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It has just come to my attention that Ive yet to review this gem. I blame a lazy brain and the fact that Michael W and others nailed both the spot and evening so well. Therefore, this review is like McDonald's selling fried chicken and tacos, but that's never stopped me before.
Just a note: I was able to virtually drive down Passyunk on Google Maps, before coming here for real. It was surreal when I made the actual trek, and saw the same shops on the way, and I swear I saw some of the same pedestrians as well!
As instructed by Jack, I parked in the Acme lot across the street. Having worked in Upper Darby, with its mass towing policies, I was reluctant to park here, without at least buying something. Luckily, there's always room for pretzel rods.
As with all Yelp events, whether I create them or not, there is that feeling of anxiety that builds, as I stand in front of the venue. There's maybe a load more nervousness , when its my event because there is the pressure that comes with wanting everyone to have a good time and feeling responsible for it. I cant explain if the fear is more, " I wonder if anyone will show." or " I wonder if everyone will show!"
I pushed open the heavy door of POPE and scanned the crowd for familiarity. I saw none, so I sat myself at the bar and surveyed the scene. Very cool place, dark and medieval looking, POPE seemed like a good venue to meet up with some Yelpers-but would any show?
McThrill was the first and we sat together, and pondered whether we should try to secure a table, of which there were few remaining. I wasn't sure how many (if any) more would show, and I didn't want to take up too much space, for just a handful of people.
One by one, little by little, familiar faces started to appear, some I knew some I had only seen a thumbnail of. We crammed ourselves into a medium sized booth, and Heather, the best server in Philly began the impossible conquest of trying to keep up with our beer and shot orders. Ive been in the restraunt biz for a long time, and Ive never seen anyone handle a group like ours as well as Heather did. Every time I looked, her fiery red hair was nearby, staying on top of the drink orders.
Our small group turned in to a mob, and miraculously, a large group of tables opened up. We commanded about a third of this comfy little space , on Passyunk east. Heather never missed a beat. Some ordered food , which looked tasty, but I was too overwhelmed to eat anything. It was such a good time, with good people. I love when people, who I have been friends with separately, meet for the first time. This happened frequently at POPE that night, and we were all well met.
The evening came to its natural ending and we all went our separate ways. Heather impressed, once again, by having everyones separate tabs in order. New friends were made and plans were made to meet again. Its also a plus that my car wasn't ticketed or towed.
Some impressions and memories from the event. ( I'm writing this far removed from the event, so I apologize for any omissions or fallacies)
- McThrill is a rock when it comes to Yelp events. Period.
- For a couple of hermits/troubled loners, Jack and Marissa were insanely popular and fun.
- Sue G and Blake should have their own Dr Phil-like talk show
- I feel comfortable when Tom and Heather are around- Plus...I finally got my Tom C original photo of the smiling Buddha!
- Exploding fist bumps with Alexandra W
- Michael W and Lisa Q are vying for Yelp rookie of the Year.
- Lulu raises the class of any event or establishment.
- Yuri is a mack daddy.
On Thursday nights it's my wont to take a new book off my shelf, settle into a comfy chair (a throne made of whalebone, lacquered black) and, with an X-acto knife, cut out all the pictures of the bad guys. These I affix to toothpicks and arrange around the diorama I've made, a proud little pagoda of pigeon feathers, the ponytails I snipped off unwitting ladies seated in front of me on the subway, and spit. I sure as shit don't aim to meet no weirdos from the Internet. No, ma'am.
But I was on home turf at POPE, so agreed to meet some people. Each had previously presented himself or herself in a 1/4" photo, so imagine my surprise when I discovered the overwhelming majority of these folks were several feet tall. That set me to cowering, but a few strong beers (Unibroue's La Terrible) later and I'd recovered my equilibrium. It helped that all of the people were exceedingly beautiful and pleasant and not at all like fabled chat room creeps in the stories my uncle would read to help me sleep when I was sixteen.
Our waitress, Heather, did the work of four and with a measure of grace, humor, and patience that I've brought to exactly no efforts in my own life. As others have mentioned, drinks materialized in your hand the moment you drained the previous one. We squirmed about and shifted seats like over-caffeinated kindergartners, but it mattered not. Once, I placed an order, waited until she left, put on a deerstalker, put out my eye with my thumb, and wore a cheerful expression to further the disguise, but she found me, she found me, thus ensuring the night would careen off into places still stranger, but I won't detail these for you, Dear Reader. I'd hate for you to get the wrong idea about me.
