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Category: Gastropubs [Edit]
Neighborhood: Northern Liberties
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Came here on the suggestion of some NoLib living friends to catch an Eagles game. I somehow landed a super sweet parking spot, so that started off the Swift Half experience with +5 points. I know the bar had nothing to do with the spot, but it worked in its favor.
My boyfriend and I met our friends at the very first table you see when you walk in. It was oddly situated all by itself in what I'll call the vestibule, right across from the bathrooms and not near any other table. There was a flat screen with the game on, though, in its corner, so that was awesome.
I went up to the bar to procure some on tap beverages and, as I was doing so, we were seated at a table outside in the PIazza's courtyard which had a monster screen showing the game attached to one of the buildings at the end of the courtyard. Tons of people out rooting the Iggles on which made for a great atmosphere.
The tap list had some nice offerings -- Southampton, Troeg's, Yards, Bells, Stone -- and I'm pretty certain I stuck with the Yards ESA all night because it was a special. I wasn't too impressed with the food menu, though. Too hoity-toity. As my boyfriend said with annoyance, "What pub doesn't have nachos!" That's all we'd really wanted, but the fries were delicious and we got the sliders, which our waiter stuck a 4th on there since we had 4 in our party, instead of the usual 3 that the dish comes with.
The service was good -- both waiters we encountered were very friendly and, once she looked my way, the bartender was sweet upon my first trip to the bar before we were seated.
What I liked most about Swift Half is its location within the Piazza courtyard. There was so much going on and so many different people in and out, it just had a lovely and vibrant feel. You can also bring your dog! Sorry to the pup whose tail I stepped on -- I was a few beers in and I only saw that other dog's tail that I tried to avoid.
Definitely a place I'd go back to. Just not when I'm looking for a meal.
Back home in Kalamazoo, there was a really special place called Bilbo's that was on campus. It was a special place that served really delicious pizza but what made it really cool was an atmosphere that wasn't too crazy with the Lord of the Rings theme but only after you where there a couple times did you catch the subtle nuances that made the theme make sense.
Later, they moved to a generic place in a strip mall with only one or two little special touches but the rest of it looking like an Applebee's with the crap on the wall stripped away.
This is how I kind of feel about Swift Half. When you go to Good Dog for the delicious pub food, it isn't until a half an hour in that you notice that all the pictures on the walls are of dogs. At the swift half, not only is the food kinda meh but there's none of that character.
Granted, I understand that they haven't broken the place in yet but I thought they had this type of thing down pat. In the meantime, I'll be over at Standard Tap.
I love Swift Half.
It's totally possible that I am slightly biased because I have a good friend who works here and has forced food and drinks on me, but even so...
Considering that I have been here almost as often as I go into my own closet, I have tried several different items on the menu (mostly but not limited to the items which include duck as an ingredient).
My favorite items so far are the scallops, the beet and goat cheese sandwich, and the short rib sliders. And as for booze - good lord! try the Autumn Punch. I'm pretty sure this drink was made especially for me. (Yet to try, but will undoubtedly try very soon: bread pudding.)
Ok, so this place is great. Go there. Drink some beer. Watch a game or two. EAT. And then, drink some more. I doubt you will be disappointed.
I had a bit of confidence restored in Swift Half as we enjoyed a decent meal in the mostly empty restaurant just before the Phillies-Dodgers Game 4.
Let me briefly rewind back to my first and only three prior visits this summer to clarify why my confidence was missing in the first place. Awkward and vanishing servers, a couple of disappointing sandwiches from a small menu, and french fries that could only make Andy Capp happy.
Fast forward to mid October... We had a very pleasant and accommodating waitress who never left us too long and even paid attention enough to ask if I didn't want orange slices garnishing my Troegs' Dreamweavers since I removed the first one. I had the fish and chips and was satisfied. My cut wasn't too thick or batter too dark (like Thor T. described), but I did notice major inconsistencies in presentation and batter between plates as my friend ordered the same. Most of all, though, I enjoyed the new fries they're serving. Much bigger, and fried to have a nice crisp on the outside rather than crunch all the way through. Beer selection is still good, as it was in the summer. In addition, their menu has undergone a notable expansion.
Glad to have something nice to say about Swift Half, I've kind of been rooting for them to turn it around. Hope they keep it up.
Tired of PYT? Try this place!!! Buffalo shrimp i had was awesome! And for the fall time drimkers tht need a buzz and a warming up try the "Autumn" specialty drink, a delicious mix of hot cider, bourbon and a cinnamon stick!!!
Went back to Swift Half, partly egged on by Craig LaBan's review in today's Inquirer. The Eagles were playing the Chiefs, so the bar was nicely filled with fans, many wearing number 7 Eagles jerseys (not for Vick, but old Garcia shirts). Loud but nice ambience.
