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- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 am
Sat-Sun 10:30 am - 2 am
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Robert W. said: "I'm not from around here, but everyone's still pretty cool when I come in here with my brother and roommate. Cheap drinks and a good selection. Love me some Hoegarden!" read more »
143 reviews for The Plough & The Stars
Review Highlights
"My wife and I enjoyed a Sunday brunch here."
(in 5 reviews)
"good beer selection (try the ommegang hennepin."
(in 6 reviews)
"...to see boys actually dancing- great place to people-watch."
(in 5 reviews)
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143 reviews in English
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Review from J S.
Manasquan, NJ
9/11/2011
I came here on a Saturday night around 12. I'm usually not a fan of Philly, but I loved this place!
Apparently, it used to be a bank and it's really cool outside. Two rum and cokes....$13. They were okay, but I prefer a bartender with a heavy hand. But I did get a drink quickly. The crowd is pretty good, a quality mix of girls and dudes. Downstairs is more chill, and we ventured upstairs, but the temperature was 20 degrees higher up there. The music was pretty awesome, I agree with the post below about elbows...I almost lost my drink. Attire? Some people were wearing jeans, some were wearing dresses, so either goes! The bouncers were cool too. Oh also, no cover!
I'd say it's a good place to check out if you're in Philly -
Review from Elizabeth P.
Philadelphia, PA
2/15/2012
This place is a safe place to fall back on but don't expect to have the time of your life -- unless you plan on getting trashed then I guess it doesn't really matter.
You can expect the average shabang. Top 40s, average-priced drinks, packed house.
HOWEVER, I am less than impressed for the following reasons:
1) their DJ plays top 40s but a lot of times, the songs he puts together are repeats. There are a few songs that the DJ seem to love to play over... and over.. and over..(e.g., Journey.......)
2) people like to come here to get trashed or something because the staff always has to come to the middle of the dance floor at some point in the night and clean up some kind of mess (broken glass, wet floor, etc)
3) sometimes it gets SO packed that you have no place to move (which can be good and bad because it shows the place gets business) -
Review from Brian M.
North Wales, PA
1/20/2012
I really want to like this place, but I just can't.
My friends really like this place so I have been there a few times, always on Friday or Saturday night and my typical experience here goes something like this... I walk in and it is instantly about 30 degrees warmer than it was outside and I cannot even move. Luckily they have a girl who sells beers right at the door when you walk in pretty much so you can get a drink quickly, unfortunately that Bud Light you're about to buy will be 6-7 dollars. After fighting through a crowd of drunk dancing people I usually make my way upstairs so that I can actually have a foot of space between me and the person next to me. I'll try to talk to my friends but it's one of those places where you have to scream at the top of your lungs for the person next to you to even hear what you're saying. After a few drinks I'll feel the slight need to pee which means I should probably get moving to go to the bathroom, because it's gonna take me probably 5-10 minutes to fight through the crowd just to reach the end of the line. After another 5-10 minute wait I will finally be ready to fight my way back to the bar for another drink upstairs.
I usually spend the rest of my time there people watching over the balcony. I may hate this place but I will say it is the best place to people watch. I have seen people slip and fall on the dance floor, some triple kisses, I even once saw a bachelorette being "serviced" by some dudes hand, so that is at least entertaining.
If you like hot, loud places where you're shoulder to shoulder with people no matter where you are in the bar then this is right up you're alley. Otherwise I would definitely pass this place up. -
Review from Sarah B.
1/14/2012
I didn't been realize that this place was a night time hangout. Damn, I'm uncool. Anyway, on a Saturday afternoon, it's all families. I love the big fireplace and I love eating lunch with a bunch of parents that prefer a pint with their meal. I can respect that.
I'm a sucker for chicken curry and fries, so I approved of my meal, but everything else about the place was sort of blah. Reading other reviews and recognizing that its more of a drinking the night away place, it all sort of makes sense, but I feel like there are so many places close by with better drinks and tasty food, I don't really get why you choose this one.