Here you will find creatively curated beers on tap and can pay as much as $7.50 for some styles. My… Read more »
The first time I went to POPE, I was on a blind date. That was weird, and feeling like I was trapped in a castle dungeon made me want to cry (that's what POPE's interior reminds me of). The second time, was also kind of a blind date, except this one involved meeting a ton of new people from Yelp who were a) not scary and b) not trying to sleep with me (well, probably not) and c) not blind. My first date understood the phrase quite literally.
I had about 9 different beers and they were all fantastic and dark or hoppy, but never both. We drank shots of vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey. People ate food of many different varieties. They seemed delighted with their selections. The bartender was jovial and patient; so was Heather our waitress. Jack M confessed Jack is not his real name; Susan G talked about her feelings; Yuri R is neither a serial killer nor a 50-year-old man; Aaron O still refuses to talk to me.
All in all, a lovely night.
POPE was great but Jim H. was a total jerk. Within minutes of entering the bar, he demanded that I hand over all of my money. He called it the "fun tax" and since he was bigger than me, I begrudgingly obliged. Thank God I did because the next guy refused and took a nasty knuckle sandwich right in the grill piece. Jim H. is not a man to be bargained with. Pure Id.
I handed over a fistful of crumpled ones while Jim H. guffawed loudly and announced my poverty to the entire establishment. Everyone had a good laugh at my expense and a rugged looking miscreant sitting at the bar even went so far as to throw a nickel at my head. I guess he thought I could use a donation. No recession empathy with this crowd.
Jim H. told me where to go and I shuffled over the table where the other Yelpers sat in silence. They looked like bank customers caught in the midst of an armed robbery. Scared to move, scared to speak. Jim H. paced methodically around the table like a lion stalking its prey, glaring into the eyes of anyone that had the nerve to raise their head. He told me where to sit and then ordered my drink for me.
He chose Lindeman's Cherry Lambic because he said I wasn't man enough for a real beer. It was actually pretty good, but I felt so shamed and humiliated that I wasn't able to enjoy it. We spent the rest of the night drinking quietly, exchanging glances of terror every once in a while and only speaking when spoken to. Jim H. finally got tired of his weird, twisted mind games and excused us for the night. I'll never know what his motivation was for organizing the event.
I walked out the door, tasted the sweet flavor of freedom for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, turned tail, and sprinted all the way home.
I might go back to POPE one day if I can overcome this trauma, but I will never, and I mean NEVER, spend another second with Jim H. for as long as I live.
Party Jim H. style
Like nomads we roamed around
I want bigger glass
I dig it. To me this is how every bar should be.
Good burger, above average beer selection, friendly staff. Man, the staff! The bartenders were on it. Funny and efficient. Beer with a smile, who doesn't like that shit? The star of the night was our server Heather (I think, I don't know I'm copying Lulu's review) who rocked the night. On more than one occasion different members of our party noticed just how rad she was. Stone cold waitress-assassin... but with a laugh and a smile!
I recommend you go there. Get a few drinks. Order some food. Have a good time. Leave happy. Repeat.
My new favorite spot south of Washington. Extensive beer list, good music and a hard working and talented waitstaff, leaves little to complain about. OK, the Mens room is mighty small, so get in line.
I did not get food, but will rectify that on my next visit.
The fifth star is for Heather our server. She handled a large group of Yelpers, ordering a variety of shots and beers, flawlessly. In order to chat up enough yelpers before slurring my words, I moved around a lot. My beer always found me, and so did Heathers smile. The P.O.P.E is lucky to have such an excellent server. She alone would bring me back.
The P.O.P.E was Jim's choice for a UYE. He chose wisely.
Praise be to the POPE (& Jim) for affording me the opportunity to hobnob with the Yelpers who keep me entertained and informed all the day long. For that alone, a 5-star rating would've been merited, but lo and behold, the Pub proved to have an excellent, extensive selection of beer, catering to all tastes and desires. And the prices! Just to compare briefly: A bottle of La Fin Du Monde in West Chester, at the one...maybe two.... bars that would even have it...9 bucks min. At the Pub, 5.50 (!!!). There were certain beers that I've not seen on any other bar's beerlist before, like the Gulden Draak, a bottle of which I had the intense pleasure of draining.
