A good bar in South Jersey near Collingswood?

[acewex]

Hi-I was wondering if anyone knows of a good bar in South Jersey near Collingswood. I refuse to go to any of the big corporate chain places around here in Cherry Hill, Collingswood is dry and I really don't know where to go. I'm not expecting to find a gastro-pub type place like I would in the city since I'm sure that doesnt exist out here but there has to be something better than chain restaurants!!

Please let me know if you have any suggestions, please nothing pretentious (swanky bubbles in cherry hill).

Thanks for your help!

[mschow]

I saw that Kaminskis has an outside patio they must have added recently.
For nicer drinks and wine, you can try Cork or Kitchen on Haddon Ave. Actually, the bar at Kitchen is pretty good sized and they have nice wines by the glass (not cheap, though). If you want a 70's, kitchy type atmosphere, try the bar at Steak 38. Sonny the bartender can make any kind of drink you can think of. The bar is padded pleather with smoked glass mirrors, and it's round!!! I don't think they have updated since the day they opened, but it's part of the charm.

[acewex]

Wow 70s kitch is my dream!! I'm so glad you told me about Steak 38. I've seen it and thought it looked straight out of the 70s on the outside. Hows the food there?

Cork and Kitchen is exactly what I try to stay away from-overpriced, trying to be the city but in the burbs. Know what I mean?

[mschow]

Steak 38 has good steaks. My favorite is the steak Diane. Also, they have great steamed clams. NOT gourmet fare, but kind of old fashioned type food. Great stuffed baked potato. Excellent people watching later in the evening when the men show up with their...ahem...nieces. Lots of plastic surgery going on. Batta-Bing. I heard this was the place to go when the racetrack was open.. The interior is a 70's disaster. Smoked glass everywhere and little white lights around fake smoked glass windows. Furry ribbed wallcovering. They tried to make it tasteful with a bit of floral fabric updating probably back in the mid 80's. (or so it looks). The bar is the highlight, though. Lots of regulars go there. It's very dark inside and there is pleather everywhere you look. Nobody will bother you, and it is quiet. The folks at the bar are polite and friendly, the clients are quite varied. Food is not cheap, BTW, but it is good if you stick to the simple things. They even have an early bird special before 6:00!

[harriet1954]

Do you want a neighborhood-type tavern? There is one up on Cuthbert near Haddon Ave. in Haddon Township called Tom Fischer's. There actually is a down-to-earth bar in Cherry Hill on Brace Road called Kaminski's - they've been around for a long time. I also detest "club-like" places. I'm trying to think of others. I live in Voorhees, so all the bars I used to go to are on this side of the county.

[acewex]

Hey thanks for your help. I actually live up the street from Tom Fischers and have never been in there. I should check it out and also Kaminskis. Thanks so much for your help!