I've been to BRU a few times, and I think it's ok. It's very different depending on the time you come. If your friends invite you here on a weekend night, just say no. It's so packed that you barely have a place to stand, and people will bump into you and spill your beer. I would highly recommend happy hour, though, when it's more low key. They have $4 craft beers, which is so cheap. I came here last week for a Philly Beer Week event, and they had Russian River Pliny the Elder for $4, which is unheard of! That was a one-time deal, but they generally have a decent list of beers on draft. Their food options are just not my thing. Lots of sausages and other German fare that doesn't work for a pescetarian. Their veggie options sound ok -- veggie burger or veggie kabob -- but because I am almost always standing the whole time I'm here, I don't generally order food.
(3)
Bill T.
Great vibe, cool look, fun place. I tried to come here for dinner once but couldn't get a table, even though there were a number of empty tables. That put a bad taste in my mouth. Coming back six months later, I stopped by for an early lunch on a Saturday. Everyone was warm and welcoming, the bartender was awesome and the beer selection was choice. I had some curry wurst and fries and it was tasty and affordable. The bartender kept my seltzer glass filled and I was as happy as a clam. Based on this experience, four stars is right on the money.
(4)
Bob B.
I went to BRU with my wife and three kids. I was worried if it would be kid friendly or not. There was no problem in that regard. I got the spicy wurst and it exceeded my expectations. The tap list is very solid, nothing stunning but gets the job done. They have a huge bottle list. They were out of a bottle I wanted, but suggested one that was similar, I did not ask for the price but it ended up being 3x the price. My fault for not asking, I would have save the splurge for some bottle at Monks.
(4)
Molly T.
3.5 stars. Rounding up to 4 because I'm giving BRU the benefit of the doubt. BRU strikes me as the type of place that changes considerably depending on the time of day/week. This is all complete surmising on my part, but I get the sense that during the week, BRU is as much an eatery as it is a bar. On a Saturday night, however, this place is a wildly different creature--and I do mean wild. Filled to the brim with 20-somethings and Top 40 music blasting, BRU is honestly not a great place to be if you're goal is to have some nice casual conversation with friends over a couple of beers. Which is unfortunate, because the charm of this bar is lost on the weekend crowd. Thankfully I wasn't too inebriated to recognize this. Came here on a Saturday night with a large group of friends. While we certainly wanted to dance, mingle and have a good time, we also wanted to catch up and enjoy each other's company. BRU, being directly across from the oldest bar in Philly, is clearly in the hot zone for weekend traffic. The space itself is quite expansive. It was a bit too busy for me to really survey the layout, but it seemed like there were designated areas for table service framing the central bar area. Would love to come back here to order food. I adore places like BRU because of the impressive beer selections. This is what pushes my rating up. Craft beer is still relatively new to me, so any bar with that many choices is a little slice (or pint, I guess) of heaven for me. Warning: this can get OVERWHELMING. Not only is their draft list one of the biggest I've seen to date (this includes craft beer establishments in NYC) the bottle/can list is frighteningly vast. Menus like this have been instrumental in beating the indecisiveness out of me. I ended up going with a Chimay Blanche, which is a classic Belgian Tripel. They serve is as it's meant to be served: in a goblet-shaped glass that's a bit smaller than your typical beer glass, due to ABV. Good craft beer places will always stock glasses of several different sizes to promote enjoyment of beer over simple intoxication. I do have to say, I've never been to a beer hall at which patrons feel inclined to dance at any point. It's just not the venue. The reason I was vacillating between 3 and 4 stars is due to BRU's odd nighttime identity--it's all-caps LOUD and the music seems incongruent with the actual vibe of the place. But I suppose BRU knows its weekend audience. I'm going with 4 because despite the chaos, I was able to converse with a few of the bartenders about beer, life, etc., and land on a beer for myself that was the best nightcap I could've asked for.
(4)
Serena D.
Went there on a Friday night, I didn't realize how big this place is until I walked in. They check ID at the door. There was a lot of people already, not packed though. My friend and I found a table to sit down. We both ordered wurst. My spicy wurst was ok, not great. But I thought this place is known for wurst? What impressed me about this place is the large selection of beer. Will go back for their happy hour just for beer next time. This place is loud at night so be ready to scream to your friends when you are there. The service is attentive and friendly.
(3)
Royce L.
Good food and good portions here. I had the spicy wurst which came with sauerkraut and potatoes. I also had a side of fries with cheese and bacon. Nice decor and they also had a few tables outdoors as well. The music was a little too loud for my taste for a late dinner(8 o'clock) but it was manageable.
(4)
Michael C.
Modernized cross between a German beer garden and a sleek bar. It is attached to UBahn -- a bar accessible from Chestnut St. It feels pretty German for being in downtown Philadelphia; the waitresses dress up in traditional German dirndls, and are generally friendly. The crowd is comprised of mid-30's professionals. I had the pulled pork sandwich, which was reasonably priced ($12) and satisfying. On another occasion we had the currywurst -- German sausage on fries with curry sauce -- which was OK, although I wasn't a particular fan of the sauce. They have an impressive beer list -- although definitely be careful and check the price before ordering! The numbers are small, and the beer list runs from $6 up to $32/ bottle -- I ordered a $24 beer (Russian River Consecration) by accident! The beer was great, but so was my check!
(3)
Ken A.
Great late night spot for beers and a quick bite! Everyone is friendly, the crowd is younger, and the bartenders are attentive and competent. Would definitely return back.
(4)
Fam B.
I've been to Bru a few times and have no real complaints about it. There's space in the front for those who are interested in dancing around a bit and then the area by the bar is always really full late nights on the weekends. I have tried a couple of their snacks during the day and would recommend their pretzels. I recently returned here and was a turned off a bit by how watered down my cranberry vodka was. The music is also decent here. This is the kind of place that I usually go to at the end of the night after visiting other places.
(3)
Cassie J.
Torn on the review here. Went here as a part of a bar crawl. We were here in the late afternoon- early evening. Nice beer specials. Great beer options. We didn't get food here because our waitress was pretty rude with us. The bar was crowded to begin with-- they don't have much seating and there was not a sign at the front or anything indicated there was a wait to be seated. So my friends and I waited for a party to leave and asked if we could have their table-- they said yes. I took note that most of this party did not finish most of their plates which I assumed to mean they didn't enjoy it. Anyway-- my friends and I sat down here. The waitress came over and started clearing the table and apologized for taking so long because it was "so hectic" on this day. It didn't seem that hectic to me.. the bar definitely did but she was not working the bar... My husband ordered a beer that was not on special-- it was his favorite German beer. They served it in the wrong glass. After about 15-20 minutes the waitress said that if we weren't ordering anything else that we needed to get up because there's a wait list and people are waiting to sit down to eat food. And she said it in the rudest way possible. She should have said something from the beginning since we stole a table out of their order.. but she didn't. The general atmosphere and environment is amazing. Decor is fantastic. The back opens up to an ally way which overlooks another pub. They had it all opened up since it was warm- this was nice while we could enjoy our seats. We were originally going to order food but the waitress kept rushing us and we didn't feel welcome. Clearly we were not. Don't know if we'll venture back here due to the poor customer service we had.
(3)
Hoang T.
Was driving around looking for parking then heard some music blasting coming from Bru or U-Bahn... either way, i've been meaning to try Bru out for awhile. Luck would have it, I found parking right in front. Friday night seemed pretty crowded. The weather was nice, so we opted for outdoor seating. If they didn't have any, seats outside, we probably would've left because the music was on the side of loud and headache inducing (i think they lowered the volume through the night because i went in to use the restroom and it was much better). Our server, Taylor, had most of the outdoor tables so she was hustling pretty hard. Their beer list is extensive!!!! Overwhelmingly extensive....being a German bar, i wanted to try something new, but when i saw Hitachino on the list, i had to order it. There aren't many bars that stock it.. Unfortunately, they didn't have any left... of course, its a Japanese beer at a German bar...I completely understood. I went with a safe beer, Allagash white draft. My cousin got another beer not sure of the name... I do wish the table was wiped down a bit before we were seated. But it wasn't horribly dirty. The food: I was really hungry and opted for get an entree to split as an app (they didn't have anything wow on the app menu) Went with the lollipop lamp chops with cous cous and green beans (one of the specials). This was really good. I thought it was a nice balanced dish. Needed more green beans (only gave like 6). Then i ordered the pork cutlet. It was my mistake for not asking how it was prepared. It was breaded then fried, served with salad and potato salad'esq side. It was an OK dish, but on the bland side. But i'm simple and it wasn't a big deal. My cousin got the burger. Looked and smelled good. Not sure if he really enjoyed it as he didn't finish it all. Overall, the portions were nice. The bathroom attendant guy was also a big hustler and hilarious to chat with while washing your hands. Overall, i'd come again. I'd probably go for drinks and bar snacks instead of a traditional sit down meal. Nice outdoor area. HOpefully you're not next to a smoker.
(4)
Francis A.
After a day of sampling at Reading Terminal Market, I ended it right here at Bru! My Philly friend sure knows the good spots! Went there during happy hour and we had a great spot. The ambiance is huge but pleasant. The beer selection is ridiculously insane! I got this great mint chocolate stout for $4! Yeah tasted f**kin good!! Oh, starters are $5 so got myself Currywurst! Damn that was good! My server Elizabeth was sweet and cordial, so my first trip was well worth it! Look forward to coming back again!
(5)
Nancy N.
This place had so much potential, but the waitress was rude and clearly wasn't happy that my friends and I were taking our time with picking out drinks and food. It was a Saturday afternoon, so it was crowded. The waitress asked us a few times if we wanted food/drinks, one of us did other a drink. She kept rushing us and told us we had to leave if we weren't ordering anything. So we did. And went across the street and racked up a bigger bill and food there instead. I'll never be back. It's unfortunate because this place has a great beer menu and the food looked delicious.
(1)
Paul K.
Finally, a sausagefest I can enjoy too.
(4)
Ally T.
Easily my favorite happy hour spot thus far. $4 half liter German drafts/American crafts, $5 wurst sandwiches, and half price starters. What's not to love? If I could, I would go when happy hour starts at 4 and drink my way though the draft list alone. There are a lot of drafts and even more bottles. This place is a beer lover's heaven. Service has always been very good here. Usually I can't get to happy hour that early, and they never have said anything about ordering two beers/person at 6:50 right before happy hour ends at 7. They also have given us free beers before. I've tried the wurst sandwiches, brü fries, and currywurst. All of them taste good, but don't expect the currywurst/pommes to taste like something you would get in Berlin. It's good, just a little different. Only downside is that this place can get pretty loud, even during happy hour. Not the best place to go if you'd like to have a close conversation with whomever you're with. It gets pretty full later at night too. I prefer it to Ubahn which is connected. The beer list and atmosphere are so much better! I recommend this place, whether it be for happy hour or a stop on your night out.h
(5)
Greg K.
I've been to Bru a handful of times and I really enjoy this bar. The draft list is excellent and the food is delicious. During my last trip a few days ago we tried the burger with a side of the spatzel and the Bru Fries. Not the healthiest meal, but it was absolutely delicious. I really love the burger here, I've had it twice and it stands out. The beer list is pretty robust, they feature a long list of craft labels to choose from. The list has a lot of variety between beer styles, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find anything you'd like. Bru also offers a long list of bottles and cans to choose from if you need more options. The only thing I don't like about Bru is how jam packed it gets at night. This place essentially turns into a club around 9pm, they even remove the chairs and tables to accommodate the crowd. I don't want to fault Bru too much for this, it's their business model and I assume it's working if they continue doing it. That said, Bru is so chill when it's just a regular bar, I wish it stayed that way throughout the night.
(4)
Vincent D.
Amazingly awesome beer selection. Both American and foreign crafts - some rarities too. Loved the Bavarian pretzel will return for a full meal. If you love to have awesome beers and great food in a casual bar location - this place is it
(4)
Matt S.
Nice place with a good beer selection, but the beef brisket lacked flavor. There seemed to be this continuous problem in Philly where the server assumed that a group of 12 individuals in their early 20s all wanted one bill. This caused some havoc when paying the bill, but it got sorted out. The place was nice, but nothing special.
(3)
Rick B.
This was kind of a bummer for me. I'd always heard about Bru and finally got the chance to go for a special event happy hour from 6-9. At first glance, it met my expectations. I've been at McGillin's numerous times, stumbled out into the Drury Street alley, and thought, "Wow, what a classy looking establishment." I don't think my aesthetic opinion changed, but the service? (Borat voice) Not so much. Our server was constantly talking to other employees and flirting with other people passing by. She also kept going to the bar and checking her phone while we sat with empty glasses. Several times. I'll admit I had to urban dictionary the meaning, but she seemed THIRSTIER than we did. Your Tinder matches could have waited... Because we were there for a special event, we were given happy hour prices from 6-9 (normal HH is 5-7). This seemingly led to what I call the "Tavern on Broad dynamic." You pay less than others, so you get less attention than others. Right? Well, I've always been a believer in tipping deservingly, not accordingly. Note, always at least 20%, but it's not uncommon for me to leave a 10 dollar tip on a 20 dollar tab. Perhaps I should have told her. To make things worse, I even had the nerve(!) to let her know that I was overcharged once she printed my tab. 2 beers would not get me drunk enough to think I drank 4, which I was charged for. Even after the (lack of) service, I could've chalked it up to a simple misunderstanding. That is until I saw that it annoyed her. Come on guys, I've got the peripherals of a hawk. I saw that eye roll. Here's the deal. We had a negative experience solely based on our server, and anyone who reads my reviews knows that customer service trumps food quality, prices, cleanliness, etc. Okay, maybe not cleanliness, but for the service we got, I'd rather drink light beers the Sunday morning after an underaged house party. The drinks were good and the food was better, but I can't see that warranting a return visit.
(2)
Farha A.
Unbelievably incredible burger! I'm addicted. Probably the best I have had. Not much more to say, I just highly recommend it and this will be my go to spot anytime I am craving a burger and it deserves 5 stars. I'm not sure if I was just ridiculously starving or if it was as out of this world as I was remembering it, but I will be going back soon to find out! Atmosphere wise, its just a german themed bar. The outdoor seating on Chesnut is fun to people watch if its nice outside, especially with the twinkly lights at night - this might be more nice if you're looking for a slightly classier/quieter area to sit and enjoy a meal since the indoors can get a little rowdy at times.
(5)
Jason C.
I came here for happy hour and during an evening stroll while visiting the area. Happy Hour is awesome, and they have great specials for an impressive selection of beers. It seemed fairly easy to get a seat, and the service was attentive. Now later on in the evening, it was a bit more wild. It definitely got a lot more crowded and loud. I wouldn't necessarily think that would be out of place on a weekend night, but keep that in mind if you plan to stop by for a late dinner.
(4)
Jennifer R.
Haven't gotten to try much of the food besides snacks, so this review is mainly on the ambiance and bar side of things. Beer menu's fantastic and extensive (as a german place like this should), average prices, and servers are pretty great and attentive considering how nutso it gets in here. The decor and feel of this place is dark but charming. A lot of cute elements going on (and I have a crush on their website concept...shhh). They were really smart opening with a back door for mcgillan's overspill. This place will continue to do well for good reason. Pretty crappy DJs on the weekend but with the amount of beer you end up drinking there, you don't even notice 20 mins in anyway, so all g, Bru...I get it, I'm not the type you're trying to please.
(4)
Kerry A.
Drink: I went for happy hour and the deal was pretty good- $4 drafts. Extensive beer list, including local and non-local drafts and bottles/cans. Atmosphere: The picnic tables in the back next to huge open windows made it feel like you were outside without being out in the sun. Otherwise nice inside, but nothing overwhelmingly different or special. Service: Sat a the bar and the bartenders were very pleasant and attentive.
(5)
Aria S.
Given that I come here all DA TIMEEE how have I not written a review? Anyways, I've had plenty of fun nights here. No dance floor, but people kinda do the standing/dancing thing and the music is usually good. Pump up/top 40's stuff with a DJ who is open to requests. On a Friday/Saturday night, this place can get seriously packed which sucks because there's only 2 toilets and this bar isn't HUGE. Beers are normal price. Well drinks are $7-8. There's also some long benches to sit if you get there earlier, you can kinda chill. Don't expect to have a full on convo here though. I've come for an EAgles game too and it was great because it's not a total sports bar so it wasn't packed but there was still a huge screen and some good food and a wide beer selection!
(5)
Tim A.
This bar has a great selection of beers with a changing menu. They should offer a flight with all the beers they have. I was pretty disappointed that they only offered on the German beers and not all of the drafts they sell. My girlfriend and I shared a few apps which were really good.
(4)
Lulu Z.
Noisy, service was not good, we ordered the nectarine caprese and decided not to stay. I'm only giving it 2 stars because the beer selection was decent.
(2)
Bing G.
I like the atmosphere of the place, and I thought the fill it yourself beerwall is pretty cool. I didn't get to try it though cause i thought the $25 key to use the wall was kind of pricey. From what i understand, you pay the $25 and then you fill your cup and price per ounce...that amount is then deducted from the $25. I might be wrong.... Other than that, the selection was great, but seems a little pricey for Philly. I went on a cold winter day, but from the other reviews i think it would be better to come in warmer weather to fully enjoy it.
(3)
Renea R.
Bru is a favorite spot among some of my coworkers so I was looking forward to heading there last night. It was the first of many stops on an impromptu bar hop with coworkers in search of Beyonce to dance to. Parking is impossible around Bru (and driving not conducive to drinking) so my two friends and I took the long ride from Fairmount downtown by bus. (My "country" friend (she thinks she's country but let's be real--she didn't even know what a Carhartt jacket was so she's really just suburban) up until now couldn't figure out how to get downtown by bus from her place so we took this opportunity to teach her...) The first time I was at Bru I had no concept of how big it actually is. Our group was situated in the very back of the bar. The decor is very cute. They opened a big garage door by our table, which let in lots of fresh air and allowed us to people-watch on Drury Street (where apparently every drunk person goes to make "private" phone calls while swaying unselfconsciously to the music in their drunken minds...) Despite apparently forgetting to wear pants, our waitress was awesome and really on top of her shit considering that we were a large group. The food we ordered came out very quickly and drinks were refreshed often. It's always a pain to divide a check up between 11 people but she was very accommodating and helpful. Happy hour prices are fantastic! I got 4 whiskey sours for $16 and two large appetizers for $4 each. I was actually so full I could hardly finish the fries because the portions were so large. On the downside, it's a little on the loud side. I hate when non-dancing bars play music really loud. The music was just sort of generic background bar music but it was blasted so loud that you had to yell to talk across the table. Overall I really enjoyed it and would go back!
(4)
Anthony C.
Great food beer nice atmosphere A lot of hipsters We had a Sunday lunch here We are definitely coming back Wait staff was accommodating and pleasant
(5)
Min A.
Nice vibe. We sat at the bar to eat our dinner and this place did not disappoint. Our food was really good and I was able to special order my sandwich without a hassle and it came out exactly how I ordered everything! The bartenders are attentive and also pour their drinks with a little pizazz to keep things interesting. Plenty of TVs to watch sports and the bathrooms are close to the bar and clean, too.
(4)
Doris T.
Reminds me a trendy garden beer hall. Good food and decent list of beer. I ordered the pull brisket sandwich, mainly because it came with fried pickles. It's a great place to accommodate a large party. We sat in the back that had nice hug windows. I recommend this place if you are looking for a laid back environment with a good selection of beer.
(4)
Eunni C.
This place seems always busy and smelled so nice when I passed by. We went there one night to grab quick dinner. I got smoked trout and my hub got mixed wurst platter. My trout looked really smaller than their photo. Was decent. Not bad but I probably won't go back for that dish. His wurst platter was gigantic. He could not finish it so we had half left over. He did not like it much so ended up not eating his left over...
(3)
Kathleen K.
There should be the ability to write two reviews for Bru... Bru before 9pm and Bru after 9pm... I went here with a group for a happy hour/dinner and it wasn't bad. Football was on, beers were served and food was decent. My jeans, sweater, sperry combo was having me pretty comfortable. Sometime around 9pm however, it turned into a club essentially. Drunk girls in mini skirts and heels stumble into the bar and crowd the bathrooms. Suddenly (and this is not a joke) the staff literally tries to take the table out from beneath us to make more room for the Jersey crowd rolling in. One thing that really left a bad taste in my mouth was that after paying our pretty lengthy tab, the waitress came running after us once we left, accusing us of not paying for one of the beers we had. Seriously?? Were we supposed to keep track ourselves and check that the tab matched up?
(2)
Jenny M.
The cool sign, great location, never ending list of beers, loaded french fries and the fun German Hipster vibe all make me want to like BRU. But sadly the service sucked, which ruined the experience. I was recently at BRU for a fundraising event. For $10 you received one drink and access to an extended happy hour (Happy Hour here is great, $4 beers and $5 bites). Special seating in the back was even reserved for the event, which was great since the bar can get pretty crowded on a Thursday night. It took over 20 minutes for the waitress to come take my drink order, and when she brought the drink she was not even sure if it was correct. Getting additional drinks the rest of the night was a struggle as our waitress cared more about socializing and checking her phone. When the checks came, they were completely messed up. Our waitress even handed us back a a receipt with a credit card that didn't belong to us.
(2)
Leslee S.
Made reservation for 4 to dine at 7:30 this past Saturday night - we were seated right away at a half booth. The beer menu was pretty extensive and I chose an Oktoberfest beer (don't remember the name and it isn't on their online menu currently) but I thought it was strange that I could order an Oktoberfest beer in June...? Anyway, It was good, but it didn't blow me away. Some dining mates ordered an IPA with notes of pear and honey and I actually liked their selection better. For food we split an order of fried pickles (so good!) and BRU fries amongst the table. For an entree, I split an order of the spatzel and the turkey reuben with grilled veggies with a friend. I wouldn't usually order the turkey, but I will admit that it was delicious. The veggies were a bit greasy though. The spatzel was so good - loved the friend onions and mushrooms mixed with tons of gooey muenster. All the food was delicious, and there was more than enough to split between two people, but in general everything we ordered was really heavy. I wished I had ordered a side salad in place of the grilled veggies to lighten it up a bit. Server was really nice, she let us hang out for as long as we wanted and didn't bother us to immediately pay the check. Food came out really quickly. I think it would be a good place to come for happy hour and apps.
(4)
Hiya R.
Incredible selection of beers. Tried a couple of specials during Philly Beer Week and was very impressed. What surprised me was how good the food was. The Bru fries are a must try and the mussels were incredible (especially with the happy hour special). They also play great music!
(5)
Richard R.
We stopped in at Bru for happy hour on a Monday. The place was unusually crowded according to my daughter. The Jefferson nursing program was celebrating the completion of their Fall semester finals so the place was extra lively. The waitress gave a nice table towards the back. Bru has discounted drinks and food for their happy hour. They have a huge selection of draft and bottled beers. The waitress was very helpful in recommending different beers. We didn't try the food as we came from Federal doughnuts and were stuffed buy the menu had some cool choices. Bru has a very casual open feel with a lot wood and nice long bar. Definitely a cool place in center city to have a beer.
(4)
Diana M.
I love this place. Its so much fun. They have a ton of different beer selections. I had great pumpkin beer. They do have some seating in the back. They had awesome music playing so i was able to have some fun dancing!!! It does get pretty crowded and the restrooms also have lines. But great place to go for the night!
(4)
James B.
Came to BRU on a whim and was happy that I did. Huge beer selection with a solid selection of pretty much any kind of beer. I had an Ipa, then had a liter mug of a German beer! Happy bartenders and friendly waitstaff. Sat at the bar for about an hour before moving to a high top table to eat. The menu had a lot of traditional German fare on it, but I decided to go with something new on the menu: Grilled Lamb Chops. I was very happy that I did because they were banging! They were super tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. I also got a house salad that had a mustered kind of dressing. That was pretty good as well. My wife had a Turkey Ruben sandwich which they used real roasted turkey, not lunch meat turkey. She liked it very much. For dinner and a few beers the bill was not expensive at all for Center City Philly. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Lauren S.
This place rocks. Excellent food, friendly, attentive service, and seven pages of craft brews. Was in Philly for a conference and happliy stumbled across this place. Thoroughly enjoyed our evening there. Go. You'll love it.
(5)
Alycia P.
I love it here. The staff is so friendly, there is an upstairs and downstairs and always a good crowd. Beers aren't over priced. Definitely a good place for sitting at a bar or dancing.
(5)
Jamie D.
I've walked by this place a hundred times and have meant to check it out - set up a reservation on OpenTable for my boyfriend's birthday and away we went! The place is a bit louder than I appreciate, we got on of the tables up front near the window and were thankful we didn't have to shout at eachnother for our meal. Aside from noise (which is totally expected in Center City) the ambiance in this place is lovely - the decor is fabulous. Boo and I shared a bavarian pretzel, a wurst, and something else that I now can't remember (must not have been memorable!) but I DO remember mine being good and the pretzel also being good. All in all - it was a good experience and I would definitely come back if I'm stuck in Center City for something!
(4)
Adam W.
Last Friday night we stopped in on a whim. Actually the Irish pub across the street was jam packed. But thankfully it was. Bru is a gem in Philly. Fantastically decorated with rock and the backbeat looks like something I wish I had in my wedding photo. Great. The staff was abundantly available and friendly. The manager Maureen or Marilyn was top notch. I apologize if I mess the name up. The beer from the many taps were organized on a clean menu describing country of origin and style. So with my background in the bar biz I tend to be a snob about fresh tap beer. You can tell the staff and management care about their customers. The beer was fresh as the day it was brewed and barreled. I was very impressed. To you folks hoping to get a little lucky across the street at the Irish pub, stop over at Bru first and Prost! To a great place!
(4)
Aaron F.
Brought over 40 people here for an event. An employee came bursting through and knocked my beer to the ground. Never have I encountered more hostile bartenders and managers as I tried to rectify the situation. You'd think a bar would treat someone who brings a large amount of business but BRU does not seem to follow simple logic. The manager was incredibly rude and he bartenders did not care to cultivate further business. I've never been in a bar so once incredibly business-incompetent. Will never give this place business again and neither should you. Also, they promised to call back with drink specials and never did. Never had I had to try so hard to give a place business. When Bru goes under, don't be surprised. No business savvy or people skills.
(1)
Jill L.
BRU is definitely not my favorite bar in Philly. BUT I need to give them props for being an excellent location to meet up for a happy hour. First of all, BRU is massive. There is a ton of seating and a huge bar. This is a great location for an after-work happy hour, place to kill time between a wedding ceremony/reception, or a centrally located place near subways, trains, etc. to meet up with friends coming into the city or from around the city. The happy hour specials seemed pretty good- appetizers were $5, pretzels and beers $4. We had a large group (10 people) so we snagged a long table and settled in for a good night. We ordered a bunch of appetizers for the table to share, which were tasty but unmemorable. They have a great beer list (especially if you like German beers) but if you are looking for other libations, you might be disappointed (a friend ordered wine and was VERY disappointed) I'll probably come back to BRU if I'm meeting a group for happy hour, but I don't think I'd visit again for a date night or dinner.
(3)
Ho L.
A fantastic brewpub located in the heart of Philly. They have a very large selection of beer, including a wall where you pour your own drafts. The service was good, and the food was excellent. Overall, I'm glad I found this place, and would happily return.
(3)
Herbie H.
My friend and I were on the hunt for fried pickles (which are increasingly hard to find, after Jose Pistola's stopped making them) and we found that Bru had fried pickles on the menu. We went for Happy Hour on a Wednesday afternoon. Upon entering it was clear that the male-to-female ratio was way off balance. Not much to say other than it was a little shocking. We were seated and our very nice waitress came over and took our drink order. We then ordered our food: an order of fried pickles (to split), a veggie burger (for her), a Bavarian pretzel (for me) and the Dubbel Trouble Wurst special (for me.) The fried pickles were disappointing. I was expecting a basket of fried pickle chips - instead we got 6 pickle chips for $7. My friend enjoyed her veggie burger quite a bit, but mentioned the spicy relish was pretty spicy. I My Bavarian pretzel was delicious (especially the gouda fondue) and the Dubbel Trouble Wurst was pretty tasty. I wish we had been told what the happy hour specials were - it was only when I inquired about which Wurst to order that i was told they were $5 for happy hour. I'm interested in a lot of the small plates and definitely will go back for the pretzel.
(3)
Dominik P.
Great bar with lots of drafted beers. Very nice! I had a Kölsch and it tasted like in Cologne but in a bigger size. (0,5l instead of 0,2l)
(5)
Kathleen D.
Ever since I had a hot dog at the Phila Flower Show earlier this month, I've been on a serious hot dog kick. I mean, making lunch plans with coworkers for food truck hot dogs; bookmarking hot dog places on here; and asking our server at BRU: "Now, is the 'Frankfurter' more like a hot dog or like a sausage?" When the reply came back as "hot dog," I handed her the menu and that was that. It was delicious. Mostly because it was a hot dog and I'm hot dog binging and it's hard to screw up a hot dog. Anyway. So we made reservations for Saturday night, but the hostess never asked for my name when we walked in... just ushered us to a table near the door. Near the bar, it looked packed in an uncomfortable way, but we had breathing room where we were, and a view of the Flyers, both of which I prefer. In addition to the hot dog, I also had the Bavarian pretzel, and it was top-notch and cheap. I'd get it again. As for beer, let me just say that I'm so glad I tried this place this year instead of last when I still was anti-beer, since it has a pretty decent listing and it was easy to find a beer that I'd like without sampling based on the detailed descriptions of each. My first beer was a Kulmbacher Kapuziner Weiss from the German bottle page. Our server said it was one of their most popular. I mostly chose it because it said it was fruity. It, indeed, was fruity, but not in an overpowering way like Lindemans Framboise. I also tried a sip of my friend's Pinkus Hefe-Weizen, which boasts that it's from the world's first organic brewery. Also a great choice. My second was much stronger, and American: Rogue Old Crustacean. This was my second splash into the Rogue-world (First: Yelp Halloween event -- Rogue Dead Guy). Despite being VERY dark, I also really enjoyed it. I took a star from BRU because it was unnecessarily loud in there. It was absurdly loud. Lower the music, and this place would be gold.
(4)
Colin Q.
So admittedly, they've got a great selection of beer. Really great bottle list actually (despite grossly overpriced). I'll even give them the half-assed attempt at the "indoor German beer hall" look... Unfortunately, this is where the good part of this review ends. The waitstaff at this establishment tends to care more about their social media accounts and their SnapChat selfie game than serving patrons. I sadly had to compete with an iPhone when ordering my beers, multiple times. And their credit system failed - so it was on me to to find cash without warning. And the poor girl was charging our drinks and food to the wrong tabs - pretty much with no method or madness. Happy hour prices should come with a disclosure that you should double-check your bill, because you can't count on them getting it right. The food - mediocre. Nothing to write home about. Soggy and lukewarm fries. Portions of orders coming out 5+ minutes apart. Meh, to be expected. If you're looking for a faux-German beer hall type of place to start your evening, this place can make the cut. But I guess what I'm getting at is that if you're up for a headache, come to Brü.
(1)
Chris A.
I wanted to rename this place - "Boo." The Bru fries were very good and the Bavarian pretzel was also good. However, the service was terrible. Our server didn't write anything down and completely got our dinner order wrong. My wife got the pulled pork sandwich (asked for no mayo and got mayo). The sandwich was dry and tasteless. I got the wurst sandwich (asked for no sauerkraut and it was all over the sandwich). The sandwich was ok. Although it's hard to screw up a knockwurst. The best part of the meal was the fries. After talking to the manager, I don't think I will ever be back there. The next time I'm in that neighborhood, I will walk past and try one of the many other options there. Overall, very disappointed.
(1)
Rea V.
We were walking around looking for a low key place to grab a coue beers and snack around 4pm, and stumbled on this place, and we are so glad we did! First, their beer list is out of control. Pages and pages of foreign and domestic beers, with a good amount on $4 special during their 4-7 happy hour. And their food! It's traditional German fare with a modern edge that's not something you see everyday and pairs really well with the beer they serve. The decor matches their cool laid back vibe. My only negative is what they make the poor waitresses wear... It's like hooters meets German beer maid gone goth and horribly wrong. It doesn't match the style of the place at all, and was kind of confusing. Otherwise, definitely a gem worth checking out!
(4)
Sara h.
Meh. Been a few times, great selection of beer...once you flag down a bartender. Food not so great...there's other places in Philly to get an authentic German fix.
(3)
Michael A.
Any German walking through this door would be confused and surprised by this place, a kind of German beer Disneyland with dozens of drafts and nearly as many kinds of sausage. The waitstaff are friendly and the decor is fun. It's great for happy hour, but this place gets crazy on Friday and Saturday nights. I had my birthday dinner here, so you know this place is good.
(4)
Shaina F.
I continually find myself at Bru on the weekends, despite my dislike of how insanely crowded it gets in there - it's just a fun spot and I can't stay away it seems! The beer menu is extensive, and they also have a good selection of wine and ciders, in addition to a full bar. If you want to sit at the bar, however, get there early because they start taking away barstools as it gets more and more crowded. It's a good, young crowd though, so I think that's why I keep returning. Despite the inevitable mob of people inside, the bar is always well-staffed and it's not hard to get a drink. Also, they have self-serve beer machines at the entrance which is pretty cool! They also have dozens of different types of beer glasses, which is pretty fun. The food always looks hot and amazing, and many of my friends have tried it but I haven't had the chance yet - I'm sure I will and I'll review then!
(4)
Lea T.
Fun spot for authentic German good and German beers, nice in the summer too when the back is open and you can sit at the large communal style picnic tables. Don't be fooled but the atmosphere this is a great bar, but the menu is also filled with really delicious German dishes like bratwurst, pretzels, pork, and schnitzel. Very glad that I came for dinner because I had only ever been here for drinks. Loved my trout, but overall the appetizers were the best- try the pretzel, spatzele, and Bru fries!
(4)
Whitey J.
Went to Brü Craft & Wurst in philly for Sour Bowl 1 from New Jersey, and I'm glad I did! Nice chill place. I would go back every weekend if I could. SHOUT OUT TO RON! The manager Ron was awesome, he made us feel right at home! The beers were amazing! Our waitress was awesome, SHOUT OUT TO TAYLOR! Never had a fried pickle before but I had one there and it was great. Loved it, had a great time, go there! You will not be sorry! If anyone from Brü Craft & Wurst is reading this I will be back, I love it there!
(5)
Becca D.
Been here once before for drinks and then spent all day there yesterday for the World Cup games. The place was absolutely packed, but I was impressed with the quickness and attentiveness of our server, Carrie. We had a large group, about 20 of us, and never were any of us sitting there wondering where she was to order something. She was definitely on the ball the entire day - our group had gotten there right when they opened at 11 and stayed till just after 6pm. It was a long day, but well spent! We were at a table right in front of the big projector scene, so had pretty much the best seats in the house! The food was amazing! I had the pulled brisket sammich and the flavors were great, especially those fried pickles on top and the sauce on the bun. I also snacked on some of the fried pickles later in the day - definitely very different with the ham in there, but still delicious! Great place for sure!
(4)
Alyssa R.
I have never actually eaten the food here so my review is strictly based on drinks and going for the bar atmosphere. I really like that you can buy a fob and fill your own beer. I think it is a cool concept and it cuts down in waiting at the bar! This place is always fun, especially in the summer when they have it open to the outside. Great place to meet people. Gets very crowded on a Friday or Satuday night but that is to be expected. I usually decide between Bru and McGillins depending on the line. Drinks are obviously more pricy than across the street at McGillins. Beers on tap are around $6-7ish. I forget how much a mixed drink is but I have usually had good luck and they are pretty strong. I probably would not choose it as a food spot, simply because I am not a huge fan of that type of menu, but it is a great bar spot!
(4)
Coach D.
Best place ever. I think it was the best meal I ever had. Brisket so awesome. Service was very fast and caring. Very clean and cool atmosphere. Thanks for a wonderful experience. I will certainly be back again!!
(5)
Mary M.
This place has the potential to be great. We must have looked too "main stream" for our hipster server to spend much time with us. The beer list is extensive and when we needed a few minutes, she was really put out. The list was a little too obscure with most beer we had never heard of, and my group knows beer! They did have 2 gluten free beers on the list, so that was a bonus! We had a lot of fun with the photo booth/screen.
(2)
Laurie V.
Had dinner here with friends. It was enjoyable on all levels, with a few small issues. I shared some stuff with friends: the wurst plate (with German potato salad) and the brisket. The brisket sandwich came with fries, but I found them to be a bit skimpy on the fries- it was almost like an afterthought to throw a couple down on the plate. The wurst came with sauerkraut, as well as the potato salad, and it was quite yummy. Potato salad was solid, but not the best German potato salad I've ever had. I do like the vinegar base though. The self-serve beer thingy was a good idea, but I wasn't too crazy about how fast the taps were- my beer came out very heady. I thought the Grapefruit Hefeweisen was very refreshing and enjoyable, once the foam calmed down. Bathrooms weren't fantastic- kinda crowded and smelly. That said, the ambiance of the bar was quite lovely. Simple, sexy, and very ambient. I like the back alley way- I really want to try the Irish pub directly across from Bru. It was a fun night with friends that I rarely get to see. If I could rate this place on the food and the company, it would be among my favorites! If they can fix the aforementioned bugs, this place would get five stars. I'm glad the food was good!
(4)
Daniel W.
Great cool environment. Nice selection of brews. Not a huge selection of food downstairs is the only drawback I see.
(4)
Rose B.
Yum! I had a delicious curry wurst, that tasted just like my favorite German street food! the service was descent for busy Saturday night, and I was able to make a reservation the day of for a party of 5. Had a good beer, the only thing is that the volume on the tv's and music is deafening, and I had to scream to speak to the person across from me. I'd go back, and have already recommended this palace to friends.
(4)
Albert S.
Went there for sour bowl. They had the best tap selection of sours I had ever seen or tasted. The food was really good. Had the Kase Spatzel which was really tasty. Nice and earthy with the mushrooms and just the right amount of cheese. Not too cheesy to make it like a mac and cheese. Also had the pickle flight which was a special for sour bowl. One of the best pickle selection i've ever had. The smoked trout was good also. Split the pretzel with friends, but didn't really like the cheese sauce. Service was really great during such a busy event. Our server was fantastic.
(4)
marilyn l.
My friends and I went here for happy hour. We went to the bar to grab a drink while we waited for our table. Once we arrived at the table, we never had a waitress come by. We had no idea who our server was. We waited for 20 minutes and decided to leave. I will never come back and would not recommend this place to anyone. Not to mention, the music is unnecessarily loud. Definitely not a place If you want to catch up with an old friend. I would give it a 0 if I could.
(1)
Kim M.
Despite the size/noise level, I really like this place. I think it has a cool atmosphere, and good beer/food! I only wish the wall where you can dispense your own beer was bigger. I have been to wine bars with this concept where they have entire walls of wine that you dispense yourself. It is such a fun concept but the area for it here is rather limited. I'd like to come here more, but it is always packed so it can be a bit of a turn off (however also goes to show its a pretty good spot if it is always packed!)
(3)
Zoe P.
My husband and I love craft beer, so Philly Beer Week is one of the best times of the year - when we have time to enjoy it. I actually had the weekend off for once, so we made sure to hit up as many of the events and bars as our livers could handle. BRU Craft & Wurst was celebrating their 1st birthday so we hit them up for a late lunch. They had a live band performing (mostly covers), and although they were good performers, DEAR LORD was it loud inside! We asked to be seated as far from them as possible, and it was still incredibly difficult to hear one another. A place that primarily shills beer/alcohol should foster conversation, not lonely consumption. We like the concept of the 'self serve' drafts that charge you per ounce, but for this latest visit we stuck with the bar's draft list. They had some sandwich specials as part of their celebration - we shared the roasted pork and garlic pork sausage with sauerkraut, both of which had pickles and chips. The food was great with our cold brews, both meats super juicy and tender and instantly put us in a summer state of mind. If it wasn't for the loud music, we would've hung out longer and had another drink, but our ears were ringing and we left to enjoy the sunshine.
(3)
Rita C.
I have to admit that I've walked in and out of Bru several times because it was so overcrowded that I couldn't get a beer at the bar - this always occurred on a weekend night, so I shouldn't really be surprised. Finally last Saturday, my friend and I decided to stop by for lunch and some booze on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The restaurant wasn't crowded and we were able to get a seat on the McGillin's side. The waitress came right over to get our drink orders and, as many have already mentioned, they have a vast selection of beers available (no need to say any more about that). For our lunch, we split the kase spatzel, wurst plate (we selected chorizo), and Bru fries. Within 10 minutes, the food was brought out and it was awesome! The best out of the three was the spatzel! The brussels sprouts were a delicious addition and really gave the spatzel a unique taste (I would come back just for this). The fries were also tasty with a generous helping of gravy, sausage, and muenster on top. Also nothing bad to say about the wurst - the accompaniments of spicy mustards, potatoes, and sauerkraut was just what we needed. I really enjoyed my daytime experience at Bru; nighttime is a whole different animal that I'd like to avoid. If you're in the city, stop by and grab some delicious!
(4)
Darren P.
Cool spot! The bratwurst is truly excellent. Get the sampler plate, you won't regret it. Overwhelming selection of beers. Would not recommend the fancy self serve beer dispenser things ... You'll have to flow a lot of foam and waste your money before to get a full glass. Great atmosphere for a weekend afternoon
(4)
Enas I.
I love food and beer there, but the music is awfully loud. We have to scream to hear each other while all we want is to enjoy the good beer and conversation without having to compete with the loud music. I would have given 5 stars if the music was lower. This is an update: we had the nicest hostess this evening (10/29/14). Thank you very much for being so nice!
(4)
Feebee A.
Been here a few times now and I guess I have more good than bad to say but I can't say I love this place, I just like it. Great selection of beers! Bartenders are very knowledgable and friendly. They play good music and it's good crowd. We've only had appetizers here and they were good. Nothing out of this world. They have nice sized TVs so it's good to go there to grab a good beer and watch a game. Don't stay long tho, the ambience somehow puts me to sleep.
(3)
John S.
stopped by here with my gf to grab a beer...they have a huge selection. seemed like a really fun place.
(5)
Nichole G.
Whatttt!! Amazing curry ketchup! Regular foods taken to an expertise level of taste. We walked in because of the name -- plenty of beer / knowledgeable staff - tell them what type of beer you like and they will tell you what you can order. Very odd experience though.. NO highchairs. When I took my 3-year old to the bathroom, a blond haired patron turned the lights off on me. I called out immediately, opened the stall to see her leaving. My poor son-screaming. I'm guessing there is an anti-breeding culture in Philly???
(5)
Holly C.
Love this place. We just needed a place to get out of the snow but were really impressed! The service was very good. We sat at the bar and a group of the douchiest, a hole, frat alum (come on guys you're 40 now, grow up) came in and were awful but the staff was patient with them yet let them know they were not a priority above anyone else. I was very grateful to see the staff not get walked on by these zip up sweater tools. The food was spot on. One of the best burgers around. Cooked perfectly at mid rare and please do yourself a favor and order the spicy mustard with it. Glory, glory, glory. Beer was fresh and great selection.
(4)
Mark D.
I actually liked Bru more than I expected to, but that said, it's still not really my kind of place. We came here on a Friday night after a long dinner at Fogo. A friend of mine recommended it based on the beer selection, and on that aspect, you won't be disappointed - they've got an awesome selection of German beers that you probably haven't had elsewhere in the area. So they definitely get points on that front. That said, the experience just wasn't very enjoyable. The bar is very long and narrow, making it feel more crowded than it really is. The beers, while good, are expensive. The music is blaring to the point of distortion - I get it, it's Friday night in the city, you want to play loud music...but come on, if you want that kind of volume, invest in a system that can handle it. I actually have the same speakers in my house. I would never play them that loud. I might come back here a time when it's a bit lower key, and maybe it will be more enjoyable. But as it was, on a Friday night, I enjoyed my german brew and hit the pavement.
(3)
Louis R.
The waitress was affable and accommodating. The outside seating area is tiny and cramped. The selection of craft/international beers is hella ill (lots n lots). The whole hog, on a spit, being cooked on the sidewalk was kinda surreal. The plastic "das boot" that you got to drink out of was kinda cheaply made...still had a sharp edge...meh. Place is aight.
(3)
Luba P.
Stopped by for a quick happy hour. It was waaaaay too loud and crowded for my liking. Like literally can not hear the person next to you loud. I tried the loaded fries and the sauerkraut cheese balls, and both were awesome! This place seems like it would be pretty cool, but the loud and hectic atmosphere really turned me off. Plus, the waitresses' outfits create a Hooters feel to the whole place, and it was kind of awkward seeing guys gawk and stare at them (small shorts and stockings). Seems like it would be a cool place on a non-busy time!
(3)
Eric N.
Great place to have a German beer or two, along with good food. You can't go wrong with any of the appetizers.
(4)
Laura V.
One of my favorite places to order spätzel...actually the only place I order it. Bavarian pretzels with smoke Gouda fondue. It's like heaven on earth. Is noisy inside but great atmosphere. Not a good location for people who are indecisive as the beer menu is several pages long. Love this place!
(5)
Matthew W.
Turns into a dance club at night on Saturdays and they keep it oddly very very dark. They really do not have the space for a dance club and it is very crowded and loud. If you want to see and have some space go to McGillians across the ally.
I had never had bartender as rude as the guy behind the bar last night. He threw the bill at me in such a way that another bartender told him that he had hit me and he just laughed. The other bartender could have try to make it better for me but he didn't care much either. Why did he threw the bill at me? I keep wondering if it was a race thing (I'm Latin) cause we had barely interacted at all! Food wasn't that great, prices kind of high for such a dive place. N again the service: I had never been disrespected like that.
(1)
Cameron P.
The food is decent but if you want authentic German food go to Brauhaus. The beer list is pretty extensive and their mussels are good. I have to agree that service can be hit or miss. I have never been here late night and based in other reviews I probably never will.
(3)
Paulina M.
Beer garden with style. Not easy to find but you won't regret it when you do. You can pour your own beer with a 25 dollar beer key or get your bottles from the bar. The food selection is not bad either.
(5)
YouTakeItEasy U.
BRÜ-more like BOOO. I had high expectation for this place, just fell short. Very dark, very crowded, tight space & even tighter seating. I am a fan of sour beers, many to choose from and our waitress had sick knowledge of all the beers, well that's the positive. Food was average to Blahhhh. Started with the BRÜfries, looked like a cat threw up on them, but very good..Girlfriend started with the apple and potato pancakes, ahhh it was OK. Time for another beer to take my mind of the disappointment if the apps. Dinner, I had the Doner Kabob- (lamb shoulder, pickles, iceburg, yogurt sauce, flatbread) it was OK, and a side of Spätzel- fried, no taste, needed salt or even a gravy. Time for another beer to add some flavor to this food. Girlfriend got typical Wurst sammy, she said it was good, she didn't finish it....I guess we'll have more more beer before we roll out since the beers were on point.
(3)
Steven L.
The fried pickles were amazing. Everything else that we ordered was terrible! The brought worst was flavorless and dry, it was served on a roll that was devoid of taste. But once again, the fried pickles were great!
(1)
Katie P.
I really want to like this place, I do. It is in a great location and I like the vibe. The first few times I have been there wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. I went this weekend and my experience weighed a little more on the negative side. The bartender was pretty rude when I was bought two vodka water's with a splash of lime juice. Which were $10 each... a bit more expensive than I thought they would be. Anyway, when she handed me the bill my friend and I were clinking glasses and she made a snide comment about how she didn't have time to wait for us to cheers our drinks. Uhhh okay, relax. Like I said, I really want to like this place and the crowd is pretty cool so that is saving my opinion about this place. I am not sure how soon I will give it another try though especially when there are so many other places to choose from within a block of Bru.
(2)
Ashley D.
Good beer selection and food. But I'm really disgusted by the way the waitress have to dress, which includes booty shorts and stockings. It's deplorable in this day in age and infuriates me as a German woman. You have completely bastardized the Dirndl, which is a beautiful and respectable outfit. I am a knowledgable patron, well versed in German food and beer, but I will NEVER return unless you change your policies.
(2)
Anna M.
Atmosphere: girls are in slutty/cute outfits. Place looks like an outdoor beer garden (tho it's inside). Food: (me) flatbread cheese pizza was simple with a lot of great garden fresh flavors. (Husband) Brat was good; the bread was too toasted so it didn't seem fresh. The beat salad was excellent. Drinks: got scotches and the prices were comparable. Will def go back for the unique look and good food!
(5)
Carla F.
I've been here twice now for lunch and can't say I have been disappointed. They have a great beer selection (duh). The seating area is adorable, especially in the summer with the garage door open in the back. And the food is great! I order the veggie burger and it is by far one of my favorites in the city.
(4)
A B.
Being definitively older than the pub crawlers that were in the front of the house, I only stayed long enough to eat a wurst and get onto the next part of my night. Interesting if you want to people watch, but you'll have to contend with the crowds and layers of noise.
(2)
Julian E.
Best spot in Philly if you are going to watch Germany play in the world cup or any type of major German sporting event. However the beer selection is completely unfamiliar I suggest the "Bitburger" it tastes like yeungling. The pretzels taste great. Bartenders and servers are gorgeous and very friendly. The customer service is excellent.
(5)
Ryan M.
I love the beer selection at bru and the bartenders provide great service and wonderful conversation... however I've had spotty table service and the one note food menu make it difficult for me to come more often.
(3)
Chris G.
Never again. Five friends and I went into the city for the Jolly Pumpkin Beer Week event at Bru on Sunday 6/1/2014. They were supposed to have 12 Jolly Pumpkin beers on-tap, and were to be serving them in flights of 6. We arrived and the place was pretty dead, especially for an event during beer week on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Once we sat, it took a very long time to get service (despite it being quiet). Our waitress came and took our orders, only to return and tell us that they were no longer serving flights and we'd have to order full pints. The bar had been storing kegs for this event for a long time, and clearly they'd mishandled them or overwhelmed the tap system. Because (and I should mention that Jolly Pumpkin is my favorite brewery) all of the beers came out tasting like garbage. Some were too warm, some were flat, others had just been skunked. Furthermore, as we continued ordering others from the list, our waitress kept bringing us the wrong beer and insisting that it was the one we were ordering. Not sure if this was her fault or the bartenders - but either way, disappointing. Thankfully, the waitress sympathized and gave us a bill with a nice discount to compensate for the horrid experience. My reviews on here are mostly very positive, but I'll make an exception this morning because Bru was a disaster. With so many great options in the city, this place is a waste of your time.
(1)
Vichet O.
I really liked this spot, and I'm glad I stumbled in to meet up with my cousin here. The atmosphere is pretty standard for a spot near Broad. However, the beer selection here is definitely above and beyond most of the places I can think of within two blocks. Also, their bar snacks are pretty great. Especially the fries. What really made me enjoy this place was that it wasn't especially packed for a Friday, and that the DJ was actually spinning some really enjoyable music. Shots, beer, fries, and dancing make for a pretty memorable experience. At least until the shots and beer take effect. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Anupma S.
This place is okay to come to when there isn't much going on. It has a fun atmosphere with outdoor seating (albeit in a sketch place). I like that they keep the back open so you can see over to the bar across the alley. Beer is okay, food is okay, service is a little less than okay. I've waited way too long for service multiple times, both when I've sat near the bar and when I've sat at the long tables in the back. Also, more often than not the bar is covered in water and it takes way too long for the staff to wipe it down. A plus is the beer sampling they have in the middle. Bathrooms are also right in the middle, in your face, which is a little grimy.
(3)
Eddie K.
Very disappointing. Bartenders were incredibly rude. If your in college and like to black out - great place for Thursday night. Otherwise, recommend elsewhere
(1)
Stephanie S.
Since a new German craft beer bar just opened blocks from my house, I couldn't wait to get in there and try it! Not only is German beer my favorite, but was excited for a place with 25-30 rotating taps. Unlike Frankford hall where there is minimal German beers on tap, Bru has plenty! Plus other craft selections. The "beer wall" is smaller than I expected, only 6-8 beers on the wall to pour yourself. But, still cool I guess! I went on a busy Saturday night, I think it was opening weekend, and the bar was packed for march madness. I went to hostess stand, she said there was a wait for a table, so took my name down, then immediately called me, I hardly waited!! Awesome! All the hostesses and waitresses are really cute! Def some eye candy if you are a male :-) Anyway, my roomie and I ordered a few beers and food. The smoked salmon bruschetta w/ arugula was very yummy! I love the cheese and beets on it. We also had the meatballs which melt in your mouth with a fantastic flavor, and the portebello mushroom sandwich, which I loved! Filled with tiny mushrooms, and a very strong aged cheese melted all inside. Was fantastic! Can't wait to go back and try the lamb shoulder flatbread. Love this place, I will be back many times. Am looking forward to some new craft draft selections... Was unimpressed by the coors light on the menu, but I guess that's to please the tourists! Majority of other beers were pretty good. Tip: 2 entrances, one on chestnut street, and one in the back alley directly accross from McGillins and Dury st.
(4)
Anton T.
It is completely overpriced. Additionally, the potato salad I got was practically raw potatoes, the sauerkraut was horrible as well. Add two mediocre sausages to that and you get something they call "sausage plate" and charge 30$ for that. Never again!
(1)
Olivia T.
Very nice, fun place. The mussels were great and the fries as well. The brat was good, but not great. The self serve beer wall was interesting in concept, but in practice was a little awkward.
(4)
Brittany P.
Bro central for sure !! It's center city so I guess I can't be too shocked. Bru has a lot of beers to pick from and a nice German based food menu! I have yet to eat here but everytime I browse the food menu I'm interested!
(4)
Jay A.
Great atmosphere wide selection of beer Food was very good. I would definitely try this place
(4)
Mina B.
Unfriendly and unmotivated staff. When I asked the server what she recommends for sweet tasty beer, she seemed clueless. When I asked about a specific type of beer on the menu and what it consist of, her reply was "Whatever is written there". I was only there for a couple of hours, I was not inclined to spend an extra penny after the one beer, I've been to better bars.
(2)
Alick W.
I've been to Bru twice, both on Sundays. It is a nice weekend spot to grab some food and watch a game. They have about About 8 flat screen tv's for sports games and is a decent size with a decent amount of seating. I heard it can get really crowded on a weekend night, but haven't been yet. The place also seems very clean and the restrooms were very clean as well. I ordered the burger which was okay, nothing really special but my friend got a brat and said it was delicious. Bru also has a large selection of good beers, primarily German beers on tap which you wouldn't really be able to find in any non German themed bar. They also have a good bottle list as well. I tried 2 of the wheat beers which were excellent. Bru also has the pour your own beer tap system which I haven;t tried yet but seems pretty cool. This place has been open for a little over a year now and is a bar in center city. Bru is a place that I would go back to during the daytime and will try it out during a busy night in the future.
(4)
Elaine M.
I went to Bru last Friday night with a crew of friends. We were only there late night for drinks so I can't review the food menu. We got there around 10 PM and it was already packed. We were able to find some open space near the Chestnut St doors and squeeze our way up to the bar to get some drinks. They have a huge beer list, a mixture of German beers, local mirco brews and your standard American 'favorites'. Each beer that I had was great and I didn't think the prices were too outlandish. This is certainly not a $2 Miller Lite kind of place, but you can get a tasty 22 oz. brew in the $7-$8 range. As I said we got there at 10 PM, it was obvious that a good portion of the crowd had been there since happy hour.... several sloppy post-dinner patrons getting up from their tables and business suits spinning around the dance floor. The music was very loud (kind of hard to talk to friends - my throat was horse the next day from screaming) but the DJ played good jams all night. This place was pretty packed, there was a little bit of room to dance if you broke away from the crowd but for the most part people were just standing around talking.
(4)
Dean P.
Just what you'd hope for! Lots of great beers on draft with a bias toward German style beer and food. The hefeweizen was terrific and was even better with the Bavarian pretzel. The pretzel was fresh baked. Warm with a slightly crunchy exterior and a soft chewy center. The smoke Gouda fondu served with it had a mild smokey and bacon flavor. Perfection. Didn't try anything else on the menu, or I would have given it a 5. I'll be back!!!!!
(4)
Harry M.
Got to watch England's demise to Uruguay for the 2014 World Cup here. I had 2 Dark Horse IPA's and the pulled brisket sandwich. It came with cabbage and fried pickle chips on the sandwich. It was really good and an excellent portion. The fries were fantastic too. Service was good at checking on our table and getting us what we wanted fast. The rest of the food and beer selection was great. I couldn't make up my mind and had to ask the service for the suggestion. Everything came to $24 plus tip for me. Pretty well priced I must say.
(5)
Colleen M.
I've been here twice - would have been 4 times but twice I tried to go it was either SO packed (on a Friday) with the type of crowd I just can't stomach or so LOUD that I couldn't hold a conversation with my mouth right next to the ear of the person I was talking to. I'll rate based on the days where I actually hung out for a spell. The beer selection was really good. Friends visiting from Denver and I sampled a few tasty ones that none of us had tried before and I was really pleased with both the service and the knowledge of the bartenders. The other time I was in - same beer experience, but the food couldn't be considered anything more than "sustenance". It was fine for keeping you from getting too tipsy on 10% ABV beers but not worth going out of your way for. Looking for a good beer selection, a pour your own option (which I haven't explored) and adequate nibbles then this is your place. Just watch out for the unofficial Frat Boy Fridays - unless that's your thing.
(3)
Sara K.
So I can see why people like BRU, but I probably won't go back. The food is good. The beer is good. You can get comparable food and beer at Frankford Hall for cheaper and enjoy yourself more, though. The waitstaff sucks. If it's crowded (and it often is, especially around happy hour) it will take you decades to get a beer. When I sat down to eat one unfortunate night, no one came to even take my drink order for 15-20 minutes. I will say that my appetizers arrived promptly but I was expected to eat it without silverware or napkins. Yep, they sat us somewhere with no place settings, brought out our food, and when we realized we didn't have silverware our waitress was nowhere to be found. We asked another one but she never brought it. Our dinner took like 2 hours, it was annoying. I also hate the throngs of bros who seem to thrive here, but that's obviously personal preference. It's loud as FUCK in here, so if you're going for dinner, choose your time wisely. Between the music and the crowds of people, you won't be able to hear whomever you're with.
(2)
S L.
I've been here a bunch of time for lunch, but never for dinner - so keep that in mind. Bru expands upon the restaurant revival in the East of Broad / South of Market area. Excellent selection of rotating craft beers with a strong selection of German and European beers as well as American craft. There's also some sort of self-serve beer contraption in the back that I've never used but would be nice on a crowded night. Lunch is reasonably priced and features a Wurst(s) of the day, some traditional German fare, and an excellent Donnor Kabob. Staff has always been friendly and outgoing and we've never experienced any sort of meal or serving problem. Back of the restaurant has picnic table seating with large open windows facing an historic street. Might be good for kids during the day or early dinner but I hear this place is hopping later at night.
(4)
Ryan B.
Frequent this place for happy hour after work. Great beer selection. Would recommend it. I can't say much for dinner. I'm sure it would be great thought.
(3)
Lauren C.
Went to Bru with a party of 10 on a Saturday night. We had a reservation... thankgawd... because the place was PACKED!!! They had to kick some stragglers out of our picnic table, and then we all sat down... plenty of room for all of us. The menu had lots of options... even for myself as a vegetarian. I wish they'd update their menu online though, because they had some eggplant sandwich that i was salivating for that wasn't on the menu when I got there. I have to give our waitress credit- a table of 10 in a packed bar on a Saturday night... i never saw the bottom fo my beer, and had a great meal in a decent amount of time. We all did. Everyone seemed to enjoy their grub too. My only gripe with this place was the atmosphere. We had people standing crammed in all around us... the walls are all brick, and there is nothing that really absorbs the sound... so the bar is just loud... straight up noisy... which got frustrating in trying to talk to people at the other end of the table. Also, everything was a bit expensive for what it was. My $10 sandwich was basically a falafel sandwich... but on a smaller scale. It tasted good... but not great... maybe its because i'm the token vegetarian and i got the only thing i could eat... As a place to drink on a less croweded night, this place did great... and props again to our waitress for handing a big party the way a big party should be handled!!!
(3)
Jeff V.
Tip at your own risk!!!! I just received a notification from my credit card for a suspicious tip amount. My drink order was in the 30's with a tip amount at around 50%. Sorry but on a busy night your service isn't that good for a beer. To make this an easy catch whatever bartender did this decided to add an additional random cent amount to the tip I'm not sure about other people, but I never leave change with a tip on a card unless it raises the total to an even dollar amount, which in this case it did not. Seriously not a classy move by your staff.
(1)
Gar L.
Great local place to grab a brew. This place is pretty popular right now so expect crowds Friday and Saturday nights. Dont forget to try the food here, it's pretty amazing!
(5)
Vanessa D.
This place is extremely unique to the streets of Philadelphia! The atmosphere, enormous beer list, and German inspired menu has kept me returning. The most exciting part about the venue is the self serve beer wall. Great for those busy Saturday nights. You purchase a 'Bru Button' from the friendly wait staff and can literally pour your own beer directly from the tap. It's a great additional value to any special occasion or night out. I'd def recommend!
(5)
Nazee Z.
The happy hr at this place is great! I got two beers and ended up spending $10 with tip! I'm a huge fan of German beer gardens and this place has a great selection. The happy hr is a bit limited, but I still haven't had a beer that I didn't enjoy. Also, the bacon gravy fries are to die for! I think they're $3 or $4 on happy hr as well. All in all, cheap, great atmosphere, great location, and the beer is fantastic!
(5)
Chelsea H.
Good food and beer selection. Good for groups because it is very loud! Service always fast and friendly. Will be back very soon.
(4)
Mackie E.
I have stopped in here twice in the past 2 weeks. I found it to be a perfect spot to order some picky food, sit outside and indulge in their 4 page beer menu. The zucchini and tomato flatbread was exceptional. It looked great and tasted so fresh, which was exactly what I was looking for. My boyfriend got the BRU fries, which is a deliciously, artery clogging combination of fries, bacon gravy and pork sausage. For those of you keeping score - yes, that is 2 different types of pig....and it's delicious. Noteworthy: The service there is really fantastic. Both times I have gone our server has been incredibly friendly and always there when you want service. Definitely worth stopping in for a happy hour or a few drinks outside while the weather is still nice.
(4)
Gautam T.
I like BRU a lot but can't rate it highly because it doesn't stand out. Sure there are good beers and good food but when you're inside the bar it has a very in original feel to it. When I think of beer gardens or German bru pubs I think there is a certain atmosphere, for example brahous Schmidts is a great place for beer and brats. Bru is a bar that serves good beer. Don't come here looking for an original German Bru pub because you're not going to get it.
(3)
Sean S.
Center City's answer to Frankford Hall. Great place. Great beer with LOTS of variety. Gets packed on weekend nights with a wait for seats. Good food - there's a "loaded french fry" dish and a plate that includes a variety of their different sausages that is worth trying. I don't remember what they were called. Check this place out!
(4)
Karen T.
"Their liverwurst is better than most sex I've had".--Actual quote we overheard from someone here. Beer list is good and the wait staff is very nice and patient, even when they are busy, but not in a rush to go back. Pretty loud atmosphere, and the food menu is limited. Not looking to have 100 options, but just surprised they didn't have a couple more conventional options. If I am going to do German, would go to Brauhaus Schmitz or Frankford Hall. Just might not be right for me.
