This is a great neighborhood bar. The fireplace just past the entrance is a nice and warm welcoming touch for these colder months. Decent bar space and hightops that you can easily walk in and grab a seat. Good beer selection with an ever rotating line-up or artisan beers. Bartenders are knowledgable and can help you navigate your choice of beverage.
(3)
Jennifer N.
The food was delicious. But the service was dissapointing, the hostess took 15 minutes to bring the menu to us, the waitress seemed annoyed of her job.
(1)
Michele R.
Been here twice and my complaint is about service. Yes, they have good beer, and the food I had was tasty enough. I just don't know why it took 40 minutes to come out when we were the only people there. Bartender and server friendliness does not overwhelm, either. I return to the places where I feel welcomed, and the energy is positive and friendly. There's so many bars that out perform, I'd only go back if there was a planned meeting that was not under my control.
(2)
eden a.
Thought I'd take the time to say that we absolutely love this place. Tom (the bartender) is simply GREAT in every way...the food is WAY WAY above average; beer selection is perfect for craft beer drinkers. Prices are fair, ambiance is nice - clean, simple, dark and peaceful. Good music. A really fine place for lunch.
(5)
Bobby P.
Insane beer selection, really good mussels, a killer rendition of the cheesesteak and great service. Done! Now go drink beer!
(5)
Tian C.
Great little neighborhood spot. I like to come in on weekday evenings when it isn't so packed. The ambiance is rustic (wood stove and exposed brick) romantic and great for a date, either for dinner or grabbing a quick drink. Outdoor seating is perfect on a warm evening, and the service is friendly and attentive. I'm absolutely in love with their beer list, if you're the type of person who'd rather be overwhelmed by the beer selection rather than underwhelmed, this is the place to go. Can't decide? Get a flight. They change their flight selection frequently. Definitely try the mussels (Diablo is my favorite), they come with a generous serving of delicious french fries, and bread. I'm deducting one star because I'm not terribly thrilled with the bartenders, they can be a bit surly and rude. Otherwise, it's a great place.
(4)
Mike G.
I ventured south to join friends at this south philly gem. It was simply great. The atmosphere is casual and warm and there's lots of outdoor seating for fair weather. The beer selection, which they're quite known for, is wonderful and not at all over-hyped. Their happy hr is 5-7 and having arrived at 6, the server was outstanding in getting us as many rounds as we could manage, up until the last 30 seconds! The food was very good. What can I say more? I'm in love.
(4)
ezekial f.
this place has a great beer list, probably the best within 7 blocks of my house. for the previous poster who complained of the themed beers, its only as many as or fewer than any other belgium bar and for the most part, they are very good. they had "the lost abbey" lost and found ale which is AWESOME!!! now, for the food. as you know my lady is a vegetarian (bummer) but we compromise. so, nachos with chorizo on the side and the grilled satan tips(sic). the nachos were ok and big enough to make up for their okness but the meat on the side was HOT SAUSAGE, i dont care, it was good and i know hot sausage doesnt sound as romantic as chorizo but why mislead me thusly? as for the seitan which i believe is supposed to resemble beef, it was OBVIOUSLY, BLATANTLY the canned fake duck meat you can get at the asian supermarkets on washington ave. it was also only kinda warm, not really hot and grilly like i was expecting but bottom line, the fake duck is good, why sell it as something else? i know its opening week and maybe they are still hammering out suppliers and the like soi will definately go back and i will probably order food again. as far as the setting goes it is very nice inside and not too fancy, it was kinda young business folks when i was there but also some obvious beer fans. good luck devils den. see you in the near future.
(3)
J Q.
good spot, nice vibe - was kind of empty late fri night. really good beer selection is a plus and a decent menu. they overcooked my burger though and that sucked at the time. Plenty of space for a group is nice to have and it's not far from passyunk ave. I'll have to head back and do the 2nd run through to determine what's what
(4)
J B.
I stopped by Devil's Den on a Sunday to try the brunch and was so disappointed. We were told to sit anywhere and when we headed towards the dining room were greeted by a young man with a rude comment. Once we decided to sit at the bar we hoped the service would change and the food be amazing. While our bartender was polite she was in no way personable. At this point I would have in the past just found a new place for brunch, but I knew anywhere else in the area would have wait. So we ordered and while my eggs were decent my friends food was under cooked. I was also upset when a family of four stood behind use for 5 minutes waiting for someone to greet and seat them. Devil's Den could do well it the staff got rid of the chip on their shoulder and lowered the prices of Sunday brunch beverages. $8.00 for a mimosa in a glass the size of a shot is never worth it. I've worked in the resturant industry for years and I'm always looking for new chill spots, sorry guys but you need a little work.
(2)
Michelle C.
This review may be a bit biased since I live around the corner, but I think Devil's Den is really solid. Their beer list always has at least a few drafts I've never tried, and their food is quite good. The duck fries are of course fabulous. The rest of the menu is also worth trying but honestly, not noteworthy. Their mussels are large and meaty and prepared well, but the portion is a bit small for the price. Their salads are actually pretty damn good for a pub and really reasonably priced--$8 for a big wedge salad! Oh, did I mention they have a fireplace? It's lovely. A really nice touch for such a cozy neighborhood pub.
(4)
Rachel P.
went last night for cheap drinks. had no idea what to expect really other than they had happy hour. i was surprised at what i found there. it was a small place and it was very busy, we waited for about 10 or so minutes for a table, but we were able to stand next to the wood burning fireplace (nice touch since it is so cold outside). when we were sat, it was on the other side of the two sided fireplace, so i was able to keep nice and toasty! the only huge problem i had with the place was that the service was very very slow. i really think maybe they needed another waiter, cuz the waiters that they had took quite awhile to get to us. i mean 5 to 10 minutes to get our water? that's a little much. but once we got to the beer and the food it was much better. i got the duck and shared it along with the beef carpaccio with my roommate. all i can say is yum! so many many yums on both. i would go again for that any day. my bf got the chicken fingers, which were also very good. crispy and not too bready. then we ordered dessert and had the bread pudding and the creme brulee dujour. the bread pudding was yummy and while the creme brulee wasn't very custardy it was still good. all and all we enjoyed the place very much!
(4)
Lauren D.
I went on a Sunday for outside brunch. I did a beer flight and the frisee salad with bacon lardon and poached egg. I got my dog a grilled chicken breast. The service outside was phenomenal. I'm not sure how the other reviewers come to their conclusion, but I have a strong feeling it's the lady servers that are not as attentive. All the male servers have been great. Came back on a Friday HH and sat at the bar. Both the female and male bartender were great. I had the half off oysters plus 2 pints of some yummy sour ale. Came back again for Friday HH with a girlfriend, sat outside and again had great service. Sour Ale Flight plus some apps (that I agree are weirdly placed on the menu--- there is no true theme to the food) that were decently tasty. The pork bun seemed skimpy on the meat- but the flavor was good. And the dumplings were good, not great. At the end of our meal I asked my server to see if he can scrounge for a cigarette for me... and he delivered. What service :) I
(4)
Vincent D.
Beer selection is phenomenal. I'm not sure there are too many other places in the city that come close. Their tap specials during PCBW were awesome and their normal rotations can keep you coming back weekly. Cocktails also look quite delicious. Food is also amazing. Brunch is highly recommended. Duck fat fries will stick to your ribs for a day or two but that's just long enough for you to decide to return. The macncheese is also another must have with so much cheese at the bottom you may ask for a straw.
(4)
Mia W.
This place is great! They have a real fireplace, great food, great service. I've never been disappointed going here. The burger is so yummy and you should really try the duck fries, no seriously.
(4)
Laura G.
Great food and always the best beers. The service is usually good although my recent waitress wasn't the friendliest. The bus boys are awesome! Definitely try the burger and mussels! Along with the bacon wrapped dates. Good place to watch sporting events and outdoor seating available.
(4)
Nancy N.
I just went here last night for an early Birthday dinner with some friends. I was able to make a reservation for the night before for a group of ten. Overall, everyone loved it here! The service was decent. Weirdly, they don't have ice or cold water? I don't know. But I got the Special Mussels of the night. It had chorizo, summer corn, jersey tomatoes, and petite shrimp in it. So delicious! They give you bread so you can dip it into the mussels broth and it either comes with fries or a side salad. I got their fries and I love the dipping sauce it comes with. The boyfriend usually get the diablo mussels over pasta. Apparently they don't do the mussels over pasta anymore but he requested it and they gladly made it with no upcharge! We also tried the Korean BBQ wings my friend ordered. We loved it but she was not use to the taste so she didn't like them. Some friends got the Cheeseteak Empanadas, Nachos, Pork Tacos, Cobb Salad, Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese, and more and they all loved their food! Everyone tried a few beers from their draft/bottles list. They have a very decent selection and a lot to pick from. They usually have a few flights you can try too. The boyfriend got a sour beer flight and he didn't love it, but he drank it all. I got the summer mojitio and it was delicious! My friends surprised me with a piece of their dessert and a candle for my birthday, so sweet of them! It was a chocolate peanut butter pie. It was soo gooood!!! but a little too rich for me. And i didn't like that they had whole peanuts it but it was really good. I just could not eat a whole piece by myself so the whole table shared it. i just love it here!!! and i'm so glad my friends did too!!!
(5)
Rachel S.
The staff is nice, the drinks/beer are fine but the new menu blows. The menu and food was just ok before but now it's really terrible. It doesn't know if it wants to be a pub or an Asian-fusion restaurant now, and honestly, none of the stuff sounds appetizing. The grilled cheese and cheesesteak empanadas were awful. Also, they seemed to have done away with their late night tater tots with cheese sauce which was probably the best tasting food item they had but never advertised or put on the menu. I really hope things get better for this neighborhood bar.
(2)
Ashley T.
Been meaning to give this place a try. I like how they have both indoor and outdoor seating. They have quite a selection of beers, but not enough variety when it comes to wines and cocktails. The atmosphere is nice. The music selection not so much lol Staff is pretty attentive and always checking on you to make sure you're ok. I appreciate that the most when it comes to any establishment in the city. Didnt try any food here. maybe next time!
(3)
Claudia L.
Great place that I think people forget about. Super cute, has a fireplace so makes it a cute, casual date place. Food is very good. I've been here twice and both times, service and food was great. The have a great happy hour special where all beers are half off and some apps too. The popcorn is bangin and their pretzel bites (more like pretzel biscuits) are damn good!
Came here for brunch with a friend, because it was a Sunday and the only non-BYOB in my neighborhood I could find open at 10:30 (we are early risers!). Mimosas here are only $3 and you can get a beermosa (Ommegang Witte + OJ) for $4.50. My friend got the regular mimosa and was happy, I got the beermosa and was extremely pleased--you could definitely taste the characteristics of the ommegang, which blends well with any kind of citrus. To eat, I had the avocado benedict, which was an extremely indulgent and unconventional benedict. It was a single set up, with a poached egg, especially creamy hollandaise, breaded and fried avocado, atop a slice of brioche. It came with a side of home fries. I added some sriracha and was in heaven. It was an absolutely delicious breakfast. My friend ordered the burrito, which was insanely huge, and got through about 1/4 of it. She was happy with her breakfast, but not as wowed as I. Service was great. Our server was friendly and our table was bussed promptly after we were done. I will definitely be back for brunch for the cheap mimosas and early opening time.
(4)
Jody P.
I was pleasantly surprised at how good the bean burger was, but if you're looking for something vegetarian you should let them know because the bun was waaay too tasty to not have been toasted on the same grill as meat. The salad that came with them was colorful and fresh. The popular duck fries were small, crispy and topped with gooey duck and gravy. The portion was perfect for two people to share, but requires a fork to avoid goo soaked fingers. I thought they were just ok, typical bar food, but my boyfriend thought that they were great. On a separate visit for brunch I had a benedict that I found to be bland. On both visits staff took a long time to give us a bill, but were polite. In the winter the place smells heavily of it's fireplace to the point where I left smelling like the fireplace.
(3)
Sarah P.
The average rating for Devil's Den should be higher! I think this place merits 4-4.5 stars. Atmosphere: Love it. Fireplace for wintertime coziness, tables to sit outside with your dog and people watch in the summer. The space is large, and even during busy times, there always seems to be an open table, so I've never waited for a table (yesss!) Unpretentious vibe. Good service. Beer: One of the best beer lists in the city, in my opinion. I mean, it's more of a tome than a list when you include their enormous bottle selection. The descriptions of each beer are clear and inviting. Half price happy hour too.. cannot complain. Food: vegan and vegetarian options still need some work. I also miss the gigantic pickle plate they used to have maybe 1.5-2 years ago that was like 9 bucks and more than enough for 2 people. They have a pickle plate special now, but it's really small and doesn't have as many different types of veggies as the original, if I remember correctly. If there were a few more vegan options, this place would be 5 stars..
(4)
Edwardius W.
Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale, 7.2% ABV - traditional American brown ale with notes of molasses, coffee, ginger, chocolate. Product of the armpit of America : Deleware. Beautiful man!
(5)
Lynda Z.
I noticed that the menu changes from time to time so my review may be irrelevant by now lol. BUT, I will review the stuff I've had there in case they make their way back to the menu, and I hope they do because they were delicious. I've have the burger, which is still listed. The burger is solid..typical real meat, not formed beef pub burger, which isn't a bad thing to say because most pub burgers I've had have been yummy. The things that are missing from the menu now are the bacon wrapped dates. It hurts my heart that they're not on there anymore too because they were my first experience at those delicious little nuggets of love. They were pretty much forced into my mouth by friends that were annoyed that I'm a picky eater and refuse to try new things. So, they bullied me into trying them and they were pure heaven. Another item MIA is their pulled pork flatbread. It had pulled pork (obviously), arugula and a creme fresh sauce. The pork was tender and seriously delicious. Why Devil's Den? Why did you make these things go away? Bottom line is, is that I really haven't had anything there that I didn't like, so I would recommend them for good grub and different types of beers on tap.
(4)
Nina S.
Great neighborhood spot to check out for good food and large beer selection! I have been here for just drinks once and enjoyed it but when I went back and ordered food I was very impressed. The table next to me had a large order of Mussels that looked so good so I ordered them also. The traditional mussels is a very good value for $13. The bowl of mussels is swimming in a buttery garlic sauce and served with toasted Italian bread and a large bowl of french fries. The fries came with a chipotle aioli sauce and it added a nice kick to it. This is not a healthy option but very tasty and I recommend you trying the mussels too! The bartender gives great explanations of what types of beer I would like based on what is on tap. I tried a very good Saison Pumpkin Ale that I recommend. It's on draught now so not sure how long it will last!
(4)
Joshua V.
One of the slickest neighborhood bars a South Philly resident could hope for. When my abode was around the vicinity of this pub/bar/tavern, I took my proximity for granted, though the relatively "more expensive" booze prices also served as a deterrent for a poor liberal arts student. This joint prides itself on its beer selection, with prices and alcohol content listed beside beer names in a menu neatly bound with stretchy string. The atmosphere in this place definitely adds to the score; the low lighting and the fireplace contribute greatly for an intimate mood. The place may be out of the way from all the goings-on of center city, but sometimes that's exactly the kind of fix that's needed.
(4)
Devon L.
I don't know why I haven't written a review for Devil's Den yet - I have had numerous great experiences here, and find myself referring friends from out of town to try the Den when they are nearby for concerts/events. Last night, I had my first Happy Hour experience here - which I feel is worth sharing with the world. They feature a tapas menu for Happy Hour - we had the spicy hummus - for $4 we got a large portion of hummus and plenty of delicious pita to eat it all up. All of our beers were 1/2 off during the Happy Hour time, which I believe is from 5-7, Monday through Friday - but don't quote me on that. I had 2 different pumpkin beers, as well as a coffee-chocolate beer that was a great way to end the meal, sadly the names of the brews escape me. One thing I know for sure, is that they constantly rotate their draft beer and always have a great beer selection. I am a creature of habit, and typically get mussels here or the salmon BLT. All of the mussels are delicious, and the salmon blt is just so right. The fries are also super crunchy and come with a great aioli dipping sauce. Service has been consistently good here, everyone is nice, and when I can't decide what to drink they offer up a suggestion. And I enjoy the ambience, it's certainly a nicer bar and has a cozy, neighborhood, feel which I love. Will always return to the Devil's Den and continue bringing friends and family from out of town.
(4)
Nina J.
This place is near my job and they have THE best happy hour I've found in Philly - 1/2 price drafts and food every single day, from 5-7. The only grip I have about this place is that the service could be a bit better. I shouldn't have to stare at my empty glass for more than a couple of minutes, before someone asks if I'd like a refill. During my last happy hour visit, the bartender was somehow able to squeeze my appetizer order in for half price, but not my beer. They were both ordered at the same time and before 7 PM, so I don't really understand why I got jipped like that. If it weren't for the happy hour, I probably wouldn't frequent this place as much as I do but it's such a damn good deal! I guess I'll deal with the annoyances to enjoy good beer for cheap.
(3)
Hali R.
I loved the crackling fire and the dim lighting. We were sat by the door so I was worried about being cold but it turned out to be fine. They were out of the first couple beers I tried to order but I settled on a third and it was really good. Our server told us there was only b5 minutes left of Happy Hour and came back quickly to make sure we got at least one drink at Happy Hour price. We had the duck fries, burger, and the shrimp pot stickers. Everything was good but the shrimp and sauce was THE BEST. We will definitely be back. I'd love to try the brunch!
(5)
Jessica P.
Good place for a brew and a game. I have three words for you -- DUCK FAT FRIES. This is not a joke. Get them. They're incredible. The burger here is also really nice, they cook it 100% to your liking. I have also been for brunch and that was also yummy. The only thing the menu is lacking is probably lighter fare. So, if you come here, prepare yourself to leave super stuffed!!
(4)
Ron C.
Great beer list. Nice vibe. Good Staff. The food menu seemed too duck-centric. The duck fries have a blob a brown goo on them. Nasty, but some may like it.
(3)
Maria C.
They have a great happy hour and decent food but the rudest and least professional staff I have experienced in philadelphia. I have given them several chances but it is always the same. The last time I went there we were the only costumers there, and the bartender could not have been more annoyed by our presence. She spent the first 15 minutes of us trying to get her attention putting make up on behind the bar (so unsanitary). As more people came in, we had to practically beg for her to get us a drink and our bill. A girl I was with asked for a drink and she claimed not to have the ingredients - pickle juice. She then asked the server who got her pickle juice, and the bartender rolled her eyes and reluctantly made her a drink. This has been the attitude and demeanor of every single person I had had serve me here and I most likely will not be back!
(2)
John C.
After a long day at the office, I really enjoy visiting Devil's Den for a tasty beer and burger. The staff is fantastic and their brunch is also to die for! I have been visiting this fine establishment regularly for over a year now (5 STARS)! Yesterday, I decided to sit at the bar with my woman for a nice sour-beverage to close out my day. The bartender, tall / mid 30's / glasses, asks for our ID's. I show him my ID and order my favorite bottle of brew, and then he evaluates my girls drivers license & notices that it has just expired. She tells the bartender that she lives 4 blocks away and would have no problem picking up her passport to show him. (My girlfriend and I are both 24 years old) While she is commuting to pick up a non-expired government form of identification, the bartender ignores me and never delivers my drink. After a couple of minutes pass (with a not-so-crowded bar), I flag him down and request my drink again. The bartender tells me that he is going to need me to move into the dinning area to receive my drink and to leave the bar. With a valid drivers - sitting alone at the bar - I question his reasoning. He continued to tell me that even though my 24 year old girlfriend is returning with a valid passport, he could not serve me while I wait. I then asked him, "hypothetically, if she never returned, can I receive my beverage now?". He then replied, "maybe in the dinning room after your server arrives". After that answer, I picked up my jacket and walked out to meet my girlfriend half way in her commute back to explain to her the craziness that just took place at our favorite joint. I understand that he is protecting the restaurant, the bar, and his job by being cautious, but this was just all sorts of crazy to me. In his mind, serving an individual with a valid ID was absolutely out of the question and why two 24 year old had to be escorted to a table was beyond me. This exchange with the bartender has put a really sour taste in my mouth, and unfortunately it will be awhile until I return to my once favorite happy our joint. Cheers?
(1)
YouTakeItEasy U.
Great bar, great food.....Duck fat fries YES......started with the Micro flight and and fries. Both great, and had a special for dinner. Chicken Saltimbocca was amazing came with creamy polenta. Girlfriend went with tuna still flipping, jk but basically raw, also amazing. Also had a few pints of Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose so good. Place was cozy and a great ppl watching place. Only down fall, parking and we waited for 10 min before someone came to take or drink order. A waiter from a different section noticed we were not being helped and took our table. Daniel, thank you for going above and beyond. Can't wait to come back, Thank You...
(4)
Dan D.
Excellent mussels and beer selection. The waiter we had was super on point and was constantly emptying the mussel discard bowl.
(4)
danielle p.
Last night was our first dining experience at Devils Den. As always we were indecisive as to where to eat so I was checking out the latest Zagat lists. This restaurant was listed under top restaurants with fireplaces. The weather was rainy,cold, and miserable so a warm cozy fire was exactly what we needed. The atmosphere rocked. Appropriately dim and warm. The seasonal holiday decor was full of spirit and added to the dining experience. The hostess was genuinely welcoming and helpful which I loved, really set the tone for the rest of the meal. My boyfriend got a burger which was huge and filling. I got the open face hot turkey special which was DELICIOUS and hearty. The beer list is extensive, also lots of great drafts. We ordered the holiday beer flight which was perfect. My server ( platinum blonde female, I forget her name sorry :-/ ) was also super awesome, personable, and on point through out service. She even maintained service after we paid which I loved, didn't feel rushed. As a waitress employed at a competing restaurant in the neighborhood, i don't typically yelp because there are so many self Righteous jerks complaining about anything their lame brain can gather--- however praise when praise is due, I will absolutely be back devils den. YUM!
(5)
Robert M.
Phenomenal spot in South Philly. Used to go here all the time when I lived in the neighborhood. Great burgers and fries! Awesome beer selection all the time. The salmon sandwich is also great as well! I highly recommend!
(4)
DanaJoy88 ..
This place is close to my house so my boyfriend and I go here once in awhile. Overall it is a little pricey but their food is inventive and their beer list is great so the money is worth it. Due to their prices however we don't frequent too often but I like a restaurant that has good beer and food that doesn't consist of only burgers and wings.
(3)
Judy M.
I was with my girlfriend at the bar having a late night snack. The food was delicious and service was much appreciated by the guy with the batman shirt. He was very attentive and fun to talk to. I would definitely come back with more friends
(4)
Mike W.
I love the beer selection and the vibe at Devil's Den. Unfortunately when we went, the food just didnt measure up. The fries I had were delicious, but the panini I got was extremely overdone, to the point that it was hard to bite through. It also caused the sandwich to be very dried out. Also wish there was more filling inside the sandwich, but would have just been happy to have a not burnt sandwich. I devoured the fries as I dipped them into the delicious sauce served with them. The beer list is excellent. Im going to give it another try sometime soon for the food, and I will definitely be back for the beer!
(3)
Lauren B.
Did you know there are restaurants out there that sell bottles of wine for under $20? Well, Devils Den is one of them. Pair that with their awesome fries, outdoor seating, and dog watching and I think I found my new regular bar. Mind you, I won't being doing a bottle of wine every time I go there but it's good to know when out with a group. lol. Things on their menu to try- the cavatappi with short rib. Decedent, filling and worth the food coma. The cheese fries: Amazing cheese sauce with bacon! Tip- ask for a side of honey mustard. It's house made and has quite the kick to it. The perfect balance to the beer cheese sauce. Finally, the grilled Caesar salad was really good. Two large bunches of romaine drizzled with dressing and served with chicken. For the low price of $10, totally worth it! Head on over here in the warmer months and get a table on the sidewalk or at the giant open windows. You won't be disappointed. :)
(5)
Leigh Ann B.
If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would! This place is AMAZING!!! My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place while taking a walk and decided to have dinner. We started off with the bacon wrapped dates with whipped blue cheese and they were delicious then we had the diablo mussels and they were the BEST mussels I have ever tasted!!! For our entrees we had the beet salad with salmon and the roasted chicken and once again they didn't disappoint us! I would highly recommend this place and I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Heather S.
I've been three times for brunch now and it hasn't disappointed yet. $3 Bloody Marys and Mimosas from 10:30-3; can't mess up a Mimosa and the Bloody Marys are spectacular. I ordered the Avocado Benedict each time, delicious: brioche with fried avocado, eggs, and hollandaise sauce, with breakfast potatoes, red pepper, and onion as a side ($10). Roommate ordered MTO omelette with spinach, cheese, and bacon, same side. Each time we've gone at various times throughout the brunch time it has never been crowded either, no wait. I've definitely found my go-to brunch place!
Great spot for upscale bar food! The place has a locals feel with two options--you can either sit in bar area and enjoy a game or in the dining area near a lovely fireplace in a quieter setting. The service is friendly and prompt and the food is on point. Enjoyed the bacon wrapped dates, which game with goat cheese! For a main course I had the muscles, I liked the lemongrass curry, so much so I took the left over sauce home! I tried my friends traditional muscles and those were yummy as well. It came with fries (shoestring and crunchy) or side salad which had a great dressing on it. Nice beer selection and a smooth cab for $5.50 on the menu, you can't beat that. Also had some good veggie options like black bean burger and falafel .Great bar!
(4)
Nathan T.
Went her last night for dinner! Great atmosphere with centralized fireplace and historic beer references. Beer selection is diverse yet organized. Cocktails are great too! And by the way, the food is AMAZING!!! Great mixture of American classics with European touches! We've going here for years will continue to!
(5)
Jimmy W.
4 stars for the beers. At least a rotation of 10 craft beers on draft and hundreds more in bottles. Had a perfectly hand pump english extra special bitter and a GABF (great american beer festival) award winning Bière de Garde! Tasty. 3 stars for the food. BBQ Duck Buns? Wow that sauce is overly salty and adds nothing to the duck. It's just drowning with sauce which creates a mess that my 1yo would be proud of. The traditional mussels and fries were on point for Belgian standards. Devil's Den is very kid friendly with available high chairs & outdoor seating (seasonal). Free street parking all around.
(4)
Sarah L.
I've been to Devil's Den twice and pretty solidly enjoyed it. If there is one thing you order when you come here, it is the duck fries. Crispy hot fries covered in cheese and duck confit? Get out of here. They are unbelievable and totally worth the $10 which I would normally never pay for a plate of fries. We also had the confit chicken wings which we had really high expectations for but honestly they are not as good as Varga Bar and they just were not as tender as something confit should be. Good flavor and I liked the dry rub but not the best wings I've ever had. Also amazing is the Diablo Mussels- a spicy broth with chorizo and some other delicious things...everyone at the table was going for that broth and the server was awesome enough to bring us more bread so we could soak it all up (and then yes someone did drink the dregs...don't judge). Really amazing flavors with just the right amount of heat. Someone else had I think it's called the Farmer's Burger? There is a burger that is basically gluttony on a plate. It has a few kinds of meat, egg, cheese, and sauce and really is a commitment. I had the veggie burger which was huge and had fresh toppings on it. I thought the bun was delicious but the burger itself could have been a little more exciting. Veggies burgers can be hard though and it was pretty good overall. The beer list is pretty expansive and has lots of different draft and bottle options. We went during a sour/IPA event and were a little disappointed to find only about 3 'true' sours on the menu but there was one called Bullfrog Jong Bruin Cafe that two people in our party declared 'the best beer they had ever tasted' so props for selecting that one! I had a pretty delicious cherry lambic on tap which was smooth and fruity.
(4)
Christina G.
I've been to Devils Den many times for drinks and a couple times for dinner. I just had my first brunch experience over the weekend. I loved the crab eggs benedict and the potatoes that came with it. If you love crab cakes and like eggs, I don't see how you can't like it. My friend had the ham quesadilla which looked really good and he said it was decent. The brunch bloody mary's and mimosas are only $3 but very small and mediocre. My bloody mary wasn't in a big glass and was filled with a lot of ice and hardly had any alcohol in it. For brunch, I would give this place a 3. But I come to Devils Den often for drinks. I love the beer menu and it is extensive. The bartenders will let you sample a draft beer if you are uncertain and I have found that they make good recommendations. There are always good patrons in this place but the place is never packed. It is also nicer than many of the hole in the wall bars in the neighborhood. For drinks I would give this place a 4 or 5. I like their oysters but think they are a bit pricey. I wasn't a fan of their French fries and thought they were over cooked and too greasy. I have found the service to always be good here. The food is very hit or miss but I love coming here to try a new beer so I am torn over what rating to give this place.
(4)
K- O.
Absolutely my favorite place in the city. The food is delicious and fresh. The wait staff is friendly. They have an excellent selection of beer. I could go here every day.
(5)
Amy M.
I must update my review and give Daniel, our server, some major kudos. Talk about going above and beyond! He made some magic happen between us, and the kitchen, and sent us something that was previously 86'ed from the menu! What a surprise! He was super attentive, and very personable, and allowed us to enjoy a great night! Makes me love Devils Den so much more with servers who truly show they care about their guests!
(5)
Sarah A.
