Plymouth and Beefeater local representative wants to buy you a gin-based drink at their bar at 5PM. Bridget Foy’s 200 South St.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Cinco De Mayo

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Hey everyone. I’m working for the man / doing my civic and or patriotic duty this week / being a schmuck. I thought it wasn’t going to interfere with my precious blogging of all things bars and art, but then lo and behold, my competence was observed and rewarded with more work. I was asked to instruct a version of the class I participated in last week. Without going into details, it’s been dramatic and time consuming. I hope to have the listings ready to go for first Friday, but planned content for this week wasn’t developed – the days I usually devote to creating copy and researching were usurped. (Sorry, Niki Bombshell and The Last Minute Art Show – I was trying to create something about you guys, and as you know it didn’t happen.) Excuses, excuses. SO: very quickly, in case this is the only chance I get this week: (more…)

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Something To Do | Comments Off

The Mint Julep

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

It is a life goal of mine to attend the Kentucky Derby. Mostly because I love outrageous hats. And gambling on horse races. But the third reason I would like to attend is of course the cult of the particular tipple the Mint Julep, which now a days is neglected all year long save for today. I know someone who’s been to the derby before and the stories she tells are a-maz-ing. (Well, all the stories she tells are amazing, but the derby ones are particularly a hoot and a half.) Alas, it is a dream deferred for now. Chances are, you may have just found out that it’s derby day, and are wondering how you can get into the spirit. I suggest smashing up some mint and getting smashed at home, as it’s a lovely day for hanging out on stoops, roofs, or back yards. But if you’re feeling social, or not in a self bar tending mood,¬† lots o’ places around town are celebrating by breaking out specials on Mint Juleps. If you are an ambitious drinker, you could plot your course and be thoroughly trashed today. But that wouldn’t be very genteel. (more…)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Drinking | 3 Comments »

Wednesday: Burgs and Beers

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

First in arty news: tonight there will be an arts networking event at The Square Peg Artery and Salvage (108 S 20th) where folks are invited to Booze and Schmooze from 6-8:30 P.M. I love doing that! Well, boozing. But that then helps with the schmoozing. It is intended to be a networking night to bring together artists, collectives, crafters, and art enthusiasts (hey that’s me!) Marvelous. I swear though, if I see that one guy I see who goes to every single art thing with free wine . . . you know the guy I’m talking about. Who’s always unabashedly there for the booze. Anyway, Burgs and beers. Ah, Wednesday. What shall we do with you? Sitting there like a lump in the middle of the week. Neither the provenance of the early week drinkers or the weekenders. I suppose that’s why there are some rad Wednesday specials. (more…)

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Something To Do | 1 Comment »

Beer, Dogs, and Baseball at Bridget Foy’s

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Baseball season is here!

Today is the home opening day for the Philadelphia Phillies! Game starts at 1:05 PM and is airing on MyPhl 17. I’m rather blase about sports in general, but I adore baseball. The nobility of the sport, the importance of teamwork, the pace and minutia, and of course, how the game’s not over until the very last pitch. Growing up in a city without a major league team, we still rooted for our aaa hometeam, the Beavers, and summer to me is never complete without several trips to the ball park. So I’m jazzed to now live in the city of the WFC Phillies, and the glamour of a real stadium not infested with cats. But, I digress. The point of the story is that tonight Bridget Foy’s is offering specials in celebration of opening day. (more…)

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Something To Do | Comments Off

More not-sporty sports-watching places

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Last night I managed to delete the last 20 comments on the blog through sheer stupidity. I mean, it asked me twice if I was sure I wanted to delete them. I thought I was still in the spam folder, and told the pesky pop-up window not to bother me so with it’s trifling questions, I was a very busy and important woman. So now I’m out a mess of comments. This is especially distressing as at least four of those were on the Not Sports Bars¬† to Watch Sports (In) post (ed note: I am really kicking A and taking N in the titling of posts) which I wanted to use for updates, as the commenters had some very insightful suggestions.

Cheer the Philadelphia Quakers! Pip pip!

Cheer the Philadelphia Quakers! Pip pip!

Because it’s World Series time! Err, maybe, with the rain and all. If the game happens, commenter Brendan suggested the Prohibition Tap Room, (501 N. 5th st.) citing it’s relaxed atmosphere and excellent drinks. Another commenter (sorry, didn’t catch the name. This is why not deleting those comments would have been helpful.) pushed for St. Stephen’s Green (1701 Green S.) which would have been a great suggestion when I was up in Fairmount. Also in Fairmount is Bridgid’s (726 N. 24th St.) who will tonight be pouring Yards Love Stout from their three-story gravity tap system, the only of it’s kind in the city. Foobooz says that they will have the game on, although I honestly don’t remember a tv the last time I was there. Good thing, for a tavern named for the saint that turned her bathwater into beer. Meanwhile, Bridget Foy’s (200 South St) is offering their upstairs as well as main level bar for baseball viewing, as well as a mess of specials on both food and beverages. All not sporty sports-watching places! Whoo!

One can also check out Foobooz’s constantly updating page on World Series deals, including places that don’t normally show sports that will be hauling out the tv for the occasion, such as Johnny Brenda’s, and Silk City.

