On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Monday through Friday 1/2 price Local Draughts and 1/2 price appetizers from 4-6pm
Mon-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Loading...
Finally went south for the happy hour.
And boy am I glad it wasn't sad hour. The Taproom is charming, homey and warm - great ambiance - but I can't imagine it sans happy hour deals.
The 4 - 6 PM half-off local droughts and appetizers is a phenomenal steal. I sampled almost every local brew off the menu (the Renard D'Or being the star of the night) and scarfed the wild boar tacos (which were gamily delicious) for around $22/$24 - but imagining throwing down $9 for those measly - though meaty - two tacos and an additional three/four beers towards a total of probably near $50 errs on the side of wackadoodle.
That said. From 4 - 6 on weekdays? You can find me at the SPTR drunk as a skunk off some good ole local brewskies.
Been to SPT a few times, but only once to sit down and eat.
Excellent and extenstive beer selection.
Kept hearing they have a new chef and decided to check it out. We had the chicken wings and boar tacos for the apps. I'm not a wing person since I hate hot sauce but these wings were amazing!!! Actually, we were more impressed with the apps than the rest of the meal. My dining companion had the chicken sandwich which he did not care for.
We were intrigued by the fried pb&j dessert, which sounds like a stoner's dream, so please follow up with some feedback!
Lots, LOADS, of hipsters but in a cool, laid back atomsphere. A neighborhood gem that has inspired some imiatators and a coffee shop across the street.
I'm falling hard for the South Philly Taproom.
There were not one, not two, but THREE stouts on tap tonight. No lie.
I also ate a perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned, juicy cheeseburger.
It was cozy but spacious with nice music and nice servers. What more could I ask for?! How about a delicious pickled green tomato? Done. Really, such a thoroughly satisfying experience.
We tried the SPTR brunch yesterday, and it was awesome. Something that can make or break a brunch for me is the potatoes; these were a little more wedge-like than I normally prefer, but well-seasoned and the shape was MORE than compensated for by the FRIED ONIONS, which were not only delicious but seemed to be in some kind of vaguely vinegar-y sauce (?) I don't know what it was but the mouth-puckering flavor really made the dish for me. My eggs over easy were perfect for mopping up with toast, and the bacon was crispy but not too crispy. Also, mimosas. I am kind of glad I don't live in South Philly or I would be here all the time, and my waistline would not thank me.
I really enjoy going to the taproom. Yes, it's crowded around the bar, but even on a busy Saturday… Read more »
Just far enough from the center that you probably won't run into anyone you know. Kenzinger is 3 bux. Plus a wide, revolving selection of other beers on tap. The men's room is painted in blackboard, and chalk is provided. The women's, unfortunately, offers nothing.
The food is excellent. The tomato lager soup come with mini grilled cheeses sitting in the bowl. The wild boar tacos are gourmet and may be the best i've ever had, even better than late night san francisco mission super tacos for 2 and half dollars. The fries are amazing, too, and the ketchup must be homemade.
It's nice and dark and not too crowded during the week. It's clean and well kept and not quite a dive. It's a new favorite.
This place always has an incredible beer selection every time you go in there. The food is great as well as the atmosphere. The staff is always top notch. They combine sarcasm with knowledge of the beer they serve. They always have some kind of super rare beer at a very reasonable price. Make the trip down to deep South Philly to come here.
The South Philadelphia Taproom is a great place to eat, drink and relax. I always forget about it, but on Sunday, my roommate reminded me, and we met up for drinks and dinner. The atmosphere is very cozy. We sat a table with seats made from barrels. I could have sat there for hours had I been in a drinking mood. I had a Kenzinger and the tomato lager soup. Delicious! The soup was served with mini grilled cheeses in it. It was hearty enough to make me feel full too.
The only downside was the service. Our server was a little bit weird and spacey. We waited about 20 minutes for the check, and only got it because I asked someone else who was clearing our empty glasses. We missed the beginning of Curb Your Enthusiasm as a result! Blasphemy!
Two words: Homemade Ketchup. I don't even like ketchup that much but this was tasty. Plus I have to think if a restaurant or bar or taproom or whatever is making their own ketchup then they are putting some serious lovin' into all of their food.