The Pub's ambiance is noteworthy too, with its (pleasantly) gloomy lighting and interesting architecture. Although it was buzzing with chatter & activity between our group, and the rest of the bar's patrons, it still felt very relaxed and comfortable. It's when I enter into establishments like this that I become jealous of those who live in Philadelphia.
I was one of the miscreants at POPE last night with Jim and the other kids from Yelp.
For there being TONS of us, our waitress was incredible. I'm learning from Stephen, Lulu, and Tom's reviews that her name was Heather.
Amongst the sea of shots she brought us, I also ordered the Wild Goose Pumpkin Patch. So good. I like to take advantage of the season and order anything and everything pumpkin. The Wild Goose definitely didn't let me down. They also had New Holland Ichabod (!) Pumpkin Ale, which Heather generously let me sample before ordering.
Between the two of these, I swear I woke up in a pumpkin patch this morning.
The bartender was amazing as well. I didn't catch his name but he checked on us every once in a while to make sure we were good on drinks, graciously and happily took our food order, and appreciated the fact that I got a vodka tonic with "the cheapest vodka you got".
Oh how wonderful it is to warm those crisp and chilly nights with some good beer and a tequila or two. Coupled with good company and a gossip or two - what more can a girl want. Well I'll tell you what - a great service and a selection of moderately priced beverages, but hey - no oatmeal stout? I suggest the next best thing - young's double chocolate. Spice it up with some wings and your night is complete. Don't be surprised if you see me there again soon, eyes fixed on the TV screen (they show the EPL!) or picking through the jukebox with a selection of music my Ipod would be proud of.
p.s. Monte- this is my first time so please be gentle:)
I love the POPE. As I just moved to S. Philly this past August and have heard about the POPE numerous times I was delighted to find my new house down the street from the bar. Since it is so close to my house I've ended a couple semi-blacked out nights there but the bartenders never judge me.
Philly definitely has a hipster versus regular people complex (whatever either of those two terms mean) but honestly I find a mixture of people regularly in the bar. The beer selection is awesome, the fries with their delish sauce is awesome, the bartenders are awesome, and the location to me is awesome...so I guess it's pretty awesome.
As a disclaimer I have only sat at the bar so I can't speak to the other comments of getting crappy service elsewhere in the place.
Love the POPE, even though I am a bit older and may appear to be a Narc to the hipster crowd! Great selection of beer/ale and made our visit in advance of a Spectrum Springsteen show. Food was ordinary fare with a twist and bartenders were big help and very friendly. Will be visiting again on our next trip to the city!
I've been meaning to review the POPE for a while now. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to drink in Philly due to its reasonable prices, good food and friendly atmoshpere. I love it and would do almost anything to have it in my neighborhood.
The bar itself has 14 taps and the selection is varied. Personally, I'm kind of bored to death with the Belgian beer trend, so I appreciate alternative choices. Also, the POPE was one of the first places I ever saw Duck-Rabbit on tap. For anyone who does not speak beer, that it a very big deal because it was not shipped outside Tennessee/the Carolinas until earlier this year. They also regularly carry beer from some of the best breweries in the country, like Bell's and Russian River.
I have had limited experience with the food, but I will say the wings are amazing. The habanero mole sauce wings are the best I've had in Philly. The sauce is a oaxacan style mole, which is wonderfully spiced and made rich with the addition of chocolate. When Chad recounts these wings to our friends and family, he gets a distant look in his eyes like he's remembering a beautiful sunset or former lover.
I still want to sample more of their offerings before I award them my 5th star, but they are on their way to a perfect score.
I recently moved to Philly from Boston and got paid for the first time by my new job. My bank is a credit union in MA and I've been lazy about starting a new bank account here in PA. How is this germane to a review of POPE? Because last Friday, I got my paycheck cashed with the intentions of starting a new bank account sometime during the weekend. Which I didn't end up doing (lazy). A friend and I stopped into POPE for dinner late on Sunday night and while paying the bill, I stupidly left my envelope full of cash on the table and left. Am I fucking stupid? Definitely. But also lucky I guess, because within a minute or two after leaving, our waitress ran up after us and gave me the envelope filled with cash back. I think some people would have just kept it for themselves, but our waitress went out of her way to get it back to me. I would have been absolutely fucked if I had lost all of my money like that.
