Dock Street Brewery & Restaurant

Dock Street Brewery & RestaurantDock Street Brewery & Restaurant
Dock Street Brewery & RestaurantDock Street Brewery & Restaurant
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

701 S 50th St
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19143-1658
United States

// CLOSED //
BEER STATS
Average:
3.76
Beers:
70
Ratings:
733
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.84
Reviews:
43
Ratings:
69
pDev:
12.5%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by scoobybrew:
Photo of scoobybrew
Reviewed by scoobybrew from Indiana

3.45/5  rDev -10.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
The wife and I stopped into Dock Street on a recent trip to Philadelphia. First off - I highly recommend going here in daylight as the surrounding neighborhood would be a bit scary at night. I say this in all seriousness. While I hail from a small town now, I have grown up and lived in places like Flint and Detroit, Michigan and was still uneasy at 1-2pm in this part of town. Ok - now about the place: it appears to be located in an old fire station, but the waiter didn't really seem to know exactly. It has a bit of an eccentric feel to the place; perhaps I got this feeling from the wait staff though. The beer in the sampler that we ordered was of decent quality, but nothing really jumped out at me: good or bad. They did have a lot of varieties available though. While I can say that my experience at Dock Street was not an unpleasant one, neither the beer nor the atmosphere were good enough for me to return especially with the current location. I think the proprietors should consider the location and their target market.
Jun 23, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of eluvah
Reviewed by eluvah from New York

4/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.25 | food: 3.75
I first visited this brewery 21 years ago and didn’t realize they moved until I got there. This place is more a divey hipster joint. Beers I tried were excellent as I expected, not much of a selection though. food menu was limited but good. Definitely a good place to have a few.
Dec 02, 2021
 
Rated: 4.09 by GreenMind from Pennsylvania

Apr 01, 2017
Photo of Rifugium
Reviewed by Rifugium from North Dakota

3.48/5  rDev -9.4%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Yes, it's taken me this long to get my ass over to Dock Street Brewery. Honestly, I drove by about 8 years ago or so, and the neighborhood was so bad I just kept rolling, afraid to park my car there. But it has somewhat improved since then. Anyway, the vibe here is cool, hipsterish in a divy/grungy way. There's a good-sized bar and plenty of table space, kitchen space and pizza oven viewable just behind the bar. The beers are good...nothing really new to me, as anyone who lives in the Philly area has probably had their brews on tap somewhere at some point, or even the occasional vintage bottle popping up at a tasting. They've been in the game a long time now, and they've pretty much got their groove going. Apart from the typical American-style brews, they specialize mainly in American takes on Belgian and other European styles (think abbey ales, English ales, German lagers, etc.), sometimes diving into the realm of barrel aging. They also have a house mezcal, Vicio.

So as far as service goes, I found it pretty lacking. Took a while to get my first beer, and after that I was pretty much deserted as the bartenders goofed off. With four people behind the bar, you'd think they'd be a little more responsible, but oh well. As far as food goes, wood-oven pizza and wraps are the big menu items. I got a small pizza for myself...it was okay, not great.

So yeah, DS is worth checking out, but I don't see myself being a repeat customer. I do like their beers though, but again, with their distro, I can just go to a bar I actually like if I want to get one.
May 07, 2016
Photo of Bruce5
Reviewed by Bruce5 from Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +10.2%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.25
Great vibe, service is awesome. All of the beers I tried were good to awesome (love the rye IPA), however the selection is a little limited with just 6 choices.

The pizzas are a must!
Jan 07, 2016
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Reviewed by ctylinebeer from Pennsylvania

4.34/5  rDev +13%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 2.75 | food: 5
A pizza oven in a brewery is the best idea ever. They only have five beers on tap but it is a micro as it gets. Take the Route 34 trolley from Center City and it will put you right there. One of my favorite spots in Philly.
Nov 16, 2015
 
Rated: 3.59 by dgentile10 from New Jersey

Nov 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.54 by dsshuck from Delaware

Oct 13, 2015
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Reviewed by mvanaskie13 from Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +5.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.75
We have been many times over the past several years and made a stop today to get some pizza - because they're pizza may be more reason to visit than the beer - very delicious.

Vibe is great, with a nice location on tree filled Baltimore Ave near an open triangle along the street which makes for great outside seating. Inside is open with high ceilings and long bar perpendicular to the entrance.

Quality of the food and beer are very good. Beer selection is usually about 6 taps with a cask ale. Food selection is sandwiches, salads and pizzas. The pizza is probably our favorite in the city, nice thin flat crust with good sauce and cheese. We crave it.

Service seems to be good across the team, nothing to note or complain about.

Selection of taps is somewhat limited compared to some other brewpubs, which may limit variety.