Nice bar. Fireplace is always roaring in the winter, and the outdoor seating on 11th is nice on sunny days. The happy hour here is fantastic. All beer on tap is half price, and the draft list is always large and on par with a plethora of palettes. And on a side note, half the time I've been here, theres been a very satisfying Nitro brew to try. Great atmosphere, great brews, & great bartenders !
(5)
Katzen Z.
I've been here dozens of times and have *never* been disappointed. They have an enormous beer list, the ambiance is great, and the food is always excellent. This is my go-to place for drinks with friends. The bartenders are always nice, attentive, and knowledgeable about the beer list. The waitstaff are also prompt and pleasant. Excellent happy hour specials on both food and drinks. Can't say enough nice things about Devil's Den, but I will say one more: The fireplace is so cozy in the winter. Love this place.
(5)
Jade B.
Another great local bar in South Philadelphia. If you are a beer lover and haven't been here yet, I highly suggest going to happy hour, all drafts are half off.
(4)
Margo K.
Alright Devil's Den, buckle up! Just as we should have one Sunday night for dinner... We were in the neighborhood and thought we'd stop in for dinner. We'd previously only ever had (some of the best) beer here and the occasional order of chickpea fries. So we were seated. A server came with water and took our beer order, and it took pretty long to get our beers. Like I said, their beer options are why we had gone so many times without eating here - came just for the beer! We ordered mussels, I forget which. The mussels themselves were okay...but the accompanying fries were SO SALTY they were pretty much inedible. I ordered Fish & Chips and the BF ordered a cheesesteak. The entree was $15 which is entirely too expensive for not specifying the fish! Also because the fried fish was so greasy that it was mush. The potatoes were the best part of my meal here. Now, the BF isn't one to complain about food very often, so I didn't expect to hear anything from him...but! He said his cheesesteak was almost entirely flavorless. Sorry Devil's Den, your food is just not good. I hope y'all fix it. I wanted to like your food too. We might still go for Sour Fest because it's a unique event and we've been going to it ever since it began...but let's hope we don't get hungry.
(2)
Dee D.
The last three times I've gone in, I've had terrible service. I live in the area, and Devil's Den used to be our go-to place. The ambiance is cozy and fun, but it doesn't make up for the service. While the food is tasty, but the daytime service just sucks. I'm sorry to say this, but it's true. The service is slow, and the daytime guy bartender/waiter I've had the last few times I've been there is particularly cold and unfriendly. Once when we walked in--and would have been just the second group of people in the entire place--the waiter/bartender actually sighed audibly with frustration. The pace of service, even when the place is nearly empty, is painfully slow. This place shouldn't feel unfriendly, but it does.
(1)
Kath R.
This place has one of the best happy hours in the city but as of late the atmosphere has changed. It is either under new management or new owners. All the familiar faces from years are now gone. I don't know what's going on but it isn't the same place. Talk about cleaning house.......hopefully the new management will change the menu up---
(1)
Beef M.
Went here with my parents for Sunday brunch. We chose to go here because we could place a reservation, and my mom is on crutches and can't stand around for an hour at other nearby brunch places. That said, it was actually not very busy here for brunch, a comfortable amount of busy. Drinks were cheap and pretty good, I got the bloody mary.. 3 bux! Pretty standard but spicy and I enjoyed it. I ordered the avocado benedict and my parents got the scallop benedict. Both were really awesome! Eggs perfectly poached, loved that the avocado was lightly fried, and the fluffy brioche they were on was also awesome. Benedict sauce was slightly dijon-y which was nice. Potatoes were ok, my mom liked them, I thought they could use more onions and peppers. Overall, great deal for great food. I would go back for brunch and probably drinks sometime, they have a good draft list
(4)
Alexis S.
My husband and I took our daughter here for brunch this weekend. I had heard mixed things about this place, but I always reserve judgment until I've tried a place myself. I was very please with my experience here. Our waiter was very attentive and accommodating. The food was good. I ordered the black bean burger and my husband ordered a beef burger. Both were prepared to our liking and the fries were decent. My husband was very impressed with their beer selection. What I really enjoyed was that it wasn't overcrowded for brunch. I would definitely try it again for a different meal.
(4)
Benjamin M.
3.5 Stars. The Devil's Den is a warm and inviting bar/restaurant, which includes a wood fireplace burning near the front entrance. I didn't eat here, but I certainly salivated over their draft beer list for a little while. I felt like I was in stout heaven... Sam Adam's Cherry Chocolate Bock Blue Point Cherry Imperial Stout Arcadia Cocoa Loco I realize they rotate their taps fairly regularly (including the next day), so I was very happy I could assist them in reducing their inventory during Happy Hour. By the time I left, the place was packed, so I wouldn't mind coming back to try out the dinner menu next time.
(3)
Kelly S.
I wish there was a zero star option. I've only been here twice but it was a terrible experience both times. The servers and the customers are all huge douchebags. So many rude negative people. Not the kind of place where I want kick back and relax. Maybe it's called devils den because this is where devilish douches hang out. Get an attitude adjustment you assholes. We wanted to take a shit on the bar to make sure everyone knows what a shit shop this place is, but it's not worth our time or the effort.
(1)
Alexander E.
Devil's Den is arguably the best bar in Philly if you are a craft beer aficionado. There are many regular taps and special/seasonal taps at all times, plus a set selection of hundreds of bottled beers from all over the world, in addition to newly featured bottles from time to time. The food is best described as pub-nouveau; upper scale variants on old standards, with specials that run anywhere from brook trout to swiss goat cheese alfredo. I have never had a bad meal there, nor a bad beer, and I am a very experimental diner who is open to being disappointed in order to try new tastes. Everything is top notch! There are many neighborhood bars and beer rooms around Philly which I frequent for their familiarity, and knowing what I like there. Yet Devil's Den gives me a comfortable spot that I know in which I can open myself up to new territories in taste, thus making itself more memorable for a few good pints or bottles at the bar, or a novel sensation to my palette. It is one of my all time favorites for food and drink anywhere in the USA!
(5)
Hungry D.
My go to bar. Excelente for drinking- like, 6 stars- aokay for food. Never a bad time; in fact, always a vunderbar time. Wish they had more food options though. I like to munch when I drink.
(4)
Felicia G.
Beer selection is always great. Food is awesome and so is the service. Such a cool atmosphere.
(5)
ED W.
cOOL bAR, great beer selection, i've eaten there a few times the food is good. I've had nothing but good service. I like the fact they have a great selection of German beers. THe interior is real nice, reminds me of a British pub a bit, not too bright.
(4)
Anne H.
Arrrgh! Devil's Den, I'm so mad at you!!! What happened? You get a new chef and try to turn this once glorious pub into something completely different! This place used to have focus, it used to have a theme: above-average bar food centered around an excellent and extensive beer selection. Now the menu has quail eggs? Figs wrapped in bacon? Where does this fit in? Plates got smaller and more expensive. Not a good way to keep your customers. Sadly, I won't be coming here anymore. This really hurts because it's right down the street from me and used to be my favorite drinking spot. Now recommend going to the Royal Tavern, which has always had good food or to Varga.
(2)
Caroline H.
I thought this place was pretty good! I had the Belgian beer flight and the roasted vegetable sandwhich. I liked all the beers in the flight (only one that I was so-so about) and the sandwhich was pretty tasty served on foccacia and the fries came with a spicy aioli to dip them in. Yumm! It was pretty packed because of the b-ball games but the atmosphere was good. I hear the happy hours are great here so I'll have to venture back in for that sometime.
(4)
Kathy D.
Great addition to the 11th street corridor. Excellent beer selection and flights in an atmosphere that is cozy with the fireplace in the winter and airy and breezy in the summer when they take out the windows. The food needs some improvement, but you can't do wrong with some fries with your good beer. Note: Not many hipsters here! Great place to watch the game as well
(3)
Jodi E.
Really interesting menu. Really. But the execution was just alright. Still, I was excited by the choices and would go back to try it again. We had the seitan meatballs (This meat-eater is mad for seitan! Tofu be damned!). Lovely idea, and definitely tasty... but they fell apart too much for my liking. The chorizo-shrimp skewers were served over crostini with ricotta. These were good. Real good. The trio of mini burgers also were delicious. A+ there. The lamb flatbread was a disappointment. It was basically braised lamb spread on a flatbread base. Like, the lamb and the flatbread did not seem to be cooked together and the whole thing just ended up looking like a thin "meat pizza" with a 1/4" of pulled lamb sitting on top of some flatbread. Our friend who met up with us after we'd eaten asked that the leftover flatbread be removed from the table. Yeah, it did look kinda gross, just sitting there all lamb-spread-like. Oh well. Some things were good, some not-as-good. But the inspiration is definitely there. Oh, and good beer selection, bien sur!
(3)
Jess C.
I walked into this place today and loved everything about it! The cozy warmth of the fireplace was perfect on this chilly day. Our bartender was very accommodating when my tomato veggie soup needed some bread for dipping :) The veggie burger had a consistency of a crab cake, which was surprisingly awesome! Loved the arugula salad too! Thanks so much! I'll be back :)
(5)
Superfly T.
The mussels diablo are some of the best spicy mussels I ever had, that sauce is delicious with perfect balance of flavor and spice, and the mussels were fresh and meaty. Beer selection is great although I only sampled a few selections, I'll be back for sure.
(4)
John F.
Succubi stare-downs, sultry suitors, savory suds Delighted, I delve deeper than Bella Vista to this devious diversion from daily drudgery. Succulent snacks satiate said stomach. Devilish divas distribute decadent drinks. Hellish hearth of heat, heart, heart, heart! Solo sh*ter sardonically scalds standby squatters. Brimstone bar benching belles bearing booze.
(3)
Christine B.
Went for brunch with Krista P., and Katrina C., on Sunday during the dogfish head takeover. Unfortunately, none of us ended up with beer, but I did try a $3 mimosa, pretty tasty. I had the eggs benedict. It was good, not the best ever, and a little on the lukewarm side. The potatoes on the side were very brown and crispy. Others had steak and eggs which looked awesome, an omelette, and a breakfast sandwich. The wait time for our food seemed pretty long, especially when other patrons who were seated after us got their food first. They take reservations for brunch which is a plus.
(3)
Steph H.
This is the last time I will review or otherwise think about the devil's den. I first gave it 1 star because of a bad server, then I gave it 4 stars because I had many good times and no problems. I am back to give it 1 star and I will offer a story as to why I will never go here again. So I want to emphasize that this bar is around the corner from my house and I WANT to like it. Loving the bar around the corner from where you live is pure perfection so I have overlooked many little problems. I used to have a job that didn't let out until 7pm so I could never go to happy hour at the devil's den. I finally was able to come here for happy hour with a friend and as the hostess was seating us she told us that in addition to half-priced drinks the "small plates" were also half-off. My buddy and I both got drinks, a small plate and an entree. When the bill came we noticed that the small plates didn't get the discount, an understandable mistake for a busy waiter. We called the waiter over and told him about this silly mistake and he surprisingly told us that it wasn't a mistake. He proceeded to tell us that the small plates were not half off; the tapas in the back of the drink menu are the ones on special for happy hour. We told him about how the hostess told us very specifically that the "small plates" were half-off (found in the dinner menu) and that we wanted them to honor this. He said there was nothing he could do and so I asked to speak to the manager. The waiter said that the manager wasn't available but the acting manager was the bartender, who I have met many times in the way that one would be familiar with the bartender at the neighborhood bar. When I told him what happened he said "Well you're here all the time, you should KNOW it's the tapas that are half off, not the small plates". I told him that I had never been there for happy hour before and emphasized that the hostess TOLD US that the "small plates" were on special. He wouldn't budge. We left unhappy less because of having to spend an extra few dollars but more because of the "every man for himself" feeling that you would never expect from a neighborhood bar. The management have made it clear that they are more concerned with making every last cent from their patrons than forging a relationship with the community. There are too many other bars in south philly to spend your time and money in a place that doesn't deserve it.
(1)
maj s.
I'm hesitant to give it a good review because I don't want more people going here. But......... the beer list never fails you and the happy hour, yes, is incredible.
(5)
Elizabeth B.
I like this place -- the food is delicious, the beer list is surprisingly thorough. The service is really nice and I liked that the dining area is slightly separated from the bar area. However ... I don't like having to wait to use the bathroom on multiple occasions when there seems to be no need for a wait (is it just bad timing on my part? I don't think so since other people have made similar remarks) AND the wood fire, during the wintertime, makes things nice and cozy but the smell it left in my clothes and hair made me feel sick.
(3)
Vincent C.
Devil's Den has amazing food and awesome beer selection. Highly recommended! If you're in Philly, take the time to leave the generic areas and check this place out.
(5)
Lauren H.
I've been here twice in the last month and was impressed each time. First time we hung mainly at the bar, the second time we were seated at a table in the dining room, right in front of the fireplace - and this is a truly spectacular fireplace. This fireplace is in the center of the bar and opens up, on one side, to the bar, and on the other, to the dining room. An honest to goodness fireplace with a merry, crackling, "you'll be a burnt marshmallow if you sit in front of it for to long" flame, which I know from personal experience as I sat directly in front of it for two hours the other night. The beer list looks to be seasonal - which is difficult for my friends who have less robust palates - but is rather delightful for me as it always means something new to try. I've only had the braised pork sandwich, so I can't comment extensively on the food, but I'd order that particular sandwich again. My table mates the last time around ordered the gorditas and the sliders, and made considerable dents in their plates, considering they are two small women. In the middle of a snowstorm, this place was packed, as it was the other time I was there, so you may have to wait for a table, or for a place at the bar, when you go - and you should go.
(4)
Tina N.
I've been here on several occasions, and have never been wowed. However, the last time I was there was game 4 of the World Series on Sunday. Maybe it was the excitement of the game, or the current love of everything Philly, but I finally had an experience worth mentioning (I tend to get lazy to write a review right after I've tried a place). My friend and I ordered the Cuban sandwich, Thai mussels, duck confit fries, one chicken and one pork gorditas. If this sounds like a lot of food for two people, it is. I never got to try the gorditas, since we were so full and he ended up taking them home. He says they were good. The Cuban and the duck fries, I can and will vouch for. You can't go wrong when smothering fries with cheese and duck meat. The mussels however were a bit bland, and I probably could have taken or leave them. The few times I've tried the mussels here have resulted in the same opinion. I agree with everyone, in that this is a nice addition to the neighborhood. It's a good cross between gastro pub and sports bar. And the beer list is not too shabby I should add.
(3)
Meredith K.
After months of putting it off, my boyfriend and I went to the Devil's Den for the first time tonight. I was quite impressed. Their tap selection was unique for the most part, including three Stone selections (Smoked Porter, Arogant Bastard, and Ruination IPA). They had a Dogfish Head I'd never seen before (the Palo Santo Marron, a 12% Imperial Brown Ale), though they ran out of it around 6 p.m.. The rest of the taps didn't really appeal to me, but I'm sure they appeal to others (Spaten Lager, High & Mighty Abbey Double, Abbey St Martin Blonde, etc.). The bartender was really cool, someone with whom it was easy to hold a conversation (which we did), and the atmosphere was comfortable and fairly quiet. The menu held the typical gastropub fare. My friends ordered some food... three ordered a burger and one ordered mussels, all of which were thoroughly enjoyed. I tried a french fry, but waited to order takeout from the Thai-Laotian place down the street. :) Overall, I definitely enjoyed this place. They have better beer than most of the bars in Philly, at least. Extra star for that. And they weren't too crowded. It was a hike to get to, though, but I'll ignore that because of the good beer!
(4)
Sandrine F.
I live close so i've been there many times. HAPPY HOUR: Devils Den at its best. 5-7pm 1/2 priced drafts (awesome selection) and $3 tapas menu. Beer flights also half price, $4.50 for a belgian beer flight (4 8 oz glasses). DRINKS: The beer selection is great, wines are expensive and not so great. The bartenders are cool esp. Steve. ATMOSPHERE: In the winter, the fireplace is a warm welcome on both the bar and dining-room sides. They have a pile of logs next to it and the staff is diligent about keeping us cozy. In the summer, the windows open for some fresh air and they have outdoor tables. FOOD: nice gastropub menu on paper but food is inconsistent although getting better with time. I disagree with the other reviews, the fries & their sauce are tasty; the mussels are good too. The apps seem more like bar food than gastrofare. Fried zucchini was good, a friend liked the quesadilla. Friends have liked the sandwiches esp. the pulled pork. I've been disappointed by specials like grilled rabbit (who grills rabbit? should have been a clue) but the duck entree was nicely done. Check it out for Happy Hour and then go eat some cheapo delicioso mexicano fare in the area.
(4)
Retta H.
I have been to Devil's Den on multiple occasions ranging from happy hour, to late time drinks, to grabbing grub. Regardless of my reasons for stopping by, the experience is always great. Happy Hour/Late Night: The beer selection is awesome, especially if you genuinely like GREAT BEER. They have a great variety of imported, domestic and local brews. I def recommend going for happy hour as it's half price for these awesome beers and worth every penny. The atmosphere is pretty chill during happy hour as well as late night. The two flat screens above the bar usually have some type of sporting events going on. During NFL season it gets pretty rowdy....especially when non-Eagles fans are amongst die hards. Finally, the bartenders and waitresses alike are awesome. Speaking as a former bartender, I think the bar staff is attentive and knows a lot about the beer they are serving. Brunch: I have been here a half dozen times for brunch and like there happy hour, it is pretty delicious for the price. I am an eggs and sausage/bacon sort of girl and I think they do omelets pretty well here. I have had the Omelet Très Fromage, Smoked Salmon Omelet , and several of the omelets on special. I have also had the Crab Benedict, which if you like crab cakes is awesome to start your day. The coffee is alil intense at Devils Den, but you can always opt for a morning beer instead. Dinner: I have only been here once for dinner (so far). I had an awesome dinner when I went on a Monday night with the fireplace ablaze...it was great atmosphere, great food, and great service. I had the Grilled Veal Flank Steak with sunchoke gratin, Brussels sprouts & veal jus. The sunchoke is a root vegetable that tasted like smokey potato au gratin...it was SOOOOOO GOOD! The veal was a great portion and cooked perfectly. The spices were appropriate for the sides and the veal jus really was more so a tasty light wine gravy. My boyfriend had the Grilled Wild Boar with roasted salsify, Swiss chard & red wine sauce. Again, this was a solid entree with a great amount of meat and a unique side dish. Salsify is another root veggie and the Swiss chard is a green that was sauteed and complimented the boar well. Overall, for the price of each dish and the amount and quality of food, I was more than pleased. I def recommend going for dinner. I will def be back.
(4)
M J.
I liked the vibe of this place. It's casual and cosy, seating close to the wood burning fireplace is highly recommended. The food is good enough. The oysters are fresh; duck fries is tasty but a bit rich with the cream sauce; burger is decent- good but not the best. I'd return for the expansive beer list, warm dining space, and good food.
(4)
Sagi S.
The place is about a block for my house so I have been there several time. Every time I come I leave a little disappointed. I end up going again since it is so close. It is not that it's that bad it's that it is consistently inconsistent. Drinks- The bar is good and generous for beer and liquor. They have a long beer list and they are good with letting you try them. The couple of times I got a glass of wine it was somewhat warm and tasted like it was opened a couple of days ago. Food- The menu sounds very cool and the food sounds very tasty. I had good wings there with a nice buffalo flavor and on another time the wings arrived cold. I had a great burger on one visit and when I had another sandwich (duck) it was dry on a bun that was probably a day or two old - or tasted like it was a day or two old. The fries were undercooked a couple of times and really good on other visits. I think fries, winds and sandwiches are the bare basics for a bar menu and they manage to mess them up. I hope they read this review and work on improving the kitchen since the place has a lot of potential.
(3)
Ryan S.
A solid beer bar on Washington. fantastic; now i don't have to hike across town to Monks, Eulogy, or Belgian cafe. Others have said it and they are correct, the wait staff is top notch. They know their beer and are attentive, friendly, and fast. I had the lamb sandwich. At $10 it was more than i'd like to pay, but within the area of what I've come to expect. We also had the Arrogant Bastard cheese fries (which i tried to recreate at home tonight using XX--the best beer i had in the house; sadly the hopdevil is gone) which were above average, the thai mussels could have been spicier but were still really good, the hot brie (which is a sandwich) that wasn't as good as other brie sandwiches i've had, and the chicken fingers which were corn flake crusted and yummy. ok, if you cant tell, if you go eat with me at a new place, i'll probably taste your food. anyway, this is getting long. wrapping it up: this is a monks that i can find street parking at (though, my #$%^ing car died) and is close to all us south phila folks. ps. someone mentioned the atmosphere/the patrons didn't feel very warm. This is no 'dive bar' nor cantina. go here with you friend; you'll not be making any at this place.
(4)
Joanne P.
Definitely one of my favorite bars. I always always order their burgers, great price for an awesome burger, and the fries are yummy too. I'm never disappointed with food or service. Atmosphere is very chill, great place to grab a drink day or night. I'm not a beer person, but they have an actual book for all the different kinds of drinks they serve. I always leave satisfied
(5)
Molly O.
Went last night. Drank WAY TOO MUCH but no hangover since they carry such high quality beer at low prices..no hangover! yea!!! I ate off the tapas menu and everything was really good. Bartender was great as always.
(4)
Meghan R.
Last Friday I decided to walk over to Devils Den which I pass often as it's in my neighborhood. For drinks I started off with the english flight of beers (I am such a sucker for flights, I love being able to try more than one thing) and I thought it was a decent deal for $8 and four tastings. My companion had a Boulder Mojo Risin' which, although I adore IPA's, I wasn't the biggest fan of. Beer aside the food really underwhelmed. We started with the queso fresco gordita which was mushy and lacking in any real flavor. I had the soup special with was listed as a spicy vegetable rice but if there was rice in there I completely missed it. My companion got the cuban sandwich and for $9 it was TINY and didn't come with any sides. The gastropub thing is done farrrrr better at other places throughout the city but I would pop in Devils Den for a beer as they have an awesome selection and just skip the food.
(3)
Elizabeth R.
Devil's Den has a nice selection of beer - something for everyone, really. The food, however, leaves much to be desired. I'm not tryin to hate, so to speak, but other than the mussels (which are the menu's highlight), the food is bland and boring. It's not bad, but it lacks flare and perhaps some creativity and ingenuity. I've never been wowed by an experience at Devil's Den, but I'm always pleased with the service, espesh at the bar. That it's within quick walking distance of my abode is worth the trip of going back to see if the menu has improved at all with time and subtle hints of critique to the chef.
(3)
Tom A.
The Devil's Den has one problem besides the atmosphere not matching the name and that problem is food. I've had soggy, undercooked fries (c'mon really?), Stale bread on a sandwich and Some NASTY ASS mussels that most definitely deserved me sending them back (in fact it was the first time I have EVER sent food back in my life, so it was warranted). These occurences were on 3 seperate occasions, and if you can believe it I've eaten there more than 3 times. The other times were okay. Saving grace is two things. First, and quickly I will mention they have a fireplace that Kicks serious ass on cold winter days. And second and more importantly... They have loads of beer and loads of good whiskeys. Loads. Awesome tap selection with a beer bible menu over 100 deep. You couldn't possibly find nothing to drink on this list unless you are a diehard Zima fan. Prices are a little high for my poor ass but with the options that is not a problem.
(3)
James K.
Admittedly I was only here for two beers last night. But my impressions were favorable and I will definitely come back next week for Happy Hour (5-7 1/2 priced drafts). This is definitely a place for beer connoisseurs. The draft and bottle menu is thorough with descriptions and alcohol % for each beer. I am definitely not a connoisseur (since I also drink PBR) but I enjoy quality beer and this is a place to expand your horizons. My girlfriend is not normally a beer drinker but we found two that suited her fancy. This place has incredible ambiance. The exposed brick walls, the smell of wood smoke and the soft candlelight juxtaposed with the music (Radiohead when I walked in) make for an enjoyable experience.
(4)
Christopher S.
If you take the Applebee's name off an Applebee's, it is still an Applebees. Devil's Den feels like an Applebee's. I guess its a matter of personal preference, but the the interior is so pristine and shiny I almost feel as if gone to visit the home of a obsessive compulsive friend who covers their furniture with saran wrap so as to not "ruin it". Personally, I hate that feeling. Devil's Den is too well lit. Its too spacious. It's an Applebee's without the name. However, Devil's Den has an excellent beer list with some decent choices on their rotating Draught system. They are doing that much right. Their happy hour is unbeatable compared to other bars within that vicinity (think POPE, or South Philly Tap Room) with their 50% off Drafts. That is a plus. But is the 2 bucks I save worth feeling like I am drinking in an uncomfortable setting? I cannot hold my personal views of how a bar should be against a place as I am certain there are many people who feel like dimly lit dingy establishments are depressing, but this is my review and this reviewer wants dank. Its a great bar to take co-workers after work. Its a great bar for a blind date. Its not romantic. Its clean. I honestly did not get the chance to sample the menu much but I did have the popcorn shrimp Happy Hour Tapas special. While I was glad to find they pulled the tails off the shrimp (I've been to a place where the whole shrimp was fried and unfortunately not all the tails were gone), it was not what I expected. The shrimp was a decent size but it was only six. A shrimp cocktail sized platter at a shrimp cocktail sized price. The chili sauce was interesting and while I do prefer my food spicy, it was more than acceptable. I did find it a bit on the sweet side though. But what should I have expected for a Tapas style dish? I incorrectly assumed a multitude of Shrimp in line with its "Popcorn" appellation, but that is my problem not theirs. Devil's Den does have a lot of good things going for it. Would I go back? Maybe. But I might only stick to happy hour. And I might only stick around for an hour. Its perfect if you like well lit well stocked establishments. If the idea of bright lights with your beverages is not appealing, I would pass it on by. But as far as other gastro pubs in the city go, I feel like its falling short of something. I want to say character, though I hate to sound that harsh, but I'm saying it anyway.
(3)
Nu S.
Must have are the mussels. I always get flights because the beer lists are too long.
(4)
Sid L.
Went for dinner with my bro a short whiles ago, it was the new spot in our neighborhood and after biking past it numerous times decided to stop in... the menu was very limited, whereas the beer list was several times the food menu's length...so its definitely a beer pub as opposed to a "gastropub"... bro had the burger and i had the mussels...not bad, but not great...service was great, but we were the only table in the dining room (this was around 6:45 on a Monday evening)... will probably stop back for drinks, and read recently that there's been a chef change in the kitchen, so hopefully the food selections will be more than a single page long...
(3)
Katrina G.
Devil's Den is one of our local restaurants, and I've always enjoyed it when we've been. The drinks were good, but the food was only okay. We have been for both dinner and brunch; the service was fine and the beer menu is extensive. While the food is nothing special, it's still a solid place that I would recommend.
(4)
Joseph D.
Great potential, bad management. I had always enjoyed the atmosphere of this bar. Although the prices were always steep for both food and drink at this bar, the choice of beer tended to justify this premium. However, after years of patronizing the establishment, I encountered great frustration with staff wanting to serve people after 1:30 A.M. Due to the fact that they wanted to get home. This was on a Saturday night. After contacting the owner, it was clear that he blindly stands behind the poor customer service provided by his staff. After relaying my concerns of his staff ignoring a large group who came in during business hours (of which, two were drunk, and not drinking - not the rest!) in order to go home, I received this response: "I do certainly appreciate you relaying you concerns to me. Unfortunately it would seem that your entire group was intentionally given slow and absentee service do to what you feel was two "drunk" people in your group, but what my staff (with corroboration by video)felt was a majority of your group. One of the women with you fell not once but twice, two people at a table were having trouble staying awake and keeping their heads up. There was a conscious decision that your group had had enough to drink for the night, that the one round would be served and that was it. This was further reinforced with the aggressive and blatantly confrontational way which you approached Bruce the MOD. By ALL accounts (including a customer who has no vested interest or reason to lie) the way you approached the situation was the final deciding factor in refusing further service to you and your friends. In regards to your concern over the timing of last call, 1:45 is our standard and the standard across the city. Individuals ability to be flexible with that is generally exercised on slower week nights when there are fewer people in the bar and done to allow people that have been in the bar to have another drink while the bartender and staff start doing there cleaning. You would be hard pressed to find any place that will serve right up to 2, especially on a Saturday to a large group that spent most of their evening elsewhere. I am sorry if you disagree with the way my staff or I have handled this situation, but I do stand by their decision to stop service to your entire group based on the level of intoxication demonstrated by some of your friends. They did what they felt was necessary for the whole group and could not be expected in these circumstances to individually determine each person's sobriety level." This is in response to a letter to the owner stating that, after having my issue with their neglect of service, that I asked the manager for the owner's information, which was refused to me. I had to write down the owner's name from the business license on the wall. Although the food and drink is good, the occasional great server and bartender were greatly overshadowed by bad, lazy servers and bartenders, who apparently say they "flagged" a group of people because two were drunk. Devil's Den is incapable of serving alcohol, however will serve as a upper scale restaurant. Although I was never thrilled with the customer service before, I didn't think I would have to contact the owner, and then have the owner stand blindly behind his lazy Saturday night staff.
(1)
Casey H.
In a nutshell I would say 5 stars for ambiance/scene and beer selection and 2 stars for food. I just love the the fireplace, but would definitely pass on the food. Maybe it's just that I had high hopes based on the reviews for the cheese fries, but they were underwhelming at best (and I would consider myself a bit of a fry connisseur). The cheese sauce was more like a gravy. If you happen to get the munchies while there I would reccommend getting plain fries with the spicy aioli sauce (the only bit of food that was tastynon my opinion).