Thanks again to our waitress! I'll be back and tipping heavily.
Since I'm bored to tears at work I decided to read Yelp. I came across POPE and started reading since I was there last night. I laugh at how some reviewers mention staff members by name. Wake up people, these "reviewers" are simply friends of the staff. Their opinions mean nothing. This prompted me to write a review. I go to this place a couple of times a week and have been going for a few months. I don't know the any of the staff, nor do I care to. So, I'll give an honest opinion.
First off, the food. I could write volumes but I'll sum it up to one line. It is the best around. Seriously, you're guaranteed a good meal. Now for the place. The decor is decent. The mood depends on when you go. Sometimes it's dark as night, sometimes normal. Sometimes you could actually have a conversation. Sometimes it is so loud you could see the noise. The bathroom reminds me of the one from Trainspotting.
And now for the service. The service covers every range of the scale, from pissing you off to having you overtip. I don't have a lot of experience with the waitresses. I sat at a table with my friends once and had an experience with a schizoid server. My friend made the mortal sin of getting his drink from the bar and bringing it to the table. Next thing you know, some lady, old enough to be my mom came back and scolded him. I didn't know Philly had a law against transporting alcohol from room to room. Anyway, because of this, my friends will never go back. So, I go alone, which is why I sit at the bar.
The bartenders are all good, in their own special way. Sometimes I go and one bartender is watching TV while the other guy is running around like a maniac, meanwhile I'm dying of thirst. Other nights, like weekends, they are completely overwhelmed. On certain nights, you will wait for your drink. My favorite night is Tuesday. There is always a good crowd. Not just the amount of people, but the type of people. The bartenders are the best. They get along like old army buddies. They have a good time but get the job done right. Tuesdays always have the best vibe, it is when the place is the most comfortable. The older guy reminds me of my Uncle Jack. He's funny, talks to you like a human being and pays attention to you. And, just like my Uncle Jack, he'll throw you out of his house if you act like an idiot. I've seen this little dude make people leave on two different occasions. The crowd loves it. I hear people around me talk about how they like the place because those two run a tight ship, go figure. Both of these guys treat you with respect which is something bartenders in general never do. The younger guy on Tuesday is hilarious and just as attentive as the other. I could tell they both love their job.
In general, the place is great. I recommend going on different nights and finding out which night fits you. I have been there when there were a lot of heavily tattooed obnoxious retards, but this is not always the case. The vibe is different per night.
The Pope is cool. The best part about it is Matt Summers who bartends there. What a great bartender. Anyway, I binge drink too much when I come to this bar. Last week I ordered a burger and ate it too fast, then had to run home immediately before I passed out in my chair at the bar. It was good though. Wednesday nights for Rocktits are fun.
Only been in POPE a hand full of times, but anyplace that has half price drafts for happy hour with the sick beer selection they offer earns five stars. Keep up the good work POPE
For my magical 30th review, I turn now to the POPE, once the nearest worthwhile bar to my apartment (since bested by the Devil's Den in proximity), and a frequent destination for drinks and food. I'm not sure how many times I've seen them change their menu at this point, and yet they keep me coming back.
They pretty much set the standard for me when it comes to comparing beer lists. Their tap row is a constantly changing cornucopia of fantastic microbrews and imported wonders. They represent local breweries well, but also bring in a great selection of more distant craft beers. Their cooler is stocked with a great variety of bottles, and it was here that I found my unexpected love of sly fox canned beer.
Food over the years has been a bit inconistent, as they typically tinker with their menu once or twice a year. I miss the chicken sandwich in various sauces from the previous menu, but it has been supplanted by the fantastic roast pork. Their fries are also back in form, after suffering through a period of being undercooked. Also, the spicy mayo dip has almost completely broken down my aversion to mayo.
The burger is very good, but the roll they started using is a little too dense and crumbly to contain it. They make decent pierogi, and the burrito and chicken fingers are good.
They have a rotation of interesting specials, but if you see the thai chili seitan wings, get them, the sauce is fantastic, and I get them every time, despite being fairly opposed to vegetarian substitutes.
