N3RD
I stopped by Philly Saturday night to visit some friends, who took me to a bar called North Third (for short, N3RD).
It's a really cool place (here's a link to their lovely Web site, from which I cribbed this awesome rotating pic). With its artsy, eccentric decor, N3RD had the trappings of a hipster joint -- but without the snobby attitude. The night I was there, hipsters and yuppies co-existed in peace.
The service was fast and friendly and the drink list was long. I ordered a light, smooth Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale, as well as a dark, rich Victory bach whose name escapes me.
As a nightlife critic, I always grapple with where to draw the line between work and fun. In this case, I wasn't paying as much attention as I normally would to properly review a place. But I didn't care -- I wasn't on the clock.
We also ordered a big bowl of their fries, which came with ketchup and a side of some other spicy sauce I didn't recognize. Good stuff, though.
If you're ever in Philly, definitely check this place out. It's got charm, character, and plenty of substance too.
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
Was it St Victorious Doppelbock from Victory? Deeeeelicious.
Posted by: neighbor | February 2, 2009 2:49 PM
Neighbor, yup, that's the one. And you're right, it was awesome.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | February 2, 2009 2:53 PM
N3RD kind of reminds me of rocket to venus in hampden. Minus the cinema.
Posted by: Mark Twain | February 2, 2009 5:14 PM
Rasputin is alive and well and loaded in Philadelphia.
Actually he had major reputation of being able to hold his liquor.
I like the first guy with the tattooed tear (purportedly in gangs to mean you've killed someone) not actually bring his drink to his lips. The surgical glove to hold the drink is a nice touch.
Probably being a BOF, but they all look like people I wouldn’t want to share space with. So far your recommendation would be the only reason to venture in.
Does Tim know about this place?
Posted by: GDA | February 2, 2009 6:01 PM
That place was the only account we had in Philly (before we withdrew from that market to have more beer for Baltimore) that never removed their Resurrection line. It's in a great neighborhood for bar-hopping, as well, with Standard Tap, Abbaye, Druid's Keep and 700 Club all within a fw blocks from each other.
Posted by: Volker | February 2, 2009 9:23 PM
GDA are you asking if I know about this place? Hey remember Im from the city(Brooklyn!!) this place with the tat2'd fools...sounds like a cool spot! Honestly I have to speak up about tat2'd people...they are actually the most fun...creative..interesting people in the world! My best friends arent tat2d(like me) but its a stereotype on us people with tat's! People assume I been locked up...but the fact is I have NEVER been locked up! And some people are afraid of me...I dont have a problem with that part...Ha Ha Ha!!
Posted by: Tim Lumber | February 3, 2009 2:21 AM
Tim Lumber,
No slight to tattaooed people. Their obviously into commitments and sacrifice above and beyond the ordinary, altough not necessarily the wisest in their choice of personal decoration.
All misgivings about this bar's patrons is based on this group's personal scuffiness that projects they probably are not my kind of people.
Yes, I can be wrong but I'm not into this particular big head of these photos
Posted by: GDA | February 3, 2009 9:23 AM
GDA you the man!! Honestly there are a lot of bad people with tats...and the bar you were refering to..sounds like they may have them there! Actually when I lived in the city, a lot of the tat2 people are rude! But actually around Tat2 shops and especially out here in the county where I live there a lot more mellow! If I could start over I wouldnt have got tat2's visible below my elbows! I took a while to get a good paying job..like 10 years! So I wouldnt ever recomend getting tat2's people can see when you have a t-shirt on! It could possibly ruin your career!
Posted by: Tim Lumber | February 3, 2009 12:43 PM
GDA just seen the link! That guy looks like a weirdo! You wont catch me dead in that place!
Posted by: Tim Lumber | February 3, 2009 12:49 PM