Garage

9/18/2016

We found this place right after we ordered a cheesesteak at Geno's across the street.  What an awesome concept.  It looks like an actual auto repair shop from the outside, if I wouldn't have seen the small outdoor seating area.

We showed our ID"s to the bouncer and walla -- a beautiful cool bar area inside.  And guess what?  It is BYO - Cheesesteaks.  Seriously...you order one from one of the two people across the street and you can sit in here and drink from there bar!  What an amazing idea on both ends of the spectrum.  A great business model.

Shortly after we sat down inside, we noticed they also had a food vendor inside.  We didn't try them, because we already had brought our food in; however, we ordered two rounds of drinks and left happy.  We loved the drinks and the service and the concept.

Definitely deserving of five stars.

10/2/2016

I thought this place was alright. It has a huge open concept main room with a huge selection of beers in coolers and about 10 on draft.

The bartenders weren't particularly friendly, they had several beers that were out of stock, and to make matters worse we learned that the skeeball machines only sometimes work. After it ate some money, we inquired with the staff who said they weren't responsible for the machines (But they did give us our dollars back)

I also wish there were some additional seating options.

7/21/2016

• 1 check-in

• Listed in Fab Fives, I'm drinking, are you drinking? B-cuz I'm going to, Philly Phaves, Cheap?  How Cheap? Cheap as Hell?!

Despite the garish surroundings in the general vicinity of this south Philadelphia haunt, this place manages to keep things quite simple (as if the namesake alone wasn't indication enough...).  Garage is what it says it is: it is a garage; that said, it's also something more than that.  It's a spacious dive in the heart of south Philly, where cheap beer flows, pool balls collide, and skee balls... skee?

I've been here a handful of times, but usually quite lit (due to some peer pressure shot taking) prior to even partaking of a beer from this establishment.  So, sobriety upon entering this establishment is always at its foggy-like best.  That said, I'm quite confident that I'd still have a great amount of love for this place if I were to attend in a more lucid state.

They do have a number of brews on tap, but from one cheap bastard to you... just go with a $3 (pretty sure they're $3... if not, then they're either $4 or $5) tallboy of Narragansett.  You can buy a round for you and 5 of your best friends, look like a total mensch, but still have enough money in your pocket to buy a cheesesteak from Pat's (or if you have horrible taste and values, then you can go to Geno's); and then you can bring in said cheesesteak and eat it on location, and keep drinking!

I like you Garage... keep doing what you're doing; we need more like you out there.

10/22/2016

Everyone here was racist. I was an Australian here trying to come in for no valid reason. I live in New York and have never had a problem before  now!!! Pretty disappointed.

7/1/2016

• 1 check-in

• Listed in The Spirit of Philadelphia

After smashing cheesesteaks over @ Pat's & Geno's me and the homie decided that we needed to wash it all down with some suds (beer lol). Its basically around the corner from the steak giants and quite convenient. The place seems like a bikers kind of bar with the motorcycle pics and some kind of truck inside to give a garage like feel to it.  Lots of locals in this place in which I prefer as I don't want t be in a bar with a bunch of tourists lol. Very nice people in this joint and everyone was pretty much tatted up in here. There was one girl that was nice enough to let me know my hotel key card had fallen out of my pocket...very nice of her!

Now on to the beer!!! Lots of options here and in cans! I was in the mood for stouts so I went with Moo Thunder Milk Stout...pretty decent. I then tried the Moo-Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout which was so good thats all I drank the rest of the way...yep was that good! Girl behind the bar was cool and pretty cute and when she made the mistake in giving me the wrong beer she allowed me to give it to another patron @ the bar. They have TVs, games (ski-ball hell yeah!) & pool tables here which makes this place that much more awesome!

7/10/2016

What a fun cool place! My boyfriend and I were just walking around after eating at Pat's and we passed by this place. It looked cool so we stopped in, and I'm so glad we did! It was crowded but not overly, great crowd, friendly bartenders, quick service, and huge beer selection. Even had my favorite spiked seltzer and that's pretty rare to find!