Meanwhile, today is my birthday, so I actually will be having a nice dinner with the partner at 10 Arts, where although they are featuring red velvet cupcakes,¬† are not actually showing the game. Warning: you can not stop that stupid flash music player, no matter how often you push the pause or stop button. It just starts that jazzy mellow muzak a minute later. Not very zen, Ripert.¬† Annoying website aside, I’m looking forward to a simple local meal, and hopefully getting home in time to see the last few innings. Go Phillies!

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Happenings | Comments Off

Happy Hour – Bridget Foy’s

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Ahhhhh…..Monday afternoons on South Street. On this day my errands were done, the sun was setting and my friends and I were on South Street checking in on some great happy hour specials. I think we found a good one.

Bridget Foy’s has been a south street neighborhood standard for over 30 years, although it wasn’t always called Bridget Foy’s; it use to be called East Café. The setup is nice; plenty of tables and a long bar. Giant TV’s and local sporting team’s objects on the walls.

Sangria

Not Bad Sangria

Good vibes, good friends, good news and…….good sangria? We decided to get the happy hour $15 pitcher of sangria which is a pretty good bargain. Usually their pitchers are around $28 dollars and the three of us got 3 glasses each out of the pitcher. Now normally Bridget Foy’s has two kinds of sangria pitchers, but sadly, (echoing my chase for ROOT) Philadelphia seems to be completely out of Elderflower liqueur. Alas, we couldn’t get the Flora sangria. So we ordered Bridget Foy’s classic sangria. And it was terrific! I am always a little skeptical ordering sangria anywhere, because most times it is just red or white wine with fruit sliced into it. But, we should hopefully all know that sangria is no joke, and it can be made with wine of course, but it also needs hard liquor like brandy, rum, tequila, or whiskey, and fruit juices. And even though Bridget Foy’s sangria is nowhere near as potent as the sangria I make myself, this happy hour bargain I found to be a nice drink on a hot day.

The glare is possibly the AWESOMENESS shooting out of this print

The glare is possibly the AWESOMENESS shooting out of this print

[Ed note: they also have significantly marked down appetizers which they server full portions of for $5, schnazzy cocktails, $4 glasses of wine, and $2 'beer of the day'. And have I previously mentioned the monkey paintings and prints by B. Foy? Such as this fine one that kept us company in the bar. Featuring a large gorilla, just sitting in a piazza, drinking some wine, doing a crossword puzzle, and rooting for the Phillies. As they do.]

Bridget Foy’s
2nd and South
Happy Hour 5-7 Monday – Friday

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Drinking | Comments Off

Critters at Bridget Foy’s

Thursday, July 9th, 2009
l_7e8b029ab303cf0a43490a1e658d27c2

Main Dining - image from myspace

I live near South Street and I work odd hours. Therefor, I have become very familiar with any place that serves a late dinner in the neighborhood. Bridget Foy’s is the partner’s #1 choice for where to eat out close to home. He’s a creature of comfort, and loves their¬† changing beer list and American cuisine. The food at Foy’s is good, mostly meant to be solid without scaring away the tourists. With the sidewalk deck seating it gets a lot of tourists, and lots of locals watching the crowds. They are always packed, so they must do serious business. I would always recommend Foy’s, but I’m not going to gush about it like the partner does, nor do I have any interest in eating there twice a week, as again, he does. We eat there a lot though, if the balance on my rewards card is to be believed.

l_90ea62e3067cb80792c92e9c6e59f613

Tiny Monkey Painting - image from myspace

One of my favorite things about Foy’s (aside from the sweet and talented waitstaff they have – seriously, the best in the city) is the art. The decor is very contemporary, but the art is all done by Bernadette Foy, whom, one assumes, is the mother of Bridget, who we pretend is the incredibly wonderful hostess who is always there. (I’m not really sure what is fact and what the partner and I have simply decided when it comes to Foy’s. The art may not even be done by someone named Bernadette, that may be made up.) The paintings by B. Foy are awesome. Mostly consisting of monkeys dressed as high society characters and drinking, although there are some charming paintings of friends, clearly done from photographs.

Blurry shot I took from the street of the olive ladies

Blurry shot I took from the street of the olive ladies

My personal favorite is the gaggle of women who have cocktail olives instead of heads. I love these paintings, because they are clearly done by someone with a personal relationship with the restaurant, because they don’t really fit the decor, and are frankly, amateur. But they totally work there. I’ve seen a woman come in to eat there only to realize she was one of the subjects of the paintings. I love how Bridget Foy’s has committed to this art, even through a recent redesign of everything else in the joint.¬† Despite the volume of people that come and go, it cements that this is really a family run neighborhood place, where the waitstaff remembers what kind of beer you like, that you don’t like desert, and will tell you if it’s better that you don’t order the special. Most of the works are available for sale, I believe priced around $500, unframed, although there are some small prints of a few of the original works for $100.

ANYWAY, the point of this post was to tell ya’ll it’s Lobster Fest at Bridget Foy’s right now, and if you just needed an excuse to go see some monkey paintings and drink some fine beer, I think this tasty menu is your chance. Here are some of the highlights of the 8 lobster items on the specialty menu: Tempura Lobster Claws with spicy peanut dressing and chilled noodle salad $12; Lobster Sliders with poblano tarter sauce, $13; Split Grilled 1 1/4 pound Lobster with red curry butter, couscous salad and grilled asparagus $28. Give me a call; we can people watch and cash in some of my points.

Bridget Foy’s
200 South Street 19147
bridgetfoys.com

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Places | Comments Off