Maybe it's the crowd, which can make all the difference. For now, I'll give this place a solid 'ok' and wait for the magic to happen. -
Review from Lindsey S.
Philadelphia, PA
2/18/2012
I've started coming here last year, and have made my visits more frequent in the recent months. This place has everything.. good food, good drinks, and great conversation. The Guinness is one of the best pours (if not THE best) in the city and the food has always been on point. Try the lamb if you're in for dinner or the burger if you just want a quick bite. The staff is the real reason why I keep coming back though.. they're always so nice and accommodating and have no problems with talking to you and sharing their stories. I know Old City isn't a place people like to go to anymore, but this place makes the trip worth it.
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Review from Phil W.
Philadelphia, PA
2/11/2012
I love the atmosphere of this place (the fireplace is awesome) - and the food is not bad. I have been several times over the last couple of months (for dinner or Sunday brunch, not when it's packed on a Saturday night) but no one ever seems to acknowledge that fact. A "nice to see you again" would go a long way.
In fact, the staff seems incredibly aloof and terribly uninterested. -
Review from Win M.
Haddonfield, NJ
1/8/2012
Honestly this is one of the few bars that I've ever wished that they did not let me into. It is often overcrowded beyond belief on the weekends to the point that it isn't even remotely fun to be at. your stuck drinking bottled beer, trying to not get run over by the mass of humanity that is trying to get in out, use the bar, and go to the bathroom. so if you get a cocktail or draft you will spill it. I had no need to go there, they didn't need me either, so I wish they had decided that they were at capacity and told me to go elsewhere.
Other than that, when it isn't crowded its fine and reasonably priced, it isn't anything you haven't seen at a bar before, but its reasonable to good quality especially if you consider the neighborhood. -
Review from Kelly P.
12/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
for a while there, i was a repeat offender at plough. the bar part, anyway. it was a go-to place for me and my friends to dance and drink until they kicked us out at 2am. nowadays, the place isn't my scene*, but i enjoy the random sundays with live irish music.
*drunkenly giving my number to the hot barback maaaaay have led to my sudden absence those years ago. awkward**.
**dont act like you've never done something like that. -
Review from Jenna F.
9/2/2011
**This review is for the nightlife only.
I've been here twice - once while very drunk, and the other time - well I learned quickly that I wasn't drunk enough. I had two very different experiences -
1. While very drunk, I didn't mind the music from the mid to late 90s, which reminded of my middle school days. I also didn't mind that the DJ continued to repeat these songs over and over again throughout the night. I also didn't mind that my friends and I were harassed and grinded on by an obnoxious group of friends at a bachelor party. Or that the drinks were expensive. Or that it was packed, wall-to-wall with sweaty bodies. At least there was no cover!
2. While not drunk enough - I thought to myself, how did I have such a good time here last time? Isn't this song from when I was in 6th grade? Didn't the DJ just play it 5 songs ago? It was hot, sweaty, the crowd was obnoxious, the bar was crowded, the drinks were overpriced...
My advice - come here when you are already three-sheets deep and ready to end the night with some dancing, otherwise you might leave feeling annoyed, like you wasted a perfectly good night. -
Review from Tiffany F.
Manhattan, NY
9/5/2011
I always love paying $30 for a bottle of wine that I can buy down the street for $10...
But that's the price you pay to sit outside and have your drinks served for you...er...wait a minute. Our waitress was cute, but seemed sort of overwhelmed and actually asked us if we could pay our bill so she could close out and go out with her friends.
Hmm..if it weren't for the central locale of this place, I swear. -
Review from David B.
6/12/2011
If you like to have fun then this is your spot.
Is it packed? Yes, but I suppose that's part of the appeal. Great variety of music (as others have pointed out Top 40, 80's and 90's hits), good drinks and attentive servers.
Just watch out for the 'bows on the dance floor. You may end up losing your drink. -
Review from C K.
Philadelphia, PA
11/8/2011
**review for nightlife only**
Great place to go in olde city when you have friends in town and they want to go out to the city on a weekend. Love the music there, and have been there quite a few times on a weeknight and always had a good time. It is pretty difficult to get to the bar and get drinks, though, since it's always crowded in there. -
Review from Samantha M.