I ordered the soup special, Italian Wedding Soup, and the Fish and Chips. As for the half pints, only a couple of the beers on tap were available in that format (a very good Brooklyn Pumpkin Ale and a very smoky PBC porter). The service, as on previous visits, was friendly and efficient, the food was another matter.
The soup, although of decent stock, featured large pasta shells that were so overcooked and mushy, I could not bring myself to eat on. As for the fish and chip, I had no recent memory of a worse rendition. Grotesquely thick (in some places over half-an-inch), and oozing oil, the darkly fried batter made it impossible to taste the fish inside (I scraped out some oil-soaked morsels). Alarmed by the piles left on the plate, the waitress inquired about the state of the food and I described it as above.
This brought Amy, the efficient and competent manager to the table, expressing regret and taking the dish off my bill. Nice gesture, I thought. Except, when she came back, she informed me that the dish was served as customary (and typical of Ireland) and that LaBan got the same batter. Whatever. Leo Burdock's rendition in Dublin certainly did not look or taste anything like the Swift Half version. A real disappointment.
I hardly ever venture out to Northern Liberties, so I was eager to try out a new place. This time: Swift Half. Located along the Piazza, Swift Half is full of windows and possesses a light, airy, slight loft-ish feel. I was surprised to find that it's Good Dog's sibling because the feel of it was so much more modern and trendy.
My dining partner and I both ordered the B.E.L.T. (BLT with egg) and that was delicious. The bacon was nice and thick with a slight crunch. The egg was savory and added a comforting taste to the whole sandwich. My only gripe is that the sandwich was served on plain white sandwich bread; I know we are in troubled economic times..but really?! At least they heaped my plate with a mountain of decent french fries!
I ordered two swift halves (cute lil 10 oz portions of beer) for a mere $2 each--Monday happy hour yeah! I was pleased. My companion ordered a lemon martini and then a margarita; he said they were ok. I thought they were too pricey at roughly $10 each.
Overall, I'll be back if I happen to be around the Piazza, but I won't trek back specifically for this place.
I was at the Piazza yesterday for the magazine's release party and saw a few of my friends at Swift Half. I went over, beer in hand and sat down with them. I realize that I am technically not allowed to walk around with a tall boy can in plain sight, but it was a party and no one seemed to mind. Except when I came over to say hello to a group sitting outside and put my can on the table. A waitress quickly walked by and picked it up with a blunt 'you can't have that here" and walked inside with it.
I know I was breaking the rules but come on, you could have just asked me to leave.
i have had good experiences here, but that just made me a little sad.
Ladies. Can I have a word with you? Gather over here please, thanks, huddle in. GO TO SWIFT HALF. There is an Australian bartender who looks just like John Stamos at 27. Get to Swift Half, buy a beer, and enjoy the view.
Otherwise, this place seems fine. Definitely the better of the bars at the Piazza (also went to PYT... woah early 90s music). If I lived in philly i'd def hit this up a lot, not just for the Australian Uncle Jesse, the scene seems pretty alright too.
oh boy. oooooooooh boy. any server that spills steaming hot mussel juice on your jimmy rollins jersey and your iphone and barely peeps out an apology is expected to get a bad review. nay-schnay on you, my dear food server. my waitress, and amy, the manager, thanks for polite and accommodating service afterwords.
their beer menu is something i haven't really seen put together yet in philly so far. maybe i haven't been to enough gastropubs. the dream weaver wheat was an excellent choice. i wanted to try to thomas jefferson brew to sip, but i didn't get the chance....i was too busy boo whooing over my soggy iphone. my mussels were meh. the stock was bland..which i didn't understand because it was filled with great looking flavorful parts and steamed in the thomas jefferson. the mussels were too chewey, some sandy.
the structire was actually cozy inside and the bar area was nicely separated but still open to the booths and tables.
1 star for their meh mussels. one star for their not so swift half of a server. i'll probably go back for the rest of their beer menu.
Even as I was teetering on the edge of black out drunk, The Swift Half struck me as oddly banal. The decor has that horrible quasi frat house, quasi Irish pub feel. Not offensive, not charming, just whatever. The menu is also a big whatever.
However, the staff, even late into the night and dealing with a drunk, judgmental prick like me, was sweet and the burger was AMAZING. I can still taste that beautiful patty of beef barely cooked and smothered in Stilton and smokey bacon. I think it was the best burger I've had in the city. So, damn it, I guess have to go back.
A conversation that happened.
Inebriated Patron - So what part of Australia are you from?
Bartender - Oh... A small part called England.
Inebriated Patron - Oh.
Time passes.
Bartender - My name is Bob. That's British for Bob.
The staff here rocks.
There's nothing wrong with Swift Half, but (with the exception of excellent service) there's nothing… Read more »
Everytime I visit The Piazza, I make sure to go to Swift Half. I'm an impatient person, but I'm willing to wait for a seat outside...and I always do. In fact, I did it for five consecutive Saturdays.