(2)
Majlinda K.
Great place to sit and hang out with friends while drinking german beer out of 1 Liter glasses. They have a nice variety of german beers on tap and bottled as well as other imported beers as well. So if you enjoy german beers this is the place for you! I highly reccomend the pretzels as a snack between your liter beers. They were warm and delicious and served with cheese dip. The place is really big and has seating to accomodate large parties.
(4)
Stacey S.
I came here for lunch. Sat at the bar. The bartender was super friendly and attentive. I had the wurst plate with the Denny sausage... It was great! The potato salad was a bit salty paired with the salty sauerkraut and salty sausage. But all and all it was great. They have a HUGE selection of beers! Great pub!
(4)
Jessie H.
I've been here mostly on Fridays. I like that you can buy a $5 keychain fob and then put money on it. You can use the fob to pour your own beer which I thought was pretty cool. The $5 is a one time fee for the fob and you get to keep it. It gets pretty packed here so come early like 8pm ish.
(4)
Siobhan O.
Good food and beer, but service below par. Why were there 6 waitresses standing around in the front yet I had to go up to the bar to get a water and ask twice for silverware after our appetizers arrived? At the bar noticed someone else couldn't get their waitress to pick up the check, so not just a problem I was experiencing. Also 3 workers sharing the sink in the ladies room getting ready for their shift to stand around wasn't all that professional. Seems like a "Hooters" image is enforced on them, but I've received quicker and more attentive customer service at Hooters. Food was good and $4 beers at Happy Hour also a great deal-not all complaints.
(3)
Chris M.
If you're looking for the most authentic German experience possible, this is not it--go to the Newportville Inn or the Austrian Village. If you want to hang at a cool Center City bar with German accents, Bru is a fine choice. The space feels like a Brauhaus-esque, German-chic spot. It's reasonably big with a lot of seating, including al fresco seating in the front and read of the space. They also have some high-tech, serve-yourself-beer stations, which look pretty cool. The beer selection here is pretty decent. It's split into a German beer section and a craft beer section. There are about a dozen German beers on the menu, and they go down to $4 (from $7 or so) for a half liter at happy hour. I recommend the Kozstrizer schwarzbier. It's really delicious. On the craft side, they have some good picks, including some local beers and upstart breweries, which I thought was pretty cool. The food selection looked pretty good. We just tried the pretzel with the gouda dipping sauce. I thought the price was a little steep at $6, but it was REALLY tasty. Next time, I would like to try some of the German specialties, like the mixed wurst platter. The bartenders were very friendly and added to the experience.
(4)
Kayla A.
Came here on a Friday night around 11 pm with some girlfriends. It was pretty crowded but we didn't have any trouble ordering a drink at the bar. I don't drink beer but my friends were really happy with the beer list they have. They also have a self serve beer bar, from what I understand you have to pay for a fob and you get a glass and thats how you use the self serve. The bartender did let us know that the self serve beers are not as good as the beers you order from the bar. Staff was very friendly and quick to serve, especially for how busy it was. Will definitely be returning to try the food.
(4)
Jennifer W.
Only giving this two stars because the beer selection is good. Good was not good. Nobody at our table liked any of the dishes we ordered - except the pretzel. Pretzel was good
(2)
Neil S.
Bru works well as a nightlife option when in need of a compromise between a lively party scene and good beer. The tap list at Bru is ample and very reasonably priced; half liters of quality German beers can be had at $6-8, with American micros served in smaller portions but at similarly manageable costs. This place can get crowded, but you can always find a piece of real estate for you and your group somewhere in the venue. A DJ plays fairly loud music on the weekends so conversation may be difficult, but it's never night club level deafening. I've only had the Bru Fries here (bacon gravy, muenster cheese, sausage) which were delicious, if not a little oversalted, but other foodie friends have recommended the rest of the German grub the kitchen puts out. My only complaint about this place is that the beer never tastes as pristine as at other, suds-focused spots. That characteristic implies Bru probably doesn't keep its tap lines squeaky clean, especially on the weekends when this effect is far more noticeable. This tradeoff, fortunately, is small relative to this places' general acceptability as a nightlife option to most people. I find myself coming back here often for decent beer, a buzzing scene, and generally good times on weekends. If you want to sit and have a conversation with friends, this place probably won't meet your criteria on the weekends, but this place provides a great middle ground between those in need of tasty beer and those who frequent venues like Ladder, Public House, or other energetic, young professional Philly bars.
(4)
Kelli M.
Went here for the first time with a friend when we made our own impromptu St. Patty's Day weekend crawl. They have pages and pages of beers from around the world, including different beers sold at sports arenas/stadiums around the world. Prices are pretty standard and it's in a great location. They have the token/debit card you can put money on and use at their installed kegs/kiosks. We didn't have a chance to try them but it would definitely be nice to use especially when it's crowded. The back entrance also leads you out to McGillan's next door which is always a plus. I haven't had the chance to eat there but the menu looked interesting if you are into German food!
(4)
Two B.
So, i'm going to tell you about BRU's pretzel served with gouda cheese sauce. I think that the crispiness and flakiness of the pretzel and the moistness of the cheese creates a wonderful texture. The pretzel itself is a little dry but the sauce creates an awesome taste. Well, that's all folks . I would go back here for the pretzel. reviewed Agent A
(4)
Melissa C.
Food very nice, beer selection also nice, extensive. Music, although good, is excessively loud, even for the type of place this is. If you actually want to talk with your group, go elsewhere. If you don't care about screaming, the beer and food are worth it.
(4)
Michele R.
I'll admit, it's slightly unfair of me to write a review for a place that just doesn't have my heart...I don't eat bratwurst...however I keep ending up here with friends so I should add my two cents. The beer list is as promised and to be expected at a bier garden: extensive and interesting. The service can be spotty, especially when the place is crowded. If you are in a rush to get your beer, the self serve bar is for you. Which is pretty cool. My only complaint is about the food options, which have admittedly improved since the opening month. For someone who doesn't eat pork or bratwurst, a few more fish or even free range local beef options would be much appreciated. There is a trout dish that is entree sized, and the mushroom spatzle was Delish....however, I realize now that's because those were some kind of noodle mixed in with the cheese and Brussels sprouts. (hey, I'm not German! I didn't know what spatzle was and the description didn't explain!) I try to avoid flour and gluten products and I think this restaurant can get itself into trouble not designating clearly what's In a dish. Other than that, it's a fun place to go with friends, especially, the 30-40 something's crowds, and in walking distance to all the other midtown village hot spots.
(4)
Jim W.
Bru is your latest pop-up "German" style bar. I've been here a few times with each experience worse than the one before. It's incredibly loud and rather overpriced for what it is. The frat crowd tends to overrun this place as it gets later. When you first walk in, you'll notice it's not really a beer garden at all and is rather cramped. Tables are close together and provide barely enough space to seat yourself in. You'll probably also notice the waitresses sporting red suspenders and short shorts which I find kind of weird and misplaced here. The beer selection is pretty good but not unique considering the neighboring bars. Did I mention that it gets extremely loud? If you're looking for a German style bar directly in mid-town center city, I guess this is it but there are many better choices throughout the city and even better taverns right across the street.
(2)
Rae O.
Bru is one of my favorite places to do happy Hour in center city. The bartenders and the wait staff are so nice! $4 beers =AMAZING! The Pretzels with Gouda Cheese is a must! The vibe is really chill. If you are really having a good time and decide to stay a little longer on Friday night there is dancing with a DJ. Can you say fun fun fun? Lol. Pretty nice not having to go to another place to dance after happy hour especially in this freezing cold weather. Ended up spending 5 hours there, and it was a good night.
(5)
Andrew B.
interesting crowd. good beers. more expensive and less fun than mcgillians, but definitely a trendier option
(3)
Noah G.
The first Saturday of April was unofficially the end of our extended winter and the sun soaked city was the perfect back drop for boo and I's engagement photos. After two and a half hours of posing I felt that a couple of brewskis were more than appropriate so once we finished up we headed over to BRU to get some apps and do the damn thing. Apparently we weren't the only ones with the idea because the joint was jumping. We had a 15 minute wait for our table which was totally fine because they have some of the clearest TVs I've ever seen at a bar and the Flyers game was on. Unfortunately no matter how good the TVs looked they could not make Bryzgolov look any better than the Moscow sized disappointment he is. Despite how busy they were the bartenders were very attentive and we were never with an empty glass for long. Upon being sat we were handed a very simple but ample menu that had some very enticing options that was all priced very moderately. Since we were going out for dinner later on we opted to get two appetizers, the pretzel with some sort of angelic cheese dip, and a lamb kabob on flat bread. It was so so good. I really wanted the Currywurst which was a brat cut up on top of french fries with curried ketchup but I was convinced not to since apparently I'd be having fries with dinner (seems like a lame reason looking back on it). I'm really looking forward to going back on an off night when they will have the garage doors open and a Phillies game on. The staff at BRU is so nice and accommodating, the decor is unique and for being so new I thought things were already running flawlessly. So great to have them in the neighborhood!!
(4)
Victoria L.
More of a beer haus than a biergarten... since it's completely indoors. The beers here are fine. The food is a little overpriced since the sandwiches don't come with fries. And the fries cost almost as much as a sandwich. The options are very limited in terms of food and drink, but the draw is the ambiance. The decor and vibe is pretty cool. I've been here three times this month because my friends love the Center City location, but the service has been pretty poor every time. I'd rather take the trip to Frankford Hall.
(2)
Prasath S.
Bockwurst, Fries and Curry Ketchup. Yummy !!!! Can't wait to go back and try some of their other meat offerings...
(4)
Meredith B.
You are super cool! What and awesome space. People can enter in on Chestnut or Drury (for the McGilian's overflow). The inside is very cool looking with a great long bar throughout the space. Lots of tables and also a self serve tap. They have an pretty nice selection of beers. I checked out their menu and ordered the flatbread and the pretzel with cheese... both were tasty. I happened to see Doner Kebabs on the menu. I will be back to check this out. These are European Royalty in the food world. Special shout out to Theo working there. I use to see him at Noble working there and he's so great. Welcome back into my life Theo. This place will be around awhile...
(3)
Sarah A.
Perhaps it's Stephen Starr's fault for bringing Frankford Hall to Philadelphia, but when I hear "Beer Garden" I think "garden in the city full of varied-types of beer" So even before going, I was already a tad bit disappointed that there would be no center-of-the-city garden oasis, but that didn't deter me from making the trip. Twice. (First time I tried, they stopped seating an hour before a private party came in.) Second time we were seated relatively quickly, but as others have reported, service was slow. Lots of tables around us were seated, but none had food. In another comment about the service (other than the somewhat inappropriately short-outside-a-strip-club lederhosen our petite, blond server was wearing), when I asked what "schnitzel" was I heard, "Um...well, it comes with the things right there on the menu." Yeah. I actually read the menu, but was hoping my server could illuminate (thank you trusty iPhone!). Here's hoping the service staff learn the relatively brief menu. Other than that, the food was fine. It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't bad. The two types of "wurst" I tried (beef-only and beef-and-pork) were good, tender, and juicy. The sauerkraut was relatively bland and did not compare to that offered at Frankford Hall. The portion sizes were what I might expect for a slightly-pricey, midtown restaurant. And, though I didn't drink any beer, my dinner-mate reported a less-than-varied beer selection. PS. It's very loud, so don't expect to have a conversation.
(2)
Ashley C.
Excellent selection of German and Czech beers.. Artistic German expression. They have cool features- serve yourself beer tap wall. Excellent food. Service is great! Waitresses wear very sexy attire. Good location, downtown Philly
(5)
Eric H.
We usually have a great time at Bru, sitting outside across from Macys on a nice day. Recently, we were terribly disappointed by the service. At a time when there were very few other patrons, we asked if we could sit outside... where we were promptly forgotten. We went inside to remind the hostess that we were there and finally got menus. After another 10 minutes, we returned our menus and left for a beer nearby at Nodding Head Brewery. The snide looks we received from the girls at the host station on our way out made us feel like we were somehow being inconsiderate. Bru, so sorry for inconveniencing you by coming while your ladies were still doing their makeup.
(1)
CHRISTINE B.
I retract everything I ever thought or wrote about this place. This is the worst establishment I've ever been to. I don't know who hires these derelict bartenders but they should be fired. The first time I was here I was disrespected. Wrote a bad review on Yelp and was asked to try it again, so I did. No complaints - food is good, beer selection nice. Tonight? I don't know what the problem is, but you can't treat people like garbage. If I ask you a question you should try your best to accommodate me. This is common food/beer service practice. I will never come here again. I will never have a good word to say about Bru. You won't miss my "patronage", but I won't miss being treated like a P.O.S. either.
(1)
Devon L.
Ended up here on Sunday evening, and again a little later on Sunday night this past weekend (plans changed and it turned out being alright). My boo and I stopped in for an early evening drink around 6ish and there were a decent amount of seats at the bar. I had the Clown Shoes Clementine Ale which I really liked a lot, and we had one of the pretzels to share. The cheese fondue sauce that comes with the pretzel is so good.. I could probably drink it. The pretzel was pretty good too, although overall I think I prefer Brauhaus' pretzel over Bru's. Fast forward about 3 hours, to meeting up with friends back at Bru, and the place is packed. I get what others are saying in reviews about this place being a bro bar, because it totally is. I remained faithful to the Clown Shoes Clementine throughout the night and wasn't disappointed. I don't think that the prices for the beer are too expensive at all, and there's also a decent selection for those who are adventurous and like to try a bunch of new things. We didn't try the tap your own beer wall, although I'd be interested to see what it's all about next time we stop in. Overall, this is a pretty cool place with a decent atmosphere, and I'd definitely go back to Bru to try some of their food options and try some other beers.
(3)
Nicole H.
Great beer selection, and the prices are totally acceptable. The food is really well-priced, but taste wise isn't that great. Fries were worth trying though. Very happy to see something like BRU in the area...really fits in with the other bar options but offers something new and different. Will definitely be back to review again once I've been there in warmer weather with outdoor seating.
(3)
Joe C.
Allow me to begin by saying that I've been avoiding this place since it opened. I was under the impression that it was nothing more than a bro-y extension of McGillin's, which is far from what I enjoy. The funny thing is, my assumptions were correct and I'm not bothered by it. I walked into this space yesterday afternoon after grabbing a couple of bottles form the state store. As soon as I walked in, the top 40 pop/rock classics from 15 years ago accosted my ears and I thought that my head would surely explode within the next few minutes. Seriously guys, turn down the volume during the day. The bar itself is nicely done and seems quite clean for what is essentially a suburban bar in center city. Service was attentive and pleasant but not overbearing. The day time bartender took care of me and was very helpful. Where this bar stands out is it's beverage program and menu. The Chef and bar manager should be given a high five for their efforts in setting this place apart from the majority of bars in the immediate area. I had the Kaesespaetzle, which despite the spaetzle being a tad overcooked, was phenomenal. Super umami. Great menu, which despite what a previous commenter said, is a far cry from the sausage fest up at Frankford hall, but not quite to Brauhaus Schmitz level. Their beverage program is nice because of the amount of offerings on draft and the range therein. They have a great selection of classic European beers, Aventinus is always on tap big thumbs up for that, as well as seasonals and small batch offerings from reputable breweries. The only reason I didn't give this place five star was because of the deafening decibel level and the understanding that in the evenings and on weekends this place holds an unbearable amount of suits and suburban bros. Otherwise, on quality alone a solid 4 stars. I'll definitely be back... during the day.
(4)
Maxine B.
I arrived at BRÃœ on a Wednesday night. Seated near the front of the restaurant, my company and I found the overall ambiance enjoyable: dark and cozy, yet not stifling. With that being said, the spacing of everything seemed to result in inescapable congestion. hmph. In terms of service our waitress was sufficiently attentive without being intrusive, while her bashful demeanor was all the more endearing. What a sweetheart! Coming to BRÃœ to dine, however, was a mistake. I appreciate the menu composition, but the preparation is questionable and the execution poor. It's a good place to snag some brews, but save your appetite for elsewhere. If you'd like more detail, please read on. The currywurst starter- fries, knackwurst, curry ketchup - was far from appetizing. The dish would have been better had they used more of a sausage-type meat rather than the decided hot dog variety. Void of any zest or tang, the sauce was lacking even a hint of curry flavor and essentially tasted like pure ketchup - very sweet ketchup might I add. The fries were nothing special, but that's just a cherry on top once everything else is right. Bottom line: It is not currywurst. Doeners are an art-form; they have unprecedented potential - sensational when they're good, and plain wack when they're wrong. The doner kabob at BRÃœ was wrong. Overly well-done & salty lamb, limp and doughy flatbread, scrapings of bland yogurt sauce. Bottom line: Just...wack. Both dishes were not nearly worth their price. Disappointing indeed. --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â----------------- I would like to come back, but I honestly can't see myself coming here simply to drink. Step up your food game, BRÃœ & you'll be golden!
(3)
Jim B.
Great place. Good service. Ask for Ron. You will enjoy every minute there. We will be back as soon and as often as possible.
(5)
Mandy H.
This place is so close to my house and I can't believe I finally went for the first time this week. It's definitely a cool atmosphere for drinks and they have a nice German food menu too. Apparently, their kitchen is open until 1 AM, also, which is good/bad for me to know. They have a ton of German beer on tap and also offer microbrews and your standard brews. Foodwise, the short rib was really good, especially the brussels sprouts and spaetzel combo that came with it. Yum yum! The fried pickles were also very good if you're feeling bad and want something greasy. They come with ham (which tastes like bacon) and pickles inside the crispy batter. The mixed wurst plate is also a good option if you're undecided and like a good sausage. I'm defintiely coming back to try more!
(4)
Christopher D.
Bru bills itself as an indoor German beer garden. It has a long bar, as well was communal tables and smaller tables where you can sit by yourself. The atmosphere is dark, with extremely loud music. Service is quite good and the beer list is outstanding. Food menu is limited. I had the spaetzle there which while good were under seasoned. There was not an abundance of cheese in the dish which was a good thing, but the mushrooms were pedestrian. I would consider going back to try other dishes but there are plenty of other places that can produce a good wurst so I would be drawn back for the beer but not the food.
(2)
Joanna H.
This is my new favorite bar!!!! They have a great selection of beer. they have my favorite too! (Hefe Weiner-Paulaner)!!! German beer avg $6-7. THe FOOD was SO GOOD TOO! it was only $7 to eat the Doner something (forgot the second part of the dish name. sorry!) I saw waitresses serving hot dog looking things to other tables so I was expecting with lamb meat in a hot dog bun. But it was more similar to a gyro wrap kind-of-dish. Soft yet slightly crispy wrap, tender juicy, one of the best lamb meat i had, with other veggies inside. I highly recommend this! This place will get pretty crowded around 10-11pm. The music can get really loud and you may have to work your way through the crowd sometimes, but it's def not a grimy hot place. Wish they played other selection of music over just oldschool rock, but it's okay. I went two days in a row last weekend, and will def go back soon!
(4)
Lauren J.
I'm not a huge beer snob, so I'm usually at wine bars. My grad school hosted a happy hour here and it was a good venue with plenty of seating in the back. There was a strange security guard who kept scolding my skinny white guy friend to stop "leaning" on the table. For real??? Other than that--good times had by all. The customized music mix machine was broken though and there was a long wait at bar. Good for group. Loud noise volume--even when not full. Poor acoustics.
(3)
Logan F.
Asked for seltzer with lemon, was given an old slimey smelly lemon. I asked the bartender how long it took to make the fried chicken, he said not long. It took 25min to come out, by which time I had to leave for an appointment. The place was empty, I can make fried chicken in 10min at home, it shouldn't have taken 25min. While I was waiting for my food, I saw a cool come out and chat with the bartender and got a beer from him. It's a shame I'll probably never go back. The beer selection looked great and the place seems nice.
(1)
Er B.
After 101 reviews, I'm not sure what else I can tell you in my review. Went the day after Christmas with my mister. We arrived around 5 and waited just a few minutes for a spot at the bar to open up. A table here and there were occupied. We sat down, ordered some drinks (yeay for happy hour drink specials). We started off with the Currywurst (fries, knackwurst, curry ketchup) as our app and then our entrees arrived. The mister had the mixed wurst plate (4 sausages, potato salad and sauerkraut) and I had the pork belly (confit berkshire pork, braised white beans, pickled local fruit). Our bartender gave us a gentle/friendly warning when we ordered, letting us know that we should prepare for quite a bit of food. He was right, but we had no problem polishing everything off since it was so tasty and well prepared. We left around 7pm, noticed that it was getting more crowded both in the front and back of the restaurant. The rear of the restaurant faces Drury Street and has a large, plexiglass garage door that I imagine is open in more seasonal times.
(4)
Brandon W.
My wife and I really like coming here. Solid beer menu and food. Get the fried pickles, I could eat them every day! Service is good. Not a whole lot of seating for dinner, but still a great place.
(4)
Clint W.
As promised, I returned in search of some revision to my initial impressions. My first trip to Bru was during a heaving Saturday afternoon during their opening weekend. We fought for a spot at the bar and then fought to get the attention of the bartender, who was trying to cater to dozens of drunk Philadelphia "bros." Upon my second visit to Bru, during a Friday night happy hour, I was pleased to find the ambiance altered. Though still a handful of "young professionals" milling about, there was a healthy selection of real professionals and Friday night pub crawlers, which brought the bro-level down a welcome notch. Within ten minutes, we had found a table, in time to take advantage of the wonderful happy hour special: $4 half-liter German drafts and $3 pretzels. The only downside to the happy hour is its rather limiting hours: 4-6pm. I have several friends that work across the street but are never out before 6pm. As such, I feel like Bru is missing out on a lot of potential customers. 5-7pm happy hours are much more accessible, but given the extent of the discounts, I can understand - from a business model perspective - the somewhat restricted hours. Based on the post-happy hour vibe, it would appear that Bru settles down a little bit more for the dinner hours. We ate in relative peace, enjoying a pretzel and two delicious wursts with the best kraut I've ever had. The menu is very minimalist, but it works well with the setting. At the end, we opted to try the apple strudel, which was a disappointment, to say the least. Roughly the size of a silver dollar and lacking that definitive strudel crunch, I would have preferred to have gone elsewhere for dessert. All in all, Bru makes a respectable stab at creating the beer garden atmosphere in the cramped real estate of Center City Philadelphia. The drafts are tapped just right and at their happy hour price, impossible to beat. If you're someone on the literal 9-5 grind, definitely stop by and give Bru a chance.
(4)
Chris K.
Hundreds of beers to choose from, plus delicious food. Open on both ends (alley and front) so there were a lot of people flowing in and out. Will be back.
(4)
Mary S.
You know you're going to a good car when the beer list requires a clipboard. We weren't here for happy hour but the specials were so good that we wish we were.
(4)
Joshua E.
Meh, the food was okay(overcooked), the Service was terrible at best. It's a really cool looking place, the waitresses were both hot and scantily clad, but I wouldn't go there again.
(2)
Paul C.
Food was ok...but great beer selection...for my past two visit...i was able to do the order of 1 liter and half liter...but...it will be soon enough when I do the BOOT...aka..2 liter!!!
(4)
Rachel F.
I had a great time at this place. My boyfriend and I shared the delicious Bavarian pretzel and cheese and the Currrywurst and fries appetizer. For dinner I had the Bratwurst and apples special with sauerkraut which I enjoyed and my boyfriend had the pulled brisket that was really great and tender. Great atmosphere!
(4)
Dennis D.
If you're beer fanatic and haven't been to BRÜ, you're missing out. This bar has a ton of different kinds of beer, so you'll surely find one you like. The interior is clean and decorated nicely--think wood! The layout is set up to enter at two different spots, one from Chestnut Street and the other from the alley Drury Street. The Chestnut side has outdoor seating, while the Drury side features a huge garage door style that opens up when the weather is nice. One unique feature this bar has is their Bier Wall. It has six different self serving taps that they rotate out. There's no waiting in line at the bar so it takes out that frustrating part of being at a bar. You buy a "Haus Key" that has a prepaid amount on it and you put the key up the your selected beer with its magnet. After you select it, the appropriate amount is deducted from the key. My one complaint about this is you have to buy the key for $5. I think it would go over better if they rented these out. My question to them was what if I was in town just visiting? What am I going to do with it after I leave.
(4)
Gem M.
So I never been to a Germany bar before this one so I don't have another German bar to compare it to. Maybe giving it five stars isn't right, but I don't care. From what I was told they don't have a huge food menu like other Germany bars but the food menu was a decent size. The food was yummy. Now on to the beer menu. Omg I love beer and I love their beer menu! There were four, yes four pages for beer. Can you say heaven? Can beer, draft beer, all kinds of beer but not the cheap beer. Hey I'm not knocking cheap beer, I love all beers. I got the Arcadia Jaw Jacker. It's a pumpkin beer. They offer samples of the draft beers so if your not crazy about the flavor your not stuck with it. The workers are friendly and helpful if you have questions. So if your looking for a new place to try come here.
(5)
Jimmie B.
I attended this fine dining establishment for a second meal after I left the trashy and trendy Gaslight. Food and beer selection is amazing. The price is right and atmosphere is nice, just loud. However I don't get the female waitstaff uniforms? It's a cross between TGI Fridays and a burlesque show as they have suspenders, tshirts and fish nets. A little cheesy trampy I must say... Maybe it's a straight guy thing? Lol Anyway, the food and beer will definitely bring you in and keep you coming back.
(4)
Kaitlyn M.
The beer list is good, that's the one nice thing to say. I had dinner here with a group of friends. The waitress was clearly confused as to which kegs had kicked and which hadn't - and kept coming back to ask me what I wanted instead then to inform me that "never mind" my original order was actually still available. Okay. 4/6 people ordered the cheeseburger- the waitress never asked how we wanted them cooked. We realized this after she walked away and assumed she would come back to rectify the mistake. Nope. All the burgers came out well done. Gross.
(3)
Erich F.
Only had apps but food was good, Ashley was our server and she did a great job. Beer was very good, apps were excellent, and service was great, overall great night
(4)
Katy T.
I'm a bit of a beer snob but this place has a lengthy list of drafts organized into lists by countries which they're brewed. The list is always rotating! The also have a variety of bottles, but you won't even be tempted to get a bottle because they have so many great things on draft. Their food menu is comprised of German dishes: bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzel, etc. The curry ketchup is a must try, very interesting flavor. If you go during Center City SIPS or on a weekend night it's going to be PACKED. They have a lot of seating but during these busy times, it's a sea of people and very hard to find a place to settle in. The music is great, but it's very loud. If you do happen to snag a table during one of their busy times, you're gonna have to shout to the person across the table from you so you can hear each other. I think it's a great place for lunch or happy hour, but on weekends it's more of a big party with booming music. They have a self-serve tap which is pretty cool. Just purchase a "Bru Button" when you get there. No waiting for the bartender, just go right up, swipe your button, pour your beer straight from the tap, and cheers!
(3)
Augustina G.
This bar has German undertones, but I wouldn't call it a German bar exactly. This bar has a HUGE list of beers on tap, so variety is not a problem here. I recommend going during Happy Hour when their list of "Old World Favorites" are $4 from 4-7pm on weekdays. Their bru fries is a heart attack on a plate, but man it is oh so good. Cheese, bacon bits and gravy on the top makes the fries such a great comfort food. Not too crazy about the food prices in general, though.Late night, this place gets pretty packed. I call it "The McGillin's Spillover" since a small alley separates them and like McGillin's, this too turns into the bro zone. There really isn't that much dancing, it's more like that swaying and standing business, simply because there isn't enough room to do it, nor is there a proper dancing space. I always feel a tad awkward coming here with my male coworkers because I know as much as they wouldn't want to admit it, they're definitely gawking at the female server's outfits, which are reminiscent of Hooters.
(3)
Samantha S.
I love Brü!!!! This place is the definition of cool. Came in for a quick beer around 2 in the afternoon on Saturday and the place was quiet. I figured it was just a low key place to grab a decent microbrew and lunch. The beer selection was HUGE. The place is sleek, modern and just really original. They have picnic table-esque seating by the window which was different. Decided to check this place out again later in the night and by midnight it was HOPPIN. I couldn't believe it was the same bar, place was packed. They had about four bartenders staffed so although the place was crowded, I didn't find myself waiting to get a drink for more than 30 seconds. They open up the front windows at night so you can see right across the McGillins. You feel as though you are outside its an awesome setting. The music they played was spot on. Overall, awesome bar, must check it out if in the area.
(5)
Amina W.
I ventured (in the rain, on my bike......uphill both ways?) to BRU for sips one stormy evening, and was very excited to check this place out after hearing great things. Maybe it was the fact that I (and everyone else) was soaked, and stinky, and miserable... but this place seemed a bit too cramped for my style. The place is long and narrow which forces everyone to squish past one another to get to the bar. I liked how they had a side bar set up in the back, which helped... but not really. After a while we were able to snag a table in the back, and we ordered a pretzel off of the regular menu (with gouda cheese, nom nom). Not too sure what the waitress heard, because she brought us the regular pretzel off of the Sips menu... and we were fine with that considering the sips pretzel was much cheaper, or so we thought. When we got the bill, what did we see? We were charged for the gouda pretzel. Malarkey! The waitress apologized but basically said there was nothing she could do. Meh. If the gang wanted to hit this place back up again I'm sure I'd tag along... but I'll probably take my german cravings elsewhere.
(3)
Lauren R.
I haven't eaten here, but it's a nice place to stop by for a drink! They have a lot of taps--and a great variety: local, domestic craft, and German beers. I studied abroad in Germany when in college, so I am definitely quite fond of a good German beers and it's often hard to find a good variety of them in the US in one place. BRU had a great selection (and even served them by the .5 liter!). The inside is nicely decorated--wooden walls and tables/benches--but it doesn't feel like a german brauhaus or biergarden. It's quiet enough to sit and actually have a conversation. They have some TVs so you can watch sports, but I definitely wouldn't call it a sports bar.
(4)
Shilpa K.
Maybe I just had really high expectations of bru, but I was SO disappointed in it. First of all, it wasn't exactly a beer garden...maybe they'll be opening up the windows, but for now it's a bar with a lot of wooden furniture and mini lights. Apparently the "pour your own beer" thing only is up for about an hour in the night. I'm sorry, but I'm not getting there at 6 pm just to try that out. The crowd reminded me of the douchey ladder 15 crowd. But that might have been the night I was there. Service was really slow. In the end, we made our way next door to McGillins...
(2)
Regina F.
If you've ever been to a loud, rowdy touristy German pub in Anywhere, USA, then you've been to Brü. It's not that this new joint isn't entertaining and it's not that it doesn't offer a fine selection of beverages of the hop and wheat type, but if you're looking for conversation and a table not overridden by sports fanatics shouting at the basketball game on TV, then Brü isn't going to be your jam, or Wurst or whatever it is that you're looking for. The food is fine - typical German pub fare. The croquettes were fried, but lacking in oomph. And the tap selection isn't impressive...I settled for Ithaca Apricot wheat, which was probably the least German thing ever. So perhaps this review is more shame on me...maybe it's my fault I'm not into American sports, loud crowds, sharing slippery-varnished benches with drunken hoards and sausage-product.
(2)
Maurice S.
BRU has a good beer list and pretty solid food. The service can be spotty.
(3)
Paige C.
So as promised, I returned to Bru now that they've been open awhile to give them a more comprehensive review. After my last post, the manager invited me back to try them out, and suggested I did so during happy hour, since that's when they had the best deals. Unfortunately, who actually is out of work by 6? (The answer is actually me...but not my husband, and there was no way I was braving this "bro bar" alone.") Unfortunately, my expectations were sorely not met although I still really think that this place has a TON of potential, and I just don't think I am their target audience. The service: Whoa guys...calm down. You do not need to watch me eat my entire meal and stop by no less than SIX times to ask if everything is okay. Between the hostess, the waitress and the manager, it was like we were being stalked. I get it, they want good tips, they want good reviews. But no one likes the clingy girl at the dance. Try to play a little hard to get. As a side note here, I was really taken aback by the servers outfits. I didn't realize that this was Hooters meet German pub. I think there is a slightly more classy way to slutty German barmaid (look at Brahaus on South St. for example.) However, the black booty shorts with suspenders and t shirt really aren't doing it for me. Honestly, from the front, the apron is longer than the shorts, so it literally looks like they aren't wearing anything on bottom. Listen, I am all for "if ya got it flaunt it" but I don't think it's fitting in a setting like this that is trying to appeal to the masses. Maybe the management isn't aware they should be appealing to a wider clientele than the Jersey Shore? The food: If you are going to have such a limited menu, everything on it has to be SPOT on. Once again, this just seemed like the chef is trying too hard. For example: potato pancakes are good. Green apples are good. Horseradish is good. However, when you put them all together, it a muddled mess for your palette. The schnitzel I had was WAY overfried and had no flavor. They put ham on it too...who puts ham on schnitzel? Overkill. The bread on my sandwich and on my hub's bratwurst sandwich was also really dry and stale. Also the sign out front that says "The best wurst in the city." It's not true. It's so not true. My husband didn't even finish half of his sandwich! This is a man I have seen eat (and enjoy) peanut butter, grape jelly and sausage sandwiches. The fact that he didn't enjoy his meal says more to me than anything. Overall: This place is probably appealing to a different demographic than the crowd I usually run with. I am sure they will probably do just fine without my patronage since they can get the overflow from McGillans. But honestly, if you are in the area there are MUCH better options for food and beer.
(2)
Ron H.
Blah. Too young, tons of testosterone, I fell like I'm crashing a college bar.
(2)
Chris K.
awesome beer selection, lots of regional and local beers. I didn't try the food.
(4)
Preety S.
Go here for happy hour...beer for $4. Can't beat that for how much you get. I say stick to the the pretzels for food choice and you are good to go.
(3)
Terri B.
Stumbled upon this place after heading down to Market East for a drink at Milkboy. The girls and I made a note to make it our next step. Great choice! The atmosphere was bar-like but a little different. The main walk was pretty narrow and therefore crowded but their drink selection was great and the bar was huge! The crowd there was diverse in age and style so it was fun to navigate who was standing beside/behind you at all times. Funny story: I didn't realize it was a "wurst" place. Some guys bought my gis and I brats, which I think was a cool way to pick up girls. They were cool and all but the brat was spectacular! They won't get a call back but the brats will! Still they get an A for creative pickups. I'm definitely going back.
(5)
Stefano P.
Food was great, tons of alcohol, a little loud, but then again we were there on a Friday night... Brats are delicious, the pretzel app was delicious... 2 thumbs up!!!
(5)
Abbie D.
This place is awesome!! I was only here for literally 45 minutes but thought it was fab enough to write about. The beer "fobs" are pretty clever, not to mention the beer selection was good too! I am excited to return to spend a bit more time there and try some food!
(4)
Amy J.
Brand new in Midtown, this place has the vibe of Frankford hall, with a bigger food menu and much bigger brew list. I stopped by twice in one week, and I'll be going back for more. As a girl who like's a weihenstephaner, allagash white, blue moon or hoegarden - I definitely agree with my bartenders recco for the hefeweizen. You can order drinks at the bar, but I hear if you're planning to stick around you might consider running your own tap from a few of their fave brews pouring directly from the wall. Things I'd like to see them do: - They play good jams, but sometimes the volume is a little too low - Need a full-size mirror in the girls bathroom (i mean... how bad did i spill my drink on myself?)
(5)
Sam J.
Great food and atmosphere. Good selection of burgers and German food. The Chicken Wurst plate was fantastic as were the kraut and cheese as well as the fried pickle appetizers. The pickles were fried with ham, an interesting combination. Sat on the street on a nice evening. Great relaxing place to meet up with friends!
(4)
Jamie S.
Attractive bar inside. Fun beer list, though I'm still not sure how the pour your own thing works. The big windows haven't opened yet so its a bit warm inside. Girls bathroom is small. Food service starts this weekend- looking forward to the under $10 German sandwiches.
(4)
Kelly H.
Came to this spot for the first time, not knowing much about it. Our server was Jessie and she was awesome. Super knowledgeable and attentive but funny all the same. The beer list was overwhelming but she helped me chose the perfect pairing to my wurst. Music was a bit loud but entertaining mix of 80s hits. I suggest sitting outside and asking for Jessie if you're lucky enough to get her when she's working!
(5)
Ozzie L.
Good music, decent beers, but what really got me was the people there. Not super friendly and fairly clicky. I know that this is not the establishments fault but its who hangs out there. I was by myself but if I went back with a group of friends this might be a cool spot to grab some drinks.
(3)
Paul B.
Not very good in any category except beer selection. Service is weak. Not terrible, but weak. It will do, but don't expect something great. Meh! That sums it up well.
(2)
Matthew B.
We came here after having a bad experience at the bar next door. The waitress was awesome and the beers were great. We had the bavarian pretzel which my wife loved and generally doesn't like pretzels, the BRU fries which were amazing, and the wurst which was good. All in all I thing this place is a definite place to stop in and have some brew food and some good beers.
(4)
Steve W.
Was looking forward to going here after hearing so many gud things about it but after visiting I know why it is called Bru but not Bru and Fud. The Bru selection was great. The fud not so much. The fries tasted off as if the oil had not been changed in some time. The house made wursts while not the worst clearly not the best. The casings offered no snap in fact they were rubbery. On the plus side the pretzel with smoked gouda dipping sauce was top shelf. Three stars for the bru and pretzel. Also good fun self serve beer. Yes you read right Buy a key get access to several beers that are not available on the regular bar taps
(3)
Joe K.
I really enjoy coming here, and even though it's a bit loud and the "bro's" are a bit much, I have never had a bad experience and really enjoy some of the city's best bartenders: Emily, Jessie and Theo. I'll be back and will make sure I bring people to this great new spot!
(5)
Cecile F.
I have been eating and drinking here off and on for about a year and I very much enjoy the beer they have, especially the Oktoberfest. The pretzel served with melted smoked gouda is perfectly matched to go with the beer and we also tried the Spatzel which was also very tasty. Waitresses allow you to sample the beer on tap, and are very friendly.
(4)
Em L.
Beer was good and fairly priced. But the service was terrible for it not being a busy night.
(3)
Tiffany K.
I was there with friends on Sunday. Heather, was our server, she, the food, and beers were awesome! Love the open feel of the garage door in the back. We will absolutely go back!
(5)
Diana K.
I came back for another try at BRU, and this place has completely changed its scene. This bar is SUPER LOUD now, full of people dressed to the nines like they are on their way to a club. At first, this seemed like it would be a German beer bar, but I think the atmosphere is definitely changing. We could barely hear our waitress, and tried to get out of there as quickly as possible. The food was pretty decent, but I just wasn't enjoying myself there. I'm sure I will be back to try it again, but maybe I will avoid it on a Saturday evening when it gets too busy.
(3)
Andrew W.
I was only here for one drink so I didn't really get a chance to take it all in but my first impression was very positive. Great beer selection (had my first oberon of the 'summer'), friendly staff, cool atmosphere... I'll definitely be heading back.
(4)
Lolly G.
Let me start off this review but describing the day that I went to this new spot. It was Cinco De Mayo as well as the same day as the Broad St. run. Many streets were blocked off for the party and needless to say there was people everywhere. After hanging outside for a while, one of the people in our group suggested we check this place out. It was packed along with McGillans across the street. With the owners knowing how much people party for Cinco, you would think that they would have more then TWO bartenders. It was really unreal. The bar is very long and they have countless taps (which is a plus) but I waited over 20 MINUTES to order one drink. I started talking to a guy next to me who was desperately trying to get his tab. He told me he'd been there 10 minutes prior to me. Finally in the middle of waiting, I noticed off to the side they have a "self serve" beer option. Basically, it's like a soda machine except for it has beer. I believe they had 4 selections. I asked a server and she quickly brushed me off and told me to go over to this desk on the other side of the bar. At this point, I would just like to have a drink in my hand. I walk over and ask the guy for two "passes" for beers. He told me that would be $20. (um what? $10 a beer?) when I asked him he answered like I was the most clueless person on earth. "yes you have to buy a key." Uh, still have no idea what this even means as he didn't elaborate. Excellent service. I then went back to the bar but tried from a different end. I asked a guy to serve me and apparently he was a bar back. Instead of answering he just made the "cut" sign at his neck. Classy. Finally, someone served me and it took him forever to get back to get my money. I found some of my friends scattered around having the same problem. We wanted to leave because it was ridiculous. It's really sad because this place is really awesome looking, and they have an amazing beer selection. Like I said, having 2 bartenders on Cinco, and other employees who can't even bother to explain things really turned me off. I'll stick to McGillans.
(2)
Carol C.
spiffy decor, fast service, and friendly people. Food is decently priced (~$10), but slightly on the smaller portion. Craft beers available, but definitely not as thorough as could be. Overall, a chill new addition to the city.
(4)
Jason P.
My girlfriend and I went to meet up with some friends for happy hour after work on a Friday. I knew this place was fairly new, so I expected a larger crowd than normal. It's located right next to McGillin's, which I'm sure will be good for BRU. Of course the place was crowded, but we somehow managed to get a table as someone arrived early enough to put our name in. We had a large group, but not all of us sat. The place wasn't what I expected. It wasn't very "German" and I wouldn't call it a beer garden. It was a very modernized center city bar with german food and some german beer. The beer menu wasn't overly impressive. Other German establishments have a bit more selection and explanation. A beer fan, but German beer novice, I would have liked a more detailed menu. I ordered a random German beer, which turned out to be light and pretty good. We sat at the table and proceeded to sample the menu. We ordered the bavarian pretzel, currywurst/fries, potato pancake and lamb kebob. The food was relatively inexpensive, which was nice. The pretzel was on point, but not as good as Brauhaus Schmitz on South St. The pretzel was doughy and flavorful. I loved the currywurst and fries. It was smothered in curry ketchup and just went really well with the beer. The potato pancake was good, but it was lacking something. Port Richmond is the place to go if you want a good potato pancake. The lamb kebob was probably my favorite honestly. Lamb was seasoned well and I liked whatever sauce was on the flatbread. Overall I like the place. It has a neat "self serve" section, though I didn't see a soul using it. A bit of a huge miss since they heavily advertise it. Not sure if I will ever go back as there are better German places around with better food and beer selection. It also has a huge roll down door that opens up the back, which I thought was pretty neat.
(3)
Sarah F.
I love to see Drury street becoming a serious destination for Saturday nights. Not that McGillins wasn't holding down the fort on it's own, but now the spill into the street from both packed establishments makes it a really exciting place to be. I can't wait for the summer! Anyways, Bru has the right stuff to become a great spot to grab drinks with friends for a night out. The pour your own pint in the front is amazing. Basically you load up a card with money, swipe, and ta dahhhh... you dispense your own beer like a soda fountain. I'm excited to see what selections they will have in the upcoming future. I think to start the choices were a little unoriginal...but I have high hopes! Haven't tried the food yet. Maybe next time :)
(4)
Shane L.
Very cool spot for happy hour. Can't go wrong with the beer selection here and the energy of the atmosphere.
(3)
C M.
Love the bar, great vibe and beer options. I work close by and this is a great addition to the neighborhood. They fell short on a few things including running out of the self service ipad keys within the first few days of being open. Another huge after thought was the ladies bathroom. Absolutely no TP on opening weekend?! You have to be kidding me.
(4)
Kristina L.
Went here last night for dinner with 8 friends to celebrate one of their achievements and it was great. We arrived early and my boyfriend and I grabbed a drink at the bar first. I asked to sample a beer and they were happy to offer. We ordered two beers and were served promptly. Our table was ready and we were seated right at our reservation time, as it should be but sometimes does not happen at some places. The service was great for the most part. Our waitress was nice and attentive but did stumble on beer suggestions - I know there is a huge list but some training or knowledge should be had by wait staff with what they are serving, especially at a beerhall (at least both restaurants I worked at previously we were tested prior to being able to serve alone). At least have a suggestion for a beer in every category served. Oh, and the long hair being down kind of irks me. You are serving food to people, and hair does fall out. Should be up in a ponytail or pulled back and not be touched or played with - something both places I worked at previously also had a rule about which I didn't mind - makes sense for sanitation reasons. Other than that, she was great. The guys loved the low cut shirts and booty shorts with tights the girls wear (of course). We started with apps - the fried pickles and Bru fries. Both were delicious. We ordered the sampler platter which was plenty of food for 3 guys and a gal. 5 others ordered their own meals. We also ordered some Bavarian pretzels and spatzel to share. Everything was delicious, except the German potato salad. I wish the potatoes were cooked a little more - they were a little raw and hard still... unless it was supposed to be that way? My previous experience with German potato salad is that the potatoes get cooked and then mixed with the yummy stuff. It would be nice if they also served plain sour cream and apple sauce with the platter for the potato pancakes. I personally am not a huge fan of horseradish so the horseradish sour cream was a little much for me. My only other complaint is the bathrooms were a little messy and we were seated at a table along the window which opens in the summer so it was really drafty. All in all, great experience and I definitely plan to return, when it's warmer, or be sure to ask for a table further inside where it is less drafty.
(4)
Adrienne C.
Really cool new spot. Great decor, friendly staff (albeit some are clearly very new to the game) and good beer options. The beer wall is awesome - just wish they hadn't run out of keys so quickly. Not exactly a "garden" as it's been written about - but a really cool indoor spot with an open wall. How the beer wall works: Buy a key for $5, load it up, then skip the line at the bar and head to the wall.
(4)
Jenny L.
Really wanted to like this place since I've been looking for a beer garden/casual drinks place that's closer to my side of town than Frankford Hall but this place did not live up to expectations. The Good: Interesting deco and good selection of beer. Was a little miffed that the self-serve thing wasn't running when I was there. Servers were great otherwise. The Bad: This place is WAY too loud. Had to leave after one beer (finished rather quickly at the prospect of leaving) because friend and I were losing our voices screaming at each other. Also felt weird yelling our conversations since there were other people sitting right beside us at the communal table. So I guess it's a good place if you are looking for a large crowd to stand in middle of and meet new friends that way?
(2)
Taylor D.
*Drinks Only Review* I went here last night for the Penn Law post-graduation cocktail hour, and it was packed! I was a little upset at first- there were an incredible number of people jammed into the place and it was taking 10+ minutes to get a drink. I finally got my order and went back to chat with my friends when all of the sudden the manager, Todd, comes up with a free round of drinks for my entire party, offering his sincere apology for the chaos and the wait. He went so far as to ask what each of us was drinking, and gave us one of the "beer keys" to the taps for another few beers. This more than made up for the rocky start! He really did a great job ensuring that we were having a good time, and as a customer, I think that goes a really long way. He learned all of our names and even said goodbye on our way out a few hours later. It turns out Bru was only informed of our large party's arrival a mere 30 minutes before- hardly enough time to accomodate the overly large group. While there were some hiccups, I believe they did a great job trying to make up for any and all issues, working with the staff they had on hand to make the night go as smoothly as possible. We will be sure to return to try the food after our great run in with Todd!
(5)
Dianna L.
The entrance is dark and uninviting but I was so excited that something open on Chestnut that I had to go take a look for myself. The place was very open with few tables or chairs. I would even use the word "bleak." I on St. Patty's day and it was basically people who needed to take a break from McGillins. It was dark. Loud and their self serve draft option with the IPADs was not up and running yet. Hopefully it will be a better experience after it's been open a little longer. I will go again =.
(4)
Bethany S.
Stopped here on a whim for a quick beer and a bite before heading out of town. Nice, open space with a relaxed vibe (note: I was here on a Wednesday afternoon, not a Saturday night.) There are about 30 taps, not counting those on the beer wall in the back. Only three of them were macro and the rest were American craft (~2/3) and German (~1/3) beers. The menu was limited, but perhaps I just thought that because I wanted Jägerschnitzel and it wasn't on there. I ordered a Warsteiner Premium Dunkel and a Schnitzel sandwich- the Schnitzel was perfection! I was skeptical about the greens in the sandwich and thought about ordering it without them, but I'm glad I didn't because the whole thing was really good. Kelly was an excellent server with a warm personality and gave me the scoop on this new spot: grand opening is tomorrow, all the food is made from scratch, and the beer wall (which dispenses as much or as little as one wants and charges by the ounce) is the second in the country. (Do you know where the first one was installed? Scroll down for the answer!) She mentioned that they'll soon be adding a happy hour, which I look forward to taking advantage of, and asked for feedback on the food for the kitchen, which I am always happy to give :) I must also say that I appreciated the superb music they played, which could have enticed me to stay and drink all day if I didn't have a Megabus to catch. Some of my favorite 90s stuff that you don't hear very often, like old school Incubus and "All You Need" by Sublime. Keep it up! Answer to the trivia question: Michigan
(5)
Susie J.
I tried this place to watch the world cup games. Many options for beers on tab and good decoration inside... but nothing like real German bar and drinks are in general over priced... I ordered the curry wurst which wasn't like the one that I had in Germany. But in general the atmosphere was OK.
(3)
Rob P.
Ever since Ludwig's closed down on Sansom Street, and Beerstube stopped serving lunch, I've had to walk all the way from Center City to 8th & South Street for good German food for lunch. No more. Thanks to BRÜ, I only have to go across the street for great German food. Their beer selection is great and the food is delicious. The atmosphere is sort of "nouveau hunting lodge." Also, the manager, Ron, is very attentive, friendly, and accessible. My co-workers and I make this place at least a bi-weekly go-to.
(5)
K. B.
The place is really well done and definitely gives a beer garden vibe. Would suggest adding something to the exterior, isn't very welcoming from the street. Beer list is incredible if not a little pricey. Only issue is that we didn't find the food to be all that great. Meat was definitely dry and portions were weird (one sandwich was huge and the other was tiny). Should have just tried the sausages. Oh well.
(3)
James O.
Really like this place. Great beer, good food. Best part is the taps in the wall and the key chain type device that allows you to pour your own beer. Save money on tips and get to try different types of beer. Great spot.
(4)
Edmond C.
My friends and I waited at least 10 mins for a server to come up to my 3 friends and I. It took even longer for her to bring us our beers. Will not go back. If I didn't work in a restaurant myself, I wouldn't of even gave her a tip.
(1)
Arnold C.
Average to mediocre. Ordered then fried chicken and it was overcooked and served lukewarm. Fries were cold and they barely gave a handful. Purple coleslaw tasted more like diluted sauerkraut. Server took 20+ minutes to bring me a cup of hot water after 3 requests and they were moderately busy. My Sprite came in a child sized glass and not even a refill. Food was bland, except for all the salt I dumped on it. I didn't even bother with the dessert. Go somewhere else.
(2)
Doug O.
Music was pretty loud but the bar was a good people-watching scene. The beer selection was one of the best I've seen and the food was in true Bavarian fashion. I didn't plan on going here for dinner but I'm glad I happened upon it. The service was pretty good but I would come back for the beer and food.
(4)
Dan B.
nice selection of beer, good service, ok food, crappy large screen tv with terrible sound
(3)
Lee B.
This is one of those cases where, for me, the look and the idea of a place outweighs the actual experience/overall impression. Now, to be fair, I don't feel "meh" about the place as a whole like the two stars represents, but I didn't feel it was a three-star worthy experience, either. I would have said 2.5, but as we know, that's not possible on Yelp. I was so looking forward to checking this place out -- I work close by and have had my eye on it to check out for a while now...so perhaps it was just a case of expecting too much? Going at the wrong time on the wrong day? I don't know. I just know I think there's room for some improvement. The beer selection has a wide variety. There's truly something for everyone. Plus. BUT, the beer menus seem haphazardly organized. You're handed a clipboard with multiple pieces of paper, two of which have beer selections. (The other is food, which I'll get to). Now, perhaps it's because I didn't have the time to figure out why (was only here for a quick round or two), but I thought two sheets of beers was odd/unnecessary. Minus. As for the food, I can't talk about the taste or quality because this was solely a liquid diet trip. BUT, I wasn't impressed with the selection. Choices seemed quite limited, and I was expecting more. Minus on the selection, neutral overall since I didn't get to try anything. The open garage door in the back affords some nice open air seating. Plus. The tables are large, communal, picnic-style with benches. But they're VERY close together -- so close that I had the pleasure of feeling the woman seated behind me flip her hair onto my back every five seconds as she attempted to flirt with her date. Minus. A big table would be great for a large group, but otherwise, sharing is kind of a downer -- especially when you basically have to help the staff bus the table since you're more easily able to access it than she is. Minus. I also thought it was odd that the three people at the end of our table had one waitress, while we had another one altogether. That was just weird. But I liked the potential for fun after-work happy hour trips, and the plethora of TVs is always a plus in my book (but what was with the ones playing nothing but nonstop infomercials??)
(2)
Christine S.
The beer was good, but it was so incredibly loud. It was impossible to have a conversation
(2)
David C.
Good beer selection, good food -- Solid but I'm not so excited about it that I feel like I need to give it 5 stars.
(4)
Denny S.
The food was okay, we had the platter for four people. The potato pancake was just okay. All the sausages were ok and somewhat on the too salty side. Service was good, our server was super nice and accomodating.
(4)
Donna B.
Went here opening weekend with 2 friends. Host sat us at a table where we sat for 15 minutes waiting for someone to take our order. Finally gave up and walked to the bar and ordered ourselves. Beer was just ok. Staff was useless. Atmosphere was very loud. Not at all the beer garden that it claims to be. I will give it a second chance after they work out the opening month kinks, but for now I would not recommend to a friend.
(2)
Julian T.
I went here during the late afternoon on a weekend and I really liked the place. I've heard it gets crowded at night, so you might want to avoid it at night if you're not into the packed bar crowd. The best thing about this place is the atmosphere. It has really nice decor, with a ton of huge TVs with any soccer game that you want to watch playing. They have a unique set of brews on tap and the food I got was pretty good. I'll definitely be going back.
(5)
Payal P.
this place is new, i went to their soft opening on erin express weekend, it was awesome! at that time, it was not even fully open. they have tons of taps and a huge space, fun videos on the tv's (skateboarding) and a friendly vibe. it stretched over a block so you can also enter from the alley where mcgillin's is...we always needed something else in that alley, glad this is here!
(5)
Alyssa P.
My friends & I actually ended up here twice on Saturday.. once during the day & again later on that night. Both times the waitress was friendly & knowledgable, suggesting beers based on what we liked/disliked/etc. We didn't order any food (liquid diet kind of day) but everything on the menu looked really good. Kind of like a less-authentic Brauhaus. There were a few not-so-great things though.. The "Pour Your Own Beer" tap set-up was unavailable (you have to buy a $5 button/card to use the taps) because they had run out of the buttons. My friends were in the mood for an Allagash White, which is only located on the self-service taps, so they were out of luck. The music around 11pm on Saturday was bizarre. It was like a ultra-mashup kind of thing, but they only played 20-30 seconds of each song & then changed to something completely different. I don't know if they were trying to get people to dance or just get in to the music, but it's hard to do that when the song is changing every 20 seconds. Last but not least, this is a big (and crowded) place to only have 2 small bathroom stalls. I heard from one of the guys we were with that the men's set-up wasn't much better. I'm sure they were restricted by the size of the building or something like that, but there are going to be some serious waits for those bathrooms! All in all, definitely a good place to go.. seems like they just have a few kinks to work out. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Noheli T.
I really enjoyed my time at BRU! The somewhat open area gives off a great vibe and the beer list is great. I don't even remember what I ordered but it was the longest name and it was great! I also really liked there drink machine in the back and everyone seemed to really be enjoying themselves. I am definitely going back!
(4)
Mike M.
This place is excellent! I went in for a nice relaxing drink after a hard day's work and was immediately greeted by the friendly staff. I got a nice, quiet section all to myself and my server, Tiffany, was nothing but pleasant. I got two beers that were both delicious and neither I've seen at other bars in Philadelphia. Mind you, I've lived in Philadelphia for awhile. Tiffany seemed to really know what she was talking about while making suggestions to me about what to drink. The beer wall was nothing short of amazing! I've seen such a cool feature in a bar before! Needless to say, I'll be making multiple trips here and bringing friends! Thanks Brü!
(5)
Susie H.
Great atmosphere and great food. Went there for lunch, service wasn't the best. We ordered the Bavarian pretzel and never got it. The server had a bit of attitude. There are a million great places to eat in this city, so having good food isn't enough to keep me coming back if service is below average- especially when it's not that busy.
(3)
Ajay B.
Very cool, young, lively and crowded bar spot. Great beer selection both domestic and German... decent amount on top and a bunch in bottles. Tried a good variety with 2 flights. Rating here is really based on atmosphere and drink selection... haven't tried the food yet but would definitely come back here to give that a shot next time in Philly! with some more flights of course
(4)
German S.
Did not dig this place ...i felt like asses were all over my food. I dont know if ut was because it was happy hour or what.
(2)
Sal R.
From what I hear, the happy hour prices are awesome. But regular prices are expensive, portions of the beers are decent but the food is not very great. Not my favorite german bar!
(3)
Jaymee M.
Awesome wait staff, awesome German beers & food, great atmosphere. We were in town from Baltimore and were in Philly for just the weekend so a friend took us to Bru. The decor is great and there is a lot of space. We tried a few different beers and all of them were excellent. The food is also phenomenal! We had the Bavarian pretzels, bacon & apple flat bread and something that had salmon, beets & greens on it. I would definitely recommend Bru and will be back the next time I am in Philly! (Kelly the server is GREAT!)
(5)
Jeff F.
I was there for a happy hour with work peeps.. Great beer selection, bratwurst sandwiches, and pretzels... However, the music was wayyyyyy too loud.. We could barely hear ourselves, let alone each other.. Actually looked forward to going back into the hundred degree heat just so we could hear each other again.
(3)
Louis D.
They now have a (I think) great happy hour: $4 1/2 liters of german beer, including some good ones, as well as some assorted 1/2 price pretzels and things. Oh and it looks like the pour-it-yourself beer tap is open too. It's getting there!
(4)
EJ O.
I hosted an event last night at BRU and it was fantastic! The staff was great. Huge shout out to Karry and Sam, they were wonderful servers. Alex/Todd helped so much with set up and laying the ground work for the event. The venue is super cool, great vibe. The beer selection is great! They have a machine where you pay for a key, add money to it, and you pour your own beer, you pay by the ounce. My guests had a great time tasting what they wanted, when they wanted more. Thank you again for good service, good food, and most importantly good beer. I would recommend anyone swing by BRU when you get a chance.
(5)
Matt K.
The only positive was that there is a decent beer list. After that, there really isn't much else going for the place. The beer wasn't extremely cold or tasty. The pork meatballs were dry and illustrates an example of a dish that is not better with bacon. The "worst" part was that I ordered the wurst plate and one of the wurst was raw and cold in the center. The waitress attempted to compensate but needed the owner's permission to take it off the bill and he was nowhere to be found. This place could use a front of the house manager. Philly has a lot of choices for quality beer and if you are looking for a combination of good food and beer I would try somewhere else first.
(1)
Adam F.
Had a great experience at Bru for food and drinks. Bru is more of a bierhaus than a biergarten since it is all indoors. But on nice days the open up the back doors to let the breeze in. They have a pretty solid beer selection. Plus you can do their local Oktoberfest by getting some sort of "key" that you put money on to pour from a separate tap (not sure on the details; that's what the waitress said). Only had the Wurstplate, which seemed like the best choice. You pick from one of the daily available Wursts and comes with saurekraut and German potato salad. Quite a lot of food. Sandwiches come solo (recommend the Schnitzel sandwich), so order some appetizers as well.
(4)
Allyson T.
Unique place. The summer special zucchini flatbread was delicious and the beer list is plentiful- a beer snob will find something they like here. I also love the option of pouring your own beer. When you visit, make your way to the back. It faces McGillin's and the top lights top a summer night. The staff are also friendly and make the experience all the better :)
(4)
Steve W.
I'm #1. Finally. Great new addition to center city. Amazing space with a great beer selection. This place is gonna lead to big things. Fills a good nich in CC.
(5)
Alex H.
Brew haus platter, Kerrin is a wonderful server and deserves the best of tips.
(5)
Abigail P.
We brought kids, which was a mistake, but the staff went out of their way to accommodate a couple of non-drinkers under 50 lbs. Definitely a young, after-work crowd.
(4)
Michelle Y.
I went to Bru twice because it's a nice place to have a drink. Yeah, it's loud but the crowd is super friendly and we got our drinks quick enough.
(3)
Ellie P.
Stopped by on Sunday night, and was impressed! The bar is gorgeous, and since the weather was good the back wall was opened. Was with a group of 6 people so we tried a few things from the menu. The pretzel is just a pretzel, but the cheese dipping sauce made it amazing. The currywurst (wurst with curry ketcup and fries) was good, as was the flatbread. The schnitzel was amazing... definitely worth the fried splurge. As for the beers, I had an allagash oddesey before switching to the self serve beer station. If work/live nearby, invest in a beer key! Load it up with a few buck and then drink as much allagash white (or several others) as you want. A few people noted poor service, but we had no problem whatsoever. They did just open so I'm sure once they get into the swing of things that will be worked out. Check it out!
(5)
L C.
The pretzels, oh my! The best!
(4)
Phillip S.
Let me start by saying the one star rating is not due to the beer selection. They have quite a great selection actually. The rating is due to the awful employees that work here. Last night I went to bru and purchased a beer from the bar when they announced last call at 1:59. I was then promptly yelled at by two different employees telling me I have to finish my beer and get out of the bar because they were closing. It was 2:01, not even two minutes after I purchased the beer. I politely said sure let me chug it. So I start chugging the beer as a male employee is standing next to me watching me. As I'm trying to finish chugging the beer a female employee told the male employee to just take the beer. He swiftly snatches the beer out of my hand, sets it on the counter, and tells me to get the f out. I look at my watch and it was 2:02. I turned around and walked out without putting up a fight because the male employee was a large mean looking guy that I did not want to mess with. It's quite unfortunate that I will never be going back seeing as how they have a great beer selection. Actually I think I will go back today to speak with a manager about his/her disrespectful employees.
(1)
Chris S.
Went to have a few beers at Happy Hour from 4-6 went up for another beer before 6 and was told the special was over, and there was nothing to be done since the system is computerized. I most likely would have gone back to eat and have drinks on some other occasion at this place had this not occurred, but now I will just go somewhere where they dont set the time on the computers ahead by a few minutes to get an extra couple bucks from their costumers.
(1)
Anja J.
After being bummed I missed their opening celebration a few weeks ago, I finally made my way over to check out what the buzz was about. Beer selection was decent but I've seen much better happy hour specials. The highlight of my meal was the pickles, served on the side. got the schnitzel sandwich, which had some kind of sauce on the bread (couldn't really taste), breaded pork ( deep fried so long all you could taste was the fried oil), collard greens and cheese (decent), and salty ham ( which strangely gave the sandwich a fishy taste). I knew it was the ham that gave it the strange taste because when I tasted it without the ham, the sandwich was better. Got some fries. Fried too long cuz all we had were some fried potato husks that used to be fries. Oh and p.s. they don't have regular ketchup, just curry ketchup. So if you're not a fan bring your own ketchup. Im suprised that this is the third german style restaurant that I've been to that deep fries schnitzel, which is not traditional and you cant taste the delicious meat because its deep fried. throw the cutlet in some butter in a pan, and youll be suprised how much better the schnitzel will be. your wont even need that ham and cheese crap on it....Overall, go for beer not food. And if you're going for beer, go somewhere else.