This place has such a cool laid back vibe, they have a pool table in the back, along with 3 ski ball games and a Metallica pinball machine. Ski-ball gives tickets which you can redeem for prizes, we got a cool PBR koozie (5 tix).  We'll definitely be back next time we're in Philly!

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  They had my fave spiked seltzer and the PBR koozie we won from pinball!

  They had my fave spiked seltzer and the PBR koozie we won from pinball!

5/26/2016

• 1 check-in

Because when you've just scarfed down a cheesesteak from Pat's...AND Geno's...back to back, you need a shot of jager and a beer to settle your stomach and heartrate down to normal.

Nice little place that we didn't hang at for too long, but the bartender was friendly and is definitely worth a stop.

2/7/2016

• 1 check-in

• Listed in Philadelphia Dive Bars

A unique dive bar located between Pat's and Gino's, Garage Bar brings a cool and different flair to South Philly.

They have the standard bar drinks and pool tables but also have SkeetBall with prizes and a nice food truck inside the bar.

The decor is fairly interesting with chains everywhere, the back of a pickup truck hanging on a wall and lot's of motorcycle photos.

if you're in South Philly and have some free time, definitely check out Garage.

7/13/2016

My favorite part about this place is the ability to pick up a cheesesteak at Pat's or Geno's and bring it inside. They have some snacks you can get inside but go for the carry-in cheesesteak.

Awesome craft beer selection. Chill vibe. They have skeeball!

8/6/2015 Updated review

• 15 check-ins

• Listed in The Yelp 100 Challenge, Philly Gastropubs

I'm updating my review from 2 yrs ago, from 3 to 4 stars. I actually should have updated this a long time ago. Why?? Because Garage is the only bar of its kind, in south philly. Over 200 cans of craft beer, pool table, and skee ball. I find myself here almost every week! The Bartenders are awesome too.. You learn to love them cause they know their beer, and don't take any crap. If you're a tourist, you'll stick out like a sore thumb here, so beware. But it's ok everyone is usually friendly.  You are in south philly so it's a bit more raw down these parts :)

Anyway, I love Garage. Fun, unique, tons of beer, and great for large groups at the long high top tables against the back walls.  No food, go BYO cheesesteak from Pats. That's better anyway!  My kind of bar. Sorry for dissing u a few years ago!! I've come around :) and back again :)

10/3/2016

Had a great time here.  Awesome concept with a unique focus on a variety canned beer.  Prompt service and awesome atmosphere.. with games including Skee Ball!  Will be back to have a few beers and roll a few balls.

1/21/2016

• 4 check-ins

• Listed in The Highlight Reel, South Philly, Philly Bars, Beer Haven, East Passyunk Ave

Garage is one of those excellent South Philly bars that is always on my list, but I seldom get to as often as I should (and not just because I usually try to avoid walking by Cheesesteak Vegas). After all its pretty hard to top a canned beer heaven that hosts pop up chef nights, and a boatload of fun games to play. In a nutshell its a larger scale version of exactly what I'd do with my own garage (youtu.be/eWymbWBpqsg)!

From PBR and Tecate, to 21st Amendment and Finch's, and everywhere in between, if you're looking for any beer that's been canned you'll find it at Garage. If you don't then you still have a couple draft beers to enjoy, but with most cans ranging from $3-5 its easier to imbibe that way. When Garage doesn't host a guest chef their food cart is pretty much just limited to decent hot dogs. But since I've seen and read about the likes of Serpico, Grubhouse, Hungry Pigeon, and more hosting pop-up nights here you can file checking out their food night calendar as a mandatory!

The game room is amply stocked with skeeball, pool tables, and then some. Plus you best believe that I can give a Pinball Alert! Add in their byo cheesesteak policy if you prefer not to avoid those neon lights; and the fact that it being someone colder than most bars in the winter, and hotter than most bars in the summer (it was built in a converted garage after all.) is the only real flaw, and you have one solid bar concept. Which is an especially good thing since its about to be multiplied by a Fishtown two in the not too distant future (phillymag.com/foobooz/20…)!