The service here is just as good as the beer - phenom. I really enjoy the arugula salad and I am known to have more than one order of their french fries. I wish their menu was bigger, but by the time I start wishing I had more of a selection, I get distracted by the people around me. Swift Half is a prime people watching location.
I didn't intend to come here when I did. But when rain falls upon you during a festival you have to swerve your course in an opposite direction. And so long as that course led to beer I figured that it was a good decision. And it definitely led me to a great selection of beers!
It's always a good deal when you realize that you know people working at the place. and since I instantly noticed my friends the Twin Towers working the door, I knew that I was about to walk into somewhere that I could be down with. And upon checking out a beer selection that touted things like Bells Oberon, Troegs Sunshine Pils, PBC's Felur De Leigh, a Raspberry Wheat, and some other goodies that fact was confirmed. I was also hooked up with some good service and grew accustomed to the good selection of tunes on the jukebox.
If you come in expecting to compare Swift Half's menu to Good Dog's than you might be on the verge of dissappointment. But then again if you do that you may as well compare Devil's Alley to Smokin' Betty's, or Buddakan to Morimoto (same owners=same menu=NO!). But overall I was kind of digging a few of the concepts. you won't see me going crazy over the $9 cucumber sandwiches, or some of the other sandwiches. And while it might come close (?) I doubt the burger could ever top the Good Dog Burger! But I like that they had a well rounded mix of cheese plates and charcuterie items to offer. and things like the Duck Prosciutto & Fig Salad, the rack of ribs, and the fudge board especially ssound awesome. So it definitely has some hits among the experiments.
So over all I definitely enjoyed myself, and found their Happy Hour to be the perfect thing to occupy myself with during the rain. And I definitely look forward to hitting it up again during one of The Piazza's many incredible free events!
I'll admit that when I heard Swift Half was brought to you by the makers of Good Dog my expectations shot through the roof. I love Good Dog! I went there all the time in college! Their fries are a-m-a-z-i-n-g! Swift Half is gonna totally rule!!
Yeah. Once I brought my expectations down to a reasonable level, I could see Swift Half for what it is. What is it? It is Not Good Dog. I mean that in a good way. Swift Half is not the NoLibs sequel to Good Dog, it's a restaurant that has it's own personality and doesn't want to be bossed around by its big sister.
Their menu is small, but growing with new additions every few weeks. The prices are pretty regular for the neighborhood: sandwiches and burgers between $8 and $11, entrees upwards of that and maxing out around $25. The food is good, I like their burger and the fish and chips, and the "fairy cakes" as well.
My friends love their beer selection, but I'm not the biggest fan. A lot of what's been on tap is of the pale and flowery or fruity variety and I like my beer on the browner side. I know they've got my back though because they change out beers every couple of weeks and they seem really focused on what's seasonal, with everything coming in around $5.
What I really appreciate is their staff. They're not the most friendly people in the world, but they're nice and they look you in the eye and they're always right there to get you another beer or ask you how your meal is. Basically, they don't want to be your best friend, but they do want to make sure you've got a full glass of water. I like that.
Swift Half is clearly a work in progress, but I don't mean that in a bad way. They're open to suggestions and seem to always be building towards a really great restaurant. I can't wait to see the place in a year or two. It'll probably be magical.
My friends and I sat outside on the Piazza side and enjoyed the weather and the MJ tribute band(s) that were playing. We started by ordering a couple rounds of drinks. The first round or so we got our drinks in a fairly decent time. But as the day progressed it took longer and longer to get our drinks(Thus not fulfilling the promise of the places name, Swift Half. Ironic, no?). At one point I'd ordered some water to get hydrated again and I ended up tacking a beer on to that because our waitress never filled my order/our order. I will say they had a decent selection of beers including Bell's Oberon for $5 and Chimay Triple for $7.
The food was a disappointment here. I got the muffaletta sandwich, which came with fries. The fries were fairly crispy and numerous. The sandwich however was a mess. The prosciutto was good, but the bread was bland and unremarkable. The vegetables within the sandwich were mushy and tasted like they'd been cut and refrigerated for a couple of days. They also had either marinated the vegetables in something or added something to them that left a strange aftertaste in my mouth after finishing the sandwich. Thankfully I had another beer or three to wash it down. One of the guys I was with had a burger, which looked pretty good, but was pretty mediocre from what he said tastewise. He also wasn't happy with the way they cooked the meat(He asked for medium and got somewhere between medium well and well done). Bad burger from a Good Dog owned restaurant?
While I'd be hesitant to eat there again, it seemed like it would be a decent place to get some drinks. However, they probably needed to add some more staff to the shift, especially on a major holiday night.
I just had one of the cheese plates at Swift Half today only an hour after eating brunch somewhere else. I'll have to go back again to try out the full menu.