(2)
Molly T.
3.5 stars. Rounding up to 4 because I'm giving BRU the benefit of the doubt. BRU strikes me as the type of place that changes considerably depending on the time of day/week. This is all complete surmising on my part, but I get the sense that during the week, BRU is as much an eatery as it is a bar. On a Saturday night, however, this place is a wildly different creature--and I do mean wild. Filled to the brim with 20-somethings and Top 40 music blasting, BRU is honestly not a great place to be if you're goal is to have some nice casual conversation with friends over a couple of beers. Which is unfortunate, because the charm of this bar is lost on the weekend crowd. Thankfully I wasn't too inebriated to recognize this. Came here on a Saturday night with a large group of friends. While we certainly wanted to dance, mingle and have a good time, we also wanted to catch up and enjoy each other's company. BRU, being directly across from the oldest bar in Philly, is clearly in the hot zone for weekend traffic. The space itself is quite expansive. It was a bit too busy for me to really survey the layout, but it seemed like there were designated areas for table service framing the central bar area. Would love to come back here to order food. I adore places like BRU because of the impressive beer selections. This is what pushes my rating up. Craft beer is still relatively new to me, so any bar with that many choices is a little slice (or pint, I guess) of heaven for me. Warning: this can get OVERWHELMING. Not only is their draft list one of the biggest I've seen to date (this includes craft beer establishments in NYC) the bottle/can list is frighteningly vast. Menus like this have been instrumental in beating the indecisiveness out of me. I ended up going with a Chimay Blanche, which is a classic Belgian Tripel. They serve is as it's meant to be served: in a goblet-shaped glass that's a bit smaller than your typical beer glass, due to ABV. Good craft beer places will always stock glasses of several different sizes to promote enjoyment of beer over simple intoxication. I do have to say, I've never been to a beer hall at which patrons feel inclined to dance at any point. It's just not the venue. The reason I was vacillating between 3 and 4 stars is due to BRU's odd nighttime identity--it's all-caps LOUD and the music seems incongruent with the actual vibe of the place. But I suppose BRU knows its weekend audience. I'm going with 4 because despite the chaos, I was able to converse with a few of the bartenders about beer, life, etc., and land on a beer for myself that was the best nightcap I could've asked for.
(4)
Serena D.
Went there on a Friday night, I didn't realize how big this place is until I walked in. They check ID at the door. There was a lot of people already, not packed though. My friend and I found a table to sit down. We both ordered wurst. My spicy wurst was ok, not great. But I thought this place is known for wurst? What impressed me about this place is the large selection of beer. Will go back for their happy hour just for beer next time. This place is loud at night so be ready to scream to your friends when you are there. The service is attentive and friendly.
(3)
Royce L.
Good food and good portions here. I had the spicy wurst which came with sauerkraut and potatoes. I also had a side of fries with cheese and bacon. Nice decor and they also had a few tables outdoors as well. The music was a little too loud for my taste for a late dinner(8 o'clock) but it was manageable.
(4)
Ashley S.
I've been to BRU a few times, and I think it's ok. It's very different depending on the time you come. If your friends invite you here on a weekend night, just say no. It's so packed that you barely have a place to stand, and people will bump into you and spill your beer. I would highly recommend happy hour, though, when it's more low key. They have $4 craft beers, which is so cheap. I came here last week for a Philly Beer Week event, and they had Russian River Pliny the Elder for $4, which is unheard of! That was a one-time deal, but they generally have a decent list of beers on draft. Their food options are just not my thing. Lots of sausages and other German fare that doesn't work for a pescetarian. Their veggie options sound ok -- veggie burger or veggie kabob -- but because I am almost always standing the whole time I'm here, I don't generally order food.
(3)
Bill T.
Great vibe, cool look, fun place. I tried to come here for dinner once but couldn't get a table, even though there were a number of empty tables. That put a bad taste in my mouth. Coming back six months later, I stopped by for an early lunch on a Saturday. Everyone was warm and welcoming, the bartender was awesome and the beer selection was choice. I had some curry wurst and fries and it was tasty and affordable. The bartender kept my seltzer glass filled and I was as happy as a clam. Based on this experience, four stars is right on the money.
(4)
Bob B.
I went to BRU with my wife and three kids. I was worried if it would be kid friendly or not. There was no problem in that regard. I got the spicy wurst and it exceeded my expectations. The tap list is very solid, nothing stunning but gets the job done. They have a huge bottle list. They were out of a bottle I wanted, but suggested one that was similar, I did not ask for the price but it ended up being 3x the price. My fault for not asking, I would have save the splurge for some bottle at Monks.
(4)
Michael C.
Modernized cross between a German beer garden and a sleek bar. It is attached to UBahn -- a bar accessible from Chestnut St. It feels pretty German for being in downtown Philadelphia; the waitresses dress up in traditional German dirndls, and are generally friendly. The crowd is comprised of mid-30's professionals. I had the pulled pork sandwich, which was reasonably priced ($12) and satisfying. On another occasion we had the currywurst -- German sausage on fries with curry sauce -- which was OK, although I wasn't a particular fan of the sauce. They have an impressive beer list -- although definitely be careful and check the price before ordering! The numbers are small, and the beer list runs from $6 up to $32/ bottle -- I ordered a $24 beer (Russian River Consecration) by accident! The beer was great, but so was my check!
(3)
Ken A.
Great late night spot for beers and a quick bite! Everyone is friendly, the crowd is younger, and the bartenders are attentive and competent. Would definitely return back.
(4)
Fam B.
I've been to Bru a few times and have no real complaints about it. There's space in the front for those who are interested in dancing around a bit and then the area by the bar is always really full late nights on the weekends. I have tried a couple of their snacks during the day and would recommend their pretzels. I recently returned here and was a turned off a bit by how watered down my cranberry vodka was. The music is also decent here. This is the kind of place that I usually go to at the end of the night after visiting other places.
(3)
Cassie J.
Torn on the review here. Went here as a part of a bar crawl. We were here in the late afternoon- early evening. Nice beer specials. Great beer options. We didn't get food here because our waitress was pretty rude with us. The bar was crowded to begin with-- they don't have much seating and there was not a sign at the front or anything indicated there was a wait to be seated. So my friends and I waited for a party to leave and asked if we could have their table-- they said yes. I took note that most of this party did not finish most of their plates which I assumed to mean they didn't enjoy it. Anyway-- my friends and I sat down here. The waitress came over and started clearing the table and apologized for taking so long because it was "so hectic" on this day. It didn't seem that hectic to me.. the bar definitely did but she was not working the bar... My husband ordered a beer that was not on special-- it was his favorite German beer. They served it in the wrong glass. After about 15-20 minutes the waitress said that if we weren't ordering anything else that we needed to get up because there's a wait list and people are waiting to sit down to eat food. And she said it in the rudest way possible. She should have said something from the beginning since we stole a table out of their order.. but she didn't. The general atmosphere and environment is amazing. Decor is fantastic. The back opens up to an ally way which overlooks another pub. They had it all opened up since it was warm- this was nice while we could enjoy our seats. We were originally going to order food but the waitress kept rushing us and we didn't feel welcome. Clearly we were not. Don't know if we'll venture back here due to the poor customer service we had.
(3)
Nancy N.
This place had so much potential, but the waitress was rude and clearly wasn't happy that my friends and I were taking our time with picking out drinks and food. It was a Saturday afternoon, so it was crowded. The waitress asked us a few times if we wanted food/drinks, one of us did other a drink. She kept rushing us and told us we had to leave if we weren't ordering anything. So we did. And went across the street and racked up a bigger bill and food there instead. I'll never be back. It's unfortunate because this place has a great beer menu and the food looked delicious.
(1)
Paul K.
Finally, a sausagefest I can enjoy too.
(4)
Tim A.
This bar has a great selection of beers with a changing menu. They should offer a flight with all the beers they have. I was pretty disappointed that they only offered on the German beers and not all of the drafts they sell. My girlfriend and I shared a few apps which were really good.
(4)
Hoang T.
Was driving around looking for parking then heard some music blasting coming from Bru or U-Bahn... either way, i've been meaning to try Bru out for awhile. Luck would have it, I found parking right in front. Friday night seemed pretty crowded. The weather was nice, so we opted for outdoor seating. If they didn't have any, seats outside, we probably would've left because the music was on the side of loud and headache inducing (i think they lowered the volume through the night because i went in to use the restroom and it was much better). Our server, Taylor, had most of the outdoor tables so she was hustling pretty hard. Their beer list is extensive!!!! Overwhelmingly extensive....being a German bar, i wanted to try something new, but when i saw Hitachino on the list, i had to order it. There aren't many bars that stock it.. Unfortunately, they didn't have any left... of course, its a Japanese beer at a German bar...I completely understood. I went with a safe beer, Allagash white draft. My cousin got another beer not sure of the name... I do wish the table was wiped down a bit before we were seated. But it wasn't horribly dirty. The food: I was really hungry and opted for get an entree to split as an app (they didn't have anything wow on the app menu) Went with the lollipop lamp chops with cous cous and green beans (one of the specials). This was really good. I thought it was a nice balanced dish. Needed more green beans (only gave like 6). Then i ordered the pork cutlet. It was my mistake for not asking how it was prepared. It was breaded then fried, served with salad and potato salad'esq side. It was an OK dish, but on the bland side. But i'm simple and it wasn't a big deal. My cousin got the burger. Looked and smelled good. Not sure if he really enjoyed it as he didn't finish it all. Overall, the portions were nice. The bathroom attendant guy was also a big hustler and hilarious to chat with while washing your hands. Overall, i'd come again. I'd probably go for drinks and bar snacks instead of a traditional sit down meal. Nice outdoor area. HOpefully you're not next to a smoker.
(4)
Francis A.
After a day of sampling at Reading Terminal Market, I ended it right here at Bru! My Philly friend sure knows the good spots! Went there during happy hour and we had a great spot. The ambiance is huge but pleasant. The beer selection is ridiculously insane! I got this great mint chocolate stout for $4! Yeah tasted f**kin good!! Oh, starters are $5 so got myself Currywurst! Damn that was good! My server Elizabeth was sweet and cordial, so my first trip was well worth it! Look forward to coming back again!
(5)
Vincent D.
Amazingly awesome beer selection. Both American and foreign crafts - some rarities too. Loved the Bavarian pretzel will return for a full meal. If you love to have awesome beers and great food in a casual bar location - this place is it
(4)
Matt S.
Nice place with a good beer selection, but the beef brisket lacked flavor. There seemed to be this continuous problem in Philly where the server assumed that a group of 12 individuals in their early 20s all wanted one bill. This caused some havoc when paying the bill, but it got sorted out. The place was nice, but nothing special.
(3)
Ally T.
Easily my favorite happy hour spot thus far. $4 half liter German drafts/American crafts, $5 wurst sandwiches, and half price starters. What's not to love? If I could, I would go when happy hour starts at 4 and drink my way though the draft list alone. There are a lot of drafts and even more bottles. This place is a beer lover's heaven. Service has always been very good here. Usually I can't get to happy hour that early, and they never have said anything about ordering two beers/person at 6:50 right before happy hour ends at 7. They also have given us free beers before. I've tried the wurst sandwiches, brü fries, and currywurst. All of them taste good, but don't expect the currywurst/pommes to taste like something you would get in Berlin. It's good, just a little different. Only downside is that this place can get pretty loud, even during happy hour. Not the best place to go if you'd like to have a close conversation with whomever you're with. It gets pretty full later at night too. I prefer it to Ubahn which is connected. The beer list and atmosphere are so much better! I recommend this place, whether it be for happy hour or a stop on your night out.h
(5)
Greg K.
I've been to Bru a handful of times and I really enjoy this bar. The draft list is excellent and the food is delicious. During my last trip a few days ago we tried the burger with a side of the spatzel and the Bru Fries. Not the healthiest meal, but it was absolutely delicious. I really love the burger here, I've had it twice and it stands out. The beer list is pretty robust, they feature a long list of craft labels to choose from. The list has a lot of variety between beer styles, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find anything you'd like. Bru also offers a long list of bottles and cans to choose from if you need more options. The only thing I don't like about Bru is how jam packed it gets at night. This place essentially turns into a club around 9pm, they even remove the chairs and tables to accommodate the crowd. I don't want to fault Bru too much for this, it's their business model and I assume it's working if they continue doing it. That said, Bru is so chill when it's just a regular bar, I wish it stayed that way throughout the night.
(4)
Albert S.
Went there for sour bowl. They had the best tap selection of sours I had ever seen or tasted. The food was really good. Had the Kase Spatzel which was really tasty. Nice and earthy with the mushrooms and just the right amount of cheese. Not too cheesy to make it like a mac and cheese. Also had the pickle flight which was a special for sour bowl. One of the best pickle selection i've ever had. The smoked trout was good also. Split the pretzel with friends, but didn't really like the cheese sauce. Service was really great during such a busy event. Our server was fantastic.
(4)
marilyn l.
My friends and I went here for happy hour. We went to the bar to grab a drink while we waited for our table. Once we arrived at the table, we never had a waitress come by. We had no idea who our server was. We waited for 20 minutes and decided to leave. I will never come back and would not recommend this place to anyone. Not to mention, the music is unnecessarily loud. Definitely not a place If you want to catch up with an old friend. I would give it a 0 if I could.
(1)
Rick B.
This was kind of a bummer for me. I'd always heard about Bru and finally got the chance to go for a special event happy hour from 6-9. At first glance, it met my expectations. I've been at McGillin's numerous times, stumbled out into the Drury Street alley, and thought, "Wow, what a classy looking establishment." I don't think my aesthetic opinion changed, but the service? (Borat voice) Not so much. Our server was constantly talking to other employees and flirting with other people passing by. She also kept going to the bar and checking her phone while we sat with empty glasses. Several times. I'll admit I had to urban dictionary the meaning, but she seemed THIRSTIER than we did. Your Tinder matches could have waited... Because we were there for a special event, we were given happy hour prices from 6-9 (normal HH is 5-7). This seemingly led to what I call the "Tavern on Broad dynamic." You pay less than others, so you get less attention than others. Right? Well, I've always been a believer in tipping deservingly, not accordingly. Note, always at least 20%, but it's not uncommon for me to leave a 10 dollar tip on a 20 dollar tab. Perhaps I should have told her. To make things worse, I even had the nerve(!) to let her know that I was overcharged once she printed my tab. 2 beers would not get me drunk enough to think I drank 4, which I was charged for. Even after the (lack of) service, I could've chalked it up to a simple misunderstanding. That is until I saw that it annoyed her. Come on guys, I've got the peripherals of a hawk. I saw that eye roll. Here's the deal. We had a negative experience solely based on our server, and anyone who reads my reviews knows that customer service trumps food quality, prices, cleanliness, etc. Okay, maybe not cleanliness, but for the service we got, I'd rather drink light beers the Sunday morning after an underaged house party. The drinks were good and the food was better, but I can't see that warranting a return visit.
(2)
Farha A.
Unbelievably incredible burger! I'm addicted. Probably the best I have had. Not much more to say, I just highly recommend it and this will be my go to spot anytime I am craving a burger and it deserves 5 stars. I'm not sure if I was just ridiculously starving or if it was as out of this world as I was remembering it, but I will be going back soon to find out! Atmosphere wise, its just a german themed bar. The outdoor seating on Chesnut is fun to people watch if its nice outside, especially with the twinkly lights at night - this might be more nice if you're looking for a slightly classier/quieter area to sit and enjoy a meal since the indoors can get a little rowdy at times.
(5)
Jason C.
I came here for happy hour and during an evening stroll while visiting the area. Happy Hour is awesome, and they have great specials for an impressive selection of beers. It seemed fairly easy to get a seat, and the service was attentive. Now later on in the evening, it was a bit more wild. It definitely got a lot more crowded and loud. I wouldn't necessarily think that would be out of place on a weekend night, but keep that in mind if you plan to stop by for a late dinner.
(4)
Jennifer R.
Haven't gotten to try much of the food besides snacks, so this review is mainly on the ambiance and bar side of things. Beer menu's fantastic and extensive (as a german place like this should), average prices, and servers are pretty great and attentive considering how nutso it gets in here. The decor and feel of this place is dark but charming. A lot of cute elements going on (and I have a crush on their website concept...shhh). They were really smart opening with a back door for mcgillan's overspill. This place will continue to do well for good reason. Pretty crappy DJs on the weekend but with the amount of beer you end up drinking there, you don't even notice 20 mins in anyway, so all g, Bru...I get it, I'm not the type you're trying to please.
(4)
Kerry A.
Drink: I went for happy hour and the deal was pretty good- $4 drafts. Extensive beer list, including local and non-local drafts and bottles/cans. Atmosphere: The picnic tables in the back next to huge open windows made it feel like you were outside without being out in the sun. Otherwise nice inside, but nothing overwhelmingly different or special. Service: Sat a the bar and the bartenders were very pleasant and attentive.
(5)
Aria S.
Given that I come here all DA TIMEEE how have I not written a review? Anyways, I've had plenty of fun nights here. No dance floor, but people kinda do the standing/dancing thing and the music is usually good. Pump up/top 40's stuff with a DJ who is open to requests. On a Friday/Saturday night, this place can get seriously packed which sucks because there's only 2 toilets and this bar isn't HUGE. Beers are normal price. Well drinks are $7-8. There's also some long benches to sit if you get there earlier, you can kinda chill. Don't expect to have a full on convo here though. I've come for an EAgles game too and it was great because it's not a total sports bar so it wasn't packed but there was still a huge screen and some good food and a wide beer selection!
(5)
Lulu Z.
Noisy, service was not good, we ordered the nectarine caprese and decided not to stay. I'm only giving it 2 stars because the beer selection was decent.
(2)
Bing G.
I like the atmosphere of the place, and I thought the fill it yourself beerwall is pretty cool. I didn't get to try it though cause i thought the $25 key to use the wall was kind of pricey. From what i understand, you pay the $25 and then you fill your cup and price per ounce...that amount is then deducted from the $25. I might be wrong.... Other than that, the selection was great, but seems a little pricey for Philly. I went on a cold winter day, but from the other reviews i think it would be better to come in warmer weather to fully enjoy it.
(3)
Rose B.
Yum! I had a delicious curry wurst, that tasted just like my favorite German street food! the service was descent for busy Saturday night, and I was able to make a reservation the day of for a party of 5. Had a good beer, the only thing is that the volume on the tv's and music is deafening, and I had to scream to speak to the person across from me. I'd go back, and have already recommended this palace to friends.
(4)
Renea R.
Bru is a favorite spot among some of my coworkers so I was looking forward to heading there last night. It was the first of many stops on an impromptu bar hop with coworkers in search of Beyonce to dance to. Parking is impossible around Bru (and driving not conducive to drinking) so my two friends and I took the long ride from Fairmount downtown by bus. (My "country" friend (she thinks she's country but let's be real--she didn't even know what a Carhartt jacket was so she's really just suburban) up until now couldn't figure out how to get downtown by bus from her place so we took this opportunity to teach her...) The first time I was at Bru I had no concept of how big it actually is. Our group was situated in the very back of the bar. The decor is very cute. They opened a big garage door by our table, which let in lots of fresh air and allowed us to people-watch on Drury Street (where apparently every drunk person goes to make "private" phone calls while swaying unselfconsciously to the music in their drunken minds...) Despite apparently forgetting to wear pants, our waitress was awesome and really on top of her shit considering that we were a large group. The food we ordered came out very quickly and drinks were refreshed often. It's always a pain to divide a check up between 11 people but she was very accommodating and helpful. Happy hour prices are fantastic! I got 4 whiskey sours for $16 and two large appetizers for $4 each. I was actually so full I could hardly finish the fries because the portions were so large. On the downside, it's a little on the loud side. I hate when non-dancing bars play music really loud. The music was just sort of generic background bar music but it was blasted so loud that you had to yell to talk across the table. Overall I really enjoyed it and would go back!
(4)
Anthony C.
Great food beer nice atmosphere A lot of hipsters We had a Sunday lunch here We are definitely coming back Wait staff was accommodating and pleasant
(5)
Min A.
Nice vibe. We sat at the bar to eat our dinner and this place did not disappoint. Our food was really good and I was able to special order my sandwich without a hassle and it came out exactly how I ordered everything! The bartenders are attentive and also pour their drinks with a little pizazz to keep things interesting. Plenty of TVs to watch sports and the bathrooms are close to the bar and clean, too.
(4)
Doris T.
Reminds me a trendy garden beer hall. Good food and decent list of beer. I ordered the pull brisket sandwich, mainly because it came with fried pickles. It's a great place to accommodate a large party. We sat in the back that had nice hug windows. I recommend this place if you are looking for a laid back environment with a good selection of beer.
(4)
Eunni C.
This place seems always busy and smelled so nice when I passed by. We went there one night to grab quick dinner. I got smoked trout and my hub got mixed wurst platter. My trout looked really smaller than their photo. Was decent. Not bad but I probably won't go back for that dish. His wurst platter was gigantic. He could not finish it so we had half left over. He did not like it much so ended up not eating his left over...
(3)
Kathleen K.
There should be the ability to write two reviews for Bru... Bru before 9pm and Bru after 9pm... I went here with a group for a happy hour/dinner and it wasn't bad. Football was on, beers were served and food was decent. My jeans, sweater, sperry combo was having me pretty comfortable. Sometime around 9pm however, it turned into a club essentially. Drunk girls in mini skirts and heels stumble into the bar and crowd the bathrooms. Suddenly (and this is not a joke) the staff literally tries to take the table out from beneath us to make more room for the Jersey crowd rolling in. One thing that really left a bad taste in my mouth was that after paying our pretty lengthy tab, the waitress came running after us once we left, accusing us of not paying for one of the beers we had. Seriously?? Were we supposed to keep track ourselves and check that the tab matched up?
(2)
Jenny M.
The cool sign, great location, never ending list of beers, loaded french fries and the fun German Hipster vibe all make me want to like BRU. But sadly the service sucked, which ruined the experience. I was recently at BRU for a fundraising event. For $10 you received one drink and access to an extended happy hour (Happy Hour here is great, $4 beers and $5 bites). Special seating in the back was even reserved for the event, which was great since the bar can get pretty crowded on a Thursday night. It took over 20 minutes for the waitress to come take my drink order, and when she brought the drink she was not even sure if it was correct. Getting additional drinks the rest of the night was a struggle as our waitress cared more about socializing and checking her phone. When the checks came, they were completely messed up. Our waitress even handed us back a a receipt with a credit card that didn't belong to us.
(2)
Leslee S.
Made reservation for 4 to dine at 7:30 this past Saturday night - we were seated right away at a half booth. The beer menu was pretty extensive and I chose an Oktoberfest beer (don't remember the name and it isn't on their online menu currently) but I thought it was strange that I could order an Oktoberfest beer in June...? Anyway, It was good, but it didn't blow me away. Some dining mates ordered an IPA with notes of pear and honey and I actually liked their selection better. For food we split an order of fried pickles (so good!) and BRU fries amongst the table. For an entree, I split an order of the spatzel and the turkey reuben with grilled veggies with a friend. I wouldn't usually order the turkey, but I will admit that it was delicious. The veggies were a bit greasy though. The spatzel was so good - loved the friend onions and mushrooms mixed with tons of gooey muenster. All the food was delicious, and there was more than enough to split between two people, but in general everything we ordered was really heavy. I wished I had ordered a side salad in place of the grilled veggies to lighten it up a bit. Server was really nice, she let us hang out for as long as we wanted and didn't bother us to immediately pay the check. Food came out really quickly. I think it would be a good place to come for happy hour and apps.
(4)
Hiya R.
Incredible selection of beers. Tried a couple of specials during Philly Beer Week and was very impressed. What surprised me was how good the food was. The Bru fries are a must try and the mussels were incredible (especially with the happy hour special). They also play great music!
(5)
Richard R.
We stopped in at Bru for happy hour on a Monday. The place was unusually crowded according to my daughter. The Jefferson nursing program was celebrating the completion of their Fall semester finals so the place was extra lively. The waitress gave a nice table towards the back. Bru has discounted drinks and food for their happy hour. They have a huge selection of draft and bottled beers. The waitress was very helpful in recommending different beers. We didn't try the food as we came from Federal doughnuts and were stuffed buy the menu had some cool choices. Bru has a very casual open feel with a lot wood and nice long bar. Definitely a cool place in center city to have a beer.
(4)
Diana M.
I love this place. Its so much fun. They have a ton of different beer selections. I had great pumpkin beer. They do have some seating in the back. They had awesome music playing so i was able to have some fun dancing!!! It does get pretty crowded and the restrooms also have lines. But great place to go for the night!
(4)
James B.
Came to BRU on a whim and was happy that I did. Huge beer selection with a solid selection of pretty much any kind of beer. I had an Ipa, then had a liter mug of a German beer! Happy bartenders and friendly waitstaff. Sat at the bar for about an hour before moving to a high top table to eat. The menu had a lot of traditional German fare on it, but I decided to go with something new on the menu: Grilled Lamb Chops. I was very happy that I did because they were banging! They were super tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. I also got a house salad that had a mustered kind of dressing. That was pretty good as well. My wife had a Turkey Ruben sandwich which they used real roasted turkey, not lunch meat turkey. She liked it very much. For dinner and a few beers the bill was not expensive at all for Center City Philly. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Lauren S.
This place rocks. Excellent food, friendly, attentive service, and seven pages of craft brews. Was in Philly for a conference and happliy stumbled across this place. Thoroughly enjoyed our evening there. Go. You'll love it.
(5)
Alycia P.
I love it here. The staff is so friendly, there is an upstairs and downstairs and always a good crowd. Beers aren't over priced. Definitely a good place for sitting at a bar or dancing.
(5)
Jamie D.
I've walked by this place a hundred times and have meant to check it out - set up a reservation on OpenTable for my boyfriend's birthday and away we went! The place is a bit louder than I appreciate, we got on of the tables up front near the window and were thankful we didn't have to shout at eachnother for our meal. Aside from noise (which is totally expected in Center City) the ambiance in this place is lovely - the decor is fabulous. Boo and I shared a bavarian pretzel, a wurst, and something else that I now can't remember (must not have been memorable!) but I DO remember mine being good and the pretzel also being good. All in all - it was a good experience and I would definitely come back if I'm stuck in Center City for something!
(4)
Adam W.
Last Friday night we stopped in on a whim. Actually the Irish pub across the street was jam packed. But thankfully it was. Bru is a gem in Philly. Fantastically decorated with rock and the backbeat looks like something I wish I had in my wedding photo. Great. The staff was abundantly available and friendly. The manager Maureen or Marilyn was top notch. I apologize if I mess the name up. The beer from the many taps were organized on a clean menu describing country of origin and style. So with my background in the bar biz I tend to be a snob about fresh tap beer. You can tell the staff and management care about their customers. The beer was fresh as the day it was brewed and barreled. I was very impressed. To you folks hoping to get a little lucky across the street at the Irish pub, stop over at Bru first and Prost! To a great place!
(4)
Aaron F.
Brought over 40 people here for an event. An employee came bursting through and knocked my beer to the ground. Never have I encountered more hostile bartenders and managers as I tried to rectify the situation. You'd think a bar would treat someone who brings a large amount of business but BRU does not seem to follow simple logic. The manager was incredibly rude and he bartenders did not care to cultivate further business. I've never been in a bar so once incredibly business-incompetent. Will never give this place business again and neither should you. Also, they promised to call back with drink specials and never did. Never had I had to try so hard to give a place business. When Bru goes under, don't be surprised. No business savvy or people skills.
(1)
Jill L.
BRU is definitely not my favorite bar in Philly. BUT I need to give them props for being an excellent location to meet up for a happy hour. First of all, BRU is massive. There is a ton of seating and a huge bar. This is a great location for an after-work happy hour, place to kill time between a wedding ceremony/reception, or a centrally located place near subways, trains, etc. to meet up with friends coming into the city or from around the city. The happy hour specials seemed pretty good- appetizers were $5, pretzels and beers $4. We had a large group (10 people) so we snagged a long table and settled in for a good night. We ordered a bunch of appetizers for the table to share, which were tasty but unmemorable. They have a great beer list (especially if you like German beers) but if you are looking for other libations, you might be disappointed (a friend ordered wine and was VERY disappointed) I'll probably come back to BRU if I'm meeting a group for happy hour, but I don't think I'd visit again for a date night or dinner.
(3)
Ho L.
A fantastic brewpub located in the heart of Philly. They have a very large selection of beer, including a wall where you pour your own drafts. The service was good, and the food was excellent. Overall, I'm glad I found this place, and would happily return.
(3)
Herbie H.
My friend and I were on the hunt for fried pickles (which are increasingly hard to find, after Jose Pistola's stopped making them) and we found that Bru had fried pickles on the menu. We went for Happy Hour on a Wednesday afternoon. Upon entering it was clear that the male-to-female ratio was way off balance. Not much to say other than it was a little shocking. We were seated and our very nice waitress came over and took our drink order. We then ordered our food: an order of fried pickles (to split), a veggie burger (for her), a Bavarian pretzel (for me) and the Dubbel Trouble Wurst special (for me.) The fried pickles were disappointing. I was expecting a basket of fried pickle chips - instead we got 6 pickle chips for $7. My friend enjoyed her veggie burger quite a bit, but mentioned the spicy relish was pretty spicy. I My Bavarian pretzel was delicious (especially the gouda fondue) and the Dubbel Trouble Wurst was pretty tasty. I wish we had been told what the happy hour specials were - it was only when I inquired about which Wurst to order that i was told they were $5 for happy hour. I'm interested in a lot of the small plates and definitely will go back for the pretzel.
(3)
Dominik P.
Great bar with lots of drafted beers. Very nice! I had a Kölsch and it tasted like in Cologne but in a bigger size. (0,5l instead of 0,2l)
(5)
Kathleen D.
Ever since I had a hot dog at the Phila Flower Show earlier this month, I've been on a serious hot dog kick. I mean, making lunch plans with coworkers for food truck hot dogs; bookmarking hot dog places on here; and asking our server at BRU: "Now, is the 'Frankfurter' more like a hot dog or like a sausage?" When the reply came back as "hot dog," I handed her the menu and that was that. It was delicious. Mostly because it was a hot dog and I'm hot dog binging and it's hard to screw up a hot dog. Anyway. So we made reservations for Saturday night, but the hostess never asked for my name when we walked in... just ushered us to a table near the door. Near the bar, it looked packed in an uncomfortable way, but we had breathing room where we were, and a view of the Flyers, both of which I prefer. In addition to the hot dog, I also had the Bavarian pretzel, and it was top-notch and cheap. I'd get it again. As for beer, let me just say that I'm so glad I tried this place this year instead of last when I still was anti-beer, since it has a pretty decent listing and it was easy to find a beer that I'd like without sampling based on the detailed descriptions of each. My first beer was a Kulmbacher Kapuziner Weiss from the German bottle page. Our server said it was one of their most popular. I mostly chose it because it said it was fruity. It, indeed, was fruity, but not in an overpowering way like Lindemans Framboise. I also tried a sip of my friend's Pinkus Hefe-Weizen, which boasts that it's from the world's first organic brewery. Also a great choice. My second was much stronger, and American: Rogue Old Crustacean. This was my second splash into the Rogue-world (First: Yelp Halloween event -- Rogue Dead Guy). Despite being VERY dark, I also really enjoyed it. I took a star from BRU because it was unnecessarily loud in there. It was absurdly loud. Lower the music, and this place would be gold.
(4)
Colin Q.
So admittedly, they've got a great selection of beer. Really great bottle list actually (despite grossly overpriced). I'll even give them the half-assed attempt at the "indoor German beer hall" look... Unfortunately, this is where the good part of this review ends. The waitstaff at this establishment tends to care more about their social media accounts and their SnapChat selfie game than serving patrons. I sadly had to compete with an iPhone when ordering my beers, multiple times. And their credit system failed - so it was on me to to find cash without warning. And the poor girl was charging our drinks and food to the wrong tabs - pretty much with no method or madness. Happy hour prices should come with a disclosure that you should double-check your bill, because you can't count on them getting it right. The food - mediocre. Nothing to write home about. Soggy and lukewarm fries. Portions of orders coming out 5+ minutes apart. Meh, to be expected. If you're looking for a faux-German beer hall type of place to start your evening, this place can make the cut. But I guess what I'm getting at is that if you're up for a headache, come to Brü.
(1)
Chris A.
I wanted to rename this place - "Boo." The Bru fries were very good and the Bavarian pretzel was also good. However, the service was terrible. Our server didn't write anything down and completely got our dinner order wrong. My wife got the pulled pork sandwich (asked for no mayo and got mayo). The sandwich was dry and tasteless. I got the wurst sandwich (asked for no sauerkraut and it was all over the sandwich). The sandwich was ok. Although it's hard to screw up a knockwurst. The best part of the meal was the fries. After talking to the manager, I don't think I will ever be back there. The next time I'm in that neighborhood, I will walk past and try one of the many other options there. Overall, very disappointed.
(1)
Rea V.
We were walking around looking for a low key place to grab a coue beers and snack around 4pm, and stumbled on this place, and we are so glad we did! First, their beer list is out of control. Pages and pages of foreign and domestic beers, with a good amount on $4 special during their 4-7 happy hour. And their food! It's traditional German fare with a modern edge that's not something you see everyday and pairs really well with the beer they serve. The decor matches their cool laid back vibe. My only negative is what they make the poor waitresses wear... It's like hooters meets German beer maid gone goth and horribly wrong. It doesn't match the style of the place at all, and was kind of confusing. Otherwise, definitely a gem worth checking out!
(4)
Sara h.
Meh. Been a few times, great selection of beer...once you flag down a bartender. Food not so great...there's other places in Philly to get an authentic German fix.
(3)
Michael A.
Any German walking through this door would be confused and surprised by this place, a kind of German beer Disneyland with dozens of drafts and nearly as many kinds of sausage. The waitstaff are friendly and the decor is fun. It's great for happy hour, but this place gets crazy on Friday and Saturday nights. I had my birthday dinner here, so you know this place is good.
(4)
Shaina F.
I continually find myself at Bru on the weekends, despite my dislike of how insanely crowded it gets in there - it's just a fun spot and I can't stay away it seems! The beer menu is extensive, and they also have a good selection of wine and ciders, in addition to a full bar. If you want to sit at the bar, however, get there early because they start taking away barstools as it gets more and more crowded. It's a good, young crowd though, so I think that's why I keep returning. Despite the inevitable mob of people inside, the bar is always well-staffed and it's not hard to get a drink. Also, they have self-serve beer machines at the entrance which is pretty cool! They also have dozens of different types of beer glasses, which is pretty fun. The food always looks hot and amazing, and many of my friends have tried it but I haven't had the chance yet - I'm sure I will and I'll review then!
(4)
Lea T.
Fun spot for authentic German good and German beers, nice in the summer too when the back is open and you can sit at the large communal style picnic tables. Don't be fooled but the atmosphere this is a great bar, but the menu is also filled with really delicious German dishes like bratwurst, pretzels, pork, and schnitzel. Very glad that I came for dinner because I had only ever been here for drinks. Loved my trout, but overall the appetizers were the best- try the pretzel, spatzele, and Bru fries!
(4)
Whitey J.
Went to Brü Craft & Wurst in philly for Sour Bowl 1 from New Jersey, and I'm glad I did! Nice chill place. I would go back every weekend if I could. SHOUT OUT TO RON! The manager Ron was awesome, he made us feel right at home! The beers were amazing! Our waitress was awesome, SHOUT OUT TO TAYLOR! Never had a fried pickle before but I had one there and it was great. Loved it, had a great time, go there! You will not be sorry! If anyone from Brü Craft & Wurst is reading this I will be back, I love it there!
(5)
Becca D.
Been here once before for drinks and then spent all day there yesterday for the World Cup games. The place was absolutely packed, but I was impressed with the quickness and attentiveness of our server, Carrie. We had a large group, about 20 of us, and never were any of us sitting there wondering where she was to order something. She was definitely on the ball the entire day - our group had gotten there right when they opened at 11 and stayed till just after 6pm. It was a long day, but well spent! We were at a table right in front of the big projector scene, so had pretty much the best seats in the house! The food was amazing! I had the pulled brisket sammich and the flavors were great, especially those fried pickles on top and the sauce on the bun. I also snacked on some of the fried pickles later in the day - definitely very different with the ham in there, but still delicious! Great place for sure!
(4)
Alyssa R.
I have never actually eaten the food here so my review is strictly based on drinks and going for the bar atmosphere. I really like that you can buy a fob and fill your own beer. I think it is a cool concept and it cuts down in waiting at the bar! This place is always fun, especially in the summer when they have it open to the outside. Great place to meet people. Gets very crowded on a Friday or Satuday night but that is to be expected. I usually decide between Bru and McGillins depending on the line. Drinks are obviously more pricy than across the street at McGillins. Beers on tap are around $6-7ish. I forget how much a mixed drink is but I have usually had good luck and they are pretty strong. I probably would not choose it as a food spot, simply because I am not a huge fan of that type of menu, but it is a great bar spot!
(4)
Coach D.
Best place ever. I think it was the best meal I ever had. Brisket so awesome. Service was very fast and caring. Very clean and cool atmosphere. Thanks for a wonderful experience. I will certainly be back again!!
(5)
Mary M.
This place has the potential to be great. We must have looked too "main stream" for our hipster server to spend much time with us. The beer list is extensive and when we needed a few minutes, she was really put out. The list was a little too obscure with most beer we had never heard of, and my group knows beer! They did have 2 gluten free beers on the list, so that was a bonus! We had a lot of fun with the photo booth/screen.
(2)
Laurie V.
Had dinner here with friends. It was enjoyable on all levels, with a few small issues. I shared some stuff with friends: the wurst plate (with German potato salad) and the brisket. The brisket sandwich came with fries, but I found them to be a bit skimpy on the fries- it was almost like an afterthought to throw a couple down on the plate. The wurst came with sauerkraut, as well as the potato salad, and it was quite yummy. Potato salad was solid, but not the best German potato salad I've ever had. I do like the vinegar base though. The self-serve beer thingy was a good idea, but I wasn't too crazy about how fast the taps were- my beer came out very heady. I thought the Grapefruit Hefeweisen was very refreshing and enjoyable, once the foam calmed down. Bathrooms weren't fantastic- kinda crowded and smelly. That said, the ambiance of the bar was quite lovely. Simple, sexy, and very ambient. I like the back alley way- I really want to try the Irish pub directly across from Bru. It was a fun night with friends that I rarely get to see. If I could rate this place on the food and the company, it would be among my favorites! If they can fix the aforementioned bugs, this place would get five stars. I'm glad the food was good!
(4)
Daniel W.
Great cool environment. Nice selection of brews. Not a huge selection of food downstairs is the only drawback I see.
(4)
Kim M.
Despite the size/noise level, I really like this place. I think it has a cool atmosphere, and good beer/food! I only wish the wall where you can dispense your own beer was bigger. I have been to wine bars with this concept where they have entire walls of wine that you dispense yourself. It is such a fun concept but the area for it here is rather limited. I'd like to come here more, but it is always packed so it can be a bit of a turn off (however also goes to show its a pretty good spot if it is always packed!)
(3)
Zoe P.
My husband and I love craft beer, so Philly Beer Week is one of the best times of the year - when we have time to enjoy it. I actually had the weekend off for once, so we made sure to hit up as many of the events and bars as our livers could handle. BRU Craft & Wurst was celebrating their 1st birthday so we hit them up for a late lunch. They had a live band performing (mostly covers), and although they were good performers, DEAR LORD was it loud inside! We asked to be seated as far from them as possible, and it was still incredibly difficult to hear one another. A place that primarily shills beer/alcohol should foster conversation, not lonely consumption. We like the concept of the 'self serve' drafts that charge you per ounce, but for this latest visit we stuck with the bar's draft list. They had some sandwich specials as part of their celebration - we shared the roasted pork and garlic pork sausage with sauerkraut, both of which had pickles and chips. The food was great with our cold brews, both meats super juicy and tender and instantly put us in a summer state of mind. If it wasn't for the loud music, we would've hung out longer and had another drink, but our ears were ringing and we left to enjoy the sunshine.
(3)
Rita C.
I have to admit that I've walked in and out of Bru several times because it was so overcrowded that I couldn't get a beer at the bar - this always occurred on a weekend night, so I shouldn't really be surprised. Finally last Saturday, my friend and I decided to stop by for lunch and some booze on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The restaurant wasn't crowded and we were able to get a seat on the McGillin's side. The waitress came right over to get our drink orders and, as many have already mentioned, they have a vast selection of beers available (no need to say any more about that). For our lunch, we split the kase spatzel, wurst plate (we selected chorizo), and Bru fries. Within 10 minutes, the food was brought out and it was awesome! The best out of the three was the spatzel! The brussels sprouts were a delicious addition and really gave the spatzel a unique taste (I would come back just for this). The fries were also tasty with a generous helping of gravy, sausage, and muenster on top. Also nothing bad to say about the wurst - the accompaniments of spicy mustards, potatoes, and sauerkraut was just what we needed. I really enjoyed my daytime experience at Bru; nighttime is a whole different animal that I'd like to avoid. If you're in the city, stop by and grab some delicious!
(4)
Darren P.
Cool spot! The bratwurst is truly excellent. Get the sampler plate, you won't regret it. Overwhelming selection of beers. Would not recommend the fancy self serve beer dispenser things ... You'll have to flow a lot of foam and waste your money before to get a full glass. Great atmosphere for a weekend afternoon
(4)
Enas I.
I love food and beer there, but the music is awfully loud. We have to scream to hear each other while all we want is to enjoy the good beer and conversation without having to compete with the loud music. I would have given 5 stars if the music was lower. This is an update: we had the nicest hostess this evening (10/29/14). Thank you very much for being so nice!
(4)
Feebee A.
Been here a few times now and I guess I have more good than bad to say but I can't say I love this place, I just like it. Great selection of beers! Bartenders are very knowledgable and friendly. They play good music and it's good crowd. We've only had appetizers here and they were good. Nothing out of this world. They have nice sized TVs so it's good to go there to grab a good beer and watch a game. Don't stay long tho, the ambience somehow puts me to sleep.
(3)
John S.
stopped by here with my gf to grab a beer...they have a huge selection. seemed like a really fun place.
(5)
Nichole G.
Whatttt!! Amazing curry ketchup! Regular foods taken to an expertise level of taste. We walked in because of the name -- plenty of beer / knowledgeable staff - tell them what type of beer you like and they will tell you what you can order. Very odd experience though.. NO highchairs. When I took my 3-year old to the bathroom, a blond haired patron turned the lights off on me. I called out immediately, opened the stall to see her leaving. My poor son-screaming. I'm guessing there is an anti-breeding culture in Philly???
(5)
Holly C.
Love this place. We just needed a place to get out of the snow but were really impressed! The service was very good. We sat at the bar and a group of the douchiest, a hole, frat alum (come on guys you're 40 now, grow up) came in and were awful but the staff was patient with them yet let them know they were not a priority above anyone else. I was very grateful to see the staff not get walked on by these zip up sweater tools. The food was spot on. One of the best burgers around. Cooked perfectly at mid rare and please do yourself a favor and order the spicy mustard with it. Glory, glory, glory. Beer was fresh and great selection.
(4)
Mark D.
I actually liked Bru more than I expected to, but that said, it's still not really my kind of place. We came here on a Friday night after a long dinner at Fogo. A friend of mine recommended it based on the beer selection, and on that aspect, you won't be disappointed - they've got an awesome selection of German beers that you probably haven't had elsewhere in the area. So they definitely get points on that front. That said, the experience just wasn't very enjoyable. The bar is very long and narrow, making it feel more crowded than it really is. The beers, while good, are expensive. The music is blaring to the point of distortion - I get it, it's Friday night in the city, you want to play loud music...but come on, if you want that kind of volume, invest in a system that can handle it. I actually have the same speakers in my house. I would never play them that loud. I might come back here a time when it's a bit lower key, and maybe it will be more enjoyable. But as it was, on a Friday night, I enjoyed my german brew and hit the pavement.
(3)
Louis R.
The waitress was affable and accommodating. The outside seating area is tiny and cramped. The selection of craft/international beers is hella ill (lots n lots). The whole hog, on a spit, being cooked on the sidewalk was kinda surreal. The plastic "das boot" that you got to drink out of was kinda cheaply made...still had a sharp edge...meh. Place is aight.
(3)
Luba P.
Stopped by for a quick happy hour. It was waaaaay too loud and crowded for my liking. Like literally can not hear the person next to you loud. I tried the loaded fries and the sauerkraut cheese balls, and both were awesome! This place seems like it would be pretty cool, but the loud and hectic atmosphere really turned me off. Plus, the waitresses' outfits create a Hooters feel to the whole place, and it was kind of awkward seeing guys gawk and stare at them (small shorts and stockings). Seems like it would be a cool place on a non-busy time!
(3)
Eric N.
Great place to have a German beer or two, along with good food. You can't go wrong with any of the appetizers.
(4)
Laura V.
One of my favorite places to order spätzel...actually the only place I order it. Bavarian pretzels with smoke Gouda fondue. It's like heaven on earth. Is noisy inside but great atmosphere. Not a good location for people who are indecisive as the beer menu is several pages long. Love this place!
(5)
Matthew W.
Turns into a dance club at night on Saturdays and they keep it oddly very very dark. They really do not have the space for a dance club and it is very crowded and loud. If you want to see and have some space go to McGillians across the ally.
I had never had bartender as rude as the guy behind the bar last night. He threw the bill at me in such a way that another bartender told him that he had hit me and he just laughed. The other bartender could have try to make it better for me but he didn't care much either. Why did he threw the bill at me? I keep wondering if it was a race thing (I'm Latin) cause we had barely interacted at all! Food wasn't that great, prices kind of high for such a dive place. N again the service: I had never been disrespected like that.
(1)
Cameron P.
The food is decent but if you want authentic German food go to Brauhaus. The beer list is pretty extensive and their mussels are good. I have to agree that service can be hit or miss. I have never been here late night and based in other reviews I probably never will.
(3)
Paulina M.
Beer garden with style. Not easy to find but you won't regret it when you do. You can pour your own beer with a 25 dollar beer key or get your bottles from the bar. The food selection is not bad either.
(5)
YouTakeItEasy U.
BRÜ-more like BOOO. I had high expectation for this place, just fell short. Very dark, very crowded, tight space & even tighter seating. I am a fan of sour beers, many to choose from and our waitress had sick knowledge of all the beers, well that's the positive. Food was average to Blahhhh. Started with the BRÜfries, looked like a cat threw up on them, but very good..Girlfriend started with the apple and potato pancakes, ahhh it was OK. Time for another beer to take my mind of the disappointment if the apps. Dinner, I had the Doner Kabob- (lamb shoulder, pickles, iceburg, yogurt sauce, flatbread) it was OK, and a side of Spätzel- fried, no taste, needed salt or even a gravy. Time for another beer to add some flavor to this food. Girlfriend got typical Wurst sammy, she said it was good, she didn't finish it....I guess we'll have more more beer before we roll out since the beers were on point.
(3)
Steven L.
The fried pickles were amazing. Everything else that we ordered was terrible! The brought worst was flavorless and dry, it was served on a roll that was devoid of taste. But once again, the fried pickles were great!
(1)
Katie P.
I really want to like this place, I do. It is in a great location and I like the vibe. The first few times I have been there wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. I went this weekend and my experience weighed a little more on the negative side. The bartender was pretty rude when I was bought two vodka water's with a splash of lime juice. Which were $10 each... a bit more expensive than I thought they would be. Anyway, when she handed me the bill my friend and I were clinking glasses and she made a snide comment about how she didn't have time to wait for us to cheers our drinks. Uhhh okay, relax. Like I said, I really want to like this place and the crowd is pretty cool so that is saving my opinion about this place. I am not sure how soon I will give it another try though especially when there are so many other places to choose from within a block of Bru.
(2)
Ashley D.
Good beer selection and food. But I'm really disgusted by the way the waitress have to dress, which includes booty shorts and stockings. It's deplorable in this day in age and infuriates me as a German woman. You have completely bastardized the Dirndl, which is a beautiful and respectable outfit. I am a knowledgable patron, well versed in German food and beer, but I will NEVER return unless you change your policies.
(2)
Anna M.
Atmosphere: girls are in slutty/cute outfits. Place looks like an outdoor beer garden (tho it's inside). Food: (me) flatbread cheese pizza was simple with a lot of great garden fresh flavors. (Husband) Brat was good; the bread was too toasted so it didn't seem fresh. The beat salad was excellent. Drinks: got scotches and the prices were comparable. Will def go back for the unique look and good food!
(5)
Carla F.
I've been here twice now for lunch and can't say I have been disappointed. They have a great beer selection (duh). The seating area is adorable, especially in the summer with the garage door open in the back. And the food is great! I order the veggie burger and it is by far one of my favorites in the city.
(4)
A B.
Being definitively older than the pub crawlers that were in the front of the house, I only stayed long enough to eat a wurst and get onto the next part of my night. Interesting if you want to people watch, but you'll have to contend with the crowds and layers of noise.
(2)
Chris G.
Never again. Five friends and I went into the city for the Jolly Pumpkin Beer Week event at Bru on Sunday 6/1/2014. They were supposed to have 12 Jolly Pumpkin beers on-tap, and were to be serving them in flights of 6. We arrived and the place was pretty dead, especially for an event during beer week on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Once we sat, it took a very long time to get service (despite it being quiet). Our waitress came and took our orders, only to return and tell us that they were no longer serving flights and we'd have to order full pints. The bar had been storing kegs for this event for a long time, and clearly they'd mishandled them or overwhelmed the tap system. Because (and I should mention that Jolly Pumpkin is my favorite brewery) all of the beers came out tasting like garbage. Some were too warm, some were flat, others had just been skunked. Furthermore, as we continued ordering others from the list, our waitress kept bringing us the wrong beer and insisting that it was the one we were ordering. Not sure if this was her fault or the bartenders - but either way, disappointing. Thankfully, the waitress sympathized and gave us a bill with a nice discount to compensate for the horrid experience. My reviews on here are mostly very positive, but I'll make an exception this morning because Bru was a disaster. With so many great options in the city, this place is a waste of your time.
(1)
Vichet O.
I really liked this spot, and I'm glad I stumbled in to meet up with my cousin here. The atmosphere is pretty standard for a spot near Broad. However, the beer selection here is definitely above and beyond most of the places I can think of within two blocks. Also, their bar snacks are pretty great. Especially the fries. What really made me enjoy this place was that it wasn't especially packed for a Friday, and that the DJ was actually spinning some really enjoyable music. Shots, beer, fries, and dancing make for a pretty memorable experience. At least until the shots and beer take effect. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Anupma S.
This place is okay to come to when there isn't much going on. It has a fun atmosphere with outdoor seating (albeit in a sketch place). I like that they keep the back open so you can see over to the bar across the alley. Beer is okay, food is okay, service is a little less than okay. I've waited way too long for service multiple times, both when I've sat near the bar and when I've sat at the long tables in the back. Also, more often than not the bar is covered in water and it takes way too long for the staff to wipe it down. A plus is the beer sampling they have in the middle. Bathrooms are also right in the middle, in your face, which is a little grimy.
(3)
Eddie K.
Very disappointing. Bartenders were incredibly rude. If your in college and like to black out - great place for Thursday night. Otherwise, recommend elsewhere
(1)
Stephanie S.
Since a new German craft beer bar just opened blocks from my house, I couldn't wait to get in there and try it! Not only is German beer my favorite, but was excited for a place with 25-30 rotating taps. Unlike Frankford hall where there is minimal German beers on tap, Bru has plenty! Plus other craft selections. The "beer wall" is smaller than I expected, only 6-8 beers on the wall to pour yourself. But, still cool I guess! I went on a busy Saturday night, I think it was opening weekend, and the bar was packed for march madness. I went to hostess stand, she said there was a wait for a table, so took my name down, then immediately called me, I hardly waited!! Awesome! All the hostesses and waitresses are really cute! Def some eye candy if you are a male :-) Anyway, my roomie and I ordered a few beers and food. The smoked salmon bruschetta w/ arugula was very yummy! I love the cheese and beets on it. We also had the meatballs which melt in your mouth with a fantastic flavor, and the portebello mushroom sandwich, which I loved! Filled with tiny mushrooms, and a very strong aged cheese melted all inside. Was fantastic! Can't wait to go back and try the lamb shoulder flatbread. Love this place, I will be back many times. Am looking forward to some new craft draft selections... Was unimpressed by the coors light on the menu, but I guess that's to please the tourists! Majority of other beers were pretty good. Tip: 2 entrances, one on chestnut street, and one in the back alley directly accross from McGillins and Dury st.
(4)
Anton T.
It is completely overpriced. Additionally, the potato salad I got was practically raw potatoes, the sauerkraut was horrible as well. Add two mediocre sausages to that and you get something they call "sausage plate" and charge 30$ for that. Never again!
(1)
Olivia T.
Very nice, fun place. The mussels were great and the fries as well. The brat was good, but not great. The self serve beer wall was interesting in concept, but in practice was a little awkward.
(4)
Brittany P.
Bro central for sure !! It's center city so I guess I can't be too shocked. Bru has a lot of beers to pick from and a nice German based food menu! I have yet to eat here but everytime I browse the food menu I'm interested!
(4)
Jay A.
Great atmosphere wide selection of beer Food was very good. I would definitely try this place
(4)
Mina B.
Unfriendly and unmotivated staff. When I asked the server what she recommends for sweet tasty beer, she seemed clueless. When I asked about a specific type of beer on the menu and what it consist of, her reply was "Whatever is written there". I was only there for a couple of hours, I was not inclined to spend an extra penny after the one beer, I've been to better bars.
(2)
Alick W.
I've been to Bru twice, both on Sundays. It is a nice weekend spot to grab some food and watch a game. They have about About 8 flat screen tv's for sports games and is a decent size with a decent amount of seating. I heard it can get really crowded on a weekend night, but haven't been yet. The place also seems very clean and the restrooms were very clean as well. I ordered the burger which was okay, nothing really special but my friend got a brat and said it was delicious. Bru also has a large selection of good beers, primarily German beers on tap which you wouldn't really be able to find in any non German themed bar. They also have a good bottle list as well. I tried 2 of the wheat beers which were excellent. Bru also has the pour your own beer tap system which I haven;t tried yet but seems pretty cool. This place has been open for a little over a year now and is a bar in center city. Bru is a place that I would go back to during the daytime and will try it out during a busy night in the future.
(4)
Elaine M.
I went to Bru last Friday night with a crew of friends. We were only there late night for drinks so I can't review the food menu. We got there around 10 PM and it was already packed. We were able to find some open space near the Chestnut St doors and squeeze our way up to the bar to get some drinks. They have a huge beer list, a mixture of German beers, local mirco brews and your standard American 'favorites'. Each beer that I had was great and I didn't think the prices were too outlandish. This is certainly not a $2 Miller Lite kind of place, but you can get a tasty 22 oz. brew in the $7-$8 range. As I said we got there at 10 PM, it was obvious that a good portion of the crowd had been there since happy hour.... several sloppy post-dinner patrons getting up from their tables and business suits spinning around the dance floor. The music was very loud (kind of hard to talk to friends - my throat was horse the next day from screaming) but the DJ played good jams all night. This place was pretty packed, there was a little bit of room to dance if you broke away from the crowd but for the most part people were just standing around talking.
(4)
Dean P.
Just what you'd hope for! Lots of great beers on draft with a bias toward German style beer and food. The hefeweizen was terrific and was even better with the Bavarian pretzel. The pretzel was fresh baked. Warm with a slightly crunchy exterior and a soft chewy center. The smoke Gouda fondu served with it had a mild smokey and bacon flavor. Perfection. Didn't try anything else on the menu, or I would have given it a 5. I'll be back!!!!!
(4)
Harry M.
Got to watch England's demise to Uruguay for the 2014 World Cup here. I had 2 Dark Horse IPA's and the pulled brisket sandwich. It came with cabbage and fried pickle chips on the sandwich. It was really good and an excellent portion. The fries were fantastic too. Service was good at checking on our table and getting us what we wanted fast. The rest of the food and beer selection was great. I couldn't make up my mind and had to ask the service for the suggestion. Everything came to $24 plus tip for me. Pretty well priced I must say.
(5)
Colleen M.
I've been here twice - would have been 4 times but twice I tried to go it was either SO packed (on a Friday) with the type of crowd I just can't stomach or so LOUD that I couldn't hold a conversation with my mouth right next to the ear of the person I was talking to. I'll rate based on the days where I actually hung out for a spell. The beer selection was really good. Friends visiting from Denver and I sampled a few tasty ones that none of us had tried before and I was really pleased with both the service and the knowledge of the bartenders. The other time I was in - same beer experience, but the food couldn't be considered anything more than "sustenance". It was fine for keeping you from getting too tipsy on 10% ABV beers but not worth going out of your way for. Looking for a good beer selection, a pour your own option (which I haven't explored) and adequate nibbles then this is your place. Just watch out for the unofficial Frat Boy Fridays - unless that's your thing.
(3)
Sara K.
So I can see why people like BRU, but I probably won't go back. The food is good. The beer is good. You can get comparable food and beer at Frankford Hall for cheaper and enjoy yourself more, though. The waitstaff sucks. If it's crowded (and it often is, especially around happy hour) it will take you decades to get a beer. When I sat down to eat one unfortunate night, no one came to even take my drink order for 15-20 minutes. I will say that my appetizers arrived promptly but I was expected to eat it without silverware or napkins. Yep, they sat us somewhere with no place settings, brought out our food, and when we realized we didn't have silverware our waitress was nowhere to be found. We asked another one but she never brought it. Our dinner took like 2 hours, it was annoying. I also hate the throngs of bros who seem to thrive here, but that's obviously personal preference. It's loud as FUCK in here, so if you're going for dinner, choose your time wisely. Between the music and the crowds of people, you won't be able to hear whomever you're with.
(2)
S L.
I've been here a bunch of time for lunch, but never for dinner - so keep that in mind. Bru expands upon the restaurant revival in the East of Broad / South of Market area. Excellent selection of rotating craft beers with a strong selection of German and European beers as well as American craft. There's also some sort of self-serve beer contraption in the back that I've never used but would be nice on a crowded night. Lunch is reasonably priced and features a Wurst(s) of the day, some traditional German fare, and an excellent Donnor Kabob. Staff has always been friendly and outgoing and we've never experienced any sort of meal or serving problem. Back of the restaurant has picnic table seating with large open windows facing an historic street. Might be good for kids during the day or early dinner but I hear this place is hopping later at night.
(4)
Ryan B.
Frequent this place for happy hour after work. Great beer selection. Would recommend it. I can't say much for dinner. I'm sure it would be great thought.
(3)
Julian E.
Best spot in Philly if you are going to watch Germany play in the world cup or any type of major German sporting event. However the beer selection is completely unfamiliar I suggest the "Bitburger" it tastes like yeungling. The pretzels taste great. Bartenders and servers are gorgeous and very friendly. The customer service is excellent.
(5)
Ryan M.
I love the beer selection at bru and the bartenders provide great service and wonderful conversation... however I've had spotty table service and the one note food menu make it difficult for me to come more often.
(3)
Lauren C.
Went to Bru with a party of 10 on a Saturday night. We had a reservation... thankgawd... because the place was PACKED!!! They had to kick some stragglers out of our picnic table, and then we all sat down... plenty of room for all of us. The menu had lots of options... even for myself as a vegetarian. I wish they'd update their menu online though, because they had some eggplant sandwich that i was salivating for that wasn't on the menu when I got there. I have to give our waitress credit- a table of 10 in a packed bar on a Saturday night... i never saw the bottom fo my beer, and had a great meal in a decent amount of time. We all did. Everyone seemed to enjoy their grub too. My only gripe with this place was the atmosphere. We had people standing crammed in all around us... the walls are all brick, and there is nothing that really absorbs the sound... so the bar is just loud... straight up noisy... which got frustrating in trying to talk to people at the other end of the table. Also, everything was a bit expensive for what it was. My $10 sandwich was basically a falafel sandwich... but on a smaller scale. It tasted good... but not great... maybe its because i'm the token vegetarian and i got the only thing i could eat... As a place to drink on a less croweded night, this place did great... and props again to our waitress for handing a big party the way a big party should be handled!!!
(3)
Jeff V.
Tip at your own risk!!!! I just received a notification from my credit card for a suspicious tip amount. My drink order was in the 30's with a tip amount at around 50%. Sorry but on a busy night your service isn't that good for a beer. To make this an easy catch whatever bartender did this decided to add an additional random cent amount to the tip I'm not sure about other people, but I never leave change with a tip on a card unless it raises the total to an even dollar amount, which in this case it did not. Seriously not a classy move by your staff.
(1)
Gar L.
Great local place to grab a brew. This place is pretty popular right now so expect crowds Friday and Saturday nights. Dont forget to try the food here, it's pretty amazing!
(5)
Vanessa D.
This place is extremely unique to the streets of Philadelphia! The atmosphere, enormous beer list, and German inspired menu has kept me returning. The most exciting part about the venue is the self serve beer wall. Great for those busy Saturday nights. You purchase a 'Bru Button' from the friendly wait staff and can literally pour your own beer directly from the tap. It's a great additional value to any special occasion or night out. I'd def recommend!
(5)
Mackie E.
I have stopped in here twice in the past 2 weeks. I found it to be a perfect spot to order some picky food, sit outside and indulge in their 4 page beer menu. The zucchini and tomato flatbread was exceptional. It looked great and tasted so fresh, which was exactly what I was looking for. My boyfriend got the BRU fries, which is a deliciously, artery clogging combination of fries, bacon gravy and pork sausage. For those of you keeping score - yes, that is 2 different types of pig....and it's delicious. Noteworthy: The service there is really fantastic. Both times I have gone our server has been incredibly friendly and always there when you want service. Definitely worth stopping in for a happy hour or a few drinks outside while the weather is still nice.
(4)
Gautam T.
I like BRU a lot but can't rate it highly because it doesn't stand out. Sure there are good beers and good food but when you're inside the bar it has a very in original feel to it. When I think of beer gardens or German bru pubs I think there is a certain atmosphere, for example brahous Schmidts is a great place for beer and brats. Bru is a bar that serves good beer. Don't come here looking for an original German Bru pub because you're not going to get it.
(3)
Sean S.
Center City's answer to Frankford Hall. Great place. Great beer with LOTS of variety. Gets packed on weekend nights with a wait for seats. Good food - there's a "loaded french fry" dish and a plate that includes a variety of their different sausages that is worth trying. I don't remember what they were called. Check this place out!
(4)
Karen T.
"Their liverwurst is better than most sex I've had".--Actual quote we overheard from someone here. Beer list is good and the wait staff is very nice and patient, even when they are busy, but not in a rush to go back. Pretty loud atmosphere, and the food menu is limited. Not looking to have 100 options, but just surprised they didn't have a couple more conventional options. If I am going to do German, would go to Brauhaus Schmitz or Frankford Hall. Just might not be right for me.
(2)
Majlinda K.
Great place to sit and hang out with friends while drinking german beer out of 1 Liter glasses. They have a nice variety of german beers on tap and bottled as well as other imported beers as well. So if you enjoy german beers this is the place for you! I highly reccomend the pretzels as a snack between your liter beers. They were warm and delicious and served with cheese dip. The place is really big and has seating to accomodate large parties.
(4)
Stacey S.