Fort Collins, CO
1/1/2012
This review reflects the experience that I had, but I have heard better. I went with my friend, on a friday night before New Year's eve, and we were really hoping for some dancing. She had had a great time there before. Sadly, no one was dancing so we left. I would go back though on a Saturday night and see what the deal is.
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Review from Holly C.
10/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
In comparison to the other bars in Olde City around that area, it's a nicer looking bar. The bartenders were nice, and drinks were cheap, but just a few dollars more than the other bars ($17 for 3 vodka tonics/seltzers). It's pretty big, and it's never been packed the times I have gone. Then again, I usually go earlier in the evening. The crowd is a little better than some of the other places.
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Review from Natalie D.
Philadelphia, PA
12/13/2010
Do you want to be groped, squeezed, creeped & gyrated on, all while being in a human sardine tin of nerds & wannabe Tony Sopranos? This is your place!
Dear Jesus. Never again!
I've been here several times, and each time I remember why I wanted to stab myself the time before. It is insanely packed beyond belief with all sorts of gross middle-aged/old men looking to cop a feel and hippies who haven't bathed in a week calling you vain because you care how you look. Forget getting a drink! It's what I imagine the sinking of the Titanic would've been like if you were a 3rd class passenger - a crush of sweaty, frantic bodies, only this time with some tired pop music!
Forget dancing, hearing anything, or drinking. Even getting to the bathroom is a 10 minute project when it should be a quick dash, so hopefully you can hold it!
They let absolutely everyone in, and I don't mean that to be snide. I mean that if a fire broke out, there would be an atrocious number of deaths. It's so bad that it spills out onto the sidewalk! The fire marshall would be none too pleased.
It might be the "trendy" thing to say you're there, but trust me, as much as I like the finer things in life, this is not one of them. Give me the frat party that is Mad River any day. At least there I can get a drink, dance, pee, and be unwillingly and unwantingly groped by men closer to my age. -
Review from Sarah B.
5/10/2011
I've only ended a few nights at Plough, so I have no idea how it is for the beginning/middle of nightlife.
The end of the night. Is. Awesome.
That being said, I'm usually feeling pretty good by the time I get to Plough. One of my friends or I stumble to the bar, order a round, then head to the teensy dance floor to shake it to Top40s and - wait for it - 90's HITS. The inner "Woo Girl" comes out and I find myself singing along to *N'Sync, Britney Spears (before she went all cray-cray then made her comeback), and the Backstreet Boys. I have no shame.
Excellent way to end the night, every time I've been. WOO!Listed in: Watering Holes
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Review from Taylor M.
Jenkintown, PA
10/23/2011
Sat upstairs for a quick bite. Great beer selection and much different ambience there early in the evening instead of the late night crowds (,I like both). Food was decent And the service was great. We had Definitely had a relaxing meal before hitting up the town. Worth trying for dinner definitely worth hitting up for drinking.
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Review from Autumn E.
1/10/2011
So, I stopped in here twice on Saturday late night. Once was to take a group potty break, and in the bathroom I heard girls raving about how the crowd seems really cool and all.
Then we came back, and I realized 2 things: the layout is awesome, and so is the music. It was too easy to find the bathroom. TOO EASY. Then, there's a balcony upstairs. HERE IS WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT THAT: Finding your freaking friends. We've all been there, and this helps you get out of that lost-in-kmart feeling. It's not huge, there aren't too many places to look. I love it.
Music? You know that there are some throwbacks your gym teacher played at homecoming that you all said were so stupid but secretly you knew all the words and had to try really hard not to sing along. Well, this place does it better, and everyone sings along. These hip college folk in old city sang the following lineup: Hit Me Baby One More Time, Larger than Life, I want it that way, and.... ready for it.... MMBop. By Hanson. The rest of the night was all that usually new stuff but for half an hour there, it was the most amusing sight I've ever witnessed. It was definitely dorky and lame, but I think the crowd makes it worthwhile and charming.