With that said, I think I experienced enough of the Swift Half to sway some people who are thinking about going but have been reading bad reviews.
Service was awesome. It was about 3 in the afternoon, the patio area was packed but inside (where we ate) was comfortable. The cheese platter I ate for $5 was really good. You have to like cheese or not be hungry for this to satisfy you though. It was a nice app and I'll get it again next time. My friend had the burger and it looked great. She said she's had better but it looked good enough that I know I want to try it for myself.
The beer menu is a small portion of what Good Dog would offer but they seem to have selected an awesome assortment of beverages to satisfy everyone. When questioned, our server seemed well knowledgeable about the ones we were curious about. That alone gets them a bonus star!
I had the impression that this place was going to be pretentious judging by the patrons on the patio area, the security in bright yellow tshirt and the red velvet rope encompassing the outdoor eating area. Inside seems very comfy and welcoming. I'm looking forward to eating here again!
Did Urban Outfitters just throw up in here? Good Lord, I thought I was in a commercial yesterday as I drank my $5 Fleur de Lehigh draft on Swift Half's cooler-than-thou outside space.
I had high hopes for Good Dog's new transplant, as I was (and still am) fiercely loyal to the original. I wasn't overly impressed. First, the interior was one big, generic suburban yawn. There was no sizzle, no personality and with all the cool galleries and shops nearby, I thought this place could have turned up the decor a slight edgier notch.
Second, the atmosphere here was definitely more club-ish than laid-back bar. With four security personnel (in not to be missed fluorescent yellow t-shirts) in two's, flanking both the entrance of the patio and the interior of the bar, you'd think there were some big diplomats imbibing inside. I wasn't crazy about the DJ spinning club-ish tunes outside either, although mercifully, a live band later graced the stage and provided a better ambiance. The level of sound too, is on par with a club. Because of Swift Half's proximity to the stage and speakers, it was a bit too loud - the whole time, our server had hard time hearing us and we hearing her...
Further, though the food was decent, I found that the portions were itty bitty - (cheese plate: miniscule, ditto with the cone of fries) and overall, I found the menu selections (both small plates and entrées) entirely uninspired (cucumber sandwiches? fish and chips? really? That's the best they could do?) And on a side note: was it just me or are their pint glasses smaller than your average bar pint glass?
I love my neighborhood and I believe NL prides itself on businesses (restaurants and bars alike) that are a little different, unique and that boast individuality and a local patronage following. Swift Half just didn't measure up in that way for me.
Only the ample outdoor space, prompt and attentive service saves the experience here.
I've been to the Swift Half about four times since it opened, so this is a pretty well thought out review. Although I don't have any pictures from my trips, I do have a good amount of insight. Here it comes:
I expected this new Good Dog outpost to have excellent food. I went recently with Allie, John, and Rachel and they were all ready for dinner. They ordered mussels, fish and chips, and cucumber sandwiches, respectively. I had a few mussels, and they were decent, but this is clearly not the spot you want to hit for mussels. The fish and chips looked delicious when they were served, but further investigation revealed that they were overly breaded and couldn't keep up with Memphis Taproom. Rachel commented that her small appetizer was good, but also that she could have made something better at home. Needless to say, the food is not a selling point.
To be honest, I'm also disappointed with the beer list. In fairness, Swift Half has some good beers on tap. But when a week passes in between visits and not a single tap changes, I'm not inclined to return anytime soon. The beer list is not totally uninspired, with Southampton, Flying Fish, Stoudt's, Brooklyn, even Chimay represented on tap. The bottle list is extensive and well priced. One nice part of the menu is the inclusion of small plates of meat and cheese that could be matched to beer, if you're so inclined.
Currently, they have the Six Points Sweet Action on tap, which I raved about ever since the first time I had it at Sidecar. It's not as amazing as my memory made it, but I was glad to see this hard to find beer on tap. It's still excellent, and a nice find for a rare style: American Blonde Ale.
Service here is meh. It's not bad, I think it's pretty hit or miss depending on who's working. My favorite thing about this spot, and the reason that I keep coming back, is the outdoor seating. The piazza is a really cool area, and it's great when the Phillies are on the big screen. Inside
Swift Half is a normal bar, and I wouldn't eat or drink inside. Outdoor seating is closed at 11:30 on weeknight, which can be annoying if you want to just hang out, or are shoo-ed inside as you're finishing your last pint.
Bottom Line: This is just another spot on my list of places that are most remarkable for outdoor seating. As the list grows, Swift Half loses favor in my book. The food is okay, but I wouldn't want to come here for a meal. Really, this spot is only a go to for me if they continue to have beers that aren't available elsewhere in the city. I was trying to decide between 2 and 3 stars, but this place just doesn't make the cut in the end.