I wanted brunch but I didn't get out of bed and out of the house early enough today to indulge in it so we opted to try a new place and ended up at SPTR. I'm glad we did. I got the Vegan Hoagie, which boasts tempeh, mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, onion and vegan mayo on a nice crisp on the outside/soft of the inside hoagie roll. It came with these amazing steak cut fries that were thin and crisp and just perfection as well as the aforementioned homemade ketchup. The tempeh had a nice fresh lemony flavor to it. Yum. My husband got the 3 Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich with the Tomato Lager Soup. My goodness that soup is tasty. He also gave me a chunk of melty cheese and I tossed it onto my sandwich. It was yummy but my sandwich really did not need cheese, and that is a big compliment from me. I do wish the sandwiches came with pickles. That's always a plus in my book. You can order a side of homemade pickles for $3 but I didn't. I think I will order them next time for a table sharing item.
I also had a beer and I don't really like beer that much so the fact that I could find a beer that I wanted, a raspberry reserve. My husband has turned into a beer snob as of late and he also enjoyed the selection. Service was average and the food came out fast. The bathroom doors are rad and adorned with silhouettes of a man and a woman. I like the overall style/decor that includes lots of dark wood. They also have a jukebox and I heard The Pixies while we were eating so it must be a pretty good one. One day I will arise before noon and get my ass there for some brunch, one day.
Nothing I can say here that hasn't been written.
Most people use a burger as their litmus test for a new restaurant, I don't eat meat so I use the Mac n' Cheese as my litmus test. You passed SPT.
This is a terrific beer bar with nice food. They have a fine array of domestic microbrews on tap and an impressive range of outstanding bottled beer, too.
Service can be a little spotty. I would give it five stars, except one night they had a pro football exhibition game on the televisions instead of a crucial late-season Phillies game that I wanted to watch. The bartender wouldn't change the channel on one of the tvs to the baseball game, which disgusted me.
Yesterday I sat outside at the Tap Room and felt like I was in a Harmony Korine film. A terrifying family of fat children sat next to us with a woman whose skin appeared to be falling off. The woman, who was wearing a clear plastic bra under her sun dress, kept waxing nostalgic about the plantain nachos the Tap Room used to serve. "They were so different, but they took them off the menu and I'll never know why."
All the while, what seemed like the entire management team was outside trying to decide where the new bike racks would go. Said racks looked like they were made by Catherine O'Hara in Beetlejuice.
There was also a mini traffic jam which caused an old asian man wearing blue matching clogs and knee wraps to jump out of his van to scream and yell.
Amidst this surreal south philly scene, I sat in a drunken daze and thoroughly enjoyed the perfectly salted and crunchy southern fried chicken wings with collards and a classic chopped salad. I washed it down with a Founders Pale Ale and Lancaster Cream Ale. Delicious.
We get to the tap room maybe once every couple of months, most recently last night. I know they've gone through some menu changes, and I've been told in the past that their Nazi chef is gone. With the menu as is, they have some mighty tasty treats available at decent prices. I've had the vegan hoagie, available at $10, a few times and each time I am full with food still left on the plate. The hummus plate for $8 was just enough to fill me up, and a great consistency, paired with some roasted peppers, cucumbers, olives, and warmed pita. Also delicious is the tomato lager soup, better than your average tomato soup. It's a great choice when you have a mix of omnivores and vegetarians (or vegans).
This wouldn't be a true tap room if they didn't have a great selection of beers on tap, and boy, do they. They usually have around a dozen or more beers available, and the selection ranges pretty widely,with quite a few PA options (and usually a few Michigan ones too, which I'm always happy to see). Prices of the beers are great as well, usually ranging from $4 to $6 or so for most beers on tap. And if they don't have on tap, they just might have it available in bottle, with a decent selection. Don't come here looking for the majors, though. Their selection is all about the craft beers, and that's just fine with me.
The only thing I don't like is the volume. Maybe my age is starting to show, but I hate having to talk really loudly just as part of my dinner conversation. I'm not looking for quiet dining here; I'd just like to not have to constantly ask someone to repeat what they said. Oh, also, the bartender / server is just a bit too impatient (even when not that busy), and lets it show with some passive-aggressive attitude. But if
Warm, friendly, and inviting. An awesome neighborhood spot with surprisingly good food. I would knock over old ladies in wheelchairs to eat their meatloaf on mac and cheese entree. No joke.
Quality beers for under $6?
I can sit at a table during dinner service even if I just want to drink?