(3)
Kat W.
Amazing beer list! Always changing. Seems that people have gotten some bad service here, they can be a little blunt, but if you don't try to order a light beer, they will typically return kindness. The food is a little over priced, but with the best taps in the city I can eat at home. Also best happy hour, all the drafts are 1/2 off during the week!
(5)
Charles B.
Since I live just blocks away, this is the kind of place I really want to love, but I don't even like it. It's just not good. I will say if your looking for a good beer selection they do have a nice happy hour with great prices, but as far as overall experience and food it just misses the mark too consistently for me. Food takes absolutely forever, and at all times of service. I waited an hour once for a ham and cheese sandwich at 3;30 in the afternoon, another time an hour and fifteen for some pickled veggies and parfait at brunch. I just don't get it, and I guess neither do their servers, as no attempt was made to relieve my frustrations. I gave it another shot during the Phils playoffs, had some too-boozy mussels, an unpleasant crab ravioli, and a Phils loss. Won't be back.
(2)
Tom S.
The beer list is great and the atmosphere is awesome. It has a wood-fireplace that splits the joint in two. It's really a great place. And a good spot to go to watch a game when that's applicable because they have TVs playing the games, and its not a deafening sports bar.
(4)
JJ N.
Love the Diablo mussels. Menu has changed so many times I don't know what they have anymore. Sliders are pretty good and the beer selections is great.
(4)
Ashley H.
The beer list at Devil's Den is decent, but the food needs some work. I think I'd only go as a hang out spot, as opposed to getting lunch or dinner here. I ordered the pan fried tortellini as a small plate the other night and it was sub-par. The tortellini looked like they were probably frozen and they sat in a bowl of grease. The pancetta that came with was incredibly salty. But, the service was good and the atmosphere is great. I learned my lesson, I'll only go to Devil's Den to sit and hang out with friends.
(3)
Sean D.
Extremely split when it comes to this place. Great prices for even better craft beers. We went for happy hour and it was amazing. Great music and fun atmosphere. If I were basing my decision just on these factors alone I would have given it a 4 but unfortunately I just can't do that. Although there were a lot of positives, there were just as many negatives that out weigh all. First the service. The server we had was extremely pretentious, and made it seem like it was a major inconvenience that we were there an spoke to us like dirt when we had any questions. The food took forever to come out and the beers took a little longer than we would have liked to come out as well. And last but definitely not least the food. Although the taste was amazing unfortunately I got FOOD POISONING off of the short rib sandwich. Like I said it tasted great but I suffered for it later and it is taking me days to rehydrate. It was a little pricey for the quality as well. All and all of not for the food poisoning I probably would at least think about returning but because of it I can't say I ever will. Please remember everyone that this is only my experience. The group I was with has been there multiple times and had no issues until this time. Just wanted to make you aware that this is a possibility, as it is with all establishments. Enjoy.
(1)
Retset Y.
I still frequent Devil's Den because the happy hour is unbeatable considering the quality of beer always on tap. Service at the bar is better than table service, most of the time. It's hard to ignore customers that are right in front of you. Table service is still a problem. I'm not sure what the problem is. SPTR is always busy and service is always consistently good. They need to get it together, service-wise. And the food? Meh. Still just OK.
(2)
Marina B.
This place is awesome! Went there last night. It was a Thursday, and it was a blast. The beer selection is INSANE. The food was good (and VERY filling). The bar was crowded, in a good way, with a great crowd that ranged in age. The bartenders are amazing. Cute and fun and very fast and attentive. I cannot wait to go back. I can't pronounce half the beers on the menu, but I'm gonna try. Just had an all around great time. I was there with about 10 people, and it was really good for a big group.
(5)
amber r.
eh. brunch at the devil's den is ok. they know how to get eggs to scramble just right (somewhere between runny and dry), but everything else was pretty middle of the road. the service was lacking. our waiter seemed thoroughly uninterested in the fact that he was there to do his job and that job was to make sure our drinks were full and our food was good. he even brought me COLD coffee. really? and this is why, i suppose, it's the only place that's dead on a sunday at noon in philly. so if you can't get a seat anywhere else and don't mind a bored staff, this will do.
(3)
Heather C.
A nice place for dinner with a group of friends. The food is tasty and the atmosphere is lively. A sage bet!
(3)
John V.
Wow, man has South Philly changed, even progressed since I resided in Packer Park, back in 1991 and prior....The Devil's Den, simply based on the name and logo alone had me sold. But as always, proof is in the pudding. I finally had the rare op. to get over to S. Philly and frequent this place after several months of trying to find time to do so. So, last weekend I found myself in the Devil's Den admist a diverse crowd consistign of twenty-somethign year olds to sixty something year olds, and evryone inbetween. It was a late night diner for me and an old local rock n' roll drummer pal of mine. Their menu was solid, particuarly if you like Belgian fare. I tried the muscles diablo, and it was damn good-hell raising in fact, to the taste buds.The food is a bit pricey, as my uptight buddy made known tot he overally patient and sweet waitress. He was hung up on the size of the crab cakes, which he eventualy decided to order. They were on the smaller size, but as the waitress informed him, "it's not always size that matters". I nearly spit my delicious Duvul ale out of my nose when I heard her say that!!! As did my friend! Yes, big plates, small portions here, but the food was very good, but not the greatest value for your money. The real reason to be here is for their lare beer selections, global offerings at that!!! We each had three ales apiece....I stuck with the Belgians: Palm, Duvel, Chimay...all were delicious....but hell, you can order the same ales at Monks or Eulogy in center city. What seperates those places apart from the Devil's Den, is the unpretentous staff and clientel. CC ale house crowds tend to be a bit upper crust,profss..that is fine, but sometimes you just want to let your hair down, and be relxed while becoming intoxicated on fine imported ales. Their beer menu exceeds 100 world class ales. The prices mirror monks, et al. The interior of the place is alluring, with a fuctional large center room fireplace, polished red brick walls, and clean, but tight, wooden tables. A sprinkling of flat screen TVs around the place, with some Devil rtelated paraphanellia tops off the places unique charm. I most definently want a return visit. If i nthe area of 11 th and elsworth streets, do make a bee line for this place. Enjoy. PS. When Monks, et al have a one to two hour waiting list, the Devil's Den, can usualy seat you promptly, at least that was my experience on a Saturday evening at 9:30 PM
(4)
Sean D.
My first impression when I walked in is that it's not very Devily. Lots of exposed brick and beams, and there is a fireplace dividing the bar from the dining room. It's very nice on the inside, but I'll stop short of officially calling it classy, thanks to the dude at the bar yelling "FLYER HOCKEY!" at the television while he spits tobacco juice into an empty Snapple bottle. Oh, and this place has a kickass logo. There have to be close to 100 bottles available, but the well-balanced list of 17 taps kept all my attention. The draft menu includes a description of each along with the state, ABV and pour/price, which range from 10.5 to 23 ounces and from four to eight dollars. It looked like everything above 8% abv was served in the smaller size. Those nine beers were a good mix of styles - DIPA, wee heavy, tripel and a couple of big stouts. Served in pints were six (amber/brown/porter/IPA) including one cask. Also available were two Germans in a large size for only around five bucks. The only complaint you could make was that only two drafts were local, although one was from hard-to-find Spring House (the other was a Yard's cask). We didn't eat but the menu looks like it has something for everyone while not being to extensive. Our server was able to make some good recommendations and was up to date on any changes in availability. There are 2-3 large TV's above the bar which make it a good place to watch a game without dominating the atmosphere. I'd bet that everyone in the place was older than 25 and younger than 35. I was impressed with the number of people in here at 3pm on a random Saturday afternoon. In all this was my favorite stop on our pub crawl through South Philly.
(4)
Dana V.
Came in here for the first time for brunch. Cool bar, definitely seems better to come grab a beer here (food menu looked decent though). I had a fruit and granola parfait with a blueberry scone. One of the first decent scones I've had in Philly. It was warm and fluffy, not hard as a rock. The place is a little out of the way, but definitely worth the trip :)
(4)
Ken M.
The Inside of this bar has a nice, dark wood motif with a fireplace. The bar is very clean/ organized. The bathroom was clean as well. I would say that the bar is a casual environment, all types are welcome. They have a great beer selection (especially German). Our bartender was very friendly and on-point. For food, we had the $20.00 meat (Charcuterie) & cheese plate combo. I felt that the plate was lame. The meat tasted overly dry & stale. The cheese was nothing to write home about. (doesn't compared to the tasty plates I have had at Tria, Di Bruno Brothers, etc)....... We also had the 'Diablo' mussels, it was realy good. The mussels were done just right, not over cooked. The broth was a Garlic chili sauce with bacon, cilantro & Belgian Wit. I enjoyed sopping up the broth with the included bread. The Mussels came with french fries (more like pommes frites if you know what I am sayin'). The frites were a medium cut, nice & crispy, skin on, I liked them. This was our 2nd visit to the Den, we will return again.
(4)
Larry M.
Been here a few times only ate once, had a burger and it was pretty good. The beer selection is very good if you are looking for craft beers this is a great place. The decor is very nice and the bartenders and service are good.
(4)
Luke L.
So I typically praise DD.. A definite go to place for food and drinks the last few years. That last few months things have changed . Service has been shotty (brunch specifically) they changed the menu, and it doesn't seem it's for the better.
(2)
Toby K.
Wish I could give half stars because I'd really give a 3.5 review. I've been to devils den a few times now. I like the decor, atmosphere, and beer. Now for the food: I tried eating here for dinner and felt as though it was very mediocre. It was so mediocre I can't even remember what I ordered. This past weekend I tried the brunch at the Den and wow! Duck fries and short rib with poached eggs were great.
(4)
H N.
We have been here twice in the last year. Good food, great atmosphere and exceptional draft list. Awesome, friendly staff. One of the first places we happened upon a while ago and we will keep coming back
(5)
Lee N.
The beer selection is great, the food is pretty good, but the service is ... well ... HORRIBLE. Unbelievably horrible. I worked in the restaurant industry for over 10 years and if I can smile and act like I care about customers, anyone can. Not Bethany. We went on a Friday for happy hour and our server Bethany could have cared less about our needs. We seemed to be an annoyance to her. I went there a while ago, but one of my coworkers was just complaining about the service there which reminded me to yelp about them. Clearly I'm not the only one who feels this way.
(3)
Christian S.
Friend of mine took me to Devil's Den last week. The beer was good, the food (wings) were ok. The atmosphere was great. The roots reggae was pouring out the good vibes.
(3)
Elina K.
Um, this place rocks. From what I saw of it anyway; which was only an hour or two of sipping beer and a late night meal very near closing time. Generally speaking bars like this don't wow me back to Pluto (huh? I dunno it sounds ok for now) But Devil's Den did. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because my experience was rather brief and limited. Here's what I observed, vibewise: -Crackling fireplace when you enter the bar. lovely surprise in the dead of dreary winter -Exposed brick and polished wood all over (bar, floors, tables) kind of a sparse yet cozy feel. -Chill patrons. it wasn't much of a crowd but the folks I saw looked like they were hanging out in their LR or porch drinking and talking. seems like the kinda place you could easily strike up a convo even if you're not a regular or one of the cool kids. As for the actual refreshments found behind the bar and the menu, those rocked as well. Beer selection was eclectic and interesting. Prices were quite reasonable for yummy fancy shmancy sounding drafts. Five bucks for a beer with 10% alkie content is cool and the gang with me considering you gotta pay six bucks for a freakin Heineken in other metropolises. The server was also more than encouraging about sampling the beers prior to making selection and kept bringing stuff out to try when we asked what something was. LOVE THAT. I mean that's the type of thing that makes you wanna spend your money and order stuff you normally wouldn't order far from some uptight attitude I've gotten when asking to sample a beer (I'm looking at you Memphis Taproom). Our server was...frankly, adorable. I couldn't help but comment on his baby face looks only to find out he used to be a cop. Babyfaced ex-cop barback. I can dig it! Lastly the food was yum. I ordered cream of parsnip soup not knowing what to expect (what the hell is a parsnip? I still don't know) which arrived all thick and creamy with candied apples in the middle. Consistency was much like applesauce but flavor was a distinct vegetable puree. I also got a pulled chicken carnita sandwich, also yum served on a hearty sourdoughlike bread. Maybe it's because I was famished and weary from a day of travel but the whole experience was delightful. By the time I finished my hearty meal and delicious beer my lungs and clothes smelling of logs I felt ready to face the elements once again, albeit sad that I couldn't stay perched up on my bar stool a little bit longer.
(4)
Marie R.
The reason we chose Devils Den is because I was looking for late night food and searched, well of course, late- night- food...anyways, for under 34.00 dollars we both had a sandwich (very large and yummy), 1 w/ friends, 1/ salad, a soda and gls of viognier....so i think thats a deal.....our bartender was excellent. I enjoyed the music and the overall bar crowd- very low key and relaxed. Ill definitely be back.
(3)
Joseph I.
Devil's Den started out as the place that my friends want to go, but I didnt. However, I've learned to like the place for the food and the great selection of beer. Maybe they could vary the menu a little bit with more sandwiches on the bar menu. Their fries are excellent especially with the cheese sauce. Definitely a classy place, but watch out, you could end up emptying your wallet real easy in this place if you are a beer lover.
(4)
Vinny P.
My feelings are really mixed. I've been here a few times and I've definitely noticed some ups and downs. As a drinking establishment, I think it deserves definite props. They have a very extensive beer selection and very nice bartenders who are willing to talk with you and advise you on your beverage selection. They've got a fireplace which is nice in the winter, no cover ever and a very casual extended bar area that you can sit and and enjoy your libations. I really feel like the food has been hit or miss. I've tried sandwiches which were tasty, some fried items that were missing the flavor and or texture that I was looking for and even their Charcuterie which was good but not spectacular. I'm not saying I won't go back. I end up here pretty frequently. I think I need to eat here more to develop a better opinion. I wish I could go to 3.5 stars but I can't vote that. I think there is more potential here and I'm going to try to find it.
(3)
christian C.
Great to sit by the fireplace on a dreary winter day! Nice warm atmosphere, with exposed brick and wood beams, with friendly staff. The beer selection is typically strong. There wings are terrific; perhaps the best in Philadelphia. I do wish they would include more non-breakfast things on the menu in the afternoon (before the brunch menu ends at 3 - you know, some people actually want lunch in the period of 1-3.).
(4)
Jim L.
This place is a block from my house so I go more than I might otherwise. Good food and they Know my drink and either ask me or even have it ready if I sit at the bar!! There is plenty of outdoor seating when it is warm and the fireplace is great when it is cold. Big TVs at the bar make it my favorite place for Phillies games. They are very cool about the times I bring my toddler for brunch or happy hour dinner!
(5)
Rob S.
Although I wouldn't knock off a star for it, I can't recommend going here for Friday happy hour anymore. Devil's Den maintains the high honor as my favorite South Philly bar for happy hour. A phenomenal frequently rotating and massive tap list at half price from 5-7 Monday through Friday. I regularly get amazing beers here for unbelievably economical prices. The reason for this update? Many, many other intelligent beer drinkers have discovered this place and the service on Fridays has suffered tremendously. The service at both the bar and at tables is often pretty slow considering we're just ordering beers. I've felt a bit ignored and then when ordering had to feel guilty for trying to put in a beer order for all of my friends at once (who have had a dry glass for 10-15 minutes). The service has also bordered on downright rude. One time I asked if there was still time for happy hour prices, was told "You got it boss," put in my order and then everything came full price on our receipt. When I complained I was scolded by the bartender for ordering beers "last minute." Is this not a universal happy hour tradition? I figure they just lack the amount of servers and tenders needed for how busty happy hour gets. Regardless, I recommend avoiding Fridays and coming ANY other week night. And DO GO any other week night.
(5)
Boris M.
Mr. Boris a lova the Russian Orthodoxy Catholic Church. I praise on Jesus and I love to eat a bite of him and drink his blood at my Sunday Church. Imagine Boris fear when Boris friend say "Boris! Put your boots on we are going to Devil's Den!" Boris scream, then put boots on, then run into bathroom and sit on cold toilet shaking in my boots! Boris cry a little bit, shake, and icicles form on Boris beard. Listen here. All Boris want in life is good drink and foods that need strong teeth for eating properly. Boris friend yell louder "BORIS! PULL UP YOUR PANTS AND LET'S GO!" Look, a little embarrass but Boris drink 3 whiskey shots to relax before we go see the Devil. Dr. Boris is so scared on drive over while friend sings loud to Cannibal Corpse on loudy boom boom car stereo system. Boris scream "Take me home tonight!" Boris can't take it no more! The fear! The Devil! The Devil in the car speaker! Boris friend smile evil smile then SLAP Boris! Boris cry and whimper like wet little doggy. Friend say "We here you loser." We go inside and Boris has fist tight ready to punch Devil in mouth you stay away you nasty crazy devil let the nice people eat and drink the beers! We love God!! YOU NEVER BELIEVE! oH my good ness no Devils I can see! Wow. This place like Boris Uncle Stanislaus living room in Russia. But with much good beer and food and young people with all clothes on! The mussels so good! The bread make Boris mouth water RIGHT NOWWW!!! Macaroni and cheese yummy too. "Holy Jesus the Devil is great cook!!!" Boris says out loud. Boris eat , drink, throw up in bathroom and clog toilet.
(4)
Callan W.
It was a Monday night so it wasn't packed (though still quite busy - which says a lot). I liked the space, but the music was a tad random, and not in a good way. I can't say much else since I just sat at the bar and drank myself into happiness, but the bartender was quick with a refill. I hope to go back one day since the food looked/smelled good.
(3)
Ryan W.
I've been here a few times due to a friend living very close to this bar. If I lived as close as he does, I'd definitely be there more often. They have a huge selection of quality beers and their staff is usually pretty friendly. Their food is decent as well. There's nothing crazy impressive about this place, and it can be a bit pricey, but if you're looking for a good beer and maybe an appetizer or two, I would recommend it.
(3)
Perry H.
What a great spot...I visited for the first time this weekend and based on the beer list alone I have to give it five stars. It was their anniversary so they had a free buffet on Saturday afternoon - what a great way to say thanks to your customers. I can't really review the food as we didn't order off the menu but the meatballs and sausages were good. We sat at the bar and the service was friendly and quick and there were two televisions for baseball opening weekend viewing. How can you rate anywhere serving Pliny The Elder (outside of CA) anything but five stars? Amazing. Also on tap was the Avery Maharaja which was superb as well. A great list of about 12-15 drafts and even more bottles. The prices were spot-on as well...five bucks (actually $4 during the anniversary celebration) for a glass of Pliny?! I look forward to visiting the Devil's Den again and actually having the opportunity to sample the food menu!
(5)
Jessica E.
This place gets an extra star for having Schneider Aventinus on tap all the time! The beer selection here is great and drafts are half-price during happy hour! I like their flight selection. You can choose from German, Belgian, or micro. Nifty! They offer friendly service and I have experienced better service at the bar than at a table. I have only eaten here once, but was not impressed. I ordered a chicken sandwich that came on a baguette that was really over-toasted. The sandwich itself was pretty bland. I will say that I explained to the server that I had a dairy allergy, so I imagine that too many elements of the sandwich were missing because of that and that is why it had no flavor, but I feel as though I should have been warned. (The sandwich was just chicken and lettuce.) I would have asked if there was a way I could spruce it up a bit, but I already felt as though I had really stressed out our server by bringing up the allergy and I did not get the impression that they were used to dealing with that. I will say that the other three people I was with thoroughly enjoyed their food, so perhaps this place is just not food allergy friendly. Also, the fries and mayo dipping sauce are delicious! I will definitely go back for the beer and I will probably give the food another shot. Oh...and did I mention that they have Schneider Aventinus on tap ALL THE TIME...!?
(4)
Larissa B.
They have an amazing draft beer list. The food is good, but the portions were fairly small. They have excellent happy hour specials. It is owned by the same people as Old Eagle in Manayunk.. another favorite for beer.
(4)
Lucio P.
Great beer, excellent service, so-so food. They recently revised the menu. Kinda sad. Hotdogs? There's a 7-11 around the corner for that. I was there for my birthday recently and out server entertained us all. He knew his menu well and guided out hands to alot of delcious and new beers. Id def come back here. Their happy hour is the bee's knees.
(5)
Corey B.
Good Beer List, food is okay, and usually a bit crowded.
(3)
Geronimo G.
I like that the window-walls open up all the way. I don't like the lack of Corona--it's summer, the window-walls are open. Lighten up.
(3)
gigi n.
South Philly needed a nice beer bar! And Devil's den is it. The atmosphere is great, so is the beer selection. It is pretty clean. The bar is really long which I dig so there is plenty of room to sit down and watch a game. There are double sided fire places so in the winter you can get to drink a beer by a cozy fireplace. In the summer their big double door windows are open so the fresh air comes in. The problem is lack of quality service and the food is a hit or miss. The service is slow and rather unprofessional; one time the waitress took someone else's fork and napkin and gave it to me--right in front of him because he said he wasn't ready to order yet!!!
(3)
Kristine D.
Devil's Den has so much work to do. This place has got such potential, great location, nice atmosphere, and a killer beer list. What it needs is to up the presentation on the food by make sandwiches a little thicker and partner them with better side dishes. The waitstaff needs an attitude adjustment, and some serious server training. I always want to come here, but knowing that the food is going to be poor and the service less than acceptable always turns me away. I hope they pick up the slack soon, we could really use them. Also, they should bring back their brunch menu (and make the food good of course). Brunch is HUGE and they should take advantage of that beautiful brunch market.
(3)
Kristen S.
Beer list: 5 stars. Seriously amazing, and on par with the more established beer bars in town. Service: tough to rate. Seriously pushy and overattentive to start, and then she disappeared during our meal. I understand that she is probably well versed in their beer options and would be able to make an educated recommendation if we'd needed one, but when she came over every ten seconds, it didn't allow us the perusal of their rather long beer list to know what the options were. Food: inconsistent. Chickpea fries were awesome. Everything else was ok. Onion rings with the seitan sloppy joe were seriously greasy--they left a puddle of grease on the plate. Flatbread was average. BBQ pork had a lot less flavor than pork normally would. I'll definitely be back for beer. And sit at the bar.
(3)
Kimberly S.
I really enjoyed my first experience here. As a foodie and beer lover, I felt very at home at Devil's Den. It seems that a lot of reviewers are complaining about the re-invention of their menu, but I think it's great that they're offering more thoughtful, refined dishes. One of the things that plagues my beer drinking experiences is going to a bar/pub with a decent to amazing beer selection and getting stuck with menu choices like buffalo wings and burgers. Come on people, been there done that a thousand times before, show me a lil' creativity! My boyfriend and I came here more for the beer and truthfully were not expecting much from the food. We had the bacon wrapped dates, open faced crab ravioli and the braised pork flatbread. All three dishes were impressive. Bacon wrapped dates are becoming a common little trend amongst menus these days and in the words of McDonalds, I'm lovin' it. These were no exception. Although the presentation of the crab ravioli was odd (who the hell makes "open-faced" ravioli??), the flavors were absolutely delicious! I can't stop thinking about this dish and it has fueled my choices at dinners since then; I keep ordering dishes with crabmeat everywhere I go. I think with a little refinement, this dish could easily be on a more upscale menu. The pork flatbread was also great. Flavors and textures all lived up to my standards and it was a delicious dish that could please all crowds. The beer selection, as most of you know, was pretty amazing. Prices were rather reasonable too. They get bonus points for having Founder's Nemesis...one of the best beers ever made. Service was very good, atmosphere was pretty cool and laid back. I'm eagerly awaiting my next visit to Devil's Den.
(4)
Lauran T.
Love this place! The Mussels are fantastic!
(5)
dan D.
This is my bar I live across the street and love the place!!
(5)
Juicebomb X.
[8/28/08 update] Craig LaBan just gave the Den one Bell. Ouch. His criticisms were accurate though. While the beer selection, service, atmosphere etc are all great, they just can't figure out the food. We recently got a crabcake napolean, and my wife said it was amazing, and I'm sticking with the thai mussels, but I've given up on getting a good burger. It's too inconsistent, and always a bit of a letdown compared with a monk's or royal tavern burger. I REALLY want the Den to find some good dishes and do them right every time, it just hasn't happened yet. [4/2/08 update] The Devil's Den opened last night, so a bunch of neighbor/friends headed over to check it out. It's got the makings of something really good, but it has a ways to go. The decor is pretty nice - not divey, but not too showy. Less rustic than the Royal or the POPE. I didn't see any Eagles decorations, but it's still early. The second floor, which is rumored to host 8 beers on tap in addition to the 16 on the first floor, is still under construction. I felt the beer list was a little gimmicky....lots of beers with demonic/satanic names - I would have liked to have seen a wider selection of domestic craft beers over the themed selection. The kitchen had a sprinkler complication so there was no food on opening night. We did get to meet the owners, Scott and Erin, who both seemed courteous and ready to bring their experience running Manayunk's Old Eagle tavern to the Devil's Den. The draft beer selection was pretty good and reasonably priced. I had several glasses of a strong ale at $5/glass, and there's enough variety of domestics and european beers on tap to keep me interested in returning again and again. One downside was that a friend ordered Heradura on the rocks and it rang up at $15/glass. That's kinda crazy...maybe they only have the most expensive type, but it was a shock when we got the bill. It was a warm night, so there were several large windows and doors open, which gave the main seating room a nice al fresco feel (if you were close to these openings). The music was not too loud and at times was drowned out completely by the crowd, which is the way I prefer it. I do wonder how summertime noise levels will jibe with the neighbors, who are certainly not foreigners to noise, with the Nam Phuong/Pho 75 restaurant complex and Washington ave so close. I look forward to seeing how this place fills out, and hope to give it more stars once I try the food and they get their sea legs.
(3)
Heather D.
Food is hit or miss, and a little overpriced for the portions. The wait staff is subpar and the management is terrible. Used to like going here but there are a few bad experiences that have changed my opinion of this place.
(2)
Ellen R.
Great beer and cozy tables! A wonderful winter spot. But the service was not great. Our waitress couldn't hear us and didn't take any time to talk to us. We felt like we were bothering her.
(3)
Mike S.
Great food, great beer selection, great atmosphere inside and out, and delightful staff. Always packed, but we never seem to have to wait too long for a drink, for food, or a table. Absolutely love this place. 100% my favorite "neighborhood" bar.
(5)
Sheila F.
We had the worst dining experience we have had in a very long time (living in Philadelphia w/ so many great restaurants to choose from a bad experience does not happen often) from the moment we sat down and the waitress/bartender took our order (writing nothing down but she assured us she got the 4 orders...NOT) it was a bad scene. The wonderful fireplace everyone has referred to was not lit? Valentines Day brunch would have been a perfect time to have the fire lit also the temp outside was 30 degrees. We found out it was the bartender (woman) who took our order because we never saw her again? Our food took almost 1hr to arrive? and when it did they forgot our friends order which then took another 10 minutes. We ordered ice tea which never came but another excuse why that happened did arrive. You would think that a table sitting for an hour to have eggs would have been offered a roll something anything - NOTHING. The hostess was ineffective and unavailable to address concerns? The only 2 people on their staff was a very nice busboy and another waitress who did apologize and did remove the late late meal from our bill. She was the only person on the wait staff that seemed to really care about the CUSTOMERS. We all agreed as did the table next to us (table of 8 ours 4) that we would NEVER go back here - the way the food was served it appeared that it was just thrown onto the plates no presentation at all? Our intention was to go to Hawthorne's the only reason we didn't dine there was due to a 45 minute wait...WE WISH WE HAD WAITED THE 45 MINUTES - money down the drain at the DEVILS' DEN The sourpuss bartender that worked on Valentine's day had to go. Our being there was an inconvenience to her. She did not seem to have a clue that customers are what keeps the place in business.
(1)
Jeremy Q.
Devil's Den's brunch is tasty. I dig the pork sandwich. Where they really win though, is with the drinks. Impeccable bloody mary's!
(4)
Eric A.
Was pretty good. Wings were hot, cheesefries and bacon was great. I didnt know what to expect, but they have a good variety of beer as well :)
(3)
Amy M.
i heart the devil's den. with an intimidating beer list, and delicious gastropub/comfort food fare, this is the kind of place i like to go when i feel like kicking back with a few new friends. like everyone else has mentioned, the happy hour is just wonderful. grab yourself some top notch craft beer drafts at half price. the cute happy hour tapas are also awesome. my favorite entree is the vegetarian sloppy joe - which as a meat eater, i still very much enjoyed. love the fries and the spicy mayo dip as well.
(5)
Simon B.
Great beer selection. Great happy hour. Food is WAY overpriced. But the main reason for the low rating is the staff. There are maybe 2 waiters/waitresses/bartenders that demonstrate any sliver of hospitality, and I'm not difficult to please ( I live in South Philly, after all). I've been at Devil's Den many times, and I'll continue to go only to get my fill of beer. No more tips for you suckers! My advice is to go for the beer. Don't expect good service, and make sure you let them know that their service sucks nads.
(2)
miss f.