I thought I would HATE this place, but I didn't. I'm impressed! Upon entering Swift Half on a lazy weeknight I was worried that the clientele would be overly douchey. I was pleasantly surprised by the drink specials ($2 yards) and the menu. I snacked on tasty cheese plates (DELICIOUS) and french fries (ALSO DELICIOUS).
I'm pretty sure I would avoid this place on a weekend since I assume it gets very busy, but on a weeknight it was pretty chill. Nice outdoor seating area... Nice vibe inside.
The bartender and wait staff were very friendly and helpful.. it made for a pleasant experience. I'd surely like to try a full meal there sometime soon.
Episode [9F21] Homer's Barbershop Quartet (from http://snpp.com)
Skinner: Er, um, we need a name that's witty at first, but that seems less funny each time you hear it.
Apu: How about, "The B-Sharps?" [Everyone laughs loud at first, then less, then the laughter tapers off]
Skinner: Perfect!
Swift Half, to me, exemplifies that particular segment from the Simpsons. When the Piazza opened and I saw the allure of outdoor seating at Swift Half, I was floored. At the time the menu was limited but promising. Needless to say, I was quite excited with the experience. However, with each visit, I've become less and less enamored with the place until I've reached my current position of actually being disappointed.
The menu appears to be nearing completion, and it's not that much different from when it first opened in terms of new items. They ran a special on cockles on one of my earlier visits, but when I ordered it, they ran out and told me it should be featured on the menu later... which it still is not. The limited options would be fine if the food is astounding, but it's not. Several of the items on the menu are mediocre at best and pricey, including the fish-and-chips (mediocre AND $16??) and the buffalo shrimp (cold and small). The beer list is also not very interesting most of the time and does not rotate as quick for a place that gets crowded quite often.
The only redeeming quality is that giant TV screen and when Philly sports games are on, but you will need to score an outdoor seat to enjoy it. Now that this bar is getting more and more popular, the game might finish before you can obtain a seat. I had fun, but at this point I don't think I will revisit.
Mouse + Lost Food + 2 hour meal = Bad Review.
Sorry Swift Half, but you broke my heart. You big brother Good Dog and I have been kicking it for a while now. Ya we hang out, but you Swift Half, well lets just say you exhausted all the cool points your big bro earned.
I love the Dog. One of my favorite spots for a burger and a beer. That place is sick. So when the owners debuted a second location at the Piazza I was stoked. I went for lunch and it was pretty good. I had a nice burger (no good dog, but close) and some really tasty, crispy shoe-string fries. The beer list was pretty good, if not a tad on the pricy side. But this time . . . negative. Swift Half's ship has, at least in my mind, sunk.
First, there was a mouse in the bar. Considering it's an open air bar, I was willing to let that slide. The staff shooed it away and life went on business as usual. Second, they lost our food. Not rocket science - a burger and mufalata (sp?) sandwich. An hour later, I called over the server, who explained that he was really sorry, but another table had ordered the exact same thing and they got it, we didn't. He offered to buy us a round of beers, which we took. This would have assuaged our disappointment, except for the fact that it took almost another full hour for the food to come. Whack.
Sorry fellas, but by my math, that equals a bad time. . . With many other far better options in Northern Liberties (bar ferdinand and Standard Tap to name two) give this one a miss.
Next time you are in Center City, Give Good Dog a try. You won't be let down.
The rave reviews have me stunned, I've only been in once and was going to wait to review until I head back. The plan is to head back when the menu is revised; neither event is likely to happen soon.
Five years ago the Good Dog had me locked in every night but I don't live in CC anymore and rarely venture out of my Northern Liberties bubble. Swift half is NOT the Good Dog, but does have some of the familiar faces (I'll put the staff in the + category).
The Swift Half:
The highlight of SH is the beer menu, which is nothing special considering a good beer can be had at nearly a dozen bars within 3-4 blocks. Maybe the outdoor seating is the draw, but again I can sit outside at plenty of northern liberties establishments during the summer. The best parts of SH can be had easily somewhere else, so no competitive advantage.
The SHWIFT Half:
The place needs a major design makeover. Maybe SH and one of the boutiques in the piazza can do a Trading Spaces episode. Look how much character is present at El Camino, Cantina, the Tap, N3rd or hell... the Jet Rock Bar at the airport. The planet mars has a better atmosphere. SH is cold and empty, high industrial ceilings, bare walls, and I think the bar is wrapped in vinyl flooring. The rows of tables behind my back looked like the cafeteria at Ikea. (Outside is nice).
As noted earlier in the post, the menu is weak. I didn't even bother ordering anything as there wasn't much to choose from; I don't eat beef limit my fried food intake and wanted more than cheese... that was the extent of the menu. To add insult to the menu, the prices were also discouraging. [note on the prices: a friend told me he was charged over $3 for his soda pop AND for each refill, that would leave a bad taste in my mouth].
