The popular West Philly dive bar, The Bar(n), located in Cedar Park (49th and Catharine), needs help after a devastating fire that early Monday morning, Sept. 25. While the Bar(n)’s management are hoping that they will rebuild the space, which sustained heavy damage, they have launched a fundraising campaign to help support their staff while the bar remains closed.

“In this challenging time, I turn to you, our cherished patrons and friends, who have enjoyed countless moments at The Bar(n), to ask for your support,” The Bar(n) General Manager, Chris White, posted on the fundraising campaign page. “We have initiated a donation campaign to help our dedicated staff members during this difficult period. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference in their lives.”

The current goal of the campaign is to raise $10,000 which will be evenly distributed among the staff members. Over $4,000 have already been raised as of today.

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The long-anticipated opening of the new brewery and winery in the red-brick firehouse building, former Dock Street West location at 50th and Baltimore, is happening on Saturday.

Carbon Copy will open on Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. The menu includes craft beer and wine, pizza and vegetable-focused snacks prepared in the wood-fired oven, well-known to old Dock Street customers.

The new restaurant is owned and run by beer and wine making specialists with a 20-year experience in food service, Brendon Boudwin and Kyle Wolak. The newly renovated space has a brighter, “more inviting” design with a goal of creating a “relaxing neighborhood restaurant and bar for locals.” Continue Reading

Bernie’s Restaurant and Bar is opening this fall at 3432 Sansom St.

Good news for this University City storefront that has remained vacant since Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House closed in July 2016. Come this fall, Bernie’s Restaurant and Bar, a casual dining restaurant, will open its doors at 3432 Sansom Street. Penn’s Division of Facilities & Real Estate Services, which has signed the lease for the Sansom Street space with the restaurant owners, announced the upcoming opening earlier this week.

This will be the third Pennsylvania location for the restaurant known as a “full-service independent American-style restaurant and bar serving quality food and drinks in a cozy neighborhood setting,” according to the announcement. Bernie’s currently operates two locations in southeastern PA: Glenside and Hatboro, and its owner, Eric Kretschman, is both a Drexel and Penn alum.  Continue Reading

Aksum is among the finer dining options on Baltimore Ave, it’s actually one of my favorites to take out-of-towners to when they come to visit. Owner Saba Tedla has held her restaurant to a high standard, plans to continue with her new restaurant, Booker’s Restaurant and Bar. The new 2,400-square-foot space opened last month just a few blocks away – on the 5000 block of Baltimore.

Don’t expect the same menu as Aksum. Booker’s will offer a more expanded and New American-inspired menu thanks to chef Michael Thomas, who worked previously at Bar Ferdinand in Northern Liberties, Lolita in the Gayborhood, Kraftwork in Fishtown, and Honey’s Sit-and-Eat on South Street among other spots.

Booker’s menu will offer small items such as fried smelt and local mushrooms, large items such as the vegan terrine and pan-seared trout as well as dessert items such as dolce de leche breaded croquettes. This restaurant will also have a bar with a focus on bourbon mixed cocktails and will also feature a wine selection. There are no plans of offering a wide selection of beer options. Tedla describes the menu as “Old classic dishes that are converted to a modern American style.”  Continue Reading

The sidewalk along 49th Street where the Bar(n) hopes to put outdoor seating (photo by West Philly Local).

Residents mostly supported a proposal for outdoor seating at the Bar(n) at 49th and Catharine Streets during a sometimes heated Wednesday evening meeting of the Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN) zoning committee.

About 30 people were on hand to hear the Bar(n)’s manager, Tim Blair, describe a plan that would enclose a portion of the sidewalk along 49th Street with planters to create an outdoor seating area that seats about 30 at five or six tables. The area would only be accessible from inside the bar, would be geared mostly toward food service and would close by 10 p.m. nightly.

“More of a place for someone to sit down and have a nice meal,” he said. “It’s not a party spot.”

Wednesday’s meeting will help determine whether the Bar(n)’s application to the city is approved.  Continue Reading

The Bar(n) is proposing to set up outdoor seating along the 49th Street sidewalk, shown here (Photo by West Philly Local)

Residents are invited tonight to a community meeting, which will discuss outdoor seating for The Bar(n), a bar at 4901 Catharine St.

The meeting will take place at the Calvary Center at 48th and Baltimore (Baltimore side entrance), beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Bar(n) owner is requesting a permit for outdoor seating along the 49th Street sidewalk. At the meeting, you can meet the manager of the bar, see the seating plan and learn about their hours of outdoor service. The meeting is an opportunity to voice your opinion on this issue.

The Bar(n) opened in January 2015 in the former Third World Lounge space at the corner of 49th and Catharine. The bar reopened with a new concept thanks to a partnership among the restaurateurs who are also running Rx The Farmacy at 45th and Spruce and the building owner Noel Karasanyi.