Food is quality, but I'm basing this on our craving of their pizza. It is exceptional, starting with the crust which is thin and crisp on the bottom, sauce is flavorful and the cheese is plentiful.
Oct 11, 2015
 
Rated: 3.3 by fredmugs from Indiana

Aug 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.8 by jams1220 from New Jersey

Aug 08, 2015
 
Rated: 4.43 by JoeMans from New York

May 09, 2015
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Rated by patm185 from Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.75
Great beer and pizza joint
Mar 20, 2015
 
Rated: 3.55 by blassor from New Jersey

Mar 13, 2015
Photo of Shandycan
Reviewed by Shandycan from Pennsylvania

3.74/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
Think I hit it at an off time, early afternoon on a Friday. Place was empty and pretty quiet, until the barkeep put on some tunes. Pizza was phenomenal. Surrounding areas are a bit sketchy, but not too terrible. Probably need to come back to get a better experience of the vibe, as I'm sure it's a better experience with some more people hanging out!
Jan 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4.56 by bryanboova from Pennsylvania

Dec 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4.56 by Lambdon from Pennsylvania

Dec 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by baybum from Pennsylvania

Nov 17, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Zetcha7x from Pennsylvania

Nov 10, 2014
Photo of DoubleSimcoe
Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%
Dock Street is located in a beautiful former fire station in an area of West Philly where hipsters meet ghetto. The inside has a big kitchen with the pizza oven, a bar and a bunch of tables, but if the weather is nice you should eat outside and enjoy some people-watching in the streets of Philadelphia.

During my visit they had six house beers on tap: Berliner Weisse, Pre Prohibition APA, Amber, Rye IPA, Pimp my Rye, Pumpkin Porter. The Rye IPA and Pimp my Rye the wife and I shared were excellent.

But you're here for the pizza! And it sure is good. We got the flammenkuche (crème fraiche, bacon, gruyere), gently priced at $ 18.95 for a large pie.

Service was a little uneven on a busy, sunny weekend day, but not too bad. The one thing I don't understand is their closing at 4pm on Sunday!
Oct 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by kwa357 from Pennsylvania

Sep 06, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Navysqurl from New Jersey

Aug 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by RPH2327 from Pennsylvania

Aug 10, 2014
Photo of drtth
Reviewed by drtth from Pennsylvania

3.81/5  rDev -0.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
This is a great neighborhood type place with both food and beer in an old renovated and re-purposed fire house.

Some of the house brewed beers are worth seeking out some are fairly ordinary.

Food has been interesting and worth trying but I don't think I'd make a point of coming here for the food.

Service is usually attentive and prompt.

On the whole a reasonable destination for an evening out.
Jul 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Sellen from Connecticut

Jul 24, 2014
Photo of WillieThreebiers
Reviewed by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut

3.71/5  rDev -3.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.75
Brewpub in the early stag of gentrifying the neighborhood in an old firehouse. The place was fair busy on a nice summer day. Long straight bar opposite the entry seats about 15 with tables both inside and out on the sidewalk. Only a half dozen beers on tap, I had the Afternoon Delight which was solid. Service was spotty as they was slammed. Also had the pizza which was pretty good.
Jul 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by InspectorBob from New Jersey

Feb 26, 2014
Photo of razorsdescent
Reviewed by razorsdescent from Pennsylvania

1.98/5  rDev -48.4%
vibe: 2 | quality: 2 | service: 2 | selection: 2 | food: 1.75
Atmosphere- People packed in like cattle and hipsters abound. I am actually kinda cool with being packed in, I have eaten at some great Korean and Vietnamese places which have the ambiance of slaughterhouses, they made up for it the food, this place didn't.

Food- I cook better pizza at home in my oven, not a joke or an exaggeration. If I can do good in my shitty low rent housing oven, then these guys should be able to do great in their pizza oven. The sad truth is that they don't and apparently can't.

Beer - I have tasted numerous home brews that were better than the thin and watery substances being passed of as beer at this place. When you make your claim off of beer and call yourself a brewery, you should at least have decent beer. This stuff might have come out of a giant Mr. Beer in back, it was no joke that bad.