Nothing horrible about Swift Half but there is nothing luring me back either. There are so many better options in the hood. I'll go back when the menu is revamped or when they bring in some cute waitresses (that I won't have the balls to talk to anyway).
The newly opened Swift Half perfectly sums up everything I look for in the bar/restaurant world; great food, beer, service, and atmosphere.
Their hearty rack of ribs with jicama slaw and plantain chips warranted drool; I welcomed the tasty mole sauce in lieu of the standard BBQ treatment and the superb chips and slaw completed the trifecta (as I don't usually care for slaw or plantains). I sampled a few bites of my girl's fish n' chips; quality squares of battered fried flakey goodness with dynamite fries. The fairy cakes, a.k.a. cupcakes, also rocked, especially the yellow fruity cupcake, (whichever fruit or fruits it consisted of).
As a raging beer snob, I scrutinize beverage menus everywhere I go; no surprise that the Good Dog crew put together another winner here. They poured excellent summer brews like Bells Oberon and PBC's Fleur de Lehigh from the tap and boasted bottles of Duchesse de Bourgogne, one of my all-time favorites.
Stellar service; our drinks and meal carried us over a shift-change, which is where you can sometimes fall through the cracks, especially when the first server gets the benefit of the tip. Not so here, we received excellent service from multiple staff members.
Possibly due to the fact that it opens up into the Piazza, I can't really compare the interior of the Swift Half with any other venue I've visited in Philadelphia. You walk into an open, airy main area with nice high ceilings, old-school tin over the huge wrap-around bar on the left and a broad section of drop-ceiling over the main dining area. The entire space radiated clean and casual; and you just can't beat outdoor seating with a prime view of the Piazza stage and big screen.
We don't come out to Northern Liberties very often but we think we'll be there much more this summer. If I did live in this neighborhood, I'd probably be on a first-name basis with the entire staff by now.
I heard that they had a really decent beer menu, so I took a date there for food and a drink. The beer selection was vast. They had a lot of brews I didn't even know existed. I tried a few, then stopped after I realized almost all brews were about $5 a glass. Not a complaint really, it's a fair price for the craft brews they had.
The food? No thanks. I honestly did not like it. I ordered a Vegetarian Shepard Pie and she ordered the B.E.L.T sandwich.....BLT with Egg. The wait time to receive the food was pretty quick considering it takes a while to cook the pie. The Shepherds Pie kinda tasted like veggies in a chili sauce. It wasn't really spectacular. The B.E.L.T sandwich had a funky mayo on it, that made it taste funny. Sadly, we couldn't finish the dinner. We just didn't like the taste of the food. We were going to order something else, but the menu isn't really that big.
The staff were alert and very very friendly. The prices we're a tad high, but not terribly unreasonable.
This is a great place to try a new brew, but eat before you get there.
Finally, I got my ass to Swift Half. Ive been wanting to try this place for a while but the elusive outdoor seats have been eternally occupied. The annoyingly persistent Piazza buzz has made me wait for a quiet weeknight to even consider this place. Last night my friend was too hungry to wait for a table, because apparently the 3 empty tables would take at least 20 minutes to be ready for anyone (WTF!?). I swear these guys need to sober up and hustle a little. So, we grabbed a booth and settled in for food and beer.
The atmosphere was OK. It was kinda nice not being in a room full of hipsters. Yeah this crowd wasn't trendy or even good looking at all, and I fit right in. OK, honestly, I like hanging out with ugly people because I look better than average for a change!
Our server was bright and cheery so that was good. We ordered our beers and looked over the paper menus. My friend chose the fish'n chips .He got two big hunks of deep fried fish on top of a huge pile of what I'd call perfect fries. He said the fish was good, it was light and flakey... but the breading was mega thick and greasy. Apparently it was a cagematch of flakey fish vs. deep fried and the fish lost.
I figured I'd stick to their Traditional Burger which I added goat cheese to and that too was escorted out with a handsome pile of perfectly tasty, crispy fries. This burger was good; It was juicy. A word to the wise: the cheese was worth the $1.50 extra cheese fee.
In the end, it was decent. We weren't swooning over the place to plot our soonest return though. I think I'll probably only return if it's convenient or if I get lucky enough to nab a table outside, otherwise it was just OK like a lot of places. Well, that's a start.
PS: while we liked our server, if she'd come by a little more often when our glasses were empty, we would've had more beers. We tipped her well since she saved us a few bucks as a result and we were not as tempted then to finish that lifetime supply of fries. I'll probably live a bit longer, now that I think of it. Damn, I shouldve hugged her.
"Swift Half": a half pint of beer drank quickly before leaving the pub.
I swung by Swift Half during a perfectly hot afternoon, needing just a quick beer and little bar time to cool off. It only took one pint, or two swift halves, to be hooked on this new bar in Northern Liberties from the owners of Good Dog Bar. I sat at the bar for no more than 10 minutes with a Stone IPA jam packed with citrus flavor and a hoppy bite.
