West Philadelphia has its share of great eateries and pubs. Snug at the top of Spruce Hill is one of the finest: Local 44. This place has been a bar forever, as local folklore has it. Some of the customers now, tell me of the dive bar it used to be, back in the day. There is something intangible to the spirit of a place that has a long history of being a bar. A certain flavor and ambiance that you just can’t build, it has to be earned, by night after night of good times that seep into the walls and into the bar. This place has it. The moment you walk in, you feel the comfort of old stained wood, original copper ceilings, and the warming smell of good beer and stick-to-your-ribs pub grub. And, although it is a local, strangers are welcomed if you are open minded and have come to eat, drink, and be merry. Fools are not suffered here.
The bar seats twenty or so, and they have high top tables for bar seating as well; the full menu is available in the bar. The new zinc bar top covers an old wooden bar (which I still haven’t forgiven them for) adding a new modern dimension and is growing on me. On the opposite side is the restaurant seating area, and as they put it on the menu, “the dining room is for, well, dining. We ask that if ‘just drinks’ are your bag, kindly make room for diners.” I love this, and I have never seen a place say this better. Little places like this need the turn-over of tables in order to pay the light bill, the staff, the rent, etc. It is great that they are clear about this; and nice to see people understand and comply.
The beer is fresh and constantly changing due to the steady and high demand. They have all the beer bases covered with everything from pale ales to stouts and plenty in between including but not exclusively: lambics, wiesse beers, tripels, and my favorite yummy kolsch beers. They have 20 beers on draft and a full bar to appease all. Believe me, you’ll find something you will love. Allie is there behind the bar during the day with Murphy, Cas, and Nate to cover the nights and help you out. Good bartenders all of ‘em, and they know their stuff.
Local beers are the focus of the happy hour that is from 5-7pm Monday through Friday. All local beers cost $3.30, so you can get a great deal on your favorites and a good buzz on before dinner. However, you won’t need hunger to make this food taste good. The menu has a bit for everyone with Bangers and Mash to Buffalo Tofu Hoagie, so you don’t have to leave your vegetarian or vegan friends at home. Bring them along; there are 7 vegan items on the menu without having to monkey around and pull stuff off the plates to do this, making about half of the entire menu vegetarian friendly. It is about time some place accommodated, and 44 gets it right.
The recent menu change improved on what was already a great menu. The price range is will shock and delight you. Starting with their homemade, hand cut potato chips and horseradish dip for $4 (finger lickin’ snacking goodness) and on up to their Seared Belvedere Strip Steak with potato roesti and molasses brown ale steak sauce for $15. Well worth every penny, the grub will fill you up and satisfy. It’s hard to say which item is the “don’t miss” item. Should it be the foot long all beef hot dog with bacon marmalade served with hand cut French fries $8, the pulled pork sandwich with roasted garlic mustard $9, or the beer-battered fish and chips $12? Don’t forget all the vegan and veggie options. www.local44beerbar.com Local is the west Philly flavor; local ingredients are a focus on the pub grub menu; local beers are for happy hour; and local are the people frequenting Local 44. It’s all in the name.
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