Service is pretty good, they get a bit backed up during busy nights, but will let you know if there's a delay. They're also well versed on the menu and beer list, and will make good suggestions.,
I'm not sure how objective I can be, as the POPE has been one of my favorite bars for years. On the other hand, they obviously did something right to keep me coming back, so its a place I can vouch for. It does have an urban/hipster vibe some nights, so if you're looking to mingle, it may not be your scene.
Good neighborhood spot with good beer selection....if you don't mind the hipsters. Nighttime tends to fill to the brim with them and the jukebox tends to get so loud you can't hear the person next to you.
Some of the bartenders are pretty good, other ones, not so much.
Food has been hit and miss. Burgers are always excellent and occasionally the specials are pretty good. Remember the happy hours being better before.
Good people-good food.. I was a "regular" when the owner(s) gave birth to this place. I see a few years later that a lot has changed. I dig the foreign money scotch taped to the top of the bar-infact we gave you guys a bill from honduras! My only complaint would have to be the bathroom. It smells exactly the same everytime I've been in. The sink is so small that when i wash my hands- the sink quickly fills up with the nastiness I'm trying to wash away. All in all-big ups to this hot spot!
finally! i made it to the P.O.P.E.! on rosh hashanah of all days...oh, the irony. while the majority of my tribe was slurping matzoh ball soup and dipping their apples in honey with family, i joined fellow yelper meredith K for some veggie eats and beers at her local south philly gastropub.
as an homage to my being a self-professed "bad jew" i started with a goblet of the russian river damnation ale. when in rome, right?! i forget what mer ordered, but suffice it to say, we were both happy with our selections. the beer menu was diverse and extensive and tho two draughts (not the ones we were drinking) ran out while we were there, they have an 'on-deck' list, so not a beat was skipped.
but in all honesty, we didn't come for the beer...we came to eat! i'd heard about how veg-friendly the P.O.P.E. is, and after perusing the menu, we decided to go halvsies on the seitan cheesesteak and tofu skewers. the seitan cheesesteak (with grilled onions & provolone) was one of the best i've ever had - perfectly tender and gooey with a not-too-bready roll. if possible, the tofu dish was even better! featuring 2 long skewers of alternating grilled tofu, pineapple & red peppers in a tangy sauce over a bed of soba noodles, if i lived nearby i could see myself ordering this all the time (esp as it's only $10!) the highlight, of course, was the tofu, which managed to have a slight crispness to the edge, while not being dried out in the center.
now, i hate to be one of those people who kvetches about how crowded a place is, as i'm the type who doesn't like faulting an establishment for being popular...but...due to the TON of people packed in on a friday nite, it was loud. like, yelling at the person sitting directly across from you in order to converse kinda loud. nothing to prevent me from coming back again, but it did keep this visit on the somewhat short side.
Deff one of my favorite spots in South Philly. I don't go very often, but whenever I do i'm really satisfied with the food/service and the prices.
Great happy hour specials. Good music. Nice staff.
A+ all around.
I recommend their veggie cheesesteak... just like everyone else on yelp. It's seriously delightful. I also recommend you grab a yards brawler while there. I haven't seen it at any other bars, but it's so delicious.
*heart* *heart* *heart* good food, good beer, decent wine, great service, awesome jukebox, adorable bathroom decor *for the ladies that is*, outdoor and indoor seating, banging brunch, never a fight, had a band that played on a Tuesday called "welcome to my face" (i'm in love!), more varieties of beer than i could drink in a lifetime, and a staff that knows about them!
I've had some really awesome experiences at this bar. However, for the 2 or 3 douche bags who think its "their bar" and that anyone not sporting a moose knuckle shouldn't be drinking there, you need a reality check... and some comfortable pants, I think you may be saving us the pain of passing your genes to the next generation, but please.. no one wants to see that! Everyone else gets nothing but love. This place is awesome!
The reasons why this is my favorite bar in Philadelphia are thoroughly documented in the 80 reviews that precede this, so instead, I'll take a different slant and use this space to praise the best waitress this city has ever known. No matter the crowds of swashbuckling belt-buckled stylistas cliqued near the jukebox, nor the raucous and sometimes shirtless volume-on-10 motley Stem-centered crew (hi, sorry), nor the cosmo-wielding Hallmark girls or the neighborhood sports-jerseyed slicksters or the thirsty spillover Pats/Genos nomads or a hulking Ray or a weeble-wobble Dooner -- no, no matter who is crowding the crowd, making traversal especially difficult on the busy weekend nights, Heather has a genuine smile on her face and a greeting on her lips, just as she nimbly slips through all of us with the expertise saved only for those who love what they do and show it. Heather is bionic waitress. Heather has lasers instead of bones. This city is lucky to have her.