Taking in the plethora of outside seating and comfy strait backed booths from the bar I realized although my single beer was perfect for the occasion, I would have to be back for 16 more swifts halves and maybe some sustenance. Cheers.
I too am not sure where all these 5 star ratings are coming from. I was going to rate this a 2 but since I didn't get poor service and the place is new I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt.
The place looks really nice and has a pretty good atmosphere. I was impressed by the bar and grabbed a drink there while waiting for a friend. The bartender was nice and even turned on the Red Bulls game on one of the many flat screen TVs at my request. Unfortunately they wound up loosing, but that had no influence in my rating.
Once my friend got there we were seated and opened up their menu which was grossly over sized compared to the amount of food they offered. There were maybe 4 actual meals, maybe 4 smaller fare dishes, and then a bunch of appetizers I guess. I'm not sure they were appetizers because they were listed as some foreign word that I'm not cultured enough to know. I know the place just opened but such a small offering probably cut half a star.
Past the limited, physically over sized menu, I thought the prices were just too high. While waiting a man next to me at the bar got an order of the fish and chips, which smelled good and I was envious of until he opened the paper wrapping they were served in and found just two smaller pieces of fish over a ginormous bed of fries. I still thought of getting the fish and chips until I opened the menu and found they were $16.
I instead decided to go with the more reasonably priced burger, at $10 to which I added $1.50 for cheese. Maybe it's just me but I feel cheese on a burger should not be extra. Maybe I'm just cheap but the higher prices cut a star off. The burger was ok, nothing spectacular, then again I've been to Good Dog and wouldn't call theirs one of the best in the city.
So that's only 1.5 stars off, where did that other .5 star come from? The fries. They were horrible. They were of a thinner cut, which I prefer, but they were pretty soggy and had an unappetizing cloudy white semitransparent color. I guess they were undercooked, either way, if I were the guy at the bar having a couple bites of fish with a mountain of these fries I would have been pretty disappointed.
Like I said though, the place has a good atmosphere and all of the staff were friendly, so I'll definitely be back to give the place another shot after it's been open for a bit longer.
I can't believe that some people are criticizing the swift half's outdoor space. it is in the piazza, love it or hate it, but they did little to make it 'cooler than thou' or whathaveyou. personally, the outdoor space is this place's main draw, but i think it can improve it's other aspects to earn a fourth star. the interior is very bland and definitely more suited to old city folk than northern liberties, but nothing that can't be fixed. as for the food, well.....
the cheeses and meats are great, a very nice choice and beautifully served. their entrees are hit or miss. bf had a grilled cheese and tomato (or was it ham? i don't remmeber) that was on focaccia and quite tasty, though i wasn't to keen on the fries. they were fairly tasty, but look like small chopped green beans, the size/cut did nothing for me. my mussels were fairly tasty as well, BUT the accompanying crostini were burned and the 'chorizo' looked like someone sliced up a salami and cut it into quarters. it was very weird and wasn't very tasty. on another visit i ordered some of the cheese and meat selections (very good!) and the grilled aspargus, which were meh. but it is a new kitchen and i think that they will sort out their problems, especially since they are full steam ahead (their full menu just opened today i think). i am eager to go back, but i do have to say it is nothing on good dog.....
So the boyfriend had an architect project up here, which I never ever would've gone if not for him. It's a very odd area - pretty ghetto everywhere, and then you walk into The Piazza, and it's a very nice area. Very strange. Anyway, the scallops here were good. I just didn't enjoy the cold vinegared oyster mushrooms.. they would've been much better if they were warm. The drink list was nice too. I liked it. The boyfriend had the hamburger here too, but the fries here are just the regular ol' potato ones (in comparison to Good Dog's fries that included sweet potato). On a cooler fall day, we'll go back on a slow weekend to have lunch with the dog outdoors.
Nestled in the courtyard of Northern Liberties' Piazza is a new pub offering from the people who brought you Good Dog in Center City.
Enjoy some high quality pub food and a cold draft as a baseball game is played on the courtyard's jumbotron screen. The pub is comfortable and electric after being open only a week. I had a perfectly-cooked burger and my bud liked the fish & chips. I'm thinking this is going to be a regular rendezvous!
I want to give Swift Half 4 stars because I think what they are doing in NoLibs is awesome and I think it deserves more credit but I will save that star for the Piazza. Swift Half has a great selection of beers and the menu has a little bit of everything. We had the duck prosciutto and fig salad and some buffalo shimp. The salad portion was perfect and the figs really made it stand out. I normally don't really have a taste for normal prosciutto but the duck was really good. I didn't pick the shrimp and really didn't care for them that much because the flavored was masked with the buffalo sauce and bleu cheese. Our server was nice, quick and answered questions from my inquisitive dad. I like Swift Half for a place to go in the Piazza but with all the choices in NoLibs I honestly wouldn't pick this place first.