The bartender is (*gasp*)....smiling?!
I'm clearly not in a NY beer bar anymore. This happenin corner joint encompasses what I seek in a place to get my Friday drink on....It was packed but with a subdued crowd that were preoccupied with personal conversation as opposed to the loud and rowdy exclamations of drunkenness I have come to expect on the weekends. The staff was busy but not in a way that made you feel like conversation was out of the question, and the jukebox was fantastic---and it didn't light up, download from the internet, or cost an obscene amount to indulge in...YIPPEE!
I enjoyed it so much we returned the next day for brunch, which was not as thrilling of an experience (the server was clearly either drunk or hungover to an extreme that impaired his functioning) and pretty much made every mistake possible. I won't hold it against you, SPTR...this time.
On a side note I left my wallet on the table and it was returned to me, with everything inside....including cash. Yea, I'm not in NY anymore.
All in all the Taproom is great. The people who have reviewed on here who say its expensive need to look at similar establishments in the city, and then make their judgments. The price of the beer is average if not low when compared to other local beer bars. The food is good but expensive, but it's not called the South Philadelphia Food Room. The beer on tap is as good as it gets, with a different beer on cask each week. The food specials usually stay the same with a small twist. Happy hour deals are lack luster, but once again ... a nearby beer bar on east pass has beer prices sometimes $2 higher than SPTR on a normal day.
I've had the fish and chips, very tasty. Mac and Cheese, tasty. Tempeh Hoagie, good but light on "meat". Duck prosciutto with *insert fruit* snack, worth the $3 just to try once.
To the point: Great beer at an average price, Good food at a premium, crowd isn't nearly as hipster as other similar bars in the area.
The beer selection of this place is one of the best. There used to be a nifty little sheet that would describe each brew in earnest. Describing the taste, the alcohol content and more. However, that seemed to go when a certain bartender left. Oh well, they still have the good selection and good deals on the brews.
Now, this venue has changed a lot in the last year, some of the changes I like and others I don't. There was an expansion to add a second room and that was a bonus, but the place lost its chef. Consequently, they went through this phase of ostrich kabobs and squid... Yeah. Must I remind you we are in the Newbold neighborhood of South Philly.
They changed this and sometimes revert to their original menu, such as the delicious plantain nachos and wings. For a while they wouldn't even serve normal fries, they all had gravy on them and it was a struggle to get them to just put in a bowl. I guess the lesson is don't mess with a chef's vision.
This place has outdoor seating, great brunch and the beer selection is one of the best.
I really dig this place! My number one choice when deciding where to go to watch a Phillies game. I love the selection and the reasonable prices on the microbrews. Great food, too.
I wish I could tell you how delicious the food is or great the beer selection is but I wasn't able to find a seat to test said products as sadly, SPTR doesn't believe in a host to seat patrons.
Instead, they seemingly believe that a true dining experience is fending for yourself, hanging out in a crowded bar, and lurking over tables like a vulture. Once you're seated, nothing goes with delicious beer like someone's butt right in front of your face as the spill-over from the bar leads to people standing right in front of you. While you hurriedly choke down your food, you're given the pleasure of having people stare you down while they wonder if you are going to get moving or what?
Again, I'm regretful that I was robbed this pleasurable experience. Maybe some day.
A friend & I dropped in for an afternoon beer while we were waiting for some work to be done at my house. He recommended the place for it's beer...the good food was a bonus.
The bartender was friendly and knowledgeable, pouring us a few samples before we decided on a pint...I had the Riverhorse Oatmeal Milk Stout (very good smoked flavor with decent medium body) and my friend had the Pliny the Elder Double IPA.
When we asked about food, the bartender mentioned that some of the latino guys working in the kitchen had been sharing their recipe for handmade tortillas and my friend, being a fan of authentic Mexican cuisine jumped on the Boar soft tacos, served with a pepper sauce.
I had the Seafood Springroll [picture above]...a crispy treat that was your standard GBD on the outside, but had a steamy soft inside owing to the the way the shrimp & I'm guessing crabmeat liquid had mingled into the roll as it fried. Served with a sweet/spicy peanutty dip and a more tangy fruity chop or compote, the two oversized springrolls made for a great midday snack.
I'll have to come back to see what the nightlife is like, but SPTR made for a great mid-day beer-diversion.
I'd have to come back and see if the same atmosphere & level of good service held up during peak times before I give it a fourth star.