I came here for lunch. Sat at the bar. The bartender was super friendly and attentive. I had the wurst plate with the Denny sausage... It was great! The potato salad was a bit salty paired with the salty sauerkraut and salty sausage. But all and all it was great. They have a HUGE selection of beers! Great pub!
(4)
Nazee Z.
The happy hr at this place is great! I got two beers and ended up spending $10 with tip! I'm a huge fan of German beer gardens and this place has a great selection. The happy hr is a bit limited, but I still haven't had a beer that I didn't enjoy. Also, the bacon gravy fries are to die for! I think they're $3 or $4 on happy hr as well. All in all, cheap, great atmosphere, great location, and the beer is fantastic!
(5)
Chelsea H.
Good food and beer selection. Good for groups because it is very loud! Service always fast and friendly. Will be back very soon.
(4)
Jessie H.
I've been here mostly on Fridays. I like that you can buy a $5 keychain fob and then put money on it. You can use the fob to pour your own beer which I thought was pretty cool. The $5 is a one time fee for the fob and you get to keep it. It gets pretty packed here so come early like 8pm ish.
(4)
Siobhan O.
Good food and beer, but service below par. Why were there 6 waitresses standing around in the front yet I had to go up to the bar to get a water and ask twice for silverware after our appetizers arrived? At the bar noticed someone else couldn't get their waitress to pick up the check, so not just a problem I was experiencing. Also 3 workers sharing the sink in the ladies room getting ready for their shift to stand around wasn't all that professional. Seems like a "Hooters" image is enforced on them, but I've received quicker and more attentive customer service at Hooters. Food was good and $4 beers at Happy Hour also a great deal-not all complaints.
(3)
Chris M.
If you're looking for the most authentic German experience possible, this is not it--go to the Newportville Inn or the Austrian Village. If you want to hang at a cool Center City bar with German accents, Bru is a fine choice. The space feels like a Brauhaus-esque, German-chic spot. It's reasonably big with a lot of seating, including al fresco seating in the front and read of the space. They also have some high-tech, serve-yourself-beer stations, which look pretty cool. The beer selection here is pretty decent. It's split into a German beer section and a craft beer section. There are about a dozen German beers on the menu, and they go down to $4 (from $7 or so) for a half liter at happy hour. I recommend the Kozstrizer schwarzbier. It's really delicious. On the craft side, they have some good picks, including some local beers and upstart breweries, which I thought was pretty cool. The food selection looked pretty good. We just tried the pretzel with the gouda dipping sauce. I thought the price was a little steep at $6, but it was REALLY tasty. Next time, I would like to try some of the German specialties, like the mixed wurst platter. The bartenders were very friendly and added to the experience.
(4)
Neil S.
Bru works well as a nightlife option when in need of a compromise between a lively party scene and good beer. The tap list at Bru is ample and very reasonably priced; half liters of quality German beers can be had at $6-8, with American micros served in smaller portions but at similarly manageable costs. This place can get crowded, but you can always find a piece of real estate for you and your group somewhere in the venue. A DJ plays fairly loud music on the weekends so conversation may be difficult, but it's never night club level deafening. I've only had the Bru Fries here (bacon gravy, muenster cheese, sausage) which were delicious, if not a little oversalted, but other foodie friends have recommended the rest of the German grub the kitchen puts out. My only complaint about this place is that the beer never tastes as pristine as at other, suds-focused spots. That characteristic implies Bru probably doesn't keep its tap lines squeaky clean, especially on the weekends when this effect is far more noticeable. This tradeoff, fortunately, is small relative to this places' general acceptability as a nightlife option to most people. I find myself coming back here often for decent beer, a buzzing scene, and generally good times on weekends. If you want to sit and have a conversation with friends, this place probably won't meet your criteria on the weekends, but this place provides a great middle ground between those in need of tasty beer and those who frequent venues like Ladder, Public House, or other energetic, young professional Philly bars.
(4)
Kelli M.
Went here for the first time with a friend when we made our own impromptu St. Patty's Day weekend crawl. They have pages and pages of beers from around the world, including different beers sold at sports arenas/stadiums around the world. Prices are pretty standard and it's in a great location. They have the token/debit card you can put money on and use at their installed kegs/kiosks. We didn't have a chance to try them but it would definitely be nice to use especially when it's crowded. The back entrance also leads you out to McGillan's next door which is always a plus. I haven't had the chance to eat there but the menu looked interesting if you are into German food!
(4)
Two B.
So, i'm going to tell you about BRU's pretzel served with gouda cheese sauce. I think that the crispiness and flakiness of the pretzel and the moistness of the cheese creates a wonderful texture. The pretzel itself is a little dry but the sauce creates an awesome taste. Well, that's all folks . I would go back here for the pretzel. reviewed Agent A
(4)
Kayla A.
Came here on a Friday night around 11 pm with some girlfriends. It was pretty crowded but we didn't have any trouble ordering a drink at the bar. I don't drink beer but my friends were really happy with the beer list they have. They also have a self serve beer bar, from what I understand you have to pay for a fob and you get a glass and thats how you use the self serve. The bartender did let us know that the self serve beers are not as good as the beers you order from the bar. Staff was very friendly and quick to serve, especially for how busy it was. Will definitely be returning to try the food.
(4)
Michele R.
I'll admit, it's slightly unfair of me to write a review for a place that just doesn't have my heart...I don't eat bratwurst...however I keep ending up here with friends so I should add my two cents. The beer list is as promised and to be expected at a bier garden: extensive and interesting. The service can be spotty, especially when the place is crowded. If you are in a rush to get your beer, the self serve bar is for you. Which is pretty cool. My only complaint is about the food options, which have admittedly improved since the opening month. For someone who doesn't eat pork or bratwurst, a few more fish or even free range local beef options would be much appreciated. There is a trout dish that is entree sized, and the mushroom spatzle was Delish....however, I realize now that's because those were some kind of noodle mixed in with the cheese and Brussels sprouts. (hey, I'm not German! I didn't know what spatzle was and the description didn't explain!) I try to avoid flour and gluten products and I think this restaurant can get itself into trouble not designating clearly what's In a dish. Other than that, it's a fun place to go with friends, especially, the 30-40 something's crowds, and in walking distance to all the other midtown village hot spots.
(4)
Jim W.
Bru is your latest pop-up "German" style bar. I've been here a few times with each experience worse than the one before. It's incredibly loud and rather overpriced for what it is. The frat crowd tends to overrun this place as it gets later. When you first walk in, you'll notice it's not really a beer garden at all and is rather cramped. Tables are close together and provide barely enough space to seat yourself in. You'll probably also notice the waitresses sporting red suspenders and short shorts which I find kind of weird and misplaced here. The beer selection is pretty good but not unique considering the neighboring bars. Did I mention that it gets extremely loud? If you're looking for a German style bar directly in mid-town center city, I guess this is it but there are many better choices throughout the city and even better taverns right across the street.
(2)
Rae O.
Bru is one of my favorite places to do happy Hour in center city. The bartenders and the wait staff are so nice! $4 beers =AMAZING! The Pretzels with Gouda Cheese is a must! The vibe is really chill. If you are really having a good time and decide to stay a little longer on Friday night there is dancing with a DJ. Can you say fun fun fun? Lol. Pretty nice not having to go to another place to dance after happy hour especially in this freezing cold weather. Ended up spending 5 hours there, and it was a good night.
(5)
Andrew B.
interesting crowd. good beers. more expensive and less fun than mcgillians, but definitely a trendier option
(3)
Jennifer W.
Only giving this two stars because the beer selection is good. Good was not good. Nobody at our table liked any of the dishes we ordered - except the pretzel. Pretzel was good
(2)
Noah G.
The first Saturday of April was unofficially the end of our extended winter and the sun soaked city was the perfect back drop for boo and I's engagement photos. After two and a half hours of posing I felt that a couple of brewskis were more than appropriate so once we finished up we headed over to BRU to get some apps and do the damn thing. Apparently we weren't the only ones with the idea because the joint was jumping. We had a 15 minute wait for our table which was totally fine because they have some of the clearest TVs I've ever seen at a bar and the Flyers game was on. Unfortunately no matter how good the TVs looked they could not make Bryzgolov look any better than the Moscow sized disappointment he is. Despite how busy they were the bartenders were very attentive and we were never with an empty glass for long. Upon being sat we were handed a very simple but ample menu that had some very enticing options that was all priced very moderately. Since we were going out for dinner later on we opted to get two appetizers, the pretzel with some sort of angelic cheese dip, and a lamb kabob on flat bread. It was so so good. I really wanted the Currywurst which was a brat cut up on top of french fries with curried ketchup but I was convinced not to since apparently I'd be having fries with dinner (seems like a lame reason looking back on it). I'm really looking forward to going back on an off night when they will have the garage doors open and a Phillies game on. The staff at BRU is so nice and accommodating, the decor is unique and for being so new I thought things were already running flawlessly. So great to have them in the neighborhood!!
(4)
Victoria L.
More of a beer haus than a biergarten... since it's completely indoors. The beers here are fine. The food is a little overpriced since the sandwiches don't come with fries. And the fries cost almost as much as a sandwich. The options are very limited in terms of food and drink, but the draw is the ambiance. The decor and vibe is pretty cool. I've been here three times this month because my friends love the Center City location, but the service has been pretty poor every time. I'd rather take the trip to Frankford Hall.
(2)
Prasath S.
Bockwurst, Fries and Curry Ketchup. Yummy !!!! Can't wait to go back and try some of their other meat offerings...
(4)
Meredith B.
You are super cool! What and awesome space. People can enter in on Chestnut or Drury (for the McGilian's overflow). The inside is very cool looking with a great long bar throughout the space. Lots of tables and also a self serve tap. They have an pretty nice selection of beers. I checked out their menu and ordered the flatbread and the pretzel with cheese... both were tasty. I happened to see Doner Kebabs on the menu. I will be back to check this out. These are European Royalty in the food world. Special shout out to Theo working there. I use to see him at Noble working there and he's so great. Welcome back into my life Theo. This place will be around awhile...
(3)
Sarah A.
Perhaps it's Stephen Starr's fault for bringing Frankford Hall to Philadelphia, but when I hear "Beer Garden" I think "garden in the city full of varied-types of beer" So even before going, I was already a tad bit disappointed that there would be no center-of-the-city garden oasis, but that didn't deter me from making the trip. Twice. (First time I tried, they stopped seating an hour before a private party came in.) Second time we were seated relatively quickly, but as others have reported, service was slow. Lots of tables around us were seated, but none had food. In another comment about the service (other than the somewhat inappropriately short-outside-a-strip-club lederhosen our petite, blond server was wearing), when I asked what "schnitzel" was I heard, "Um...well, it comes with the things right there on the menu." Yeah. I actually read the menu, but was hoping my server could illuminate (thank you trusty iPhone!). Here's hoping the service staff learn the relatively brief menu. Other than that, the food was fine. It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't bad. The two types of "wurst" I tried (beef-only and beef-and-pork) were good, tender, and juicy. The sauerkraut was relatively bland and did not compare to that offered at Frankford Hall. The portion sizes were what I might expect for a slightly-pricey, midtown restaurant. And, though I didn't drink any beer, my dinner-mate reported a less-than-varied beer selection. PS. It's very loud, so don't expect to have a conversation.
(2)
Ashley C.
Excellent selection of German and Czech beers.. Artistic German expression. They have cool features- serve yourself beer tap wall. Excellent food. Service is great! Waitresses wear very sexy attire. Good location, downtown Philly
(5)
Eric H.
We usually have a great time at Bru, sitting outside across from Macys on a nice day. Recently, we were terribly disappointed by the service. At a time when there were very few other patrons, we asked if we could sit outside... where we were promptly forgotten. We went inside to remind the hostess that we were there and finally got menus. After another 10 minutes, we returned our menus and left for a beer nearby at Nodding Head Brewery. The snide looks we received from the girls at the host station on our way out made us feel like we were somehow being inconsiderate. Bru, so sorry for inconveniencing you by coming while your ladies were still doing their makeup.
(1)
CHRISTINE B.
I retract everything I ever thought or wrote about this place. This is the worst establishment I've ever been to. I don't know who hires these derelict bartenders but they should be fired. The first time I was here I was disrespected. Wrote a bad review on Yelp and was asked to try it again, so I did. No complaints - food is good, beer selection nice. Tonight? I don't know what the problem is, but you can't treat people like garbage. If I ask you a question you should try your best to accommodate me. This is common food/beer service practice. I will never come here again. I will never have a good word to say about Bru. You won't miss my "patronage", but I won't miss being treated like a P.O.S. either.
(1)
Devon L.
Ended up here on Sunday evening, and again a little later on Sunday night this past weekend (plans changed and it turned out being alright). My boo and I stopped in for an early evening drink around 6ish and there were a decent amount of seats at the bar. I had the Clown Shoes Clementine Ale which I really liked a lot, and we had one of the pretzels to share. The cheese fondue sauce that comes with the pretzel is so good.. I could probably drink it. The pretzel was pretty good too, although overall I think I prefer Brauhaus' pretzel over Bru's. Fast forward about 3 hours, to meeting up with friends back at Bru, and the place is packed. I get what others are saying in reviews about this place being a bro bar, because it totally is. I remained faithful to the Clown Shoes Clementine throughout the night and wasn't disappointed. I don't think that the prices for the beer are too expensive at all, and there's also a decent selection for those who are adventurous and like to try a bunch of new things. We didn't try the tap your own beer wall, although I'd be interested to see what it's all about next time we stop in. Overall, this is a pretty cool place with a decent atmosphere, and I'd definitely go back to Bru to try some of their food options and try some other beers.
(3)
Nicole H.
Great beer selection, and the prices are totally acceptable. The food is really well-priced, but taste wise isn't that great. Fries were worth trying though. Very happy to see something like BRU in the area...really fits in with the other bar options but offers something new and different. Will definitely be back to review again once I've been there in warmer weather with outdoor seating.
(3)
Joe C.
Allow me to begin by saying that I've been avoiding this place since it opened. I was under the impression that it was nothing more than a bro-y extension of McGillin's, which is far from what I enjoy. The funny thing is, my assumptions were correct and I'm not bothered by it. I walked into this space yesterday afternoon after grabbing a couple of bottles form the state store. As soon as I walked in, the top 40 pop/rock classics from 15 years ago accosted my ears and I thought that my head would surely explode within the next few minutes. Seriously guys, turn down the volume during the day. The bar itself is nicely done and seems quite clean for what is essentially a suburban bar in center city. Service was attentive and pleasant but not overbearing. The day time bartender took care of me and was very helpful. Where this bar stands out is it's beverage program and menu. The Chef and bar manager should be given a high five for their efforts in setting this place apart from the majority of bars in the immediate area. I had the Kaesespaetzle, which despite the spaetzle being a tad overcooked, was phenomenal. Super umami. Great menu, which despite what a previous commenter said, is a far cry from the sausage fest up at Frankford hall, but not quite to Brauhaus Schmitz level. Their beverage program is nice because of the amount of offerings on draft and the range therein. They have a great selection of classic European beers, Aventinus is always on tap big thumbs up for that, as well as seasonals and small batch offerings from reputable breweries. The only reason I didn't give this place five star was because of the deafening decibel level and the understanding that in the evenings and on weekends this place holds an unbearable amount of suits and suburban bros. Otherwise, on quality alone a solid 4 stars. I'll definitely be back... during the day.
(4)
Maxine B.
I arrived at BRÃœ on a Wednesday night. Seated near the front of the restaurant, my company and I found the overall ambiance enjoyable: dark and cozy, yet not stifling. With that being said, the spacing of everything seemed to result in inescapable congestion. hmph. In terms of service our waitress was sufficiently attentive without being intrusive, while her bashful demeanor was all the more endearing. What a sweetheart! Coming to BRÃœ to dine, however, was a mistake. I appreciate the menu composition, but the preparation is questionable and the execution poor. It's a good place to snag some brews, but save your appetite for elsewhere. If you'd like more detail, please read on. The currywurst starter- fries, knackwurst, curry ketchup - was far from appetizing. The dish would have been better had they used more of a sausage-type meat rather than the decided hot dog variety. Void of any zest or tang, the sauce was lacking even a hint of curry flavor and essentially tasted like pure ketchup - very sweet ketchup might I add. The fries were nothing special, but that's just a cherry on top once everything else is right. Bottom line: It is not currywurst. Doeners are an art-form; they have unprecedented potential - sensational when they're good, and plain wack when they're wrong. The doner kabob at BRÃœ was wrong. Overly well-done & salty lamb, limp and doughy flatbread, scrapings of bland yogurt sauce. Bottom line: Just...wack. Both dishes were not nearly worth their price. Disappointing indeed. --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â----------------- I would like to come back, but I honestly can't see myself coming here simply to drink. Step up your food game, BRÃœ & you'll be golden!
(3)
Jim B.
Great place. Good service. Ask for Ron. You will enjoy every minute there. We will be back as soon and as often as possible.
(5)
Mandy H.
This place is so close to my house and I can't believe I finally went for the first time this week. It's definitely a cool atmosphere for drinks and they have a nice German food menu too. Apparently, their kitchen is open until 1 AM, also, which is good/bad for me to know. They have a ton of German beer on tap and also offer microbrews and your standard brews. Foodwise, the short rib was really good, especially the brussels sprouts and spaetzel combo that came with it. Yum yum! The fried pickles were also very good if you're feeling bad and want something greasy. They come with ham (which tastes like bacon) and pickles inside the crispy batter. The mixed wurst plate is also a good option if you're undecided and like a good sausage. I'm defintiely coming back to try more!
(4)
Christopher D.
Bru bills itself as an indoor German beer garden. It has a long bar, as well was communal tables and smaller tables where you can sit by yourself. The atmosphere is dark, with extremely loud music. Service is quite good and the beer list is outstanding. Food menu is limited. I had the spaetzle there which while good were under seasoned. There was not an abundance of cheese in the dish which was a good thing, but the mushrooms were pedestrian. I would consider going back to try other dishes but there are plenty of other places that can produce a good wurst so I would be drawn back for the beer but not the food.
(2)
Joanna H.
This is my new favorite bar!!!! They have a great selection of beer. they have my favorite too! (Hefe Weiner-Paulaner)!!! German beer avg $6-7. THe FOOD was SO GOOD TOO! it was only $7 to eat the Doner something (forgot the second part of the dish name. sorry!) I saw waitresses serving hot dog looking things to other tables so I was expecting with lamb meat in a hot dog bun. But it was more similar to a gyro wrap kind-of-dish. Soft yet slightly crispy wrap, tender juicy, one of the best lamb meat i had, with other veggies inside. I highly recommend this! This place will get pretty crowded around 10-11pm. The music can get really loud and you may have to work your way through the crowd sometimes, but it's def not a grimy hot place. Wish they played other selection of music over just oldschool rock, but it's okay. I went two days in a row last weekend, and will def go back soon!
(4)
Lauren J.
I'm not a huge beer snob, so I'm usually at wine bars. My grad school hosted a happy hour here and it was a good venue with plenty of seating in the back. There was a strange security guard who kept scolding my skinny white guy friend to stop "leaning" on the table. For real??? Other than that--good times had by all. The customized music mix machine was broken though and there was a long wait at bar. Good for group. Loud noise volume--even when not full. Poor acoustics.
(3)
Logan F.
Asked for seltzer with lemon, was given an old slimey smelly lemon. I asked the bartender how long it took to make the fried chicken, he said not long. It took 25min to come out, by which time I had to leave for an appointment. The place was empty, I can make fried chicken in 10min at home, it shouldn't have taken 25min. While I was waiting for my food, I saw a cool come out and chat with the bartender and got a beer from him. It's a shame I'll probably never go back. The beer selection looked great and the place seems nice.
(1)
Er B.
After 101 reviews, I'm not sure what else I can tell you in my review. Went the day after Christmas with my mister. We arrived around 5 and waited just a few minutes for a spot at the bar to open up. A table here and there were occupied. We sat down, ordered some drinks (yeay for happy hour drink specials). We started off with the Currywurst (fries, knackwurst, curry ketchup) as our app and then our entrees arrived. The mister had the mixed wurst plate (4 sausages, potato salad and sauerkraut) and I had the pork belly (confit berkshire pork, braised white beans, pickled local fruit). Our bartender gave us a gentle/friendly warning when we ordered, letting us know that we should prepare for quite a bit of food. He was right, but we had no problem polishing everything off since it was so tasty and well prepared. We left around 7pm, noticed that it was getting more crowded both in the front and back of the restaurant. The rear of the restaurant faces Drury Street and has a large, plexiglass garage door that I imagine is open in more seasonal times.
(4)
Brandon W.
My wife and I really like coming here. Solid beer menu and food. Get the fried pickles, I could eat them every day! Service is good. Not a whole lot of seating for dinner, but still a great place.
(4)
Clint W.
As promised, I returned in search of some revision to my initial impressions. My first trip to Bru was during a heaving Saturday afternoon during their opening weekend. We fought for a spot at the bar and then fought to get the attention of the bartender, who was trying to cater to dozens of drunk Philadelphia "bros." Upon my second visit to Bru, during a Friday night happy hour, I was pleased to find the ambiance altered. Though still a handful of "young professionals" milling about, there was a healthy selection of real professionals and Friday night pub crawlers, which brought the bro-level down a welcome notch. Within ten minutes, we had found a table, in time to take advantage of the wonderful happy hour special: $4 half-liter German drafts and $3 pretzels. The only downside to the happy hour is its rather limiting hours: 4-6pm. I have several friends that work across the street but are never out before 6pm. As such, I feel like Bru is missing out on a lot of potential customers. 5-7pm happy hours are much more accessible, but given the extent of the discounts, I can understand - from a business model perspective - the somewhat restricted hours. Based on the post-happy hour vibe, it would appear that Bru settles down a little bit more for the dinner hours. We ate in relative peace, enjoying a pretzel and two delicious wursts with the best kraut I've ever had. The menu is very minimalist, but it works well with the setting. At the end, we opted to try the apple strudel, which was a disappointment, to say the least. Roughly the size of a silver dollar and lacking that definitive strudel crunch, I would have preferred to have gone elsewhere for dessert. All in all, Bru makes a respectable stab at creating the beer garden atmosphere in the cramped real estate of Center City Philadelphia. The drafts are tapped just right and at their happy hour price, impossible to beat. If you're someone on the literal 9-5 grind, definitely stop by and give Bru a chance.
(4)
Chris K.
Hundreds of beers to choose from, plus delicious food. Open on both ends (alley and front) so there were a lot of people flowing in and out. Will be back.
(4)
Mary S.
You know you're going to a good car when the beer list requires a clipboard. We weren't here for happy hour but the specials were so good that we wish we were.
(4)
Joshua E.
Meh, the food was okay(overcooked), the Service was terrible at best. It's a really cool looking place, the waitresses were both hot and scantily clad, but I wouldn't go there again.
(2)
Paul C.
Food was ok...but great beer selection...for my past two visit...i was able to do the order of 1 liter and half liter...but...it will be soon enough when I do the BOOT...aka..2 liter!!!
(4)
Rachel F.
I had a great time at this place. My boyfriend and I shared the delicious Bavarian pretzel and cheese and the Currrywurst and fries appetizer. For dinner I had the Bratwurst and apples special with sauerkraut which I enjoyed and my boyfriend had the pulled brisket that was really great and tender. Great atmosphere!
(4)
Dennis D.
If you're beer fanatic and haven't been to BRÜ, you're missing out. This bar has a ton of different kinds of beer, so you'll surely find one you like. The interior is clean and decorated nicely--think wood! The layout is set up to enter at two different spots, one from Chestnut Street and the other from the alley Drury Street. The Chestnut side has outdoor seating, while the Drury side features a huge garage door style that opens up when the weather is nice. One unique feature this bar has is their Bier Wall. It has six different self serving taps that they rotate out. There's no waiting in line at the bar so it takes out that frustrating part of being at a bar. You buy a "Haus Key" that has a prepaid amount on it and you put the key up the your selected beer with its magnet. After you select it, the appropriate amount is deducted from the key. My one complaint about this is you have to buy the key for $5. I think it would go over better if they rented these out. My question to them was what if I was in town just visiting? What am I going to do with it after I leave.
(4)
Gem M.
So I never been to a Germany bar before this one so I don't have another German bar to compare it to. Maybe giving it five stars isn't right, but I don't care. From what I was told they don't have a huge food menu like other Germany bars but the food menu was a decent size. The food was yummy. Now on to the beer menu. Omg I love beer and I love their beer menu! There were four, yes four pages for beer. Can you say heaven? Can beer, draft beer, all kinds of beer but not the cheap beer. Hey I'm not knocking cheap beer, I love all beers. I got the Arcadia Jaw Jacker. It's a pumpkin beer. They offer samples of the draft beers so if your not crazy about the flavor your not stuck with it. The workers are friendly and helpful if you have questions. So if your looking for a new place to try come here.
(5)
Jimmie B.
I attended this fine dining establishment for a second meal after I left the trashy and trendy Gaslight. Food and beer selection is amazing. The price is right and atmosphere is nice, just loud. However I don't get the female waitstaff uniforms? It's a cross between TGI Fridays and a burlesque show as they have suspenders, tshirts and fish nets. A little cheesy trampy I must say... Maybe it's a straight guy thing? Lol Anyway, the food and beer will definitely bring you in and keep you coming back.
(4)
Kaitlyn M.
The beer list is good, that's the one nice thing to say. I had dinner here with a group of friends. The waitress was clearly confused as to which kegs had kicked and which hadn't - and kept coming back to ask me what I wanted instead then to inform me that "never mind" my original order was actually still available. Okay. 4/6 people ordered the cheeseburger- the waitress never asked how we wanted them cooked. We realized this after she walked away and assumed she would come back to rectify the mistake. Nope. All the burgers came out well done. Gross.
(3)
Erich F.
Only had apps but food was good, Ashley was our server and she did a great job. Beer was very good, apps were excellent, and service was great, overall great night
(4)
Katy T.
I'm a bit of a beer snob but this place has a lengthy list of drafts organized into lists by countries which they're brewed. The list is always rotating! The also have a variety of bottles, but you won't even be tempted to get a bottle because they have so many great things on draft. Their food menu is comprised of German dishes: bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzel, etc. The curry ketchup is a must try, very interesting flavor. If you go during Center City SIPS or on a weekend night it's going to be PACKED. They have a lot of seating but during these busy times, it's a sea of people and very hard to find a place to settle in. The music is great, but it's very loud. If you do happen to snag a table during one of their busy times, you're gonna have to shout to the person across the table from you so you can hear each other. I think it's a great place for lunch or happy hour, but on weekends it's more of a big party with booming music. They have a self-serve tap which is pretty cool. Just purchase a "Bru Button" when you get there. No waiting for the bartender, just go right up, swipe your button, pour your beer straight from the tap, and cheers!
(3)
Augustina G.
This bar has German undertones, but I wouldn't call it a German bar exactly. This bar has a HUGE list of beers on tap, so variety is not a problem here. I recommend going during Happy Hour when their list of "Old World Favorites" are $4 from 4-7pm on weekdays. Their bru fries is a heart attack on a plate, but man it is oh so good. Cheese, bacon bits and gravy on the top makes the fries such a great comfort food. Not too crazy about the food prices in general, though.Late night, this place gets pretty packed. I call it "The McGillin's Spillover" since a small alley separates them and like McGillin's, this too turns into the bro zone. There really isn't that much dancing, it's more like that swaying and standing business, simply because there isn't enough room to do it, nor is there a proper dancing space. I always feel a tad awkward coming here with my male coworkers because I know as much as they wouldn't want to admit it, they're definitely gawking at the female server's outfits, which are reminiscent of Hooters.
(3)
Samantha S.
I love Brü!!!! This place is the definition of cool. Came in for a quick beer around 2 in the afternoon on Saturday and the place was quiet. I figured it was just a low key place to grab a decent microbrew and lunch. The beer selection was HUGE. The place is sleek, modern and just really original. They have picnic table-esque seating by the window which was different. Decided to check this place out again later in the night and by midnight it was HOPPIN. I couldn't believe it was the same bar, place was packed. They had about four bartenders staffed so although the place was crowded, I didn't find myself waiting to get a drink for more than 30 seconds. They open up the front windows at night so you can see right across the McGillins. You feel as though you are outside its an awesome setting. The music they played was spot on. Overall, awesome bar, must check it out if in the area.
(5)
Amina W.
I ventured (in the rain, on my bike......uphill both ways?) to BRU for sips one stormy evening, and was very excited to check this place out after hearing great things. Maybe it was the fact that I (and everyone else) was soaked, and stinky, and miserable... but this place seemed a bit too cramped for my style. The place is long and narrow which forces everyone to squish past one another to get to the bar. I liked how they had a side bar set up in the back, which helped... but not really. After a while we were able to snag a table in the back, and we ordered a pretzel off of the regular menu (with gouda cheese, nom nom). Not too sure what the waitress heard, because she brought us the regular pretzel off of the Sips menu... and we were fine with that considering the sips pretzel was much cheaper, or so we thought. When we got the bill, what did we see? We were charged for the gouda pretzel. Malarkey! The waitress apologized but basically said there was nothing she could do. Meh. If the gang wanted to hit this place back up again I'm sure I'd tag along... but I'll probably take my german cravings elsewhere.
(3)
Lauren R.
I haven't eaten here, but it's a nice place to stop by for a drink! They have a lot of taps--and a great variety: local, domestic craft, and German beers. I studied abroad in Germany when in college, so I am definitely quite fond of a good German beers and it's often hard to find a good variety of them in the US in one place. BRU had a great selection (and even served them by the .5 liter!). The inside is nicely decorated--wooden walls and tables/benches--but it doesn't feel like a german brauhaus or biergarden. It's quiet enough to sit and actually have a conversation. They have some TVs so you can watch sports, but I definitely wouldn't call it a sports bar.
(4)
Shilpa K.
Maybe I just had really high expectations of bru, but I was SO disappointed in it. First of all, it wasn't exactly a beer garden...maybe they'll be opening up the windows, but for now it's a bar with a lot of wooden furniture and mini lights. Apparently the "pour your own beer" thing only is up for about an hour in the night. I'm sorry, but I'm not getting there at 6 pm just to try that out. The crowd reminded me of the douchey ladder 15 crowd. But that might have been the night I was there. Service was really slow. In the end, we made our way next door to McGillins...
(2)
Regina F.
If you've ever been to a loud, rowdy touristy German pub in Anywhere, USA, then you've been to Brü. It's not that this new joint isn't entertaining and it's not that it doesn't offer a fine selection of beverages of the hop and wheat type, but if you're looking for conversation and a table not overridden by sports fanatics shouting at the basketball game on TV, then Brü isn't going to be your jam, or Wurst or whatever it is that you're looking for. The food is fine - typical German pub fare. The croquettes were fried, but lacking in oomph. And the tap selection isn't impressive...I settled for Ithaca Apricot wheat, which was probably the least German thing ever. So perhaps this review is more shame on me...maybe it's my fault I'm not into American sports, loud crowds, sharing slippery-varnished benches with drunken hoards and sausage-product.
(2)
Maurice S.
BRU has a good beer list and pretty solid food. The service can be spotty.
(3)
Paige C.
So as promised, I returned to Bru now that they've been open awhile to give them a more comprehensive review. After my last post, the manager invited me back to try them out, and suggested I did so during happy hour, since that's when they had the best deals. Unfortunately, who actually is out of work by 6? (The answer is actually me...but not my husband, and there was no way I was braving this "bro bar" alone.") Unfortunately, my expectations were sorely not met although I still really think that this place has a TON of potential, and I just don't think I am their target audience. The service: Whoa guys...calm down. You do not need to watch me eat my entire meal and stop by no less than SIX times to ask if everything is okay. Between the hostess, the waitress and the manager, it was like we were being stalked. I get it, they want good tips, they want good reviews. But no one likes the clingy girl at the dance. Try to play a little hard to get. As a side note here, I was really taken aback by the servers outfits. I didn't realize that this was Hooters meet German pub. I think there is a slightly more classy way to slutty German barmaid (look at Brahaus on South St. for example.) However, the black booty shorts with suspenders and t shirt really aren't doing it for me. Honestly, from the front, the apron is longer than the shorts, so it literally looks like they aren't wearing anything on bottom. Listen, I am all for "if ya got it flaunt it" but I don't think it's fitting in a setting like this that is trying to appeal to the masses. Maybe the management isn't aware they should be appealing to a wider clientele than the Jersey Shore? The food: If you are going to have such a limited menu, everything on it has to be SPOT on. Once again, this just seemed like the chef is trying too hard. For example: potato pancakes are good. Green apples are good. Horseradish is good. However, when you put them all together, it a muddled mess for your palette. The schnitzel I had was WAY overfried and had no flavor. They put ham on it too...who puts ham on schnitzel? Overkill. The bread on my sandwich and on my hub's bratwurst sandwich was also really dry and stale. Also the sign out front that says "The best wurst in the city." It's not true. It's so not true. My husband didn't even finish half of his sandwich! This is a man I have seen eat (and enjoy) peanut butter, grape jelly and sausage sandwiches. The fact that he didn't enjoy his meal says more to me than anything. Overall: This place is probably appealing to a different demographic than the crowd I usually run with. I am sure they will probably do just fine without my patronage since they can get the overflow from McGillans. But honestly, if you are in the area there are MUCH better options for food and beer.
(2)
Ron H.
Blah. Too young, tons of testosterone, I fell like I'm crashing a college bar.
(2)
Chris K.
awesome beer selection, lots of regional and local beers. I didn't try the food.
(4)
Preety S.
Go here for happy hour...beer for $4. Can't beat that for how much you get. I say stick to the the pretzels for food choice and you are good to go.
(3)
Melissa C.
Food very nice, beer selection also nice, extensive. Music, although good, is excessively loud, even for the type of place this is. If you actually want to talk with your group, go elsewhere. If you don't care about screaming, the beer and food are worth it.
(4)
Terri B.
Stumbled upon this place after heading down to Market East for a drink at Milkboy. The girls and I made a note to make it our next step. Great choice! The atmosphere was bar-like but a little different. The main walk was pretty narrow and therefore crowded but their drink selection was great and the bar was huge! The crowd there was diverse in age and style so it was fun to navigate who was standing beside/behind you at all times. Funny story: I didn't realize it was a "wurst" place. Some guys bought my gis and I brats, which I think was a cool way to pick up girls. They were cool and all but the brat was spectacular! They won't get a call back but the brats will! Still they get an A for creative pickups. I'm definitely going back.
(5)
Stefano P.
Food was great, tons of alcohol, a little loud, but then again we were there on a Friday night... Brats are delicious, the pretzel app was delicious... 2 thumbs up!!!
(5)
Abbie D.
This place is awesome!! I was only here for literally 45 minutes but thought it was fab enough to write about. The beer "fobs" are pretty clever, not to mention the beer selection was good too! I am excited to return to spend a bit more time there and try some food!
(4)
Amy J.
Brand new in Midtown, this place has the vibe of Frankford hall, with a bigger food menu and much bigger brew list. I stopped by twice in one week, and I'll be going back for more. As a girl who like's a weihenstephaner, allagash white, blue moon or hoegarden - I definitely agree with my bartenders recco for the hefeweizen. You can order drinks at the bar, but I hear if you're planning to stick around you might consider running your own tap from a few of their fave brews pouring directly from the wall. Things I'd like to see them do: - They play good jams, but sometimes the volume is a little too low - Need a full-size mirror in the girls bathroom (i mean... how bad did i spill my drink on myself?)
(5)
Sam J.
Great food and atmosphere. Good selection of burgers and German food. The Chicken Wurst plate was fantastic as were the kraut and cheese as well as the fried pickle appetizers. The pickles were fried with ham, an interesting combination. Sat on the street on a nice evening. Great relaxing place to meet up with friends!
(4)
Jamie S.
Attractive bar inside. Fun beer list, though I'm still not sure how the pour your own thing works. The big windows haven't opened yet so its a bit warm inside. Girls bathroom is small. Food service starts this weekend- looking forward to the under $10 German sandwiches.
(4)
Kelly H.
Came to this spot for the first time, not knowing much about it. Our server was Jessie and she was awesome. Super knowledgeable and attentive but funny all the same. The beer list was overwhelming but she helped me chose the perfect pairing to my wurst. Music was a bit loud but entertaining mix of 80s hits. I suggest sitting outside and asking for Jessie if you're lucky enough to get her when she's working!
(5)
Ozzie L.
Good music, decent beers, but what really got me was the people there. Not super friendly and fairly clicky. I know that this is not the establishments fault but its who hangs out there. I was by myself but if I went back with a group of friends this might be a cool spot to grab some drinks.
(3)
Paul B.
Not very good in any category except beer selection. Service is weak. Not terrible, but weak. It will do, but don't expect something great. Meh! That sums it up well.
(2)
Matthew B.
We came here after having a bad experience at the bar next door. The waitress was awesome and the beers were great. We had the bavarian pretzel which my wife loved and generally doesn't like pretzels, the BRU fries which were amazing, and the wurst which was good. All in all I thing this place is a definite place to stop in and have some brew food and some good beers.
(4)
Steve W.
Was looking forward to going here after hearing so many gud things about it but after visiting I know why it is called Bru but not Bru and Fud. The Bru selection was great. The fud not so much. The fries tasted off as if the oil had not been changed in some time. The house made wursts while not the worst clearly not the best. The casings offered no snap in fact they were rubbery. On the plus side the pretzel with smoked gouda dipping sauce was top shelf. Three stars for the bru and pretzel. Also good fun self serve beer. Yes you read right Buy a key get access to several beers that are not available on the regular bar taps
(3)
Joe K.
I really enjoy coming here, and even though it's a bit loud and the "bro's" are a bit much, I have never had a bad experience and really enjoy some of the city's best bartenders: Emily, Jessie and Theo. I'll be back and will make sure I bring people to this great new spot!
(5)
Cecile F.
I have been eating and drinking here off and on for about a year and I very much enjoy the beer they have, especially the Oktoberfest. The pretzel served with melted smoked gouda is perfectly matched to go with the beer and we also tried the Spatzel which was also very tasty. Waitresses allow you to sample the beer on tap, and are very friendly.
(4)
Em L.
Beer was good and fairly priced. But the service was terrible for it not being a busy night.
(3)
Tiffany K.
I was there with friends on Sunday. Heather, was our server, she, the food, and beers were awesome! Love the open feel of the garage door in the back. We will absolutely go back!
(5)
Diana K.
I came back for another try at BRU, and this place has completely changed its scene. This bar is SUPER LOUD now, full of people dressed to the nines like they are on their way to a club. At first, this seemed like it would be a German beer bar, but I think the atmosphere is definitely changing. We could barely hear our waitress, and tried to get out of there as quickly as possible. The food was pretty decent, but I just wasn't enjoying myself there. I'm sure I will be back to try it again, but maybe I will avoid it on a Saturday evening when it gets too busy.
(3)
Andrew W.
I was only here for one drink so I didn't really get a chance to take it all in but my first impression was very positive. Great beer selection (had my first oberon of the 'summer'), friendly staff, cool atmosphere... I'll definitely be heading back.
(4)
Lolly G.
Let me start off this review but describing the day that I went to this new spot. It was Cinco De Mayo as well as the same day as the Broad St. run. Many streets were blocked off for the party and needless to say there was people everywhere. After hanging outside for a while, one of the people in our group suggested we check this place out. It was packed along with McGillans across the street. With the owners knowing how much people party for Cinco, you would think that they would have more then TWO bartenders. It was really unreal. The bar is very long and they have countless taps (which is a plus) but I waited over 20 MINUTES to order one drink. I started talking to a guy next to me who was desperately trying to get his tab. He told me he'd been there 10 minutes prior to me. Finally in the middle of waiting, I noticed off to the side they have a "self serve" beer option. Basically, it's like a soda machine except for it has beer. I believe they had 4 selections. I asked a server and she quickly brushed me off and told me to go over to this desk on the other side of the bar. At this point, I would just like to have a drink in my hand. I walk over and ask the guy for two "passes" for beers. He told me that would be $20. (um what? $10 a beer?) when I asked him he answered like I was the most clueless person on earth. "yes you have to buy a key." Uh, still have no idea what this even means as he didn't elaborate. Excellent service. I then went back to the bar but tried from a different end. I asked a guy to serve me and apparently he was a bar back. Instead of answering he just made the "cut" sign at his neck. Classy. Finally, someone served me and it took him forever to get back to get my money. I found some of my friends scattered around having the same problem. We wanted to leave because it was ridiculous. It's really sad because this place is really awesome looking, and they have an amazing beer selection. Like I said, having 2 bartenders on Cinco, and other employees who can't even bother to explain things really turned me off. I'll stick to McGillans.
(2)
Carol C.
spiffy decor, fast service, and friendly people. Food is decently priced (~$10), but slightly on the smaller portion. Craft beers available, but definitely not as thorough as could be. Overall, a chill new addition to the city.
(4)
Jason P.
My girlfriend and I went to meet up with some friends for happy hour after work on a Friday. I knew this place was fairly new, so I expected a larger crowd than normal. It's located right next to McGillin's, which I'm sure will be good for BRU. Of course the place was crowded, but we somehow managed to get a table as someone arrived early enough to put our name in. We had a large group, but not all of us sat. The place wasn't what I expected. It wasn't very "German" and I wouldn't call it a beer garden. It was a very modernized center city bar with german food and some german beer. The beer menu wasn't overly impressive. Other German establishments have a bit more selection and explanation. A beer fan, but German beer novice, I would have liked a more detailed menu. I ordered a random German beer, which turned out to be light and pretty good. We sat at the table and proceeded to sample the menu. We ordered the bavarian pretzel, currywurst/fries, potato pancake and lamb kebob. The food was relatively inexpensive, which was nice. The pretzel was on point, but not as good as Brauhaus Schmitz on South St. The pretzel was doughy and flavorful. I loved the currywurst and fries. It was smothered in curry ketchup and just went really well with the beer. The potato pancake was good, but it was lacking something. Port Richmond is the place to go if you want a good potato pancake. The lamb kebob was probably my favorite honestly. Lamb was seasoned well and I liked whatever sauce was on the flatbread. Overall I like the place. It has a neat "self serve" section, though I didn't see a soul using it. A bit of a huge miss since they heavily advertise it. Not sure if I will ever go back as there are better German places around with better food and beer selection. It also has a huge roll down door that opens up the back, which I thought was pretty neat.
(3)
K. B.
The place is really well done and definitely gives a beer garden vibe. Would suggest adding something to the exterior, isn't very welcoming from the street. Beer list is incredible if not a little pricey. Only issue is that we didn't find the food to be all that great. Meat was definitely dry and portions were weird (one sandwich was huge and the other was tiny). Should have just tried the sausages. Oh well.
(3)
James O.
Really like this place. Great beer, good food. Best part is the taps in the wall and the key chain type device that allows you to pour your own beer. Save money on tips and get to try different types of beer. Great spot.
(4)
Edmond C.
My friends and I waited at least 10 mins for a server to come up to my 3 friends and I. It took even longer for her to bring us our beers. Will not go back. If I didn't work in a restaurant myself, I wouldn't of even gave her a tip.
(1)
Kristina L.
Went here last night for dinner with 8 friends to celebrate one of their achievements and it was great. We arrived early and my boyfriend and I grabbed a drink at the bar first. I asked to sample a beer and they were happy to offer. We ordered two beers and were served promptly. Our table was ready and we were seated right at our reservation time, as it should be but sometimes does not happen at some places. The service was great for the most part. Our waitress was nice and attentive but did stumble on beer suggestions - I know there is a huge list but some training or knowledge should be had by wait staff with what they are serving, especially at a beerhall (at least both restaurants I worked at previously we were tested prior to being able to serve alone). At least have a suggestion for a beer in every category served. Oh, and the long hair being down kind of irks me. You are serving food to people, and hair does fall out. Should be up in a ponytail or pulled back and not be touched or played with - something both places I worked at previously also had a rule about which I didn't mind - makes sense for sanitation reasons. Other than that, she was great. The guys loved the low cut shirts and booty shorts with tights the girls wear (of course). We started with apps - the fried pickles and Bru fries. Both were delicious. We ordered the sampler platter which was plenty of food for 3 guys and a gal. 5 others ordered their own meals. We also ordered some Bavarian pretzels and spatzel to share. Everything was delicious, except the German potato salad. I wish the potatoes were cooked a little more - they were a little raw and hard still... unless it was supposed to be that way? My previous experience with German potato salad is that the potatoes get cooked and then mixed with the yummy stuff. It would be nice if they also served plain sour cream and apple sauce with the platter for the potato pancakes. I personally am not a huge fan of horseradish so the horseradish sour cream was a little much for me. My only other complaint is the bathrooms were a little messy and we were seated at a table along the window which opens in the summer so it was really drafty. All in all, great experience and I definitely plan to return, when it's warmer, or be sure to ask for a table further inside where it is less drafty.
(4)
Adrienne C.
Really cool new spot. Great decor, friendly staff (albeit some are clearly very new to the game) and good beer options. The beer wall is awesome - just wish they hadn't run out of keys so quickly. Not exactly a "garden" as it's been written about - but a really cool indoor spot with an open wall. How the beer wall works: Buy a key for $5, load it up, then skip the line at the bar and head to the wall.
(4)
Jenny L.
Really wanted to like this place since I've been looking for a beer garden/casual drinks place that's closer to my side of town than Frankford Hall but this place did not live up to expectations. The Good: Interesting deco and good selection of beer. Was a little miffed that the self-serve thing wasn't running when I was there. Servers were great otherwise. The Bad: This place is WAY too loud. Had to leave after one beer (finished rather quickly at the prospect of leaving) because friend and I were losing our voices screaming at each other. Also felt weird yelling our conversations since there were other people sitting right beside us at the communal table. So I guess it's a good place if you are looking for a large crowd to stand in middle of and meet new friends that way?
(2)
Sarah F.
I love to see Drury street becoming a serious destination for Saturday nights. Not that McGillins wasn't holding down the fort on it's own, but now the spill into the street from both packed establishments makes it a really exciting place to be. I can't wait for the summer! Anyways, Bru has the right stuff to become a great spot to grab drinks with friends for a night out. The pour your own pint in the front is amazing. Basically you load up a card with money, swipe, and ta dahhhh... you dispense your own beer like a soda fountain. I'm excited to see what selections they will have in the upcoming future. I think to start the choices were a little unoriginal...but I have high hopes! Haven't tried the food yet. Maybe next time :)
(4)
Taylor D.
*Drinks Only Review* I went here last night for the Penn Law post-graduation cocktail hour, and it was packed! I was a little upset at first- there were an incredible number of people jammed into the place and it was taking 10+ minutes to get a drink. I finally got my order and went back to chat with my friends when all of the sudden the manager, Todd, comes up with a free round of drinks for my entire party, offering his sincere apology for the chaos and the wait. He went so far as to ask what each of us was drinking, and gave us one of the "beer keys" to the taps for another few beers. This more than made up for the rocky start! He really did a great job ensuring that we were having a good time, and as a customer, I think that goes a really long way. He learned all of our names and even said goodbye on our way out a few hours later. It turns out Bru was only informed of our large party's arrival a mere 30 minutes before- hardly enough time to accomodate the overly large group. While there were some hiccups, I believe they did a great job trying to make up for any and all issues, working with the staff they had on hand to make the night go as smoothly as possible. We will be sure to return to try the food after our great run in with Todd!
(5)
Dianna L.
The entrance is dark and uninviting but I was so excited that something open on Chestnut that I had to go take a look for myself. The place was very open with few tables or chairs. I would even use the word "bleak." I on St. Patty's day and it was basically people who needed to take a break from McGillins. It was dark. Loud and their self serve draft option with the IPADs was not up and running yet. Hopefully it will be a better experience after it's been open a little longer. I will go again =.
(4)
Arnold C.
Average to mediocre. Ordered then fried chicken and it was overcooked and served lukewarm. Fries were cold and they barely gave a handful. Purple coleslaw tasted more like diluted sauerkraut. Server took 20+ minutes to bring me a cup of hot water after 3 requests and they were moderately busy. My Sprite came in a child sized glass and not even a refill. Food was bland, except for all the salt I dumped on it. I didn't even bother with the dessert. Go somewhere else.
(2)
Doug O.
Music was pretty loud but the bar was a good people-watching scene. The beer selection was one of the best I've seen and the food was in true Bavarian fashion. I didn't plan on going here for dinner but I'm glad I happened upon it. The service was pretty good but I would come back for the beer and food.
(4)
Bethany S.
Stopped here on a whim for a quick beer and a bite before heading out of town. Nice, open space with a relaxed vibe (note: I was here on a Wednesday afternoon, not a Saturday night.) There are about 30 taps, not counting those on the beer wall in the back. Only three of them were macro and the rest were American craft (~2/3) and German (~1/3) beers. The menu was limited, but perhaps I just thought that because I wanted Jägerschnitzel and it wasn't on there. I ordered a Warsteiner Premium Dunkel and a Schnitzel sandwich- the Schnitzel was perfection! I was skeptical about the greens in the sandwich and thought about ordering it without them, but I'm glad I didn't because the whole thing was really good. Kelly was an excellent server with a warm personality and gave me the scoop on this new spot: grand opening is tomorrow, all the food is made from scratch, and the beer wall (which dispenses as much or as little as one wants and charges by the ounce) is the second in the country. (Do you know where the first one was installed? Scroll down for the answer!) She mentioned that they'll soon be adding a happy hour, which I look forward to taking advantage of, and asked for feedback on the food for the kitchen, which I am always happy to give :) I must also say that I appreciated the superb music they played, which could have enticed me to stay and drink all day if I didn't have a Megabus to catch. Some of my favorite 90s stuff that you don't hear very often, like old school Incubus and "All You Need" by Sublime. Keep it up! Answer to the trivia question: Michigan
(5)
Shane L.
Very cool spot for happy hour. Can't go wrong with the beer selection here and the energy of the atmosphere.
(3)
C M.
Love the bar, great vibe and beer options. I work close by and this is a great addition to the neighborhood. They fell short on a few things including running out of the self service ipad keys within the first few days of being open. Another huge after thought was the ladies bathroom. Absolutely no TP on opening weekend?! You have to be kidding me.
(4)
Susie J.
I tried this place to watch the world cup games. Many options for beers on tab and good decoration inside... but nothing like real German bar and drinks are in general over priced... I ordered the curry wurst which wasn't like the one that I had in Germany. But in general the atmosphere was OK.
(3)
Rob P.
Ever since Ludwig's closed down on Sansom Street, and Beerstube stopped serving lunch, I've had to walk all the way from Center City to 8th & South Street for good German food for lunch. No more. Thanks to BRÜ, I only have to go across the street for great German food. Their beer selection is great and the food is delicious. The atmosphere is sort of "nouveau hunting lodge." Also, the manager, Ron, is very attentive, friendly, and accessible. My co-workers and I make this place at least a bi-weekly go-to.
(5)
Lee B.
This is one of those cases where, for me, the look and the idea of a place outweighs the actual experience/overall impression. Now, to be fair, I don't feel "meh" about the place as a whole like the two stars represents, but I didn't feel it was a three-star worthy experience, either. I would have said 2.5, but as we know, that's not possible on Yelp. I was so looking forward to checking this place out -- I work close by and have had my eye on it to check out for a while now...so perhaps it was just a case of expecting too much? Going at the wrong time on the wrong day? I don't know. I just know I think there's room for some improvement. The beer selection has a wide variety. There's truly something for everyone. Plus. BUT, the beer menus seem haphazardly organized. You're handed a clipboard with multiple pieces of paper, two of which have beer selections. (The other is food, which I'll get to). Now, perhaps it's because I didn't have the time to figure out why (was only here for a quick round or two), but I thought two sheets of beers was odd/unnecessary. Minus. As for the food, I can't talk about the taste or quality because this was solely a liquid diet trip. BUT, I wasn't impressed with the selection. Choices seemed quite limited, and I was expecting more. Minus on the selection, neutral overall since I didn't get to try anything. The open garage door in the back affords some nice open air seating. Plus. The tables are large, communal, picnic-style with benches. But they're VERY close together -- so close that I had the pleasure of feeling the woman seated behind me flip her hair onto my back every five seconds as she attempted to flirt with her date. Minus. A big table would be great for a large group, but otherwise, sharing is kind of a downer -- especially when you basically have to help the staff bus the table since you're more easily able to access it than she is. Minus. I also thought it was odd that the three people at the end of our table had one waitress, while we had another one altogether. That was just weird. But I liked the potential for fun after-work happy hour trips, and the plethora of TVs is always a plus in my book (but what was with the ones playing nothing but nonstop infomercials??)
(2)
Christine S.
The beer was good, but it was so incredibly loud. It was impossible to have a conversation
(2)
David C.
Good beer selection, good food -- Solid but I'm not so excited about it that I feel like I need to give it 5 stars.
(4)
Denny S.
The food was okay, we had the platter for four people. The potato pancake was just okay. All the sausages were ok and somewhat on the too salty side. Service was good, our server was super nice and accomodating.
(4)
Donna B.
Went here opening weekend with 2 friends. Host sat us at a table where we sat for 15 minutes waiting for someone to take our order. Finally gave up and walked to the bar and ordered ourselves. Beer was just ok. Staff was useless. Atmosphere was very loud. Not at all the beer garden that it claims to be. I will give it a second chance after they work out the opening month kinks, but for now I would not recommend to a friend.
(2)
Dan B.
nice selection of beer, good service, ok food, crappy large screen tv with terrible sound
(3)
Julian T.
I went here during the late afternoon on a weekend and I really liked the place. I've heard it gets crowded at night, so you might want to avoid it at night if you're not into the packed bar crowd. The best thing about this place is the atmosphere. It has really nice decor, with a ton of huge TVs with any soccer game that you want to watch playing. They have a unique set of brews on tap and the food I got was pretty good. I'll definitely be going back.
(5)
Payal P.
this place is new, i went to their soft opening on erin express weekend, it was awesome! at that time, it was not even fully open. they have tons of taps and a huge space, fun videos on the tv's (skateboarding) and a friendly vibe. it stretched over a block so you can also enter from the alley where mcgillin's is...we always needed something else in that alley, glad this is here!
(5)
Alyssa P.
My friends & I actually ended up here twice on Saturday.. once during the day & again later on that night. Both times the waitress was friendly & knowledgable, suggesting beers based on what we liked/disliked/etc. We didn't order any food (liquid diet kind of day) but everything on the menu looked really good. Kind of like a less-authentic Brauhaus. There were a few not-so-great things though.. The "Pour Your Own Beer" tap set-up was unavailable (you have to buy a $5 button/card to use the taps) because they had run out of the buttons. My friends were in the mood for an Allagash White, which is only located on the self-service taps, so they were out of luck. The music around 11pm on Saturday was bizarre. It was like a ultra-mashup kind of thing, but they only played 20-30 seconds of each song & then changed to something completely different. I don't know if they were trying to get people to dance or just get in to the music, but it's hard to do that when the song is changing every 20 seconds. Last but not least, this is a big (and crowded) place to only have 2 small bathroom stalls. I heard from one of the guys we were with that the men's set-up wasn't much better. I'm sure they were restricted by the size of the building or something like that, but there are going to be some serious waits for those bathrooms! All in all, definitely a good place to go.. seems like they just have a few kinks to work out. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Noheli T.
I really enjoyed my time at BRU! The somewhat open area gives off a great vibe and the beer list is great. I don't even remember what I ordered but it was the longest name and it was great! I also really liked there drink machine in the back and everyone seemed to really be enjoying themselves. I am definitely going back!
(4)
Mike M.
This place is excellent! I went in for a nice relaxing drink after a hard day's work and was immediately greeted by the friendly staff. I got a nice, quiet section all to myself and my server, Tiffany, was nothing but pleasant. I got two beers that were both delicious and neither I've seen at other bars in Philadelphia. Mind you, I've lived in Philadelphia for awhile. Tiffany seemed to really know what she was talking about while making suggestions to me about what to drink. The beer wall was nothing short of amazing! I've seen such a cool feature in a bar before! Needless to say, I'll be making multiple trips here and bringing friends! Thanks Brü!
(5)
Susie H.
Great atmosphere and great food. Went there for lunch, service wasn't the best. We ordered the Bavarian pretzel and never got it. The server had a bit of attitude. There are a million great places to eat in this city, so having good food isn't enough to keep me coming back if service is below average- especially when it's not that busy.
(3)
Ajay B.
Very cool, young, lively and crowded bar spot. Great beer selection both domestic and German... decent amount on top and a bunch in bottles. Tried a good variety with 2 flights. Rating here is really based on atmosphere and drink selection... haven't tried the food yet but would definitely come back here to give that a shot next time in Philly! with some more flights of course
(4)
German S.
Did not dig this place ...i felt like asses were all over my food. I dont know if ut was because it was happy hour or what.
(2)
Sal R.
From what I hear, the happy hour prices are awesome. But regular prices are expensive, portions of the beers are decent but the food is not very great. Not my favorite german bar!
(3)
Jaymee M.
Awesome wait staff, awesome German beers & food, great atmosphere. We were in town from Baltimore and were in Philly for just the weekend so a friend took us to Bru. The decor is great and there is a lot of space. We tried a few different beers and all of them were excellent. The food is also phenomenal! We had the Bavarian pretzels, bacon & apple flat bread and something that had salmon, beets & greens on it. I would definitely recommend Bru and will be back the next time I am in Philly! (Kelly the server is GREAT!)
(5)
Jeff F.
I was there for a happy hour with work peeps.. Great beer selection, bratwurst sandwiches, and pretzels... However, the music was wayyyyyy too loud.. We could barely hear ourselves, let alone each other.. Actually looked forward to going back into the hundred degree heat just so we could hear each other again.
(3)
Louis D.
They now have a (I think) great happy hour: $4 1/2 liters of german beer, including some good ones, as well as some assorted 1/2 price pretzels and things. Oh and it looks like the pour-it-yourself beer tap is open too. It's getting there!
(4)
EJ O.
I hosted an event last night at BRU and it was fantastic! The staff was great. Huge shout out to Karry and Sam, they were wonderful servers. Alex/Todd helped so much with set up and laying the ground work for the event. The venue is super cool, great vibe. The beer selection is great! They have a machine where you pay for a key, add money to it, and you pour your own beer, you pay by the ounce. My guests had a great time tasting what they wanted, when they wanted more. Thank you again for good service, good food, and most importantly good beer. I would recommend anyone swing by BRU when you get a chance.
(5)
Matt K.
The only positive was that there is a decent beer list. After that, there really isn't much else going for the place. The beer wasn't extremely cold or tasty. The pork meatballs were dry and illustrates an example of a dish that is not better with bacon. The "worst" part was that I ordered the wurst plate and one of the wurst was raw and cold in the center. The waitress attempted to compensate but needed the owner's permission to take it off the bill and he was nowhere to be found. This place could use a front of the house manager. Philly has a lot of choices for quality beer and if you are looking for a combination of good food and beer I would try somewhere else first.
(1)
Adam F.
Had a great experience at Bru for food and drinks. Bru is more of a bierhaus than a biergarten since it is all indoors. But on nice days the open up the back doors to let the breeze in. They have a pretty solid beer selection. Plus you can do their local Oktoberfest by getting some sort of "key" that you put money on to pour from a separate tap (not sure on the details; that's what the waitress said). Only had the Wurstplate, which seemed like the best choice. You pick from one of the daily available Wursts and comes with saurekraut and German potato salad. Quite a lot of food. Sandwiches come solo (recommend the Schnitzel sandwich), so order some appetizers as well.
(4)
Allyson T.
Unique place. The summer special zucchini flatbread was delicious and the beer list is plentiful- a beer snob will find something they like here. I also love the option of pouring your own beer. When you visit, make your way to the back. It faces McGillin's and the top lights top a summer night. The staff are also friendly and make the experience all the better :)
(4)
Steve W.
I'm #1. Finally. Great new addition to center city. Amazing space with a great beer selection. This place is gonna lead to big things. Fills a good nich in CC.
(5)
Alex H.
Brew haus platter, Kerrin is a wonderful server and deserves the best of tips.
(5)
Abigail P.
We brought kids, which was a mistake, but the staff went out of their way to accommodate a couple of non-drinkers under 50 lbs. Definitely a young, after-work crowd.
(4)
Michelle Y.
I went to Bru twice because it's a nice place to have a drink. Yeah, it's loud but the crowd is super friendly and we got our drinks quick enough.
(3)
Ellie P.
Stopped by on Sunday night, and was impressed! The bar is gorgeous, and since the weather was good the back wall was opened. Was with a group of 6 people so we tried a few things from the menu. The pretzel is just a pretzel, but the cheese dipping sauce made it amazing. The currywurst (wurst with curry ketcup and fries) was good, as was the flatbread. The schnitzel was amazing... definitely worth the fried splurge. As for the beers, I had an allagash oddesey before switching to the self serve beer station. If work/live nearby, invest in a beer key! Load it up with a few buck and then drink as much allagash white (or several others) as you want. A few people noted poor service, but we had no problem whatsoever. They did just open so I'm sure once they get into the swing of things that will be worked out. Check it out!
(5)
L C.
The pretzels, oh my! The best!
(4)
Phillip S.
Let me start by saying the one star rating is not due to the beer selection. They have quite a great selection actually. The rating is due to the awful employees that work here. Last night I went to bru and purchased a beer from the bar when they announced last call at 1:59. I was then promptly yelled at by two different employees telling me I have to finish my beer and get out of the bar because they were closing. It was 2:01, not even two minutes after I purchased the beer. I politely said sure let me chug it. So I start chugging the beer as a male employee is standing next to me watching me. As I'm trying to finish chugging the beer a female employee told the male employee to just take the beer. He swiftly snatches the beer out of my hand, sets it on the counter, and tells me to get the f out. I look at my watch and it was 2:02. I turned around and walked out without putting up a fight because the male employee was a large mean looking guy that I did not want to mess with. It's quite unfortunate that I will never be going back seeing as how they have a great beer selection. Actually I think I will go back today to speak with a manager about his/her disrespectful employees.
(1)
Chris S.
Went to have a few beers at Happy Hour from 4-6 went up for another beer before 6 and was told the special was over, and there was nothing to be done since the system is computerized. I most likely would have gone back to eat and have drinks on some other occasion at this place had this not occurred, but now I will just go somewhere where they dont set the time on the computers ahead by a few minutes to get an extra couple bucks from their costumers.
(1)
Anja J.
After being bummed I missed their opening celebration a few weeks ago, I finally made my way over to check out what the buzz was about. Beer selection was decent but I've seen much better happy hour specials. The highlight of my meal was the pickles, served on the side. got the schnitzel sandwich, which had some kind of sauce on the bread (couldn't really taste), breaded pork ( deep fried so long all you could taste was the fried oil), collard greens and cheese (decent), and salty ham ( which strangely gave the sandwich a fishy taste). I knew it was the ham that gave it the strange taste because when I tasted it without the ham, the sandwich was better. Got some fries. Fried too long cuz all we had were some fried potato husks that used to be fries. Oh and p.s. they don't have regular ketchup, just curry ketchup. So if you're not a fan bring your own ketchup. Im suprised that this is the third german style restaurant that I've been to that deep fries schnitzel, which is not traditional and you cant taste the delicious meat because its deep fried. throw the cutlet in some butter in a pan, and youll be suprised how much better the schnitzel will be. your wont even need that ham and cheese crap on it....Overall, go for beer not food. And if you're going for beer, go somewhere else.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Loud Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Wed, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Ashley S.
