South Philadelphia Taproom

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

This is as far south in Philadelphia that you can find such a great beer establishment. I live just as far south, but about 15 blocks east of the location, which makes it relatively easy to get to if I am taking the bus. Parking can be a little bit of a hassle, but thats what living in south Philly is... a parking nightmare. I really wish this place was near me because I'd be there weekly. Since it is not as convenient I probably stop in every few months. It has become a great location to stop by for pre or post game festivities as it is just off of Broad St. and 3 blocks away from a subway stop.

Atmosphere is great. Corner door opens to a decently sized bar on the left with tables on the right. On my last stop they had opened up just down the left side to expand the dining and kitchen space. The setup inclues a few tvs over the bar and a large screen in the back that is on for Philly team events, a great jukebox in the back and tiny little bathrooms straight back.

I have to say that the last few times i have stopped in the service has not been great. The wait staff was a bit terse and unfriendly. It took a little to long to fill drink orders, with my friends and I needing to step up to the bar to request drinks from our waitress. It was not a busy evening, just a random Saturday afternoon with the place half full. I still plan on coming back because I just love the vibe and location of this place.

Beer selection is always great. 10+ beers on rotating taps at all times, with their website keeping the listing up to date. The beer fridge next to the bar stocks well over 100 other bottles of varying selections. There is always something new to try.

The food here is always great as well. I'm a wing fan and theirs are one of the better in the city. Their sandwiches are also great. I can't think of anything that I or my wife has tried that we have not liked. I just miss the pirogi's they used to have just after they first opened!

Value is perfect. Nothing is overpriced and they usually have a beer special going on.

Overall, I love this place. Its location is unique (wish it was near my house), the quality of beer and food is great and its a great value. Probably in my top 3 favorites for Philly.

03-07-2008 03:41:05 | More by mvanaskie13

NoLiberty

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +7.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

This corner bar in South Philadelphia is far from the other glam beer bars and pretentious spots in Center City. Big squared off windows lead into long, high ceilinged space. Lots of seating at the bar, smaller tables, stool tables and a sitting bar in the back. Good jukebox playing 80's and 90's indie rock and hip hop. Big screen TV in the back that sometimes plays games or is otherwise off. Good windows, Christmas lights, outside seating. Warm wood trim, nice large curved bar, chalk board menus, clean and tidy. Feels like a hipster dive bar combined with a Belgian beer cafe.

They have an excellent beer selection. 13 drafts. A sampling of just one time that I was there: Ommegang Witte, Humbolt Red Ale, Old Rasputin, Allagash selections, and others. Really nice bottled selection with great cross section of locals, English, German and Belgian. Such oddities on the East coast as Eulysian, Lost Abby, Bells, and recent craft brews like Festina Peche and Local 1. The tap lines are clean and clear, the barkeep knowledgeable, patient and passionate!

Food is very good. From inspired fusion to pub favorites. Salads, mussels, BBQ, burgers, lots of vegetarian options. Very well priced at around $10 for an entree. This is like Standard Tap, Bridgids, The Abbaye before they, ahem, sold out.

The staff all around is helpful and friendly, young and knowledgeable about beer. Enough said, try this joint.

02-10-2008 23:30:54 | More by NoLiberty

burner

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

this was my first visit. some friends and I went to the tap room for drinks after dinner for our anniversary. from the outside it did not look like much, and the area is residential with small streets and limited parking. keep in mind we were there after 10 p.m. on a Sunday night on Jan 28th. as soon as we walked in we felt at home and comfortable. we at right behind the door at a big round,old, round table with cushy chairs that looked like they were made out of barrels.

we were greeted right away which was great. when i looked at the beer menu i was pleased. legacy, big bear,unibroue, and many other great brewery"s on tap. we did not see a food menu but we did order fries. they were cooked perfectly, just enough salt and crispy. perfect companion with beer. the beer, atmosphere, food was all good. i would recommend this beer bar to everyone!! I CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK!!

01-28-2008 20:13:33 | More by burner

NolanGTI

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$

This place is a real treasure and maybe my favorite place in Philly. Go here before or after a Phils game to get great food, a real corner pub and an amazing beer selection.

Typical narrow Philly bar with an open floor plan and room to move around. People are often outdoors in the summer and there are many neighborhood locals inside. The tap list and bottle list are A++ and the food is over the top good. True gastro-pub that delivers on food, beer and atmosphere with pretty solid service to boot.

I don't know how you could not love this place.

01-22-2008 16:04:35 | More by NolanGTI

BeerDetective

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This was my first stop yesterday on my little pub tour, it took me a bit to find the place, it really is a neighborhood bar.

I really liked the atmosphere, it was almost British pub like in the big wooden bar, lots of beer signs on the wall, and they had Young's Winter Warmer on tap, which I had never had before, that was very good, they seemed to have a very nice selection in bottles, including several of my favs, like Rauchbier.

The bartender was very nice and explained that they were renovating and expanding the dining area and the kitchen, so I will have to go back in a couple of months to see what has changed.

The brunch menu looked interesting, banana pancakes are always good, but since I had planned to dine at Jose Pistolas later I did not try the food, but what went by on a few plates looked and smelled very nice.

I want to go back with a good book in hand, and try some more of the Old Abominable barley wine!!

