Monk's Café

mpcrump

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

On a recent trip to Philly some co-workers and myself decided to give Monk's a try. We enjoyed the night so much we came back for another night.

It's not a huge place but they fit a fair amount of people without making you feel too cramped. Typical of the older style buildings it is much deeper than it is wider. Don't let the outside fool you.

A very good selection of beers. Wide and varied from across the world and the US. We tried many beers that we simply don't have access to back home. Russian River and Lost Abbey to name a few. Both nights are waitresses were very knowledgeable and helpful. A few of us knew what we wanted and some didn't. They were both very helpful.

The first night we only had starters but the second night we had full meals. The menu has a nice and varied selection. We were satisfied both nights. I'm not much for frites but they were good.

This is not a place to sit down and watch a game. It's all about beer. And food. My only complaints are towards lighting and pricing. It is too dark. Just a few more lumens and it would have been perfect. Some products were just too pricey. Most of these were for imports or California beers with limited releases so I can understand it. They were still just a bit more expensive than I would normally like.

Overall, when ever I am in Philly and looking for beer this is my first stopping place.

11-24-2012 03:28:47 | More by mpcrump

wmfxir

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Had dinner and beers w/ eldest daughter & fiance. GREAT beer selection and beer culture! good service, small tight space, could make great use of the next door establishment. The menu was very nice, the food served was great, thoroughly good time and great beer experience. I had my first Russian River Pliny the Elder and thoroughly enjoyed it. The wife had the Ghent Mussels, being the mussel lover that she is. Lamb Shank braised in Allagash Black Belgian-style stout was equally great and the Duck Confit rounded out a great meal, a few great beers and good evening with great company.

11-21-2012 03:46:46 | More by wmfxir

flexabull

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

Visited Monk's for a late Thursday afternoon lunch.

Dark and small front room and bar area, cool looking on the outside though. I didn't really explore the rest of the place though.

Quality was nothing but the best.

Service was good. We had a nice server, he was funny, prompt, and friendly.

Selection was nice, but not as excellent as I hoped for. At least as far as taps are concerned (I rarely order bottles at a bar, I prefer tap/cask). I think they had about 20 total taps, with most of it being Belgians. They did have some pretty rare stuff though.

Food was tasty. The frites were great, burger was pretty good too.

Prices were a tad high, not terrible though.

Overall, a cool place that is well worth visiting. I would say it didn't quite live up to my expectations though, just didn't seem quite like a "destination/must visit" type of place. (exception would be if you are a HUGE Belgain fan). With that said, this is still an awesome place.

10-02-2012 17:01:08 | More by flexabull

Googs

New York

4.45/5  rDev +2.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

I live in New York City but have gone down to Philly before just for this place. Their beer, both their immense bottle selection and draught, are always on point. It's almost impossible to get Russian River or Lost Abbey stuff in NYC, so I find myself wanting to go here a lot. They put on some great events from what I hear and I'm looking forward to going to their RR event in October.

The restaurant is dark and cool. This is not a sports bar, there are no TVs. It's all about beer, food and company. NO bullshit. It's an old world style place and I like the feel of it. There is both a front and back bar, with different selection of draught and a fair amount of space. I have been there when It's both completely empty and when It's packed with people and the service has always been reliable. It can get really packed at peak hours. If your trying to get a drink at the bar, you have make yourself heard. The folks who work there are friendly and willing to talk beer with you and answer your questions.

Haven't had too much of the food, but what I have had has been good and would like to try more. Prices aren't cheap but are not crazy either.

Overall, one of my favorite spots and I'll make the journey from New York any day to enjoy their great craft draft and food. Make sure to check it out if your in Philly or if you must get some RR or hard to come by beers on the East Coast.

09-15-2012 02:49:50 | More by Googs

shivtim

Georgia

4.4/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$$

An all-around fantastic stop while in Philly. We went for a late dinner on a Friday evening. It was busy, but there was an open table. Nice typical dark/wood pub type atmosphere.