I've been to BRU a few times, and I think it's ok. It's very different depending on the time you come. If your friends invite you here on a weekend night, just say no. It's so packed that you barely have a place to stand, and people will bump into you and spill your beer. I would highly recommend happy hour, though, when it's more low key. They have $4 craft beers, which is so cheap. I came here last week for a Philly Beer Week event, and they had Russian River Pliny the Elder for $4, which is unheard of! That was a one-time deal, but they generally have a decent list of beers on draft. Their food options are just not my thing. Lots of sausages and other German fare that doesn't work for a pescetarian. Their veggie options sound ok -- veggie burger or veggie kabob -- but because I am almost always standing the whole time I'm here, I don't generally order food.
(3)Bill T.
Great vibe, cool look, fun place. I tried to come here for dinner once but couldn't get a table, even though there were a number of empty tables. That put a bad taste in my mouth. Coming back six months later, I stopped by for an early lunch on a Saturday. Everyone was warm and welcoming, the bartender was awesome and the beer selection was choice. I had some curry wurst and fries and it was tasty and affordable. The bartender kept my seltzer glass filled and I was as happy as a clam. Based on this experience, four stars is right on the money.
(4)Bob B.
I went to BRU with my wife and three kids. I was worried if it would be kid friendly or not. There was no problem in that regard. I got the spicy wurst and it exceeded my expectations. The tap list is very solid, nothing stunning but gets the job done. They have a huge bottle list. They were out of a bottle I wanted, but suggested one that was similar, I did not ask for the price but it ended up being 3x the price. My fault for not asking, I would have save the splurge for some bottle at Monks.
(4)Molly T.
3.5 stars. Rounding up to 4 because I'm giving BRU the benefit of the doubt. BRU strikes me as the type of place that changes considerably depending on the time of day/week. This is all complete surmising on my part, but I get the sense that during the week, BRU is as much an eatery as it is a bar. On a Saturday night, however, this place is a wildly different creature--and I do mean wild. Filled to the brim with 20-somethings and Top 40 music blasting, BRU is honestly not a great place to be if you're goal is to have some nice casual conversation with friends over a couple of beers. Which is unfortunate, because the charm of this bar is lost on the weekend crowd. Thankfully I wasn't too inebriated to recognize this. Came here on a Saturday night with a large group of friends. While we certainly wanted to dance, mingle and have a good time, we also wanted to catch up and enjoy each other's company. BRU, being directly across from the oldest bar in Philly, is clearly in the hot zone for weekend traffic. The space itself is quite expansive. It was a bit too busy for me to really survey the layout, but it seemed like there were designated areas for table service framing the central bar area. Would love to come back here to order food. I adore places like BRU because of the impressive beer selections. This is what pushes my rating up. Craft beer is still relatively new to me, so any bar with that many choices is a little slice (or pint, I guess) of heaven for me. Warning: this can get OVERWHELMING. Not only is their draft list one of the biggest I've seen to date (this includes craft beer establishments in NYC) the bottle/can list is frighteningly vast. Menus like this have been instrumental in beating the indecisiveness out of me. I ended up going with a Chimay Blanche, which is a classic Belgian Tripel. They serve is as it's meant to be served: in a goblet-shaped glass that's a bit smaller than your typical beer glass, due to ABV. Good craft beer places will always stock glasses of several different sizes to promote enjoyment of beer over simple intoxication. I do have to say, I've never been to a beer hall at which patrons feel inclined to dance at any point. It's just not the venue. The reason I was vacillating between 3 and 4 stars is due to BRU's odd nighttime identity--it's all-caps LOUD and the music seems incongruent with the actual vibe of the place. But I suppose BRU knows its weekend audience. I'm going with 4 because despite the chaos, I was able to converse with a few of the bartenders about beer, life, etc., and land on a beer for myself that was the best nightcap I could've asked for.
(4)Serena D.
Went there on a Friday night, I didn't realize how big this place is until I walked in. They check ID at the door. There was a lot of people already, not packed though. My friend and I found a table to sit down. We both ordered wurst. My spicy wurst was ok, not great. But I thought this place is known for wurst? What impressed me about this place is the large selection of beer. Will go back for their happy hour just for beer next time. This place is loud at night so be ready to scream to your friends when you are there. The service is attentive and friendly.
(3)Royce L.
Good food and good portions here. I had the spicy wurst which came with sauerkraut and potatoes. I also had a side of fries with cheese and bacon. Nice decor and they also had a few tables outdoors as well. The music was a little too loud for my taste for a late dinner(8 o'clock) but it was manageable.
(4)Michael C.
Modernized cross between a German beer garden and a sleek bar. It is attached to UBahn -- a bar accessible from Chestnut St. It feels pretty German for being in downtown Philadelphia; the waitresses dress up in traditional German dirndls, and are generally friendly. The crowd is comprised of mid-30's professionals. I had the pulled pork sandwich, which was reasonably priced ($12) and satisfying. On another occasion we had the currywurst -- German sausage on fries with curry sauce -- which was OK, although I wasn't a particular fan of the sauce. They have an impressive beer list -- although definitely be careful and check the price before ordering! The numbers are small, and the beer list runs from $6 up to $32/ bottle -- I ordered a $24 beer (Russian River Consecration) by accident! The beer was great, but so was my check!
(3)Ken A.
Great late night spot for beers and a quick bite! Everyone is friendly, the crowd is younger, and the bartenders are attentive and competent. Would definitely return back.
(4)Fam B.
I've been to Bru a few times and have no real complaints about it. There's space in the front for those who are interested in dancing around a bit and then the area by the bar is always really full late nights on the weekends. I have tried a couple of their snacks during the day and would recommend their pretzels. I recently returned here and was a turned off a bit by how watered down my cranberry vodka was. The music is also decent here. This is the kind of place that I usually go to at the end of the night after visiting other places.
(3)Cassie J.
Torn on the review here. Went here as a part of a bar crawl. We were here in the late afternoon- early evening. Nice beer specials. Great beer options. We didn't get food here because our waitress was pretty rude with us. The bar was crowded to begin with-- they don't have much seating and there was not a sign at the front or anything indicated there was a wait to be seated. So my friends and I waited for a party to leave and asked if we could have their table-- they said yes. I took note that most of this party did not finish most of their plates which I assumed to mean they didn't enjoy it. Anyway-- my friends and I sat down here. The waitress came over and started clearing the table and apologized for taking so long because it was "so hectic" on this day. It didn't seem that hectic to me.. the bar definitely did but she was not working the bar... My husband ordered a beer that was not on special-- it was his favorite German beer. They served it in the wrong glass. After about 15-20 minutes the waitress said that if we weren't ordering anything else that we needed to get up because there's a wait list and people are waiting to sit down to eat food. And she said it in the rudest way possible. She should have said something from the beginning since we stole a table out of their order.. but she didn't. The general atmosphere and environment is amazing. Decor is fantastic. The back opens up to an ally way which overlooks another pub. They had it all opened up since it was warm- this was nice while we could enjoy our seats. We were originally going to order food but the waitress kept rushing us and we didn't feel welcome. Clearly we were not. Don't know if we'll venture back here due to the poor customer service we had.
(3)Hoang T.
Was driving around looking for parking then heard some music blasting coming from Bru or U-Bahn... either way, i've been meaning to try Bru out for awhile. Luck would have it, I found parking right in front. Friday night seemed pretty crowded. The weather was nice, so we opted for outdoor seating. If they didn't have any, seats outside, we probably would've left because the music was on the side of loud and headache inducing (i think they lowered the volume through the night because i went in to use the restroom and it was much better). Our server, Taylor, had most of the outdoor tables so she was hustling pretty hard. Their beer list is extensive!!!! Overwhelmingly extensive....being a German bar, i wanted to try something new, but when i saw Hitachino on the list, i had to order it. There aren't many bars that stock it.. Unfortunately, they didn't have any left... of course, its a Japanese beer at a German bar...I completely understood. I went with a safe beer, Allagash white draft. My cousin got another beer not sure of the name... I do wish the table was wiped down a bit before we were seated. But it wasn't horribly dirty. The food: I was really hungry and opted for get an entree to split as an app (they didn't have anything wow on the app menu) Went with the lollipop lamp chops with cous cous and green beans (one of the specials). This was really good. I thought it was a nice balanced dish. Needed more green beans (only gave like 6). Then i ordered the pork cutlet. It was my mistake for not asking how it was prepared. It was breaded then fried, served with salad and potato salad'esq side. It was an OK dish, but on the bland side. But i'm simple and it wasn't a big deal. My cousin got the burger. Looked and smelled good. Not sure if he really enjoyed it as he didn't finish it all. Overall, the portions were nice. The bathroom attendant guy was also a big hustler and hilarious to chat with while washing your hands. Overall, i'd come again. I'd probably go for drinks and bar snacks instead of a traditional sit down meal. Nice outdoor area. HOpefully you're not next to a smoker.
(4)Francis A.
After a day of sampling at Reading Terminal Market, I ended it right here at Bru! My Philly friend sure knows the good spots! Went there during happy hour and we had a great spot. The ambiance is huge but pleasant. The beer selection is ridiculously insane! I got this great mint chocolate stout for $4! Yeah tasted f**kin good!! Oh, starters are $5 so got myself Currywurst! Damn that was good! My server Elizabeth was sweet and cordial, so my first trip was well worth it! Look forward to coming back again!
(5)Nancy N.
This place had so much potential, but the waitress was rude and clearly wasn't happy that my friends and I were taking our time with picking out drinks and food. It was a Saturday afternoon, so it was crowded. The waitress asked us a few times if we wanted food/drinks, one of us did other a drink. She kept rushing us and told us we had to leave if we weren't ordering anything. So we did. And went across the street and racked up a bigger bill and food there instead. I'll never be back. It's unfortunate because this place has a great beer menu and the food looked delicious.
(1)Paul K.
Finally, a sausagefest I can enjoy too.
(4)Ally T.
Easily my favorite happy hour spot thus far. $4 half liter German drafts/American crafts, $5 wurst sandwiches, and half price starters. What's not to love? If I could, I would go when happy hour starts at 4 and drink my way though the draft list alone. There are a lot of drafts and even more bottles. This place is a beer lover's heaven. Service has always been very good here. Usually I can't get to happy hour that early, and they never have said anything about ordering two beers/person at 6:50 right before happy hour ends at 7. They also have given us free beers before. I've tried the wurst sandwiches, brü fries, and currywurst. All of them taste good, but don't expect the currywurst/pommes to taste like something you would get in Berlin. It's good, just a little different. Only downside is that this place can get pretty loud, even during happy hour. Not the best place to go if you'd like to have a close conversation with whomever you're with. It gets pretty full later at night too. I prefer it to Ubahn which is connected. The beer list and atmosphere are so much better! I recommend this place, whether it be for happy hour or a stop on your night out.h
(5)Greg K.
I've been to Bru a handful of times and I really enjoy this bar. The draft list is excellent and the food is delicious. During my last trip a few days ago we tried the burger with a side of the spatzel and the Bru Fries. Not the healthiest meal, but it was absolutely delicious. I really love the burger here, I've had it twice and it stands out. The beer list is pretty robust, they feature a long list of craft labels to choose from. The list has a lot of variety between beer styles, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find anything you'd like. Bru also offers a long list of bottles and cans to choose from if you need more options. The only thing I don't like about Bru is how jam packed it gets at night. This place essentially turns into a club around 9pm, they even remove the chairs and tables to accommodate the crowd. I don't want to fault Bru too much for this, it's their business model and I assume it's working if they continue doing it. That said, Bru is so chill when it's just a regular bar, I wish it stayed that way throughout the night.
(4)Vincent D.
Amazingly awesome beer selection. Both American and foreign crafts - some rarities too. Loved the Bavarian pretzel will return for a full meal. If you love to have awesome beers and great food in a casual bar location - this place is it
(4)Matt S.
Nice place with a good beer selection, but the beef brisket lacked flavor. There seemed to be this continuous problem in Philly where the server assumed that a group of 12 individuals in their early 20s all wanted one bill. This caused some havoc when paying the bill, but it got sorted out. The place was nice, but nothing special.
(3)Rick B.
This was kind of a bummer for me. I'd always heard about Bru and finally got the chance to go for a special event happy hour from 6-9. At first glance, it met my expectations. I've been at McGillin's numerous times, stumbled out into the Drury Street alley, and thought, "Wow, what a classy looking establishment." I don't think my aesthetic opinion changed, but the service? (Borat voice) Not so much. Our server was constantly talking to other employees and flirting with other people passing by. She also kept going to the bar and checking her phone while we sat with empty glasses. Several times. I'll admit I had to urban dictionary the meaning, but she seemed THIRSTIER than we did. Your Tinder matches could have waited... Because we were there for a special event, we were given happy hour prices from 6-9 (normal HH is 5-7). This seemingly led to what I call the "Tavern on Broad dynamic." You pay less than others, so you get less attention than others. Right? Well, I've always been a believer in tipping deservingly, not accordingly. Note, always at least 20%, but it's not uncommon for me to leave a 10 dollar tip on a 20 dollar tab. Perhaps I should have told her. To make things worse, I even had the nerve(!) to let her know that I was overcharged once she printed my tab. 2 beers would not get me drunk enough to think I drank 4, which I was charged for. Even after the (lack of) service, I could've chalked it up to a simple misunderstanding. That is until I saw that it annoyed her. Come on guys, I've got the peripherals of a hawk. I saw that eye roll. Here's the deal. We had a negative experience solely based on our server, and anyone who reads my reviews knows that customer service trumps food quality, prices, cleanliness, etc. Okay, maybe not cleanliness, but for the service we got, I'd rather drink light beers the Sunday morning after an underaged house party. The drinks were good and the food was better, but I can't see that warranting a return visit.
(2)Farha A.
Unbelievably incredible burger! I'm addicted. Probably the best I have had. Not much more to say, I just highly recommend it and this will be my go to spot anytime I am craving a burger and it deserves 5 stars. I'm not sure if I was just ridiculously starving or if it was as out of this world as I was remembering it, but I will be going back soon to find out! Atmosphere wise, its just a german themed bar. The outdoor seating on Chesnut is fun to people watch if its nice outside, especially with the twinkly lights at night - this might be more nice if you're looking for a slightly classier/quieter area to sit and enjoy a meal since the indoors can get a little rowdy at times.
(5)Jason C.
I came here for happy hour and during an evening stroll while visiting the area. Happy Hour is awesome, and they have great specials for an impressive selection of beers. It seemed fairly easy to get a seat, and the service was attentive. Now later on in the evening, it was a bit more wild. It definitely got a lot more crowded and loud. I wouldn't necessarily think that would be out of place on a weekend night, but keep that in mind if you plan to stop by for a late dinner.
(4)Jennifer R.
Haven't gotten to try much of the food besides snacks, so this review is mainly on the ambiance and bar side of things. Beer menu's fantastic and extensive (as a german place like this should), average prices, and servers are pretty great and attentive considering how nutso it gets in here. The decor and feel of this place is dark but charming. A lot of cute elements going on (and I have a crush on their website concept...shhh). They were really smart opening with a back door for mcgillan's overspill. This place will continue to do well for good reason. Pretty crappy DJs on the weekend but with the amount of beer you end up drinking there, you don't even notice 20 mins in anyway, so all g, Bru...I get it, I'm not the type you're trying to please.
(4)Kerry A.
Drink: I went for happy hour and the deal was pretty good- $4 drafts. Extensive beer list, including local and non-local drafts and bottles/cans. Atmosphere: The picnic tables in the back next to huge open windows made it feel like you were outside without being out in the sun. Otherwise nice inside, but nothing overwhelmingly different or special. Service: Sat a the bar and the bartenders were very pleasant and attentive.
(5)Aria S.
Given that I come here all DA TIMEEE how have I not written a review? Anyways, I've had plenty of fun nights here. No dance floor, but people kinda do the standing/dancing thing and the music is usually good. Pump up/top 40's stuff with a DJ who is open to requests. On a Friday/Saturday night, this place can get seriously packed which sucks because there's only 2 toilets and this bar isn't HUGE. Beers are normal price. Well drinks are $7-8. There's also some long benches to sit if you get there earlier, you can kinda chill. Don't expect to have a full on convo here though. I've come for an EAgles game too and it was great because it's not a total sports bar so it wasn't packed but there was still a huge screen and some good food and a wide beer selection!
(5)Tim A.
This bar has a great selection of beers with a changing menu. They should offer a flight with all the beers they have. I was pretty disappointed that they only offered on the German beers and not all of the drafts they sell. My girlfriend and I shared a few apps which were really good.
(4)Lulu Z.
Noisy, service was not good, we ordered the nectarine caprese and decided not to stay. I'm only giving it 2 stars because the beer selection was decent.
(2)Bing G.
I like the atmosphere of the place, and I thought the fill it yourself beerwall is pretty cool. I didn't get to try it though cause i thought the $25 key to use the wall was kind of pricey. From what i understand, you pay the $25 and then you fill your cup and price per ounce...that amount is then deducted from the $25. I might be wrong.... Other than that, the selection was great, but seems a little pricey for Philly. I went on a cold winter day, but from the other reviews i think it would be better to come in warmer weather to fully enjoy it.
(3)Renea R.
Bru is a favorite spot among some of my coworkers so I was looking forward to heading there last night. It was the first of many stops on an impromptu bar hop with coworkers in search of Beyonce to dance to. Parking is impossible around Bru (and driving not conducive to drinking) so my two friends and I took the long ride from Fairmount downtown by bus. (My "country" friend (she thinks she's country but let's be real--she didn't even know what a Carhartt jacket was so she's really just suburban) up until now couldn't figure out how to get downtown by bus from her place so we took this opportunity to teach her...) The first time I was at Bru I had no concept of how big it actually is. Our group was situated in the very back of the bar. The decor is very cute. They opened a big garage door by our table, which let in lots of fresh air and allowed us to people-watch on Drury Street (where apparently every drunk person goes to make "private" phone calls while swaying unselfconsciously to the music in their drunken minds...) Despite apparently forgetting to wear pants, our waitress was awesome and really on top of her shit considering that we were a large group. The food we ordered came out very quickly and drinks were refreshed often. It's always a pain to divide a check up between 11 people but she was very accommodating and helpful. Happy hour prices are fantastic! I got 4 whiskey sours for $16 and two large appetizers for $4 each. I was actually so full I could hardly finish the fries because the portions were so large. On the downside, it's a little on the loud side. I hate when non-dancing bars play music really loud. The music was just sort of generic background bar music but it was blasted so loud that you had to yell to talk across the table. Overall I really enjoyed it and would go back!
(4)Anthony C.
Great food beer nice atmosphere A lot of hipsters We had a Sunday lunch here We are definitely coming back Wait staff was accommodating and pleasant
(5)Min A.
Nice vibe. We sat at the bar to eat our dinner and this place did not disappoint. Our food was really good and I was able to special order my sandwich without a hassle and it came out exactly how I ordered everything! The bartenders are attentive and also pour their drinks with a little pizazz to keep things interesting. Plenty of TVs to watch sports and the bathrooms are close to the bar and clean, too.
(4)Doris T.
Reminds me a trendy garden beer hall. Good food and decent list of beer. I ordered the pull brisket sandwich, mainly because it came with fried pickles. It's a great place to accommodate a large party. We sat in the back that had nice hug windows. I recommend this place if you are looking for a laid back environment with a good selection of beer.
(4)Eunni C.
This place seems always busy and smelled so nice when I passed by. We went there one night to grab quick dinner. I got smoked trout and my hub got mixed wurst platter. My trout looked really smaller than their photo. Was decent. Not bad but I probably won't go back for that dish. His wurst platter was gigantic. He could not finish it so we had half left over. He did not like it much so ended up not eating his left over...
(3)Kathleen K.
There should be the ability to write two reviews for Bru... Bru before 9pm and Bru after 9pm... I went here with a group for a happy hour/dinner and it wasn't bad. Football was on, beers were served and food was decent. My jeans, sweater, sperry combo was having me pretty comfortable. Sometime around 9pm however, it turned into a club essentially. Drunk girls in mini skirts and heels stumble into the bar and crowd the bathrooms. Suddenly (and this is not a joke) the staff literally tries to take the table out from beneath us to make more room for the Jersey crowd rolling in. One thing that really left a bad taste in my mouth was that after paying our pretty lengthy tab, the waitress came running after us once we left, accusing us of not paying for one of the beers we had. Seriously?? Were we supposed to keep track ourselves and check that the tab matched up?
(2)Jenny M.
The cool sign, great location, never ending list of beers, loaded french fries and the fun German Hipster vibe all make me want to like BRU. But sadly the service sucked, which ruined the experience. I was recently at BRU for a fundraising event. For $10 you received one drink and access to an extended happy hour (Happy Hour here is great, $4 beers and $5 bites). Special seating in the back was even reserved for the event, which was great since the bar can get pretty crowded on a Thursday night. It took over 20 minutes for the waitress to come take my drink order, and when she brought the drink she was not even sure if it was correct. Getting additional drinks the rest of the night was a struggle as our waitress cared more about socializing and checking her phone. When the checks came, they were completely messed up. Our waitress even handed us back a a receipt with a credit card that didn't belong to us.
(2)Leslee S.
Made reservation for 4 to dine at 7:30 this past Saturday night - we were seated right away at a half booth. The beer menu was pretty extensive and I chose an Oktoberfest beer (don't remember the name and it isn't on their online menu currently) but I thought it was strange that I could order an Oktoberfest beer in June...? Anyway, It was good, but it didn't blow me away. Some dining mates ordered an IPA with notes of pear and honey and I actually liked their selection better. For food we split an order of fried pickles (so good!) and BRU fries amongst the table. For an entree, I split an order of the spatzel and the turkey reuben with grilled veggies with a friend. I wouldn't usually order the turkey, but I will admit that it was delicious. The veggies were a bit greasy though. The spatzel was so good - loved the friend onions and mushrooms mixed with tons of gooey muenster. All the food was delicious, and there was more than enough to split between two people, but in general everything we ordered was really heavy. I wished I had ordered a side salad in place of the grilled veggies to lighten it up a bit. Server was really nice, she let us hang out for as long as we wanted and didn't bother us to immediately pay the check. Food came out really quickly. I think it would be a good place to come for happy hour and apps.
(4)Hiya R.
Incredible selection of beers. Tried a couple of specials during Philly Beer Week and was very impressed. What surprised me was how good the food was. The Bru fries are a must try and the mussels were incredible (especially with the happy hour special). They also play great music!
(5)Richard R.
We stopped in at Bru for happy hour on a Monday. The place was unusually crowded according to my daughter. The Jefferson nursing program was celebrating the completion of their Fall semester finals so the place was extra lively. The waitress gave a nice table towards the back. Bru has discounted drinks and food for their happy hour. They have a huge selection of draft and bottled beers. The waitress was very helpful in recommending different beers. We didn't try the food as we came from Federal doughnuts and were stuffed buy the menu had some cool choices. Bru has a very casual open feel with a lot wood and nice long bar. Definitely a cool place in center city to have a beer.
(4)Diana M.
I love this place. Its so much fun. They have a ton of different beer selections. I had great pumpkin beer. They do have some seating in the back. They had awesome music playing so i was able to have some fun dancing!!! It does get pretty crowded and the restrooms also have lines. But great place to go for the night!
(4)James B.
Came to BRU on a whim and was happy that I did. Huge beer selection with a solid selection of pretty much any kind of beer. I had an Ipa, then had a liter mug of a German beer! Happy bartenders and friendly waitstaff. Sat at the bar for about an hour before moving to a high top table to eat. The menu had a lot of traditional German fare on it, but I decided to go with something new on the menu: Grilled Lamb Chops. I was very happy that I did because they were banging! They were super tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. I also got a house salad that had a mustered kind of dressing. That was pretty good as well. My wife had a Turkey Ruben sandwich which they used real roasted turkey, not lunch meat turkey. She liked it very much. For dinner and a few beers the bill was not expensive at all for Center City Philly. I would definitely go back.
(5)Lauren S.
This place rocks. Excellent food, friendly, attentive service, and seven pages of craft brews. Was in Philly for a conference and happliy stumbled across this place. Thoroughly enjoyed our evening there. Go. You'll love it.
(5)Alycia P.
I love it here. The staff is so friendly, there is an upstairs and downstairs and always a good crowd. Beers aren't over priced. Definitely a good place for sitting at a bar or dancing.
(5)Jamie D.
I've walked by this place a hundred times and have meant to check it out - set up a reservation on OpenTable for my boyfriend's birthday and away we went! The place is a bit louder than I appreciate, we got on of the tables up front near the window and were thankful we didn't have to shout at eachnother for our meal. Aside from noise (which is totally expected in Center City) the ambiance in this place is lovely - the decor is fabulous. Boo and I shared a bavarian pretzel, a wurst, and something else that I now can't remember (must not have been memorable!) but I DO remember mine being good and the pretzel also being good. All in all - it was a good experience and I would definitely come back if I'm stuck in Center City for something!
(4)Adam W.
Last Friday night we stopped in on a whim. Actually the Irish pub across the street was jam packed. But thankfully it was. Bru is a gem in Philly. Fantastically decorated with rock and the backbeat looks like something I wish I had in my wedding photo. Great. The staff was abundantly available and friendly. The manager Maureen or Marilyn was top notch. I apologize if I mess the name up. The beer from the many taps were organized on a clean menu describing country of origin and style. So with my background in the bar biz I tend to be a snob about fresh tap beer. You can tell the staff and management care about their customers. The beer was fresh as the day it was brewed and barreled. I was very impressed. To you folks hoping to get a little lucky across the street at the Irish pub, stop over at Bru first and Prost! To a great place!
(4)Aaron F.
Brought over 40 people here for an event. An employee came bursting through and knocked my beer to the ground. Never have I encountered more hostile bartenders and managers as I tried to rectify the situation. You'd think a bar would treat someone who brings a large amount of business but BRU does not seem to follow simple logic. The manager was incredibly rude and he bartenders did not care to cultivate further business. I've never been in a bar so once incredibly business-incompetent. Will never give this place business again and neither should you. Also, they promised to call back with drink specials and never did. Never had I had to try so hard to give a place business. When Bru goes under, don't be surprised. No business savvy or people skills.
(1)Jill L.
BRU is definitely not my favorite bar in Philly. BUT I need to give them props for being an excellent location to meet up for a happy hour. First of all, BRU is massive. There is a ton of seating and a huge bar. This is a great location for an after-work happy hour, place to kill time between a wedding ceremony/reception, or a centrally located place near subways, trains, etc. to meet up with friends coming into the city or from around the city. The happy hour specials seemed pretty good- appetizers were $5, pretzels and beers $4. We had a large group (10 people) so we snagged a long table and settled in for a good night. We ordered a bunch of appetizers for the table to share, which were tasty but unmemorable. They have a great beer list (especially if you like German beers) but if you are looking for other libations, you might be disappointed (a friend ordered wine and was VERY disappointed) I'll probably come back to BRU if I'm meeting a group for happy hour, but I don't think I'd visit again for a date night or dinner.
(3)Ho L.
A fantastic brewpub located in the heart of Philly. They have a very large selection of beer, including a wall where you pour your own drafts. The service was good, and the food was excellent. Overall, I'm glad I found this place, and would happily return.
(3)Herbie H.
My friend and I were on the hunt for fried pickles (which are increasingly hard to find, after Jose Pistola's stopped making them) and we found that Bru had fried pickles on the menu. We went for Happy Hour on a Wednesday afternoon. Upon entering it was clear that the male-to-female ratio was way off balance. Not much to say other than it was a little shocking. We were seated and our very nice waitress came over and took our drink order. We then ordered our food: an order of fried pickles (to split), a veggie burger (for her), a Bavarian pretzel (for me) and the Dubbel Trouble Wurst special (for me.) The fried pickles were disappointing. I was expecting a basket of fried pickle chips - instead we got 6 pickle chips for $7. My friend enjoyed her veggie burger quite a bit, but mentioned the spicy relish was pretty spicy. I My Bavarian pretzel was delicious (especially the gouda fondue) and the Dubbel Trouble Wurst was pretty tasty. I wish we had been told what the happy hour specials were - it was only when I inquired about which Wurst to order that i was told they were $5 for happy hour. I'm interested in a lot of the small plates and definitely will go back for the pretzel.
(3)Dominik P.
Great bar with lots of drafted beers. Very nice! I had a Kölsch and it tasted like in Cologne but in a bigger size. (0,5l instead of 0,2l)
(5)Kathleen D.
Ever since I had a hot dog at the Phila Flower Show earlier this month, I've been on a serious hot dog kick. I mean, making lunch plans with coworkers for food truck hot dogs; bookmarking hot dog places on here; and asking our server at BRU: "Now, is the 'Frankfurter' more like a hot dog or like a sausage?" When the reply came back as "hot dog," I handed her the menu and that was that. It was delicious. Mostly because it was a hot dog and I'm hot dog binging and it's hard to screw up a hot dog. Anyway. So we made reservations for Saturday night, but the hostess never asked for my name when we walked in... just ushered us to a table near the door. Near the bar, it looked packed in an uncomfortable way, but we had breathing room where we were, and a view of the Flyers, both of which I prefer. In addition to the hot dog, I also had the Bavarian pretzel, and it was top-notch and cheap. I'd get it again. As for beer, let me just say that I'm so glad I tried this place this year instead of last when I still was anti-beer, since it has a pretty decent listing and it was easy to find a beer that I'd like without sampling based on the detailed descriptions of each. My first beer was a Kulmbacher Kapuziner Weiss from the German bottle page. Our server said it was one of their most popular. I mostly chose it because it said it was fruity. It, indeed, was fruity, but not in an overpowering way like Lindemans Framboise. I also tried a sip of my friend's Pinkus Hefe-Weizen, which boasts that it's from the world's first organic brewery. Also a great choice. My second was much stronger, and American: Rogue Old Crustacean. This was my second splash into the Rogue-world (First: Yelp Halloween event -- Rogue Dead Guy). Despite being VERY dark, I also really enjoyed it. I took a star from BRU because it was unnecessarily loud in there. It was absurdly loud. Lower the music, and this place would be gold.
(4)Colin Q.
So admittedly, they've got a great selection of beer. Really great bottle list actually (despite grossly overpriced). I'll even give them the half-assed attempt at the "indoor German beer hall" look... Unfortunately, this is where the good part of this review ends. The waitstaff at this establishment tends to care more about their social media accounts and their SnapChat selfie game than serving patrons. I sadly had to compete with an iPhone when ordering my beers, multiple times. And their credit system failed - so it was on me to to find cash without warning. And the poor girl was charging our drinks and food to the wrong tabs - pretty much with no method or madness. Happy hour prices should come with a disclosure that you should double-check your bill, because you can't count on them getting it right. The food - mediocre. Nothing to write home about. Soggy and lukewarm fries. Portions of orders coming out 5+ minutes apart. Meh, to be expected. If you're looking for a faux-German beer hall type of place to start your evening, this place can make the cut. But I guess what I'm getting at is that if you're up for a headache, come to Brü.
(1)Chris A.
I wanted to rename this place - "Boo." The Bru fries were very good and the Bavarian pretzel was also good. However, the service was terrible. Our server didn't write anything down and completely got our dinner order wrong. My wife got the pulled pork sandwich (asked for no mayo and got mayo). The sandwich was dry and tasteless. I got the wurst sandwich (asked for no sauerkraut and it was all over the sandwich). The sandwich was ok. Although it's hard to screw up a knockwurst. The best part of the meal was the fries. After talking to the manager, I don't think I will ever be back there. The next time I'm in that neighborhood, I will walk past and try one of the many other options there. Overall, very disappointed.
(1)Rea V.
We were walking around looking for a low key place to grab a coue beers and snack around 4pm, and stumbled on this place, and we are so glad we did! First, their beer list is out of control. Pages and pages of foreign and domestic beers, with a good amount on $4 special during their 4-7 happy hour. And their food! It's traditional German fare with a modern edge that's not something you see everyday and pairs really well with the beer they serve. The decor matches their cool laid back vibe. My only negative is what they make the poor waitresses wear... It's like hooters meets German beer maid gone goth and horribly wrong. It doesn't match the style of the place at all, and was kind of confusing. Otherwise, definitely a gem worth checking out!
(4)Sara h.
Meh. Been a few times, great selection of beer...once you flag down a bartender. Food not so great...there's other places in Philly to get an authentic German fix.
(3)Michael A.
Any German walking through this door would be confused and surprised by this place, a kind of German beer Disneyland with dozens of drafts and nearly as many kinds of sausage. The waitstaff are friendly and the decor is fun. It's great for happy hour, but this place gets crazy on Friday and Saturday nights. I had my birthday dinner here, so you know this place is good.
(4)Shaina F.
I continually find myself at Bru on the weekends, despite my dislike of how insanely crowded it gets in there - it's just a fun spot and I can't stay away it seems! The beer menu is extensive, and they also have a good selection of wine and ciders, in addition to a full bar. If you want to sit at the bar, however, get there early because they start taking away barstools as it gets more and more crowded. It's a good, young crowd though, so I think that's why I keep returning. Despite the inevitable mob of people inside, the bar is always well-staffed and it's not hard to get a drink. Also, they have self-serve beer machines at the entrance which is pretty cool! They also have dozens of different types of beer glasses, which is pretty fun. The food always looks hot and amazing, and many of my friends have tried it but I haven't had the chance yet - I'm sure I will and I'll review then!
(4)Lea T.
Fun spot for authentic German good and German beers, nice in the summer too when the back is open and you can sit at the large communal style picnic tables. Don't be fooled but the atmosphere this is a great bar, but the menu is also filled with really delicious German dishes like bratwurst, pretzels, pork, and schnitzel. Very glad that I came for dinner because I had only ever been here for drinks. Loved my trout, but overall the appetizers were the best- try the pretzel, spatzele, and Bru fries!
(4)Whitey J.
Went to Brü Craft & Wurst in philly for Sour Bowl 1 from New Jersey, and I'm glad I did! Nice chill place. I would go back every weekend if I could. SHOUT OUT TO RON! The manager Ron was awesome, he made us feel right at home! The beers were amazing! Our waitress was awesome, SHOUT OUT TO TAYLOR! Never had a fried pickle before but I had one there and it was great. Loved it, had a great time, go there! You will not be sorry! If anyone from Brü Craft & Wurst is reading this I will be back, I love it there!
(5)Becca D.
Been here once before for drinks and then spent all day there yesterday for the World Cup games. The place was absolutely packed, but I was impressed with the quickness and attentiveness of our server, Carrie. We had a large group, about 20 of us, and never were any of us sitting there wondering where she was to order something. She was definitely on the ball the entire day - our group had gotten there right when they opened at 11 and stayed till just after 6pm. It was a long day, but well spent! We were at a table right in front of the big projector scene, so had pretty much the best seats in the house! The food was amazing! I had the pulled brisket sammich and the flavors were great, especially those fried pickles on top and the sauce on the bun. I also snacked on some of the fried pickles later in the day - definitely very different with the ham in there, but still delicious! Great place for sure!
(4)Alyssa R.
I have never actually eaten the food here so my review is strictly based on drinks and going for the bar atmosphere. I really like that you can buy a fob and fill your own beer. I think it is a cool concept and it cuts down in waiting at the bar! This place is always fun, especially in the summer when they have it open to the outside. Great place to meet people. Gets very crowded on a Friday or Satuday night but that is to be expected. I usually decide between Bru and McGillins depending on the line. Drinks are obviously more pricy than across the street at McGillins. Beers on tap are around $6-7ish. I forget how much a mixed drink is but I have usually had good luck and they are pretty strong. I probably would not choose it as a food spot, simply because I am not a huge fan of that type of menu, but it is a great bar spot!
(4)Coach D.
Best place ever. I think it was the best meal I ever had. Brisket so awesome. Service was very fast and caring. Very clean and cool atmosphere. Thanks for a wonderful experience. I will certainly be back again!!
(5)Mary M.
This place has the potential to be great. We must have looked too "main stream" for our hipster server to spend much time with us. The beer list is extensive and when we needed a few minutes, she was really put out. The list was a little too obscure with most beer we had never heard of, and my group knows beer! They did have 2 gluten free beers on the list, so that was a bonus! We had a lot of fun with the photo booth/screen.
(2)Laurie V.
Had dinner here with friends. It was enjoyable on all levels, with a few small issues. I shared some stuff with friends: the wurst plate (with German potato salad) and the brisket. The brisket sandwich came with fries, but I found them to be a bit skimpy on the fries- it was almost like an afterthought to throw a couple down on the plate. The wurst came with sauerkraut, as well as the potato salad, and it was quite yummy. Potato salad was solid, but not the best German potato salad I've ever had. I do like the vinegar base though. The self-serve beer thingy was a good idea, but I wasn't too crazy about how fast the taps were- my beer came out very heady. I thought the Grapefruit Hefeweisen was very refreshing and enjoyable, once the foam calmed down. Bathrooms weren't fantastic- kinda crowded and smelly. That said, the ambiance of the bar was quite lovely. Simple, sexy, and very ambient. I like the back alley way- I really want to try the Irish pub directly across from Bru. It was a fun night with friends that I rarely get to see. If I could rate this place on the food and the company, it would be among my favorites! If they can fix the aforementioned bugs, this place would get five stars. I'm glad the food was good!
(4)Daniel W.
Great cool environment. Nice selection of brews. Not a huge selection of food downstairs is the only drawback I see.
(4)Rose B.
Yum! I had a delicious curry wurst, that tasted just like my favorite German street food! the service was descent for busy Saturday night, and I was able to make a reservation the day of for a party of 5. Had a good beer, the only thing is that the volume on the tv's and music is deafening, and I had to scream to speak to the person across from me. I'd go back, and have already recommended this palace to friends.
(4)Albert S.
Went there for sour bowl. They had the best tap selection of sours I had ever seen or tasted. The food was really good. Had the Kase Spatzel which was really tasty. Nice and earthy with the mushrooms and just the right amount of cheese. Not too cheesy to make it like a mac and cheese. Also had the pickle flight which was a special for sour bowl. One of the best pickle selection i've ever had. The smoked trout was good also. Split the pretzel with friends, but didn't really like the cheese sauce. Service was really great during such a busy event. Our server was fantastic.
(4)marilyn l.
My friends and I went here for happy hour. We went to the bar to grab a drink while we waited for our table. Once we arrived at the table, we never had a waitress come by. We had no idea who our server was. We waited for 20 minutes and decided to leave. I will never come back and would not recommend this place to anyone. Not to mention, the music is unnecessarily loud. Definitely not a place If you want to catch up with an old friend. I would give it a 0 if I could.
(1)Kim M.
Despite the size/noise level, I really like this place. I think it has a cool atmosphere, and good beer/food! I only wish the wall where you can dispense your own beer was bigger. I have been to wine bars with this concept where they have entire walls of wine that you dispense yourself. It is such a fun concept but the area for it here is rather limited. I'd like to come here more, but it is always packed so it can be a bit of a turn off (however also goes to show its a pretty good spot if it is always packed!)
(3)Zoe P.
My husband and I love craft beer, so Philly Beer Week is one of the best times of the year - when we have time to enjoy it. I actually had the weekend off for once, so we made sure to hit up as many of the events and bars as our livers could handle. BRU Craft & Wurst was celebrating their 1st birthday so we hit them up for a late lunch. They had a live band performing (mostly covers), and although they were good performers, DEAR LORD was it loud inside! We asked to be seated as far from them as possible, and it was still incredibly difficult to hear one another. A place that primarily shills beer/alcohol should foster conversation, not lonely consumption. We like the concept of the 'self serve' drafts that charge you per ounce, but for this latest visit we stuck with the bar's draft list. They had some sandwich specials as part of their celebration - we shared the roasted pork and garlic pork sausage with sauerkraut, both of which had pickles and chips. The food was great with our cold brews, both meats super juicy and tender and instantly put us in a summer state of mind. If it wasn't for the loud music, we would've hung out longer and had another drink, but our ears were ringing and we left to enjoy the sunshine.
(3)Rita C.
I have to admit that I've walked in and out of Bru several times because it was so overcrowded that I couldn't get a beer at the bar - this always occurred on a weekend night, so I shouldn't really be surprised. Finally last Saturday, my friend and I decided to stop by for lunch and some booze on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The restaurant wasn't crowded and we were able to get a seat on the McGillin's side. The waitress came right over to get our drink orders and, as many have already mentioned, they have a vast selection of beers available (no need to say any more about that). For our lunch, we split the kase spatzel, wurst plate (we selected chorizo), and Bru fries. Within 10 minutes, the food was brought out and it was awesome! The best out of the three was the spatzel! The brussels sprouts were a delicious addition and really gave the spatzel a unique taste (I would come back just for this). The fries were also tasty with a generous helping of gravy, sausage, and muenster on top. Also nothing bad to say about the wurst - the accompaniments of spicy mustards, potatoes, and sauerkraut was just what we needed. I really enjoyed my daytime experience at Bru; nighttime is a whole different animal that I'd like to avoid. If you're in the city, stop by and grab some delicious!
(4)Darren P.
Cool spot! The bratwurst is truly excellent. Get the sampler plate, you won't regret it. Overwhelming selection of beers. Would not recommend the fancy self serve beer dispenser things ... You'll have to flow a lot of foam and waste your money before to get a full glass. Great atmosphere for a weekend afternoon
(4)Enas I.
I love food and beer there, but the music is awfully loud. We have to scream to hear each other while all we want is to enjoy the good beer and conversation without having to compete with the loud music. I would have given 5 stars if the music was lower. This is an update: we had the nicest hostess this evening (10/29/14). Thank you very much for being so nice!
(4)Feebee A.
Been here a few times now and I guess I have more good than bad to say but I can't say I love this place, I just like it. Great selection of beers! Bartenders are very knowledgable and friendly. They play good music and it's good crowd. We've only had appetizers here and they were good. Nothing out of this world. They have nice sized TVs so it's good to go there to grab a good beer and watch a game. Don't stay long tho, the ambience somehow puts me to sleep.
(3)John S.
stopped by here with my gf to grab a beer...they have a huge selection. seemed like a really fun place.
(5)Nichole G.
Whatttt!! Amazing curry ketchup! Regular foods taken to an expertise level of taste. We walked in because of the name -- plenty of beer / knowledgeable staff - tell them what type of beer you like and they will tell you what you can order. Very odd experience though.. NO highchairs. When I took my 3-year old to the bathroom, a blond haired patron turned the lights off on me. I called out immediately, opened the stall to see her leaving. My poor son-screaming. I'm guessing there is an anti-breeding culture in Philly???
(5)Holly C.
Love this place. We just needed a place to get out of the snow but were really impressed! The service was very good. We sat at the bar and a group of the douchiest, a hole, frat alum (come on guys you're 40 now, grow up) came in and were awful but the staff was patient with them yet let them know they were not a priority above anyone else. I was very grateful to see the staff not get walked on by these zip up sweater tools. The food was spot on. One of the best burgers around. Cooked perfectly at mid rare and please do yourself a favor and order the spicy mustard with it. Glory, glory, glory. Beer was fresh and great selection.
(4)Mark D.
I actually liked Bru more than I expected to, but that said, it's still not really my kind of place. We came here on a Friday night after a long dinner at Fogo. A friend of mine recommended it based on the beer selection, and on that aspect, you won't be disappointed - they've got an awesome selection of German beers that you probably haven't had elsewhere in the area. So they definitely get points on that front. That said, the experience just wasn't very enjoyable. The bar is very long and narrow, making it feel more crowded than it really is. The beers, while good, are expensive. The music is blaring to the point of distortion - I get it, it's Friday night in the city, you want to play loud music...but come on, if you want that kind of volume, invest in a system that can handle it. I actually have the same speakers in my house. I would never play them that loud. I might come back here a time when it's a bit lower key, and maybe it will be more enjoyable. But as it was, on a Friday night, I enjoyed my german brew and hit the pavement.
(3)Louis R.
The waitress was affable and accommodating. The outside seating area is tiny and cramped. The selection of craft/international beers is hella ill (lots n lots). The whole hog, on a spit, being cooked on the sidewalk was kinda surreal. The plastic "das boot" that you got to drink out of was kinda cheaply made...still had a sharp edge...meh. Place is aight.
(3)Luba P.
Stopped by for a quick happy hour. It was waaaaay too loud and crowded for my liking. Like literally can not hear the person next to you loud. I tried the loaded fries and the sauerkraut cheese balls, and both were awesome! This place seems like it would be pretty cool, but the loud and hectic atmosphere really turned me off. Plus, the waitresses' outfits create a Hooters feel to the whole place, and it was kind of awkward seeing guys gawk and stare at them (small shorts and stockings). Seems like it would be a cool place on a non-busy time!
(3)Eric N.
Great place to have a German beer or two, along with good food. You can't go wrong with any of the appetizers.
(4)Laura V.
One of my favorite places to order spätzel...actually the only place I order it. Bavarian pretzels with smoke Gouda fondue. It's like heaven on earth. Is noisy inside but great atmosphere. Not a good location for people who are indecisive as the beer menu is several pages long. Love this place!
(5)Matthew W.
Turns into a dance club at night on Saturdays and they keep it oddly very very dark. They really do not have the space for a dance club and it is very crowded and loud. If you want to see and have some space go to McGillians across the ally.
(2)John F.
my fiance, my self and all of our friends visited here for the 1st time on Saturday. The place was packed and rightfully so. The beer selection was amazing and the food was even better. We split apps for the table (fried pickles, Bavarian Pretzel & BRÜ fries). They were all in point! My fiance and I split an entrée (mixed Wurst platter) and we were blown away. I definitely recommend this place to anyone that is looking for a, drink and a bite in Philadelphia Center City area, if you do not want to break the bank.
(5)Patricia S.
I had never had bartender as rude as the guy behind the bar last night. He threw the bill at me in such a way that another bartender told him that he had hit me and he just laughed. The other bartender could have try to make it better for me but he didn't care much either. Why did he threw the bill at me? I keep wondering if it was a race thing (I'm Latin) cause we had barely interacted at all! Food wasn't that great, prices kind of high for such a dive place. N again the service: I had never been disrespected like that.
(1)Cameron P.
The food is decent but if you want authentic German food go to Brauhaus. The beer list is pretty extensive and their mussels are good. I have to agree that service can be hit or miss. I have never been here late night and based in other reviews I probably never will.
(3)Paulina M.
Beer garden with style. Not easy to find but you won't regret it when you do. You can pour your own beer with a 25 dollar beer key or get your bottles from the bar. The food selection is not bad either.
(5)YouTakeItEasy U.
BRÜ-more like BOOO. I had high expectation for this place, just fell short. Very dark, very crowded, tight space & even tighter seating. I am a fan of sour beers, many to choose from and our waitress had sick knowledge of all the beers, well that's the positive. Food was average to Blahhhh. Started with the BRÜfries, looked like a cat threw up on them, but very good..Girlfriend started with the apple and potato pancakes, ahhh it was OK. Time for another beer to take my mind of the disappointment if the apps. Dinner, I had the Doner Kabob- (lamb shoulder, pickles, iceburg, yogurt sauce, flatbread) it was OK, and a side of Spätzel- fried, no taste, needed salt or even a gravy. Time for another beer to add some flavor to this food. Girlfriend got typical Wurst sammy, she said it was good, she didn't finish it....I guess we'll have more more beer before we roll out since the beers were on point.
(3)Steven L.
The fried pickles were amazing. Everything else that we ordered was terrible! The brought worst was flavorless and dry, it was served on a roll that was devoid of taste. But once again, the fried pickles were great!
(1)Katie P.
I really want to like this place, I do. It is in a great location and I like the vibe. The first few times I have been there wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. I went this weekend and my experience weighed a little more on the negative side. The bartender was pretty rude when I was bought two vodka water's with a splash of lime juice. Which were $10 each... a bit more expensive than I thought they would be. Anyway, when she handed me the bill my friend and I were clinking glasses and she made a snide comment about how she didn't have time to wait for us to cheers our drinks. Uhhh okay, relax. Like I said, I really want to like this place and the crowd is pretty cool so that is saving my opinion about this place. I am not sure how soon I will give it another try though especially when there are so many other places to choose from within a block of Bru.
(2)Ashley D.
Good beer selection and food. But I'm really disgusted by the way the waitress have to dress, which includes booty shorts and stockings. It's deplorable in this day in age and infuriates me as a German woman. You have completely bastardized the Dirndl, which is a beautiful and respectable outfit. I am a knowledgable patron, well versed in German food and beer, but I will NEVER return unless you change your policies.
(2)Anna M.
Atmosphere: girls are in slutty/cute outfits. Place looks like an outdoor beer garden (tho it's inside). Food: (me) flatbread cheese pizza was simple with a lot of great garden fresh flavors. (Husband) Brat was good; the bread was too toasted so it didn't seem fresh. The beat salad was excellent. Drinks: got scotches and the prices were comparable. Will def go back for the unique look and good food!
(5)Carla F.
I've been here twice now for lunch and can't say I have been disappointed. They have a great beer selection (duh). The seating area is adorable, especially in the summer with the garage door open in the back. And the food is great! I order the veggie burger and it is by far one of my favorites in the city.
(4)A B.
Being definitively older than the pub crawlers that were in the front of the house, I only stayed long enough to eat a wurst and get onto the next part of my night. Interesting if you want to people watch, but you'll have to contend with the crowds and layers of noise.
(2)Julian E.
Best spot in Philly if you are going to watch Germany play in the world cup or any type of major German sporting event. However the beer selection is completely unfamiliar I suggest the "Bitburger" it tastes like yeungling. The pretzels taste great. Bartenders and servers are gorgeous and very friendly. The customer service is excellent.
(5)Ryan M.
I love the beer selection at bru and the bartenders provide great service and wonderful conversation... however I've had spotty table service and the one note food menu make it difficult for me to come more often.
(3)Chris G.
Never again. Five friends and I went into the city for the Jolly Pumpkin Beer Week event at Bru on Sunday 6/1/2014. They were supposed to have 12 Jolly Pumpkin beers on-tap, and were to be serving them in flights of 6. We arrived and the place was pretty dead, especially for an event during beer week on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Once we sat, it took a very long time to get service (despite it being quiet). Our waitress came and took our orders, only to return and tell us that they were no longer serving flights and we'd have to order full pints. The bar had been storing kegs for this event for a long time, and clearly they'd mishandled them or overwhelmed the tap system. Because (and I should mention that Jolly Pumpkin is my favorite brewery) all of the beers came out tasting like garbage. Some were too warm, some were flat, others had just been skunked. Furthermore, as we continued ordering others from the list, our waitress kept bringing us the wrong beer and insisting that it was the one we were ordering. Not sure if this was her fault or the bartenders - but either way, disappointing. Thankfully, the waitress sympathized and gave us a bill with a nice discount to compensate for the horrid experience. My reviews on here are mostly very positive, but I'll make an exception this morning because Bru was a disaster. With so many great options in the city, this place is a waste of your time.
(1)Vichet O.
I really liked this spot, and I'm glad I stumbled in to meet up with my cousin here. The atmosphere is pretty standard for a spot near Broad. However, the beer selection here is definitely above and beyond most of the places I can think of within two blocks. Also, their bar snacks are pretty great. Especially the fries. What really made me enjoy this place was that it wasn't especially packed for a Friday, and that the DJ was actually spinning some really enjoyable music. Shots, beer, fries, and dancing make for a pretty memorable experience. At least until the shots and beer take effect. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Anupma S.
This place is okay to come to when there isn't much going on. It has a fun atmosphere with outdoor seating (albeit in a sketch place). I like that they keep the back open so you can see over to the bar across the alley. Beer is okay, food is okay, service is a little less than okay. I've waited way too long for service multiple times, both when I've sat near the bar and when I've sat at the long tables in the back. Also, more often than not the bar is covered in water and it takes way too long for the staff to wipe it down. A plus is the beer sampling they have in the middle. Bathrooms are also right in the middle, in your face, which is a little grimy.
(3)Eddie K.
Very disappointing. Bartenders were incredibly rude. If your in college and like to black out - great place for Thursday night. Otherwise, recommend elsewhere
(1)Stephanie S.
Since a new German craft beer bar just opened blocks from my house, I couldn't wait to get in there and try it! Not only is German beer my favorite, but was excited for a place with 25-30 rotating taps. Unlike Frankford hall where there is minimal German beers on tap, Bru has plenty! Plus other craft selections. The "beer wall" is smaller than I expected, only 6-8 beers on the wall to pour yourself. But, still cool I guess! I went on a busy Saturday night, I think it was opening weekend, and the bar was packed for march madness. I went to hostess stand, she said there was a wait for a table, so took my name down, then immediately called me, I hardly waited!! Awesome! All the hostesses and waitresses are really cute! Def some eye candy if you are a male :-) Anyway, my roomie and I ordered a few beers and food. The smoked salmon bruschetta w/ arugula was very yummy! I love the cheese and beets on it. We also had the meatballs which melt in your mouth with a fantastic flavor, and the portebello mushroom sandwich, which I loved! Filled with tiny mushrooms, and a very strong aged cheese melted all inside. Was fantastic! Can't wait to go back and try the lamb shoulder flatbread. Love this place, I will be back many times. Am looking forward to some new craft draft selections... Was unimpressed by the coors light on the menu, but I guess that's to please the tourists! Majority of other beers were pretty good. Tip: 2 entrances, one on chestnut street, and one in the back alley directly accross from McGillins and Dury st.
(4)Anton T.
It is completely overpriced. Additionally, the potato salad I got was practically raw potatoes, the sauerkraut was horrible as well. Add two mediocre sausages to that and you get something they call "sausage plate" and charge 30$ for that. Never again!
(1)Olivia T.
Very nice, fun place. The mussels were great and the fries as well. The brat was good, but not great. The self serve beer wall was interesting in concept, but in practice was a little awkward.
(4)Brittany P.
Bro central for sure !! It's center city so I guess I can't be too shocked. Bru has a lot of beers to pick from and a nice German based food menu! I have yet to eat here but everytime I browse the food menu I'm interested!
(4)Jay A.
Great atmosphere wide selection of beer Food was very good. I would definitely try this place
(4)Mina B.
Unfriendly and unmotivated staff. When I asked the server what she recommends for sweet tasty beer, she seemed clueless. When I asked about a specific type of beer on the menu and what it consist of, her reply was "Whatever is written there". I was only there for a couple of hours, I was not inclined to spend an extra penny after the one beer, I've been to better bars.
(2)Alick W.
I've been to Bru twice, both on Sundays. It is a nice weekend spot to grab some food and watch a game. They have about About 8 flat screen tv's for sports games and is a decent size with a decent amount of seating. I heard it can get really crowded on a weekend night, but haven't been yet. The place also seems very clean and the restrooms were very clean as well. I ordered the burger which was okay, nothing really special but my friend got a brat and said it was delicious. Bru also has a large selection of good beers, primarily German beers on tap which you wouldn't really be able to find in any non German themed bar. They also have a good bottle list as well. I tried 2 of the wheat beers which were excellent. Bru also has the pour your own beer tap system which I haven;t tried yet but seems pretty cool. This place has been open for a little over a year now and is a bar in center city. Bru is a place that I would go back to during the daytime and will try it out during a busy night in the future.
(4)Elaine M.
I went to Bru last Friday night with a crew of friends. We were only there late night for drinks so I can't review the food menu. We got there around 10 PM and it was already packed. We were able to find some open space near the Chestnut St doors and squeeze our way up to the bar to get some drinks. They have a huge beer list, a mixture of German beers, local mirco brews and your standard American 'favorites'. Each beer that I had was great and I didn't think the prices were too outlandish. This is certainly not a $2 Miller Lite kind of place, but you can get a tasty 22 oz. brew in the $7-$8 range. As I said we got there at 10 PM, it was obvious that a good portion of the crowd had been there since happy hour.... several sloppy post-dinner patrons getting up from their tables and business suits spinning around the dance floor. The music was very loud (kind of hard to talk to friends - my throat was horse the next day from screaming) but the DJ played good jams all night. This place was pretty packed, there was a little bit of room to dance if you broke away from the crowd but for the most part people were just standing around talking.
(4)Dean P.
Just what you'd hope for! Lots of great beers on draft with a bias toward German style beer and food. The hefeweizen was terrific and was even better with the Bavarian pretzel. The pretzel was fresh baked. Warm with a slightly crunchy exterior and a soft chewy center. The smoke Gouda fondu served with it had a mild smokey and bacon flavor. Perfection. Didn't try anything else on the menu, or I would have given it a 5. I'll be back!!!!!
(4)Harry M.
Got to watch England's demise to Uruguay for the 2014 World Cup here. I had 2 Dark Horse IPA's and the pulled brisket sandwich. It came with cabbage and fried pickle chips on the sandwich. It was really good and an excellent portion. The fries were fantastic too. Service was good at checking on our table and getting us what we wanted fast. The rest of the food and beer selection was great. I couldn't make up my mind and had to ask the service for the suggestion. Everything came to $24 plus tip for me. Pretty well priced I must say.
(5)Colleen M.
I've been here twice - would have been 4 times but twice I tried to go it was either SO packed (on a Friday) with the type of crowd I just can't stomach or so LOUD that I couldn't hold a conversation with my mouth right next to the ear of the person I was talking to. I'll rate based on the days where I actually hung out for a spell. The beer selection was really good. Friends visiting from Denver and I sampled a few tasty ones that none of us had tried before and I was really pleased with both the service and the knowledge of the bartenders. The other time I was in - same beer experience, but the food couldn't be considered anything more than "sustenance". It was fine for keeping you from getting too tipsy on 10% ABV beers but not worth going out of your way for. Looking for a good beer selection, a pour your own option (which I haven't explored) and adequate nibbles then this is your place. Just watch out for the unofficial Frat Boy Fridays - unless that's your thing.
(3)Sara K.
So I can see why people like BRU, but I probably won't go back. The food is good. The beer is good. You can get comparable food and beer at Frankford Hall for cheaper and enjoy yourself more, though. The waitstaff sucks. If it's crowded (and it often is, especially around happy hour) it will take you decades to get a beer. When I sat down to eat one unfortunate night, no one came to even take my drink order for 15-20 minutes. I will say that my appetizers arrived promptly but I was expected to eat it without silverware or napkins. Yep, they sat us somewhere with no place settings, brought out our food, and when we realized we didn't have silverware our waitress was nowhere to be found. We asked another one but she never brought it. Our dinner took like 2 hours, it was annoying. I also hate the throngs of bros who seem to thrive here, but that's obviously personal preference. It's loud as FUCK in here, so if you're going for dinner, choose your time wisely. Between the music and the crowds of people, you won't be able to hear whomever you're with.
(2)S L.
I've been here a bunch of time for lunch, but never for dinner - so keep that in mind. Bru expands upon the restaurant revival in the East of Broad / South of Market area. Excellent selection of rotating craft beers with a strong selection of German and European beers as well as American craft. There's also some sort of self-serve beer contraption in the back that I've never used but would be nice on a crowded night. Lunch is reasonably priced and features a Wurst(s) of the day, some traditional German fare, and an excellent Donnor Kabob. Staff has always been friendly and outgoing and we've never experienced any sort of meal or serving problem. Back of the restaurant has picnic table seating with large open windows facing an historic street. Might be good for kids during the day or early dinner but I hear this place is hopping later at night.
(4)Ryan B.
Frequent this place for happy hour after work. Great beer selection. Would recommend it. I can't say much for dinner. I'm sure it would be great thought.
(3)Lauren C.
Went to Bru with a party of 10 on a Saturday night. We had a reservation... thankgawd... because the place was PACKED!!! They had to kick some stragglers out of our picnic table, and then we all sat down... plenty of room for all of us. The menu had lots of options... even for myself as a vegetarian. I wish they'd update their menu online though, because they had some eggplant sandwich that i was salivating for that wasn't on the menu when I got there. I have to give our waitress credit- a table of 10 in a packed bar on a Saturday night... i never saw the bottom fo my beer, and had a great meal in a decent amount of time. We all did. Everyone seemed to enjoy their grub too. My only gripe with this place was the atmosphere. We had people standing crammed in all around us... the walls are all brick, and there is nothing that really absorbs the sound... so the bar is just loud... straight up noisy... which got frustrating in trying to talk to people at the other end of the table. Also, everything was a bit expensive for what it was. My $10 sandwich was basically a falafel sandwich... but on a smaller scale. It tasted good... but not great... maybe its because i'm the token vegetarian and i got the only thing i could eat... As a place to drink on a less croweded night, this place did great... and props again to our waitress for handing a big party the way a big party should be handled!!!
(3)Jeff V.
Tip at your own risk!!!! I just received a notification from my credit card for a suspicious tip amount. My drink order was in the 30's with a tip amount at around 50%. Sorry but on a busy night your service isn't that good for a beer. To make this an easy catch whatever bartender did this decided to add an additional random cent amount to the tip I'm not sure about other people, but I never leave change with a tip on a card unless it raises the total to an even dollar amount, which in this case it did not. Seriously not a classy move by your staff.
(1)Gar L.
Great local place to grab a brew. This place is pretty popular right now so expect crowds Friday and Saturday nights. Dont forget to try the food here, it's pretty amazing!
(5)Vanessa D.
This place is extremely unique to the streets of Philadelphia! The atmosphere, enormous beer list, and German inspired menu has kept me returning. The most exciting part about the venue is the self serve beer wall. Great for those busy Saturday nights. You purchase a 'Bru Button' from the friendly wait staff and can literally pour your own beer directly from the tap. It's a great additional value to any special occasion or night out. I'd def recommend!
(5)Nazee Z.
The happy hr at this place is great! I got two beers and ended up spending $10 with tip! I'm a huge fan of German beer gardens and this place has a great selection. The happy hr is a bit limited, but I still haven't had a beer that I didn't enjoy. Also, the bacon gravy fries are to die for! I think they're $3 or $4 on happy hr as well. All in all, cheap, great atmosphere, great location, and the beer is fantastic!
(5)Chelsea H.
Good food and beer selection. Good for groups because it is very loud! Service always fast and friendly. Will be back very soon.
(4)Mackie E.
I have stopped in here twice in the past 2 weeks. I found it to be a perfect spot to order some picky food, sit outside and indulge in their 4 page beer menu. The zucchini and tomato flatbread was exceptional. It looked great and tasted so fresh, which was exactly what I was looking for. My boyfriend got the BRU fries, which is a deliciously, artery clogging combination of fries, bacon gravy and pork sausage. For those of you keeping score - yes, that is 2 different types of pig....and it's delicious. Noteworthy: The service there is really fantastic. Both times I have gone our server has been incredibly friendly and always there when you want service. Definitely worth stopping in for a happy hour or a few drinks outside while the weather is still nice.
(4)Gautam T.
I like BRU a lot but can't rate it highly because it doesn't stand out. Sure there are good beers and good food but when you're inside the bar it has a very in original feel to it. When I think of beer gardens or German bru pubs I think there is a certain atmosphere, for example brahous Schmidts is a great place for beer and brats. Bru is a bar that serves good beer. Don't come here looking for an original German Bru pub because you're not going to get it.
(3)Sean S.
Center City's answer to Frankford Hall. Great place. Great beer with LOTS of variety. Gets packed on weekend nights with a wait for seats. Good food - there's a "loaded french fry" dish and a plate that includes a variety of their different sausages that is worth trying. I don't remember what they were called. Check this place out!
(4)Karen T.