Consistently the worst, most inedible food I've eaten in Philly. I've tried and tried and tried to give Devil's Den a chance and they never fail to disappoint. Often the more esoteric beers are flat or stale, a sad thing indeed so ask for a taste first. Just don't order any food. If you must mussels are your best bet, just hope they are fresh. I've gotten burnt carcasses of chicken wings and another times bitten into a perfectly golden crisp wing that was a bloody mess inside. Recently I got a chicken sandwich with guacamole that horrified me. The guacamole was an unnatural color, m n m green? Christmas ribbon green? It was oily, bitter and plain nasty. The waitress poo-poo'd me and assured me it was "100% all natural hand made guacamole." I call b.s. on that, it was prolly the horrid palm oil based fake gauac that's dirt cheap and sold in ethnic markets. Another patron overheard me and we talked at great length about how foul that green stuff is. A few months ago a sandwich with pork belly was served with the pork belly on the lower bun. The entire bottom of the sandwich stuck to the plate in a loose oily mess. Having lived south of the mason dixon I know pork. I suspect a thin slice of cheap lard was subbed for the pork belly. (notice a trend here? Tasty $$ item on the menu subbed with a dollar store impostor) They do have beer, lotsa beer and always keep the Spaten on tap. The bathrooms are clean and the location can't be beat. Why should they bother improving when they do such a good business.
(1)
Brian M.
I'm not qualified to write reviews on this place. i've only been here like five times. the first two times I turned around and left within 30 seconds of walking in (achingly busy). Even after a quieter Thursday happy hour and a flight special I was undecided. Then I saw Port Brewing's Hop 15 on tap last night, right next to Cantillon Geuze. Yes the beer list is often world class, this bar is driven by a passion for beer. That is 4/5 of what I look for when I venture out of my house.
(4)
Joy C.
This place is a hidden treasure in South Philly. It sits on 11th street hidden behind a Vietnamese shopping center. We have been there 2 times and enjoy their beer selection. They have a wide selection of Belgian beers and even have a sampler for like 5-8 bucks. Things to try are their spicy chorizo mussels, which I think is the best I've had. It's flavorful, and you just want to use the bread to sop up the sauce. For brunch you can get 1000 open table points which is halfway towards a $20 gift certificate from open table. It has a cozy atmosphere with a smokeless fireplace in the middle of the room. Parking is doable in that area. It's a really nice hidden gem in South Philly. Can't wait to try their happy hour.
(4)
Mary G.
I like this place and I don't even like beer. They used to have fruit infused vodka which was AWESOME, but even still, it's a cool place with a good jukebox, good service and unpretentious attitude. It is very "new Brooklyn" to me and that is a good thing. I have not eaten here, but the food looks yummy.
(4)
Sharon F.
this place gets 4 stars for the beer and 2 stars for the food and maybe 3 for the service. That averages out to 3. Stopped here before the phillies game because it is in such a great location to catch the subway. It was happy hour and glad to see that my $5 beer cost $2;50. Can't go wrong with the beer here. The have an awesome selection on tap. Ordered a flatbread and some edamame because they were the few vegetarian items on the menu. The menu is a little underwhelming. They seem to try to be too fancy and a lot of the items don't make sense. The flatbread tasted fine.. I was hungry as fuck and edamame is edamame. Waitress was nice and attentive but got a weird vibe from the bartender. Oh well, I was buzzed off the beers and on my way to happy land Citizens Bank Park. This place is ok but not a go to place when I am in south PHilly. I could overlook the food shortcomings if the environment was more comfortable. A smile and a little bit of service go long way.
(3)
Valerie T.
The ambiance/decor is swell. I especially like the brick wall(s). The service had a bit of attitude, not sure why! The beer selection was extensive, especially the Belgians~ however, the food was mediocre to our palates.
(2)
Jim T.
We recently had a chance to check out the Devil's Den. The first thing is that they have an amazing selection of beers. I devulged into several selections. The overall vibe is good. friendly staff and good bartenders. A good hang for a few beers. The food was good but not outstanding for what it could be. I think the small menu hurts a little. My girlfriend had the mussels and I had a ham & cheese panni which was good.
(4)
Ted P.
This place has an excellent, always rotating, choice of beers. Sign up for them on Facebook and follow what they have on tap any given night. The food is also very good and the atmosphere is nice and relaxed.
(4)
Maxwell S.
This place was pretty cool when I went there but my waitress was so stupid it really pissed me off. She was just rude. I asked a question and she looked at me like I had two heads. My friends at the table agreed that she was weird. I forget her name. Everything else was great though so I only took away one star.
(4)
Brent S.
Had a great time- the whole experience was nice. Definitely a Happy Hour diamond Melanie, the bartender, was great. The beer selection was very good. We had bloody mary's to start. Decent but not stellar. We enjoyed a beer flight selection and a few drafts during happy hour which was a real bargain. Can't comment on the food other than the tapas menu at happy hour {50% off}. We had Chickpea fries and potatoes which were both good. I plan on going back to try the duck on the dinner menu. It sounds great.
(4)
Spencer L.
Outstanding beer selection. The food was fantastic - good place to catch the game or a bight prior to the game. Had a burger and it may be one of the best burgers in town. Excellent vegetarian selection for those that don't eat meat. Just a great tavern.
(4)
A B.
Alright, I have lived across from DD for the last year and unfortunately things have gone downhill since the chef change. Getting rid of my favorite Blt sandwich was a start but then the service has been terrible as of late. My wife called ahead last week and the hostess (who admittedly is the nicest person in there) said "oh there are plenty of tables". Our walk is literally 30 seconds across the street and we get there and she then days it's 25 min wait because she just gave her last table away. Fine, 4 of us squeeze into a corner of the bar and there were two bartenders. One was tending half the bar the other was changing a tap. The guy stays on his side and doesn't even glance to the other side. The other bartender spent ten min changing the tap then proceeds to go to the other side as well. Another guy next to me is waiting and she finally comes over and he says "he was here first" and her response was "he can wait" wow. The food can be ok. Chik pea fries are good but in general food is overpriced. They did just add outdoor seating, but jeeze can you clean up 11th street a little first as there is debris all over the sidewalk near the tables. The waitresses can be friendly but it's mixed. On the flip side in the winter the atmosphere can't be beat with the brick and the fireplace.
(3)
Lauren T.
Stopped here before a Flyers game because the beer list looked pretty good online. I was disappointed when my first draught choice was kicked but my IPA was only $2.50 so I couldn't complain. The food, however was abysmal. Fried zucchini was way too breaded and way too overdone and the chicken scallopini sandwich was loaded with salt (and that was without the ham that normally accompanies it). I may have just chosen wrong, but I won't be returning for dinner anytime soon.
(2)
James W.
Fantastic beer list, with descriptions of each beer in the menu. I ordered the Torletti, but it was way too salty. Probably just a mistake. I sent it back and they had a new dish in front of me in no time. Though I protested, the server offered it to me on the house. I left her an enormous tip. I also agree with some of the other reviews: The place needs more sandwich-type meals. When I'm drinking good beer, I like to fill up. At least give us a real burger! I'll be back...
(3)
Darnelle R.
I'm fairly new to South Philly but I have found my new favorite place. Devil's Den has a great color story, great beer and food menu and enough space to have any kind of event! So far, I have been there for half-price drafts during the week and a nice late afternoon meal on a Saturday. This place is great for a date, fun with a flat mate, drown your sorrows and rant about people you hate, or to simply celebrate! What a great place to be... Devil's Den is the place for me! I AM A HUGE FAN OF DEVIL'S DEN!!!
(5)
Ti L.
Devil's Den is a very chill place to go and grab a drink with friends. Great beer selection. Bar staff is great and happy hour is solid. As for the food... eh... the hostess was pretty rude, so we didn't even bother stay for dinner.
(2)
Manisha N.
What a cool bar. Immediately upon walking in, I was greeted with the sight of a hot, roaring fireplace and exposed brick walls. Both of these things are delightful to me. The bar was hopping, full of bearded, classy and/or young people, so the waitress seated my bf and I in a corner seat in the back. From there we had privacy, and a good view of the rest of the bar. The lighting was low and candlelit, which created a very sexy ambiance. The drink menu was incredibly comprehensive and reasonably priced. I don't drink beer, but we ordered a raspberry and pumpkin ale beer. Both were exquisite and delicious. I had a wonderful time, and would definitely come again during happy hour to enjoy more drinks and appetizers.
(4)
patrick k.
went there again in the winter during a snow storm. like i said it's the closest bar to my house, so it was the logical choice. i loved the hot fireplace. the beers are great. made the mistake of eating again. i ordered the $16 chicken pot pie, hoping it was at least as good as the one at the Standard Tap. It wasn't close. It was more like a bowl of chicken pot pie campbells soup, with the crust sitting on top. That's right, no crust underneath the soup. I'm pretty embarrassed that I ordered the $16 pot pie to begin with. But it was a blizzard and it sounded so good. My lady ordered a veggie quesadilla, which was disgusting. But like i said, the beers are good, and it's cozy in there.
(2)
Don R.
I really haven't gotten a good read on this place yet. All the makings of a nice place, interior, decent service..great selection of beers bottles/draft....Everytime I stop in it's usually on a Sunday afternoon with not many people inside for 1 or 2 beers so I''m not sure if this is indicative of say a Friday or Saturday night...Off to a good start in my book...
(3)
Bella Vista R.
Beer - Really good Mussels - Good Churros - Bad Will miss the Duck fries as they were a nice compliment to any beer on the menu. Fireplace is also a great touch during the winter. Need to get a little more consistent and have a better overall menu than just the Mussels.
(3)
matthew h.
Copious amounts of beer to choose from. Nice selction of quality beer on tap too! I like this place. It's cozy and in the hood. I had wonderful mussels au saffron that were so good I craved them for a couple days. Service was very attentive.
(4)
Rebecca C.
I have to say I think this place is pretty good. Now I base this review on my husband and I going and just splitting a few small plates...All were really good. I startd with the French Onion soup..it was tasty...pretty standard, but none the less good. Then we split wings (awesome), cheese fries (also awesome) and Chicken Fingers (we had to bring the rugrats and this was their choice, but very good and plentiful). All in all a pretty great meal. Also major points for their Happy Hour draft specials...1/2 off all drafts..and a great selection of drafts!! W will definately be adding Devils Den into our rotation!!
(4)
David K.
One of the earlier posters said that the only thing good about this joint is its name. Devil's Den was the name given to a section of the battlefield at the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg at which the casualties were especially numerous. If this bar's name is a reference to that, fine. If, however, there is some satanic reference in this joint's name, I would like to be informed about that, in which case my rating would be minus a billion stars. I like the food here, particualrly the cuban sandwich. This is a beer bar, and a second tier one among the universe of Philadelphia beer bars. And, like other Philadelphia beer bars, it's a great place when it is quiet and not very crowded. The beer selection here is a cut below that of the Grey Lodge and the South Philadelphia Tap Room, but a person who loves beer can always find something worth drinking here.
(4)
Megan K.
i went with a group of 8 friends last night. it was monday and i didnt get there until almost midnight. so i wasnt expecting a big crowd. there were just a few people at the end of the bar. It was pretty nice. the dining room was closed. bar is long. they have tvs behind the bar. its warm feeling. i did not eat, nor do i drink beer. but all my friends were drinking beers.each one had something different and they all came with glass ware to match. they were happy with the selections. the service was fine. but again, it wasnt busy. but to tell the truth. it was nothing special. i was with the funniest people i know, so a great time was had. but we could have been anywhere and had the same experience. the devil's den just didnt leave an impression on me either way. not saying i wont go back. maybe next time i'll grab food and go on a busier night so i can see what the crowd is like.
(3)
Michael B.
beer dork cheapo happy hour rankings... This ranking is done with the "best beers for the buck" in mind. Devil's Den is not my favorite bar in the city; that would probably be the POPE, SPTR, Prohibition, or Memphis. But it's cheap as hell from 5-7pm, has a tough-to-beat selection of craft drafts, and is a good jumping-off point for other watering holes in south phila. 1. devil's den. the selection is outstanding (i put dd along with varga as tops in this category) and you can get plenty of them for around $2-3 during hh. frankly the cheapest place in town for some of the best beers. and an hour later that the rest. 5-7 weekdays, half off all drafts. 2. pub on passyunk east (POPE). this is a very, very close 2nd. great staff (tim and both matts are my heros), terrific selection, always good to have a wide variety to suit everyone's tastes, from excellent belgians to hard-to-find ipas. half off drafts during happy hour mean $3.50 for goblets of super-expensive belgians or $2-3 for typical american craft pints. solid juke, too. 4-6 weekdays, half off all drafts. NOTE: Sly Fox cans are $3 all the time.. so you might as well just stay all night- every night. 3. memphis tap room. excellent selection of craft beers on tap... always rotating and creative. all $4 for happy hour. and out back with the new hot dog truck (open april-october), cans are $3 (pounders being $4) and honestly, chillin out in the alley with a beer battered and pickled gingered hot dog (vegan option) and an anderson valley ipa.. please. nothing could beat it on a nice day. well, maybe if they find a way to beat the system and start offering their indoor beers outdoors.. but hey, who are we to hold it against them? 4-6 weekdays, $4 drafts inside/$3 cans outside. 4. varga. probably the best selection of craft draft beer in the entire city. and it's all 1/2 off. no fluff on tap, great descriptions, extremely knowledgeable staff, varga was my #1 for ages but their prices recently went up (and i moved away.. coincidence?? :)). expect to pay closer to $4 per draft here during hh (still a steal for most of these hard-to-find beers). plus, no restaurant in the city makes better brussel sprouts (barbuzzo is a close second perhaps). 4-6 weekdays, half off drafts and pretty much all liquor drinks and house wine. 5. the khyber. the beer selection makes up for the happy hour deal this spot does not offer alongside its brethren (both cantinas and royal tavern all offer 1/2 off drafts at happy hour; the khyber only gives ya $2 off). but really, nothing beats sitting down at the bar with a cup of phila's best gumbo and an obscure ipa. and i know you all know by now.. but the bacon grease popcorn is so right. 4-6 weekdays, $2 off all drafts.
(4)
Er B.
First time. Definitely not going to be the last.
(4)
Sarah S.
Very friendly service! Staff is knowledgeable about beers on tap, and DD offers great flights for the indecisive. A must-try are the duck fries, similar to poutine. Their happy hour is unbeatable, 5-7 on weekdays and half-price beer (on tap). Certainly a south philly staple.
(5)
Cat P.
Devil's Den is like the forgotten stepchild of bars in Philadelphia. They have a fantastic beer selection (over 200, I believe) and an awesome happy hour deal (1/2 off beers and flights). The food is decent, the neighborhood vibe is fun, and I appreciated the portion size of the hummus plate they brought out to us. The service here leaves a little bit to be desired, though. It took upwards of 15 minutes for us to get our drinks. It would have been quicker to go to the bar, but we didn't want to stiff the wait staff. When we realized our waitress was still MIA, we tried to ask a different server if we could just grab a glass of water. She was quick to point out that she "wasn't our server" and begrudgingly brought us a glass of water. I want to come back here, but DD, please hire an extra server or your wait staff may end up killing someone.
(3)
Anthony L.
Very good selection of beer that changes often. Not a huge fan of the food but the one thing I really enjoy is their cheesesteak. Also a decent brunch spot.
(3)
E J.
Sensational Scallop appetizer special tonight, great atmosphere, awesome music. Will be back.
(5)
Mike D.
I have always wanted to try DD but stayed away due to some mediocre reviews but glad I finally stopped in. It was refreshing to see an eclectic group of people scattered about the bar and the dining room. The little food we had consisted of a beet salad and scallops were more than adequate. The topper was the beer selection which called my name at from every angle. Our short stay was pleasant and enough to elicit a return. Definitely a solid choice in an area not too hopping with beer joints with the potential to stand alone.
(4)
Sean A.
Excellent salmon BLT and great version of a cheese steak with an IPA cheese sauce. Aces on the French Fries! Best happy hour for beer lovers in Philly!
(5)
Francis U.
Finally...a decent pub in south Philly. Happy hour prices for a pint are reasonable, but can otherwise be pricey. The beer list is creative & boutiquey, but lacks a few good staple beers...sometimes you just want a Guinness. Service is adequate, but nothing amazing. The fireplace is nice in the winter...now we just need to get winters back. I'm also partial to the name. No rest for the wicked.
(3)
Lilli C.
The happy hours here are awesome. 1/2 off every beer on draft (they have a great selection) and $3 bar snacks. We got the shipyard pumpkin beer which I think is my new favorite beer. We also got a huge plate of spicy hummus and the chickpea fries which were amazing. They aren't your traditional fries and look more like square nuggets w/ aoli and a cucumber slice on top. They were fantastic, but sadly there were only 3 per order. I could probably eat like 10 of them. So for 20 bucks, we were full and drunk. I will definitely be back again for happy hour. Next time I'll have to get here right at 5 to snag a seat at the bar.
(4)
Kelly P.
any establishment that has a dogfish head events will surely get my business. i'd been to DD just a couple weeks earlier for dinner, which was solid. that's when i noticed in the menu that the DFH event was coming up, and i thought YESSS i'm in there like swimwear. i've had the pleasure of dining during a busy friday night (without reservations, my party of 5 was treated kindly), and also sitting at the bar early saturday for the event. i am happy to note that there were no hiccups in the service either time, and i will likely check out their brunch one day soon. the mussels were nice and spicy, the shortrib flatbread was ok -- definitely improved by hot sauce -- and i'd definitely return to the bar if i want to grab a beer solo to watch a game.
(3)
Steve C.
This place is really a great place to go if you want to just chill and relax. The bartenders and servers are friendly and mak you feel like you belong the first time you sit down. The beer selection is very high, but they don't carry some common local beers like Yueingling, they do have a strong selection of hard to find favorites. The food here is very good and I think it just accents all the great things this bar has to offer.
(4)
Laura K.
I have been back several times since and every single time it has been fantastic. Glad they seemed to have sorted out what they needed to- absolutely one of the best bars in the area.
(5)
Jim d.
The one star goes to the bartenders here, really nice people through and through but some of the waitstaff here is ATROCIOUS. 10/14/11: My girlfriend and I sat down at around 8:30 for dinner. We did as the sign told us to and we sat ourselves. There was only a 4 top available, so we had to sit. Another couple sat next to us at the same time as another 4 top opened up. no one came to either couple about waiting for a proper sized table. Both couples were given beer and food menus as well as waters. The other couple not only received beer right away but also an appetizer within 10 minutes. Still not even an acknowledgement of our existence from the waiter. Subsequently the next 10 minutes passed and the waiter passed us around 8-10 times. We made eye contact more than once and he NEVER stopped to wait on us. If it wasn't his section, the eye contact should be enough for him to tip off his fellow waitstaff to serve us. He did neither of these things. After 25 minutes total a third couple sat down on the other side of us and within 90 seconds he was waiting on them. We got up and walked out. I frustratingly said "THANKS A LOT" outloud. Again, no one asked us to wait at the bar until a 2 top opened (which we would be happy to do). If you want the 5 top full, then say something don't just ignore us until we leave. The busser was by the door and we let him know what happened within earshot of the offending waiter, the busser was apologetic and even offered to buy us a round of drinks citing them being short staffed that night. This really isn't an excuse when all the waiter had to do was stop, and excuse himself by saying "sorry, we're a little short, i'll just be a minute" he literally said nothing to us. If you ever see a shorter waiter with short blonde hair, that's the guy we're referring to. If management reads this yelp page, this waiter should really learn some manners. I'm not asking that he be fired, he just learns to do a job like that properly. Show a little tact, buddy. Probably won't be going back to Devil's Den for a long, long time.
(1)
Christopher M.
Go for brunch!! Get the Chickpea Fries to start!!! Have fun!!! I'm very glad our first brunch option didn't pan out. Our waitress was extremely nice and went above and beyond at times throughout our meal. The bloody mary's are nicely sized and perfectly blended! I asked for it extra spicy and I didn't have to send it back for more spice! And the bartender who made it was hot :-) We had a community brunch of Juevos Rancheros, Chickpea Fries (AMAZING!!!!!! We threatened to wrestle each other for extra!!), Crab Eggs Benedict, Smoked Trout Hash, and the Casino Omelette. Juevos Rancheros wasn't very authentic looking...but was quite pleasing. I CAN'T SAY CHICKPEA FRIES ENOUGH!! I'm considering moving back to Philly just to be closer to these phenomenal little bites, which come with an awesome chipotle aioli!!! The Crab Eggs Benedict was visually appealing and tasty! Just know that the crab meat is rather sweet (that caught us off guard at first but was fine once we knew what flavor to expect). The Smoked Trout Hash was a table fav. The Casino omelette was good...just fluffier than we expected it to be. Intriguing flavors...and I do think I'd order the Casino Flatbread next time. But I'm glad I tried it. The potatoes that came with the Benedict and Casino were so nummers especially when dipped in the aioli, which our waitress saw we liked and offered to bring out more at no extra charge :-) The mixed greens served with the trout were plentiful and super fresh. We were four happy post-yoga class campers :-) I hear the restaurant has gone through many evolutions, some of which weren't so great. So if you weren't satisfied the first time you went, I recommend going back now that they seem to have found their groove :-)
(4)
Deann M.
This place is wonderful for the Happy Hour drink specials... 1/2 off all drafts, you can't really beat that in Philly. They always have a ton of really good microbrews on tap, and a large selection of them. Happy hour is a well known event, it is usually packed by 6 pm, so make sure to get there early if you want to get a seat. The food is ok, but the service can be a bit spotty. The first time I went the burger I had was great! Juicy and delicious. The next couple times I went to get food, there was always an issue with my order or my bill. One time I didn't get the right dish, I don't normally send anything back but this was completely wrong and I didn't want what I got... the server apologized and told me he would take my beer off the bill. So then I had to wait about 20 minutes for my food while the rest of my party ate. When we got the bill, he didn't remove the beer from the bill! When I told him about it, he got kind of an attitude and said he DID take it off, but I only had one beer and it was still on there. Eventually he relented... but that was a little annoying. Next time I went there was another problem with my order. We ordered two burgers cooked medium and they were completely raw inside. This time I didn't return it, I just ate most of it and scraped out the inside. Most people around me were just drinking or eating appetizers, so not sure why they felt the need to not cook our burgers completely through. I don't mind waiting to get what I ordered! Anyhoo, next time I'll probably just get beer and eat somewhere else. There are plenty of other places to eat that have better food and service.
(3)
Stereo C.
It seems like every time my boyfriend and I have come here for dinner, the food has been subpar. I've had burned sandwiches and undercooked potatoes and generally disappointing food. However, I do like their brunch menu. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are 3 bucks and they do have a two egg, sausage and potato option for 7 dollars. The loaded everything bagel is pretty righteous and the Biscuits and Sausage gravy (with eggs) hits the spot. The outdoor seating is clutch for getting brunch sloshed. It's nice to have this an an option down the street. I've had a pretty mixed bag with service here sometimes it's great sometimes it makes me want to pelt people with rocks. *shrug* The somewhat older (compared to the rest of the servers) woman with the blonde hair has always been super sweet and on point tho. It's not top notch but it is worthy of a go to spot.
(3)
Abbie D.
Mussels Diablo = DELISH Calamari Salad = DELISH Bison Burgers = DELISH Draft Selection = Very Good Outdoor seating is great for pet friendly diners :)
(4)
Walter K.
Last time I went to Devil's Den I remember horrible service, okay food and 3 lines tapped with no replacements in sight. My last visit, however, was much improved. This place first landed on my radar for the happy hour. M-F 5-7 gets you half priced drinks. And that's on top of the already reasonable prices. For beer selection, Devil's Den doesn't disappoint. Even though I don't go often, they always have something new for me to try, and I really appreciate that. The decor here is great, I really like this place and it has a great long wooden bar. There are a few large screen TVs. I went here to watch a hockey game, and while there was music playing all night, the bartender turned up the TV's audio all the way so I could here the game a little bit. The service here does need some work. Everyone just seems to be moving on a slower pace, but it wasn't horrible. I like the menu here. Dan ordered a raw meat platter and he enjoyed that. It had a lot of interesting different pairings, and the only complaint would be that it wasn't very filling for $15. I ordered the burger, my standard go-to. I ordered a cheeseburger, but it came out without my cheese. It was a few minutes before I could even get the bartender's attention to get it fixed, but I got a free beer for the ordeal. No harm, ho foul. There was harm in how it was cooked. I ordered medium rare, and it wasn't even close. No part of the inside of my burger was pink. The bread is great, the fries are good, and its served with a great aioli. If it came out with my cheese and cooked to order, I would be pretty satisfied. I was also out with Quinn, who is a lover of well done burgers, and she was still talking about it a few days later. I'm definitely willing to give it another go. Bottom Line: They have a great happy hour here, good beer selection, and reasonable prices. It's not amazing, but Devil's Den is a welcomed retreat, especially in winter when you cozy up next to the fireplace, which brings the whole place up a notch on a blustery evening.
(4)
Aaliyah P.
CLUSTER-F*CK CHAOS SH+T SHOW are all adjectives that can be used to describe the bar scene at Devils Den. Went for the DFH event and all of south philly decided to congregate at this bar at the exact moment that CB and i walked in. Luckily the oh so awesome Casey R was there and was gracious enough let us stand in real close while we stalked a couple that had paid a half hour before we got there and nursed one beer for what felt like and eternity. When my grandparents i mean the couple decided they had their fill they left us with two great seats and we gathered ourselves for all the DFH we could drink. I was very impressed with the beer selection (theres a book similar to the beer bible at monks) The beers are pretty reasonably priced and the specialty offerings were a great value ranting from $5-$9. We decided to only try beers we had never had i went with the gluten free Twseasnon'ale , Red and White,Namaste. All very good choices and service was ok (minus the rude person i talked too on the phone ) We tried the diablo mussels which came with frites and bread. The broth was spicy and had great flavor. I wasn't too happy that a few of the mussels were still slightly closed. Not sure if i would come here again but if i was in the hood and craving a beer i would know where to find one.
(3)
Aruna A.
I've been going back and back to Devil's Den over and over again. I keep finding new reasons to love it. I've gone back at all times of day at this point, and I really can't say enough about how I love it. The service is always good, the happy hour prices are so very right. And the sunday brunch mimosas & bloody mary's ($3 each) are well made and are the right price. I think that mostly I love the fireplace that they light up during the winter. There is nothing like the smell of burning wood and embers that I truly love. There are too many things I truly enjoy about Devil's Den. I suggest you trek here. Winter, or Summer, it's a great hole to hang out in and enjoy good drinks / beer.
(5)
James B.
I'm at devils den for the eagles game great beer selection nice bartender tom, however they need to fire there cook who doesn't know the difference between a medium burger n 1 well done. My buddy got the crab benidict that had burnt toast and cold hash. I used to love this place but as the prices rise the service declines 1 star for the beer
(1)
Lori K.
This place is the closest bar to our apartment, but I have never felt welcome. The bald bartender has the a huge arrogant, attitude and that is when he isn't ignoring you. The fireplace is wonderful in winter, the sidewall seating is great in the warm months, and the food is ok, but I still can't get past his attitude. Went there to meet friends on a Friday night and the place was busy. I gave him my credit card and it went downhill after that. I asked for another beer after waiting for 10 minutes with an empty glass. I was ignored by the girl bartender too. I couldn't remember the name of the beer and he was not helpful at all. I hope they can rely on their regulars because I won't be going back.
(2)
Michael W.
This place used to be good.... Not anymore , the food is a disappointment . I ordered the crab benedict and the brioche was burnt and the potatoes cold. When I returned the food the bartender didn't apologize he just snatched the plate away and as he walked away he checked to see if I had lied to him. After I returned the food he ignored us, to the point that we had to leave to go somewhere else to get service. Disappointing this place used to be good.
(1)
Dave C.
I love this bar. I go in all the time when I'm in town. The staff is super cool and the food is always on point. The bald guy behind the bar is a funny bastard. Last time I was there, we had a cute little curly haired blonde waitress, who's name is escaping me, but she was extremely friendly and patient with us even though we may have had a few too many to drink. Every time I come to town, this is my spot! Best beer menu in the city. PS: That cheesesteak is no joke. If you like spicy food, order it.
(5)
Andrea V.
I'm lucky that this is the closest bar to my current place of residence. Devil's Den has consistently tasty food and great variety of beer. I have tried the Diablo mussels per some of the reviews and they lived up to expectations. It just so happened that they had grilled octopus and brussels sprouts as specials last time I went, which are two of my favorite things, so naturally I had to get them and they didn't disappoint. I think my date was mildly horrifed that I was eating both octopus and brussels sprouts with gusto but that's beside the point. The mac and cheese and the duck fries are also things of beauty. Oh, and the short rib and horseradish flatbread, too. It's hard to go wrong with this menu. It can get a little crowded and if you're going for food at a high-volume time it's a good idea to make a reservation. If you're going for happy hour, get there as early as you can. In spite of this potential for uber-popularity, it maintains the feel of a nicer neighborhood spot. In the cooler months they have an awesome fireplace which makes you not want to move, ever, and in the warmer months they have outdoor seating. Basically, what's not to love?
(4)
Ben S.