P.S. - Honorable mention to Derek The Dapper Bartender. That's his birth name. Great dude.
P.P.S. - Seriously, best bar in the city.
I really like the Pope and I've been coming here at least once a week for the past month. Since my friend is a regular here our service is always friendly and attentive. We hadn't even been inside for a minute and already one of the bartenders made eye contact with my friend and quickly got our order. Another bartender came by later and asked him why he wasn't drinking his usual brew. i like coming here with him because I know we'll be taken care of. Other reviewers have complained about surly service, but it's a locals bar in South Philly, come on what do you really expect?
Also, they have delicious fries. That's all I've tried but I'm sure one of these days I'll order something and be just as satisfied.
Aaannndd the jukebox has something for everyone.
I really like it here.
"The P.O.P.E. song"
Done in the style of T.M.B.G.s or They Might Be Giants!
Aaaccrrrooooonnnyyyymmm!!
Aaaccrrrooooonnnyyyymmm!!
Abbreviate then contemplate your initials they astound me.
Aaaccrrroooonnnyyyymmm!!
Aaaccrrroooonnnyyyymmm!!
D.I.Y. my type of guy, he Does It Yiddish, with a side of spinach.
Why do these words always puzzle my mind?
I need to fill the dash of the dotted lines!
I hear it calling my N. A. M. E.
No Apology Made Easy!
Call Triple A
Again! And Again!
The acronym, holds the secret within
Like All day I dream about sweatpants!
Action Conquers Terror!
Also Known As!
Missing In Action!
Action Conquers Terror!
Better On A Camel!
By The Way!
Can't Remember A Flipping Thing!
Hope Our Love Lasts And Never Dies!
Forget Everything And Run!
O.M.G.
Just let it be!!!!!!
A.C.R.O. (RECORD SCRATCH)
ENOUGH!!!!
P.O.P.E. stands for Pub On Passyunk East!
Yes, it's an acronym!
Yes, the food is good!
Yes, they make their own kick ass sauces for fries, sandwiches, etc.!
No, etc. is not an acronym!
Yes, they have an eclectic jukebox ranging for all tastes!
Yes, friendly service!
T.H.E. E.N.D.
............
Boom! Boom! Boom! Gotta get that!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Gotta get that!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Gotta get that!
NNNNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!! I shouldn't had said the acronym for that horrible, horrible, three-headed Fergie Beast!!!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
One of the best beer lists in the city, the jukebox is bangin too.
Plenty of room, nice bartenders, outside seating when it's nice.
Definitely one of my all around favorite bars in Philly.
I'm kinda in love!
I love the POPE. Sitting at the bar on any given night is always enjoyable, especially if Matt is bartending, because he is tied at first place for Best Bartender Ever, in my opinion. He remembers what I like and as soon as I walk in, he's pouring me a beer. How's that for service?
The food at the POPE is pretty good too, though I do more drinking than eating here. The mayo sauce served with the fries is amazingly good. I often forgo table manners and clean the ramekin with my finger. (Table manners are overrated anyway!)
Most everyone who works here is nice and friendly, and if you're a regular, they'll remember you. The beer selection is great too, and they regularly change up the taps.
Wednesday nights are the most crowded, as the POPE hosts the Rocktits djs, so if you're not into crowds, don't come on Wednesday. Whether or not that crowd is made up of hipsters is for you to decide.
The POPE is my local watering hole and I always feel right at home here.
The P.O.P.E is my home away from home. I seriously eat here at least once a week. It's convenient to my house and conducive to my wallet. All of the food is pretty awesome. The burger has all the things you look for in a burger. Good meat, tasty cheese, a bun that can handle the goods and banging fries. The fries and dipping sauce make my mouth water. Some other stand outs on the menu are the nachos, wings (habanero mole sauce.....crazy), hummus plate. The specials always are creative. And do not forget about their brunch menu which is served till 3 on the weekends......P.O.P.E Benedict is killer. The beer list is big with a huge variety and its always updated. Its also a great place to bring your pooch. If you sit outside with your dog they bring him a water bowl.