"Their liverwurst is better than most sex I've had".--Actual quote we overheard from someone here. Beer list is good and the wait staff is very nice and patient, even when they are busy, but not in a rush to go back. Pretty loud atmosphere, and the food menu is limited. Not looking to have 100 options, but just surprised they didn't have a couple more conventional options. If I am going to do German, would go to Brauhaus Schmitz or Frankford Hall. Just might not be right for me.
(2)Majlinda K.
Great place to sit and hang out with friends while drinking german beer out of 1 Liter glasses. They have a nice variety of german beers on tap and bottled as well as other imported beers as well. So if you enjoy german beers this is the place for you! I highly reccomend the pretzels as a snack between your liter beers. They were warm and delicious and served with cheese dip. The place is really big and has seating to accomodate large parties.
(4)Stacey S.
I came here for lunch. Sat at the bar. The bartender was super friendly and attentive. I had the wurst plate with the Denny sausage... It was great! The potato salad was a bit salty paired with the salty sauerkraut and salty sausage. But all and all it was great. They have a HUGE selection of beers! Great pub!
(4)Jessie H.
I've been here mostly on Fridays. I like that you can buy a $5 keychain fob and then put money on it. You can use the fob to pour your own beer which I thought was pretty cool. The $5 is a one time fee for the fob and you get to keep it. It gets pretty packed here so come early like 8pm ish.
(4)Siobhan O.
Good food and beer, but service below par. Why were there 6 waitresses standing around in the front yet I had to go up to the bar to get a water and ask twice for silverware after our appetizers arrived? At the bar noticed someone else couldn't get their waitress to pick up the check, so not just a problem I was experiencing. Also 3 workers sharing the sink in the ladies room getting ready for their shift to stand around wasn't all that professional. Seems like a "Hooters" image is enforced on them, but I've received quicker and more attentive customer service at Hooters. Food was good and $4 beers at Happy Hour also a great deal-not all complaints.
(3)Chris M.
If you're looking for the most authentic German experience possible, this is not it--go to the Newportville Inn or the Austrian Village. If you want to hang at a cool Center City bar with German accents, Bru is a fine choice. The space feels like a Brauhaus-esque, German-chic spot. It's reasonably big with a lot of seating, including al fresco seating in the front and read of the space. They also have some high-tech, serve-yourself-beer stations, which look pretty cool. The beer selection here is pretty decent. It's split into a German beer section and a craft beer section. There are about a dozen German beers on the menu, and they go down to $4 (from $7 or so) for a half liter at happy hour. I recommend the Kozstrizer schwarzbier. It's really delicious. On the craft side, they have some good picks, including some local beers and upstart breweries, which I thought was pretty cool. The food selection looked pretty good. We just tried the pretzel with the gouda dipping sauce. I thought the price was a little steep at $6, but it was REALLY tasty. Next time, I would like to try some of the German specialties, like the mixed wurst platter. The bartenders were very friendly and added to the experience.
(4)Kayla A.
Came here on a Friday night around 11 pm with some girlfriends. It was pretty crowded but we didn't have any trouble ordering a drink at the bar. I don't drink beer but my friends were really happy with the beer list they have. They also have a self serve beer bar, from what I understand you have to pay for a fob and you get a glass and thats how you use the self serve. The bartender did let us know that the self serve beers are not as good as the beers you order from the bar. Staff was very friendly and quick to serve, especially for how busy it was. Will definitely be returning to try the food.
(4)Jennifer W.
Only giving this two stars because the beer selection is good. Good was not good. Nobody at our table liked any of the dishes we ordered - except the pretzel. Pretzel was good
(2)Neil S.
Bru works well as a nightlife option when in need of a compromise between a lively party scene and good beer. The tap list at Bru is ample and very reasonably priced; half liters of quality German beers can be had at $6-8, with American micros served in smaller portions but at similarly manageable costs. This place can get crowded, but you can always find a piece of real estate for you and your group somewhere in the venue. A DJ plays fairly loud music on the weekends so conversation may be difficult, but it's never night club level deafening. I've only had the Bru Fries here (bacon gravy, muenster cheese, sausage) which were delicious, if not a little oversalted, but other foodie friends have recommended the rest of the German grub the kitchen puts out. My only complaint about this place is that the beer never tastes as pristine as at other, suds-focused spots. That characteristic implies Bru probably doesn't keep its tap lines squeaky clean, especially on the weekends when this effect is far more noticeable. This tradeoff, fortunately, is small relative to this places' general acceptability as a nightlife option to most people. I find myself coming back here often for decent beer, a buzzing scene, and generally good times on weekends. If you want to sit and have a conversation with friends, this place probably won't meet your criteria on the weekends, but this place provides a great middle ground between those in need of tasty beer and those who frequent venues like Ladder, Public House, or other energetic, young professional Philly bars.
(4)Kelli M.
Went here for the first time with a friend when we made our own impromptu St. Patty's Day weekend crawl. They have pages and pages of beers from around the world, including different beers sold at sports arenas/stadiums around the world. Prices are pretty standard and it's in a great location. They have the token/debit card you can put money on and use at their installed kegs/kiosks. We didn't have a chance to try them but it would definitely be nice to use especially when it's crowded. The back entrance also leads you out to McGillan's next door which is always a plus. I haven't had the chance to eat there but the menu looked interesting if you are into German food!
(4)Two B.
So, i'm going to tell you about BRU's pretzel served with gouda cheese sauce. I think that the crispiness and flakiness of the pretzel and the moistness of the cheese creates a wonderful texture. The pretzel itself is a little dry but the sauce creates an awesome taste. Well, that's all folks . I would go back here for the pretzel. reviewed Agent A
(4)Melissa C.
Food very nice, beer selection also nice, extensive. Music, although good, is excessively loud, even for the type of place this is. If you actually want to talk with your group, go elsewhere. If you don't care about screaming, the beer and food are worth it.
(4)Michele R.
I'll admit, it's slightly unfair of me to write a review for a place that just doesn't have my heart...I don't eat bratwurst...however I keep ending up here with friends so I should add my two cents. The beer list is as promised and to be expected at a bier garden: extensive and interesting. The service can be spotty, especially when the place is crowded. If you are in a rush to get your beer, the self serve bar is for you. Which is pretty cool. My only complaint is about the food options, which have admittedly improved since the opening month. For someone who doesn't eat pork or bratwurst, a few more fish or even free range local beef options would be much appreciated. There is a trout dish that is entree sized, and the mushroom spatzle was Delish....however, I realize now that's because those were some kind of noodle mixed in with the cheese and Brussels sprouts. (hey, I'm not German! I didn't know what spatzle was and the description didn't explain!) I try to avoid flour and gluten products and I think this restaurant can get itself into trouble not designating clearly what's In a dish. Other than that, it's a fun place to go with friends, especially, the 30-40 something's crowds, and in walking distance to all the other midtown village hot spots.
(4)Jim W.
Bru is your latest pop-up "German" style bar. I've been here a few times with each experience worse than the one before. It's incredibly loud and rather overpriced for what it is. The frat crowd tends to overrun this place as it gets later. When you first walk in, you'll notice it's not really a beer garden at all and is rather cramped. Tables are close together and provide barely enough space to seat yourself in. You'll probably also notice the waitresses sporting red suspenders and short shorts which I find kind of weird and misplaced here. The beer selection is pretty good but not unique considering the neighboring bars. Did I mention that it gets extremely loud? If you're looking for a German style bar directly in mid-town center city, I guess this is it but there are many better choices throughout the city and even better taverns right across the street.
(2)Rae O.
Bru is one of my favorite places to do happy Hour in center city. The bartenders and the wait staff are so nice! $4 beers =AMAZING! The Pretzels with Gouda Cheese is a must! The vibe is really chill. If you are really having a good time and decide to stay a little longer on Friday night there is dancing with a DJ. Can you say fun fun fun? Lol. Pretty nice not having to go to another place to dance after happy hour especially in this freezing cold weather. Ended up spending 5 hours there, and it was a good night.
(5)Andrew B.
interesting crowd. good beers. more expensive and less fun than mcgillians, but definitely a trendier option
(3)Noah G.
The first Saturday of April was unofficially the end of our extended winter and the sun soaked city was the perfect back drop for boo and I's engagement photos. After two and a half hours of posing I felt that a couple of brewskis were more than appropriate so once we finished up we headed over to BRU to get some apps and do the damn thing. Apparently we weren't the only ones with the idea because the joint was jumping. We had a 15 minute wait for our table which was totally fine because they have some of the clearest TVs I've ever seen at a bar and the Flyers game was on. Unfortunately no matter how good the TVs looked they could not make Bryzgolov look any better than the Moscow sized disappointment he is. Despite how busy they were the bartenders were very attentive and we were never with an empty glass for long. Upon being sat we were handed a very simple but ample menu that had some very enticing options that was all priced very moderately. Since we were going out for dinner later on we opted to get two appetizers, the pretzel with some sort of angelic cheese dip, and a lamb kabob on flat bread. It was so so good. I really wanted the Currywurst which was a brat cut up on top of french fries with curried ketchup but I was convinced not to since apparently I'd be having fries with dinner (seems like a lame reason looking back on it). I'm really looking forward to going back on an off night when they will have the garage doors open and a Phillies game on. The staff at BRU is so nice and accommodating, the decor is unique and for being so new I thought things were already running flawlessly. So great to have them in the neighborhood!!
(4)Victoria L.
More of a beer haus than a biergarten... since it's completely indoors. The beers here are fine. The food is a little overpriced since the sandwiches don't come with fries. And the fries cost almost as much as a sandwich. The options are very limited in terms of food and drink, but the draw is the ambiance. The decor and vibe is pretty cool. I've been here three times this month because my friends love the Center City location, but the service has been pretty poor every time. I'd rather take the trip to Frankford Hall.
(2)Prasath S.
Bockwurst, Fries and Curry Ketchup. Yummy !!!! Can't wait to go back and try some of their other meat offerings...
(4)Meredith B.
You are super cool! What and awesome space. People can enter in on Chestnut or Drury (for the McGilian's overflow). The inside is very cool looking with a great long bar throughout the space. Lots of tables and also a self serve tap. They have an pretty nice selection of beers. I checked out their menu and ordered the flatbread and the pretzel with cheese... both were tasty. I happened to see Doner Kebabs on the menu. I will be back to check this out. These are European Royalty in the food world. Special shout out to Theo working there. I use to see him at Noble working there and he's so great. Welcome back into my life Theo. This place will be around awhile...
(3)Sarah A.
Perhaps it's Stephen Starr's fault for bringing Frankford Hall to Philadelphia, but when I hear "Beer Garden" I think "garden in the city full of varied-types of beer" So even before going, I was already a tad bit disappointed that there would be no center-of-the-city garden oasis, but that didn't deter me from making the trip. Twice. (First time I tried, they stopped seating an hour before a private party came in.) Second time we were seated relatively quickly, but as others have reported, service was slow. Lots of tables around us were seated, but none had food. In another comment about the service (other than the somewhat inappropriately short-outside-a-strip-club lederhosen our petite, blond server was wearing), when I asked what "schnitzel" was I heard, "Um...well, it comes with the things right there on the menu." Yeah. I actually read the menu, but was hoping my server could illuminate (thank you trusty iPhone!). Here's hoping the service staff learn the relatively brief menu. Other than that, the food was fine. It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't bad. The two types of "wurst" I tried (beef-only and beef-and-pork) were good, tender, and juicy. The sauerkraut was relatively bland and did not compare to that offered at Frankford Hall. The portion sizes were what I might expect for a slightly-pricey, midtown restaurant. And, though I didn't drink any beer, my dinner-mate reported a less-than-varied beer selection. PS. It's very loud, so don't expect to have a conversation.
(2)Ashley C.
Excellent selection of German and Czech beers.. Artistic German expression. They have cool features- serve yourself beer tap wall. Excellent food. Service is great! Waitresses wear very sexy attire. Good location, downtown Philly
(5)Eric H.
We usually have a great time at Bru, sitting outside across from Macys on a nice day. Recently, we were terribly disappointed by the service. At a time when there were very few other patrons, we asked if we could sit outside... where we were promptly forgotten. We went inside to remind the hostess that we were there and finally got menus. After another 10 minutes, we returned our menus and left for a beer nearby at Nodding Head Brewery. The snide looks we received from the girls at the host station on our way out made us feel like we were somehow being inconsiderate. Bru, so sorry for inconveniencing you by coming while your ladies were still doing their makeup.
(1)CHRISTINE B.
I retract everything I ever thought or wrote about this place. This is the worst establishment I've ever been to. I don't know who hires these derelict bartenders but they should be fired. The first time I was here I was disrespected. Wrote a bad review on Yelp and was asked to try it again, so I did. No complaints - food is good, beer selection nice. Tonight? I don't know what the problem is, but you can't treat people like garbage. If I ask you a question you should try your best to accommodate me. This is common food/beer service practice. I will never come here again. I will never have a good word to say about Bru. You won't miss my "patronage", but I won't miss being treated like a P.O.S. either.
(1)Devon L.
Ended up here on Sunday evening, and again a little later on Sunday night this past weekend (plans changed and it turned out being alright). My boo and I stopped in for an early evening drink around 6ish and there were a decent amount of seats at the bar. I had the Clown Shoes Clementine Ale which I really liked a lot, and we had one of the pretzels to share. The cheese fondue sauce that comes with the pretzel is so good.. I could probably drink it. The pretzel was pretty good too, although overall I think I prefer Brauhaus' pretzel over Bru's. Fast forward about 3 hours, to meeting up with friends back at Bru, and the place is packed. I get what others are saying in reviews about this place being a bro bar, because it totally is. I remained faithful to the Clown Shoes Clementine throughout the night and wasn't disappointed. I don't think that the prices for the beer are too expensive at all, and there's also a decent selection for those who are adventurous and like to try a bunch of new things. We didn't try the tap your own beer wall, although I'd be interested to see what it's all about next time we stop in. Overall, this is a pretty cool place with a decent atmosphere, and I'd definitely go back to Bru to try some of their food options and try some other beers.
(3)Nicole H.
Great beer selection, and the prices are totally acceptable. The food is really well-priced, but taste wise isn't that great. Fries were worth trying though. Very happy to see something like BRU in the area...really fits in with the other bar options but offers something new and different. Will definitely be back to review again once I've been there in warmer weather with outdoor seating.
(3)Joe C.
Allow me to begin by saying that I've been avoiding this place since it opened. I was under the impression that it was nothing more than a bro-y extension of McGillin's, which is far from what I enjoy. The funny thing is, my assumptions were correct and I'm not bothered by it. I walked into this space yesterday afternoon after grabbing a couple of bottles form the state store. As soon as I walked in, the top 40 pop/rock classics from 15 years ago accosted my ears and I thought that my head would surely explode within the next few minutes. Seriously guys, turn down the volume during the day. The bar itself is nicely done and seems quite clean for what is essentially a suburban bar in center city. Service was attentive and pleasant but not overbearing. The day time bartender took care of me and was very helpful. Where this bar stands out is it's beverage program and menu. The Chef and bar manager should be given a high five for their efforts in setting this place apart from the majority of bars in the immediate area. I had the Kaesespaetzle, which despite the spaetzle being a tad overcooked, was phenomenal. Super umami. Great menu, which despite what a previous commenter said, is a far cry from the sausage fest up at Frankford hall, but not quite to Brauhaus Schmitz level. Their beverage program is nice because of the amount of offerings on draft and the range therein. They have a great selection of classic European beers, Aventinus is always on tap big thumbs up for that, as well as seasonals and small batch offerings from reputable breweries. The only reason I didn't give this place five star was because of the deafening decibel level and the understanding that in the evenings and on weekends this place holds an unbearable amount of suits and suburban bros. Otherwise, on quality alone a solid 4 stars. I'll definitely be back... during the day.
(4)Maxine B.
I arrived at BRÃœ on a Wednesday night. Seated near the front of the restaurant, my company and I found the overall ambiance enjoyable: dark and cozy, yet not stifling. With that being said, the spacing of everything seemed to result in inescapable congestion. hmph. In terms of service our waitress was sufficiently attentive without being intrusive, while her bashful demeanor was all the more endearing. What a sweetheart! Coming to BRÃœ to dine, however, was a mistake. I appreciate the menu composition, but the preparation is questionable and the execution poor. It's a good place to snag some brews, but save your appetite for elsewhere. If you'd like more detail, please read on. The currywurst starter- fries, knackwurst, curry ketchup - was far from appetizing. The dish would have been better had they used more of a sausage-type meat rather than the decided hot dog variety. Void of any zest or tang, the sauce was lacking even a hint of curry flavor and essentially tasted like pure ketchup - very sweet ketchup might I add. The fries were nothing special, but that's just a cherry on top once everything else is right. Bottom line: It is not currywurst. Doeners are an art-form; they have unprecedented potential - sensational when they're good, and plain wack when they're wrong. The doner kabob at BRÃœ was wrong. Overly well-done & salty lamb, limp and doughy flatbread, scrapings of bland yogurt sauce. Bottom line: Just...wack. Both dishes were not nearly worth their price. Disappointing indeed. --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â----------------- I would like to come back, but I honestly can't see myself coming here simply to drink. Step up your food game, BRÃœ & you'll be golden!
(3)Jim B.
Great place. Good service. Ask for Ron. You will enjoy every minute there. We will be back as soon and as often as possible.
(5)Mandy H.
This place is so close to my house and I can't believe I finally went for the first time this week. It's definitely a cool atmosphere for drinks and they have a nice German food menu too. Apparently, their kitchen is open until 1 AM, also, which is good/bad for me to know. They have a ton of German beer on tap and also offer microbrews and your standard brews. Foodwise, the short rib was really good, especially the brussels sprouts and spaetzel combo that came with it. Yum yum! The fried pickles were also very good if you're feeling bad and want something greasy. They come with ham (which tastes like bacon) and pickles inside the crispy batter. The mixed wurst plate is also a good option if you're undecided and like a good sausage. I'm defintiely coming back to try more!
(4)Christopher D.
Bru bills itself as an indoor German beer garden. It has a long bar, as well was communal tables and smaller tables where you can sit by yourself. The atmosphere is dark, with extremely loud music. Service is quite good and the beer list is outstanding. Food menu is limited. I had the spaetzle there which while good were under seasoned. There was not an abundance of cheese in the dish which was a good thing, but the mushrooms were pedestrian. I would consider going back to try other dishes but there are plenty of other places that can produce a good wurst so I would be drawn back for the beer but not the food.
(2)Joanna H.
This is my new favorite bar!!!! They have a great selection of beer. they have my favorite too! (Hefe Weiner-Paulaner)!!! German beer avg $6-7. THe FOOD was SO GOOD TOO! it was only $7 to eat the Doner something (forgot the second part of the dish name. sorry!) I saw waitresses serving hot dog looking things to other tables so I was expecting with lamb meat in a hot dog bun. But it was more similar to a gyro wrap kind-of-dish. Soft yet slightly crispy wrap, tender juicy, one of the best lamb meat i had, with other veggies inside. I highly recommend this! This place will get pretty crowded around 10-11pm. The music can get really loud and you may have to work your way through the crowd sometimes, but it's def not a grimy hot place. Wish they played other selection of music over just oldschool rock, but it's okay. I went two days in a row last weekend, and will def go back soon!
(4)Lauren J.
I'm not a huge beer snob, so I'm usually at wine bars. My grad school hosted a happy hour here and it was a good venue with plenty of seating in the back. There was a strange security guard who kept scolding my skinny white guy friend to stop "leaning" on the table. For real??? Other than that--good times had by all. The customized music mix machine was broken though and there was a long wait at bar. Good for group. Loud noise volume--even when not full. Poor acoustics.
(3)Logan F.
Asked for seltzer with lemon, was given an old slimey smelly lemon. I asked the bartender how long it took to make the fried chicken, he said not long. It took 25min to come out, by which time I had to leave for an appointment. The place was empty, I can make fried chicken in 10min at home, it shouldn't have taken 25min. While I was waiting for my food, I saw a cool come out and chat with the bartender and got a beer from him. It's a shame I'll probably never go back. The beer selection looked great and the place seems nice.
(1)Er B.
After 101 reviews, I'm not sure what else I can tell you in my review. Went the day after Christmas with my mister. We arrived around 5 and waited just a few minutes for a spot at the bar to open up. A table here and there were occupied. We sat down, ordered some drinks (yeay for happy hour drink specials). We started off with the Currywurst (fries, knackwurst, curry ketchup) as our app and then our entrees arrived. The mister had the mixed wurst plate (4 sausages, potato salad and sauerkraut) and I had the pork belly (confit berkshire pork, braised white beans, pickled local fruit). Our bartender gave us a gentle/friendly warning when we ordered, letting us know that we should prepare for quite a bit of food. He was right, but we had no problem polishing everything off since it was so tasty and well prepared. We left around 7pm, noticed that it was getting more crowded both in the front and back of the restaurant. The rear of the restaurant faces Drury Street and has a large, plexiglass garage door that I imagine is open in more seasonal times.
(4)Brandon W.
My wife and I really like coming here. Solid beer menu and food. Get the fried pickles, I could eat them every day! Service is good. Not a whole lot of seating for dinner, but still a great place.
(4)Clint W.
As promised, I returned in search of some revision to my initial impressions. My first trip to Bru was during a heaving Saturday afternoon during their opening weekend. We fought for a spot at the bar and then fought to get the attention of the bartender, who was trying to cater to dozens of drunk Philadelphia "bros." Upon my second visit to Bru, during a Friday night happy hour, I was pleased to find the ambiance altered. Though still a handful of "young professionals" milling about, there was a healthy selection of real professionals and Friday night pub crawlers, which brought the bro-level down a welcome notch. Within ten minutes, we had found a table, in time to take advantage of the wonderful happy hour special: $4 half-liter German drafts and $3 pretzels. The only downside to the happy hour is its rather limiting hours: 4-6pm. I have several friends that work across the street but are never out before 6pm. As such, I feel like Bru is missing out on a lot of potential customers. 5-7pm happy hours are much more accessible, but given the extent of the discounts, I can understand - from a business model perspective - the somewhat restricted hours. Based on the post-happy hour vibe, it would appear that Bru settles down a little bit more for the dinner hours. We ate in relative peace, enjoying a pretzel and two delicious wursts with the best kraut I've ever had. The menu is very minimalist, but it works well with the setting. At the end, we opted to try the apple strudel, which was a disappointment, to say the least. Roughly the size of a silver dollar and lacking that definitive strudel crunch, I would have preferred to have gone elsewhere for dessert. All in all, Bru makes a respectable stab at creating the beer garden atmosphere in the cramped real estate of Center City Philadelphia. The drafts are tapped just right and at their happy hour price, impossible to beat. If you're someone on the literal 9-5 grind, definitely stop by and give Bru a chance.
(4)Chris K.
Hundreds of beers to choose from, plus delicious food. Open on both ends (alley and front) so there were a lot of people flowing in and out. Will be back.
(4)Mary S.
You know you're going to a good car when the beer list requires a clipboard. We weren't here for happy hour but the specials were so good that we wish we were.
(4)Joshua E.
Meh, the food was okay(overcooked), the Service was terrible at best. It's a really cool looking place, the waitresses were both hot and scantily clad, but I wouldn't go there again.
(2)Paul C.
Food was ok...but great beer selection...for my past two visit...i was able to do the order of 1 liter and half liter...but...it will be soon enough when I do the BOOT...aka..2 liter!!!
(4)Rachel F.
I had a great time at this place. My boyfriend and I shared the delicious Bavarian pretzel and cheese and the Currrywurst and fries appetizer. For dinner I had the Bratwurst and apples special with sauerkraut which I enjoyed and my boyfriend had the pulled brisket that was really great and tender. Great atmosphere!
(4)Dennis D.
If you're beer fanatic and haven't been to BRÜ, you're missing out. This bar has a ton of different kinds of beer, so you'll surely find one you like. The interior is clean and decorated nicely--think wood! The layout is set up to enter at two different spots, one from Chestnut Street and the other from the alley Drury Street. The Chestnut side has outdoor seating, while the Drury side features a huge garage door style that opens up when the weather is nice. One unique feature this bar has is their Bier Wall. It has six different self serving taps that they rotate out. There's no waiting in line at the bar so it takes out that frustrating part of being at a bar. You buy a "Haus Key" that has a prepaid amount on it and you put the key up the your selected beer with its magnet. After you select it, the appropriate amount is deducted from the key. My one complaint about this is you have to buy the key for $5. I think it would go over better if they rented these out. My question to them was what if I was in town just visiting? What am I going to do with it after I leave.
(4)Gem M.
So I never been to a Germany bar before this one so I don't have another German bar to compare it to. Maybe giving it five stars isn't right, but I don't care. From what I was told they don't have a huge food menu like other Germany bars but the food menu was a decent size. The food was yummy. Now on to the beer menu. Omg I love beer and I love their beer menu! There were four, yes four pages for beer. Can you say heaven? Can beer, draft beer, all kinds of beer but not the cheap beer. Hey I'm not knocking cheap beer, I love all beers. I got the Arcadia Jaw Jacker. It's a pumpkin beer. They offer samples of the draft beers so if your not crazy about the flavor your not stuck with it. The workers are friendly and helpful if you have questions. So if your looking for a new place to try come here.
(5)Jimmie B.
I attended this fine dining establishment for a second meal after I left the trashy and trendy Gaslight. Food and beer selection is amazing. The price is right and atmosphere is nice, just loud. However I don't get the female waitstaff uniforms? It's a cross between TGI Fridays and a burlesque show as they have suspenders, tshirts and fish nets. A little cheesy trampy I must say... Maybe it's a straight guy thing? Lol Anyway, the food and beer will definitely bring you in and keep you coming back.
(4)Kaitlyn M.
The beer list is good, that's the one nice thing to say. I had dinner here with a group of friends. The waitress was clearly confused as to which kegs had kicked and which hadn't - and kept coming back to ask me what I wanted instead then to inform me that "never mind" my original order was actually still available. Okay. 4/6 people ordered the cheeseburger- the waitress never asked how we wanted them cooked. We realized this after she walked away and assumed she would come back to rectify the mistake. Nope. All the burgers came out well done. Gross.
(3)Erich F.
Only had apps but food was good, Ashley was our server and she did a great job. Beer was very good, apps were excellent, and service was great, overall great night
(4)Katy T.
I'm a bit of a beer snob but this place has a lengthy list of drafts organized into lists by countries which they're brewed. The list is always rotating! The also have a variety of bottles, but you won't even be tempted to get a bottle because they have so many great things on draft. Their food menu is comprised of German dishes: bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzel, etc. The curry ketchup is a must try, very interesting flavor. If you go during Center City SIPS or on a weekend night it's going to be PACKED. They have a lot of seating but during these busy times, it's a sea of people and very hard to find a place to settle in. The music is great, but it's very loud. If you do happen to snag a table during one of their busy times, you're gonna have to shout to the person across the table from you so you can hear each other. I think it's a great place for lunch or happy hour, but on weekends it's more of a big party with booming music. They have a self-serve tap which is pretty cool. Just purchase a "Bru Button" when you get there. No waiting for the bartender, just go right up, swipe your button, pour your beer straight from the tap, and cheers!
(3)Augustina G.
This bar has German undertones, but I wouldn't call it a German bar exactly. This bar has a HUGE list of beers on tap, so variety is not a problem here. I recommend going during Happy Hour when their list of "Old World Favorites" are $4 from 4-7pm on weekdays. Their bru fries is a heart attack on a plate, but man it is oh so good. Cheese, bacon bits and gravy on the top makes the fries such a great comfort food. Not too crazy about the food prices in general, though.Late night, this place gets pretty packed. I call it "The McGillin's Spillover" since a small alley separates them and like McGillin's, this too turns into the bro zone. There really isn't that much dancing, it's more like that swaying and standing business, simply because there isn't enough room to do it, nor is there a proper dancing space. I always feel a tad awkward coming here with my male coworkers because I know as much as they wouldn't want to admit it, they're definitely gawking at the female server's outfits, which are reminiscent of Hooters.
(3)Samantha S.
I love Brü!!!! This place is the definition of cool. Came in for a quick beer around 2 in the afternoon on Saturday and the place was quiet. I figured it was just a low key place to grab a decent microbrew and lunch. The beer selection was HUGE. The place is sleek, modern and just really original. They have picnic table-esque seating by the window which was different. Decided to check this place out again later in the night and by midnight it was HOPPIN. I couldn't believe it was the same bar, place was packed. They had about four bartenders staffed so although the place was crowded, I didn't find myself waiting to get a drink for more than 30 seconds. They open up the front windows at night so you can see right across the McGillins. You feel as though you are outside its an awesome setting. The music they played was spot on. Overall, awesome bar, must check it out if in the area.
(5)Amina W.
I ventured (in the rain, on my bike......uphill both ways?) to BRU for sips one stormy evening, and was very excited to check this place out after hearing great things. Maybe it was the fact that I (and everyone else) was soaked, and stinky, and miserable... but this place seemed a bit too cramped for my style. The place is long and narrow which forces everyone to squish past one another to get to the bar. I liked how they had a side bar set up in the back, which helped... but not really. After a while we were able to snag a table in the back, and we ordered a pretzel off of the regular menu (with gouda cheese, nom nom). Not too sure what the waitress heard, because she brought us the regular pretzel off of the Sips menu... and we were fine with that considering the sips pretzel was much cheaper, or so we thought. When we got the bill, what did we see? We were charged for the gouda pretzel. Malarkey! The waitress apologized but basically said there was nothing she could do. Meh. If the gang wanted to hit this place back up again I'm sure I'd tag along... but I'll probably take my german cravings elsewhere.
(3)Lauren R.
I haven't eaten here, but it's a nice place to stop by for a drink! They have a lot of taps--and a great variety: local, domestic craft, and German beers. I studied abroad in Germany when in college, so I am definitely quite fond of a good German beers and it's often hard to find a good variety of them in the US in one place. BRU had a great selection (and even served them by the .5 liter!). The inside is nicely decorated--wooden walls and tables/benches--but it doesn't feel like a german brauhaus or biergarden. It's quiet enough to sit and actually have a conversation. They have some TVs so you can watch sports, but I definitely wouldn't call it a sports bar.
(4)Shilpa K.
Maybe I just had really high expectations of bru, but I was SO disappointed in it. First of all, it wasn't exactly a beer garden...maybe they'll be opening up the windows, but for now it's a bar with a lot of wooden furniture and mini lights. Apparently the "pour your own beer" thing only is up for about an hour in the night. I'm sorry, but I'm not getting there at 6 pm just to try that out. The crowd reminded me of the douchey ladder 15 crowd. But that might have been the night I was there. Service was really slow. In the end, we made our way next door to McGillins...
(2)Regina F.
If you've ever been to a loud, rowdy touristy German pub in Anywhere, USA, then you've been to Brü. It's not that this new joint isn't entertaining and it's not that it doesn't offer a fine selection of beverages of the hop and wheat type, but if you're looking for conversation and a table not overridden by sports fanatics shouting at the basketball game on TV, then Brü isn't going to be your jam, or Wurst or whatever it is that you're looking for. The food is fine - typical German pub fare. The croquettes were fried, but lacking in oomph. And the tap selection isn't impressive...I settled for Ithaca Apricot wheat, which was probably the least German thing ever. So perhaps this review is more shame on me...maybe it's my fault I'm not into American sports, loud crowds, sharing slippery-varnished benches with drunken hoards and sausage-product.
(2)Maurice S.
BRU has a good beer list and pretty solid food. The service can be spotty.
(3)Paige C.
So as promised, I returned to Bru now that they've been open awhile to give them a more comprehensive review. After my last post, the manager invited me back to try them out, and suggested I did so during happy hour, since that's when they had the best deals. Unfortunately, who actually is out of work by 6? (The answer is actually me...but not my husband, and there was no way I was braving this "bro bar" alone.") Unfortunately, my expectations were sorely not met although I still really think that this place has a TON of potential, and I just don't think I am their target audience. The service: Whoa guys...calm down. You do not need to watch me eat my entire meal and stop by no less than SIX times to ask if everything is okay. Between the hostess, the waitress and the manager, it was like we were being stalked. I get it, they want good tips, they want good reviews. But no one likes the clingy girl at the dance. Try to play a little hard to get. As a side note here, I was really taken aback by the servers outfits. I didn't realize that this was Hooters meet German pub. I think there is a slightly more classy way to slutty German barmaid (look at Brahaus on South St. for example.) However, the black booty shorts with suspenders and t shirt really aren't doing it for me. Honestly, from the front, the apron is longer than the shorts, so it literally looks like they aren't wearing anything on bottom. Listen, I am all for "if ya got it flaunt it" but I don't think it's fitting in a setting like this that is trying to appeal to the masses. Maybe the management isn't aware they should be appealing to a wider clientele than the Jersey Shore? The food: If you are going to have such a limited menu, everything on it has to be SPOT on. Once again, this just seemed like the chef is trying too hard. For example: potato pancakes are good. Green apples are good. Horseradish is good. However, when you put them all together, it a muddled mess for your palette. The schnitzel I had was WAY overfried and had no flavor. They put ham on it too...who puts ham on schnitzel? Overkill. The bread on my sandwich and on my hub's bratwurst sandwich was also really dry and stale. Also the sign out front that says "The best wurst in the city." It's not true. It's so not true. My husband didn't even finish half of his sandwich! This is a man I have seen eat (and enjoy) peanut butter, grape jelly and sausage sandwiches. The fact that he didn't enjoy his meal says more to me than anything. Overall: This place is probably appealing to a different demographic than the crowd I usually run with. I am sure they will probably do just fine without my patronage since they can get the overflow from McGillans. But honestly, if you are in the area there are MUCH better options for food and beer.
(2)Ron H.
Blah. Too young, tons of testosterone, I fell like I'm crashing a college bar.
(2)Chris K.
awesome beer selection, lots of regional and local beers. I didn't try the food.
(4)Preety S.
Go here for happy hour...beer for $4. Can't beat that for how much you get. I say stick to the the pretzels for food choice and you are good to go.
(3)Terri B.
Stumbled upon this place after heading down to Market East for a drink at Milkboy. The girls and I made a note to make it our next step. Great choice! The atmosphere was bar-like but a little different. The main walk was pretty narrow and therefore crowded but their drink selection was great and the bar was huge! The crowd there was diverse in age and style so it was fun to navigate who was standing beside/behind you at all times. Funny story: I didn't realize it was a "wurst" place. Some guys bought my gis and I brats, which I think was a cool way to pick up girls. They were cool and all but the brat was spectacular! They won't get a call back but the brats will! Still they get an A for creative pickups. I'm definitely going back.
(5)Stefano P.
Food was great, tons of alcohol, a little loud, but then again we were there on a Friday night... Brats are delicious, the pretzel app was delicious... 2 thumbs up!!!
(5)Abbie D.
This place is awesome!! I was only here for literally 45 minutes but thought it was fab enough to write about. The beer "fobs" are pretty clever, not to mention the beer selection was good too! I am excited to return to spend a bit more time there and try some food!
(4)Amy J.
Brand new in Midtown, this place has the vibe of Frankford hall, with a bigger food menu and much bigger brew list. I stopped by twice in one week, and I'll be going back for more. As a girl who like's a weihenstephaner, allagash white, blue moon or hoegarden - I definitely agree with my bartenders recco for the hefeweizen. You can order drinks at the bar, but I hear if you're planning to stick around you might consider running your own tap from a few of their fave brews pouring directly from the wall. Things I'd like to see them do: - They play good jams, but sometimes the volume is a little too low - Need a full-size mirror in the girls bathroom (i mean... how bad did i spill my drink on myself?)
(5)Sam J.
Great food and atmosphere. Good selection of burgers and German food. The Chicken Wurst plate was fantastic as were the kraut and cheese as well as the fried pickle appetizers. The pickles were fried with ham, an interesting combination. Sat on the street on a nice evening. Great relaxing place to meet up with friends!
(4)Jamie S.
Attractive bar inside. Fun beer list, though I'm still not sure how the pour your own thing works. The big windows haven't opened yet so its a bit warm inside. Girls bathroom is small. Food service starts this weekend- looking forward to the under $10 German sandwiches.
(4)Kelly H.
Came to this spot for the first time, not knowing much about it. Our server was Jessie and she was awesome. Super knowledgeable and attentive but funny all the same. The beer list was overwhelming but she helped me chose the perfect pairing to my wurst. Music was a bit loud but entertaining mix of 80s hits. I suggest sitting outside and asking for Jessie if you're lucky enough to get her when she's working!
(5)Ozzie L.
Good music, decent beers, but what really got me was the people there. Not super friendly and fairly clicky. I know that this is not the establishments fault but its who hangs out there. I was by myself but if I went back with a group of friends this might be a cool spot to grab some drinks.
(3)Paul B.
Not very good in any category except beer selection. Service is weak. Not terrible, but weak. It will do, but don't expect something great. Meh! That sums it up well.
(2)Matthew B.
We came here after having a bad experience at the bar next door. The waitress was awesome and the beers were great. We had the bavarian pretzel which my wife loved and generally doesn't like pretzels, the BRU fries which were amazing, and the wurst which was good. All in all I thing this place is a definite place to stop in and have some brew food and some good beers.
(4)Steve W.
Was looking forward to going here after hearing so many gud things about it but after visiting I know why it is called Bru but not Bru and Fud. The Bru selection was great. The fud not so much. The fries tasted off as if the oil had not been changed in some time. The house made wursts while not the worst clearly not the best. The casings offered no snap in fact they were rubbery. On the plus side the pretzel with smoked gouda dipping sauce was top shelf. Three stars for the bru and pretzel. Also good fun self serve beer. Yes you read right Buy a key get access to several beers that are not available on the regular bar taps
(3)Joe K.
I really enjoy coming here, and even though it's a bit loud and the "bro's" are a bit much, I have never had a bad experience and really enjoy some of the city's best bartenders: Emily, Jessie and Theo. I'll be back and will make sure I bring people to this great new spot!
(5)Cecile F.
I have been eating and drinking here off and on for about a year and I very much enjoy the beer they have, especially the Oktoberfest. The pretzel served with melted smoked gouda is perfectly matched to go with the beer and we also tried the Spatzel which was also very tasty. Waitresses allow you to sample the beer on tap, and are very friendly.
(4)Em L.
Beer was good and fairly priced. But the service was terrible for it not being a busy night.
(3)Tiffany K.
I was there with friends on Sunday. Heather, was our server, she, the food, and beers were awesome! Love the open feel of the garage door in the back. We will absolutely go back!
(5)Diana K.
I came back for another try at BRU, and this place has completely changed its scene. This bar is SUPER LOUD now, full of people dressed to the nines like they are on their way to a club. At first, this seemed like it would be a German beer bar, but I think the atmosphere is definitely changing. We could barely hear our waitress, and tried to get out of there as quickly as possible. The food was pretty decent, but I just wasn't enjoying myself there. I'm sure I will be back to try it again, but maybe I will avoid it on a Saturday evening when it gets too busy.
(3)Andrew W.
I was only here for one drink so I didn't really get a chance to take it all in but my first impression was very positive. Great beer selection (had my first oberon of the 'summer'), friendly staff, cool atmosphere... I'll definitely be heading back.
(4)Lolly G.
Let me start off this review but describing the day that I went to this new spot. It was Cinco De Mayo as well as the same day as the Broad St. run. Many streets were blocked off for the party and needless to say there was people everywhere. After hanging outside for a while, one of the people in our group suggested we check this place out. It was packed along with McGillans across the street. With the owners knowing how much people party for Cinco, you would think that they would have more then TWO bartenders. It was really unreal. The bar is very long and they have countless taps (which is a plus) but I waited over 20 MINUTES to order one drink. I started talking to a guy next to me who was desperately trying to get his tab. He told me he'd been there 10 minutes prior to me. Finally in the middle of waiting, I noticed off to the side they have a "self serve" beer option. Basically, it's like a soda machine except for it has beer. I believe they had 4 selections. I asked a server and she quickly brushed me off and told me to go over to this desk on the other side of the bar. At this point, I would just like to have a drink in my hand. I walk over and ask the guy for two "passes" for beers. He told me that would be $20. (um what? $10 a beer?) when I asked him he answered like I was the most clueless person on earth. "yes you have to buy a key." Uh, still have no idea what this even means as he didn't elaborate. Excellent service. I then went back to the bar but tried from a different end. I asked a guy to serve me and apparently he was a bar back. Instead of answering he just made the "cut" sign at his neck. Classy. Finally, someone served me and it took him forever to get back to get my money. I found some of my friends scattered around having the same problem. We wanted to leave because it was ridiculous. It's really sad because this place is really awesome looking, and they have an amazing beer selection. Like I said, having 2 bartenders on Cinco, and other employees who can't even bother to explain things really turned me off. I'll stick to McGillans.
(2)Carol C.
spiffy decor, fast service, and friendly people. Food is decently priced (~$10), but slightly on the smaller portion. Craft beers available, but definitely not as thorough as could be. Overall, a chill new addition to the city.
(4)Jason P.
My girlfriend and I went to meet up with some friends for happy hour after work on a Friday. I knew this place was fairly new, so I expected a larger crowd than normal. It's located right next to McGillin's, which I'm sure will be good for BRU. Of course the place was crowded, but we somehow managed to get a table as someone arrived early enough to put our name in. We had a large group, but not all of us sat. The place wasn't what I expected. It wasn't very "German" and I wouldn't call it a beer garden. It was a very modernized center city bar with german food and some german beer. The beer menu wasn't overly impressive. Other German establishments have a bit more selection and explanation. A beer fan, but German beer novice, I would have liked a more detailed menu. I ordered a random German beer, which turned out to be light and pretty good. We sat at the table and proceeded to sample the menu. We ordered the bavarian pretzel, currywurst/fries, potato pancake and lamb kebob. The food was relatively inexpensive, which was nice. The pretzel was on point, but not as good as Brauhaus Schmitz on South St. The pretzel was doughy and flavorful. I loved the currywurst and fries. It was smothered in curry ketchup and just went really well with the beer. The potato pancake was good, but it was lacking something. Port Richmond is the place to go if you want a good potato pancake. The lamb kebob was probably my favorite honestly. Lamb was seasoned well and I liked whatever sauce was on the flatbread. Overall I like the place. It has a neat "self serve" section, though I didn't see a soul using it. A bit of a huge miss since they heavily advertise it. Not sure if I will ever go back as there are better German places around with better food and beer selection. It also has a huge roll down door that opens up the back, which I thought was pretty neat.
(3)Sarah F.
I love to see Drury street becoming a serious destination for Saturday nights. Not that McGillins wasn't holding down the fort on it's own, but now the spill into the street from both packed establishments makes it a really exciting place to be. I can't wait for the summer! Anyways, Bru has the right stuff to become a great spot to grab drinks with friends for a night out. The pour your own pint in the front is amazing. Basically you load up a card with money, swipe, and ta dahhhh... you dispense your own beer like a soda fountain. I'm excited to see what selections they will have in the upcoming future. I think to start the choices were a little unoriginal...but I have high hopes! Haven't tried the food yet. Maybe next time :)
(4)Shane L.
Very cool spot for happy hour. Can't go wrong with the beer selection here and the energy of the atmosphere.
(3)C M.
Love the bar, great vibe and beer options. I work close by and this is a great addition to the neighborhood. They fell short on a few things including running out of the self service ipad keys within the first few days of being open. Another huge after thought was the ladies bathroom. Absolutely no TP on opening weekend?! You have to be kidding me.
(4)Kristina L.
Went here last night for dinner with 8 friends to celebrate one of their achievements and it was great. We arrived early and my boyfriend and I grabbed a drink at the bar first. I asked to sample a beer and they were happy to offer. We ordered two beers and were served promptly. Our table was ready and we were seated right at our reservation time, as it should be but sometimes does not happen at some places. The service was great for the most part. Our waitress was nice and attentive but did stumble on beer suggestions - I know there is a huge list but some training or knowledge should be had by wait staff with what they are serving, especially at a beerhall (at least both restaurants I worked at previously we were tested prior to being able to serve alone). At least have a suggestion for a beer in every category served. Oh, and the long hair being down kind of irks me. You are serving food to people, and hair does fall out. Should be up in a ponytail or pulled back and not be touched or played with - something both places I worked at previously also had a rule about which I didn't mind - makes sense for sanitation reasons. Other than that, she was great. The guys loved the low cut shirts and booty shorts with tights the girls wear (of course). We started with apps - the fried pickles and Bru fries. Both were delicious. We ordered the sampler platter which was plenty of food for 3 guys and a gal. 5 others ordered their own meals. We also ordered some Bavarian pretzels and spatzel to share. Everything was delicious, except the German potato salad. I wish the potatoes were cooked a little more - they were a little raw and hard still... unless it was supposed to be that way? My previous experience with German potato salad is that the potatoes get cooked and then mixed with the yummy stuff. It would be nice if they also served plain sour cream and apple sauce with the platter for the potato pancakes. I personally am not a huge fan of horseradish so the horseradish sour cream was a little much for me. My only other complaint is the bathrooms were a little messy and we were seated at a table along the window which opens in the summer so it was really drafty. All in all, great experience and I definitely plan to return, when it's warmer, or be sure to ask for a table further inside where it is less drafty.
(4)Adrienne C.
Really cool new spot. Great decor, friendly staff (albeit some are clearly very new to the game) and good beer options. The beer wall is awesome - just wish they hadn't run out of keys so quickly. Not exactly a "garden" as it's been written about - but a really cool indoor spot with an open wall. How the beer wall works: Buy a key for $5, load it up, then skip the line at the bar and head to the wall.
(4)Jenny L.
Really wanted to like this place since I've been looking for a beer garden/casual drinks place that's closer to my side of town than Frankford Hall but this place did not live up to expectations. The Good: Interesting deco and good selection of beer. Was a little miffed that the self-serve thing wasn't running when I was there. Servers were great otherwise. The Bad: This place is WAY too loud. Had to leave after one beer (finished rather quickly at the prospect of leaving) because friend and I were losing our voices screaming at each other. Also felt weird yelling our conversations since there were other people sitting right beside us at the communal table. So I guess it's a good place if you are looking for a large crowd to stand in middle of and meet new friends that way?
(2)Taylor D.
*Drinks Only Review* I went here last night for the Penn Law post-graduation cocktail hour, and it was packed! I was a little upset at first- there were an incredible number of people jammed into the place and it was taking 10+ minutes to get a drink. I finally got my order and went back to chat with my friends when all of the sudden the manager, Todd, comes up with a free round of drinks for my entire party, offering his sincere apology for the chaos and the wait. He went so far as to ask what each of us was drinking, and gave us one of the "beer keys" to the taps for another few beers. This more than made up for the rocky start! He really did a great job ensuring that we were having a good time, and as a customer, I think that goes a really long way. He learned all of our names and even said goodbye on our way out a few hours later. It turns out Bru was only informed of our large party's arrival a mere 30 minutes before- hardly enough time to accomodate the overly large group. While there were some hiccups, I believe they did a great job trying to make up for any and all issues, working with the staff they had on hand to make the night go as smoothly as possible. We will be sure to return to try the food after our great run in with Todd!
(5)Dianna L.
The entrance is dark and uninviting but I was so excited that something open on Chestnut that I had to go take a look for myself. The place was very open with few tables or chairs. I would even use the word "bleak." I on St. Patty's day and it was basically people who needed to take a break from McGillins. It was dark. Loud and their self serve draft option with the IPADs was not up and running yet. Hopefully it will be a better experience after it's been open a little longer. I will go again =.
(4)Bethany S.
Stopped here on a whim for a quick beer and a bite before heading out of town. Nice, open space with a relaxed vibe (note: I was here on a Wednesday afternoon, not a Saturday night.) There are about 30 taps, not counting those on the beer wall in the back. Only three of them were macro and the rest were American craft (~2/3) and German (~1/3) beers. The menu was limited, but perhaps I just thought that because I wanted Jägerschnitzel and it wasn't on there. I ordered a Warsteiner Premium Dunkel and a Schnitzel sandwich- the Schnitzel was perfection! I was skeptical about the greens in the sandwich and thought about ordering it without them, but I'm glad I didn't because the whole thing was really good. Kelly was an excellent server with a warm personality and gave me the scoop on this new spot: grand opening is tomorrow, all the food is made from scratch, and the beer wall (which dispenses as much or as little as one wants and charges by the ounce) is the second in the country. (Do you know where the first one was installed? Scroll down for the answer!) She mentioned that they'll soon be adding a happy hour, which I look forward to taking advantage of, and asked for feedback on the food for the kitchen, which I am always happy to give :) I must also say that I appreciated the superb music they played, which could have enticed me to stay and drink all day if I didn't have a Megabus to catch. Some of my favorite 90s stuff that you don't hear very often, like old school Incubus and "All You Need" by Sublime. Keep it up! Answer to the trivia question: Michigan
(5)Susie J.
I tried this place to watch the world cup games. Many options for beers on tab and good decoration inside... but nothing like real German bar and drinks are in general over priced... I ordered the curry wurst which wasn't like the one that I had in Germany. But in general the atmosphere was OK.
(3)Rob P.
Ever since Ludwig's closed down on Sansom Street, and Beerstube stopped serving lunch, I've had to walk all the way from Center City to 8th & South Street for good German food for lunch. No more. Thanks to BRÜ, I only have to go across the street for great German food. Their beer selection is great and the food is delicious. The atmosphere is sort of "nouveau hunting lodge." Also, the manager, Ron, is very attentive, friendly, and accessible. My co-workers and I make this place at least a bi-weekly go-to.
(5)K. B.
The place is really well done and definitely gives a beer garden vibe. Would suggest adding something to the exterior, isn't very welcoming from the street. Beer list is incredible if not a little pricey. Only issue is that we didn't find the food to be all that great. Meat was definitely dry and portions were weird (one sandwich was huge and the other was tiny). Should have just tried the sausages. Oh well.
(3)James O.
Really like this place. Great beer, good food. Best part is the taps in the wall and the key chain type device that allows you to pour your own beer. Save money on tips and get to try different types of beer. Great spot.
(4)Edmond C.
My friends and I waited at least 10 mins for a server to come up to my 3 friends and I. It took even longer for her to bring us our beers. Will not go back. If I didn't work in a restaurant myself, I wouldn't of even gave her a tip.
(1)Arnold C.
Average to mediocre. Ordered then fried chicken and it was overcooked and served lukewarm. Fries were cold and they barely gave a handful. Purple coleslaw tasted more like diluted sauerkraut. Server took 20+ minutes to bring me a cup of hot water after 3 requests and they were moderately busy. My Sprite came in a child sized glass and not even a refill. Food was bland, except for all the salt I dumped on it. I didn't even bother with the dessert. Go somewhere else.
(2)Doug O.
Music was pretty loud but the bar was a good people-watching scene. The beer selection was one of the best I've seen and the food was in true Bavarian fashion. I didn't plan on going here for dinner but I'm glad I happened upon it. The service was pretty good but I would come back for the beer and food.
(4)Dan B.
nice selection of beer, good service, ok food, crappy large screen tv with terrible sound
(3)Lee B.
This is one of those cases where, for me, the look and the idea of a place outweighs the actual experience/overall impression. Now, to be fair, I don't feel "meh" about the place as a whole like the two stars represents, but I didn't feel it was a three-star worthy experience, either. I would have said 2.5, but as we know, that's not possible on Yelp. I was so looking forward to checking this place out -- I work close by and have had my eye on it to check out for a while now...so perhaps it was just a case of expecting too much? Going at the wrong time on the wrong day? I don't know. I just know I think there's room for some improvement. The beer selection has a wide variety. There's truly something for everyone. Plus. BUT, the beer menus seem haphazardly organized. You're handed a clipboard with multiple pieces of paper, two of which have beer selections. (The other is food, which I'll get to). Now, perhaps it's because I didn't have the time to figure out why (was only here for a quick round or two), but I thought two sheets of beers was odd/unnecessary. Minus. As for the food, I can't talk about the taste or quality because this was solely a liquid diet trip. BUT, I wasn't impressed with the selection. Choices seemed quite limited, and I was expecting more. Minus on the selection, neutral overall since I didn't get to try anything. The open garage door in the back affords some nice open air seating. Plus. The tables are large, communal, picnic-style with benches. But they're VERY close together -- so close that I had the pleasure of feeling the woman seated behind me flip her hair onto my back every five seconds as she attempted to flirt with her date. Minus. A big table would be great for a large group, but otherwise, sharing is kind of a downer -- especially when you basically have to help the staff bus the table since you're more easily able to access it than she is. Minus. I also thought it was odd that the three people at the end of our table had one waitress, while we had another one altogether. That was just weird. But I liked the potential for fun after-work happy hour trips, and the plethora of TVs is always a plus in my book (but what was with the ones playing nothing but nonstop infomercials??)
(2)Christine S.
The beer was good, but it was so incredibly loud. It was impossible to have a conversation
(2)David C.
Good beer selection, good food -- Solid but I'm not so excited about it that I feel like I need to give it 5 stars.
(4)Denny S.
The food was okay, we had the platter for four people. The potato pancake was just okay. All the sausages were ok and somewhat on the too salty side. Service was good, our server was super nice and accomodating.
(4)Donna B.
Went here opening weekend with 2 friends. Host sat us at a table where we sat for 15 minutes waiting for someone to take our order. Finally gave up and walked to the bar and ordered ourselves. Beer was just ok. Staff was useless. Atmosphere was very loud. Not at all the beer garden that it claims to be. I will give it a second chance after they work out the opening month kinks, but for now I would not recommend to a friend.
(2)Julian T.
I went here during the late afternoon on a weekend and I really liked the place. I've heard it gets crowded at night, so you might want to avoid it at night if you're not into the packed bar crowd. The best thing about this place is the atmosphere. It has really nice decor, with a ton of huge TVs with any soccer game that you want to watch playing. They have a unique set of brews on tap and the food I got was pretty good. I'll definitely be going back.
(5)Payal P.
this place is new, i went to their soft opening on erin express weekend, it was awesome! at that time, it was not even fully open. they have tons of taps and a huge space, fun videos on the tv's (skateboarding) and a friendly vibe. it stretched over a block so you can also enter from the alley where mcgillin's is...we always needed something else in that alley, glad this is here!
(5)Alyssa P.
My friends & I actually ended up here twice on Saturday.. once during the day & again later on that night. Both times the waitress was friendly & knowledgable, suggesting beers based on what we liked/disliked/etc. We didn't order any food (liquid diet kind of day) but everything on the menu looked really good. Kind of like a less-authentic Brauhaus. There were a few not-so-great things though.. The "Pour Your Own Beer" tap set-up was unavailable (you have to buy a $5 button/card to use the taps) because they had run out of the buttons. My friends were in the mood for an Allagash White, which is only located on the self-service taps, so they were out of luck. The music around 11pm on Saturday was bizarre. It was like a ultra-mashup kind of thing, but they only played 20-30 seconds of each song & then changed to something completely different. I don't know if they were trying to get people to dance or just get in to the music, but it's hard to do that when the song is changing every 20 seconds. Last but not least, this is a big (and crowded) place to only have 2 small bathroom stalls. I heard from one of the guys we were with that the men's set-up wasn't much better. I'm sure they were restricted by the size of the building or something like that, but there are going to be some serious waits for those bathrooms! All in all, definitely a good place to go.. seems like they just have a few kinks to work out. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Noheli T.
I really enjoyed my time at BRU! The somewhat open area gives off a great vibe and the beer list is great. I don't even remember what I ordered but it was the longest name and it was great! I also really liked there drink machine in the back and everyone seemed to really be enjoying themselves. I am definitely going back!
(4)Mike M.
This place is excellent! I went in for a nice relaxing drink after a hard day's work and was immediately greeted by the friendly staff. I got a nice, quiet section all to myself and my server, Tiffany, was nothing but pleasant. I got two beers that were both delicious and neither I've seen at other bars in Philadelphia. Mind you, I've lived in Philadelphia for awhile. Tiffany seemed to really know what she was talking about while making suggestions to me about what to drink. The beer wall was nothing short of amazing! I've seen such a cool feature in a bar before! Needless to say, I'll be making multiple trips here and bringing friends! Thanks Brü!
(5)Susie H.
Great atmosphere and great food. Went there for lunch, service wasn't the best. We ordered the Bavarian pretzel and never got it. The server had a bit of attitude. There are a million great places to eat in this city, so having good food isn't enough to keep me coming back if service is below average- especially when it's not that busy.
(3)Ajay B.
Very cool, young, lively and crowded bar spot. Great beer selection both domestic and German... decent amount on top and a bunch in bottles. Tried a good variety with 2 flights. Rating here is really based on atmosphere and drink selection... haven't tried the food yet but would definitely come back here to give that a shot next time in Philly! with some more flights of course
(4)German S.
Did not dig this place ...i felt like asses were all over my food. I dont know if ut was because it was happy hour or what.
(2)Sal R.
From what I hear, the happy hour prices are awesome. But regular prices are expensive, portions of the beers are decent but the food is not very great. Not my favorite german bar!
(3)Jaymee M.
Awesome wait staff, awesome German beers & food, great atmosphere. We were in town from Baltimore and were in Philly for just the weekend so a friend took us to Bru. The decor is great and there is a lot of space. We tried a few different beers and all of them were excellent. The food is also phenomenal! We had the Bavarian pretzels, bacon & apple flat bread and something that had salmon, beets & greens on it. I would definitely recommend Bru and will be back the next time I am in Philly! (Kelly the server is GREAT!)
(5)Jeff F.
I was there for a happy hour with work peeps.. Great beer selection, bratwurst sandwiches, and pretzels... However, the music was wayyyyyy too loud.. We could barely hear ourselves, let alone each other.. Actually looked forward to going back into the hundred degree heat just so we could hear each other again.
(3)Louis D.
They now have a (I think) great happy hour: $4 1/2 liters of german beer, including some good ones, as well as some assorted 1/2 price pretzels and things. Oh and it looks like the pour-it-yourself beer tap is open too. It's getting there!
(4)EJ O.
I hosted an event last night at BRU and it was fantastic! The staff was great. Huge shout out to Karry and Sam, they were wonderful servers. Alex/Todd helped so much with set up and laying the ground work for the event. The venue is super cool, great vibe. The beer selection is great! They have a machine where you pay for a key, add money to it, and you pour your own beer, you pay by the ounce. My guests had a great time tasting what they wanted, when they wanted more. Thank you again for good service, good food, and most importantly good beer. I would recommend anyone swing by BRU when you get a chance.
(5)Matt K.
The only positive was that there is a decent beer list. After that, there really isn't much else going for the place. The beer wasn't extremely cold or tasty. The pork meatballs were dry and illustrates an example of a dish that is not better with bacon. The "worst" part was that I ordered the wurst plate and one of the wurst was raw and cold in the center. The waitress attempted to compensate but needed the owner's permission to take it off the bill and he was nowhere to be found. This place could use a front of the house manager. Philly has a lot of choices for quality beer and if you are looking for a combination of good food and beer I would try somewhere else first.
(1)Adam F.
Had a great experience at Bru for food and drinks. Bru is more of a bierhaus than a biergarten since it is all indoors. But on nice days the open up the back doors to let the breeze in. They have a pretty solid beer selection. Plus you can do their local Oktoberfest by getting some sort of "key" that you put money on to pour from a separate tap (not sure on the details; that's what the waitress said). Only had the Wurstplate, which seemed like the best choice. You pick from one of the daily available Wursts and comes with saurekraut and German potato salad. Quite a lot of food. Sandwiches come solo (recommend the Schnitzel sandwich), so order some appetizers as well.
(4)Allyson T.
Unique place. The summer special zucchini flatbread was delicious and the beer list is plentiful- a beer snob will find something they like here. I also love the option of pouring your own beer. When you visit, make your way to the back. It faces McGillin's and the top lights top a summer night. The staff are also friendly and make the experience all the better :)
(4)Steve W.
I'm #1. Finally. Great new addition to center city. Amazing space with a great beer selection. This place is gonna lead to big things. Fills a good nich in CC.
(5)Alex H.
Brew haus platter, Kerrin is a wonderful server and deserves the best of tips.
(5)Abigail P.
We brought kids, which was a mistake, but the staff went out of their way to accommodate a couple of non-drinkers under 50 lbs. Definitely a young, after-work crowd.
(4)Michelle Y.
I went to Bru twice because it's a nice place to have a drink. Yeah, it's loud but the crowd is super friendly and we got our drinks quick enough.
(3)Ellie P.
Stopped by on Sunday night, and was impressed! The bar is gorgeous, and since the weather was good the back wall was opened. Was with a group of 6 people so we tried a few things from the menu. The pretzel is just a pretzel, but the cheese dipping sauce made it amazing. The currywurst (wurst with curry ketcup and fries) was good, as was the flatbread. The schnitzel was amazing... definitely worth the fried splurge. As for the beers, I had an allagash oddesey before switching to the self serve beer station. If work/live nearby, invest in a beer key! Load it up with a few buck and then drink as much allagash white (or several others) as you want. A few people noted poor service, but we had no problem whatsoever. They did just open so I'm sure once they get into the swing of things that will be worked out. Check it out!
(5)L C.
The pretzels, oh my! The best!
(4)Phillip S.
Let me start by saying the one star rating is not due to the beer selection. They have quite a great selection actually. The rating is due to the awful employees that work here. Last night I went to bru and purchased a beer from the bar when they announced last call at 1:59. I was then promptly yelled at by two different employees telling me I have to finish my beer and get out of the bar because they were closing. It was 2:01, not even two minutes after I purchased the beer. I politely said sure let me chug it. So I start chugging the beer as a male employee is standing next to me watching me. As I'm trying to finish chugging the beer a female employee told the male employee to just take the beer. He swiftly snatches the beer out of my hand, sets it on the counter, and tells me to get the f out. I look at my watch and it was 2:02. I turned around and walked out without putting up a fight because the male employee was a large mean looking guy that I did not want to mess with. It's quite unfortunate that I will never be going back seeing as how they have a great beer selection. Actually I think I will go back today to speak with a manager about his/her disrespectful employees.
(1)Chris S.
Went to have a few beers at Happy Hour from 4-6 went up for another beer before 6 and was told the special was over, and there was nothing to be done since the system is computerized. I most likely would have gone back to eat and have drinks on some other occasion at this place had this not occurred, but now I will just go somewhere where they dont set the time on the computers ahead by a few minutes to get an extra couple bucks from their costumers.
(1)Anja J.
After being bummed I missed their opening celebration a few weeks ago, I finally made my way over to check out what the buzz was about. Beer selection was decent but I've seen much better happy hour specials. The highlight of my meal was the pickles, served on the side. got the schnitzel sandwich, which had some kind of sauce on the bread (couldn't really taste), breaded pork ( deep fried so long all you could taste was the fried oil), collard greens and cheese (decent), and salty ham ( which strangely gave the sandwich a fishy taste). I knew it was the ham that gave it the strange taste because when I tasted it without the ham, the sandwich was better. Got some fries. Fried too long cuz all we had were some fried potato husks that used to be fries. Oh and p.s. they don't have regular ketchup, just curry ketchup. So if you're not a fan bring your own ketchup. Im suprised that this is the third german style restaurant that I've been to that deep fries schnitzel, which is not traditional and you cant taste the delicious meat because its deep fried. throw the cutlet in some butter in a pan, and youll be suprised how much better the schnitzel will be. your wont even need that ham and cheese crap on it....Overall, go for beer not food. And if you're going for beer, go somewhere else.