The South Philly Tap Room is a little on the pricey side, but food, beer selection and staff make it OK.
The staff is friendly, knowledgeable about the beers and food they serve. The beer selection is great. The menu changes periodically, which I enjoy. However, the veggie selection seems to be getting smaller as time goes on. :(
I know I just wrote a review like two days ago, but I went back here last night and finally tried some of the food. I had the steak kabobs and my boyfriend had the vegan hoagie and they were both fantastic. I also had the mexican flan dessert with the fried banana and rhubarb and it was great too. mmm.
Words cannot describe how great this place is. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because I… Read more »
this place is usually my go to bar when im not in the mood to try something new. atmosphere is chill and the jukebox is always full of good things.
the service at the tables is sometimes slow on a busy night but i tend to sit at the bar anyways. the outside seating is very limited.
i think the food selection was a lot better before and the menu seems like it got smaller too. what i will recommend is the cinnamon bun french toast for brunch, although when i eat it im out of commision and overly stuffed for the next 8 hours.
the beer selction is most definitely one of the best in the city but i think they could drop the price on a few by $1 or something. long story short, if you like beer as much as me then this is definitely one of the best local spots in south philly. trust me....there arent many
I used to reside in South Philly and a piece of my heart forever belongs there. One of the perks was that I was located on the exact opposite corner that the Taproom was located, meaning I walked out of the apartment made 2 rights and I can stumble to and from the best hidden gems in South Philly.
The beer selection has a good selection of domestic stouts and IPAs that rotated frequently. Many from PA and NY. Enjoy the Lancaster Milk Stout. The crowd is of the hipster variety and the jukebox is fantastic - (Radiohead, yeah yeah yeahs, vampire weekend, etc.)
Unfortunately, what's lacking is the food and this equals minus one star. The fries are often soggy, some of the wings are acceptable but mostly sub par, also soggy. Everything other menu item was so-so, even the Poutine which I was extremely excited about but sogginess sucks.
But for a great night out with a good beer atmosphere and beer selection this place is chill.
Just for starters... I was about to only give 4 stars to the SPTR, but decided that since it's so close to where I live, it deserved that extra bump to 5.
Having lived in and just about all around Philly for just about 13 years now, the South Philly Taproom is one of the very few places that I've wanted to become a "regular" at. Currently, I'm probably just a few visits under that "regular" status, namely because sometimes the idea to go there pops into my head but then I end up being to lazy to just go!
That said, I've (personally) yet to have a bad experience there. Be it the pleasant and knowledgeable service, the savory and fairly eclectic menu items, the general atmosphere or the combination of those three things...it's hard to not enjoy your visit there.
Their draught selection is always top-notch and changes just often enough to keep you coming back for what's new. They've also got a great bottle selection as well, but let's face it...you're there for what's on tap, that's why it's the "Taproom"!
But seeing as you're there to drink, it's also nice that they've got some great food to keep your belly full and to help absorb all that yummy alcohol! Their Dry Rubbed Rib Eye Cheesesteak Sliders are mouthwatering. The 3 Cheese Grilled Cheese (with a cup of their Tomato Lager Soup) is incredibly tasty and a fall/winter favorite of mine (probably spring/summer favorite too, I just haven't ordered it around then just yet). The 100% Local Grass-Fed Beef Cheeseburger is probably one of the most underrated burgers in the whole city...excellent in it's simplicity! Recently, I've tried the Porter Braised Short Ribs sandwich and it was nothing short of amazing. Their sides, specifically their mac & cheese and dish of pickles are all great as well. I will admit that I'd like to see more and better from their dessert menu though. Three dessert items at any given time is just not enough. And for brunch, I cannot pass up their Steak and Eggs Benedict!
So again...combination of good service, tasty food, nice atmosphere (and location) all add up to a great spot!
Superbowl Sunday was a gloriously warm and sunny day so my friend Eric and I rode our bikes from West Philly to SPTR for a couple of nice beers and some food. I checked their website to see what was on tap and their list said they had PBC "Joe" Porter and Founder's Breakfast Stout but those beers were actually not on tap when we got there. It being around 1:30, I was looking forward to the coffee porter or breakfast stout but, alas, I had to make another choice.