Extensive craft beer selection Off the beaten path, unless you're a Pho phan Quirky food When my friend recommended this place partially because it was not right in the heart of typical Saturday night bar scenes, I saw that they accepted OpenTable reservations and booked a table for 10pm anyway. With confirmation email in hand when we rolled in, I unfortunately got a quizzical look, because they believed that portal had been shut off while they were doing a Dogfish Head tap takeover/dinner. Bummer there, but the hostess rebounded pretty nicely, promising to take care of us with a table within about 15 minutes, and then giving us the high sign after only about 8 had passed. A positive from a negative, to start. During that brief wait time, I had my nose in the beer bible (a la Monk's) they use as a menu, and I was not disappointed. Sorted by style and then alphabetical by brewery, my mathematical mind kept cross-tabulating "Russian River this and Russian River that," which I can't get in Rhode Island, and I'm surprised I didn't order four beers at once just for myself. This spot means business. As we made our way to a table by a pass-through fireplace, I felt a noticeable change in decibels and crampedness. It was a more chill atmosphere only 5 feet away, and a nice way to tuck into some food and brews for the evening. I kept the beer menu handy all night long, and my friends and I drank well, at a relatively reasonable price. Aforementioned Russian Rivers, collaborations, session beers, specialty bottles, and certainly plenty of DFH drafts available on that night - I have zero complaints about drinking in the Den. I drop this joint a star because the food was another story. I had a potato soup that was average to above-average, and I ventured to order the chick-pea "fries" to give them a try. These five tofu-like cubes stayed pretty much intact on my plate, un-fry-like and unappetizing. Swing and a miss. As others have said, it seemed like they were trying pretty hard to fluff up the menu's appeal, but it wasn't a Monk's Cafe kitchen offering - put it that way. Still, the staff was friendly and prompt, and they had what I was there for - a wide variety of craft beers at good rates, with a comfortable place to join friends in sharing the wealth and a good time. I'll happily be back next time I'm in town, and I'll even give more of the menu a shot. Devil's Den is a solid bet.
(4)
Matt D.
This particular part of South Philly is starting to come around. El Jarocho is on the next block, and there is destination Vietnamese food all over the place. I have to say, I was expecting something a little more divey. This place was packed inside and out for Happy Hour on a good weather Friday night. The 5-7:00 deal is well worth the walk. A great list of food specials and half price beer. As noted on most other reviews, the beer list doesn't disappoint. I found it a little odd that hot wings were not on the happy hour menu, and I was even more surprised when I saw the $11 price tag on them. I hesitated, but ordered them anyway, along with the chickpea fries, spicy hummus, and oysters. All of the food was excellent. The "hot" wings had just the right amount of heat, the chickpea fries were an odd surprise (definitely recommend these), the hummus was delicious, and the oysters had great flavor, but were a little small. I'm docking a star for the bartender who refused to pull me a beer and add it to our table tab. I told him I'd pay him cash, because I understand the tip scenario, and he still wouldn't do it. I've never been told, "no I won't get you a beer" twice...at a bar...by a bartender. Really? On top of that, they short pour beers here a lot, as in all the time.
(4)
Sarah E.
Oh boy, just looking at Devil's Den gives me a hangover. Which is totally a good thing due to the lush that I'll always admit I am. Many a time I've walked in there with the greatest willpower to only have "1 or two" and end up staying the entire night. Mr. C loves the beer selection (as do I on the nights I'm drinking beer) and the Hendrick's gin they pour. And we both love their magical happy hour (1/2 price drafts). Alas, I am consistently not blown away by their food. The wings are good as are the $1 oyster shooters during said magical happy hour. Unfortunately, their huevos rancheros I had for brunch once were most disappointing and their other offerings fall rather flat. But given my penchant for an unquenchable thirst for drinking (pun totally intended) and the fact that the Den is a very manageable stumbling distance from our home, it succeeds in being exactly what we want it to be, a great place to call our local.
(4)
Emily K.
I've been waiting a long time to write a review of Devil's Den - and I'm STILL not even really sure I'm ready. My feelings are so torn - it's like every time I go into Devil's Den determined to be happy with what they provide, they commit some more and more blatant offense. The first time I went to DD I was so impressed - the decor is dark, but not oppressive, cozy, but not cutesy - perfect. The beer list was not to be believed. Their draft list is top of the line in Philadelphia for its combination of rare imports and best-of-the-best domestics, and their bottle list is only rivaled by that of Eulogy. AND THE HAPPY HOUR. Oh my lordie lord it is singular. Getting Russian River Consecration for $3.50 is pretty unbelievable. That said, I finally made a foray into their menu. I remember the first salad that I got - it was before the Bar Ferdinand chef came over - and it was "eh." After the menu changed I returned, and ordered the diablo mussels. This is where things started to go downhill. They came out bathed in a delicious fire-y sauce - but the many of the mussels in the already skimpy portion were severely undercooked. Okay. Now I KNOW the general rule, as I eat and cook mussels all the time - if a mussel opens, it's cooked. And I LOVE raw seafood - oysters, anytime! But there is something about an overly slimy, unpleasantly mushy mussel that I just can't stomach. So I pulled aside our waitress and casually mentioned with no animosity at all - "hey, I think a couple of there are undercooked." She removed them, apologized, and said it will be another 10-15 minutes for the chef to prepare another order. I said okay. Right as my date was finishing up his meal, my second round of mussels came out - STILL UNDERCOOKED (though I must admit, the sauce got even more deliciously fire-y :)). I ate those that I could stomach, as I was STARVING, but had to leave a large amount of my portion. I really did not want to be 'that lady,' but I let our waitress know as she cleared out table, totally nonchalantly and with no hostility, "I really hate to be a crazy lady, but I think a lot of those were still undercooked!" She offered some paltry excuses like "maybe mussels are just bad in general today," but did not apologize again. Oh well. The kicker - literally right after our waitress cleared our table she returned to the table next to ours, and let the woman sitting there know that she had comped her the cheesecake that the she had reported to be "not that good," with an apology from the chef. She then turned to us and gave us our check - WITH NOTHING COMPED. Like a slap in the face. I really was nice about it, I swear! But alas - spite won the battle. Like that experience wasn't enough, I was convinced to return to DD recently for a big splurge dinner with several friends. This was the night before their Sour Fest - and let me tell you, they were not concerned with giving customers who came in on that wrong night a good experience. Our waitress first announced that about six of the taps were kicked, and on hold for sour fest the next day. We had a choice between roughly two remaining drafts. In addition - they were out of half of the bottles we asked for! WTF. I ordered the endive salad and the bacon wrapped dates. Talk about heaven and hell - the bacon dates being the heavenly portion, and the salad making me fume. Seriously the dates were DROP DEAD DELICIOUS - but how can you go wrong wrapping my favorite food ever (medjool dates) in bacon, and frying them?? But the salad. How to even begin. It was actually offensive that they would serve that to me for $9. It consisted of some arugula, literally FOUR leaves of endive, some sliced pear (so rushed in preparation that the slices weren't even separated), ONE CRUMBLE OF GOAT CHEESE (ONE.), and a vinaigrette so tasteless I swear the recipe came from Fox News. Maddening. It literally cause me and my boyfriend to get in a huge fight. Which I will not even get into. So basically - Devil's Den has been playing me like a fool over and over. No more, Devil's Den. No more.
(2)
Daniel F.
Here is the deal. The food is good, I liked it, I had a simple burger and it was enjoyable. What I look for, aside from the food making me happy, is the atmosphere, the service and the beer. I gave it 4 stars, they deserve it, its great and its a pleasant place to hang out. If you like those things, then you agree, this place is super nice.
(4)
Rich G.
This is my favorite spot in Philadelphia....so its getting 5 stars. No, it doesn't have the best food, but it's damn good. I have had a few disappointments, but things like the Aventinus Mussels and Chick Pea fries more than make up for any negatives. I have yet to experience the happy hour madness, but what do you expect for HALF PRICE taps. They have the best beer selection in the city, IMO.
(5)
elle m.
I've been here twice and love the cozy atmosphere. Their regular dinner menu is great and includes a lot of interesting choices. We LOVED the mussels and the flatbreads, but don't know if the flatbreads are big enough for a meal. And if you leave this place without tasting the duck fries I will personally knock on your door and make you try one. They are SPLENDELICIOUS! One thing I really enjoyed were the beer flights... I'm always worried to spend $10 on a really rare beer that I may not like. The flights were really well put together in terms of theme and composition. Definitely found one or two new beers that I love trying them out. The brunch menu is slightly lacking as I recall. I give it a hardy 'meh'.
(4)
Thad S.
This place is kind of weird. Every time I go, I just feel like it is off. People seem to love it because there is nothing else around (for the most part). I am just glad it is not my bar of necessity, because it is really just eh. Good beer list, but who doesn't have that these days? It's hard to explain, just a strange feeling about this place like if I stick around too long, I am going to become one of the brainwashed zombies that thinks it's awesome.
(3)
Gandhus M.
I have mixed feelings about Devil's Den. One look at their food & beer menus and you sincerely want it to be everything you dream it to be and more. I've been here primarily within the following contexts. My introduction to DD was over a series of brunches over the last two plus years. The first time I had brunch here was the best. I hate to say it but each subsequent brunch was less rewarding than the last. Like a drug addict seeking the euphoria of their first high, I went back hoping to recapture that first brunch experience and was denied each time. This is not to say, it's a bad meal - simply that in my experiences, the quality has declined. I've done the after work thing here several times over the last year or so too. The draft list is awesome, there's no contesting that. Spaten Lager seems to be a permanent member, and that's good to see. Their bottle selection is impressive. The weeknights I've spent here they were pretty busy. It can get crazy crowded. I'm talking 'good luck saving your seat/line for the bathroom' crowded. These after work affairs usually involve meeting friends, drinking six or seven beers and ordering mussels. Despite the crowd, it's not a bad time. In March of 2010, I had the pleasure of making this one of my first stops during the first Craft Beer Express. Early day action on a Saturday with a good crew. We ate and had a few beers before proceeding on our adventure. It was a fun crowd that day and easily my best experience at Devil's Den to date. The aesthetics of the place are great. Dark wooden furniture. Fireplace. I find myself appreciating the paintings in the dining room. Heck, even the location is cool.... ...yet Devil's Den falls a bit short for me. The service is so-so and there are plenty of other places that just gain my favor over DD. For all it's sleekness and vast diversity of quality beer - there's a lack of comfort or camaraderie here that I readily find in similar establishments. (Fireplace notwithstanding) But hey, just as you can't always knock it out of the park at every at bat you can't expect the sanctity of that "home away from home" feeling at every bar. It has served me well as a brunch destination, a meeting place, a spot to grab a bite and catch a buzz after work or just a place to have a beer or two before heading someplace else. If this comes across as a negative review, it's only because I so want to be able to give it four or five stars - but in good conscious cannot. I will undoubtedly be there again at some point in the relatively near future and look forward to posting an update when I do.
(3)
Kelly W.
Went here almost every night during Philly Beer Week. Always something new to try. Bartenders are very helpful and friendly. Servers are not great..which is why I will sit at the bar unless it's full. Huge TVs at bar which is nice when there's a game you want to watch. Good ambience. This is our go-to bar, really enjoy it. Not five star as it can be very loud on weekend nights and the pompous servers make it uncomfortable.
(4)
Jessica G.
I'm so surprised by all of the negative review's I'm seeing about DD! I went here with some friends last night (including a local who comes here pretty often) and had a really fantastic experience. We were all raving about it afterwards. My meal started off with the bacon-wrapped dates- OMG. These were absolutely divine. I could have had two plates of these and called it my dinner. But I'm so glad I didn't, because then I wouldn't have eaten the Provencal Mussels that I had as my entree. I chose these over the traditional as a recommendation from our waitress, and thank god I took her advice! The broth was incredible (chock full of sun dried tomatoes) and I couldn't stop sipping the broth and dipping the accompanying grilled bread so that I could get as much garlicky wonderfulness as possible. The fries weren't the best I've ever had, but they were a good side dish, especially when dipped in the spicy aioli. I also tried my friend's macaroni and cheese, which was a special appetizer for the night. The portion was huge and only cost $6! It was a pretty stellar mac and cheese, very creamy and satisfying. I would definitely come back here again, not only for the food but also for the atmosphere which was so cozy and warm on a winter day.
(4)
Devant W.
Pros - Ever-changing draft list of quality beers that I have a tough time choosing - knowledgeable bar staff - 2 huge TVs for watching the games when they're on - 2 clean bathrooms - Kobe slider trio - Awesome Hostess who always has interesting outfits Cons - Inconsistent service ranging from awesome to absolutely terrible - Mediocre & expensive dinner menu - wait staff doesn't always know liquor prices - Hapy Hour food menu is a joke. Chickpea fries were lukewarm at best and the three-cheese croquettes didn't really have any kind of distinctive flavor. - Gulden Draak coasters... but no Guldeen Draak bottles to be found! As it stands, the Den is my go-to spot to grab a great beer due to being stumbling distance from my home and the bar staff will actually give you real answers to beer inquiries, but if I am in the mood for something to eat, I'll skip this place and head somewhere else.
While having one of the best draught and bottle beer lists in Philly, overall this place has gone downhill. They should have stuck with the "leave well enough alone" rule for the menu. They used to offer a fairly solid menu that was reasonably priced and had a couple of vegetarian options. Now, the Den apparently thinks it's a French BYOB. The new menu is trying WAY too hard and most offerings are more expensive. Pickled quail eggs? Give me a fucking break. You can't even get just a single burger anymore but are instead forced to accept 3 different varieties in their "burger trio", which I find incredibly presumptuous. The seitan meatballs, while a nice idea, are just "meh". The service is very hit or miss, with a strong emphasis on MISS as of late. A month ago after posting up at the bar with some friends, it took a full 15 minutes and constantly staring down the bartender to get served. It wasn't as busy as it can be, but this is unacceptable by any standard. The second-to-last time I was there with a small group at a table, our server messed up 2 of our dink orders and then didn't take them off the bill until we asked. She was also way too chipper (think TGI Friday's). Hey, I don't want to be treated like an asshole, but I also don't want to be your best friend. The last time I was there a couple of weeks ago, with a larger group, was actually quite good. It was almost as if our server were trying to make up for the crappy service that seems to be the recent general consensus. Overall, still generally worth it for the excellent beer offerings alone.
(3)
Jenn P.
Amazing beer selection. As I am a solid fan of anything and everything sour, dry, bitter, or fermented I really, really appreciated the wide range of sour beers. Happy hour seems pretty decent. I enjoyed a delicious salmon-bacon sandwich. Pretty solid service, too, despite all the negative reviews claiming otherwise.
(3)
Michelle C.
This is a cute place and much-needed for the area it is in. The beer selection is decent but the food... needs work. The menu is very small and the way things are presented make it seem like they are trying too hard to be upscale. The nachos in particular were a huge disappointment. I didn't know it was possible to screw up a standard plate of bar nachos until the other night at Devil's Den. After seeing a couple plates go by, we decided to order them. We hadn't noticed an abundance of salsa, so we specifically asked for some on the side. This is how the conversation went: me: we'll have the nachos with a side of salsa server: (weird look)...okay... two minutes later server: we don't have salsa... is fresh pico okay? me: that would be great! two minutes later server: um, we can't do pico either. How about a free side of guacamole? me: um, okay Who serves nachos without salsa or anything resembling salsa? Devil's Den does. P.S. For the record, ketchup is not really good on nachos...
(3)
Scott H.
As I browsed the review list, I noticed a common theme that kept arising...bad service. It was the first thing my dudes and I noticed when we went in this past Sunday for brunch. We went in, the hostess had no greeting, hastily seated us, and gave four adults two menus. Then, our server, who never gave his name just didn't seem to come off too friendly, and seemed indifferent about his service. When we got the food, it was wrong. When they got it right, it was meager. The food tasted fine, but the price to portions ratio was shit. The ONLY thing that saved the meal was the abundance of women in this place. The bar was full, and there was a super table that sat behind us, full of 30+ yr old bombshells. Heed my warning; if you're going in for food or service : DONT Beer, Women : Go for it
(2)
Mike S.
Based on beer, they get 5 stars. Based on food, 2 stars. Not that the food is bad, it is not. It is quite delicious. Its the lack of options. Most of the food is fancy, which, is what the owners want to portray, which is great. But, if you are feeling picky, it seems like the options force you in a certain direction, like it or not. Haven't been there since the change in chef and the revamp of the menu. That changed last night. 5-7 is Happy Hour, which is 1/2 off drafts. THAT is a great deal. Nothing like drinking superb beers for half the price. Ordered mild wings. The meat literally picks clean from the bone. The sauce is not over powering and sloppy. Flyers game is on, place is busy. Not overly packed like it was Game 5 of the World Series two years ago. Ordered Aventinus Mussels. Amazingly delicious. I could swim in the broth. Fiance ordered braised pork sandwich. She said it was delicious. Beer was great. Atmosphere was perfect. A definite pro-Flyers crowd that was not obnoxious. I will go back, as the beer is alluring. I am hoping they can add a few more options to the menu to make it more rounded.
(3)
Jenna N.
When my boyfriend and I were looking to rent a room together we naturally went on Craigslist to find us some roommates. Craigslist is not a good place to find roommates (In case you haven't heard horror stories already, think "controlling, eavesdropping snoop" or "delusional, constantly-mutters-under-his-breath-er." You get the idea.) so we decided to (gasp) actually meet with the potential roommates first! We all decided to meet at Devil's Den, and while the circumstances still made it an awkward meeting the overall experience was great. I hate going to bars; I rarely drink unless there are fermented grapes involved. The bartender seemed to sense my uncertainty and took the time to make recommendations based on the tiny bit of knowledge I possessed about beers. He even offered up two samples in mini beer mugs (this is probably normal, but it blew my mind). Whatever he gave me was great. I drank lots of it, stumbled home and thought about plants. Or something.
(5)
Rebecca L.
Fantastic happy hour, and a lovely location. Sitting outside when it's nice out is fantastic. Great beer selection! The happy hour appetizers are lackluster. The bartenders are a little weird and grumpy though. That being said, they did let me still have happy hour prices when I ordered at 6:58 and it ends at 7:00 pm
(4)
Sarah C.
I really want to give Devils Den more stars, really I do -especially since the beer selection is out of this world but the food has been sub par more than once. On my first trip the mussels were ridiculously gritty, I ended up just dipping my bread in the sauce and not eating most of the actual mussels. On the second trip the server (who was wonderful) sent my food back herself! She served me the sandwich and said if you want to send this back, I totally understand! My meal was replaced with another more acceptable option that was average. I will give Devil's Den another chance because the service and beer are both so good but they need to improve what is going on in the kitchen. The menu selection sounds delicious on paper but the actual execution of the meals leaves something to be desired.
(2)
Amy K.
My new neighborhood bar. I'd gladly trade south philly tap room for the devil's den. I'm usually not disappointed with their food. Their brunch is good (my favorite being the crab cake eggs benedict - it's untouchable.) I can't wait to try their steak and eggs. Their sandwiches have always been good, and I usually stay clear of the entrees due to their high price tags. The only time I was extremely disappointed was when I got a salad with deviled eggs on it. The deviled eggs were WAY off, and made the salad almost inedible for me. The worst part of it, it appealed to both my boyfriend and I so we both got it. Talk about ouch. The bar service is wonderful, I've liked most of the bartenders I've met here. I prefer to sit at the bar, but we've gone where we didn't have a choice but to sit at a table. The service was so-so. I hear a lot of complaints from friends about their table service and it's unfortunate that it turns them away from going here. I usually start talking up the bar service so people don't count out this awesome bar altogether. And for the record, I haven't sat at a table there in months - only the bar - so it could have easily improved. Their beer selection is phonemonal, bottles and drafts. I like getting their flights to sample different beers. Their happy hour is unbeatable - half price drafts will be saving you a ton of money and getting you nice and toasty off great beer for cheap. I believe its the typical 5-7 monday through friday happy hour. They also have a tapas menu of cheap, good finger foods. And the fireplace, how I loved walking over here in that blizzard we had and melting near the fire. I always feel very comfortable at devil's den.
(4)
Mikonora R.
The good--good beer selection, good prices, good happy hour! And the bartenders always know the beers and will help describe them and offer taste to try it out! The bad--I liked eating here a lot but since new chef they have removed my best items and replaced with bad things! Duck fries are gone from menu. :( I had pork sandwich that was smallest thing I have ever ordered for $10! I have very small appetite and was still hungry after eating sandwich and fries! I hope new chef makes bigger portions.
(3)
James W.
This rating is solely for their excellent beer selection. They also have a 1/2 priced draft happy hour like their sister bar, Old Eagle Tavern. The bartenders aren't as good here and neither is the food. I wouldn't get anything besides burgers and fries or maybe the mussels. I think all this is do to it being a bigger place that gets a lot busier than Old Eagle. Either way a must.
(5)
Christopher S.
I wrote my first review for this place over two years ago. It's improved greatly and has become one of my favorite places to spend an evening in Philly. Their beer selection is fantastic and rotates quickly (see their FB page for their current list of taps.) They frequently have beer geek events and are by far one of top beer geek joints in the city. Their food is pretty good, too. However it's inconsistent. I will frequently get a dish that's fantastic one night, then "meh" the next. I think the good food outweighs the "meh". But the beer makes up for it. Seriously. If you are a beer geek and are looking for a non-touristy place to get some great libations, try this out.
Huge selection of beer, good variety on the sampler trays, super-friendly/charming service. The dessert options are pretty stellar as well.
(5)
Mike E.
Man, people are all over the map about this place... but I love it. One caveat for this review - I almost always sit at the bar, and almost always at or around Happy Hour, which for my money is the best in the city: a great, regularly-rotated selection of beers, all at half-price. And even the regular prices ain't that bad; for $4-5 you can get a rock-solid craft beer, about the same price I'd expect to pay for a lager at your typical non-dive joint. Food is ok, that's the only reason I knock off a star - haven't been blown away by any of my experiences with the regular dinner menu, although I do like the tapas: chickpea fries and the patatas bravas make for for some good finger food to soak up all that sweet, sweet half-price beer. Haven't tried brunch. Never had bad service here - all the bartenders seem pretty friendly to me, and there's only once I really had to wait long to eat (and I got comped for it). Came here once with a biggish party for a friend's birthday, and service was still solid and nobody went thirsty. I know this place gets compared to POPE a lot, but: a) it's a few blocks closer to where I live, and I really am that lazy b) POPE happy hour goes from 4 - 6, and just because I'm a freelancer with alcoholic tendencies doesn't mean I can drop everything to get loaded that early. I do have some standards. Sure, they don't have crab fries - but life is full of compromises...
(4)
Jordan S.
I like this place a lot. It isn't too loud or too dark for a bar and functions as a legitimate restaurant on the food side of things. The fries are a bit thin but very good. The ketchup is kicked up a notch with some tabasco and it makes for an interesting addition. All I've tried really is the bacon-wrapped meatloaf sandwich. It is open faced and delicious. I had to come back the next day to have it again it was so good! They have some other decent sandwich options too from what my fellow patrons said. Oh and of course the beer selection is epic. There's a reason they get to kick off beer week.
(4)
Juliana K.
Beer selection rocks. GREAT Happy hour specials and a huge beer selection. Food is decent. Salmon sandwich is delicious. Great decor. Good service.
(4)
Jonny R.
The Devil's Den is a fine gastropub that is as serious about its food and atmosphere, as it is about its tap list and bottle selection. I've had countless great experiences here, it's a place that loves beer, and hosts great events. The servers themselves are knowledgeable and helpful (sometimes to a fault). And it has one of the best happy hours in the city. It has a great seating area, and a great bar, too. It livens up that strip on 11th Street that has little going for it, too.
(3)
Adam K.
The best beer selection in Philly. Very balanced list. The food is good. Happy hour between 5-7 Mon-Fri. Half all drafts and their themed Flights of 5 beers (i.e. 5 5 oz IPAs).
(5)
Jemma C.
This place is spitting distance from my house so I go every so often. If it wasn't I'd have no reason to. Food is OK at best however brunch is awful! Good beer menu. Patchy service.
(2)
Aleks K.
Been to brunch here twice. Service and Food is consistent and delicious. When I go to a place that gives me real maple syrup, you better believe I'm coming back. I went on 1/22 mid day with my best friend. I had the Cornflake Crusted French Toast and he had the Eggs Benedict. We shared a portion of Cheese fries with bacon. A Mimosa for me and a Bloody Mary for him. The toast - delicious, crunchy but not oily, berry compote on top and actual whipped cream, folks! Topped in mapley syrup and inhaled. The eggs - also disappeared quickly. :) They come with a side of potatoes and peppers. Looked yummy to a non-egg eater like me. Made me think twice about my non-egg eating status. The fries - oh lord, the fries. Run to the fries, folks. They are covered in an alfredo like cheese sauce and topped with crunchy, broken up bacon. Ask for a side of ranch. Ask for 2 sides of ranch and loosen your belt. The Mimosa - $3, decent. The Mary - 2 were consumed at $3 a piece, best friend said they were delicious and spicy. Added bonus - toothpick on which garnish came can be used as an evil sword when your best friend takes your iPhone. I also got a coffee which was delicious and worth the $2.50. I was offered a refill but was too full to indulge. Last time, I got coffee and we also had desserts (Panna Cotta and a Chocolate Mousse) Overall, we paid $35 on a Saturday! Crackling fireplace is great for ambiance, especially on a day where you can't feel your nose due to 22 degree weather.
(5)
Peter D.
Unless it's happy hour, I probably wouldn't come here too often. It's a cluster every time I've been there. I am happy for the spot, since it's a South Philly joint. That being said, the food is a little overpriced and the service could be better...especially considering the amount of people that go. It would be nice also if the servers would let you know what the beers are in each flight that you can order (one of the perks of Devil's Den). I definitely see myself coming back but there is room for improvement.
(3)
Colleen G.
I live about 2-3 blocks away and have been coming here frequently since I moved in a year ago. The beer selection is phenomenal, the food is delicious, and the servers and bartenders are all very friendly. This place is the best in the winter time, they have a fireplace in the middle of the restaurant which makes for a cozy atmosphere. And they have BEERMOSAS for brunch ..nuff said, am I right?
(5)
Mark Z.
It was nice walking by the fireplace after a cold day to get some food and drinks. This bar has a huge selection of beer and wines, so you are bound to find something you like. The food is good and the service is incredibly friendly. This is a place I will like to return to for a good dinner and drink.
(4)
L B.
The two stars might seem harsh. But when you're an established beer venue with a great reputation, someone's gotta call you out on the watered down beer. If you believe that proper storage of beer involves pouring what little is left of a Rodenbach Grand Cru keg into a pitcher that you then cover with plastic wrap and then just let it sit in your walk-in...there's this little thing called condensation that sometimes happens and then you end up with a lot of water in your beer...please feel free to do that with a Coors, Bud, Miller - any beer that already is pretty close to being water. PLEASE NEVER do that with any other quality beer you guys serve. Please also do not attempt to serve said watered down used-to-be-Grand Cru to your guests who are expecting to get exactly what they ordered. Mind you, Devil's Den, I dig your awesome beer selection. I also dig your waitstaff and bartenders. Solid folks with lightning-fast wit. Your fireplace keeps me warm when I'm there and smelling wonderful when I leave. But I come there for the beer first and foremost and if there's anyone working for you who doesn't understand how to properly store beer? That's a problem.
(2)
Frank R.
Devil's Den features an elite collection of draft and bottle beer and serves very good food. This is one of my favorite places to grab some great food and beer. I have been here a number of times and every time I do, it get harder and harder to leave. Simply put, this is the sort of restaurant that I would love to open some day. Devil's Den just speaks my language in so many ways. First is the beer. I often find myself doing a double take when I see some of the beer they serve here. Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast Stout, Stone 11-11-11, Russian River Damnation, Schnieder Aventinus Eisbock, are some of the best beers in the world and I have had them all here. The beer menu is one of the best of all of the hundreds of beer bars I have visited in the country. As if having a library of beers wasn't enough, they are half price during happy hour. Its so easy to go here and spend $20 and have an excellent start to your night! The food is usually very good. Some of the really satisfying dishes are the bacon wrapped dates, chorizo quesadilla, grilled asparagus, and braised pork flatbread. One of the best dishes I had here was the open-faced crab ravioli. It was perfect! However, I find the use of dressings, especially anything with balsamic, needs a little restraint as it tends to overpower a dish with its ubiquity. The chickpea fries are a bit boring and unsatisfying. I have had some oysters here that were past their prime and had too much sand and shell. Service at the tables is usually very good in terms of promptness and friendliness. Sometimes, the bartenders are too busy talking to their friends about some things that are best not talked about at work. In fact, its kind of ridiculous. Also, at happy hour, it can be a bit tight and competitive and frustrating. Then again, its understandable when excellent beer is half off. Overall, I love going to Devil's Den. They balance quality, quantity and price that comes together for a very satisfying and enjoyable experience!
(4)
Eric W.
Devils Den is my local watering hole. They always have a great draft list with beers from all over the world. The staff is always attentive and for the most part they know their stuff. If you've never been to "the Den" and you enjoy beer this is a must try.
(5)
Breanna M.
Love Devil's Den! Great food, great service, great beer selection!
(5)
Richard F.
Moved into the neighborhood about a month ago. In my old neighborhood, had lots of favorite pubs - Southwark, Kennett, etc. Was worried I would not find a substitute.....until we found Devil's Den. Have now been five times and it never fails to please. Mussels Provencal about the best I've had outside of Paris - and they would compare extremely well in Paris! Croque Maison was a superb rendition of a traditional dish. Burger terrific. What else can I say. Oh, the beer list: absolutely world-class and with a nitro pump and a cask-conditioned choice, it's simply fantastic. Devil's Den is my new gastro-pub fav.