Beer selection is fantastic. I hesitated just slightly before deciding on a perfect score of 5. The Belgian draught list is superb, and what is lacking in American craft draughts is made up for with an expansive bottle list. Pliny the Elder was on tap, along with a great "lava" stout from Iceland.

Food was good, although slightly pricey. I had the duck confit, which was solid. Good service too. This place deserves its reputation.

08-07-2012 23:19:32 | More by shivtim

homerbunker

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +2.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

My first trip to Monk's was with 2 co-workers, one from the UK who loves beer but is not familiar with american craft beers. We were very surprised to find that they had Pliny the Elder on tap. We all ordered the Pliny, I ordered the mussels and my friends ordered burgers. Needless to say we all loved the Pliny and also loved our meals, all prepared perfectly. My UK friend was very impressed with both the food and beer, stating it was the best american beer he ever tasted. I'm definitely looking forward to my next visit, this time bringing my son along.

07-07-2012 14:40:17 | More by homerbunker

bctdi

Georgia

3.2/5  rDev -26.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Came in here with my brother after reading about all the great reviews. Ordered a lost abbey damnation which came in a standard pint glass ... Really expected a challice style glass for this beer , but not really a biggie. My brother asked for a taste of the Allagash white , but the bartender poured him a full one in a kitchen style glass , and after she served it to him she said we don't do samples.At that moment, I wondered why she would wait until after she served the beer to mention that they do not give samples. Also wondered why on earth they don't give samples. This was the first beer bar I have ever been to that would not give a sample. We paid our tab and left immediately. We went over to Khyber pass and Eulogy where we were treated much better. Overall I would say their selection was great, but the service was pretty bad, so I have no choice but to give Monk's a bad review regardless of the good press they have received. They have apparenly started to believe their own press. Not good.

07-03-2012 01:16:35 | More by bctdi

brewandstew

Maryland

4.4/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Even on the sunniest days in Illadephia, Monk's is cool dark spot to have a pint. Just stopped in today with my girlfriend during our travel day gone wrong to improve our spirits. I had a Pliny the Elder and Blind Pig - both from Russian River - and she had an amazing oak aged pale ale from Petrus. We shared some Pomme Frittes and needless to say, we were much happier.

The service was good, as was the beer and the food. Our beers were served in proper glassware and tasted fresh. Very impressed and glad to have a chance to try the Pliny.

Someone next to us ordered the moules frittes and they looked and smelled amazing.

Looking forward to my trip to Philly for a chance at another pint at Monk's.

04-07-2012 01:33:52 | More by brewandstew

HamGlade10

Oklahoma

3.8/5  rDev -12.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

Monks is a small cafe in Philadelphia. It was dark and cramped while i was there. Pretty full too, its not big so the little space there is fills up quick. The food wasn't bad, nothing to brag about. The beer selection is quite impressive. Saw a few beers there ive never seen anywhere. Its a bit pricey, then again, everything in the city is. I will definitely go back for the beer selection alone, but i wont do it during peak hours. If you find yourself in the Rittenhouse Square section of Philadelphia, i would recommend stopping in and checking it out.

02-29-2012 18:23:10 | More by HamGlade10

jprairiedog

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$$

Beer selection was huge.
Beer list is like a small phonebook.
I had to rely on server to guide me and my brother visiting from Denver.
Server was knowledgeable and patient.

Tried first sour which was really different for an IPA drinker.
Every beer the server reccomended (based on a style request) was fresh and so very good.

Atmosphere was weak, a ratty bar basically, all the more to focus on beer and your company.

Mussels fresh and tasty, good meaty caesar salad with chicken, Fries nothing special.

Spent $70 for 6 beers and a meal for 2 (before tip)

A neat experience.

Note: park 5-6 blocks SOUTH if going during day, you can get a free spot. At night you must feed the Kiosk (fancy meter for group of spaces)or as suggested pay the $20.00 and put your car in a garage.

02-28-2012 21:46:26 | More by jprairiedog