I went with the Lagunitas Brown Shugga, a strong, very sweet but lovely cask ale. To eat I had the Blueberry Cornmeal pancakes w/bacon which were unexpectedly delicious. The cornmeal provided a satisfying crunch and the bacon was very tasty, a little crunchy without being burnt. After the Lagunitas I had an Avery Reverend, 10% and 6 oz. which was plenty. Very strong beer, more alcohol taste than the Lagunitas which was 9.9% according to the beer menu, but nice nonetheless.
I like this place a lot, and it's not too far from west philly, especially if you take Grey's Ferry, although some are intimidated by that bridge on a bike, understandably so. Hope to be back in again soon to try some of the other menu items now that they've changed chefs.
The Tap Room used to be awesome. Back when the prices were reasonable, the beer list had quirky (yet accurate) descriptions, and the owner cared more about supporting the neighborhood than stuffing wads of cash into his pockets.
The food is uninspired and routine. The salads are downright disgusting. The waitstaff is moody and usually pretty slow. The only reason the Tap Room is busy is because its the only bar in the neighborhood.
I recommend passing on this joint. Walk a few extra blocks and you can find plenty of other places worth spending your hard earned cash at.
I like this place. A beer drinkers bar. No apparent scene. Just lots of good beers and a nice little rotating menu.
Fries are big and fat and real real good. I'm getting tired of those little "Belgian" Style shoestringers a lot of places are doing. Big fat steak fries are where its at this year.
Had lunch there today and got a sample of Ommegang's Inauguration Ale "Obamagang" what a strong dark Belgian style that is. Got a nice little conversation about whats going to be going on for Beer Week. I dig the place, and if it was a tiny bit closer I'd be there more often. Some things are a little pricey though. But if you wanna drink the best stuff you are gonna have to pay for it.
Great beer selection, lots of things on tap, many local and seasonal and things I haven't tasted before. Today I just had the mac and cheese, which they call a side dish, but is plenty big for a meal and a steal at $5. If I am really hungry sometimes I pair it with a salad, most recently one with grapefruit sections that was really fresh and yum. The specials menu changes a lot and they get really creative, today they had a chilled BLT soup that was tempting. The service here is a little off, I am never quite sure who my server is or if that even matters. I always forget that this place exists as I rarely cross South Broad st, but I am going to try to visit more often.
Boar burger with blue cheese
Wheat beer with apricot
Gimme another please
Throw in a Tully shot
This is a real bar
Mifflin isn't so far
I'd love a refill
but service is not ill
Please get a clue staff
you're kicking your own ass.
I've been here once and they have expanded the place. I was surprised to see the back area upgraded. You can peek into the kitchen!
I went here last night (Monday night) with my boyfriend around 7-8ish. It wasn't busy. The servers were around us constantly which is good but also made me feel like we were in their way (despite telling us to "take our time", just made me feel uncomfortable). Or that they needed stuff to do. They were friendly and attentive. They immediately cleaned up when my boyfriend knocked over his beer reaching for it.
The menu is small and a lot more fancier than I would expect of a bar. I ordered the pirate roll (shrimp, lobster, avocado) which was an amazing $12 and came with chips. The roll was pretty small, like coaster size, while the filling went about 2 inches over the bread. It wasn't messy, though, I managed. I normally just order fries or chicken fingers, you know? But whatever, it was tasty. My boyfriend ordered the duck wrap which was also pretty good. I had water and a long island iced tea to drink. The alcohol was nice and strong.
The seating is outdoor (with an umbrella), at the bar, a bench with tables opposite the bar, high tables, shorter tables, and a little raised area with more tables near the kitchen and to the right of the bar. We were seated on the high tables, which I'm not a fan of but is no big deal.
The ladies room is very small. I'm a small skinny girl so this was no problem, but I was really surprised at how tight it seemed.
This wouldn't be my first choice if I had to pick a bar because of the pricey menu, but it does have a nice atmosphere and the staff is great.
Let me make this absolutely clear, as to protect the innocent:
Mom, I love you. And I L-O-V-E your homemade macaroni 'n cheese.
And to the SPTR chef who makes his/her own version of the splendorous dish, I simultaneously love and hate you for it. It's way too delicious for its own good, and you've forced me to question my beloved mother's number 1 status for mac 'n cheese. You really should be ashamed of yourself. I'll be back for more.