(5)
James B.
Devil's Den is like beige carpeting. There's nothing wrong with it. It just wouldn't be my choice.
(3)
Maly C.
Their mussel is really good. The beer selection is awesome. Can't wait to go back.
(3)
Maureen V.
Creative and vast selection of beers, both on draft and bottle, but moreso bottle. Lots of imports which are categorized by style. It's nice that they include the alcohol percentage so that you can see what you're getting for your money. ;) Prices are a little too high, but they do have a nice happy hour M-F 5-7pm: half off all drafts. Service is a little too slow at times, but they get really busy so I get that. Can get pretty loud there too. Food is pretty good and not what you'd expect from a bar in South Philly. It has a touch of gourmet flair and is no over the top in terms of price. This place is very clean and has a cozy, rustic look to it.
(4)
C K.
Very reasonable prices and really amazing food!! They have a great beer selection and I've been there several times and literally never had a bad meal there! It may look like a local neighborhood bar from the outside, but the food there is DELICIOUS!! Their brownie is by far the best brownie I've ever had in my life (we split it between 3 people and it was even a bit much for us, it was that rich). I had a duck breast special one night which was the best duck breast I've ever eaten. Also yummy on their menu is the grilled duck flatbread. Yum. The first time I got the chef's tasting menu, which was decadent and delicious. Their chef is a culinary artist and I'll definitely be back again and again!
(5)
Ernest S.
Pretty good beer selection and nice customers, but major negative for the waitress who tried to cheat us without having us notice. Two of us dropped in just to get a beer each. The bill was $11.55 and we gave her $17 (yes, it's an odd number, but we each threw in random amounts of cash for our individual beers). When the waitress returned she said awkwardly "this is what they gave me back" and left us $4. What a cheater! I don't know her name, but she works the front table area by the entrance and it happened tonight (Thursday). Beware! This sucks because I would have gone back. Now I'm definitely not stepping my foot in here again.
(2)
Becca M.
It pains me to give Devil's Den such a negative review because I genuinely do enjoy the mussels and flatbreads when I hit it up for a late night dinner. However, no amount of delicious mussels can offset the atrocity I experienced upon brunching here. It all started one super-hungover Sunday morning. My boyfriend and I first tried Hawthornes (1 hour wait) then called over to Sabrina's (1 hour 15 minute wait). After choice one and two were nixed, we started brainstorming where to go next. During the brainstorm process we passed Devil's Den and decided to try it despite several people telling us the brunch was subpar at best. Those people were exaggerating. Though the restaurant was not crowded AT ALL we were sat directly in between the two bathrooms. Having worked in food service before this is a no-no. The worst table is the last table to go. After we had to asked to be moved, she sat us at a table which was so slanted that the water was spilling when it was placed down. So then we were moved again. After the seating debacle, we ordered. At the waitress' suggestion I ordered the breakfast quesadilla, and my boyfriend got the biscuits and gravy. His dish came out alone, I told him to eat, but he really didn't want to because it was just not good. So a few minutes go by and we ask where my stuff is. The waitress tells us it is about to be up. At least ten more minutes pass and my shitty quesadilla is finally served. The food is plopped down sans an apology for the screw up. It was clear the waitress forgot to put in my order, and I kinda wish she had just admitted it because, ya know, people screw up and I get it. The food itself was just not good. The biscuits and gravy made my boyfriend sick all day and the eggs in the quesidilla were so over cooked I don't know if they even qualified as eggs any more. My advice to Devil's Den: Stick to dinner. The only plus was my watery, tasteless bloody mary was only $3. huzzah...
(2)
Jill C.
Ok so this was the first stop during my recent divorce party. That's right, my divorce party. My sister and friend decided I needed a celebration for closure. So we did a little bar crawl, with Devils Den being our first stop. We went inside to talk to the hostess about sitting outside. They happily put two tables together for us and it was a lovely day out. They had an excellent beer selection and everyone was happy with their selections. They had a few beer flights on the menu but I'm not sure if that was just because it was Philly Beer Week. Beers were well priced. We looked at the food menu, but no one was really hungry at that point. I would like to go back sometime As a side note: my sis and brother in law love it here for brunch so I'm only assuming the food is good! They are good judges of food! Inside there was a fireplace separating the dining area from the bar area - I'm also assuming that is pretty kick-butt on a cold Philly day. Our server was nice too! So 4 stars for now based on our experience - to be adjusted once I have food here!
(4)
Elaine M.
Mehhhh. I only stopped here for a beer the other day. We decided to get flights rather than a single draft. I am a big fan of micro brews, and enjoy many; but both flights that we had were extremely disappointing. I felt like I had to drink them since it was $9 for 16 ounces, though only 1 out of 4 was enjoyable. It was like a bad beer fest experience. They have a lot of outdoor seating so that is a plus. If I stop by again, I will stick to beers that I know. Screw the flights. I can't comment on the food, though I've heard it is standard bar fare and nothing to rave about.
(3)
Abby W.
I have this really complicated relationship with the Devil's Den. It's like the guy who calls you once and a while out of the blue, and even though you're dreadfully ashamed of and perplexed by yourself, you always agree to go out one more time. Can't put a finger on why, since each experience after the first has been underwhelming, but its convenience and surface appeal always keep me coming back to give it another go. Seriously, I think the Devil's Den has an OKCupid account. The appeal that drew me back today was a 1,000-point table reservation on OpenTable, and having heard that there was a new regime in the kitchen. I had some friends in town who used to live nearby so I figured it would be a good, nostalgic choice. Our meeting today was promising. I asked if it would be any trouble to combine two reservations at one table, and by the way we have two fewer than anticipated and we're not all here yet, and she handled this with aplomb. I had my repeated explanation on my lips for that inevitable blank-stare-what???-response, and my words failed me because she didn't bat even an eyelash and sallied off to put together some tables. I stood there for a moment baffled, with growing delight. This was the reunion I had been hoping for! We were quickly seated and waited for the rest of our group to trickle in. There was no pressure during the waiting which was great. I selected a bottle of Revolution Cider, a Philadelphia brew that I've had on draft before and enjoyed. When I poured it into the glass, it was completely flat, nary a bubble in sight. Womp womp. I took a sip, and the flavor was actually essence of womp womp. All at the table tried and agreed, this did not taste right. I communicated this to the waitress and got a lot of "oh it's because it's from the bottle and not draft, it tastes different," and "sorry you don't like it but I can't take a bottle off the check" (not that I even asked her to- but I'm sure one could have discounted some food or something in compensation. Whatever). So then I thought maybe I'll get a bloody mary, having observed that the mimosas were much heavier on the OJ than I prefer since I'm not a huge OJ fan. But I really am not fond of horseradish. I asked if their mix already had the horseradish in it or if they added it as a separate item. Pre-mixed, she says, and cannot seem to imagine that the bartender could make a fresh one (she said they did have tomato juice), y'know, without the horseradish. Oy vey. Never mind. I don't want anything to drink, thanks. At this point in the date I was over you, Devil's Den, but I still wanted to get a meal out of this. I had decided before I even came that it was a crab cake benedict for me, all the way. When our plates finally arrived, I was somewhat let down by the portion. All around me were heaping plates of yummy looking goodness, and in front of me was one was crab cake with a poached egg on top on a piece of brioche toast (hollandaise on the side per my request. You always did remember the way I liked that). It was one letdown too far. I ate it. It was OK. They could have cut the size of the crabcake, used actual lump crabmeat, and done two with way less filler, and then it would have been worth $12 and two hours of woodsmoke asphyxiation. Heck, I would even pay $14 if that was the dish I was getting. For what it's worth, as is typical of that annoying on-again-off-again, everyone else seemed pleased, although E said the bacon in his ALT was absolutely flavorless. It's the neighborhood place that I love to hate and hate to love. Why can't I get over you, Devil's Den?
(2)
Chris H.
Just went there for brunch and it was one of the best I've ever had. The slab of bacon over grits with eggs over easy and home fries was absolutely to die for and only eight bucks! Also got a chance to taste their cheese burger (basic but perfectly executed and very juicy) and the pan fried avocado benedict which was also really good and something a little different. For an app we got the cheese fries with bacon which were exactly what they needed to be and not at all greasy. The only downer on the meal was the duck sausage which is in patty form (something I'm not a fan of) and a little dry and under-seasoned. Not worth taking a star off for but I wouldn't recommend getting it. As for the rest, mimosas were good and cheap, the BEERmosa was tasty and as someone who doesn't normally like Bloody Marys they make a good one. Atmosphere was cozy and warm with a nice smokey fireplace smell. I can't recommend Devil's Den enough for a fantastic and affordable brunch.
(5)
Susan C.
Having been a server and bartender, I am genuinely understanding with poor service when a place is packed. However, it was not packed. It was not busy. There were plenty of servers on the floor. And this was by far the poorest service I have experienced in years. It took 15-20 minutes to get drink. The order was incorrect on the meals - the result was the waitress avoiding our table for 20 minutes and having the expediter take care of the mistake (note: server only came over after 10 minutes of specifically asking hostess to send her over). The awesome thing: she billed us for things not on menu. Not returning anytime soon.
(1)
Bob Q.
My friends and I went here for a birthday on Friday night and got some of the worst bar service we've ever had. The female bartender literally cursed out my friend because he had the audacity to wave to try to get her attention. We then watched her drink on the job and complain loudly to the rest of the customers about him. Unbelievable. Needless to say, we won't be coming back. Ever.
(1)
Michael K.
Great happy hour specials. Love the ambience and outdoor seating. I bring my dogs just about every time and the severs always bring a bowl and water for them. 5 star bar and pub food.
(5)
Hank S.
Devil's Den is a great neighborhood pub. The bar is set up nicely. They have a bunch of taps with great brews ranging over different styles of beer. They also have flights that are a fun way to try new things. My fiance loves their mixed drinks. The menu is good, but I do wish it were a little bigger. The wings, duck fries, and bacon-wrapped dates are great appetizers. The mussels are delicious. I am also a fan of the grilled cheese which has bacon and tomato. Devil's Den has hosted some fun beer events over the past year, and they are always a lot of fun. My reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is the smaller menu along with one bad experience (compared to numerous good experiences) where my party was ignored outside. It took our waiter forever to see to us for drinks and an appetizer, and by the time those arrived I was so annoyed I decided not to order any real food. He didn't come by again even when it started to rain. I had to go inside, confront the hostess, and have our bill settled so we could get out of the rain. That experience still irks me, but since then I have had 3 or 4 good experiences.
(4)
Chelsea B.
This review is for drinks only, and as far as that goes I think this place is great. On a Saturday night a group of six of us went here for after-dinner drinks, and we were seated at a nice table away from the bar. You can tell this place has a classy vibe just from the decor: nice wood tabletops, good lighting, a fireplace. The beer list, too, is extensive and worth its salt. They had Triple Karmeliet and I ordered it even though it's expensive, and when I went for round two the server was kind enough to tell me to wait a bit as they had just started cooling so it'd be a bit warm. Thanks for this, Devil's Den--no one likes an unexpectedly warm beer when you're paying $8. The bar area was pretty crowded, but at around 10pm at a Saturday we had no problem getting a quiet-ish table or having space when our party grew to eight. If this place was in my neighborhood I bet I'd be a regular, and I'll definitely be heading back for the food.
(4)
Jonah K.
I've been a fan of Devils Den since they opened (living up the street from them) - their beers (especially during Happy Hour!) and fireplace have always made this place top notch. Their food has been hit or miss - this particular instance was a miss night with their truffle parmesan popcorn lacking both the truffle and the parmesan, and the popcorn tasted like it was popped a few days ago. The big difference I've noticed (along with other regulars) is the change in service or lack there of. The staff comes off as rude, the bartender is busy texting while there are at least six of us sitting around the bar with empty beer glasses. I don't know if there was a change of management but none of the familiar faces are there anymore and the new faces aren't up to par. The 1 star is for the great beer list and the fireplace - outside of that, it's not worth it anymore.
(2)
Ramon F.
PROS- Excellent beer selection, great food (cheesesteak is great and I also like the cuban sandwich, my friends also like the mussels), service is always great. only 2 small TV's, flights of beer CONS- South Philly parking, only 2 small TV's This is definitely a great place!
(5)
Amanda E.
Stopped here before a show at Boot and Saddle on a Saturday night. Lots of outdoor seating available and were able to sit and get a beer within 2 minutes. We split the cheese plate which came with a good toasty bread that they kept filled as we needed. Choosing a bear was the toughest part since there are so many to chose from. The first round was great and then we got a flight which we should've just skipped. Nothing memorable in the mix and for the price, should've just got another draft or bottle. The real star of the meal though was the bacon wrapped dates with whipped blue cheese. I've thought about them every day since and we almost ordered another plate. Overall, awesome neighborhood bar with high-end menu choices at reasonable prices. Can't wait to be back!
(4)
Christopher D.
The cheese fries were really good and the prices are reasonable!
(4)
Alexandra W.
I think I liked Devil's Den. Maybe because their signage is cool, but still. I think I liked it! Or maybe because I drank a Roy Pits Ichabod's Midnight Ride Belgian style ale. First of all, ICHABOD'S MIDNIGHT RIDE! So great. Also, Sleepy Hollow? Great movie. Second, it was delicious, if you like sweeter beers. Ugh. So good. It was strange though, their prices were a little odd. Some beers were rather expensive, while others weren't at all (mine was $4). They had the Franziskaner Heffeweissen for $6, and I know that it's at least a dollar cheaper at Local 44. The food was good, too, but I didn't really sample enough to know for sure. If I'm in the area, I'd see myself going back.
(4)
Ted C.
Tonight we celebrated our PSN Kickball Victory with the typical celebratory drinks. This time I ventured into some new dishes and I loved the Figs with Gorgonzola! Definitely a neat and yummy dish to try! Diablo muscles were delicious too! Oh and I almost forgot the Beet Salad too which I had on a previous visit, yum! Give me a couple more rounds at this place and the food and I am sure it will be 5 stars in no time!
(4)
Matt A.
Devil's Den has a wonderful happy hour. Their beers are already reasonably priced, but 1/2 price on drafts from 5-7 M-F is real nice. They have a well-curated draft list (which btw is never the same as their website, which I take as a positive). The food is usually decent, but mostly there to keep something besides beer in your belly. Duck Fries I recommend. The Den would get a much higher rating from me if it were just a bar, but I had one of the worst burgers of my life there. This cheeseburger consisted of cheddar, sauteed sweet onions, a large patty, and a bun I don't remember anything about. The cheddar was on the burger, but had no discernible flavor. The sweet onions were appropriately cooked, but were the whole flavor profile. The burger patty had no discernible seasoning. I just got cooked ground beef. Unless you are malnourished, plain ground beef accompanied by oily sweet onions is not pleasant. The patty was around 8-10 oz cooked, which normally would be an asset, but in this case made the whole thing absurd, and a little sad. Go to the Den to drink, maybe snack on some fries. The bar has gotten quite popular and now is pretty much full by 530 many days. But is also mostly empty by 11 on a weekend.
(3)
Juli M.
I went to the "Den" when it first opened as it is very close to my house. It was really, really, REALLY awful. Bad service, bad food, and a bad smell permeating the place - found out later it was from a "dry drain" and could not be avoided. Our waitress was surly and we all commented that she was pretty uptight for a girl with a neck tattoo. Anyway, that was a couple of years ago. I have been back for a quick drink every now and then, but not a proper meal until a few nights ago. I would like to say - MUCH IMPROVED, Devil's Den. There are actually sandwiches on the menu and menu items that are not crazily expensive, which is how I recall one round of fare choices. Sometimes, you want to sit in a nice bar, with nice dark wood that is relatively peaceful (it was Wednesday) and enjoy a sandwich and a drink. Devil's Den delivered. I had the basic chicken sandwich (good) and some other folks had mussels and a BBQ sandwich - all seemed good. Sometimes - that is just what you want. I will be back.
(4)
Phil P.
In all actuality I would give the Den 6 stars, even though I'm only allowed to put 5. I'm writing an update because I moved back to South Philly in June and this has become my new bar to go to. I have one complaint about the DD, there aren't enough good servers here. There are two I really like and the other two I can't stand. There was another I liked as well, but he's gone now. If they upped the ante and got a few more awesome servers then this place would be more awesome than it already is. Onto the good stuff now. They have two full time bartenders that you could almost count on being there every time. Both of them, one a man and one a woman are probably the two best bartenders in all of Philadelphia. Both are sarcastic, witty, and always quick to pour a beer. We're on a first name basis with each other now too which is pretty awesome because now it just feels like my very own Cheers every time I stop in to sit at the bar. I actually have to stop over there(maybe tonight after a ridiculously long day at school) to talk to the lady bartender about the Phillies landing Roy Halladay. She's even more gun ho about the Phillies than I am which is insanely hard to believe. The Atmosphere is great. It is really clean and kept very nice. The bar is really long which I like so there is plenty of room to sit down and watch a Phillies or Sixers game. There are double sided fire places so in the winter I get to drink a beer by a cozy fireplace. In the summer their big double door windows are open so the fresh air comes in. I think this place gets so many piss poor reviews because it is actually clean thus making it non hipster friendly. Onto the rest of the great stuff about the Den. The food is excellent. I'm completely shocked I have seen two bad reviews on the food here. There may be more, but I've only found two thus far. It must have just been a bad experience one time or something. I wouldn't be surprised because no establishment is going to be perfect every time. I for one have never had a bad experience with the food here. It is a little pricey, but it's no more pricey than the other gastro pubs in the neighborhood. For anyone reading this that wants to go grab a bite and a beer at the Devil's Den then I'll suggest what I like there: The French Dog, the Burger, the Cuban, the Pulled Pork Sandwich, and the Fried Zucchini are all out of this world. I hear the vegan food is excellent as well, but being the fat kid carnivore I am if I'm spending $9 on a meal I want meat with it. The beer selection is one of the best in the city aside from the obvious places like Monk's and Eulogy. The prices are all reasonable as well. The Happy Hour is incredible, half price draughts and unlike their counterparts down Passyunk the Devil's Den actually has a reasonable Happy Hour 5-7 unlike the other two places which I speak of whose Happy Hour's are 4-6. Lastly, I have to write about the perk of the Devil's Den card. I'm an alcoholic and I love food, so I'm at the Devil's Den often especially considering it is two blocks from my apt. They have this little card that the staff swipes for me every time I go there. Once you get to $300 on the card they give a $25 food credit which is awesome because it is a free meal. The best is when I go with a large group of people and the tab is like $200. Anyway, I could go on forever about how awesome the Devil's Den is so I'll just stop here. Next time you happen to be in South Philly and are looking for a bar to have a beer and dinner then I highly recommend stopping in the Devil's Den.
(5)
Emily K.
We decided to head to Devils Den for a late lunch and some good beers. In the past, this restaurant has always been top notch for good food, beer and mingling with other local craft beer enthusiasts like myself. But this most recent visit was a complete let down. First off, the bartender seemed to be annoyed with everyone in the place. It almost seemed as if he picked up this shift to cover for someone and was pissed that anyone dared to show up and ask questions about the draft list. Secondly, the food was horrible. I ordered the fried chicken Caesar sandwich...no kidding, the chicken looked and tasted like a frozen chicken cutlet, and the Caesar dressing was basically mayo with some iceberg lettuce thrown in to mock a Caesar salad. It just seemed as if everyone working was 100% checked out on their job. I will go back and give them another chance, as this was the first bad experience here; but it was a huge letdown - I recommend this place to alot of people and if this is the new vibe of Devils Den...count me out.
(2)
Sara C.
Time for an update! Now that I'm in the 'hood, the Devil's Den is my go-to bar. I mean seriously, it's right around the corner. I've come here with a rowdy birthday party (Tuesday) and I come in for Phillies games (many of which are also rowdy). The staff always works hard to please everyone. The beer selection is still always stellar and the half-price drafts at happy hour as many have mentioned are a total steal. I had the seitan sloppy joe the other night which was off the hook. The rest of their menu is comprised of solid gastropub fare. If you're a regular here, you can get one of those frequent diner cards - once you get up to a certain amount, you get $25 for food. I'll have to check back on the limit. But it's a great deal for those who are always here...like me.
(5)
Jordan L.
Oh Devil's Den! I want to like you...but no. When I first started to go to Devil's Den 2 years ago, it seemed like a much better place. I feel there was a better vibe, more jovial if you will. The food was better. I don't know if they changed chefs or anything, but it has totally gone downhill. The beer selection is still really good. This is a fine place to go and sit at the bar, but nothing worth going out of your way for. Such a shame, I thought it had so much potential!
(3)
David S.
The happy hour is amazing. The beer list is amazing. The service, unless you're at the bar, stinks. The brunch stinks (last time i had brunch there the shells for the huevos rancheros were so stale that i couldn't cut thru them with my knife) as does the menu/prices in general. This place is an amazing happy hour bar, but there's plenty of better options in the neighborhood for anything else.
(2)
Lisa J.
This place was worth going to, but then they got rid of the brisket reuben.
(2)
Chris W.
Devil's Den has everything I want from a bar. Good draft beer, food, and a happy hour that can't be beat. I've discovered some of my favorite beers at this bar. I live 'dangerously' close (across the street) and its great to have somewhere to grab a quick beer and something to eat. The staff is really nice and great to strike up a conversation with. The food isn't as good as I first remember when I started going to Devil's Den, its still delicious though. Its also a hell of a lot easier to walk across the street than cooking something myself.
(5)
Jamie Lou I.
Happy Hour 5-7 Monday-Friday 1/2 price drafts! Minus 1 star for the food... overpriced and bland.... but whatever, 1/2 PRICE DRAFTS!
(4)
Melissa B.
Best beer selection in this neighborhood. Cozy place to enjoy happy hour with the fireplace. Really great staff who knows their beer! Not crazy about the food here, but the beer makes up for it.
(4)
Jaime H.
I heart Devil's Den. This is my favorite beer bar in the city, and perhaps the country outside of Toronado (SanFran) and Falling Rock (Denver). The happy hour (half price tap list) is fricktastic, and unparalleled. In my numerous visits to DD, I have experienced fabulous service, both table and bar, and have always left one happy ass little camper. The beer selection is fantastic and consistently solid. The only drawback is that sometimes the food is less than awesome, and at times, I wish the menu was more diverse: long live the pulled pork sandwich from the early days! Aside from that, DD rocks. Much love.
(5)
Lene P.
After a brief visit to the Mummers Parade, the guy and I stopped by Devils Den while walking down 11th Street. It was my first time there. We were immediately seated and walked by a nice, warm fireplace. Our table was by the bar and the stools were high. I don't mind this, it wasn't too crowded but fairly busy. There is another room with more tables. They had the Mummers on TV. Viewing the drinks menu, I was glad to see they had $10 flights and I chose the Import flight. They have a very diverse beer menu as a lot of the other reviews have mentioned. We chose mussels. He had the mussels over pasta and I ordered the mussels Diablo which was spicy but not overly so. It came with fries, bread and dipping sauce. The food was very good but I thought the fries were a little soft. The service was great. Our waiter was friendly and joked around with us. Apologized for the wait on receiving our check. The wait for drinks and food wasn't long especially for being very busy. I didn't see the bathroom but I heard it was horrible. Overall, I would like to visit again, especially for the flights and they look like they have a really great brunch.
(4)
Christina G.
My sister, friend and I went for an early pre-concert dinner on Saturday night and had a fantastic meal. We started with the meat and cheese board. Everything was delicious. I had muscles and the other two had flatbreads. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. The server was friendly and was a big help in selecting beers. I would absolutely go back!
(5)
Vicki M.
Devil's Den is one of the few hipster dominated/focused businesses in the Passyunk Square area that is actually worth visiting. The beer selection is great and the few times I've eaten here were pretty bangin, although a bit overpriced. (Though, for the record, it's about as overpriced as most places offering comparable food. It's yummy, slightly upscale pub food.) Don't be put off by the bad haircuts and pretentious beers, Devil's Den is well worth visiting, and I'm not saying that just because I can walk there from home.
(5)
Cassie T.
Once, I saw two dudes fighting in front of this bar, in the middle of the fight in which a girl friend of one of the dudes got a punch in on the other guy, one fighter says, " dude, if you don't hit me I'll buy you a beer" The other guy pauses, thinks for a second, and says, "OK" and they walk in... amazing. That being said, Devil's Den is a pretty chill spot, sort of classier than your average dive, with a decent selection of beers, and pretty good bar food. I'd recommend the Cuban sandwich with sweet potato fries and cole slaw, yumm. If you're feelin' munchy, the fries with some sort of aoli is very addicting. It's a good place to grab a solid dinner and also stay for the drinks.
(4)
Jake V.
Back where I'm from, there's a place called Shawarma King which specializes in Mediterranean food. Wait, hold on. This is going somewhere. Alright, so they have good Mediterranean food but they thought ahead to that stick-in-the-mud-type who doesn't want to try anything beyond a what they could find at an Applebee's. So, this Mediterranean place has such things as hamburgers to placate these types. Well, it turns out that if you're a vegetarian, your choices are also limited at this place so it became quite humorous when my friend, a vegetarian, ordered a "grilled cheese sandwich" and got a single piece of yellow kraft american cheese between a white hamburger bun. The Devil Den's vegetarian sandwich is even more comical than that. Yes, they had good beer and my sandwich was alright but I wish I could have had my camera to capture my girlfriend's face when her vegetarian sandwich was put in front of her. It was about as excited as when she opens her Christmas present from her extremely out of touch grandma.
(3)
Martin Z.
This was the first bar my friends and I hit up and what s good start . Awesome name. Cool decor. Good beers on tap. The bartender was friendly. Overall a good start to the night.
(4)
Tim P.
Every time I go here I am jealous of my friends who live nearby and keep hoping the owners will open a 2nd location in Fishtown (I know all the bar owners read yelp so come on guys :). I have had consistently good service here, occasionally it is slow but they do tend to get packed. The food has always been excellent, whether I have gotten entrees, appetizers or just a sandwich. Its rare that a pub has entrees that would be at home at a gourmet place but Devil's Den does. And the beer list continues to impress. The fact that they always have Schnider Aventinus on tap alone would get them a few stars. Plus they are always rotating in new beers and breweries, they definitely don't rest on old favorites (besides the aforementioned Aventinus which is rare on tap in this city). Seriously guys, come to Fishtown, open a 2nd bar. You'll make a mint.
(5)
Vincent J.
I went there for my birthday and had reserved tables for my friends, they totally messed up my reservation. I would give them fewer stars but I like the place.
(3)
Sean R.
I have had the chicken sandwich and mussels here, and both were pretty good. One of their "things" are home made pickles, but unfortunately they are not dill, but more like bread and butter pickles (which is one of the only foods I despise). They have a decent draft selection, and an extensive bottle selection. The mostly wood interior is nicely done, giving it relaxed feel, without being grungy. The last time i was there, the bartender said they are hoping to get some outdoor seating (hopefully by mid June), but they were waiting from approval from the city. I have not had the chance to go there for happy hour, but with 1/2 price drafts, and a special happy hour "tapas" menu, it looks like a great option for a post work drink and small bite.
(4)
Rebecca S.
i love love this place. i love love the salmon blt.
(4)
Ali W.
I want to like Devil's Den, because t's near my house, it's near my nail salon, it looks so nice. But sadly it's just sooo disappointing. This is how my past 2 visits went. Saturday in May, my birthday in fact, went to have an apres mani pedi brunch with my best friend, in from NYC, while my family got my Bday party together (awesome family!)... I order something that sounded delicious and perfect...Fried egg, smoked mozzerella, thick cut toast, some kind of ham (serrrano? jambon?) what I got was eggs with presliced square deli mozzerella, that pink deli ham with rounded edges, over....ready for this... 2 barely toasted slider rolls. It was like something you'd make when you came home drunk. next to it was some slimy wilted salad. I will say though our server was awesome. Now against my better judgment went back a couple of weeks ago, it was a beautiful day, I was meeting some friends for happy hour, decided to sit outside have a bottle of white wine and a few snacks, decided on DD because, really where else could we go in the neighborhood at 4pm on a Tuesday that wasn't the POPE or Cantina? So never mind that they didn't have the wine we ordered then they did then they had to chill it ...whatever it took 25 minutes to get it, server was sweet though. The travesty of the whole experience was that the truffle popcorn reminded me of old Joke, not only wasn't it very good, but there wasn't enough of it. Properly made truffle popcorn is a wonderful soul enriching thing, this was flat, and kind of dirty tasting, there were copious black flecks all about the tiny bowl but the truffle taste was such a whisper that you could taste it only as an after thought, there was no unctuous funky truffly goodness. it was dry and really just ok not omg I can't eat this bad, just ok, like ate it because it was in front of me, which made me sad. Speaking of just ok. the chick pea fries were under salted, and bland with not enough mayo ( really mayo with chick pea fries??) and incongruous dice of pickles which we couldn't figure out how to consume, too small to pick up...were we supposed to drag the fry through the mayo then hope little pickle bits would cling to it??? Actually they tasted and looked, and felt more like polenta fries than chick pea. I could not taste a hint of legume. Then there were the Cheese Croquettes now they were fried and they were cheesy, both of which are good things but they weren't very special, they're weren't interesting or even particularly good. Oh Devil's Den why why why can't you get your kitchen together!!!!!!!!
