Racer's Cafe

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5

Wow! What a diamond in the rough! I drove by this place several times on several occassions and never found it. But maybe that's good... it's so small that it may need to be on an "insider only" basis. From the outside it looks like an old, deserted storefront. There are no signs other than a neon in the window... and that's usually not on. Once inside it's not much nicer. In fact, it's pretty much a dive. It's an old place with a drop ceiling, retro chrome bar stolls, institutional green walls and a black & white checkered linoleum floor. Checkered curtains round out the theme, and a handful of televisions lend to it's "sports bar" atmosphere. But no-one's here for the sports! They're here for the 16 taps that constantly pour excellent craft brews!!! They're all good choices (except for Miller Lite) and during happy hour you can get three mugs of beer (12 oz) for $5! There's a line of tap handles displayed along the ceiling and a few retro video games and a Golden Tee Golf machine, but for more entertainment check out the package store that's right next door. They have a good selection of six-packs and singles, as well as wine, liquor and snacks - I've never left empty handed!!! Apart from the bar (which starts to fill up at around 4 pm during the week) there are two "islands" where you can perch your drink, or 4 four-top tables along the wall. But wherever you sit (or stand) be prepared to talk with some friendly local-yocal's as this is still very much a neighborhood bar. And that's it's real charm. Any place can put in even 50 or 60 taps, but if it's not a fun place to hang out in, it's just not worth going.

12-21-2003 08:19:01 | More by NeroFiddled

farHillsBrewer

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev +8.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

My favorite beer place without a doubt from 1990 to 2000. Sixteen taps with rotating selection bringing you the best of the US and the world. Draft beer and bottled Belgians only, (although a well stocked package store is connected). Great events: The Annual Christmas Beer Judging, Real Ale Challenge, Christmas in July along with a friendly staff. Free peanuts and pretzels, and a bonus on Sundays, usually some decent hot dogs, but sometimes free oysters. Three-fers are now $5, up from $3. There's always something new on tap. Seven TV's in the main room, plus a back room and an outdoor beer garden. One tap is reserved for a "lite" beverage, "for senior citizens", but otherwise there's no trace of weak watery lager in the tap room. A real gem.

Racers has slipped somewhat over the past few years.
No more Christmas Beer Judging.
No peanuts last time I went in.
Two-fers instead of Three-fers.
Selection is still worth the visit anytime.

10-13-2003 03:21:55 | More by farHillsBrewer