6/24/2016

Good bar with the greatest selection of canned beers this side of the Mississippi. Not bad prices and good bartenders. Two great cheesesteak places next door as well. Nice and loud with games inside as well as a food truck thingy hanging out in the middle. Oscar Blues Brewery FYW

6/27/2016

We came here on a night out in Philly with some friends. It was not what we were expecting at all! Their beer list is HUGE, there's something on there for everyone. We came on a Saturday night and were still able to get a table for 8 of us. We stayed til closing and had a really good time. Definitely a good atmosphere. It was a good place to chill but there was still a lot going on. They even had ski ball in the back!

10/20/2015

• 2 check-ins

(To the tune of Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror")

I'm gonna make a change
Head to South Philly tonight...
It's gonna feel real good,
Gonna scope some craft beer
Drink em all, tonightttt....

As I... hop in my Uber and
Zip up my winter coat
I know I've just gotta go....
To this bar, it's full of brews
And the guys, they all say "yous"
Nestled right between Pat's and Genos
Cannot beat the shiny views

No need to worry about
A broken bottle top
That thing, you just won't find
It's all aluminum
So please, spit out your bum
We got canned beers on our minds....

I'm starting with that can full of beer.
I'm asking what goes well with fries
And that Beer Book couldn't be any clearer
if you wanna make headway
In this bar
Ya gotta be ready
To spend all nighttttt.

Wow. that was a tough one. OK, I LOVE Garage. It knocks it out of the park (and conveniently is across the street from a park) with regards to location, ambiance, staff, lighting, and food/drink. With arguably one of the most diverse beer lists, this spot delivers for any palate. Their food truck is always pumping out something delicious, from gourmet cheesesteaks to German sausages to tacos and everything in between. Guest chefs are able to make tasty treats ready to pair with any brew you choose. The prices are fair, the vibe upbeat and fairly hip (without being off-putting) and you can't beat skee ball in the back. I'd totally recommend for a group outing, a date, or just a night out with a friend. There's not a TON of seating, but I'm personally a stander, so I don't mind.

I've been many times. I'll be back many more. I'll probably enjoy some MJ in between.

2/2/2016

Awesome concept. I'm a happy camper and probably an annoying indecisive drinking partner at places with this big a selection. Having it be all cans and games in the back was the perfect south philly vibe in all it's glory. Rotating food truck doesn't hurt it's concept either.

There was plenty of space and tables. The bartenders got to you quick, and somehow hear every beer you say when there are a good 300 choices you can shout over the other shouting in there. Good music playing usually and we all had a great time at this place. We will definitely be coming here more often!

2/24/2016

• 3 check-ins

Their beer menu is insane! Over 300 beers, all in cans (which taste much better than glass). The prices ate very reasonable, cheap by my standards. Staff is knowledgeable about their beer and are super friendly. I have been here multiple times and I will continue to come back.

They have 5 HDTVs, and will almost always have what you want to watch sports wise. The pool table and assorted games are unreal.

Great friendly crowd, always a plus. Definitely a bar to check out, it's well worth the time. A beer lovers paradise!

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  350+ beers in cans. Extremely impressive selection. A beer drinkers paradise!

  350+ beers in cans. Extremely impressive selection. A beer drinkers paradise!

7/2/2016

Wonderful neighborhood bar. The beer selection is huge, and pretty much every bartender knows the entire menu and can suggest something. Also have pool and skeeball.

They let you bring in outside food but also have pretty great rotating cart food in bar, someone mans the cart most nights.

9/1/2016

This place suffers from bad acoustics.  The cement walls and floor bounce sound around and make it an annoying place to be when it's crowded.  Their well whiskey is Heaven Hill and they've got plenty of beer too.

7/14/2016

• 1 check-in

Wow!! The beer selection is awesome but the cook Jason is out of this world. This guy is a 5 star chief working in a pub. He needs to have his own restaurant. If your in the area. Stop in for a beer but be sure to have something to eat here!!!!