Low-key Bar in Center City?
I'm looking for a low-key bar in Center City, a place I can go and hang out with friends, have a few drinks, eat decent food. I like the Nodding Head, but I go there so often and would love a change of scenery. So many places are too loud or too unwelcoming for those who want to hang out.... I always tip well, so I hate that feeling of someone trying to get me to leave. Any suggestions? Thanks :)
By phillybakingqueen
on Nov 11, 2009 12:57 PM
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I am enjoying Varga Bar at 10th and Spruce. Food is good, and they won't push you out if you're just there to hang and drink. Also, Pub & Kitchen may fit the bill. When I lived West of Broad, I spent many evenings at Doobie's.
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Varga Bar and P&K are both good spots and have good food (mostly, Varga can be a bit overambitious in my experience). Neither are particularly cheap. Doobie's is a great spot to hang out; I've never tried the food.
Misconduct Tavern on Locust between 15th & 16th is a very chill bar. I haven't had the food but people seem to like it. Good Dog is also chill if you can get a booth or table, but it gets so crowded sometimes that there is a wait.
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What about Oscar's ?? It's just a few doors down, and WAY cheaper ....
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Depends on what you're drinking there: http://blogs.phillymag.com/restaurant...
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I had a Jameson's there yesterday and it was the genuine article. Maybe they think Maker's Mark is pretentious ? Anyway, Oscar's is not the kind of joint where I'd order MM.
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For my two cents, I always get a good drink at Oscar's... I think all the b.s. out there is more about the ritzy neighborhood having problems with a dive bar.
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Um, the PLCB came in and tested their liquor and it was not kosher. How is that BS?
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Why hasn't there been any "b.s." about the Locust Rendezvous or McGlinchey's, two dive bars in the same neighborhood? At McGlinchey's, I can get a good whiskey for $3 or $4 and unlike Oscar's, it's actually what I ordered.
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Oscar's, Locust Rendezvous, Good Dog, Monk's
224 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
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Cherry Street Tavern is a nice neighborhood place, out-of-the-way, and real good roast beef.
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I really like Cherry St. It's got much more of a neighborhood bar feel than anyting that you can pull off south of Market.
That said, it's no gastro pub; it's basically just drinks and sandwiches. Good sandwiches, but - unless things have changed - it's not place where you can get a burger and fries.
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I lived down the street at Parktown Place for a year. Always ordered roast beef sandwiches. Hot if they were still rare (just put in the gravy) cold if they had been soaking awhile. The beef was roasted there. Aside from that I never had anything else they cooked except for corned beef and cabbage on St. Pats.
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Not Center City, but I love South Philly Tap Room. Their roast pork sandwich is great, cheesesteak sliders and wild boar tacos are terrific bar food, and the rotating selection of beers on tap always satisfies.
http://www.southphiladelphiataproom.com/
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