Now, the servers... all wear these black minidresses that seem to only be permitted one or fewer sleeves... and they tuck your credit card into their bras. Tell me that's not sexy (as long as you're not a germaphobe.)
Drink specials are good, and when you walk in there's a bucket girl with the special. When we arrived it was Blue Moon 22oz for $8, later $2 Corona regulars.Listed in: To go with drunken italian…
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Review from Hoan-My H.
Austin, TX
5/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place never lets me down. DJ plays really fun music (hip hop, mainstream, oldies, 90's!!) and though it wouldn't exactly be considered a club, people are still having a good time getting their groove on. Yes, it gets jam packed, but everyone seems to be happy so might as well strike up a conversation with that person awkwardly attached to your @ss. Good environment to hang out with friends, bring out of town guests, and mingle for you singles!
PS: St. Patty's Day here is a BLAST! -
Review from Steve P.
Conshohocken, PA
3/4/2011
Recently revisited this place after a few years...only problem is, I get older but the girls that come to the Plough in the Stars stay the same age, and (get more rude and snooty). I may be being a little unfair, but based on the numerous women who think every guy goes out to grope them, I leaning toward "being fair". I'm wondering if any of these same girl thought we groped them when they shoved up their way in between us at the bar to order car bombs, or basically scooted their way into the area of the bar we had been at for two hours without even a "mind if I put my coat on your chair"....but I digress.....
Nice interior, but feels smallish as it can get packed (went on a Thursday). Drinks seemed about normal for old city. Service was solid including the two really pretty cocktail servers that helped us. Irish guy that worked the door was really cool.
Not saying I wouldn't go back, but due to the immature crowd it would be more to grope 22 year olds than to chill out over a few beers and catch up with my married friends...
"The hand wants what it wants....." -
Review from Denise H.
Philadelphia, PA
5/4/2011
This place is too small for the location and can get packed - wouldn't recommend on weekends at night - the crowd can get rowdy and like I said, it's too small for the revelry. Happy hour is also, ear-to-ear, elbow-to-elbow. When it's cold, whenever someone opens the door, it's like a wind tunnel that you can feel throughout the place. You gotta go through the waitstaff station to get to the bathrooms. Inconvenient.
On another note, I do enjoy this place during the day - it's cozy, friendly, and you can sip your Guinness by the fireplace with friends (they'll pour the best Guinness in the city). On Sundays, I think, they have live Irish jam sessions. It's especially nice at Christmas-time when they have a huge organic tree that towers to the second floor. I have only had some pub grub here - munchies that sufficed. It's far more casual for Olde City and I can say I have had some great times here. -
Review from Ben H.
9/17/2011
I was feeling cold and needed soup.. this place had decent ones... the sangria was not bad and they played irish music. it great
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Review from Rodge B.
Wilmington, DE
1/23/2011
My favorite bar in Old City mainly because of the attentive and great looking dance floor waitresses who always manage to keep up with our large beer orders.
The bathroom situation leaves a lot to be desired, and the DJ can go from awful to brilliant in back to back songs. The midget stools can also take a hike as well.
If you don't like crowds, don't come here.
And if you're lucky, you'll see beaver on the balcony. -
Review from Dave H.
9/1/2010 8 photos
This Old City restaurant and bar is solid. It has two levels, with plenty of room to drink, eat, and be merry. Weekends the place is packed full of folks drinking and dancing. The times I've been in, the DJ has been a bit random, but the crowd is always enthusiastic.
Friends and I have also been here for dinner. The upper level offers some privacy, and the decor is elegant - for an Irish bar, especially. Portions could be bigger, but the food was tasty: Try their grilled marinated pork tenderloin. It's heavenly tender, served with potatoes gratin and a cranberry black currant port wine and grape sauce. And the Irish butter is outstanding.
Thanks to Stefany and others for friendly, efficient service! -
Review from Vichet O.