(2)Molly T.
3.5 stars. Rounding up to 4 because I'm giving BRU the benefit of the doubt. BRU strikes me as the type of place that changes considerably depending on the time of day/week. This is all complete surmising on my part, but I get the sense that during the week, BRU is as much an eatery as it is a bar. On a Saturday night, however, this place is a wildly different creature--and I do mean wild. Filled to the brim with 20-somethings and Top 40 music blasting, BRU is honestly not a great place to be if you're goal is to have some nice casual conversation with friends over a couple of beers. Which is unfortunate, because the charm of this bar is lost on the weekend crowd. Thankfully I wasn't too inebriated to recognize this. Came here on a Saturday night with a large group of friends. While we certainly wanted to dance, mingle and have a good time, we also wanted to catch up and enjoy each other's company. BRU, being directly across from the oldest bar in Philly, is clearly in the hot zone for weekend traffic. The space itself is quite expansive. It was a bit too busy for me to really survey the layout, but it seemed like there were designated areas for table service framing the central bar area. Would love to come back here to order food. I adore places like BRU because of the impressive beer selections. This is what pushes my rating up. Craft beer is still relatively new to me, so any bar with that many choices is a little slice (or pint, I guess) of heaven for me. Warning: this can get OVERWHELMING. Not only is their draft list one of the biggest I've seen to date (this includes craft beer establishments in NYC) the bottle/can list is frighteningly vast. Menus like this have been instrumental in beating the indecisiveness out of me. I ended up going with a Chimay Blanche, which is a classic Belgian Tripel. They serve is as it's meant to be served: in a goblet-shaped glass that's a bit smaller than your typical beer glass, due to ABV. Good craft beer places will always stock glasses of several different sizes to promote enjoyment of beer over simple intoxication. I do have to say, I've never been to a beer hall at which patrons feel inclined to dance at any point. It's just not the venue. The reason I was vacillating between 3 and 4 stars is due to BRU's odd nighttime identity--it's all-caps LOUD and the music seems incongruent with the actual vibe of the place. But I suppose BRU knows its weekend audience. I'm going with 4 because despite the chaos, I was able to converse with a few of the bartenders about beer, life, etc., and land on a beer for myself that was the best nightcap I could've asked for.
(4)Serena D.
Went there on a Friday night, I didn't realize how big this place is until I walked in. They check ID at the door. There was a lot of people already, not packed though. My friend and I found a table to sit down. We both ordered wurst. My spicy wurst was ok, not great. But I thought this place is known for wurst? What impressed me about this place is the large selection of beer. Will go back for their happy hour just for beer next time. This place is loud at night so be ready to scream to your friends when you are there. The service is attentive and friendly.
(3)Royce L.
Good food and good portions here. I had the spicy wurst which came with sauerkraut and potatoes. I also had a side of fries with cheese and bacon. Nice decor and they also had a few tables outdoors as well. The music was a little too loud for my taste for a late dinner(8 o'clock) but it was manageable.
(4)Ashley S.
I've been to BRU a few times, and I think it's ok. It's very different depending on the time you come. If your friends invite you here on a weekend night, just say no. It's so packed that you barely have a place to stand, and people will bump into you and spill your beer. I would highly recommend happy hour, though, when it's more low key. They have $4 craft beers, which is so cheap. I came here last week for a Philly Beer Week event, and they had Russian River Pliny the Elder for $4, which is unheard of! That was a one-time deal, but they generally have a decent list of beers on draft. Their food options are just not my thing. Lots of sausages and other German fare that doesn't work for a pescetarian. Their veggie options sound ok -- veggie burger or veggie kabob -- but because I am almost always standing the whole time I'm here, I don't generally order food.
(3)Bill T.
Great vibe, cool look, fun place. I tried to come here for dinner once but couldn't get a table, even though there were a number of empty tables. That put a bad taste in my mouth. Coming back six months later, I stopped by for an early lunch on a Saturday. Everyone was warm and welcoming, the bartender was awesome and the beer selection was choice. I had some curry wurst and fries and it was tasty and affordable. The bartender kept my seltzer glass filled and I was as happy as a clam. Based on this experience, four stars is right on the money.
(4)Bob B.
I went to BRU with my wife and three kids. I was worried if it would be kid friendly or not. There was no problem in that regard. I got the spicy wurst and it exceeded my expectations. The tap list is very solid, nothing stunning but gets the job done. They have a huge bottle list. They were out of a bottle I wanted, but suggested one that was similar, I did not ask for the price but it ended up being 3x the price. My fault for not asking, I would have save the splurge for some bottle at Monks.
(4)Michael C.
Modernized cross between a German beer garden and a sleek bar. It is attached to UBahn -- a bar accessible from Chestnut St. It feels pretty German for being in downtown Philadelphia; the waitresses dress up in traditional German dirndls, and are generally friendly. The crowd is comprised of mid-30's professionals. I had the pulled pork sandwich, which was reasonably priced ($12) and satisfying. On another occasion we had the currywurst -- German sausage on fries with curry sauce -- which was OK, although I wasn't a particular fan of the sauce. They have an impressive beer list -- although definitely be careful and check the price before ordering! The numbers are small, and the beer list runs from $6 up to $32/ bottle -- I ordered a $24 beer (Russian River Consecration) by accident! The beer was great, but so was my check!
(3)Ken A.
Great late night spot for beers and a quick bite! Everyone is friendly, the crowd is younger, and the bartenders are attentive and competent. Would definitely return back.
(4)Fam B.
I've been to Bru a few times and have no real complaints about it. There's space in the front for those who are interested in dancing around a bit and then the area by the bar is always really full late nights on the weekends. I have tried a couple of their snacks during the day and would recommend their pretzels. I recently returned here and was a turned off a bit by how watered down my cranberry vodka was. The music is also decent here. This is the kind of place that I usually go to at the end of the night after visiting other places.
(3)Cassie J.
Torn on the review here. Went here as a part of a bar crawl. We were here in the late afternoon- early evening. Nice beer specials. Great beer options. We didn't get food here because our waitress was pretty rude with us. The bar was crowded to begin with-- they don't have much seating and there was not a sign at the front or anything indicated there was a wait to be seated. So my friends and I waited for a party to leave and asked if we could have their table-- they said yes. I took note that most of this party did not finish most of their plates which I assumed to mean they didn't enjoy it. Anyway-- my friends and I sat down here. The waitress came over and started clearing the table and apologized for taking so long because it was "so hectic" on this day. It didn't seem that hectic to me.. the bar definitely did but she was not working the bar... My husband ordered a beer that was not on special-- it was his favorite German beer. They served it in the wrong glass. After about 15-20 minutes the waitress said that if we weren't ordering anything else that we needed to get up because there's a wait list and people are waiting to sit down to eat food. And she said it in the rudest way possible. She should have said something from the beginning since we stole a table out of their order.. but she didn't. The general atmosphere and environment is amazing. Decor is fantastic. The back opens up to an ally way which overlooks another pub. They had it all opened up since it was warm- this was nice while we could enjoy our seats. We were originally going to order food but the waitress kept rushing us and we didn't feel welcome. Clearly we were not. Don't know if we'll venture back here due to the poor customer service we had.
(3)Nancy N.
This place had so much potential, but the waitress was rude and clearly wasn't happy that my friends and I were taking our time with picking out drinks and food. It was a Saturday afternoon, so it was crowded. The waitress asked us a few times if we wanted food/drinks, one of us did other a drink. She kept rushing us and told us we had to leave if we weren't ordering anything. So we did. And went across the street and racked up a bigger bill and food there instead. I'll never be back. It's unfortunate because this place has a great beer menu and the food looked delicious.
(1)Paul K.
Finally, a sausagefest I can enjoy too.
(4)Tim A.
This bar has a great selection of beers with a changing menu. They should offer a flight with all the beers they have. I was pretty disappointed that they only offered on the German beers and not all of the drafts they sell. My girlfriend and I shared a few apps which were really good.
(4)Hoang T.
Was driving around looking for parking then heard some music blasting coming from Bru or U-Bahn... either way, i've been meaning to try Bru out for awhile. Luck would have it, I found parking right in front. Friday night seemed pretty crowded. The weather was nice, so we opted for outdoor seating. If they didn't have any, seats outside, we probably would've left because the music was on the side of loud and headache inducing (i think they lowered the volume through the night because i went in to use the restroom and it was much better). Our server, Taylor, had most of the outdoor tables so she was hustling pretty hard. Their beer list is extensive!!!! Overwhelmingly extensive....being a German bar, i wanted to try something new, but when i saw Hitachino on the list, i had to order it. There aren't many bars that stock it.. Unfortunately, they didn't have any left... of course, its a Japanese beer at a German bar...I completely understood. I went with a safe beer, Allagash white draft. My cousin got another beer not sure of the name... I do wish the table was wiped down a bit before we were seated. But it wasn't horribly dirty. The food: I was really hungry and opted for get an entree to split as an app (they didn't have anything wow on the app menu) Went with the lollipop lamp chops with cous cous and green beans (one of the specials). This was really good. I thought it was a nice balanced dish. Needed more green beans (only gave like 6). Then i ordered the pork cutlet. It was my mistake for not asking how it was prepared. It was breaded then fried, served with salad and potato salad'esq side. It was an OK dish, but on the bland side. But i'm simple and it wasn't a big deal. My cousin got the burger. Looked and smelled good. Not sure if he really enjoyed it as he didn't finish it all. Overall, the portions were nice. The bathroom attendant guy was also a big hustler and hilarious to chat with while washing your hands. Overall, i'd come again. I'd probably go for drinks and bar snacks instead of a traditional sit down meal. Nice outdoor area. HOpefully you're not next to a smoker.
(4)Francis A.
After a day of sampling at Reading Terminal Market, I ended it right here at Bru! My Philly friend sure knows the good spots! Went there during happy hour and we had a great spot. The ambiance is huge but pleasant. The beer selection is ridiculously insane! I got this great mint chocolate stout for $4! Yeah tasted f**kin good!! Oh, starters are $5 so got myself Currywurst! Damn that was good! My server Elizabeth was sweet and cordial, so my first trip was well worth it! Look forward to coming back again!
(5)Vincent D.
Amazingly awesome beer selection. Both American and foreign crafts - some rarities too. Loved the Bavarian pretzel will return for a full meal. If you love to have awesome beers and great food in a casual bar location - this place is it
(4)Matt S.
Nice place with a good beer selection, but the beef brisket lacked flavor. There seemed to be this continuous problem in Philly where the server assumed that a group of 12 individuals in their early 20s all wanted one bill. This caused some havoc when paying the bill, but it got sorted out. The place was nice, but nothing special.
(3)Ally T.
Easily my favorite happy hour spot thus far. $4 half liter German drafts/American crafts, $5 wurst sandwiches, and half price starters. What's not to love? If I could, I would go when happy hour starts at 4 and drink my way though the draft list alone. There are a lot of drafts and even more bottles. This place is a beer lover's heaven. Service has always been very good here. Usually I can't get to happy hour that early, and they never have said anything about ordering two beers/person at 6:50 right before happy hour ends at 7. They also have given us free beers before. I've tried the wurst sandwiches, brü fries, and currywurst. All of them taste good, but don't expect the currywurst/pommes to taste like something you would get in Berlin. It's good, just a little different. Only downside is that this place can get pretty loud, even during happy hour. Not the best place to go if you'd like to have a close conversation with whomever you're with. It gets pretty full later at night too. I prefer it to Ubahn which is connected. The beer list and atmosphere are so much better! I recommend this place, whether it be for happy hour or a stop on your night out.h
(5)Greg K.
I've been to Bru a handful of times and I really enjoy this bar. The draft list is excellent and the food is delicious. During my last trip a few days ago we tried the burger with a side of the spatzel and the Bru Fries. Not the healthiest meal, but it was absolutely delicious. I really love the burger here, I've had it twice and it stands out. The beer list is pretty robust, they feature a long list of craft labels to choose from. The list has a lot of variety between beer styles, I'd be surprised if you couldn't find anything you'd like. Bru also offers a long list of bottles and cans to choose from if you need more options. The only thing I don't like about Bru is how jam packed it gets at night. This place essentially turns into a club around 9pm, they even remove the chairs and tables to accommodate the crowd. I don't want to fault Bru too much for this, it's their business model and I assume it's working if they continue doing it. That said, Bru is so chill when it's just a regular bar, I wish it stayed that way throughout the night.
(4)Albert S.
Went there for sour bowl. They had the best tap selection of sours I had ever seen or tasted. The food was really good. Had the Kase Spatzel which was really tasty. Nice and earthy with the mushrooms and just the right amount of cheese. Not too cheesy to make it like a mac and cheese. Also had the pickle flight which was a special for sour bowl. One of the best pickle selection i've ever had. The smoked trout was good also. Split the pretzel with friends, but didn't really like the cheese sauce. Service was really great during such a busy event. Our server was fantastic.
(4)marilyn l.
My friends and I went here for happy hour. We went to the bar to grab a drink while we waited for our table. Once we arrived at the table, we never had a waitress come by. We had no idea who our server was. We waited for 20 minutes and decided to leave. I will never come back and would not recommend this place to anyone. Not to mention, the music is unnecessarily loud. Definitely not a place If you want to catch up with an old friend. I would give it a 0 if I could.
(1)Rick B.
This was kind of a bummer for me. I'd always heard about Bru and finally got the chance to go for a special event happy hour from 6-9. At first glance, it met my expectations. I've been at McGillin's numerous times, stumbled out into the Drury Street alley, and thought, "Wow, what a classy looking establishment." I don't think my aesthetic opinion changed, but the service? (Borat voice) Not so much. Our server was constantly talking to other employees and flirting with other people passing by. She also kept going to the bar and checking her phone while we sat with empty glasses. Several times. I'll admit I had to urban dictionary the meaning, but she seemed THIRSTIER than we did. Your Tinder matches could have waited... Because we were there for a special event, we were given happy hour prices from 6-9 (normal HH is 5-7). This seemingly led to what I call the "Tavern on Broad dynamic." You pay less than others, so you get less attention than others. Right? Well, I've always been a believer in tipping deservingly, not accordingly. Note, always at least 20%, but it's not uncommon for me to leave a 10 dollar tip on a 20 dollar tab. Perhaps I should have told her. To make things worse, I even had the nerve(!) to let her know that I was overcharged once she printed my tab. 2 beers would not get me drunk enough to think I drank 4, which I was charged for. Even after the (lack of) service, I could've chalked it up to a simple misunderstanding. That is until I saw that it annoyed her. Come on guys, I've got the peripherals of a hawk. I saw that eye roll. Here's the deal. We had a negative experience solely based on our server, and anyone who reads my reviews knows that customer service trumps food quality, prices, cleanliness, etc. Okay, maybe not cleanliness, but for the service we got, I'd rather drink light beers the Sunday morning after an underaged house party. The drinks were good and the food was better, but I can't see that warranting a return visit.
(2)Farha A.
Unbelievably incredible burger! I'm addicted. Probably the best I have had. Not much more to say, I just highly recommend it and this will be my go to spot anytime I am craving a burger and it deserves 5 stars. I'm not sure if I was just ridiculously starving or if it was as out of this world as I was remembering it, but I will be going back soon to find out! Atmosphere wise, its just a german themed bar. The outdoor seating on Chesnut is fun to people watch if its nice outside, especially with the twinkly lights at night - this might be more nice if you're looking for a slightly classier/quieter area to sit and enjoy a meal since the indoors can get a little rowdy at times.
(5)Jason C.
I came here for happy hour and during an evening stroll while visiting the area. Happy Hour is awesome, and they have great specials for an impressive selection of beers. It seemed fairly easy to get a seat, and the service was attentive. Now later on in the evening, it was a bit more wild. It definitely got a lot more crowded and loud. I wouldn't necessarily think that would be out of place on a weekend night, but keep that in mind if you plan to stop by for a late dinner.
(4)Jennifer R.
Haven't gotten to try much of the food besides snacks, so this review is mainly on the ambiance and bar side of things. Beer menu's fantastic and extensive (as a german place like this should), average prices, and servers are pretty great and attentive considering how nutso it gets in here. The decor and feel of this place is dark but charming. A lot of cute elements going on (and I have a crush on their website concept...shhh). They were really smart opening with a back door for mcgillan's overspill. This place will continue to do well for good reason. Pretty crappy DJs on the weekend but with the amount of beer you end up drinking there, you don't even notice 20 mins in anyway, so all g, Bru...I get it, I'm not the type you're trying to please.
(4)Kerry A.
Drink: I went for happy hour and the deal was pretty good- $4 drafts. Extensive beer list, including local and non-local drafts and bottles/cans. Atmosphere: The picnic tables in the back next to huge open windows made it feel like you were outside without being out in the sun. Otherwise nice inside, but nothing overwhelmingly different or special. Service: Sat a the bar and the bartenders were very pleasant and attentive.
(5)Aria S.
Given that I come here all DA TIMEEE how have I not written a review? Anyways, I've had plenty of fun nights here. No dance floor, but people kinda do the standing/dancing thing and the music is usually good. Pump up/top 40's stuff with a DJ who is open to requests. On a Friday/Saturday night, this place can get seriously packed which sucks because there's only 2 toilets and this bar isn't HUGE. Beers are normal price. Well drinks are $7-8. There's also some long benches to sit if you get there earlier, you can kinda chill. Don't expect to have a full on convo here though. I've come for an EAgles game too and it was great because it's not a total sports bar so it wasn't packed but there was still a huge screen and some good food and a wide beer selection!
(5)Lulu Z.
Noisy, service was not good, we ordered the nectarine caprese and decided not to stay. I'm only giving it 2 stars because the beer selection was decent.
(2)Bing G.
I like the atmosphere of the place, and I thought the fill it yourself beerwall is pretty cool. I didn't get to try it though cause i thought the $25 key to use the wall was kind of pricey. From what i understand, you pay the $25 and then you fill your cup and price per ounce...that amount is then deducted from the $25. I might be wrong.... Other than that, the selection was great, but seems a little pricey for Philly. I went on a cold winter day, but from the other reviews i think it would be better to come in warmer weather to fully enjoy it.
(3)Rose B.
Yum! I had a delicious curry wurst, that tasted just like my favorite German street food! the service was descent for busy Saturday night, and I was able to make a reservation the day of for a party of 5. Had a good beer, the only thing is that the volume on the tv's and music is deafening, and I had to scream to speak to the person across from me. I'd go back, and have already recommended this palace to friends.
(4)Renea R.
Bru is a favorite spot among some of my coworkers so I was looking forward to heading there last night. It was the first of many stops on an impromptu bar hop with coworkers in search of Beyonce to dance to. Parking is impossible around Bru (and driving not conducive to drinking) so my two friends and I took the long ride from Fairmount downtown by bus. (My "country" friend (she thinks she's country but let's be real--she didn't even know what a Carhartt jacket was so she's really just suburban) up until now couldn't figure out how to get downtown by bus from her place so we took this opportunity to teach her...) The first time I was at Bru I had no concept of how big it actually is. Our group was situated in the very back of the bar. The decor is very cute. They opened a big garage door by our table, which let in lots of fresh air and allowed us to people-watch on Drury Street (where apparently every drunk person goes to make "private" phone calls while swaying unselfconsciously to the music in their drunken minds...) Despite apparently forgetting to wear pants, our waitress was awesome and really on top of her shit considering that we were a large group. The food we ordered came out very quickly and drinks were refreshed often. It's always a pain to divide a check up between 11 people but she was very accommodating and helpful. Happy hour prices are fantastic! I got 4 whiskey sours for $16 and two large appetizers for $4 each. I was actually so full I could hardly finish the fries because the portions were so large. On the downside, it's a little on the loud side. I hate when non-dancing bars play music really loud. The music was just sort of generic background bar music but it was blasted so loud that you had to yell to talk across the table. Overall I really enjoyed it and would go back!
(4)Anthony C.
Great food beer nice atmosphere A lot of hipsters We had a Sunday lunch here We are definitely coming back Wait staff was accommodating and pleasant
(5)Min A.
Nice vibe. We sat at the bar to eat our dinner and this place did not disappoint. Our food was really good and I was able to special order my sandwich without a hassle and it came out exactly how I ordered everything! The bartenders are attentive and also pour their drinks with a little pizazz to keep things interesting. Plenty of TVs to watch sports and the bathrooms are close to the bar and clean, too.
(4)Doris T.
Reminds me a trendy garden beer hall. Good food and decent list of beer. I ordered the pull brisket sandwich, mainly because it came with fried pickles. It's a great place to accommodate a large party. We sat in the back that had nice hug windows. I recommend this place if you are looking for a laid back environment with a good selection of beer.
(4)Eunni C.
This place seems always busy and smelled so nice when I passed by. We went there one night to grab quick dinner. I got smoked trout and my hub got mixed wurst platter. My trout looked really smaller than their photo. Was decent. Not bad but I probably won't go back for that dish. His wurst platter was gigantic. He could not finish it so we had half left over. He did not like it much so ended up not eating his left over...
(3)Kathleen K.
There should be the ability to write two reviews for Bru... Bru before 9pm and Bru after 9pm... I went here with a group for a happy hour/dinner and it wasn't bad. Football was on, beers were served and food was decent. My jeans, sweater, sperry combo was having me pretty comfortable. Sometime around 9pm however, it turned into a club essentially. Drunk girls in mini skirts and heels stumble into the bar and crowd the bathrooms. Suddenly (and this is not a joke) the staff literally tries to take the table out from beneath us to make more room for the Jersey crowd rolling in. One thing that really left a bad taste in my mouth was that after paying our pretty lengthy tab, the waitress came running after us once we left, accusing us of not paying for one of the beers we had. Seriously?? Were we supposed to keep track ourselves and check that the tab matched up?
(2)Jenny M.
The cool sign, great location, never ending list of beers, loaded french fries and the fun German Hipster vibe all make me want to like BRU. But sadly the service sucked, which ruined the experience. I was recently at BRU for a fundraising event. For $10 you received one drink and access to an extended happy hour (Happy Hour here is great, $4 beers and $5 bites). Special seating in the back was even reserved for the event, which was great since the bar can get pretty crowded on a Thursday night. It took over 20 minutes for the waitress to come take my drink order, and when she brought the drink she was not even sure if it was correct. Getting additional drinks the rest of the night was a struggle as our waitress cared more about socializing and checking her phone. When the checks came, they were completely messed up. Our waitress even handed us back a a receipt with a credit card that didn't belong to us.
(2)Leslee S.
Made reservation for 4 to dine at 7:30 this past Saturday night - we were seated right away at a half booth. The beer menu was pretty extensive and I chose an Oktoberfest beer (don't remember the name and it isn't on their online menu currently) but I thought it was strange that I could order an Oktoberfest beer in June...? Anyway, It was good, but it didn't blow me away. Some dining mates ordered an IPA with notes of pear and honey and I actually liked their selection better. For food we split an order of fried pickles (so good!) and BRU fries amongst the table. For an entree, I split an order of the spatzel and the turkey reuben with grilled veggies with a friend. I wouldn't usually order the turkey, but I will admit that it was delicious. The veggies were a bit greasy though. The spatzel was so good - loved the friend onions and mushrooms mixed with tons of gooey muenster. All the food was delicious, and there was more than enough to split between two people, but in general everything we ordered was really heavy. I wished I had ordered a side salad in place of the grilled veggies to lighten it up a bit. Server was really nice, she let us hang out for as long as we wanted and didn't bother us to immediately pay the check. Food came out really quickly. I think it would be a good place to come for happy hour and apps.
(4)Hiya R.
Incredible selection of beers. Tried a couple of specials during Philly Beer Week and was very impressed. What surprised me was how good the food was. The Bru fries are a must try and the mussels were incredible (especially with the happy hour special). They also play great music!
(5)Richard R.
We stopped in at Bru for happy hour on a Monday. The place was unusually crowded according to my daughter. The Jefferson nursing program was celebrating the completion of their Fall semester finals so the place was extra lively. The waitress gave a nice table towards the back. Bru has discounted drinks and food for their happy hour. They have a huge selection of draft and bottled beers. The waitress was very helpful in recommending different beers. We didn't try the food as we came from Federal doughnuts and were stuffed buy the menu had some cool choices. Bru has a very casual open feel with a lot wood and nice long bar. Definitely a cool place in center city to have a beer.
(4)Diana M.
I love this place. Its so much fun. They have a ton of different beer selections. I had great pumpkin beer. They do have some seating in the back. They had awesome music playing so i was able to have some fun dancing!!! It does get pretty crowded and the restrooms also have lines. But great place to go for the night!
(4)James B.
Came to BRU on a whim and was happy that I did. Huge beer selection with a solid selection of pretty much any kind of beer. I had an Ipa, then had a liter mug of a German beer! Happy bartenders and friendly waitstaff. Sat at the bar for about an hour before moving to a high top table to eat. The menu had a lot of traditional German fare on it, but I decided to go with something new on the menu: Grilled Lamb Chops. I was very happy that I did because they were banging! They were super tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. I also got a house salad that had a mustered kind of dressing. That was pretty good as well. My wife had a Turkey Ruben sandwich which they used real roasted turkey, not lunch meat turkey. She liked it very much. For dinner and a few beers the bill was not expensive at all for Center City Philly. I would definitely go back.
(5)Lauren S.
This place rocks. Excellent food, friendly, attentive service, and seven pages of craft brews. Was in Philly for a conference and happliy stumbled across this place. Thoroughly enjoyed our evening there. Go. You'll love it.
(5)Alycia P.
I love it here. The staff is so friendly, there is an upstairs and downstairs and always a good crowd. Beers aren't over priced. Definitely a good place for sitting at a bar or dancing.
(5)Jamie D.
I've walked by this place a hundred times and have meant to check it out - set up a reservation on OpenTable for my boyfriend's birthday and away we went! The place is a bit louder than I appreciate, we got on of the tables up front near the window and were thankful we didn't have to shout at eachnother for our meal. Aside from noise (which is totally expected in Center City) the ambiance in this place is lovely - the decor is fabulous. Boo and I shared a bavarian pretzel, a wurst, and something else that I now can't remember (must not have been memorable!) but I DO remember mine being good and the pretzel also being good. All in all - it was a good experience and I would definitely come back if I'm stuck in Center City for something!
(4)Adam W.
Last Friday night we stopped in on a whim. Actually the Irish pub across the street was jam packed. But thankfully it was. Bru is a gem in Philly. Fantastically decorated with rock and the backbeat looks like something I wish I had in my wedding photo. Great. The staff was abundantly available and friendly. The manager Maureen or Marilyn was top notch. I apologize if I mess the name up. The beer from the many taps were organized on a clean menu describing country of origin and style. So with my background in the bar biz I tend to be a snob about fresh tap beer. You can tell the staff and management care about their customers. The beer was fresh as the day it was brewed and barreled. I was very impressed. To you folks hoping to get a little lucky across the street at the Irish pub, stop over at Bru first and Prost! To a great place!
(4)Aaron F.
Brought over 40 people here for an event. An employee came bursting through and knocked my beer to the ground. Never have I encountered more hostile bartenders and managers as I tried to rectify the situation. You'd think a bar would treat someone who brings a large amount of business but BRU does not seem to follow simple logic. The manager was incredibly rude and he bartenders did not care to cultivate further business. I've never been in a bar so once incredibly business-incompetent. Will never give this place business again and neither should you. Also, they promised to call back with drink specials and never did. Never had I had to try so hard to give a place business. When Bru goes under, don't be surprised. No business savvy or people skills.
(1)Jill L.
BRU is definitely not my favorite bar in Philly. BUT I need to give them props for being an excellent location to meet up for a happy hour. First of all, BRU is massive. There is a ton of seating and a huge bar. This is a great location for an after-work happy hour, place to kill time between a wedding ceremony/reception, or a centrally located place near subways, trains, etc. to meet up with friends coming into the city or from around the city. The happy hour specials seemed pretty good- appetizers were $5, pretzels and beers $4. We had a large group (10 people) so we snagged a long table and settled in for a good night. We ordered a bunch of appetizers for the table to share, which were tasty but unmemorable. They have a great beer list (especially if you like German beers) but if you are looking for other libations, you might be disappointed (a friend ordered wine and was VERY disappointed) I'll probably come back to BRU if I'm meeting a group for happy hour, but I don't think I'd visit again for a date night or dinner.
(3)Ho L.
A fantastic brewpub located in the heart of Philly. They have a very large selection of beer, including a wall where you pour your own drafts. The service was good, and the food was excellent. Overall, I'm glad I found this place, and would happily return.
(3)Herbie H.
My friend and I were on the hunt for fried pickles (which are increasingly hard to find, after Jose Pistola's stopped making them) and we found that Bru had fried pickles on the menu. We went for Happy Hour on a Wednesday afternoon. Upon entering it was clear that the male-to-female ratio was way off balance. Not much to say other than it was a little shocking. We were seated and our very nice waitress came over and took our drink order. We then ordered our food: an order of fried pickles (to split), a veggie burger (for her), a Bavarian pretzel (for me) and the Dubbel Trouble Wurst special (for me.) The fried pickles were disappointing. I was expecting a basket of fried pickle chips - instead we got 6 pickle chips for $7. My friend enjoyed her veggie burger quite a bit, but mentioned the spicy relish was pretty spicy. I My Bavarian pretzel was delicious (especially the gouda fondue) and the Dubbel Trouble Wurst was pretty tasty. I wish we had been told what the happy hour specials were - it was only when I inquired about which Wurst to order that i was told they were $5 for happy hour. I'm interested in a lot of the small plates and definitely will go back for the pretzel.
(3)Dominik P.
Great bar with lots of drafted beers. Very nice! I had a Kölsch and it tasted like in Cologne but in a bigger size. (0,5l instead of 0,2l)
(5)Kathleen D.
Ever since I had a hot dog at the Phila Flower Show earlier this month, I've been on a serious hot dog kick. I mean, making lunch plans with coworkers for food truck hot dogs; bookmarking hot dog places on here; and asking our server at BRU: "Now, is the 'Frankfurter' more like a hot dog or like a sausage?" When the reply came back as "hot dog," I handed her the menu and that was that. It was delicious. Mostly because it was a hot dog and I'm hot dog binging and it's hard to screw up a hot dog. Anyway. So we made reservations for Saturday night, but the hostess never asked for my name when we walked in... just ushered us to a table near the door. Near the bar, it looked packed in an uncomfortable way, but we had breathing room where we were, and a view of the Flyers, both of which I prefer. In addition to the hot dog, I also had the Bavarian pretzel, and it was top-notch and cheap. I'd get it again. As for beer, let me just say that I'm so glad I tried this place this year instead of last when I still was anti-beer, since it has a pretty decent listing and it was easy to find a beer that I'd like without sampling based on the detailed descriptions of each. My first beer was a Kulmbacher Kapuziner Weiss from the German bottle page. Our server said it was one of their most popular. I mostly chose it because it said it was fruity. It, indeed, was fruity, but not in an overpowering way like Lindemans Framboise. I also tried a sip of my friend's Pinkus Hefe-Weizen, which boasts that it's from the world's first organic brewery. Also a great choice. My second was much stronger, and American: Rogue Old Crustacean. This was my second splash into the Rogue-world (First: Yelp Halloween event -- Rogue Dead Guy). Despite being VERY dark, I also really enjoyed it. I took a star from BRU because it was unnecessarily loud in there. It was absurdly loud. Lower the music, and this place would be gold.
(4)Colin Q.
So admittedly, they've got a great selection of beer. Really great bottle list actually (despite grossly overpriced). I'll even give them the half-assed attempt at the "indoor German beer hall" look... Unfortunately, this is where the good part of this review ends. The waitstaff at this establishment tends to care more about their social media accounts and their SnapChat selfie game than serving patrons. I sadly had to compete with an iPhone when ordering my beers, multiple times. And their credit system failed - so it was on me to to find cash without warning. And the poor girl was charging our drinks and food to the wrong tabs - pretty much with no method or madness. Happy hour prices should come with a disclosure that you should double-check your bill, because you can't count on them getting it right. The food - mediocre. Nothing to write home about. Soggy and lukewarm fries. Portions of orders coming out 5+ minutes apart. Meh, to be expected. If you're looking for a faux-German beer hall type of place to start your evening, this place can make the cut. But I guess what I'm getting at is that if you're up for a headache, come to Brü.
(1)Chris A.
I wanted to rename this place - "Boo." The Bru fries were very good and the Bavarian pretzel was also good. However, the service was terrible. Our server didn't write anything down and completely got our dinner order wrong. My wife got the pulled pork sandwich (asked for no mayo and got mayo). The sandwich was dry and tasteless. I got the wurst sandwich (asked for no sauerkraut and it was all over the sandwich). The sandwich was ok. Although it's hard to screw up a knockwurst. The best part of the meal was the fries. After talking to the manager, I don't think I will ever be back there. The next time I'm in that neighborhood, I will walk past and try one of the many other options there. Overall, very disappointed.
(1)Rea V.
We were walking around looking for a low key place to grab a coue beers and snack around 4pm, and stumbled on this place, and we are so glad we did! First, their beer list is out of control. Pages and pages of foreign and domestic beers, with a good amount on $4 special during their 4-7 happy hour. And their food! It's traditional German fare with a modern edge that's not something you see everyday and pairs really well with the beer they serve. The decor matches their cool laid back vibe. My only negative is what they make the poor waitresses wear... It's like hooters meets German beer maid gone goth and horribly wrong. It doesn't match the style of the place at all, and was kind of confusing. Otherwise, definitely a gem worth checking out!
(4)Sara h.
Meh. Been a few times, great selection of beer...once you flag down a bartender. Food not so great...there's other places in Philly to get an authentic German fix.
(3)Michael A.
Any German walking through this door would be confused and surprised by this place, a kind of German beer Disneyland with dozens of drafts and nearly as many kinds of sausage. The waitstaff are friendly and the decor is fun. It's great for happy hour, but this place gets crazy on Friday and Saturday nights. I had my birthday dinner here, so you know this place is good.
(4)Shaina F.
I continually find myself at Bru on the weekends, despite my dislike of how insanely crowded it gets in there - it's just a fun spot and I can't stay away it seems! The beer menu is extensive, and they also have a good selection of wine and ciders, in addition to a full bar. If you want to sit at the bar, however, get there early because they start taking away barstools as it gets more and more crowded. It's a good, young crowd though, so I think that's why I keep returning. Despite the inevitable mob of people inside, the bar is always well-staffed and it's not hard to get a drink. Also, they have self-serve beer machines at the entrance which is pretty cool! They also have dozens of different types of beer glasses, which is pretty fun. The food always looks hot and amazing, and many of my friends have tried it but I haven't had the chance yet - I'm sure I will and I'll review then!
(4)Lea T.
Fun spot for authentic German good and German beers, nice in the summer too when the back is open and you can sit at the large communal style picnic tables. Don't be fooled but the atmosphere this is a great bar, but the menu is also filled with really delicious German dishes like bratwurst, pretzels, pork, and schnitzel. Very glad that I came for dinner because I had only ever been here for drinks. Loved my trout, but overall the appetizers were the best- try the pretzel, spatzele, and Bru fries!
(4)Whitey J.
Went to Brü Craft & Wurst in philly for Sour Bowl 1 from New Jersey, and I'm glad I did! Nice chill place. I would go back every weekend if I could. SHOUT OUT TO RON! The manager Ron was awesome, he made us feel right at home! The beers were amazing! Our waitress was awesome, SHOUT OUT TO TAYLOR! Never had a fried pickle before but I had one there and it was great. Loved it, had a great time, go there! You will not be sorry! If anyone from Brü Craft & Wurst is reading this I will be back, I love it there!
(5)Becca D.
Been here once before for drinks and then spent all day there yesterday for the World Cup games. The place was absolutely packed, but I was impressed with the quickness and attentiveness of our server, Carrie. We had a large group, about 20 of us, and never were any of us sitting there wondering where she was to order something. She was definitely on the ball the entire day - our group had gotten there right when they opened at 11 and stayed till just after 6pm. It was a long day, but well spent! We were at a table right in front of the big projector scene, so had pretty much the best seats in the house! The food was amazing! I had the pulled brisket sammich and the flavors were great, especially those fried pickles on top and the sauce on the bun. I also snacked on some of the fried pickles later in the day - definitely very different with the ham in there, but still delicious! Great place for sure!
(4)Alyssa R.
I have never actually eaten the food here so my review is strictly based on drinks and going for the bar atmosphere. I really like that you can buy a fob and fill your own beer. I think it is a cool concept and it cuts down in waiting at the bar! This place is always fun, especially in the summer when they have it open to the outside. Great place to meet people. Gets very crowded on a Friday or Satuday night but that is to be expected. I usually decide between Bru and McGillins depending on the line. Drinks are obviously more pricy than across the street at McGillins. Beers on tap are around $6-7ish. I forget how much a mixed drink is but I have usually had good luck and they are pretty strong. I probably would not choose it as a food spot, simply because I am not a huge fan of that type of menu, but it is a great bar spot!
(4)Coach D.
Best place ever. I think it was the best meal I ever had. Brisket so awesome. Service was very fast and caring. Very clean and cool atmosphere. Thanks for a wonderful experience. I will certainly be back again!!
(5)Mary M.
This place has the potential to be great. We must have looked too "main stream" for our hipster server to spend much time with us. The beer list is extensive and when we needed a few minutes, she was really put out. The list was a little too obscure with most beer we had never heard of, and my group knows beer! They did have 2 gluten free beers on the list, so that was a bonus! We had a lot of fun with the photo booth/screen.
(2)Laurie V.
Had dinner here with friends. It was enjoyable on all levels, with a few small issues. I shared some stuff with friends: the wurst plate (with German potato salad) and the brisket. The brisket sandwich came with fries, but I found them to be a bit skimpy on the fries- it was almost like an afterthought to throw a couple down on the plate. The wurst came with sauerkraut, as well as the potato salad, and it was quite yummy. Potato salad was solid, but not the best German potato salad I've ever had. I do like the vinegar base though. The self-serve beer thingy was a good idea, but I wasn't too crazy about how fast the taps were- my beer came out very heady. I thought the Grapefruit Hefeweisen was very refreshing and enjoyable, once the foam calmed down. Bathrooms weren't fantastic- kinda crowded and smelly. That said, the ambiance of the bar was quite lovely. Simple, sexy, and very ambient. I like the back alley way- I really want to try the Irish pub directly across from Bru. It was a fun night with friends that I rarely get to see. If I could rate this place on the food and the company, it would be among my favorites! If they can fix the aforementioned bugs, this place would get five stars. I'm glad the food was good!
(4)Daniel W.
Great cool environment. Nice selection of brews. Not a huge selection of food downstairs is the only drawback I see.
(4)Kim M.
Despite the size/noise level, I really like this place. I think it has a cool atmosphere, and good beer/food! I only wish the wall where you can dispense your own beer was bigger. I have been to wine bars with this concept where they have entire walls of wine that you dispense yourself. It is such a fun concept but the area for it here is rather limited. I'd like to come here more, but it is always packed so it can be a bit of a turn off (however also goes to show its a pretty good spot if it is always packed!)
(3)Zoe P.
My husband and I love craft beer, so Philly Beer Week is one of the best times of the year - when we have time to enjoy it. I actually had the weekend off for once, so we made sure to hit up as many of the events and bars as our livers could handle. BRU Craft & Wurst was celebrating their 1st birthday so we hit them up for a late lunch. They had a live band performing (mostly covers), and although they were good performers, DEAR LORD was it loud inside! We asked to be seated as far from them as possible, and it was still incredibly difficult to hear one another. A place that primarily shills beer/alcohol should foster conversation, not lonely consumption. We like the concept of the 'self serve' drafts that charge you per ounce, but for this latest visit we stuck with the bar's draft list. They had some sandwich specials as part of their celebration - we shared the roasted pork and garlic pork sausage with sauerkraut, both of which had pickles and chips. The food was great with our cold brews, both meats super juicy and tender and instantly put us in a summer state of mind. If it wasn't for the loud music, we would've hung out longer and had another drink, but our ears were ringing and we left to enjoy the sunshine.
(3)Rita C.
I have to admit that I've walked in and out of Bru several times because it was so overcrowded that I couldn't get a beer at the bar - this always occurred on a weekend night, so I shouldn't really be surprised. Finally last Saturday, my friend and I decided to stop by for lunch and some booze on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The restaurant wasn't crowded and we were able to get a seat on the McGillin's side. The waitress came right over to get our drink orders and, as many have already mentioned, they have a vast selection of beers available (no need to say any more about that). For our lunch, we split the kase spatzel, wurst plate (we selected chorizo), and Bru fries. Within 10 minutes, the food was brought out and it was awesome! The best out of the three was the spatzel! The brussels sprouts were a delicious addition and really gave the spatzel a unique taste (I would come back just for this). The fries were also tasty with a generous helping of gravy, sausage, and muenster on top. Also nothing bad to say about the wurst - the accompaniments of spicy mustards, potatoes, and sauerkraut was just what we needed. I really enjoyed my daytime experience at Bru; nighttime is a whole different animal that I'd like to avoid. If you're in the city, stop by and grab some delicious!
(4)Darren P.
Cool spot! The bratwurst is truly excellent. Get the sampler plate, you won't regret it. Overwhelming selection of beers. Would not recommend the fancy self serve beer dispenser things ... You'll have to flow a lot of foam and waste your money before to get a full glass. Great atmosphere for a weekend afternoon
(4)Enas I.
I love food and beer there, but the music is awfully loud. We have to scream to hear each other while all we want is to enjoy the good beer and conversation without having to compete with the loud music. I would have given 5 stars if the music was lower. This is an update: we had the nicest hostess this evening (10/29/14). Thank you very much for being so nice!
(4)Feebee A.
Been here a few times now and I guess I have more good than bad to say but I can't say I love this place, I just like it. Great selection of beers! Bartenders are very knowledgable and friendly. They play good music and it's good crowd. We've only had appetizers here and they were good. Nothing out of this world. They have nice sized TVs so it's good to go there to grab a good beer and watch a game. Don't stay long tho, the ambience somehow puts me to sleep.
(3)John S.
stopped by here with my gf to grab a beer...they have a huge selection. seemed like a really fun place.
(5)Nichole G.
Whatttt!! Amazing curry ketchup! Regular foods taken to an expertise level of taste. We walked in because of the name -- plenty of beer / knowledgeable staff - tell them what type of beer you like and they will tell you what you can order. Very odd experience though.. NO highchairs. When I took my 3-year old to the bathroom, a blond haired patron turned the lights off on me. I called out immediately, opened the stall to see her leaving. My poor son-screaming. I'm guessing there is an anti-breeding culture in Philly???
(5)Holly C.
Love this place. We just needed a place to get out of the snow but were really impressed! The service was very good. We sat at the bar and a group of the douchiest, a hole, frat alum (come on guys you're 40 now, grow up) came in and were awful but the staff was patient with them yet let them know they were not a priority above anyone else. I was very grateful to see the staff not get walked on by these zip up sweater tools. The food was spot on. One of the best burgers around. Cooked perfectly at mid rare and please do yourself a favor and order the spicy mustard with it. Glory, glory, glory. Beer was fresh and great selection.
(4)Mark D.
I actually liked Bru more than I expected to, but that said, it's still not really my kind of place. We came here on a Friday night after a long dinner at Fogo. A friend of mine recommended it based on the beer selection, and on that aspect, you won't be disappointed - they've got an awesome selection of German beers that you probably haven't had elsewhere in the area. So they definitely get points on that front. That said, the experience just wasn't very enjoyable. The bar is very long and narrow, making it feel more crowded than it really is. The beers, while good, are expensive. The music is blaring to the point of distortion - I get it, it's Friday night in the city, you want to play loud music...but come on, if you want that kind of volume, invest in a system that can handle it. I actually have the same speakers in my house. I would never play them that loud. I might come back here a time when it's a bit lower key, and maybe it will be more enjoyable. But as it was, on a Friday night, I enjoyed my german brew and hit the pavement.
(3)Louis R.
The waitress was affable and accommodating. The outside seating area is tiny and cramped. The selection of craft/international beers is hella ill (lots n lots). The whole hog, on a spit, being cooked on the sidewalk was kinda surreal. The plastic "das boot" that you got to drink out of was kinda cheaply made...still had a sharp edge...meh. Place is aight.
(3)Luba P.
Stopped by for a quick happy hour. It was waaaaay too loud and crowded for my liking. Like literally can not hear the person next to you loud. I tried the loaded fries and the sauerkraut cheese balls, and both were awesome! This place seems like it would be pretty cool, but the loud and hectic atmosphere really turned me off. Plus, the waitresses' outfits create a Hooters feel to the whole place, and it was kind of awkward seeing guys gawk and stare at them (small shorts and stockings). Seems like it would be a cool place on a non-busy time!
(3)Eric N.
Great place to have a German beer or two, along with good food. You can't go wrong with any of the appetizers.
(4)Laura V.
One of my favorite places to order spätzel...actually the only place I order it. Bavarian pretzels with smoke Gouda fondue. It's like heaven on earth. Is noisy inside but great atmosphere. Not a good location for people who are indecisive as the beer menu is several pages long. Love this place!
(5)Matthew W.
Turns into a dance club at night on Saturdays and they keep it oddly very very dark. They really do not have the space for a dance club and it is very crowded and loud. If you want to see and have some space go to McGillians across the ally.
(2)John F.
my fiance, my self and all of our friends visited here for the 1st time on Saturday. The place was packed and rightfully so. The beer selection was amazing and the food was even better. We split apps for the table (fried pickles, Bavarian Pretzel & BRÜ fries). They were all in point! My fiance and I split an entrée (mixed Wurst platter) and we were blown away. I definitely recommend this place to anyone that is looking for a, drink and a bite in Philadelphia Center City area, if you do not want to break the bank.
(5)Patricia S.
I had never had bartender as rude as the guy behind the bar last night. He threw the bill at me in such a way that another bartender told him that he had hit me and he just laughed. The other bartender could have try to make it better for me but he didn't care much either. Why did he threw the bill at me? I keep wondering if it was a race thing (I'm Latin) cause we had barely interacted at all! Food wasn't that great, prices kind of high for such a dive place. N again the service: I had never been disrespected like that.
(1)Cameron P.
The food is decent but if you want authentic German food go to Brauhaus. The beer list is pretty extensive and their mussels are good. I have to agree that service can be hit or miss. I have never been here late night and based in other reviews I probably never will.
(3)Paulina M.
Beer garden with style. Not easy to find but you won't regret it when you do. You can pour your own beer with a 25 dollar beer key or get your bottles from the bar. The food selection is not bad either.
(5)YouTakeItEasy U.
BRÜ-more like BOOO. I had high expectation for this place, just fell short. Very dark, very crowded, tight space & even tighter seating. I am a fan of sour beers, many to choose from and our waitress had sick knowledge of all the beers, well that's the positive. Food was average to Blahhhh. Started with the BRÜfries, looked like a cat threw up on them, but very good..Girlfriend started with the apple and potato pancakes, ahhh it was OK. Time for another beer to take my mind of the disappointment if the apps. Dinner, I had the Doner Kabob- (lamb shoulder, pickles, iceburg, yogurt sauce, flatbread) it was OK, and a side of Spätzel- fried, no taste, needed salt or even a gravy. Time for another beer to add some flavor to this food. Girlfriend got typical Wurst sammy, she said it was good, she didn't finish it....I guess we'll have more more beer before we roll out since the beers were on point.
(3)Steven L.
The fried pickles were amazing. Everything else that we ordered was terrible! The brought worst was flavorless and dry, it was served on a roll that was devoid of taste. But once again, the fried pickles were great!
(1)Katie P.
I really want to like this place, I do. It is in a great location and I like the vibe. The first few times I have been there wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. I went this weekend and my experience weighed a little more on the negative side. The bartender was pretty rude when I was bought two vodka water's with a splash of lime juice. Which were $10 each... a bit more expensive than I thought they would be. Anyway, when she handed me the bill my friend and I were clinking glasses and she made a snide comment about how she didn't have time to wait for us to cheers our drinks. Uhhh okay, relax. Like I said, I really want to like this place and the crowd is pretty cool so that is saving my opinion about this place. I am not sure how soon I will give it another try though especially when there are so many other places to choose from within a block of Bru.
(2)Ashley D.
Good beer selection and food. But I'm really disgusted by the way the waitress have to dress, which includes booty shorts and stockings. It's deplorable in this day in age and infuriates me as a German woman. You have completely bastardized the Dirndl, which is a beautiful and respectable outfit. I am a knowledgable patron, well versed in German food and beer, but I will NEVER return unless you change your policies.
(2)Anna M.
Atmosphere: girls are in slutty/cute outfits. Place looks like an outdoor beer garden (tho it's inside). Food: (me) flatbread cheese pizza was simple with a lot of great garden fresh flavors. (Husband) Brat was good; the bread was too toasted so it didn't seem fresh. The beat salad was excellent. Drinks: got scotches and the prices were comparable. Will def go back for the unique look and good food!
(5)Carla F.
I've been here twice now for lunch and can't say I have been disappointed. They have a great beer selection (duh). The seating area is adorable, especially in the summer with the garage door open in the back. And the food is great! I order the veggie burger and it is by far one of my favorites in the city.
(4)A B.
Being definitively older than the pub crawlers that were in the front of the house, I only stayed long enough to eat a wurst and get onto the next part of my night. Interesting if you want to people watch, but you'll have to contend with the crowds and layers of noise.
(2)Chris G.
Never again. Five friends and I went into the city for the Jolly Pumpkin Beer Week event at Bru on Sunday 6/1/2014. They were supposed to have 12 Jolly Pumpkin beers on-tap, and were to be serving them in flights of 6. We arrived and the place was pretty dead, especially for an event during beer week on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Once we sat, it took a very long time to get service (despite it being quiet). Our waitress came and took our orders, only to return and tell us that they were no longer serving flights and we'd have to order full pints. The bar had been storing kegs for this event for a long time, and clearly they'd mishandled them or overwhelmed the tap system. Because (and I should mention that Jolly Pumpkin is my favorite brewery) all of the beers came out tasting like garbage. Some were too warm, some were flat, others had just been skunked. Furthermore, as we continued ordering others from the list, our waitress kept bringing us the wrong beer and insisting that it was the one we were ordering. Not sure if this was her fault or the bartenders - but either way, disappointing. Thankfully, the waitress sympathized and gave us a bill with a nice discount to compensate for the horrid experience. My reviews on here are mostly very positive, but I'll make an exception this morning because Bru was a disaster. With so many great options in the city, this place is a waste of your time.
(1)Vichet O.
I really liked this spot, and I'm glad I stumbled in to meet up with my cousin here. The atmosphere is pretty standard for a spot near Broad. However, the beer selection here is definitely above and beyond most of the places I can think of within two blocks. Also, their bar snacks are pretty great. Especially the fries. What really made me enjoy this place was that it wasn't especially packed for a Friday, and that the DJ was actually spinning some really enjoyable music. Shots, beer, fries, and dancing make for a pretty memorable experience. At least until the shots and beer take effect. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Anupma S.
This place is okay to come to when there isn't much going on. It has a fun atmosphere with outdoor seating (albeit in a sketch place). I like that they keep the back open so you can see over to the bar across the alley. Beer is okay, food is okay, service is a little less than okay. I've waited way too long for service multiple times, both when I've sat near the bar and when I've sat at the long tables in the back. Also, more often than not the bar is covered in water and it takes way too long for the staff to wipe it down. A plus is the beer sampling they have in the middle. Bathrooms are also right in the middle, in your face, which is a little grimy.
(3)Eddie K.
Very disappointing. Bartenders were incredibly rude. If your in college and like to black out - great place for Thursday night. Otherwise, recommend elsewhere
(1)Stephanie S.
Since a new German craft beer bar just opened blocks from my house, I couldn't wait to get in there and try it! Not only is German beer my favorite, but was excited for a place with 25-30 rotating taps. Unlike Frankford hall where there is minimal German beers on tap, Bru has plenty! Plus other craft selections. The "beer wall" is smaller than I expected, only 6-8 beers on the wall to pour yourself. But, still cool I guess! I went on a busy Saturday night, I think it was opening weekend, and the bar was packed for march madness. I went to hostess stand, she said there was a wait for a table, so took my name down, then immediately called me, I hardly waited!! Awesome! All the hostesses and waitresses are really cute! Def some eye candy if you are a male :-) Anyway, my roomie and I ordered a few beers and food. The smoked salmon bruschetta w/ arugula was very yummy! I love the cheese and beets on it. We also had the meatballs which melt in your mouth with a fantastic flavor, and the portebello mushroom sandwich, which I loved! Filled with tiny mushrooms, and a very strong aged cheese melted all inside. Was fantastic! Can't wait to go back and try the lamb shoulder flatbread. Love this place, I will be back many times. Am looking forward to some new craft draft selections... Was unimpressed by the coors light on the menu, but I guess that's to please the tourists! Majority of other beers were pretty good. Tip: 2 entrances, one on chestnut street, and one in the back alley directly accross from McGillins and Dury st.
(4)Anton T.
It is completely overpriced. Additionally, the potato salad I got was practically raw potatoes, the sauerkraut was horrible as well. Add two mediocre sausages to that and you get something they call "sausage plate" and charge 30$ for that. Never again!
(1)Olivia T.
Very nice, fun place. The mussels were great and the fries as well. The brat was good, but not great. The self serve beer wall was interesting in concept, but in practice was a little awkward.
(4)Brittany P.
Bro central for sure !! It's center city so I guess I can't be too shocked. Bru has a lot of beers to pick from and a nice German based food menu! I have yet to eat here but everytime I browse the food menu I'm interested!
(4)Jay A.
Great atmosphere wide selection of beer Food was very good. I would definitely try this place
(4)Mina B.
Unfriendly and unmotivated staff. When I asked the server what she recommends for sweet tasty beer, she seemed clueless. When I asked about a specific type of beer on the menu and what it consist of, her reply was "Whatever is written there". I was only there for a couple of hours, I was not inclined to spend an extra penny after the one beer, I've been to better bars.
(2)Alick W.
I've been to Bru twice, both on Sundays. It is a nice weekend spot to grab some food and watch a game. They have about About 8 flat screen tv's for sports games and is a decent size with a decent amount of seating. I heard it can get really crowded on a weekend night, but haven't been yet. The place also seems very clean and the restrooms were very clean as well. I ordered the burger which was okay, nothing really special but my friend got a brat and said it was delicious. Bru also has a large selection of good beers, primarily German beers on tap which you wouldn't really be able to find in any non German themed bar. They also have a good bottle list as well. I tried 2 of the wheat beers which were excellent. Bru also has the pour your own beer tap system which I haven;t tried yet but seems pretty cool. This place has been open for a little over a year now and is a bar in center city. Bru is a place that I would go back to during the daytime and will try it out during a busy night in the future.
(4)Elaine M.
I went to Bru last Friday night with a crew of friends. We were only there late night for drinks so I can't review the food menu. We got there around 10 PM and it was already packed. We were able to find some open space near the Chestnut St doors and squeeze our way up to the bar to get some drinks. They have a huge beer list, a mixture of German beers, local mirco brews and your standard American 'favorites'. Each beer that I had was great and I didn't think the prices were too outlandish. This is certainly not a $2 Miller Lite kind of place, but you can get a tasty 22 oz. brew in the $7-$8 range. As I said we got there at 10 PM, it was obvious that a good portion of the crowd had been there since happy hour.... several sloppy post-dinner patrons getting up from their tables and business suits spinning around the dance floor. The music was very loud (kind of hard to talk to friends - my throat was horse the next day from screaming) but the DJ played good jams all night. This place was pretty packed, there was a little bit of room to dance if you broke away from the crowd but for the most part people were just standing around talking.
(4)Dean P.
Just what you'd hope for! Lots of great beers on draft with a bias toward German style beer and food. The hefeweizen was terrific and was even better with the Bavarian pretzel. The pretzel was fresh baked. Warm with a slightly crunchy exterior and a soft chewy center. The smoke Gouda fondu served with it had a mild smokey and bacon flavor. Perfection. Didn't try anything else on the menu, or I would have given it a 5. I'll be back!!!!!
(4)Harry M.
Got to watch England's demise to Uruguay for the 2014 World Cup here. I had 2 Dark Horse IPA's and the pulled brisket sandwich. It came with cabbage and fried pickle chips on the sandwich. It was really good and an excellent portion. The fries were fantastic too. Service was good at checking on our table and getting us what we wanted fast. The rest of the food and beer selection was great. I couldn't make up my mind and had to ask the service for the suggestion. Everything came to $24 plus tip for me. Pretty well priced I must say.
(5)Colleen M.
I've been here twice - would have been 4 times but twice I tried to go it was either SO packed (on a Friday) with the type of crowd I just can't stomach or so LOUD that I couldn't hold a conversation with my mouth right next to the ear of the person I was talking to. I'll rate based on the days where I actually hung out for a spell. The beer selection was really good. Friends visiting from Denver and I sampled a few tasty ones that none of us had tried before and I was really pleased with both the service and the knowledge of the bartenders. The other time I was in - same beer experience, but the food couldn't be considered anything more than "sustenance". It was fine for keeping you from getting too tipsy on 10% ABV beers but not worth going out of your way for. Looking for a good beer selection, a pour your own option (which I haven't explored) and adequate nibbles then this is your place. Just watch out for the unofficial Frat Boy Fridays - unless that's your thing.
(3)Sara K.
So I can see why people like BRU, but I probably won't go back. The food is good. The beer is good. You can get comparable food and beer at Frankford Hall for cheaper and enjoy yourself more, though. The waitstaff sucks. If it's crowded (and it often is, especially around happy hour) it will take you decades to get a beer. When I sat down to eat one unfortunate night, no one came to even take my drink order for 15-20 minutes. I will say that my appetizers arrived promptly but I was expected to eat it without silverware or napkins. Yep, they sat us somewhere with no place settings, brought out our food, and when we realized we didn't have silverware our waitress was nowhere to be found. We asked another one but she never brought it. Our dinner took like 2 hours, it was annoying. I also hate the throngs of bros who seem to thrive here, but that's obviously personal preference. It's loud as FUCK in here, so if you're going for dinner, choose your time wisely. Between the music and the crowds of people, you won't be able to hear whomever you're with.
(2)S L.
I've been here a bunch of time for lunch, but never for dinner - so keep that in mind. Bru expands upon the restaurant revival in the East of Broad / South of Market area. Excellent selection of rotating craft beers with a strong selection of German and European beers as well as American craft. There's also some sort of self-serve beer contraption in the back that I've never used but would be nice on a crowded night. Lunch is reasonably priced and features a Wurst(s) of the day, some traditional German fare, and an excellent Donnor Kabob. Staff has always been friendly and outgoing and we've never experienced any sort of meal or serving problem. Back of the restaurant has picnic table seating with large open windows facing an historic street. Might be good for kids during the day or early dinner but I hear this place is hopping later at night.
(4)Ryan B.
Frequent this place for happy hour after work. Great beer selection. Would recommend it. I can't say much for dinner. I'm sure it would be great thought.
(3)Julian E.
Best spot in Philly if you are going to watch Germany play in the world cup or any type of major German sporting event. However the beer selection is completely unfamiliar I suggest the "Bitburger" it tastes like yeungling. The pretzels taste great. Bartenders and servers are gorgeous and very friendly. The customer service is excellent.
(5)Ryan M.
I love the beer selection at bru and the bartenders provide great service and wonderful conversation... however I've had spotty table service and the one note food menu make it difficult for me to come more often.
(3)Lauren C.
Went to Bru with a party of 10 on a Saturday night. We had a reservation... thankgawd... because the place was PACKED!!! They had to kick some stragglers out of our picnic table, and then we all sat down... plenty of room for all of us. The menu had lots of options... even for myself as a vegetarian. I wish they'd update their menu online though, because they had some eggplant sandwich that i was salivating for that wasn't on the menu when I got there. I have to give our waitress credit- a table of 10 in a packed bar on a Saturday night... i never saw the bottom fo my beer, and had a great meal in a decent amount of time. We all did. Everyone seemed to enjoy their grub too. My only gripe with this place was the atmosphere. We had people standing crammed in all around us... the walls are all brick, and there is nothing that really absorbs the sound... so the bar is just loud... straight up noisy... which got frustrating in trying to talk to people at the other end of the table. Also, everything was a bit expensive for what it was. My $10 sandwich was basically a falafel sandwich... but on a smaller scale. It tasted good... but not great... maybe its because i'm the token vegetarian and i got the only thing i could eat... As a place to drink on a less croweded night, this place did great... and props again to our waitress for handing a big party the way a big party should be handled!!!
(3)Jeff V.
Tip at your own risk!!!! I just received a notification from my credit card for a suspicious tip amount. My drink order was in the 30's with a tip amount at around 50%. Sorry but on a busy night your service isn't that good for a beer. To make this an easy catch whatever bartender did this decided to add an additional random cent amount to the tip I'm not sure about other people, but I never leave change with a tip on a card unless it raises the total to an even dollar amount, which in this case it did not. Seriously not a classy move by your staff.
(1)Gar L.
Great local place to grab a brew. This place is pretty popular right now so expect crowds Friday and Saturday nights. Dont forget to try the food here, it's pretty amazing!
(5)Vanessa D.
This place is extremely unique to the streets of Philadelphia! The atmosphere, enormous beer list, and German inspired menu has kept me returning. The most exciting part about the venue is the self serve beer wall. Great for those busy Saturday nights. You purchase a 'Bru Button' from the friendly wait staff and can literally pour your own beer directly from the tap. It's a great additional value to any special occasion or night out. I'd def recommend!
(5)Mackie E.
I have stopped in here twice in the past 2 weeks. I found it to be a perfect spot to order some picky food, sit outside and indulge in their 4 page beer menu. The zucchini and tomato flatbread was exceptional. It looked great and tasted so fresh, which was exactly what I was looking for. My boyfriend got the BRU fries, which is a deliciously, artery clogging combination of fries, bacon gravy and pork sausage. For those of you keeping score - yes, that is 2 different types of pig....and it's delicious. Noteworthy: The service there is really fantastic. Both times I have gone our server has been incredibly friendly and always there when you want service. Definitely worth stopping in for a happy hour or a few drinks outside while the weather is still nice.
(4)Gautam T.
I like BRU a lot but can't rate it highly because it doesn't stand out. Sure there are good beers and good food but when you're inside the bar it has a very in original feel to it. When I think of beer gardens or German bru pubs I think there is a certain atmosphere, for example brahous Schmidts is a great place for beer and brats. Bru is a bar that serves good beer. Don't come here looking for an original German Bru pub because you're not going to get it.
(3)Sean S.
Center City's answer to Frankford Hall. Great place. Great beer with LOTS of variety. Gets packed on weekend nights with a wait for seats. Good food - there's a "loaded french fry" dish and a plate that includes a variety of their different sausages that is worth trying. I don't remember what they were called. Check this place out!
(4)Karen T.
"Their liverwurst is better than most sex I've had".--Actual quote we overheard from someone here. Beer list is good and the wait staff is very nice and patient, even when they are busy, but not in a rush to go back. Pretty loud atmosphere, and the food menu is limited. Not looking to have 100 options, but just surprised they didn't have a couple more conventional options. If I am going to do German, would go to Brauhaus Schmitz or Frankford Hall. Just might not be right for me.
(2)Majlinda K.