(2)
Joseph C.
I go here probably once a week. The beer list is infinite long. Yes I said infinite. The happy hour is half off all drafts and some other decent food items. As for the ala carte menu its all about the mussels and specials. Specials are sometimes $9 and the dish will include a ginormous portion of pork belly.. Or a numerous large day boat scallops. Its soooo cheap! The staff is very informative except for this one guy who is RETARDED. Outdoor seating there makes for great creepin/judging people watching which is a popular thing in our current society. The paprika mayo is also the bomb to dip with fries!
(4)
Melissa R.
A friend of mine lives a few blocks from this place and this is her neighborhood joint. I was looking forward to trying it as I heard good things. The food was decent, especially the chickpea fries, which were different and delish and the beer list is pretty extensive. The hostess however, was a huge pain-in-the-you know where. We arrived 4 of us, but were waiting on one other person. There were no 5 person seating options at the moment, but there was a 4 person high top. They wouldn't allow a stool at the end of the table, because apparently is against fire code. They weren't very accommodating to our group of 5 and even expected someone to stand for dinner! As one of my dining companions said, their behavior "is just bad business." Finally, we were able to get a table for 5 in the dining room, but this experience left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)
Catherine C.
I've been to Devil's Den many times, as it's right around the corner from my apartment. My advice: Go here for drinks. Go elsewhere for food. The beer list is exhaustive and wonderful. Oh, beer. Glorious beer. They also have some great flights. The ambiance is also quite nice. They have a fireplace in the winter, which is so cozy. In the summer they open huge doors/windows for air flow. Nice. I've typically had good service here too. The food, however, is lackluster. They have a decent brunch ($3 mimosas? Um, yes), but holy God do I love brunch, so I'm easy to please there. The food here used to be really good, but something has changed. Now it is not. And it's definitely overpriced. Rather than detailing this I will just say that I've never been with anyone who really liked what they had for lunch or dinner at Devil's Den since the food changed. Also, on more than one occasion there has been some kind of plumbing problem that resulted in...an unfortunate smell. Maybe this has been fixed, but it's obviously been a recurring issue.
(3)
Colin S.
Yes, both a hit AND a miss! HIT! One of my FAVORITE bars for a Happy Hour. Heavenly beer selection and great prices too. Finally, a crowd that is a little more mature and easy-going. Bar-side service is excellent. The fireplace makes everything better. MISS! The food here should be relatively simple to deal with since the menu isn't that complicated, but the pizza/flat bread arrived cold, the brine chicken fingers looked almost "EMO", skinny and sad, sitting all alone on a plate that was too large for them (inner tears), or perhaps the portion was too small? Dunno, either way, the food was not memorable and service on the restaurant side was as bright as a 60 watt bulb (no not one of those energy efficient one either...) Overall, go for the bar and pass on the restaurant....
(3)
Kristie B.
After walking down East Passyunk Avenue on a nice summer day, I spotted Devil's Den. The outdoor seating made it enticing. I happen to be there during happy hour. I've got to say, the beer selection was amazing. I love trying new things, and boy they've got some random ones on there. Not only was the beer selection impressive, but they have a tapas menu featuring small plates for VERY cheap. I got the mini wrapped dogs, and although, that sounds juvenile, they were the best dogs I've ever had. The service was a bit slow, but overall, I would definitely go here again.
(3)
Daniel B.
Terrible service. I find myself drawn to sitting at the bar/hightops and secretly praying I don't get stuck in the dining room. While, as one poster already wrote, noone ever seems to be your dedicated server, the majority of the servers don't seem to care. Requests for WATER seem like a burden. One server tends to slam down your drinks every single time I order. Also, god forbid you want to move a chair from another table. This spot is NOT good for large groups. The only reason I give this place a 3rd star is the Happy Hour can't be beat. The "tapas" are all tasty, and 1/2 price drafts are welcoming. Just don't sit in the dining room unless you want to leave with a bad taste in your mouth.
(3)
Beth S.
Four of us ate there. Good beers, waitress was top-notch. I ordered the cassoulet. A couple bites in, I realized that the white beans were only half-cooked, still crunchy and dry inside, and the duck confit wasn't a confit at all but just a roasted duck leg-and-thigh, no resemblance to a true long-and-slow-cooked confit. I told the waitress that the dish wasn't good; she said of course she'd send it back and would bring something else. I went for the burger, figuring it would be the fastest thing to get, so I wouldn't be eating alone, with my companions done before my supper came. Wishful thinking. Maybe the chef was punishing me. The burger took forever and my pals were long finished by the time the burger (it was decent) came. And then we were stunned when the check came and it included the charge for the confit. Our waitress was embarrassed and uncomfortable as she explained that the chef refused to remove the charge, and an unpleasant and complicated round of conversations ensued, while the manager behind the bar said we'd have to ask someone else, and someone else pointed to someone else, and someone else said the chef was in charge, and someone else said the chef wasn't, and finally the charge was removed, but it was really badly handled and left a bad taste in our mouths. Too bad. A fun place with great beers but some kind of tyrant -- and one who doesn't know a good confit when he/she sees one -- in the kitchen.
(1)
Drew S.
Caveat-- beer only. I was ridiculously impressed that they have Southern Tier Unearthly IPA on tap, one of the best brews from a top 20 brewer in the world and very unlikely to be found in these parts. Crowd seemed chill at 9:30 on a Friday night, with people trying a bit less hard than they do at the PoPE or Royal, probably the two greater neighborhood comparison bars. I'd amend the review after I eat there, but this 5 *s for the beer can be weighted out against all them picky eaters out there.
(5)
Lauren K.
A Devil's Den in south Philly? Thought this was Flyers territory. This is a local bar in South Philly. My friend brought me here for some beverages and a tapas feast. We drank Death in the Afternoon. It was absinthe and champagne. Not American absinthe either Whoa! We quickly realized we were elderly and couldn't have more than one. Moving on... We had tapas. Pot stickers, hummus and oysters. All were good. Rumor has it duck fries are all the rage here. I would return. Service is fast and friendly. I like sitting outside because you can smoke.
(4)
JEAN S.
The damn drink specials here keep bringing me back, but this place sort of sucks. Today I went for brunch with a bunch of friends, lured by $3 bloody marys. They were great and the waitress kept them coming. Unfortunately we waited a really unreasonable amount of time for our food - and when we looked around the dining room no one else had food either. I ordered the breakfast parfait - fruit and yogurt and the menu said a blueberry scone. Anyone who knows me knows I am crazy about blueberries. The scone I was served was nasty chocolate chip with powdered sugar. So gross. I know it's unladylike but I don't really care for chocolate, so I talked to the server about it. She said they didn't have any blueberry, however she did cheerfully take the chocolate back and bring me a lemon. The kitchen is always out of something. I would have been so much happier had they simply said they were out of it in the first place. I need to regard this place strictly as a place for drinking and just forget about the kitchen altogether, I've been disappointed too many times.
(2)
Laur A.
I have tried to give this place many chances, but the food is not good. It needs to learn a thing or two from The Royal Tavern and South Philly Taproom. Beer selection is good, but a bit pricey.
(1)
Christopherson M.
I am a huge fan of the Den; suffice to say as I frequent the joint at least once a week. The beer selection is amazing, diverse and well-informed. The half-priced beer of the Den's caliber (Happy Hour: every week day from 5 to 7 pm) brings me back time and time again. Their themed-based flights of beer are well selected and are a great starting point for novices immersing themselves into the world of artisanal brews. The service is pretty good for a place that is so consistently busy. My favorite waiter, Francisco, is jovial, sincere and knowledgeable. I never question his recommendations as you can tell that he is honest and a true beer connoisseur. Something about his treatment of the customers makes my friends and I feel as if though we have known him forever. Elisa (sp?) at the bar usually makes me feel the same way. James is very helpful and attentive. The food is generally good but leaves a little to be desired. As I visit so often, I am totally bored by the food selection. I wish they would change the sandwich selection up a little more often. Also, I really miss the Portobello sandwich (passe, I know, but it was delicious) - the roasted veggie sandwich is a poor substitute. I get the feeling that kitchen has been skimping on the Belgian Ale marinated Chicken Sandwich and I'm finding it harder to shell out 9$ to purchase it when I can drop a mere $6 on a huge bowl of Pho right down the street. The environment is chill. The appearance is casual but cleanly with comforting new brick walls all around. Their use of Pandora keeps the music diverse and sometimes groundbreaking for Haute Pubs (I HATE the hipster bullshit played at the comparable Royal Tavern). The lighting always seems to be just right. Kudos, Den.
(4)
Raaar r.
People are giving this place a lot of credit. I don't find the food to be particularly interesting, or well done. The best I've had were the vegetarian quesedillas - I'll say they were a little above average. I had a sandwich on a second visit, that was built sloppily, covered in some dressing that I did not like (can't remember what kind) and it was an overall disappointing meal. I couldn't even eat most of it. I am giving Devil's Den three stars because of inconsistency in food quality, and customer service. The plus is that this bar has the most selection for beer in the neighborhood just below Washington. I would go for a happy hour and appetizers, but not for a full meal, or a whole night out.
(3)
Wes J.
My wife and I stopped in to the Devil's Den and I was very excited about the incredible beer selection. We had decided that we would eat, i was having to much fun trying the different beers to leave. I ordered the Grilled burger trio, which are basically sliders done three ways, I ordered them rare and they came out somewhere between med. rare to med. not necessarily a crime as they are little sliders. My wife ordered the Cheeseburger medium, and it came out Well. We asked the waitress if she thought it was medium and she said, "No it doesn't look medium to me either." Then turned around and walked away. Our total bill came to around $60 dollars, like I said I was enjoying the different beers, but I was disappointed with the consistancy of the cooking. I have had better but it wasn't horrible.
(2)
Carrie R.
Devils den is great place to hang out, whether for a game or just with friends! i love the winter time there because they light their fire place. It makes it feel really homey. they always have a great selection of beer. The menu keeps changing which is good but not everything on the menu is for me... but i can always find some thing to eat especially thier burger and chicken sandwich!
(4)
Sally f.
i sooo want to like devils den...but the past three times here i have had not so great servers who ruined my experience. ugh. its such a cool place with such great beers...
(3)
Karen N.
Really good food and service. The empanadas were good, service was quick and friendly. Parking wasn't too difficult either.
(4)
Steve S.
Wow! One of the best grilled cheese sandwiches ever - served on some magnificent multi-grain bread, with a quality cheddar, tomatoes and bacon! Cooked and burn't just perfectly. Loved the cheap happy hour dishes too - chick pea fries, blanketed dogs and very fresh oysters. And of course, they have great beer selection. Oh, the hot chicken wings are very good - definitely above average!
(5)
David W.
Consistently amazing and diverse beers on tap, including one on the hand engine. The menu is not as vegetarian friendly as I'd like, with their veggie burger too mushy and not very flavorful. The chickpea fries, though, are excellent. Over the longer term, they seem to be having trouble with the food aspect of the business, but they've mastered the beer part of it. But who goes here for the food?
(4)
Pam S.
The atmosphere here is definitely a winner - I have definitely gone by this place many times, mentally adding it to my list of places to check out. For beer, great. They have flights, so you can try a few beers for ~9, which is a great deal. A good draft list and extensive bottle selection as well. But as a tavern in Philly, this almost expected. The food is good, but the vegetarian/vegan options are lacking ... the chickpea fries aren't vegan?! C'mon. They do get points for actually having a good veggie burger - white bean based I expect. The hummus platter is also HUGE, which it a plus for sure. As for the meat/cheesy food, the figs are evidently amazing, but the cubano was more like a panini than a true cubano. I would return if I had some omnivores I'd like to take out when trying to stay near my neighborhood, and perhaps when going just for beer (and that giant hummus platter!).
(3)
Thomas V.
Went for Sunday Brunch with 4 other friends. Service sucked, which was disheartening because my friends are regulars. They kept apologizing for everything, yet NEVER, did any employee or manager every come to do so. Besides having to flag waitstaff down for refill of drinks numerous times (all beer and mixed drinks), we had to flag someone down to take our food order. Of the 5 food orders, only 1 came out correct, and I could not eat my wings because they were bloody. NO one came to check on us. When someone came to clear our table, as she was taking my plate, I said, "these are all bloody." Her response, "ok" Server dropped check off, never asking if we wanted anything else. Then she came back and dropped a new check off that had the wings removed.
(1)
Kate W.
Your typical fun, cool, neighborhood gastropub. Came here with some friends after work. We shared a salad, chickpea fries, and some mussels with french fries. Everything was average - no complaints - but I wouldn't come back specifically for the food. The real reason to come here is the beer list - if you can't find something that you like, you're crazy. Love that they keep their big windows open during the summer so it feels like you're outside even when you aren't. It's a nice hangout place, and I like the central-ish location - easy bike ride home whether you're going down to East Passyunk or further north like me to Fairmount.
(4)
Lindsay K.
omgggg the mussels!!! amazing! and i don't even like mussels that much. we ordered them as an appetizer and we all decided they were better than our entrees! SO good! yummy i want more now! i did get a side salad with the entree and i must point out that it was really good! random, i know, but i was so surprised! i will definitely go back!
(5)
Allie O.
Any bar that gets sour beers like THAT and thinks up a beer tasting like THAT and sets it all up like they did deserves four stars from the get go. Had I not just had the most insanely delicious meal at the Farmer's Cabinet moments before the Devils Den tapped their sour kegs, I would have ordered more food. I did have a croque madame (it was brunch. second brunch, really) and it was tasty, though the bread was a bit stale. But that's ok, since I was drinking a Russian River Sanctification, which might be my favorite beer of all time and I'm having it served as a replacement for champagne at my wedding. No headaches for my guests! But then there was the sour lineup that Pat got, the lucky bastard. Smart one, too. It started on the left with Allagash Confluence, then to the right the Sanctification, followed by Petrus Aged Pale, and finally the Dogfish Festina Peche. WOW. They were all amazing, but they were also paired very well and arranged very well. Whoever did that deserves a nice hearty pat on the back. But don't spill his beer.
(4)
Catherine L.
I don't know why but I constantly confuse this place with Devil's Alley. I know they're nowhere near each other, but every time I hear Devil's Den it makes me think of the little place that could on Chestnut... Will there be a trademark litigation in the near future I wonder? Or, are those two places in cahoots to just confuse us poor folks that can't make the distinction? Anyhoo, if drinkin' is your name, and you live in South Philly, then Devil's DEN is your game. If you're looking to snack, the food is semi-edible for low expectations bar-eatin' fare. But seriously, their beer menu means business - they've got a nice selection of drafts and bottles - and they're on par with any good beer drinkin' bar in the city. The place is shiny and new and super roomy with a sizeable bar area to match. The food is one of their low points - gastropub, puh-lease. The menu offerings are all over the place and the food was pretty lackluster. The fries and the garlic aioli (which I think is the true muster test for any good beer drinkin' bar) weren't very good. The aioli was bland and the fries limp and soggy. Service was really weird, often absent (which was inexcusable because the place wasn't busy - even for a Saturday night) Also, I don't really know who our actual, official server was, because it seemed like our table kept getting passed around to whomever was free to handle our orders, requests for beer or the check at the end of our meal. If you live nearby or you're indulging in some eats around Washington Avenue, this is a good place to get a great beer or three... otherwise, go to a REAL gastropub.
(2)
Emma M D.
This place has a great brunch! I love the mimosas and they also have a very good beer selection. The atmosphere is laid back and service is friendly. The food gets a thumbs up as well, especially their take on french toast and eggs benedict. Delicious! All decently priced too!!
(4)
T L.
Look Devil's Den. I like you. I really like you. But you're so damn inconsistent. I've ordered what I thought was my favorite salad "Roasted Beet & Arugula Salad", but every since that first time I ordered, it is prepared completely differently depending on I don't know what. It's never been as good and so, always a disappointment. Also, I gotta say whatever that neon red salad dressing you've been pairing it with is plain awful. Seriously, I think it's a mix of Kool Aid and cough syrup and it does not do anything for the salad. Other than that, your wings and chickpea fries are good. Other bigger dishes seem overpriced for what it is. But I still like your vibe so I'll be back. PS. Pls fix the salad! Thank you.
(3)
Andrei G.
Wow!!! What a great place. Among other things we had the Aventinus mussels which were just outstanding!! They were some of the best mussels I have ever had, and I have had mussels all over the place, including Belgium, Germany and France. They were plump and super fresh made in a leek, Aventinus beer, cream, garlic and bacon sauce. Also had the burger with gorgonzola which was delicious. The mussels though were amazing, served with fries and delicious garlic bread, really tasty. Pair it with a great beer selection and you have a perfect combo. We have been twice and service was good both times. Ambiance is nice, typical neighborhood bar, a bit on the noisy side, but that is to be expected.
(5)
Abhinav N.
This is a great neighborhood pub. I was here last evening with a friend and we had a great time. Our hostess was really sweet and got us a great outside table, which lasted only for a while because it started to rain. Inside they have two sections - you can either sit at the bar and enjoy the game on large screens or get one of the pub tables closer to the bar. There's another section inside which is great for dinner and provides more intimate environment. They have an amazing selection of European drafts / bottle beers and great food menu. I tried their Franziskaner Hefeweisse and for food we ordered their chickpea fires and Diablo Mussels, which were really delicious!! I'm definitely going back again to try their brunch, happy hour and beer flights!!!
(4)
Bif P.
Awesome beer selection and $3 happy Hour beers, you can't go wrong. I really liked this place.
(5)
Bri H.
Went here last night for dinner & beers. Not bad! Extensive beer list with explanations of type of beer and % alcohol content listed. Our server was friendly and attentive. The food was ok. My veggie burger had good flavor but it was mushy and fell apart. It appeared to be some sort of mashed bean patty. Also, one part of the burger was extremely salty. Like as if someone in the kitchen accidentally poured a bunch of salt on it. The chickpea fries, however, were awesome! I guess I was expecting them to look like actual long skinny fries, but they were tender, lightly fried squares nicely presented with aioli and a little pickle wedge atop each one. I noticed that there was a fireplace, but it was not lit. Wtf, it was cold and POURING out! Everyone was coming in soaked off the street. A roaring fire would have been the perfect way to dry off & get cozy. This is a good place for beer & snacks. I wouldn't seek it out, but if I happened to be in the area I'd stop in again.
(3)
Andi S.
Excellent deco and ambiance, it was very nice to be there after a long day scootering almost 100 miles with eight others. I ordered a turkey burger, but without the sauce they normally put on it as they put white vinegar on it (blegh) So I asked to to please put avocado on there instead. They forgot to bring the avocado, so I asked the bus boy to please bring it. I had a lovely cider and they do have a good selection of beer and wine as well. I also love the name of the place, even though this "devil" doesn't exist in real life.
(5)
Lauren S.
After driving past this place for years and knowing someone who use to work there I've been meaning to get here for a while. Loved the fire place, real fire sent is awesome and gave the place a warm atmosphere. I was there to drink but my friend hadn't eaten lunch yet and need some food, luckily there was one seat at the bar she was able to snag. But the couple next to her were super rude and annoying. The bar area is spacious enough for people to stand around it, I wasn't eating I didn't need a seat and so myself a few friends who also weren't eat stood behind her to chat why she ate. I guess they thought we wanted there seats, maybe that why they were so rude but none of us had any desire to sit we were all happy to stand. Other than that I had a great time here and I wont let one group of people stop me from head here again if I am in the area.
(4)
Theresa A.
This is strictly a Brunch review: Unfortunately, I will not be returning to or recommending Devil's Den for brunch--and what a bummer. First negative, is I made a reservation on Opentable.com and got no points for it thanks to the hostess' neglect in checking us in. Understandable to some degree, but still sort of annoying. Especially after this doosey of an experience. Second, took FOREVER to get someone to wait on us. They sat us in the bar area at a high top table. We were one of the only patrons in the place so I found it a little odd that no one was around to take care of us. This was a brunch to celebrate with my Mom and Stepdad, so it was a little embarrassing. The bartender didn't even acknowledge us or provide any reassurance. We quickly realized why. We saw one server go up to the bar to get drinks for her table. As she was waiting at the bar she was SCREAMING profanities at the bartender and slamming things left and right. And not just profanities, but things that made my mother blush. Not exactly sure what he did wrong, but clearly it was something along the lines of cheating on her with her sister. She was fuming. Meanwhile we prayed she wasn't about to wait on us. My Mom at this point is looking VERY uncomfortable. I'm mortified. A server finally arrives with no apology. Take our order. 45 minutes later someone else brings our food. We never see that server again until she drops the check. No refills, no "how was the food", etc. I left having to apologize the entire walk home to my folks. Not exactly how I had planned on spending my Sunday afternoon. Hugely disappointed. Food was OK but the service was so bad there's not much more I can give than 1 star.
(1)
Nicole H.
The spicy mussels were delicious! The side salad had a lemon vinaigrette dressing which I was in love with. Lots of beer options....LOTS. The outdoor seating is really nice when the weather cooperates. The indoor section is really nice too. The waitress was super accommodating. I want to go back and try the beermosa at brunch. This is a great local spot.
(4)
Arielle S.
I like it here. Great beer list, friendly staff, good happy hour specials. I just tried mussels for the first time because they were recommended and I really liked them!
(4)
Maureen M.
First time going to Devils Den was awesome. Best duck fries ever! will recommend to my friends. I came there for my daughters birthday, great atmosphere and frirndly people. the staff was super intutive with their menu as well.
(5)
Julia T.
I want to love this place, I really do. I live close by, and the menu makes everything look fairly appetizing, but the actual food needs some work. The mac n cheese is far too liquid-y, the grilled cheese too greasy, the hummus too bland, the iceberg wedge not clean enough, etc. For a varied beer selection, they're pretty good. But get some pho around the corner before coming here.
(2)
Amanda F.
I've been to the Den for lunch, dinner, and brunch, and I've got mixed opinions about it. I really WANT to like it, more than I do. It's got the makings of a great bar, and I'm excited to hear that they've got a new chef to shake things up a bit. They even have a fire place. It's always hit or miss, though, even though it's not usually crowded when we go (which always makes for a pleasant time). For example, we had a great server today who was prompt with bringing out the food and was really friendly and nice. But we've also had spotty service with a server who didn't seem to really want to deal with us. The fireplace can make the bar nice and toasty warm in the evenings, but before they start it, it's often cold and extremely drafty. The beer selection is great, that's for sure. I especially love in the winter that they have such a nice variety of seasonal beers on tap. I'm not much of a beer person, but I can usually find something I like here solely based on the apt descriptions on their draft list. The one non-beer drink I had here didn't particularly knock my socks off, so I've stayed away ever since. As for the food, it's hard to say where this is going to go since they've gotten a new chef. Today at brunch, I was pretty disappointed with it. I ordered eggs over easy and while they were well-seasoned, they came out solid as a rock, yolks and whites and all, which was really disappointing. My boyfriend's omelette was tasty, but our toast wasn't warm and the butter was too cold to spread on it. I'm willing to chalk this up to first day jitters, but we've also had mixed experience with the other food. Usually the wings are a safe bet, but the one day that I branched out, I was disappointed. The BLT was an interesting concept: pork belly and fried green tomato, but the execution was poor. The "spicy aioli" had no spice at all. Everything was so soggy and fatty and wet that I couldn't even pick it up, I had to cut into it with a fork. But again, I'm willing to keep trying it to see what a new chef will do with the menu; all of the appetizers we've tried, from the wings to the fried zucchini, have been pretty decent. So again, if you're looking for a nice bar with a good beer selection that isn't that crowded most of the time, give Devil's Den a try. It has potential that I'm hoping it will grow into, but it's not quite there at the moment.
(3)
Ruth A.
Great brunch food and inexpensive cocktails.
(4)
Mirian V.
I am a huge fan of the Den. Every time one of my friends come to town I take them there. They have a great selection of beer and their happy hour is AWESOME. I do wish they had a larger bar menu selection and a nicer staff (you know who you are).
(4)
Toki W.
Devil's Den is pretty solid. It's not great, but it's very reliable. The menu is pretty diverse (bring back the cheesesteak please). I like to think of it as a privately owned, higher end Applebee's. It seats lots of folks, has TVs for sports, full service bar, and great happy hour deals that include some bar snacks. Even flights of beers are half off during happy hour. Lots of outdoor seating too! This is a great place to go with large groups of friends who all want to eat and/or drink. Also great for watching sports without having to go to a bro dude sports bar.
(3)
Wayne S.
Ugh, what can I say? Another bar with zero atmosphere below Washington. It wasn't bad, it wasn't good, it was just sorta there. I came in with three friends for a late after movie beer. Three of us got the fries, which will never crack the top ten in this city (see Monks, Good Dog, Five Guys) . They had kind of a weird-something-else-was-in-the-oil-prior to them taste. The beer selection is good but it's in a section of town where the beer selection really isn't so bad (see POPE, SPTR). I think my biggest complaint was just it really doesn't set itself apart. The POPE is in the hood , so it has that going for it, besides being dark and really feeling like somewhat of a pub. There is really no Den type feeling or even Devil type vibe in this place. It's just there. I felt akin to sitting in maybe a chain restaurant in the burbs. We have the Cantina, we have the POPE, hell we have the FRIENDLY which is a gem, a bona fide gem, what is Devil's Den doing for us? You don't have to reinvent the wheel, just keep me from shrugging my shoulders and continuing to pedal when I come across your door.
(1)
Jessica W.
First off, If you're one of those "gastropub" people who wants to eat some over-concept weird food with your beer and football, this is not the bar for you. If you want good food and a fantastic beer selection, this is an excellent choice. I was dragged here for a birthday celebration thinking the place would be over-priced, but I was surprised to find a good selection of $4-5 dollar craft brews. As for the food, everyone in our group liked their sandwiches. I merely had cheese fries upon a friends rec, and they were an orgasmic belgian beer/earthy cheese sauce. Reasonably priced for the quality. I very much look forward to trying the truffle popcorn someday.
(4)
Jennifer E.
I have been to this bar a few times, and besides the fact that they have great beer, it pretty much sucks because of the wait staff there. Every time I have been in here the wait staff is very slow, rude, and does not want to do their job. Last Thursday was the last time I will step foot in this bar. They have a great happy hour which me and my friend decided to go to. It starts at 5 pm, and times before I have no been allowed to get the special until the strike of 5, so I planned on waiting the 3-4 minutes to order my drink. Meanwhile, my friend ordered hers and said oh maybe I should have waited for the special. At that point, the waitress not only laughed in our face and made a comment about us being rude, but also got another patron involved who also said we were rude ( am assuming they were friends). I am not sure what part of happy hour special she doesn't understand, but that's a way to get people into the bar and then hopefully they will stay after, which me and my friends always do. After that attitude from the very rude bartender, I will never go back to this bar again. Although the waitress did give my friend the special on the beer she ordered (I declined to order after her comments) we did pay the full price for the beer to show her that we weren't being cheap, but we were there to try some new beers.
(1)
Charles R.
The food was good, the service was fine and yes the beer selection is huge, BUT wish they would serve some of the dishes they are known for instead of brunch only on Satuday. You can't get any of the really good mussel dishes they offer, nor can you get the shortribs. Burger was very good as its a blend of 3 cuts of meat put thru a grinder. Eggs benedict with crab instead of Canadian bacon came with a great Bernaise sauce. There is only one egg, but it is still a good dish. WIsh in the future they offer some of their other lunch items.
(3)
Amanda C.
Came here for brunch my bloody mary was really delicious, one of the best I have had in a long time. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. My coffee was good too. Food was completely decent, one problem is I ordered huevos rancheros and there were no black beans to be found in the dish, it was sort of eggs over tortillas which isn't bad, just not what I wanted. The vinegar based coleslaw on the side was good as were the breakfast potatoes. Basically I liked everything but my entree, I would come back for the bloodys but maybe order really simple food.
(3)
Jill L.
In all the times I've visited Devil's Den, I think I may have had the food one time. And honestly, I was already a few beers deep and can't really remember anything about it. So I'm going to talk about their Happy Hour. What a great deal they have here! Monday through Friday, from 5 to 7, half priced draft beers. Now at a generic bar that serves generic beer it may not be that exciting, but Devil's Den has one of the best beer selections around. Each time I've visited, I've been able to try a new beer that was absolutely delicious. They also offer beer flights (which I've never sampled) Scene wise, it's a pretty chill atmosphere. I hate those happy hours where everyone's in a suit, and you feel like a bum if you went home and changed. You know those type of happy hours I am talking about! The only bad thing is that the bar area tends to get a little crowded. There are tables on the wall across the bar and it makes it difficult to stand around-- we usually try to get there as early as possible to stake out bar stools. Another nice thing about Devil's Den is that 11th street has a decent amount of street parking- if you are coming from work in your car, that is clutch. Just don't drink and drive! I'm serious!
(4)
David B.
