Right in the heart of Phoenixville sits another one of the Scene’s more historical beer drinking destinations. Today, The Pickering Creek Inn, once known as the Mansion House, is a casual bar & restaurant serving up great beers, local music, and a few ghost stories.
The Mansion House was one of the oldest hotels in Phoenixville offering accommodations for about 25 guests. It featured a restaurant and bar on the first floor serving up a fine wine list and liquor list as well as cigars. It has even been said that Abraham Lincoln once dined there and it was a destination that slaves escaping the south often frequented as part of the Underground Railroad.

Enjoy great food and even better beer at this Old City spot.

You know your mom always told you not to judge a book by its cover? Well, sometimes, maybe you should listen to her. Having a reputation for being a slummy, very-indie music venue/bar, the Khyber is one of those places that deserves a deeper look. Get beyond the old, grungy appearance and walk in on a weekday afternoon for lunch. You’ll have a completely different experience than you would expect; one with a great draft beer selection and a top-notch kitchen.

Enjoyable dining and Great American Beer Fest winning beer.

As it turned out, I decided to have a quick dinner at the McKenzie Brew House in Malvern on Karaoke Night. I could have known if I had just checked their website before I left - there is a calendar of nightly events or music posted there. There are actually two McKenzie locations with the other being in Chadds Ford, Delaware County. As I ordered my Charlie’s Bitter, a sweet tasting ale from their seasonal and limited brew selections menu, my girlfriend made a comment to the waitress about the music from the bar sounding a little strange. It was then that we learned it was because of the “interesting” singing.

Why a GPS is a good investment.

Normally, I don’t make it a top priority to venture over the other side of the Ben Franklin Bridge. My trip to Cork, in Westmont, NJ, was one of the exceptions. I realized about fifteen minutes after I was supposed to meet Mat there why I don’t; New Jersey roads are confusing! So, after receiving some updated directions via phone, I safely made it to Cork with everything but my sanity intact. The moral of the story here is not to trust Google Maps. Or maybe that if you need your sanity restored, Cork is the place to go. By the way, Mat made it there in 10 minutes with no wrong turns. Go figure.

If you haven't been there recently, Triumph of New Hope has made some changes for the better.

There is nothing better than the change of seasons in Bucks County. Just warm enough in the afternoon, and just cool enough at night to throw on your favorite hoodie, maybe even shorts, and take a ride with the windows down, enjoying the brisk fall air while jamming to your favorite songs of the summer before the sleepy winter months approach. Sublime and Jack Johnson just don't sound right in the middle of December. On a sunny autumn afternoon, I did just this. I threw on some shorts, my favorite old school Phillies hoodie, popped in Dave Matthews Band's newest CD, and I took the winding ride down River Road to take in the leafy fireworks that autumn in Bucks brings every year. My final destination was Triumph of New Hope. New Hope is a scenic walking district, and if you live in the city, I suggest taking the trip. You have Triumph of New Hope, and right across the bridge you also have River Horse Brewing Co., which offers tours on the weekends.

“Neil, you’re up! “Hold up, I’m eating my baccalitos that pair perfectly with this Rogue Chocolate Stout.” “Fine, I’m bowling for you. Don’t be surprised if you get a gutter ball.” “It’s ok, I already won scoring an order of these baccalitos!” This is what you get during a regular conversation on a normal night at the Institute Bar in Philadelphia, when you mix good beer, good Puerto Rican inspired food, and private Nintendo Wii gaming booths. I agree Wii and beer don’t seem to be the safest combination, but you can’t argue that a game of Wii Sports Bowling doesn’t get a little more intense and exciting after a few drinks. Just make sure you wear the wristband so you don’t send remotes through the TV’s.

Old City’s hidden gem.

Hidden behind one of the very few trees in Old City capable of hiding anything is a quaint little café that unfortunately seems to get left out. Amongst the glitz and glamour of Old City that is places like Cebu and Buddakan, and the mainstay legends such as Eulogy and Plough and the Stars; The Race Street Café does not get its due recognition. Being on the corner of Race Street and 2nd Avenue, it is also not the most commonly walked section of the area, unless you’re in the market for a wide variety of bar stools and restaurant supplies. Race Street Café however is on par if not superior to any of the local spots.

Craft Beer and local music.

There is absolutely nothing better than sitting outside on a nice summer evening enjoying a fine beer, except, sitting outside drinking that beer while listening to great live music. Thanks to Puck Live in Doylestown, this is a nightly occurrence. Located down a little side alleyway right off of Main Street, Puck Live is one of the premier outdoor music venues in the Philadelphia area. They also have an indoor venue, but during the summer, the outdoor patio is the place to be. Having room for large capacity, an outdoor bar, and an outdoor stage, Puck can provide for many entertaining and relaxing evenings. Also, unlike many music venues, they serve up some quality craft beers at much lower prices than the other places. Why spend $8 for an unsatisfying light beer at the Wachovia Center during an overpriced concert, when you can spend $3 on a pint of River Horse on a Wednesday and listen to local artists perform all night?