I'm into it!
The POPE is an institution in South Philly. After opening its doors about 3 years ago, it's popularity has mirrored the growing popularity of South Philadelphia, especially the Passyunk East area.
The beer list is pretty extensive and the draft list is always rotating. If you like microbrews such as Bell's, Founders, Yards, Sly Fox, etc then you will feel at home here. They also have a bottle list of at least 30-40 beers.
The food is good. It can't compete with places like South Philly Taproom or Standard Tap, but the quality is definitely above the average bar fare. My favorite thing on the menu are the perogies. They come with a liberal amount of sauteed onions and make the perfect snack while drinking a few pints.
You really come to the POPE for the atmosphere. Sure there are hipsters at every corner, but chances are if you're hanging out at POPE you are probably a bigger hipster then you'd like to admit. The ambience is a good mix dark but inviting. I'm not really into Lord of the Rings, but the best way I can describe the interior is hobbit with a hipster sensibility. All in all it's a fun place to hangout and the staff is always friendly.
This is our default local pub, and it never disappoints. It's got good beer selection; reasonably priced and high quality bar food; and prompt service. A couple weeks ago I left my credit card here and they had it for me when I came back for it. Recommended.
i love the selection of beers.
wish the waitstaff was a little more polite.
can get waaaaaaaaaaaay too crowded though. but that's a lot of places in philly.
Did my first visit to the POPE Friday and was blown away by the beer list. I'm not a beer snob or anything but I have been getting into the local bottles and every once in a while it's nice to seem some good German and Belgian brews at a bar, especially one in South Philly.
I'm diggin' the dark bar atmosphere and the mostly metal playlist going on that night, in fact I sort of felt like I was in a bar in Iceland somewhere. The two bartenders were quite friendly to our new faces and the fish and chips really hit the spot. Fresh, hand cut fries with the skins still on always draw my attention and the food prices weren't that bad at all. Lots of great veg food available, which I always look for since I don't eat too much meat and in all for two people to have dinner, quite a few beers, and a few shots of Whiskey the $50 bill wasn't that bad.
The POPE really does have a great/huge beer list. It's a good place to try out some beers you've heard about but never tried before. It's almost overwhelming, the number and kind of beers they have. It's like being in the Foodery, where you have so many choices that your brain gets overloaded with the possibilities. And that's a good thing
The food, I"ve never been too impressed. The burgers are ok but nothing to rave about. The fries were decent and the sauce was good. But getting the food once you've ordered can sometimes be an ordeal. Granted I have gone on nights when the POPE has been pretty busy, so it could be that the kitchen was overwhelmed.
The service is decent, though sometimes slow. They could probably stand to put another waitress/waiter out on the floor on busy weekend nights.
The jukebox is really good. However, they tend to blast the music in the place, making it really hard to hear people. Many "conversations" I've had have been at the almost yelling point. Kinda drives me nuts sometimes.
I go back once in a while for good beer and music. I just try to limit my time there to save my hearing.
Just an update: I visited twice last week with my boyfriend. The first day, the P.O.P.E. was having a special day featuring Shmaltz Brewery (creators of the HeBrew line of beers). I'm not really a huge fan of the HeBrew Jewbulation Ale, which is the only beer I've tried of theirs, so I was a bit wary to order another by them. However, they proved me wrong. The beers (Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. and Pomegranate Ale) were great, and then one of the brewers, Matt, who had come down from NY just for this day, came over to talk to us. It's cool to be able to talk to brewers about their beer, so I hope the P.O.P.E. has more days like that.
The second visit, I got to try their food. My boyfriend and I split the Pierogies, which were a slice of heaven. Perfectly pan-fried (not too greasy and nicely browned) and really delicious. They're served with big slices of onion, too, which was perfect. Their menu is packed with vegan and vegetarian options. I'm dying to try the Seitan Cheesesteak.
Also, I'm not sure how I failed to mention this in my first review, but their happy hour is a real happy hour. Half off draughts and $1 off well drinks (which are $3.50 normally--another amazing deal). None of this dollar-off-draughts bullshit that's all too common around here.