On another note, we went on a Saturday night and the outside tables were full. We were told there would be a 20 minute wait. We got a beer and played some darts while we were waiting for the 3rd person in our party to show up and as soon as he did, the table was ready, and probably in under 20 minutes.
Great beer+ nice outdoor space = an enjoyable spot to relax.
Like many people below, I feel the menu could be beefed up a bit, just a few more selections and items a table could share would be great. But I've gotten the cheese plate several times and it's always tasty, if not a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for and it's all top quality.
Staff is super. Attentive but not in your face. I've never waited for a drink there and they can always anticipate your needs.
In the end, this is a great spot to sit, drink, relax and watch the "happenings" on the piazza.
It has been about 15-18 years since I have ordered or eaten a burger, or any red meat entree. I just tried my roommate/dining partner in crime's blue cheese bacon burger, and it may have turned me around. I really have to say it - OMG. I had eaten early in the evening, but couldn't resist the goat cheese. It was a really generous portion for $5 served with baguette and not only fresh blueberries but a blueberry compote. There was hardly anyone else there, which was good because I expected the place to be filled with jerks. The menu was adorable, folded all cute and printed on a kraft paper/paper bag stock. But despite looking cute, aside from the cheese menu I am not too tempted by the rest of the menu. I mean, apart from that burger!!!
Not terrible but I wouldn't go back.
I like what Jason F. said about this place. "Banal" and "whatever" are two words that pretty much sum it up.
We apparently had a similar experience there, as I too visited this establishment while extremely drunk. (And usually when I'm extremely drunk I like things more than I do than when I'm sober, so I definitely will not go there when I'm sober.) But anyway, I had a few more beers there and I thought the beer was very small. I also had food there which was ok verging on good, but not great, and was also small, but in terms of portions, that's what I wanted and expected. Maybe the better word would be "right-sized" because I don't want to give the impression that you get ripped off by the portions. It's not TGI Fridays after all.
And the staff was nice. But the ambiance is crap. It's as sterile as the rest of the Piazza, unfortunately. And the hard wooden booths are uncomfortable. They make you sit up straighter than a normal drunk human body wants to. I heard that Swift Half means that it's supposed to be like your little neighborhood pub where you dash in for a quick pint (aka "swift half" which is, I guess, also why the beers are served in half sizes, so you can suck them down swiftly - which I did, thank you very much.) But in terms of swift half meaning neighborhood pub-by, there is nothing swift-halfy about it. Nice try though.
The place for me to go when I am craving fish and chips and a good selection of beer. The staff is quick and entertaining and Sun-Weds are industry nights. I am excited for their menu to keep expanding because everything they put out is quite impressive. Unfortunately on Sundays the crowd from the Piazza may make this place seem overwhelming, but if you don't mind the combustion, its a scene, man.
Okay, maybe I should not review this - as I did not make it to ordering. But, I did go there on Sunday during the Piazza's 'Nap Time to Bedtime DJ' thing and aging hipsters were plastered all over this place with younger sib toolbags all in between them. I love the NoLibs area development as much as the next hip Philly person, but really? The menu is underwhelming, the service is overtaxed with serious Sunday drinkers, and no, the beer list is not as good as Good Dog's. Especially not for the price. I left and walked across to Darling's Cafe, where service, price, quality, decor and pace are as good as it gets.
I come here often and I am never disappointed. Slightly hungry? Get a cheese plate. They have a great selection of cheeses that come with bread, little pickles, olives, and berries (Each of the cheeses have a fruit pairing also). Starving? The fish and chips are more than satisfying. The fish is lightly breaded and not over fried. The burgers have only gotten better since they've opened (up on the level of Good Dog).
With 10-12 beers on tap, you are sure to find your match. Generally, they price around $5. Check out the newest Flying Fish that they have - Exit 11. (It just came out last week). Bottled beers are just as delicious.
Service is friendly, the one blond bartender always with a smile. Very welcoming.
Outdoor seating is wonderful. I can't say anything but good things! Check it out on your next stop to Northern Liberties.
They had me at the Bell's Oberon.
The bacon cheddar burger I ordered was cooked perfectly, thick and juicy with a great smokey taste. It came with a giant helping of fries, the taste of which reminded me of french fries I used to get at the fair as a child. I only wish that they were longer - the small size required that a fork be used to dip them in ketchup.
The inside is spacious with plenty of seating. On nice days they also offer outdoor seating with perfect views of the giant television in the Piazza. Besides the Bell's, they have a good selection of beers (draft, bottle, and can). They also have an interesting list of specialty drinks, some of which sound perfect for a hot sunny day sitting outside watching a Phillies game on the big screen.
i am impressed with the service and the beer. the food menu needs more to it. i appreciate always getting seated even with crowds. it seems appropriately sized so that the wait isnt too long.
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