Overall- Philly is the best place for beer lovers on the East Coast, period! That being said there are so many places in Philly that do an amazing job, why would you waste time at this place? If it was just a hipster haven I could overlook that (like Local 44), if it just had poor food and kick-ass beer I would forgive it that, If it had poor beer at a cheap price and kick-ass food I would down delicious pizza with cheap IPA. Unfortunately, Dock Street has none of the redeeming qualities and all of the negatives.
Feb 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by hoppymcgee from Maine

Jan 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by tobelerone from New Jersey

Dec 27, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by qcbrewer from North Carolina

Nov 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by Necropsy from Maryland

Nov 08, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by sammyt728 from New Jersey

Nov 06, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by canawler from Pennsylvania

Oct 30, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by acurtis from New Jersey

Oct 27, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by jdaddy from Pennsylvania

Oct 27, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by IdrinkGas from Pennsylvania

Oct 10, 2013
Photo of Giantspace
Reviewed by Giantspace from Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +10.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.25
First time here. Had been to the original Dock Street years ago and hated it. It was a jockey lawyer crowd. My how things have changed with the re-birth at a new location.

A. Great atmosphere. We sat outside at an 8 top. Great weather and sitting out on the sidewalk offered a great feel. Some foot traffic and a lot of street goings on. I was never bothered by the noise or traffic but can see where some would be. Inside was cozy looking but a bit warm on this night.

Q. Great beer and food. Local ingredients used in the food and beer.

S. Great. Seated on arrival. Our server was there when needed but left us alone. He did not try to bond with us like some servers do. Always seemed to appear when we needed more beer. I brought a few growlers to fill and the bar tender was great as well. Great full fills that did not foam all over. Everyone working here seemed to really enjoy their jobs and making the experience good.

S. 6 beers on tap, six packs, growlers and select 750's to go. Lots of pizzas, wood oven as well as salads and other foods. I came to at pizza so did not look at the full menu to close.Beer was served in pitchers and tulips were the glass we used to drink from. Beers were, Bubble wit, Caliente( golden Belgian ale brewed with hot peppers, Man full of trouble porter, Rye IPA( seems like the house beer, very good, an Irish red and one more.

F. Very good. Everyone had a great meal. Pizza was mello yello( mustard and mushrooms) worked very well together. and Sicilian( capers, olives , walnuts, and more) Fish and chips was very good. A small was big enough for one and maybe two if ordered with salad.

V. Great value, $8-10 pizza, $15 growlers to go, 8 of us ate and drank for $30 a head including a 20% plus tip. We had many pitchers and a few single serving beers. Any time I can stuff my face with great food and drink lots of great beer for $30 I am happy.

Neighborhood can be sketchy at times but this is a great place. Many kids were here and families. I plan on returning.
Sep 10, 2013
Photo of stakem
Reviewed by stakem from Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
Visited at opening time (noon) on Saturday. Having never visited the place but made aware of the styles produced had me curious. The place is decently sized. Room for about a dozen or so across the bar and tables fill the void with plenty of seating. A large chalk board displays the tap list as well as a couple paper menus floating around.

A large wood fired oven drew my attention which made the choice of ordering pizza a no brainer. The pizza was banging, I would return again just for that. There was 6 drafts on. Rye IPA, another IPA, a barleywine, RIS, belgian strong and a porter. Bottles for take out sat on a ledge behind the bar sadly in direct fire of the sunlight coming in from the windows. The brewhouse is visible in that same area.

The presence of the brewhouse and possibly open windows allowed for there to be an unacceptable amount of large fruit flies attacking my food and beer. Unfortunately, that was not the biggest gripe of the experience. At one point I had to walk outside for fresh air because they had a propane leak that made the entire place stink. The wait staff stood around and didnt acknowledge something was wrong until I said something. The resolution was "oh is that what that smell is?"

The wait staff was attentive but they had to be since we were the only patrons and were seated at the bar right infront of them. When it came time for the check, I was agitated that they were seemingly playing me for a tip. The reason for my trip was to secure bottles for my friends. The website clearly states there is a discount when buying by the case. Heres a tip, dont play me for a fool and pretend like you are doing me a special favor by giving me a couple dollar discount. Despite the negative aspects of this trip, id still go back for the pizza if they had a really intriguing bottle release.
Dec 05, 2012
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Reviewed by bonkers from New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev -1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
The last time I was at dock street they were in a center city location about 10 years ago.

I drove up to see if they had any bottles left from a recent release, fortunately they did. Rhw neighborhood is good where the bar is, but driving up I did get a bit concerned. The building is an old firehouse, it looks pretty cool from the outside. The inside did not really do it for me. The bar is big and nondiscript, nothing real catchy on the walls. Behind the bar they have a brick pizza oven, which is actually pretty cool.
I got there about 3:30 on a Wed and the place was dead. They have 6 beers on tap, so I ordered the sampler. I enjoyed all of them. I did order a pint of the kolch afterward with some fries. The beer was reasonably priced, the bartender was friendly and the menu looked pretty good. I will have to hit up Dock Street again in the future.
Nov 24, 2011
Dock Street Brewery & Restaurant in Philadelphia, PA
Brewery rating: 3.76 out of 5 with 733 ratings