12/22/2010
Plough, oh Plough. Your patrons are attractive, but inaccessible. You're too crowded for me. The music is always bordering between alright and danceable. And the shouting. It's one thing to have to speak loudly in a club. It's another thing if I'm drinking milk all day the next day to aid my vocal cords in their recovery.
On the plus side, your drinks are alright, and I appreciate your bottle list. And the snobbiness I've experienced from your other patrons is not a direct commentary on you. I just wish a slightly different crowd was attracted to you. That, or once again I'm not nearly as cool as I thought I was.
You get the A-OK rating because you are actually a wonderful place to day-drink on a warm summer Saturday - that was how I should have been introduced to you first, and I never should have needed to experience your dark side.
Pro-tip: If you're me, or anything like me, don't go here for a night out dancing.Listed in: The whitest places u kno
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Review from Mansi A.
3/10/2011
"Meh" explains it all. I'm not quite sure why we chose this place for a post-work get-together, but it wasn't the brightest idea. While the actual building and architecture of the place was pretty cool, as was the 2nd floor location that we had booked, the food was terrible.
I had a house salad, the vegetarian pesto tortellini with goat cheese, and a really terrible brownie with a semi-decent creme brulee for dessert. Skip it, Philly has so much more to offer. -
Review from Jenna S.
Chicago, IL
8/3/2010
This wasn't the best restaurant ever, but not the worst. We walked by on our way to Market St. and decided to stop in for dinner.
Kind of loud, but large enough that a lot of people can fit comfortably. The food was pretty good (I got the chicken dinner special) and reasonably priced. Good bread at the start of the meal (you get a choice) and the soda bread was homemade and worth trying.
OK prices and somewhat slow service. We never decided to come back here just because the entire experience was OK. I'd recommend it more for a late night bar since it seemed to be pretty packed after 11 p.m.Listed in: The City of Brotherly Love
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Review from Chelsea P.
Aston, PA
8/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of my go-to olde city faves! Not too low key, but not too pretentious. Perfect.
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Review from Di P.
10/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
3 and 1/2 stars but per usual I always round up on everything including my bra cup size.
Haters hate on this place big time because a) yes there's usually a line to get in and b) place is jammed on your typical Friday and Saturday nights. But a) I always get my sing and dance on in here and b) inevitably being a single girl I usually find a handsome guy to bat eyelashes at and practice flirting with. If the floor wasn't so sticky from the impressive amount of times people drop their Miller Lites I could maybe even do my MJ dance moves.
To me, this is one of the top 5 bars that rep Old City. Since I'm settling in on the later part of my 20s I usually start somewhere sensible like Triumph but inevitably end the night here jumping up and down to Drop Kick Murphy's and spilling beer all over the kids in the tight outfits and high heels. Like I said: Haters hate.Listed in: Come walk a weekend in my…
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Review from Joel B.
Brigantine, NJ
8/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Viatcheslav can make one hell of a Vodka on the rocks!
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Review from Christian L.
Philadelphia, PA
3/6/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I stopped in here and though it was pretty good atmosphere. Wasn't bothered to much had a drink a bit expensive but whats to expect in ol' city.
Worth Checking out. -
Review from Tom W.
Hanover, PA
3/14/2011
My wife and I enjoyed a Sunday brunch here. She ordered the Omelette du Jour and I had the Salmon Tapas. All was great, no complaints.
I would be interested to see someone sitting at the tiny tables. Maybe next time. -
Review from Joel G.
8/7/2011
We stumbled across this place looking for some food. The atmosphere was cool and the waiter was friendly. The food was alright. Nothing special here. I'd probably pass next time around and it's also a little pricey for the food quality.
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Review from Erin W.
9/14/2010
Ended up here on an impromptu double-date late one night. The upstairs was closed already, so we were left having to eat from the small bar menu downstairs.
And it was disgusting.
There were GIZZARDS in the chicken curry. Maybe that is normal, but a little disclaimer would have been appreciated. My friend got fish & chips, which was wholly unimpressive for $12. The only redeeming quality to the meal, aside from the company, was that they served Lindemann's Lambic in an assortment of flavors.