One more thing: They have an amazing jukebox. It's a CD jukebox, which I prefer over the new Internet jukes. I couldn't decide what to play with my dollar (you get 3 songs for $1!), because it featured so many stellar albums. I can't wait until I move, because I'll be four blocks from here (goodbye, money!).
I visited P.O.P.E. for the first time a few weeks ago, and I loved it! Their beer selection is… Read more »
Vomited on by the ironic tattoo monster.
Sitting n' getting slippery with the dog outside is charming enough to make a night down here worth the always given passyunk struggle.
The vegetarian things & most of what ive had here food-wise is what it is... the beer and people are what they are as well.
Though, some of the patrons deserve a express shipping pneumonia-avalanche.
I have an interesting relationship with the POPE...I did a one-year stint in South Philly a couple years back (no judgment from me!), and the POPE was the sorta quiet place a block away that served up cheap beers in a dark room and was nice to hang around on a Tuesday, but not the kind of place you'd ever hit on a Friday.
Fast forward to one year after I moved. I find myself below Washington Ave visiting friends--I stroll past the POPE and am SHOCKED to see hipsters (not unlike myself!) practically falling out of the windows. Two friends of mine were now waitresses there and couldn't stop going on about the new and improved menu and beer list...but I just could not get over the crowd. Apparently there is some sort of dj night there as well?
My anecdote aside, it's not a bad place to be. I've never been blown away by the food or beer list--and I can't comment on the service because I've got the friend advantage--but overall I've never had a bad time and I'll stop by if I find myself in that part of town in need of a beer and a plate of fries.
I'm not against this place. It just seems like everybody else is totally in love. Been a few times and i'm sure i'll be back. It just wouldn't make my top 10 of the city list. Nice and dark and woody inside. The bar is usually packed but they're are enough tables that you won't be struggling to find a seat.
Having recently moved to South Philly and realizing that A) most of my friends live too far north to drink with me, and B) I miss Doobies A LOT and need a new bar to call my own, I quickly got over my paranoia of looking like an alcoholic and frequenting a bar by myself. I had been to the POPE before once or twice with friends and honestly, I was kind of intimidated because apparently I went on Rock Tits night and was bombarded with people in flannel. Needless to say, it took me a bit to warm up to the idea of coming here on the regular.
One night, though, after a horribleeeee shift at my job, I needed a drink and stopped here. It wasn't as crowded, and I found a seat at the bar. It was alright. Next week, same occurance, and it was still alright. NEXT week, I went with a friend for happy hour, and ended up talking to one of the regulars and the super nice bartender and had an AWESOME time. Yesterday, having finally felt comfortable enough to just chill and not get self-conscious, I got super freakin' wasted but ended up talking to the other super nice and super cute bartender (3 "super"s in one sentance means it's serious). I had a blast, honestly. The POPE is definitely a place you have to warm up to, but when you do, it's totally worth it. It's dark, they have a good beer least that's decently priced, and on-point food (oh man, get the pierogies).
Also, in regards to the "hipsters": It's South Philly and it's Passyunk...where AREN'T hipsters? And let's be real, all you people commenting on them are probably hipsters yourselves ;D
Dark and warm, POPE doesn't mess around. Their beer list is plentiful and the veggie burger is serious too!
The only thing that could make this bar better was if they didn't play Motorhead's "Ace of spades" every ten minutes.
TIP: If you drive, you can always find parking across the street in the ACME parking lot.
First and foremost -- this is the best burger I've had in Philly yet. I am still looking, mind you, but goddamn. So delicious, juicy, and perfect.
The food is cheap and, from what I can tell, very good -- but only pub-type stuff. The service is fine, but not remarkable for it's awesomeness or badness. The atmosphere is too dark for my tastes, and very crowded at the expected times. The beer selection is definitely decent, but a dollar or two more than you might expect. I feel as though the cost for beer is worth it for the cheapness of the food, especially in comparison to, say, the SPTR -- where the beer is cheap, but the food is prohibitively expensive for those of us without a corporate 9-to-5 and 401K. This opinion was corroborated by another good friend, so I feel safe in announcing it to the Yelp world.
Go here for a good pub experience. It won't knock your socks off (well, maybe the burger will), but you will leave happy and satisfied with the money spent. In essence: a good value.
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