SPTR has an admirable array of draught beers, not all to my particular liking, but definitely hitting all the marks for variety of pales, lagers, barley wines and stouts. There's something for everyone. Unless you're a person who doesn't like beer. Or decent mac 'n cheese. Or good hearty food of any kind. Then you wouldn't be coming to a place called a Tap Room to begin with, would you?
One of my favorite bars in Philly. I live in the suburbs (about 20 minutes south of here) and still make a trip to the Tap Room once or twice a week anymore.
The rotating tap selection always impresses me with something new and flavorful. The menu has changed (yet again) and is pretty damn awesome. I have never had Mac & Cheese like this, and it's relatively cheap. I haven't had it but my friends keep going back for some Meatloaf which they claim is out of this world (looks incredible too).
The staff is great. They've tried the food and the beer and know what is good. They're pretty friendly as well.
If you're looking to go out and drink a Coors or Miller lite, this isn't your spot. But if you want good beer, good food and a cool environment, I recommend the SPTR.
My husband and I stopped by this quaint little bar tonight (Friday) and we loved it. The walls were exposed brick and the wait staff was great.
The menu is limited, but the food we had was excellent. My husband had a 'white fish' which he said was wonderful. I had the Bourbon BBQ salmon sandwhich - it was great!
We had a couple of drinks and found out way home ! We'll definitely be going back to this neighborhood tap room!
I went back for diner with my girlfriend. The service was almost as good. Our server was also the manager and she was attentive. She accidentally charged us for 2 beers we didn't have but quickly corrected it. I still like the atmosphere. Nice bar area. Phils game was on the big screen. A group of nice people sat next to us and chatted about the beer selection. Beer selection still rocks. Great selection of about a dozen taps. Bottle list is not massive, but large enough and well-chosen. We've been going through all the Founders brewery beers there which are great. They also had just tapped the Founders Mountain Swish brown ale. It was very good and I think this is a pretty rare beer. For food, we got the hummus and flatbread (with tapenade) as an appetizer. I tried the porter braised short rib sandwhich and she had a beets and goat cheese app for her main. I enjoyed the food much more than last time. So, after all this, why not a 5 star review? The sandwhich was pretty heavy and I think it ended up being the reason for an upset stomach and multiple toilet trips throughout the evening. Maybe I'm pointing fingers but I may have to be reluctant trying the food here again... Anyway, I'll be back for everything else!
4 of us for dinner. Beer selection is fantastic. Got to try a few Founders styles I had never had… Read more »
Thankfully there is a new chef with a lovely and simple menu. Homemade pickles are a highlight and the beer menu is always great. Glad the ol' Taproom is back.
I used to love the SPTR. It's 2 blocks from my house, they have a great selection of beer, they've… Read more »
The South Philadelphia Tap Room used to be the greatest gastro-pub in the city.
Why was it the greatest? To determine this, we must first define what we want out of an excellent gastro-pub. There are two items that come to mind first and foremost with a few other peripheries.
1) A comprehensive menu with interesting items displaying a chef who is not afraid to take subtle risks in the right ways. Most importantly, these items must taste amazing.
2) A beer selection that does not include 12 IPAs and a Stout, but a selection amongst selections. In other words, I don't really want to drink Belgian Wheat Beers or IPAs anymore. I like Porters. I like Stouts. I want a selection of these selections of beers.
Other things such as an excellent happy hour special has weight in our criteria for grading these kinds of places, as does menu prices, but they are antecedent to the two things listed above. Beer List and Menu.
Philly is a beer city. Philly has plenty of gastro-pub style places. Standard Tap, Johnny Brendas, etc etc. I honestly do not know where this movement came from but I will say it once here: Belgian Beers are not the high water mark. I'm sorry. Accept this and you, too, can become a beer connoisseur.
South Philly Tap Room used to have the best rotating draft selection and their menu was full of items from Boar Burritos to Escargot in a Pesto sauce to my favorite - the spinach and crab with pita dip.
At some point, they lost all of this. I understand Chefs come and go - maybe they are cherry picked as other places wave larger amounts of money in front of them. Its a fact of life. Its business. Things are going to change.
Unfortunately South Philly Tap Room has not been able to reassert its dominance in these areas. While their new menu is very interesting (Vegan Hoagie), their beer selection still flails about between mediocrity and acceptable. Their bottle selection once boasted an uncountable number of craft beers from a variety of brewers but it has now been paired down. I also understand that this is business too. Times are indeed tough and takeout is not exactly the money maker for a place like this, so I really cannot hold that against them.