At the end, the boys split the bill on their cards, and my friend's boyfriend gave us a few bucks to cover the difference in our tabs. The waitress, who up to this point had been flaky at best, became the most attentive she'd been all evening and appeared at our table seemingly out of no where to gather the check. She started to pick up the cash my friend's boyfriend had handed to us, asking, "Is this for me?" I was so confused I ended up giving her a harsher "no" than I intended.
Thumbs down. -
Review from Pete J.
12/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
When I was younger I was taught, "Praise in public, criticize in private". Of course with the birth of Yelp and Yelp-esque websites, that is all out the window - there is no modesty in the internet.
However, as far as naming names, I like to take the old fashioned approach. If you are a fantastic server/bartender/host I WILL name you. If you suck I won't, but you know who you are and hopefully management will work out who you are.
In this case HOLLY the cocktail server was fantastic! Girly and I came in on a Friday night and the place was packed. We made friends with a couple who looked liked they might be close to giving up their table and our investment paid off as they did up and leave shortly thereafter. Soon there was not any room to stand, never mind sit (and we got lots of envious looks from the standing crowd - hey make your own friends! But here was Holly and she was the only cocktail server working.
We never wanted for a drink, and the food came fast. She worked the room like a pro and had the time to engage. Kudos to you. -
Review from Melissa R.
Philadelphia, PA
7/16/2010
I haven't been to this place in 5 years. Why, you ask? Because I am OLD. Over 30 is apparently elderly at Plough, and I felt out of place among the inebriated youngins'.
So although it is no longer my scene, I spent many a college and young adult weekend nights here, and it seems the place has not changed in the last 10 yrs. They always play good music, so no matter what decade you were born in, if you are just drunk enough, it'll be a good time. -
Review from Sarah K.
12/13/2010
I went to P&TS Saturday for pops with my buds. I hadn't been and about in the city for well over a year thanks to the life-style change that goes with the addition of a little baby.
It was a good time. The bar tender (our Scottish friend) was engaging but not annoyingly so and I was pleased with the beer selection. I only have been drinking stouts (who knows why) since the birth of the wee one and they had SEVERAL 22ozers to choose from.
Although the place was crowded we were able to secure a seat at the bar by arriving at 8pm.
P&TS is one of those places in OC where people who don't go to the city often might end up (read, no hipsters.) The bar selection is trendy (and priced so) as are the people who are shopping for husbands/wives/one night stands/a night out from the 'burbs.
It was fun. I'd go back. -
Review from Jack J.
Huntington Beach, CA
8/15/2011
Lots of people dancing at night!
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Review from Tara C.
Clementon, NJ
6/30/2010
A bit pricey, but this place is really versatile. One night it's a hip Barack Obama inauguration celebration and three days later it's got some famous names in the Irish traditional music world just chilling at the bar. Since I have a foot in both of these worlds (and write about them both), I really appreciate a restaurant with the same eclectic eccentricities.
The menu is refreshingly traditional and to be honest...I prefer going here alone in the morning or afternoon when I'm out on assignment. It's my favorite alone restaurant in the city, really, and a good place to sit down and go over notes. I always meet interesting people here and you'd be surprised at how many semi-famous individuals have passed through. Keep your eyes open if you know some Irish faces. -
Review from May T.
Philadelphia, PA
10/13/2010
Perhaps I should come here when the clock isn't striking 12 midnight and there isn't a line that's damn near touching Chestnut St. Yes, I think I'll do that next time.
In any case, I've heard fantastic things about this place, therefore I waited in line with a group of friends to get in. Though the wait wasn't terribly long, I don't usually do lines and I didn't quite enjoy throwing my elbows up to get through the crowd once I got in.
It was more or less a struggle to get to the 2nd level, the music was tragically soft and the temps were too warm to be comfortable and overall, I just wasn't feeling the atmosphere.
I didn't get a chance to check out the drinks specials or prices before calling it quits so you know what that means! Round 2, here I come!
But on a humorous note though, a couple of my friends got in a few minutes after me sans waiting in line by stating to the bouncers they were "on the list". What list? The world may never know.