01-21-2008 23:10:49 | More by BeerDetective

ButchAleman

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +10%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $

I went to the Taproom for the first time a cuple months ago And I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food, which is saying a lot since I was only going their to try the extensive tap selection.

One night that I went to the bar, They had escargoe on the menu as a special. Out of curiosity I ordered it, not expecting good results. I will say it wasn't the best escargoe I ever had, but for a dozen escargoe for $7 from a bar, it was very very good. Not typicaly bar food I must say!

Another time I took a date there and She ordered the Morrocan Lamb sandwich. It was perfectley flavored and she was very impresed with that as well as the fries which she thinks are some fo the best in the City).

Overall, this has turned into a regular place for me to frequent. I highly recommend it.

09-01-2007 22:53:47 | More by ButchAleman

Imstillthegman

Delaware

4.3/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

The first stop of the afternoon was here. Located in a tight little neighborhood...well, at least it is for my truck. It was well worth the struggle of navigating tight streets and trying to find a place to park.

Cozy, comfortable, neighborhood feel. There's about 12 seats at the bar and another 10 or so tables. One of the tables right inside the door has these neat looking chairs made out of old barrels. The bartender this particular day was extremely busy as he was not only manning the bar, but also serving the tables inside and two tables out on the sidewalk. Really good selection...on-tap were Naked Elf, Red Seal, Bell's Sparkling, Festina Peche, Jah-Va Stout, my favorite of the day Legacy Hoptimus Prime, and a few others. Pretty good bottle selection as well.

While here, I happen to look up and BA Leftmindedrighty had come in at sat down at the bar a few seats away. Small world, I guess. Very enjoyable time and I will be back.

08-12-2007 12:21:38 | More by Imstillthegman

leftmindedrighty

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Although I have graced the stools at the Taproom many times, today I was there after dropping off a wedding present to a friend of mine in my old neighborhood.

Atmosphere was interesting to say the least. Barely anyone in the joint, typical I guess considering that it was 1pm in the afternoon. Funny thing was, after sitting down and ordering a Red Seal Ale, a gentleman called out to me. Little did I know it was BA Imstillthegman calling my name. What a small world when it comes to BA's.

Tap line up was solid, as always. Naked Elf, Red Seal Ale, Bell's Sparkling Ale were all stellar. Of the brews I did not imbibe, were Sly Fox Dry Stout, Rodenbach Grand Cru, Dogfish Head Festina Peche, and a more than a few others that have since fallen out of my head.

Always a great time at the Taproom, I sometimes neglect this place because of its location. I will have to remember that the effort to make the trip here will be rewarded in its experience. A great afternoon indeed, the hanging out with a fellow BA was icing on the cake.

08-12-2007 00:29:27 | More by leftmindedrighty

sublimesipping

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

i've been a few times down south and have decided that this place is one of the best beer bars in Philly. It is as good of a neighborhood beer bar as one can get, but it is defintely worth to the trip out of neighborhood or suburb to discover a place that trys and mostly succeeds at delivering stellar beer and above average food.
very good selection of taps, well though out and adventurous.
what i have had on previous trips- founders, Stones imperial stout, bells, beaucoup stouts, troegs, victory, and the local favs Yards(tues is 2.00 IPA taps all day!), but you are also going to find on tap some decent belgians- Mardesous and somone on staff seems to have a soft spot for unibroue.
Home to the best happy hour in town- if you like "good" beer- its half price drafts 4-6 mon-Fri. at non- happy hour times the prices are more than fair.
In regards to food, a solid menu, above average but not quite gastro though my wild boar burritto my last visit was exceptional. they have several specials and a variety of sandwiches and salads. A few items miss- asaparagus salad of 4 stalks at 7.00 doesn't fly though that is generally an anamoly in otherwise a very good menu.
Service is outstanding plain and simple. Service is very attentive and knowledgeable and always ready for a suggestion or a sample.
Bottle selection if fairly extensive(100+) and growing I am told.
All and all a destination beer bar in Phillly but at its heart a good quality neighborhood joint in what it becoming a neighborhood experiencing rennaisance.

06-21-2007 03:15:44 | More by sublimesipping

jjboesen

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

SPTR was a mandatory stop during my recent jaunt to Philadelphia - King Tut and Leahy. It is truly a pleasant way to spend a few hours. A few stops on the SEPTA Broad Street line took me to the Tasker-Morris station, which is a short walk to SPTR. A quiet neighborhood anyway. It was a Saturday afternoon and rather quiet with a few couples and some tatooed hipsters, but they need beer too. Above the bar hangs a listing of draughts; behind you, on the opposite wall, a list of bottled brews.
I counted around 13 taps, not as many as other places, but it was a diverse mix of regionals, such as Sly Fox and Yards (which I really liked a lot). My victims on that quiet afternoon: Yards IPA, Sly Fox irish Red, Sly Fox O'Reilly Stout (I loved this one) and Bell's (yes, that one) Double Cream Stout. Of course, I'm sure that these have been rotated since then.
SPTR is home to a Monster Grilled Cheese Sandwich, a messy concoction made with 3 cheeses. Hmmmm Beer and Cheese.
It should be a mandatory stop for any BA!

05-04-2007 03:34:53 | More by jjboesen