Beyond all my complaints, South Philly Tap Room still is light years ahead of everyone else in its neighborhood. I go there. I like going there. They expanded their dining section and it looks great. It fits the ambiance and aesthetics of the place. It was a smart move on their part. Even though I am a patron, I will still recommend this place to other people as well. I may be griping about things, but it is only because at one point in time they achieved a level of perfection - A menu that was par excellence with what I felt was an excellent beer selection done by a fellow who knew and loved beer. Its the loss of this that bothers me, but if you have not been there, it is beyond necessity to give it a try. Yes, It gets crowded. Yes, It gets loud on the weekends, but its a bar. Its prices are moderate and it still boasts a large tap system. Its dark, its intimate, and in the warmer weather there is outside seating.
I've never experienced any problems with the staff whatsoever aside from forgetting a glass of water here and there but that is well beyond forgivable. Yes, you seat yourself. They are no pretending to be fine dining - its a bar. A still a damn good one at that.
THE TAP ROOM IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!!
A few months ago, I wrote a scathing review of the SPTR, replacing my original shining review of this quaint neighborhood bar. I have been a loyal SPTR customer since 2006. I would frequent the Tap Room at least once-twice per week when the old chef was there. The original SPTR featured a delicious menu full of "bar food" that appealed to all walks of life -- both vegetarian and carnivore. The service was the best in town and the beer menu was incredible. The best part about the Tap Room is that it didn't cater to any one particular scene. As long as you liked beer, food, and good company you were welcome at the SPTR.
Then something awful happened --- The SPTR hired a new chef that has delusions of grandeur and cooked like he was cooking for some hoity-toity five-star Center City eatery. Not to mention that he flipped the original menu upside down, adding too many meat-based dishes. The most appalling of this switch was that at one point, he added lion to the menu. LION. Why? Not only is this incredibly cruel but it's also incredibly ridiculous and unnecessary. The same time that this happened, the service got much worse. It got so bad that my friends --- also former fellow SPTR regulars --- and I boycotted the SPTR for almost a whole year.
Only a few weekends ago, my friends and I were hanging out and looking for a place to drink, but we didn't want to go far from home. We decided to just suck it up and go to the SPTR. After all, we only wanted a beer or two. When we sat down at our table and the menu was presented, we noticed that the menu was yet again --- completely different and revised --- but in a GOOD WAY! Returned were the delicious staples that the SPTR was known and loved for and added were some new dishes, like the meatloaf and mac n' cheese that my husband ordered and was hands down the best meatloaf I have ever eaten. The staff was yet again happy to serve us, and they were as quick as lightning. THE SPTR IS BACK... AND SO IS MY FIVE-STAR RATING!!!
my goodness this place makes an excellent vegan sandwich thing with tempeh and homemade tofu mayo and grilled onions. definitely delicious. they also make their own ketchup, and the effort really shows. i hear that their meat stuff is good too, especially the head cheese tacos.
The South Philly Tap Room is great. Very few places in Philly have such a good beer selection without becoming pretentious (Monk's, Eulogy, etc.). The bartenders are friendly, but not overly so. Brunch is great since all drafts are half priced, though with so many strong beers its not hard to get inappropriately drunk on a Sunday morning. All in all, on of my favorite fall-back places in Philly.
Up and down with this place, and right now it is up. I had the soft shell crab tacos, and they were filling and delicious. My friend had the fish and chips and that is always sub par. The fish has a weird taste to it, so you end up dowsing it in the malt vinegar. It is like a fish sticks taste... blegh. At least the beer selection is awesome always. Can't screw that one up to much!
i use to love this place when they had the chef that was super creative and made poutine! (fries,… Read more »
happy hour in center city…
Neighborhood: Logan Square
Full menu $5 or less 11p-Close
Neighborhood: University City
Philadelphia, PA
Category: Chinese
Neighborhood: Graduate Hospital
Category: American (New)
Philadelphia, PA
Category: Pubs
Philadelphia, PA
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Graduate Hospital
Category: Pubs
Where I get my drink on when I'm visiting town,…
I'm a member Burger Club Philly and definitely eat…
This is a list of all the Philly Bars and Pubs…
Here's a list of the numero uno to the numero…
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
If I'm too hungover to make them myself, this is…