Great place to sit and hang out with friends while drinking german beer out of 1 Liter glasses. They have a nice variety of german beers on tap and bottled as well as other imported beers as well. So if you enjoy german beers this is the place for you! I highly reccomend the pretzels as a snack between your liter beers. They were warm and delicious and served with cheese dip. The place is really big and has seating to accomodate large parties.
(4)Stacey S.
I came here for lunch. Sat at the bar. The bartender was super friendly and attentive. I had the wurst plate with the Denny sausage... It was great! The potato salad was a bit salty paired with the salty sauerkraut and salty sausage. But all and all it was great. They have a HUGE selection of beers! Great pub!
(4)Nazee Z.
The happy hr at this place is great! I got two beers and ended up spending $10 with tip! I'm a huge fan of German beer gardens and this place has a great selection. The happy hr is a bit limited, but I still haven't had a beer that I didn't enjoy. Also, the bacon gravy fries are to die for! I think they're $3 or $4 on happy hr as well. All in all, cheap, great atmosphere, great location, and the beer is fantastic!
(5)Chelsea H.
Good food and beer selection. Good for groups because it is very loud! Service always fast and friendly. Will be back very soon.
(4)Jessie H.
I've been here mostly on Fridays. I like that you can buy a $5 keychain fob and then put money on it. You can use the fob to pour your own beer which I thought was pretty cool. The $5 is a one time fee for the fob and you get to keep it. It gets pretty packed here so come early like 8pm ish.
(4)Siobhan O.
Good food and beer, but service below par. Why were there 6 waitresses standing around in the front yet I had to go up to the bar to get a water and ask twice for silverware after our appetizers arrived? At the bar noticed someone else couldn't get their waitress to pick up the check, so not just a problem I was experiencing. Also 3 workers sharing the sink in the ladies room getting ready for their shift to stand around wasn't all that professional. Seems like a "Hooters" image is enforced on them, but I've received quicker and more attentive customer service at Hooters. Food was good and $4 beers at Happy Hour also a great deal-not all complaints.
(3)Chris M.
If you're looking for the most authentic German experience possible, this is not it--go to the Newportville Inn or the Austrian Village. If you want to hang at a cool Center City bar with German accents, Bru is a fine choice. The space feels like a Brauhaus-esque, German-chic spot. It's reasonably big with a lot of seating, including al fresco seating in the front and read of the space. They also have some high-tech, serve-yourself-beer stations, which look pretty cool. The beer selection here is pretty decent. It's split into a German beer section and a craft beer section. There are about a dozen German beers on the menu, and they go down to $4 (from $7 or so) for a half liter at happy hour. I recommend the Kozstrizer schwarzbier. It's really delicious. On the craft side, they have some good picks, including some local beers and upstart breweries, which I thought was pretty cool. The food selection looked pretty good. We just tried the pretzel with the gouda dipping sauce. I thought the price was a little steep at $6, but it was REALLY tasty. Next time, I would like to try some of the German specialties, like the mixed wurst platter. The bartenders were very friendly and added to the experience.
(4)Neil S.
Bru works well as a nightlife option when in need of a compromise between a lively party scene and good beer. The tap list at Bru is ample and very reasonably priced; half liters of quality German beers can be had at $6-8, with American micros served in smaller portions but at similarly manageable costs. This place can get crowded, but you can always find a piece of real estate for you and your group somewhere in the venue. A DJ plays fairly loud music on the weekends so conversation may be difficult, but it's never night club level deafening. I've only had the Bru Fries here (bacon gravy, muenster cheese, sausage) which were delicious, if not a little oversalted, but other foodie friends have recommended the rest of the German grub the kitchen puts out. My only complaint about this place is that the beer never tastes as pristine as at other, suds-focused spots. That characteristic implies Bru probably doesn't keep its tap lines squeaky clean, especially on the weekends when this effect is far more noticeable. This tradeoff, fortunately, is small relative to this places' general acceptability as a nightlife option to most people. I find myself coming back here often for decent beer, a buzzing scene, and generally good times on weekends. If you want to sit and have a conversation with friends, this place probably won't meet your criteria on the weekends, but this place provides a great middle ground between those in need of tasty beer and those who frequent venues like Ladder, Public House, or other energetic, young professional Philly bars.
(4)Kelli M.
Went here for the first time with a friend when we made our own impromptu St. Patty's Day weekend crawl. They have pages and pages of beers from around the world, including different beers sold at sports arenas/stadiums around the world. Prices are pretty standard and it's in a great location. They have the token/debit card you can put money on and use at their installed kegs/kiosks. We didn't have a chance to try them but it would definitely be nice to use especially when it's crowded. The back entrance also leads you out to McGillan's next door which is always a plus. I haven't had the chance to eat there but the menu looked interesting if you are into German food!
(4)Two B.
So, i'm going to tell you about BRU's pretzel served with gouda cheese sauce. I think that the crispiness and flakiness of the pretzel and the moistness of the cheese creates a wonderful texture. The pretzel itself is a little dry but the sauce creates an awesome taste. Well, that's all folks . I would go back here for the pretzel. reviewed Agent A
(4)Kayla A.
Came here on a Friday night around 11 pm with some girlfriends. It was pretty crowded but we didn't have any trouble ordering a drink at the bar. I don't drink beer but my friends were really happy with the beer list they have. They also have a self serve beer bar, from what I understand you have to pay for a fob and you get a glass and thats how you use the self serve. The bartender did let us know that the self serve beers are not as good as the beers you order from the bar. Staff was very friendly and quick to serve, especially for how busy it was. Will definitely be returning to try the food.
(4)Michele R.
I'll admit, it's slightly unfair of me to write a review for a place that just doesn't have my heart...I don't eat bratwurst...however I keep ending up here with friends so I should add my two cents. The beer list is as promised and to be expected at a bier garden: extensive and interesting. The service can be spotty, especially when the place is crowded. If you are in a rush to get your beer, the self serve bar is for you. Which is pretty cool. My only complaint is about the food options, which have admittedly improved since the opening month. For someone who doesn't eat pork or bratwurst, a few more fish or even free range local beef options would be much appreciated. There is a trout dish that is entree sized, and the mushroom spatzle was Delish....however, I realize now that's because those were some kind of noodle mixed in with the cheese and Brussels sprouts. (hey, I'm not German! I didn't know what spatzle was and the description didn't explain!) I try to avoid flour and gluten products and I think this restaurant can get itself into trouble not designating clearly what's In a dish. Other than that, it's a fun place to go with friends, especially, the 30-40 something's crowds, and in walking distance to all the other midtown village hot spots.
(4)Jim W.
Bru is your latest pop-up "German" style bar. I've been here a few times with each experience worse than the one before. It's incredibly loud and rather overpriced for what it is. The frat crowd tends to overrun this place as it gets later. When you first walk in, you'll notice it's not really a beer garden at all and is rather cramped. Tables are close together and provide barely enough space to seat yourself in. You'll probably also notice the waitresses sporting red suspenders and short shorts which I find kind of weird and misplaced here. The beer selection is pretty good but not unique considering the neighboring bars. Did I mention that it gets extremely loud? If you're looking for a German style bar directly in mid-town center city, I guess this is it but there are many better choices throughout the city and even better taverns right across the street.
(2)Rae O.
Bru is one of my favorite places to do happy Hour in center city. The bartenders and the wait staff are so nice! $4 beers =AMAZING! The Pretzels with Gouda Cheese is a must! The vibe is really chill. If you are really having a good time and decide to stay a little longer on Friday night there is dancing with a DJ. Can you say fun fun fun? Lol. Pretty nice not having to go to another place to dance after happy hour especially in this freezing cold weather. Ended up spending 5 hours there, and it was a good night.
(5)Andrew B.
interesting crowd. good beers. more expensive and less fun than mcgillians, but definitely a trendier option
(3)Jennifer W.
Only giving this two stars because the beer selection is good. Good was not good. Nobody at our table liked any of the dishes we ordered - except the pretzel. Pretzel was good
(2)Noah G.
The first Saturday of April was unofficially the end of our extended winter and the sun soaked city was the perfect back drop for boo and I's engagement photos. After two and a half hours of posing I felt that a couple of brewskis were more than appropriate so once we finished up we headed over to BRU to get some apps and do the damn thing. Apparently we weren't the only ones with the idea because the joint was jumping. We had a 15 minute wait for our table which was totally fine because they have some of the clearest TVs I've ever seen at a bar and the Flyers game was on. Unfortunately no matter how good the TVs looked they could not make Bryzgolov look any better than the Moscow sized disappointment he is. Despite how busy they were the bartenders were very attentive and we were never with an empty glass for long. Upon being sat we were handed a very simple but ample menu that had some very enticing options that was all priced very moderately. Since we were going out for dinner later on we opted to get two appetizers, the pretzel with some sort of angelic cheese dip, and a lamb kabob on flat bread. It was so so good. I really wanted the Currywurst which was a brat cut up on top of french fries with curried ketchup but I was convinced not to since apparently I'd be having fries with dinner (seems like a lame reason looking back on it). I'm really looking forward to going back on an off night when they will have the garage doors open and a Phillies game on. The staff at BRU is so nice and accommodating, the decor is unique and for being so new I thought things were already running flawlessly. So great to have them in the neighborhood!!
(4)Victoria L.
More of a beer haus than a biergarten... since it's completely indoors. The beers here are fine. The food is a little overpriced since the sandwiches don't come with fries. And the fries cost almost as much as a sandwich. The options are very limited in terms of food and drink, but the draw is the ambiance. The decor and vibe is pretty cool. I've been here three times this month because my friends love the Center City location, but the service has been pretty poor every time. I'd rather take the trip to Frankford Hall.
(2)Prasath S.
Bockwurst, Fries and Curry Ketchup. Yummy !!!! Can't wait to go back and try some of their other meat offerings...
(4)Meredith B.
You are super cool! What and awesome space. People can enter in on Chestnut or Drury (for the McGilian's overflow). The inside is very cool looking with a great long bar throughout the space. Lots of tables and also a self serve tap. They have an pretty nice selection of beers. I checked out their menu and ordered the flatbread and the pretzel with cheese... both were tasty. I happened to see Doner Kebabs on the menu. I will be back to check this out. These are European Royalty in the food world. Special shout out to Theo working there. I use to see him at Noble working there and he's so great. Welcome back into my life Theo. This place will be around awhile...
(3)Sarah A.
Perhaps it's Stephen Starr's fault for bringing Frankford Hall to Philadelphia, but when I hear "Beer Garden" I think "garden in the city full of varied-types of beer" So even before going, I was already a tad bit disappointed that there would be no center-of-the-city garden oasis, but that didn't deter me from making the trip. Twice. (First time I tried, they stopped seating an hour before a private party came in.) Second time we were seated relatively quickly, but as others have reported, service was slow. Lots of tables around us were seated, but none had food. In another comment about the service (other than the somewhat inappropriately short-outside-a-strip-club lederhosen our petite, blond server was wearing), when I asked what "schnitzel" was I heard, "Um...well, it comes with the things right there on the menu." Yeah. I actually read the menu, but was hoping my server could illuminate (thank you trusty iPhone!). Here's hoping the service staff learn the relatively brief menu. Other than that, the food was fine. It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't bad. The two types of "wurst" I tried (beef-only and beef-and-pork) were good, tender, and juicy. The sauerkraut was relatively bland and did not compare to that offered at Frankford Hall. The portion sizes were what I might expect for a slightly-pricey, midtown restaurant. And, though I didn't drink any beer, my dinner-mate reported a less-than-varied beer selection. PS. It's very loud, so don't expect to have a conversation.
(2)Ashley C.
Excellent selection of German and Czech beers.. Artistic German expression. They have cool features- serve yourself beer tap wall. Excellent food. Service is great! Waitresses wear very sexy attire. Good location, downtown Philly
(5)Eric H.
We usually have a great time at Bru, sitting outside across from Macys on a nice day. Recently, we were terribly disappointed by the service. At a time when there were very few other patrons, we asked if we could sit outside... where we were promptly forgotten. We went inside to remind the hostess that we were there and finally got menus. After another 10 minutes, we returned our menus and left for a beer nearby at Nodding Head Brewery. The snide looks we received from the girls at the host station on our way out made us feel like we were somehow being inconsiderate. Bru, so sorry for inconveniencing you by coming while your ladies were still doing their makeup.
(1)CHRISTINE B.
I retract everything I ever thought or wrote about this place. This is the worst establishment I've ever been to. I don't know who hires these derelict bartenders but they should be fired. The first time I was here I was disrespected. Wrote a bad review on Yelp and was asked to try it again, so I did. No complaints - food is good, beer selection nice. Tonight? I don't know what the problem is, but you can't treat people like garbage. If I ask you a question you should try your best to accommodate me. This is common food/beer service practice. I will never come here again. I will never have a good word to say about Bru. You won't miss my "patronage", but I won't miss being treated like a P.O.S. either.
(1)Devon L.
Ended up here on Sunday evening, and again a little later on Sunday night this past weekend (plans changed and it turned out being alright). My boo and I stopped in for an early evening drink around 6ish and there were a decent amount of seats at the bar. I had the Clown Shoes Clementine Ale which I really liked a lot, and we had one of the pretzels to share. The cheese fondue sauce that comes with the pretzel is so good.. I could probably drink it. The pretzel was pretty good too, although overall I think I prefer Brauhaus' pretzel over Bru's. Fast forward about 3 hours, to meeting up with friends back at Bru, and the place is packed. I get what others are saying in reviews about this place being a bro bar, because it totally is. I remained faithful to the Clown Shoes Clementine throughout the night and wasn't disappointed. I don't think that the prices for the beer are too expensive at all, and there's also a decent selection for those who are adventurous and like to try a bunch of new things. We didn't try the tap your own beer wall, although I'd be interested to see what it's all about next time we stop in. Overall, this is a pretty cool place with a decent atmosphere, and I'd definitely go back to Bru to try some of their food options and try some other beers.
(3)Nicole H.
Great beer selection, and the prices are totally acceptable. The food is really well-priced, but taste wise isn't that great. Fries were worth trying though. Very happy to see something like BRU in the area...really fits in with the other bar options but offers something new and different. Will definitely be back to review again once I've been there in warmer weather with outdoor seating.
(3)Joe C.
Allow me to begin by saying that I've been avoiding this place since it opened. I was under the impression that it was nothing more than a bro-y extension of McGillin's, which is far from what I enjoy. The funny thing is, my assumptions were correct and I'm not bothered by it. I walked into this space yesterday afternoon after grabbing a couple of bottles form the state store. As soon as I walked in, the top 40 pop/rock classics from 15 years ago accosted my ears and I thought that my head would surely explode within the next few minutes. Seriously guys, turn down the volume during the day. The bar itself is nicely done and seems quite clean for what is essentially a suburban bar in center city. Service was attentive and pleasant but not overbearing. The day time bartender took care of me and was very helpful. Where this bar stands out is it's beverage program and menu. The Chef and bar manager should be given a high five for their efforts in setting this place apart from the majority of bars in the immediate area. I had the Kaesespaetzle, which despite the spaetzle being a tad overcooked, was phenomenal. Super umami. Great menu, which despite what a previous commenter said, is a far cry from the sausage fest up at Frankford hall, but not quite to Brauhaus Schmitz level. Their beverage program is nice because of the amount of offerings on draft and the range therein. They have a great selection of classic European beers, Aventinus is always on tap big thumbs up for that, as well as seasonals and small batch offerings from reputable breweries. The only reason I didn't give this place five star was because of the deafening decibel level and the understanding that in the evenings and on weekends this place holds an unbearable amount of suits and suburban bros. Otherwise, on quality alone a solid 4 stars. I'll definitely be back... during the day.
(4)Maxine B.
I arrived at BRÃœ on a Wednesday night. Seated near the front of the restaurant, my company and I found the overall ambiance enjoyable: dark and cozy, yet not stifling. With that being said, the spacing of everything seemed to result in inescapable congestion. hmph. In terms of service our waitress was sufficiently attentive without being intrusive, while her bashful demeanor was all the more endearing. What a sweetheart! Coming to BRÃœ to dine, however, was a mistake. I appreciate the menu composition, but the preparation is questionable and the execution poor. It's a good place to snag some brews, but save your appetite for elsewhere. If you'd like more detail, please read on. The currywurst starter- fries, knackwurst, curry ketchup - was far from appetizing. The dish would have been better had they used more of a sausage-type meat rather than the decided hot dog variety. Void of any zest or tang, the sauce was lacking even a hint of curry flavor and essentially tasted like pure ketchup - very sweet ketchup might I add. The fries were nothing special, but that's just a cherry on top once everything else is right. Bottom line: It is not currywurst. Doeners are an art-form; they have unprecedented potential - sensational when they're good, and plain wack when they're wrong. The doner kabob at BRÃœ was wrong. Overly well-done & salty lamb, limp and doughy flatbread, scrapings of bland yogurt sauce. Bottom line: Just...wack. Both dishes were not nearly worth their price. Disappointing indeed. --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------------Â----------------- I would like to come back, but I honestly can't see myself coming here simply to drink. Step up your food game, BRÃœ & you'll be golden!
(3)Jim B.
Great place. Good service. Ask for Ron. You will enjoy every minute there. We will be back as soon and as often as possible.
(5)Mandy H.
This place is so close to my house and I can't believe I finally went for the first time this week. It's definitely a cool atmosphere for drinks and they have a nice German food menu too. Apparently, their kitchen is open until 1 AM, also, which is good/bad for me to know. They have a ton of German beer on tap and also offer microbrews and your standard brews. Foodwise, the short rib was really good, especially the brussels sprouts and spaetzel combo that came with it. Yum yum! The fried pickles were also very good if you're feeling bad and want something greasy. They come with ham (which tastes like bacon) and pickles inside the crispy batter. The mixed wurst plate is also a good option if you're undecided and like a good sausage. I'm defintiely coming back to try more!
(4)Christopher D.
Bru bills itself as an indoor German beer garden. It has a long bar, as well was communal tables and smaller tables where you can sit by yourself. The atmosphere is dark, with extremely loud music. Service is quite good and the beer list is outstanding. Food menu is limited. I had the spaetzle there which while good were under seasoned. There was not an abundance of cheese in the dish which was a good thing, but the mushrooms were pedestrian. I would consider going back to try other dishes but there are plenty of other places that can produce a good wurst so I would be drawn back for the beer but not the food.
(2)Joanna H.
This is my new favorite bar!!!! They have a great selection of beer. they have my favorite too! (Hefe Weiner-Paulaner)!!! German beer avg $6-7. THe FOOD was SO GOOD TOO! it was only $7 to eat the Doner something (forgot the second part of the dish name. sorry!) I saw waitresses serving hot dog looking things to other tables so I was expecting with lamb meat in a hot dog bun. But it was more similar to a gyro wrap kind-of-dish. Soft yet slightly crispy wrap, tender juicy, one of the best lamb meat i had, with other veggies inside. I highly recommend this! This place will get pretty crowded around 10-11pm. The music can get really loud and you may have to work your way through the crowd sometimes, but it's def not a grimy hot place. Wish they played other selection of music over just oldschool rock, but it's okay. I went two days in a row last weekend, and will def go back soon!
(4)Lauren J.
I'm not a huge beer snob, so I'm usually at wine bars. My grad school hosted a happy hour here and it was a good venue with plenty of seating in the back. There was a strange security guard who kept scolding my skinny white guy friend to stop "leaning" on the table. For real??? Other than that--good times had by all. The customized music mix machine was broken though and there was a long wait at bar. Good for group. Loud noise volume--even when not full. Poor acoustics.
(3)Logan F.
Asked for seltzer with lemon, was given an old slimey smelly lemon. I asked the bartender how long it took to make the fried chicken, he said not long. It took 25min to come out, by which time I had to leave for an appointment. The place was empty, I can make fried chicken in 10min at home, it shouldn't have taken 25min. While I was waiting for my food, I saw a cool come out and chat with the bartender and got a beer from him. It's a shame I'll probably never go back. The beer selection looked great and the place seems nice.
(1)Er B.
After 101 reviews, I'm not sure what else I can tell you in my review. Went the day after Christmas with my mister. We arrived around 5 and waited just a few minutes for a spot at the bar to open up. A table here and there were occupied. We sat down, ordered some drinks (yeay for happy hour drink specials). We started off with the Currywurst (fries, knackwurst, curry ketchup) as our app and then our entrees arrived. The mister had the mixed wurst plate (4 sausages, potato salad and sauerkraut) and I had the pork belly (confit berkshire pork, braised white beans, pickled local fruit). Our bartender gave us a gentle/friendly warning when we ordered, letting us know that we should prepare for quite a bit of food. He was right, but we had no problem polishing everything off since it was so tasty and well prepared. We left around 7pm, noticed that it was getting more crowded both in the front and back of the restaurant. The rear of the restaurant faces Drury Street and has a large, plexiglass garage door that I imagine is open in more seasonal times.
(4)Brandon W.
My wife and I really like coming here. Solid beer menu and food. Get the fried pickles, I could eat them every day! Service is good. Not a whole lot of seating for dinner, but still a great place.
(4)Clint W.
As promised, I returned in search of some revision to my initial impressions. My first trip to Bru was during a heaving Saturday afternoon during their opening weekend. We fought for a spot at the bar and then fought to get the attention of the bartender, who was trying to cater to dozens of drunk Philadelphia "bros." Upon my second visit to Bru, during a Friday night happy hour, I was pleased to find the ambiance altered. Though still a handful of "young professionals" milling about, there was a healthy selection of real professionals and Friday night pub crawlers, which brought the bro-level down a welcome notch. Within ten minutes, we had found a table, in time to take advantage of the wonderful happy hour special: $4 half-liter German drafts and $3 pretzels. The only downside to the happy hour is its rather limiting hours: 4-6pm. I have several friends that work across the street but are never out before 6pm. As such, I feel like Bru is missing out on a lot of potential customers. 5-7pm happy hours are much more accessible, but given the extent of the discounts, I can understand - from a business model perspective - the somewhat restricted hours. Based on the post-happy hour vibe, it would appear that Bru settles down a little bit more for the dinner hours. We ate in relative peace, enjoying a pretzel and two delicious wursts with the best kraut I've ever had. The menu is very minimalist, but it works well with the setting. At the end, we opted to try the apple strudel, which was a disappointment, to say the least. Roughly the size of a silver dollar and lacking that definitive strudel crunch, I would have preferred to have gone elsewhere for dessert. All in all, Bru makes a respectable stab at creating the beer garden atmosphere in the cramped real estate of Center City Philadelphia. The drafts are tapped just right and at their happy hour price, impossible to beat. If you're someone on the literal 9-5 grind, definitely stop by and give Bru a chance.
(4)Chris K.
Hundreds of beers to choose from, plus delicious food. Open on both ends (alley and front) so there were a lot of people flowing in and out. Will be back.
(4)Mary S.
You know you're going to a good car when the beer list requires a clipboard. We weren't here for happy hour but the specials were so good that we wish we were.
(4)Joshua E.
Meh, the food was okay(overcooked), the Service was terrible at best. It's a really cool looking place, the waitresses were both hot and scantily clad, but I wouldn't go there again.
(2)Paul C.
Food was ok...but great beer selection...for my past two visit...i was able to do the order of 1 liter and half liter...but...it will be soon enough when I do the BOOT...aka..2 liter!!!
(4)Rachel F.
I had a great time at this place. My boyfriend and I shared the delicious Bavarian pretzel and cheese and the Currrywurst and fries appetizer. For dinner I had the Bratwurst and apples special with sauerkraut which I enjoyed and my boyfriend had the pulled brisket that was really great and tender. Great atmosphere!
(4)Dennis D.
If you're beer fanatic and haven't been to BRÜ, you're missing out. This bar has a ton of different kinds of beer, so you'll surely find one you like. The interior is clean and decorated nicely--think wood! The layout is set up to enter at two different spots, one from Chestnut Street and the other from the alley Drury Street. The Chestnut side has outdoor seating, while the Drury side features a huge garage door style that opens up when the weather is nice. One unique feature this bar has is their Bier Wall. It has six different self serving taps that they rotate out. There's no waiting in line at the bar so it takes out that frustrating part of being at a bar. You buy a "Haus Key" that has a prepaid amount on it and you put the key up the your selected beer with its magnet. After you select it, the appropriate amount is deducted from the key. My one complaint about this is you have to buy the key for $5. I think it would go over better if they rented these out. My question to them was what if I was in town just visiting? What am I going to do with it after I leave.
(4)Gem M.
So I never been to a Germany bar before this one so I don't have another German bar to compare it to. Maybe giving it five stars isn't right, but I don't care. From what I was told they don't have a huge food menu like other Germany bars but the food menu was a decent size. The food was yummy. Now on to the beer menu. Omg I love beer and I love their beer menu! There were four, yes four pages for beer. Can you say heaven? Can beer, draft beer, all kinds of beer but not the cheap beer. Hey I'm not knocking cheap beer, I love all beers. I got the Arcadia Jaw Jacker. It's a pumpkin beer. They offer samples of the draft beers so if your not crazy about the flavor your not stuck with it. The workers are friendly and helpful if you have questions. So if your looking for a new place to try come here.
(5)Jimmie B.
I attended this fine dining establishment for a second meal after I left the trashy and trendy Gaslight. Food and beer selection is amazing. The price is right and atmosphere is nice, just loud. However I don't get the female waitstaff uniforms? It's a cross between TGI Fridays and a burlesque show as they have suspenders, tshirts and fish nets. A little cheesy trampy I must say... Maybe it's a straight guy thing? Lol Anyway, the food and beer will definitely bring you in and keep you coming back.
(4)Kaitlyn M.
The beer list is good, that's the one nice thing to say. I had dinner here with a group of friends. The waitress was clearly confused as to which kegs had kicked and which hadn't - and kept coming back to ask me what I wanted instead then to inform me that "never mind" my original order was actually still available. Okay. 4/6 people ordered the cheeseburger- the waitress never asked how we wanted them cooked. We realized this after she walked away and assumed she would come back to rectify the mistake. Nope. All the burgers came out well done. Gross.
(3)Erich F.
Only had apps but food was good, Ashley was our server and she did a great job. Beer was very good, apps were excellent, and service was great, overall great night
(4)Katy T.
I'm a bit of a beer snob but this place has a lengthy list of drafts organized into lists by countries which they're brewed. The list is always rotating! The also have a variety of bottles, but you won't even be tempted to get a bottle because they have so many great things on draft. Their food menu is comprised of German dishes: bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzel, etc. The curry ketchup is a must try, very interesting flavor. If you go during Center City SIPS or on a weekend night it's going to be PACKED. They have a lot of seating but during these busy times, it's a sea of people and very hard to find a place to settle in. The music is great, but it's very loud. If you do happen to snag a table during one of their busy times, you're gonna have to shout to the person across the table from you so you can hear each other. I think it's a great place for lunch or happy hour, but on weekends it's more of a big party with booming music. They have a self-serve tap which is pretty cool. Just purchase a "Bru Button" when you get there. No waiting for the bartender, just go right up, swipe your button, pour your beer straight from the tap, and cheers!
(3)Augustina G.
This bar has German undertones, but I wouldn't call it a German bar exactly. This bar has a HUGE list of beers on tap, so variety is not a problem here. I recommend going during Happy Hour when their list of "Old World Favorites" are $4 from 4-7pm on weekdays. Their bru fries is a heart attack on a plate, but man it is oh so good. Cheese, bacon bits and gravy on the top makes the fries such a great comfort food. Not too crazy about the food prices in general, though.Late night, this place gets pretty packed. I call it "The McGillin's Spillover" since a small alley separates them and like McGillin's, this too turns into the bro zone. There really isn't that much dancing, it's more like that swaying and standing business, simply because there isn't enough room to do it, nor is there a proper dancing space. I always feel a tad awkward coming here with my male coworkers because I know as much as they wouldn't want to admit it, they're definitely gawking at the female server's outfits, which are reminiscent of Hooters.
(3)Samantha S.
I love Brü!!!! This place is the definition of cool. Came in for a quick beer around 2 in the afternoon on Saturday and the place was quiet. I figured it was just a low key place to grab a decent microbrew and lunch. The beer selection was HUGE. The place is sleek, modern and just really original. They have picnic table-esque seating by the window which was different. Decided to check this place out again later in the night and by midnight it was HOPPIN. I couldn't believe it was the same bar, place was packed. They had about four bartenders staffed so although the place was crowded, I didn't find myself waiting to get a drink for more than 30 seconds. They open up the front windows at night so you can see right across the McGillins. You feel as though you are outside its an awesome setting. The music they played was spot on. Overall, awesome bar, must check it out if in the area.
(5)Amina W.
I ventured (in the rain, on my bike......uphill both ways?) to BRU for sips one stormy evening, and was very excited to check this place out after hearing great things. Maybe it was the fact that I (and everyone else) was soaked, and stinky, and miserable... but this place seemed a bit too cramped for my style. The place is long and narrow which forces everyone to squish past one another to get to the bar. I liked how they had a side bar set up in the back, which helped... but not really. After a while we were able to snag a table in the back, and we ordered a pretzel off of the regular menu (with gouda cheese, nom nom). Not too sure what the waitress heard, because she brought us the regular pretzel off of the Sips menu... and we were fine with that considering the sips pretzel was much cheaper, or so we thought. When we got the bill, what did we see? We were charged for the gouda pretzel. Malarkey! The waitress apologized but basically said there was nothing she could do. Meh. If the gang wanted to hit this place back up again I'm sure I'd tag along... but I'll probably take my german cravings elsewhere.
(3)Lauren R.
I haven't eaten here, but it's a nice place to stop by for a drink! They have a lot of taps--and a great variety: local, domestic craft, and German beers. I studied abroad in Germany when in college, so I am definitely quite fond of a good German beers and it's often hard to find a good variety of them in the US in one place. BRU had a great selection (and even served them by the .5 liter!). The inside is nicely decorated--wooden walls and tables/benches--but it doesn't feel like a german brauhaus or biergarden. It's quiet enough to sit and actually have a conversation. They have some TVs so you can watch sports, but I definitely wouldn't call it a sports bar.
(4)Shilpa K.
Maybe I just had really high expectations of bru, but I was SO disappointed in it. First of all, it wasn't exactly a beer garden...maybe they'll be opening up the windows, but for now it's a bar with a lot of wooden furniture and mini lights. Apparently the "pour your own beer" thing only is up for about an hour in the night. I'm sorry, but I'm not getting there at 6 pm just to try that out. The crowd reminded me of the douchey ladder 15 crowd. But that might have been the night I was there. Service was really slow. In the end, we made our way next door to McGillins...
(2)Regina F.
If you've ever been to a loud, rowdy touristy German pub in Anywhere, USA, then you've been to Brü. It's not that this new joint isn't entertaining and it's not that it doesn't offer a fine selection of beverages of the hop and wheat type, but if you're looking for conversation and a table not overridden by sports fanatics shouting at the basketball game on TV, then Brü isn't going to be your jam, or Wurst or whatever it is that you're looking for. The food is fine - typical German pub fare. The croquettes were fried, but lacking in oomph. And the tap selection isn't impressive...I settled for Ithaca Apricot wheat, which was probably the least German thing ever. So perhaps this review is more shame on me...maybe it's my fault I'm not into American sports, loud crowds, sharing slippery-varnished benches with drunken hoards and sausage-product.
(2)Maurice S.
BRU has a good beer list and pretty solid food. The service can be spotty.
(3)Paige C.
So as promised, I returned to Bru now that they've been open awhile to give them a more comprehensive review. After my last post, the manager invited me back to try them out, and suggested I did so during happy hour, since that's when they had the best deals. Unfortunately, who actually is out of work by 6? (The answer is actually me...but not my husband, and there was no way I was braving this "bro bar" alone.") Unfortunately, my expectations were sorely not met although I still really think that this place has a TON of potential, and I just don't think I am their target audience. The service: Whoa guys...calm down. You do not need to watch me eat my entire meal and stop by no less than SIX times to ask if everything is okay. Between the hostess, the waitress and the manager, it was like we were being stalked. I get it, they want good tips, they want good reviews. But no one likes the clingy girl at the dance. Try to play a little hard to get. As a side note here, I was really taken aback by the servers outfits. I didn't realize that this was Hooters meet German pub. I think there is a slightly more classy way to slutty German barmaid (look at Brahaus on South St. for example.) However, the black booty shorts with suspenders and t shirt really aren't doing it for me. Honestly, from the front, the apron is longer than the shorts, so it literally looks like they aren't wearing anything on bottom. Listen, I am all for "if ya got it flaunt it" but I don't think it's fitting in a setting like this that is trying to appeal to the masses. Maybe the management isn't aware they should be appealing to a wider clientele than the Jersey Shore? The food: If you are going to have such a limited menu, everything on it has to be SPOT on. Once again, this just seemed like the chef is trying too hard. For example: potato pancakes are good. Green apples are good. Horseradish is good. However, when you put them all together, it a muddled mess for your palette. The schnitzel I had was WAY overfried and had no flavor. They put ham on it too...who puts ham on schnitzel? Overkill. The bread on my sandwich and on my hub's bratwurst sandwich was also really dry and stale. Also the sign out front that says "The best wurst in the city." It's not true. It's so not true. My husband didn't even finish half of his sandwich! This is a man I have seen eat (and enjoy) peanut butter, grape jelly and sausage sandwiches. The fact that he didn't enjoy his meal says more to me than anything. Overall: This place is probably appealing to a different demographic than the crowd I usually run with. I am sure they will probably do just fine without my patronage since they can get the overflow from McGillans. But honestly, if you are in the area there are MUCH better options for food and beer.
(2)Ron H.
Blah. Too young, tons of testosterone, I fell like I'm crashing a college bar.
(2)Chris K.
awesome beer selection, lots of regional and local beers. I didn't try the food.
(4)Preety S.
Go here for happy hour...beer for $4. Can't beat that for how much you get. I say stick to the the pretzels for food choice and you are good to go.
(3)Melissa C.
Food very nice, beer selection also nice, extensive. Music, although good, is excessively loud, even for the type of place this is. If you actually want to talk with your group, go elsewhere. If you don't care about screaming, the beer and food are worth it.
(4)Terri B.
Stumbled upon this place after heading down to Market East for a drink at Milkboy. The girls and I made a note to make it our next step. Great choice! The atmosphere was bar-like but a little different. The main walk was pretty narrow and therefore crowded but their drink selection was great and the bar was huge! The crowd there was diverse in age and style so it was fun to navigate who was standing beside/behind you at all times. Funny story: I didn't realize it was a "wurst" place. Some guys bought my gis and I brats, which I think was a cool way to pick up girls. They were cool and all but the brat was spectacular! They won't get a call back but the brats will! Still they get an A for creative pickups. I'm definitely going back.
(5)Stefano P.
Food was great, tons of alcohol, a little loud, but then again we were there on a Friday night... Brats are delicious, the pretzel app was delicious... 2 thumbs up!!!
(5)Abbie D.
This place is awesome!! I was only here for literally 45 minutes but thought it was fab enough to write about. The beer "fobs" are pretty clever, not to mention the beer selection was good too! I am excited to return to spend a bit more time there and try some food!
(4)Amy J.
Brand new in Midtown, this place has the vibe of Frankford hall, with a bigger food menu and much bigger brew list. I stopped by twice in one week, and I'll be going back for more. As a girl who like's a weihenstephaner, allagash white, blue moon or hoegarden - I definitely agree with my bartenders recco for the hefeweizen. You can order drinks at the bar, but I hear if you're planning to stick around you might consider running your own tap from a few of their fave brews pouring directly from the wall. Things I'd like to see them do: - They play good jams, but sometimes the volume is a little too low - Need a full-size mirror in the girls bathroom (i mean... how bad did i spill my drink on myself?)
(5)Sam J.
Great food and atmosphere. Good selection of burgers and German food. The Chicken Wurst plate was fantastic as were the kraut and cheese as well as the fried pickle appetizers. The pickles were fried with ham, an interesting combination. Sat on the street on a nice evening. Great relaxing place to meet up with friends!
(4)Jamie S.
Attractive bar inside. Fun beer list, though I'm still not sure how the pour your own thing works. The big windows haven't opened yet so its a bit warm inside. Girls bathroom is small. Food service starts this weekend- looking forward to the under $10 German sandwiches.
(4)Kelly H.
Came to this spot for the first time, not knowing much about it. Our server was Jessie and she was awesome. Super knowledgeable and attentive but funny all the same. The beer list was overwhelming but she helped me chose the perfect pairing to my wurst. Music was a bit loud but entertaining mix of 80s hits. I suggest sitting outside and asking for Jessie if you're lucky enough to get her when she's working!
(5)Ozzie L.
Good music, decent beers, but what really got me was the people there. Not super friendly and fairly clicky. I know that this is not the establishments fault but its who hangs out there. I was by myself but if I went back with a group of friends this might be a cool spot to grab some drinks.
(3)Paul B.
Not very good in any category except beer selection. Service is weak. Not terrible, but weak. It will do, but don't expect something great. Meh! That sums it up well.
(2)Matthew B.
We came here after having a bad experience at the bar next door. The waitress was awesome and the beers were great. We had the bavarian pretzel which my wife loved and generally doesn't like pretzels, the BRU fries which were amazing, and the wurst which was good. All in all I thing this place is a definite place to stop in and have some brew food and some good beers.
(4)Steve W.
Was looking forward to going here after hearing so many gud things about it but after visiting I know why it is called Bru but not Bru and Fud. The Bru selection was great. The fud not so much. The fries tasted off as if the oil had not been changed in some time. The house made wursts while not the worst clearly not the best. The casings offered no snap in fact they were rubbery. On the plus side the pretzel with smoked gouda dipping sauce was top shelf. Three stars for the bru and pretzel. Also good fun self serve beer. Yes you read right Buy a key get access to several beers that are not available on the regular bar taps
(3)Joe K.
I really enjoy coming here, and even though it's a bit loud and the "bro's" are a bit much, I have never had a bad experience and really enjoy some of the city's best bartenders: Emily, Jessie and Theo. I'll be back and will make sure I bring people to this great new spot!
(5)Cecile F.
I have been eating and drinking here off and on for about a year and I very much enjoy the beer they have, especially the Oktoberfest. The pretzel served with melted smoked gouda is perfectly matched to go with the beer and we also tried the Spatzel which was also very tasty. Waitresses allow you to sample the beer on tap, and are very friendly.
(4)Em L.
Beer was good and fairly priced. But the service was terrible for it not being a busy night.
(3)Tiffany K.
I was there with friends on Sunday. Heather, was our server, she, the food, and beers were awesome! Love the open feel of the garage door in the back. We will absolutely go back!
(5)Diana K.
I came back for another try at BRU, and this place has completely changed its scene. This bar is SUPER LOUD now, full of people dressed to the nines like they are on their way to a club. At first, this seemed like it would be a German beer bar, but I think the atmosphere is definitely changing. We could barely hear our waitress, and tried to get out of there as quickly as possible. The food was pretty decent, but I just wasn't enjoying myself there. I'm sure I will be back to try it again, but maybe I will avoid it on a Saturday evening when it gets too busy.
(3)Andrew W.
I was only here for one drink so I didn't really get a chance to take it all in but my first impression was very positive. Great beer selection (had my first oberon of the 'summer'), friendly staff, cool atmosphere... I'll definitely be heading back.
(4)Lolly G.
Let me start off this review but describing the day that I went to this new spot. It was Cinco De Mayo as well as the same day as the Broad St. run. Many streets were blocked off for the party and needless to say there was people everywhere. After hanging outside for a while, one of the people in our group suggested we check this place out. It was packed along with McGillans across the street. With the owners knowing how much people party for Cinco, you would think that they would have more then TWO bartenders. It was really unreal. The bar is very long and they have countless taps (which is a plus) but I waited over 20 MINUTES to order one drink. I started talking to a guy next to me who was desperately trying to get his tab. He told me he'd been there 10 minutes prior to me. Finally in the middle of waiting, I noticed off to the side they have a "self serve" beer option. Basically, it's like a soda machine except for it has beer. I believe they had 4 selections. I asked a server and she quickly brushed me off and told me to go over to this desk on the other side of the bar. At this point, I would just like to have a drink in my hand. I walk over and ask the guy for two "passes" for beers. He told me that would be $20. (um what? $10 a beer?) when I asked him he answered like I was the most clueless person on earth. "yes you have to buy a key." Uh, still have no idea what this even means as he didn't elaborate. Excellent service. I then went back to the bar but tried from a different end. I asked a guy to serve me and apparently he was a bar back. Instead of answering he just made the "cut" sign at his neck. Classy. Finally, someone served me and it took him forever to get back to get my money. I found some of my friends scattered around having the same problem. We wanted to leave because it was ridiculous. It's really sad because this place is really awesome looking, and they have an amazing beer selection. Like I said, having 2 bartenders on Cinco, and other employees who can't even bother to explain things really turned me off. I'll stick to McGillans.
(2)Carol C.
spiffy decor, fast service, and friendly people. Food is decently priced (~$10), but slightly on the smaller portion. Craft beers available, but definitely not as thorough as could be. Overall, a chill new addition to the city.
(4)Jason P.
My girlfriend and I went to meet up with some friends for happy hour after work on a Friday. I knew this place was fairly new, so I expected a larger crowd than normal. It's located right next to McGillin's, which I'm sure will be good for BRU. Of course the place was crowded, but we somehow managed to get a table as someone arrived early enough to put our name in. We had a large group, but not all of us sat. The place wasn't what I expected. It wasn't very "German" and I wouldn't call it a beer garden. It was a very modernized center city bar with german food and some german beer. The beer menu wasn't overly impressive. Other German establishments have a bit more selection and explanation. A beer fan, but German beer novice, I would have liked a more detailed menu. I ordered a random German beer, which turned out to be light and pretty good. We sat at the table and proceeded to sample the menu. We ordered the bavarian pretzel, currywurst/fries, potato pancake and lamb kebob. The food was relatively inexpensive, which was nice. The pretzel was on point, but not as good as Brauhaus Schmitz on South St. The pretzel was doughy and flavorful. I loved the currywurst and fries. It was smothered in curry ketchup and just went really well with the beer. The potato pancake was good, but it was lacking something. Port Richmond is the place to go if you want a good potato pancake. The lamb kebob was probably my favorite honestly. Lamb was seasoned well and I liked whatever sauce was on the flatbread. Overall I like the place. It has a neat "self serve" section, though I didn't see a soul using it. A bit of a huge miss since they heavily advertise it. Not sure if I will ever go back as there are better German places around with better food and beer selection. It also has a huge roll down door that opens up the back, which I thought was pretty neat.
(3)K. B.
The place is really well done and definitely gives a beer garden vibe. Would suggest adding something to the exterior, isn't very welcoming from the street. Beer list is incredible if not a little pricey. Only issue is that we didn't find the food to be all that great. Meat was definitely dry and portions were weird (one sandwich was huge and the other was tiny). Should have just tried the sausages. Oh well.
(3)James O.
Really like this place. Great beer, good food. Best part is the taps in the wall and the key chain type device that allows you to pour your own beer. Save money on tips and get to try different types of beer. Great spot.
(4)Edmond C.
My friends and I waited at least 10 mins for a server to come up to my 3 friends and I. It took even longer for her to bring us our beers. Will not go back. If I didn't work in a restaurant myself, I wouldn't of even gave her a tip.
(1)Kristina L.
Went here last night for dinner with 8 friends to celebrate one of their achievements and it was great. We arrived early and my boyfriend and I grabbed a drink at the bar first. I asked to sample a beer and they were happy to offer. We ordered two beers and were served promptly. Our table was ready and we were seated right at our reservation time, as it should be but sometimes does not happen at some places. The service was great for the most part. Our waitress was nice and attentive but did stumble on beer suggestions - I know there is a huge list but some training or knowledge should be had by wait staff with what they are serving, especially at a beerhall (at least both restaurants I worked at previously we were tested prior to being able to serve alone). At least have a suggestion for a beer in every category served. Oh, and the long hair being down kind of irks me. You are serving food to people, and hair does fall out. Should be up in a ponytail or pulled back and not be touched or played with - something both places I worked at previously also had a rule about which I didn't mind - makes sense for sanitation reasons. Other than that, she was great. The guys loved the low cut shirts and booty shorts with tights the girls wear (of course). We started with apps - the fried pickles and Bru fries. Both were delicious. We ordered the sampler platter which was plenty of food for 3 guys and a gal. 5 others ordered their own meals. We also ordered some Bavarian pretzels and spatzel to share. Everything was delicious, except the German potato salad. I wish the potatoes were cooked a little more - they were a little raw and hard still... unless it was supposed to be that way? My previous experience with German potato salad is that the potatoes get cooked and then mixed with the yummy stuff. It would be nice if they also served plain sour cream and apple sauce with the platter for the potato pancakes. I personally am not a huge fan of horseradish so the horseradish sour cream was a little much for me. My only other complaint is the bathrooms were a little messy and we were seated at a table along the window which opens in the summer so it was really drafty. All in all, great experience and I definitely plan to return, when it's warmer, or be sure to ask for a table further inside where it is less drafty.
(4)Adrienne C.
Really cool new spot. Great decor, friendly staff (albeit some are clearly very new to the game) and good beer options. The beer wall is awesome - just wish they hadn't run out of keys so quickly. Not exactly a "garden" as it's been written about - but a really cool indoor spot with an open wall. How the beer wall works: Buy a key for $5, load it up, then skip the line at the bar and head to the wall.
(4)Jenny L.
Really wanted to like this place since I've been looking for a beer garden/casual drinks place that's closer to my side of town than Frankford Hall but this place did not live up to expectations. The Good: Interesting deco and good selection of beer. Was a little miffed that the self-serve thing wasn't running when I was there. Servers were great otherwise. The Bad: This place is WAY too loud. Had to leave after one beer (finished rather quickly at the prospect of leaving) because friend and I were losing our voices screaming at each other. Also felt weird yelling our conversations since there were other people sitting right beside us at the communal table. So I guess it's a good place if you are looking for a large crowd to stand in middle of and meet new friends that way?
(2)Sarah F.
I love to see Drury street becoming a serious destination for Saturday nights. Not that McGillins wasn't holding down the fort on it's own, but now the spill into the street from both packed establishments makes it a really exciting place to be. I can't wait for the summer! Anyways, Bru has the right stuff to become a great spot to grab drinks with friends for a night out. The pour your own pint in the front is amazing. Basically you load up a card with money, swipe, and ta dahhhh... you dispense your own beer like a soda fountain. I'm excited to see what selections they will have in the upcoming future. I think to start the choices were a little unoriginal...but I have high hopes! Haven't tried the food yet. Maybe next time :)
(4)Taylor D.
*Drinks Only Review* I went here last night for the Penn Law post-graduation cocktail hour, and it was packed! I was a little upset at first- there were an incredible number of people jammed into the place and it was taking 10+ minutes to get a drink. I finally got my order and went back to chat with my friends when all of the sudden the manager, Todd, comes up with a free round of drinks for my entire party, offering his sincere apology for the chaos and the wait. He went so far as to ask what each of us was drinking, and gave us one of the "beer keys" to the taps for another few beers. This more than made up for the rocky start! He really did a great job ensuring that we were having a good time, and as a customer, I think that goes a really long way. He learned all of our names and even said goodbye on our way out a few hours later. It turns out Bru was only informed of our large party's arrival a mere 30 minutes before- hardly enough time to accomodate the overly large group. While there were some hiccups, I believe they did a great job trying to make up for any and all issues, working with the staff they had on hand to make the night go as smoothly as possible. We will be sure to return to try the food after our great run in with Todd!
(5)Dianna L.
The entrance is dark and uninviting but I was so excited that something open on Chestnut that I had to go take a look for myself. The place was very open with few tables or chairs. I would even use the word "bleak." I on St. Patty's day and it was basically people who needed to take a break from McGillins. It was dark. Loud and their self serve draft option with the IPADs was not up and running yet. Hopefully it will be a better experience after it's been open a little longer. I will go again =.
(4)Arnold C.
Average to mediocre. Ordered then fried chicken and it was overcooked and served lukewarm. Fries were cold and they barely gave a handful. Purple coleslaw tasted more like diluted sauerkraut. Server took 20+ minutes to bring me a cup of hot water after 3 requests and they were moderately busy. My Sprite came in a child sized glass and not even a refill. Food was bland, except for all the salt I dumped on it. I didn't even bother with the dessert. Go somewhere else.
(2)Doug O.
Music was pretty loud but the bar was a good people-watching scene. The beer selection was one of the best I've seen and the food was in true Bavarian fashion. I didn't plan on going here for dinner but I'm glad I happened upon it. The service was pretty good but I would come back for the beer and food.
(4)Bethany S.
Stopped here on a whim for a quick beer and a bite before heading out of town. Nice, open space with a relaxed vibe (note: I was here on a Wednesday afternoon, not a Saturday night.) There are about 30 taps, not counting those on the beer wall in the back. Only three of them were macro and the rest were American craft (~2/3) and German (~1/3) beers. The menu was limited, but perhaps I just thought that because I wanted Jägerschnitzel and it wasn't on there. I ordered a Warsteiner Premium Dunkel and a Schnitzel sandwich- the Schnitzel was perfection! I was skeptical about the greens in the sandwich and thought about ordering it without them, but I'm glad I didn't because the whole thing was really good. Kelly was an excellent server with a warm personality and gave me the scoop on this new spot: grand opening is tomorrow, all the food is made from scratch, and the beer wall (which dispenses as much or as little as one wants and charges by the ounce) is the second in the country. (Do you know where the first one was installed? Scroll down for the answer!) She mentioned that they'll soon be adding a happy hour, which I look forward to taking advantage of, and asked for feedback on the food for the kitchen, which I am always happy to give :) I must also say that I appreciated the superb music they played, which could have enticed me to stay and drink all day if I didn't have a Megabus to catch. Some of my favorite 90s stuff that you don't hear very often, like old school Incubus and "All You Need" by Sublime. Keep it up! Answer to the trivia question: Michigan
(5)Shane L.
Very cool spot for happy hour. Can't go wrong with the beer selection here and the energy of the atmosphere.
(3)C M.
Love the bar, great vibe and beer options. I work close by and this is a great addition to the neighborhood. They fell short on a few things including running out of the self service ipad keys within the first few days of being open. Another huge after thought was the ladies bathroom. Absolutely no TP on opening weekend?! You have to be kidding me.
(4)Susie J.
I tried this place to watch the world cup games. Many options for beers on tab and good decoration inside... but nothing like real German bar and drinks are in general over priced... I ordered the curry wurst which wasn't like the one that I had in Germany. But in general the atmosphere was OK.
(3)Rob P.
Ever since Ludwig's closed down on Sansom Street, and Beerstube stopped serving lunch, I've had to walk all the way from Center City to 8th & South Street for good German food for lunch. No more. Thanks to BRÜ, I only have to go across the street for great German food. Their beer selection is great and the food is delicious. The atmosphere is sort of "nouveau hunting lodge." Also, the manager, Ron, is very attentive, friendly, and accessible. My co-workers and I make this place at least a bi-weekly go-to.
(5)Lee B.
This is one of those cases where, for me, the look and the idea of a place outweighs the actual experience/overall impression. Now, to be fair, I don't feel "meh" about the place as a whole like the two stars represents, but I didn't feel it was a three-star worthy experience, either. I would have said 2.5, but as we know, that's not possible on Yelp. I was so looking forward to checking this place out -- I work close by and have had my eye on it to check out for a while now...so perhaps it was just a case of expecting too much? Going at the wrong time on the wrong day? I don't know. I just know I think there's room for some improvement. The beer selection has a wide variety. There's truly something for everyone. Plus. BUT, the beer menus seem haphazardly organized. You're handed a clipboard with multiple pieces of paper, two of which have beer selections. (The other is food, which I'll get to). Now, perhaps it's because I didn't have the time to figure out why (was only here for a quick round or two), but I thought two sheets of beers was odd/unnecessary. Minus. As for the food, I can't talk about the taste or quality because this was solely a liquid diet trip. BUT, I wasn't impressed with the selection. Choices seemed quite limited, and I was expecting more. Minus on the selection, neutral overall since I didn't get to try anything. The open garage door in the back affords some nice open air seating. Plus. The tables are large, communal, picnic-style with benches. But they're VERY close together -- so close that I had the pleasure of feeling the woman seated behind me flip her hair onto my back every five seconds as she attempted to flirt with her date. Minus. A big table would be great for a large group, but otherwise, sharing is kind of a downer -- especially when you basically have to help the staff bus the table since you're more easily able to access it than she is. Minus. I also thought it was odd that the three people at the end of our table had one waitress, while we had another one altogether. That was just weird. But I liked the potential for fun after-work happy hour trips, and the plethora of TVs is always a plus in my book (but what was with the ones playing nothing but nonstop infomercials??)
(2)Christine S.
The beer was good, but it was so incredibly loud. It was impossible to have a conversation
(2)David C.
Good beer selection, good food -- Solid but I'm not so excited about it that I feel like I need to give it 5 stars.
(4)Denny S.
The food was okay, we had the platter for four people. The potato pancake was just okay. All the sausages were ok and somewhat on the too salty side. Service was good, our server was super nice and accomodating.
(4)Donna B.
Went here opening weekend with 2 friends. Host sat us at a table where we sat for 15 minutes waiting for someone to take our order. Finally gave up and walked to the bar and ordered ourselves. Beer was just ok. Staff was useless. Atmosphere was very loud. Not at all the beer garden that it claims to be. I will give it a second chance after they work out the opening month kinks, but for now I would not recommend to a friend.
(2)Dan B.
nice selection of beer, good service, ok food, crappy large screen tv with terrible sound
(3)Julian T.
I went here during the late afternoon on a weekend and I really liked the place. I've heard it gets crowded at night, so you might want to avoid it at night if you're not into the packed bar crowd. The best thing about this place is the atmosphere. It has really nice decor, with a ton of huge TVs with any soccer game that you want to watch playing. They have a unique set of brews on tap and the food I got was pretty good. I'll definitely be going back.
(5)Payal P.
this place is new, i went to their soft opening on erin express weekend, it was awesome! at that time, it was not even fully open. they have tons of taps and a huge space, fun videos on the tv's (skateboarding) and a friendly vibe. it stretched over a block so you can also enter from the alley where mcgillin's is...we always needed something else in that alley, glad this is here!
(5)Alyssa P.
My friends & I actually ended up here twice on Saturday.. once during the day & again later on that night. Both times the waitress was friendly & knowledgable, suggesting beers based on what we liked/disliked/etc. We didn't order any food (liquid diet kind of day) but everything on the menu looked really good. Kind of like a less-authentic Brauhaus. There were a few not-so-great things though.. The "Pour Your Own Beer" tap set-up was unavailable (you have to buy a $5 button/card to use the taps) because they had run out of the buttons. My friends were in the mood for an Allagash White, which is only located on the self-service taps, so they were out of luck. The music around 11pm on Saturday was bizarre. It was like a ultra-mashup kind of thing, but they only played 20-30 seconds of each song & then changed to something completely different. I don't know if they were trying to get people to dance or just get in to the music, but it's hard to do that when the song is changing every 20 seconds. Last but not least, this is a big (and crowded) place to only have 2 small bathroom stalls. I heard from one of the guys we were with that the men's set-up wasn't much better. I'm sure they were restricted by the size of the building or something like that, but there are going to be some serious waits for those bathrooms! All in all, definitely a good place to go.. seems like they just have a few kinks to work out. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Noheli T.
I really enjoyed my time at BRU! The somewhat open area gives off a great vibe and the beer list is great. I don't even remember what I ordered but it was the longest name and it was great! I also really liked there drink machine in the back and everyone seemed to really be enjoying themselves. I am definitely going back!
(4)Mike M.
This place is excellent! I went in for a nice relaxing drink after a hard day's work and was immediately greeted by the friendly staff. I got a nice, quiet section all to myself and my server, Tiffany, was nothing but pleasant. I got two beers that were both delicious and neither I've seen at other bars in Philadelphia. Mind you, I've lived in Philadelphia for awhile. Tiffany seemed to really know what she was talking about while making suggestions to me about what to drink. The beer wall was nothing short of amazing! I've seen such a cool feature in a bar before! Needless to say, I'll be making multiple trips here and bringing friends! Thanks Brü!
(5)Susie H.
Great atmosphere and great food. Went there for lunch, service wasn't the best. We ordered the Bavarian pretzel and never got it. The server had a bit of attitude. There are a million great places to eat in this city, so having good food isn't enough to keep me coming back if service is below average- especially when it's not that busy.
(3)Ajay B.
Very cool, young, lively and crowded bar spot. Great beer selection both domestic and German... decent amount on top and a bunch in bottles. Tried a good variety with 2 flights. Rating here is really based on atmosphere and drink selection... haven't tried the food yet but would definitely come back here to give that a shot next time in Philly! with some more flights of course
(4)German S.
Did not dig this place ...i felt like asses were all over my food. I dont know if ut was because it was happy hour or what.
(2)Sal R.
From what I hear, the happy hour prices are awesome. But regular prices are expensive, portions of the beers are decent but the food is not very great. Not my favorite german bar!
(3)Jaymee M.
Awesome wait staff, awesome German beers & food, great atmosphere. We were in town from Baltimore and were in Philly for just the weekend so a friend took us to Bru. The decor is great and there is a lot of space. We tried a few different beers and all of them were excellent. The food is also phenomenal! We had the Bavarian pretzels, bacon & apple flat bread and something that had salmon, beets & greens on it. I would definitely recommend Bru and will be back the next time I am in Philly! (Kelly the server is GREAT!)
(5)Jeff F.
I was there for a happy hour with work peeps.. Great beer selection, bratwurst sandwiches, and pretzels... However, the music was wayyyyyy too loud.. We could barely hear ourselves, let alone each other.. Actually looked forward to going back into the hundred degree heat just so we could hear each other again.
(3)Louis D.
They now have a (I think) great happy hour: $4 1/2 liters of german beer, including some good ones, as well as some assorted 1/2 price pretzels and things. Oh and it looks like the pour-it-yourself beer tap is open too. It's getting there!
(4)EJ O.
I hosted an event last night at BRU and it was fantastic! The staff was great. Huge shout out to Karry and Sam, they were wonderful servers. Alex/Todd helped so much with set up and laying the ground work for the event. The venue is super cool, great vibe. The beer selection is great! They have a machine where you pay for a key, add money to it, and you pour your own beer, you pay by the ounce. My guests had a great time tasting what they wanted, when they wanted more. Thank you again for good service, good food, and most importantly good beer. I would recommend anyone swing by BRU when you get a chance.
(5)Matt K.
The only positive was that there is a decent beer list. After that, there really isn't much else going for the place. The beer wasn't extremely cold or tasty. The pork meatballs were dry and illustrates an example of a dish that is not better with bacon. The "worst" part was that I ordered the wurst plate and one of the wurst was raw and cold in the center. The waitress attempted to compensate but needed the owner's permission to take it off the bill and he was nowhere to be found. This place could use a front of the house manager. Philly has a lot of choices for quality beer and if you are looking for a combination of good food and beer I would try somewhere else first.
(1)Adam F.
Had a great experience at Bru for food and drinks. Bru is more of a bierhaus than a biergarten since it is all indoors. But on nice days the open up the back doors to let the breeze in. They have a pretty solid beer selection. Plus you can do their local Oktoberfest by getting some sort of "key" that you put money on to pour from a separate tap (not sure on the details; that's what the waitress said). Only had the Wurstplate, which seemed like the best choice. You pick from one of the daily available Wursts and comes with saurekraut and German potato salad. Quite a lot of food. Sandwiches come solo (recommend the Schnitzel sandwich), so order some appetizers as well.
(4)Allyson T.
Unique place. The summer special zucchini flatbread was delicious and the beer list is plentiful- a beer snob will find something they like here. I also love the option of pouring your own beer. When you visit, make your way to the back. It faces McGillin's and the top lights top a summer night. The staff are also friendly and make the experience all the better :)
(4)Steve W.
I'm #1. Finally. Great new addition to center city. Amazing space with a great beer selection. This place is gonna lead to big things. Fills a good nich in CC.
(5)Alex H.
Brew haus platter, Kerrin is a wonderful server and deserves the best of tips.
(5)Abigail P.
We brought kids, which was a mistake, but the staff went out of their way to accommodate a couple of non-drinkers under 50 lbs. Definitely a young, after-work crowd.
(4)Michelle Y.
I went to Bru twice because it's a nice place to have a drink. Yeah, it's loud but the crowd is super friendly and we got our drinks quick enough.
(3)Ellie P.
Stopped by on Sunday night, and was impressed! The bar is gorgeous, and since the weather was good the back wall was opened. Was with a group of 6 people so we tried a few things from the menu. The pretzel is just a pretzel, but the cheese dipping sauce made it amazing. The currywurst (wurst with curry ketcup and fries) was good, as was the flatbread. The schnitzel was amazing... definitely worth the fried splurge. As for the beers, I had an allagash oddesey before switching to the self serve beer station. If work/live nearby, invest in a beer key! Load it up with a few buck and then drink as much allagash white (or several others) as you want. A few people noted poor service, but we had no problem whatsoever. They did just open so I'm sure once they get into the swing of things that will be worked out. Check it out!
(5)L C.
The pretzels, oh my! The best!
(4)Phillip S.
Let me start by saying the one star rating is not due to the beer selection. They have quite a great selection actually. The rating is due to the awful employees that work here. Last night I went to bru and purchased a beer from the bar when they announced last call at 1:59. I was then promptly yelled at by two different employees telling me I have to finish my beer and get out of the bar because they were closing. It was 2:01, not even two minutes after I purchased the beer. I politely said sure let me chug it. So I start chugging the beer as a male employee is standing next to me watching me. As I'm trying to finish chugging the beer a female employee told the male employee to just take the beer. He swiftly snatches the beer out of my hand, sets it on the counter, and tells me to get the f out. I look at my watch and it was 2:02. I turned around and walked out without putting up a fight because the male employee was a large mean looking guy that I did not want to mess with. It's quite unfortunate that I will never be going back seeing as how they have a great beer selection. Actually I think I will go back today to speak with a manager about his/her disrespectful employees.
(1)Chris S.
Went to have a few beers at Happy Hour from 4-6 went up for another beer before 6 and was told the special was over, and there was nothing to be done since the system is computerized. I most likely would have gone back to eat and have drinks on some other occasion at this place had this not occurred, but now I will just go somewhere where they dont set the time on the computers ahead by a few minutes to get an extra couple bucks from their costumers.
(1)Anja J.
After being bummed I missed their opening celebration a few weeks ago, I finally made my way over to check out what the buzz was about. Beer selection was decent but I've seen much better happy hour specials. The highlight of my meal was the pickles, served on the side. got the schnitzel sandwich, which had some kind of sauce on the bread (couldn't really taste), breaded pork ( deep fried so long all you could taste was the fried oil), collard greens and cheese (decent), and salty ham ( which strangely gave the sandwich a fishy taste). I knew it was the ham that gave it the strange taste because when I tasted it without the ham, the sandwich was better. Got some fries. Fried too long cuz all we had were some fried potato husks that used to be fries. Oh and p.s. they don't have regular ketchup, just curry ketchup. So if you're not a fan bring your own ketchup. Im suprised that this is the third german style restaurant that I've been to that deep fries schnitzel, which is not traditional and you cant taste the delicious meat because its deep fried. throw the cutlet in some butter in a pan, and youll be suprised how much better the schnitzel will be. your wont even need that ham and cheese crap on it....Overall, go for beer not food. And if you're going for beer, go somewhere else.
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