Very cool and mellow ambiance. The lighting is nicely dim and everything is made of dark wood. I got the Mussels Diablo ($12): Steamed mussels in a garlic chili sauce with bacon, cilantro and Belgian witbier. This was amazing! The server brings you a heaping mound of hot mussels swimming in your sauce of choice, fries, and grilled bread. The sauce had a nice kick and was delicious so I used the fries and bread to sop it up after I ate the mussels. The grilled bread was very tasty but the fries were only ok. Some biddy I know got the Pork Belly Mac & Cheese ($8): Crispy pork belly, parmesan, and gruyere. Meh. I had a bite and was pretty underwhelmed. The gruyere was so mellow to the point of being bland. Overall, it wasn't as decadent or substantial as I would have liked from restaurant mac and cheese.
(4)
Ian S.
Awesome happy hour of rotating craft drafts. Never disappointed with the food; easily above average new-American bar fare. Open-air windows and outdoor seating make Devil's Den perfect for nice weather. Ideal casual time at any time of day, lunch through late night.
(5)
Noise J.
They have a really nice beer menu. Pages and pages and pages of good brew. Their drafts were very pleasing as well, although not nearly extensive (obviously). Staff were Ahhhhiiittteeee.... Pretty down to Earth and not too full of their own Shite. The food was Uhhhhh.... Alright. I mean its a pub. Good munchies.
(3)
Mikey I.
I'd say this is a pretty good spot. There's a great huge beer list and every dish I've had here has been a total hit. The wings, as far as I remember are boneless, so traditionalists be warned. I'm looking forward to return visits and to try out other dishes. They have brunch on the weekends which is good, though the menu isn't that lengthy for it. More dishes please, maybe some food specials (of which I did not notice on my few recent visits).
(4)
Mary S.
I sincerely enjoy Devil's Den. We've been going for some time, though I think it is only recently that we realized that it's really a walkable location from our house. Also, GROWLER FILLS! and cheap ones! and delicious foods! like, gorgonzola stuffed figs. I'm not sure what it is about this year, but I literally cannot get enough figs, and DD is doing a great job with theirs. I had the Buffalo Chicken sandwich which featured a delightfully- no fried!- but grilled! breast of chicken atop a brioche bun with a chunky blue cheese dressing and tangy buffalo sauce. The roll was a bit doughy, but that's my own problem, lots of people love brioche, just not me, but overall the sandwich was a winner. They offer their sandwiches with fries or salad, and the small salad was also quite choice. Our waiter was a bit meh, but it was late night on a Monday so maybe he was just really tired? Overall this place is a win, it's laid back, it's not too loud, the food is good the growler fills are reasonably priced, and we can walk there. Love.
(4)
Bill M.
With Bathroom's being the main theme of the Weekly Yelp this week, and the worst bathroom in Philly thread making a comeback Devil's Den sounds like a good review to knock out. Beacuse really the awkward bathroom situation was the only thing holding me back from giving here a five. It's not that the bathroom was ranked among the god awful (it was actually somewhat clean considering). It was just that it was a single dual sex bathroom inside of a bar that get's fairly packed during a happy hour. Throw in the fact that it was directly next to the kitchen and you had a lot of people waiting in a spot where a lot of people where coming and going. A spot that's a beer paradise could really use a better arrangement. But other than that setback Devil's Den enticed me. It's a beer lover's heaven since it has so many offerings on tap and in bottles. And since all drafts are half off during Happy Hour (thanks for the tip Sara C.!) it's the perfect spot to hit up. They even had a flight sampling were you could try 3-4 flutes of different beers from a certain brewer for a decent price. It was a super steal indeed! The menu also has some innovations which are a step above your typical pub fare. The Happy Hour Tapas menu hooks up things like a decent sized fruit and cheese plate and bacon and blue cheese croquettes. But they also have a juicy looking burger, chicken fingers and all of the standard bar offerings. Overall this place offers enough things to make me a fan.
(4)
Alicia O.
This place can be hard to miss. I think they need a bigger sign outside cause if I didn't see my friend waiting outside, I would have been walking up and down street wondering where this Devil's Den is. Inside it looks like your standard pub, but they have fireplace right in the middle. I was only here for brunch, so I didn't get to see the fireplace in action. I suggest arriving before noon for brunch. We arrived just time before it got packed. I ended having two Shoo Fly porters. I'm usually not a big fan of porters, but these were good. I also had the Smoked Salmon platter which probably wasn't the best thing to order with beer. Overall, pros: atmosphere, the fireplace and the beer. Cons: Food, meh.
(3)
Denise L.
Great place to go during the winter or on a chilly day/night... They have a real burning fireplace that smells so homey and is so cozy. Love that smell! You can smell it a block away! The few times I was there, I felt like I was at the mountains in a ski lodge and not in the city of Phila. So if you dig fireplaces and the smell, go there! Ps. Their food isn't too shabby either!
(4)
Dee C.
As our local drinking hole we come here for dinner, brunch and drinks with friends to romantic nights in front of their inviting fire place on these cold night. Beer selection is insane. Food consistently good. Try the mussels.
(4)
melissa m.
I've only been here a few times, but last night sealed the deal that the diablo mussels are my favorite Philly mussels. I want a sauce that I actually want to keep dipping my bread in after the mussels are gone, with flavor that stands up on its own; diablo is exactly that. Devil's Den has a really great beer list and nice/unusual flight options. While it seems like service can be iffy based on reviews, the Den was utterly packed last night and we received prompt & courteous service. Our food came wayyyyy faster than I expected for such a busy night.
(4)
jessica m.
Worst Bloody Mary I think I've ever had...at least it was only $3 dollars.
(2)
Phanna P.
A long list of craft beers, so much to choose from, so much to try. If you're unsure try one of the flights of beers. Outdoor seating for the cooler days but not for a party of more than 4. We had 6 people comfortably seated inside with one side booth and chairs on the other side. I'll say pass on the cheese fries, doesn't taste much like cheeses. Chickpeas fries are the best. The bar is low key and chilled for the craft beer lovers! Happy hour is great 1/2 off draft beers.
(4)
John F.
I just went here for happy hour and needless to say, I enjoyed myself. The beer menu is vast and half off drafts from 5-7 is unbeatable. I also recommend the spicy hummus plater. Devils Den has a great atmosphere. Low key, trendy and comfortable. This is an ideal place to go after work for a quick beer or if your looking for a reasonably priced dinner, Devils Den has some great food. The mussels and steak are incredible. All in all Devils Den is a great choice for almost an situation. Enjoy!
(4)
Parker S.
I like beer, I drink a lot of different styles of beer, devil's den makes even a knowledgable beer geek feel like a beginner. Their draft list is always lined with several beers I've never heard of which is awesome. Their prices are good and their half-off all drafts is the best happy hour in Philly period.
(5)
Jonathan L.
This place has improved a lot since first opening. It has become my default local spot for enjoying some great beers and solid gastropub fare. The fireplace makes it all the more enjoyable in the dark depths of a hellish winter. The beer list has become excellent, and rotates frequently, including many seasonals. They regularly host events and visits from craft brewers such as Pretty Things, Victory, et cetera. The food has steadily improved, but with the recent addition of a chef of some renown, I expect big things. I will reserve my fifth star for if/when that happens.
(4)
Michael P.
In the interest of due disclosure, I'm writing this having just gotten home from their 1 Year Late Grand Opening Party, where they ployed me with a buffet of free food, and encheapened their entire draft list well beyond happy hour. I watched the Devil's Den slowly get built over the course of many months. It right around the corner from where I live, so I was eagerly awaiting another nearby option in addition to the incomparable POPE, and uberdivey Ray's. The fit and finish of this place is pretty wild. They definitely play on the theme with deep burgundy walls, wood trim everywhere, and various etchings and carvings of the a demonic caricature. The menus have a nice touch, with a hammered copper plate of their logo. In the winter, a roaring wood fire makes this one of my favorite places, but watch out for the tables right next to it, you might regret it. Beer is a highlight of the Devil's Den. They have a rotating tap of some fantastic beers, and that they have Franzikaner Hefe-Weisse on tap most of the time keeps me coming back. They have some nice local options in addition to the German and Belgian selection, but you really can't go wrong here. The food has definitely ironed out some of the initial kinks. The pulled pork sandwich is a favorite, and the burger is very good as well. The IPA cheese fries w/ bacon are fantastic. I love the nice variety of mussels options, and a bowl usually has 12-15 good size bivalves. Make sure you know what tapas/small plates means if you order from that menu, its a decent appetizer for one or two, or can give a four top one each. Small plates brings me to the best part, their amazing happy hour. Every draft is half price, and the small plates menu is discounted. Last time, I tried a few oysters, but they were only decent. I wish I got home from work before 7 any day but Friday to take advantage of this. The evening rush used to be completely crazy, but they recently hired a new hostess who does a fantastic job wrangling the multitudes walking through the door. The rest of the servers are a mixed bag, some are efficient and attentive, others make you feel like you're in their way. They usually have sports on the two TVs behind the bar, and I'm definitely going to make it a point to catch a few Phillies games there this summer, when they open the windows.
(4)
Kristopher M.
Gargantuan beer list. That alone would get 4 stars from me. But, the brunch menu here is awesome as well. Great little neighborhood bar. I loved the ambience. The Bloody Mary's did leave a little bit to be desired though (I prefer it not be a premade mix but then again they were only $3).
(4)
Ida L.
A three dollar Bloody Mary on a Saturday afternoon makes me happy. We sat near the bar. I had the salmon club minus the bread and it was pretty delish. We shared an order of bacon fries for an app and that was a thumbs up too. I like the Devils Den.
(3)
Bryan D.
In a word: such bourgeoisie nonsense. I've never been given such a hard time trying to have a drink somewhere. It's been going on since they opened, and it's finally time to say something. Carded a dozen times by the same waitress in the span of 4 months. Bartenders must not be accustomed to folks having more than three drinks. I've never laughed at someone after being cut off before! They need to make up their mind if they want to be a Chilis or if they want to actually be a decent bar. Such beautiful beer. Such beautiful brunch. Good neighborhood place. Just don't laugh out loud. And screw Darius Rucker. So torn to be living half a block from you, Yup-yup A-Hole's Den.
(2)
Jill T.
Their beer selection makes me cross eyed. So many choices! I've found so many beers I really like, and the bartenders are really good with offering suggestions. The food is really good too! It's light bar fare, but it's really tasty! The friendly staff is the reason this bar gets 5 stars instead of just 4. Thank you to the bartender who helped cure my hiccups. You're the best!
(5)
Tam P.
I came here on a beautiful Thursday night with my girlfriend and have to say I Was pleasantly surprised with the great atmosphere and the calamari salad was really good.. It's a great place to check out and Grab a beer
(4)
Vince G.
Excellent beer selection. Enjoyed an eclectic cheese plate and some mussels (diablo) style as well as the tomato mozzarella flat bread. The pommes frites were saturated and flimsy, but it is a solid neighborhood gem.
(4)
Mallory D.
I happened upon this place when I got a flat tire in South Philly, and what a happy accident it was. I immediately loved the vibe-large photos of delapitated buildings and rowhimes in Philly made for a lovely backdrop. I am a sucker for craft beer & microbrew places. The beer menu here is ridiculous. Beer flights ($9 each) are a great way to sample a few beers-and increase the likelihood that you will like one. I had a great strawberry wheat brew on draft that was recommended by the waitress-who happened to be lovely and attentive. The food was out of this world too-my friend & I got burgers which were great. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Ruth B.
Ok, so update. SIt at the bar, go to happy hour. Don't eat, drink delicious half price beer. The tall, blond, germanic-looking bartender is solid. She keeps up with the pace, gives a smile and a well-placed comment, and you never have an empty beer.
(3)
Brendan O.
The menu has been re-re-re-done here and is definitely an improvement, so back up to 4 stars from 3. Next step required to get to 5? Manage crowd noise better. They crank the volume during sporting events to the point where the patrons are yelling to be heard from one another, and the din can make it unbearable to be there.
(4)
Beth R.
The food is quite good - definitely a step above your basic bar food. I had mussels over pasta, and had a hard time choosing between the several mussel options on the menu. The beer list is long, and the wines are reasonably priced. I thought the service was so-so. They were pretty crowded last night, probably due to the snow storm, but it took forever to be seated after our table was vacated by the prior group. There were definitely some, "where is my beer/napkin/etc" moments while we were there. The decor inside is a real selling point, even if you are just there for drinks. There is a huge double sided fireplace, so you can feel the warmth at both the bar and in the dining area. The cozy dark wood and exposed brick walls really added to the feeling that we had escaped the storm to hole up in front of the fire.
(3)
Chris P.
I had heard some good things about the new pub Devil's Den, so we headed to South Philly. After nearly walking by the place since it only has a chalk board on the street as a sign, we were pleasantly surprised to find 16 beers on tap and old friend and fellow Delco Guy Randy Walker behind the 15 seat bar. After trying a few of Randy's suggestions, my companion passed on a Hennepin in favor of an EXCELLENT Ayinger Brau Weisse and I went with a Maredsous 8. Anytime you can get two beers of this quality on tap, things are looking good. Then we ordered the Mussels au Lager. We should have stopped with the beer. My companion's second shell creature was so bad it made her gag. I had a few good ones before I had to admit some were good and some were just plain awful. It seemed as though a good batch was mixed in with an old batch. I soldiered on, while my companion ate the very good fries while passing on the below-average side of mayo. The mussels necessitated a trip to the very nicely done bathroom, and we paid up and headed out. While I loved the location, ambiance, beer selection and HD TVs, bad mussels and good beer is a combination I can find lots of places. Given that friends had a similar recent experience at Devil's Den, I'm not sure I can recommend the food. Do drop in and see the proud new papa behind the bar though!
(2)
Stacey S.
Met up here with friends for a few brews & bites. Beer flights = the way to go at happy hour. I loved how they were selected for types of beer- ended up getting 2: at 1/2 off for happy hour it was only $8- & quite frankly, my dear, you can't beat that with a stick! Get the duck fries. Holy hell- delicious! Wings, also good. Best flat-bread pizza I've had in a while: thin, crispy crust & the duck one (of course) was amazing.
(4)
pearl s.
The bartender Mikey is a total D-bag. He's also unattractive so not sure where the lousy attitude comes from. Best to go on a night when he isn't working because the other bartenders all rock. Great Happy Hour. Good music, fun people. Mikey however is the worst.
(1)
Hipster D.
To begin with, the beer really is fantastic. And you simply cannot beat the happy hour special. But lets get back to the beer, because that is the point of this small, wood-themed, south of Washington tavern. They make no secret of it themselves, but its for that reason that it is difficult to congratulate them on their successes. I am rarely impressed with a Beverage Directors ability to find and order good beer and wine. I am happy to find it, as I enjoy good beer and wine, but is it really that hard to accomplish? Having run restaurants myself, I can in fact answer my own rhetorical question; no, it is not very difficult. And it is for this reason that though Devil's Den does offer up some delicious, seasonally appropriate adult beverages, they must also be judged on the food they serve from the kitchen, which often falls flat. Ambiance: *** Nothing wrong with the vibe of this place, its warm, and inviting, if not a little loud. But, it is a South Philly tavern, so if you want cozy and quiet, go elsewhere. Service: *** Oddly disorganized for such a small space. We never know who our server is, and rarely find the same person bringing or clearing drinks. Again, nothing particularly wrong with this, but it does make figuring out who to order from, and who is getting tipped a little bit difficult. The service suffers during the happy hour crush. Wine/Beer/Cocktails: **** I have already discussed my feelings on the Beer offerings, so I won't waste space here. Bravo to the curator. Food: * Unfortunately for me the food has fallen flat far more times than it has succeeded. I have been to Devil's Den for brunch, dinner and happy hour, and to give it the benefit of the doubt, I won't comment on food being served during happy hour. It is unfair to judge a kitchen's skills when it is trying to field the hundreds of orders that come streaming in between 5 and 5:30. However, dinner and brunch, during quiet moments has been disappointing. A Maryland crab cake eggs benedict was heavy and deflating, as the Hollandaise had already started to congeal by the time it reached the table. The flavors so masked by salt and cream, it was difficult to find even a hint of crab. The mussels at dinner had more closed shells than opened, and I was immediately brought to remember my sister saying she had been sick after eating said mussels. Though she claims it was probably the copious amounts of beer she consumed that did her in. A simple buffalo chicken sandwich was tasty but hardly impressive, though to be fair, it was large. And a roasted beet salad was oddly paired with the obviously chosen goat cheese, and something resembling an orange, though it was so out of season it looked and tasted a bit like a child's plastic orange wedge used to simulate a dinner party of perhaps a doll friendly tea party. Overall: ** Go to the Devil's Den in search of beer, and if your belly starts rumbling, play it safe and go for pub classics like fries and wings. These staples will more than satisfy your cravings without compromising your experience. If you are looking for dinner, I'd certainly start at Devil's Den for a seasonal brew, but then I'd pack it up and go elsewhere for the main offerings.
(2)
Adam F.
Devil's Den is a classic gastropub in South Philly. Inside decor is nice; outdoor seating is a plus. Beer list is top notch and full of awesome craft beers. The food menu is typical gastropub fare but accents some of their "spicy" items (to complement the "devil" theme). Some items are hit or miss, so I recommend the following: - Duck Fries - Spicy Duck Flatbread - Mussels Diablo or Provencal
(4)
Christopher S.
Nice bar with a great selection of beers. Nice location. Bar is big enough that you dont feel jammed like some of the others in the area.
(4)
Donna A.
One of the best beer selections in Philly! The kitchen rocks. Solid menu. Decent service.
(5)
Emily M.
As you'll see from the other reviews, the service here is atrocious! Absolutely terrible. Food is average and beer list is good. But for how many great restaurants are nearby I would NOT waste your time with the poor staff.
(1)
Ron H.
This is a great neighborhood bar. The fireplace just past the entrance is a nice and warm welcoming touch for these colder months. Decent bar space and hightops that you can easily walk in and grab a seat. Good beer selection with an ever rotating line-up or artisan beers. Bartenders are knowledgable and can help you navigate your choice of beverage.
(3)
Jennifer N.
The food was delicious. But the service was dissapointing, the hostess took 15 minutes to bring the menu to us, the waitress seemed annoyed of her job.
(1)
Chris H.
Just went there for brunch and it was one of the best I've ever had. The slab of bacon over grits with eggs over easy and home fries was absolutely to die for and only eight bucks! Also got a chance to taste their cheese burger (basic but perfectly executed and very juicy) and the pan fried avocado benedict which was also really good and something a little different. For an app we got the cheese fries with bacon which were exactly what they needed to be and not at all greasy. The only downer on the meal was the duck sausage which is in patty form (something I'm not a fan of) and a little dry and under-seasoned. Not worth taking a star off for but I wouldn't recommend getting it. As for the rest, mimosas were good and cheap, the BEERmosa was tasty and as someone who doesn't normally like Bloody Marys they make a good one. Atmosphere was cozy and warm with a nice smokey fireplace smell. I can't recommend Devil's Den enough for a fantastic and affordable brunch.
(5)
Michele R.
Been here twice and my complaint is about service. Yes, they have good beer, and the food I had was tasty enough. I just don't know why it took 40 minutes to come out when we were the only people there. Bartender and server friendliness does not overwhelm, either. I return to the places where I feel welcomed, and the energy is positive and friendly. There's so many bars that out perform, I'd only go back if there was a planned meeting that was not under my control.
(2)
Lauren D.
I went on a Sunday for outside brunch. I did a beer flight and the frisee salad with bacon lardon and poached egg. I got my dog a grilled chicken breast. The service outside was phenomenal. I'm not sure how the other reviewers come to their conclusion, but I have a strong feeling it's the lady servers that are not as attentive. All the male servers have been great. Came back on a Friday HH and sat at the bar. Both the female and male bartender were great. I had the half off oysters plus 2 pints of some yummy sour ale. Came back again for Friday HH with a girlfriend, sat outside and again had great service. Sour Ale Flight plus some apps (that I agree are weirdly placed on the menu--- there is no true theme to the food) that were decently tasty. The pork bun seemed skimpy on the meat- but the flavor was good. And the dumplings were good, not great. At the end of our meal I asked my server to see if he can scrounge for a cigarette for me... and he delivered. What service :) I
(4)
Nancy N.
I just went here last night for an early Birthday dinner with some friends. I was able to make a reservation for the night before for a group of ten. Overall, everyone loved it here! The service was decent. Weirdly, they don't have ice or cold water? I don't know. But I got the Special Mussels of the night. It had chorizo, summer corn, jersey tomatoes, and petite shrimp in it. So delicious! They give you bread so you can dip it into the mussels broth and it either comes with fries or a side salad. I got their fries and I love the dipping sauce it comes with. The boyfriend usually get the diablo mussels over pasta. Apparently they don't do the mussels over pasta anymore but he requested it and they gladly made it with no upcharge! We also tried the Korean BBQ wings my friend ordered. We loved it but she was not use to the taste so she didn't like them. Some friends got the Cheeseteak Empanadas, Nachos, Pork Tacos, Cobb Salad, Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese, and more and they all loved their food! Everyone tried a few beers from their draft/bottles list. They have a very decent selection and a lot to pick from. They usually have a few flights you can try too. The boyfriend got a sour beer flight and he didn't love it, but he drank it all. I got the summer mojitio and it was delicious! My friends surprised me with a piece of their dessert and a candle for my birthday, so sweet of them! It was a chocolate peanut butter pie. It was soo gooood!!! but a little too rich for me. And i didn't like that they had whole peanuts it but it was really good. I just could not eat a whole piece by myself so the whole table shared it. i just love it here!!! and i'm so glad my friends did too!!!
(5)
Rachel S.
The staff is nice, the drinks/beer are fine but the new menu blows. The menu and food was just ok before but now it's really terrible. It doesn't know if it wants to be a pub or an Asian-fusion restaurant now, and honestly, none of the stuff sounds appetizing. The grilled cheese and cheesesteak empanadas were awful. Also, they seemed to have done away with their late night tater tots with cheese sauce which was probably the best tasting food item they had but never advertised or put on the menu. I really hope things get better for this neighborhood bar.
(2)
Ashley T.
Been meaning to give this place a try. I like how they have both indoor and outdoor seating. They have quite a selection of beers, but not enough variety when it comes to wines and cocktails. The atmosphere is nice. The music selection not so much lol Staff is pretty attentive and always checking on you to make sure you're ok. I appreciate that the most when it comes to any establishment in the city. Didnt try any food here. maybe next time!
(3)
Claudia L.
Great place that I think people forget about. Super cute, has a fireplace so makes it a cute, casual date place. Food is very good. I've been here twice and both times, service and food was great. The have a great happy hour special where all beers are half off and some apps too. The popcorn is bangin and their pretzel bites (more like pretzel biscuits) are damn good!
Came here for brunch with a friend, because it was a Sunday and the only non-BYOB in my neighborhood I could find open at 10:30 (we are early risers!). Mimosas here are only $3 and you can get a beermosa (Ommegang Witte + OJ) for $4.50. My friend got the regular mimosa and was happy, I got the beermosa and was extremely pleased--you could definitely taste the characteristics of the ommegang, which blends well with any kind of citrus. To eat, I had the avocado benedict, which was an extremely indulgent and unconventional benedict. It was a single set up, with a poached egg, especially creamy hollandaise, breaded and fried avocado, atop a slice of brioche. It came with a side of home fries. I added some sriracha and was in heaven. It was an absolutely delicious breakfast. My friend ordered the burrito, which was insanely huge, and got through about 1/4 of it. She was happy with her breakfast, but not as wowed as I. Service was great. Our server was friendly and our table was bussed promptly after we were done. I will definitely be back for brunch for the cheap mimosas and early opening time.
(4)
Jody P.
I was pleasantly surprised at how good the bean burger was, but if you're looking for something vegetarian you should let them know because the bun was waaay too tasty to not have been toasted on the same grill as meat. The salad that came with them was colorful and fresh. The popular duck fries were small, crispy and topped with gooey duck and gravy. The portion was perfect for two people to share, but requires a fork to avoid goo soaked fingers. I thought they were just ok, typical bar food, but my boyfriend thought that they were great. On a separate visit for brunch I had a benedict that I found to be bland. On both visits staff took a long time to give us a bill, but were polite. In the winter the place smells heavily of it's fireplace to the point where I left smelling like the fireplace.
(3)
Sarah P.
The average rating for Devil's Den should be higher! I think this place merits 4-4.5 stars. Atmosphere: Love it. Fireplace for wintertime coziness, tables to sit outside with your dog and people watch in the summer. The space is large, and even during busy times, there always seems to be an open table, so I've never waited for a table (yesss!) Unpretentious vibe. Good service. Beer: One of the best beer lists in the city, in my opinion. I mean, it's more of a tome than a list when you include their enormous bottle selection. The descriptions of each beer are clear and inviting. Half price happy hour too.. cannot complain. Food: vegan and vegetarian options still need some work. I also miss the gigantic pickle plate they used to have maybe 1.5-2 years ago that was like 9 bucks and more than enough for 2 people. They have a pickle plate special now, but it's really small and doesn't have as many different types of veggies as the original, if I remember correctly. If there were a few more vegan options, this place would be 5 stars..
(4)
Edwardius W.
Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale, 7.2% ABV - traditional American brown ale with notes of molasses, coffee, ginger, chocolate. Product of the armpit of America : Deleware. Beautiful man!
(5)
Lynda Z.
I noticed that the menu changes from time to time so my review may be irrelevant by now lol. BUT, I will review the stuff I've had there in case they make their way back to the menu, and I hope they do because they were delicious. I've have the burger, which is still listed. The burger is solid..typical real meat, not formed beef pub burger, which isn't a bad thing to say because most pub burgers I've had have been yummy. The things that are missing from the menu now are the bacon wrapped dates. It hurts my heart that they're not on there anymore too because they were my first experience at those delicious little nuggets of love. They were pretty much forced into my mouth by friends that were annoyed that I'm a picky eater and refuse to try new things. So, they bullied me into trying them and they were pure heaven. Another item MIA is their pulled pork flatbread. It had pulled pork (obviously), arugula and a creme fresh sauce. The pork was tender and seriously delicious. Why Devil's Den? Why did you make these things go away? Bottom line is, is that I really haven't had anything there that I didn't like, so I would recommend them for good grub and different types of beers on tap.
(4)
Nina S.
Great neighborhood spot to check out for good food and large beer selection! I have been here for just drinks once and enjoyed it but when I went back and ordered food I was very impressed. The table next to me had a large order of Mussels that looked so good so I ordered them also. The traditional mussels is a very good value for $13. The bowl of mussels is swimming in a buttery garlic sauce and served with toasted Italian bread and a large bowl of french fries. The fries came with a chipotle aioli sauce and it added a nice kick to it. This is not a healthy option but very tasty and I recommend you trying the mussels too! The bartender gives great explanations of what types of beer I would like based on what is on tap. I tried a very good Saison Pumpkin Ale that I recommend. It's on draught now so not sure how long it will last!
(4)
Joshua V.
One of the slickest neighborhood bars a South Philly resident could hope for. When my abode was around the vicinity of this pub/bar/tavern, I took my proximity for granted, though the relatively "more expensive" booze prices also served as a deterrent for a poor liberal arts student. This joint prides itself on its beer selection, with prices and alcohol content listed beside beer names in a menu neatly bound with stretchy string. The atmosphere in this place definitely adds to the score; the low lighting and the fireplace contribute greatly for an intimate mood. The place may be out of the way from all the goings-on of center city, but sometimes that's exactly the kind of fix that's needed.
(4)
Devon L.
I don't know why I haven't written a review for Devil's Den yet - I have had numerous great experiences here, and find myself referring friends from out of town to try the Den when they are nearby for concerts/events. Last night, I had my first Happy Hour experience here - which I feel is worth sharing with the world. They feature a tapas menu for Happy Hour - we had the spicy hummus - for $4 we got a large portion of hummus and plenty of delicious pita to eat it all up. All of our beers were 1/2 off during the Happy Hour time, which I believe is from 5-7, Monday through Friday - but don't quote me on that. I had 2 different pumpkin beers, as well as a coffee-chocolate beer that was a great way to end the meal, sadly the names of the brews escape me. One thing I know for sure, is that they constantly rotate their draft beer and always have a great beer selection. I am a creature of habit, and typically get mussels here or the salmon BLT. All of the mussels are delicious, and the salmon blt is just so right. The fries are also super crunchy and come with a great aioli dipping sauce. Service has been consistently good here, everyone is nice, and when I can't decide what to drink they offer up a suggestion. And I enjoy the ambience, it's certainly a nicer bar and has a cozy, neighborhood, feel which I love. Will always return to the Devil's Den and continue bringing friends and family from out of town.
(4)
Nina J.
This place is near my job and they have THE best happy hour I've found in Philly - 1/2 price drafts and food every single day, from 5-7. The only grip I have about this place is that the service could be a bit better. I shouldn't have to stare at my empty glass for more than a couple of minutes, before someone asks if I'd like a refill. During my last happy hour visit, the bartender was somehow able to squeeze my appetizer order in for half price, but not my beer. They were both ordered at the same time and before 7 PM, so I don't really understand why I got jipped like that. If it weren't for the happy hour, I probably wouldn't frequent this place as much as I do but it's such a damn good deal! I guess I'll deal with the annoyances to enjoy good beer for cheap.
(3)
Hali R.
I loved the crackling fire and the dim lighting. We were sat by the door so I was worried about being cold but it turned out to be fine. They were out of the first couple beers I tried to order but I settled on a third and it was really good. Our server told us there was only b5 minutes left of Happy Hour and came back quickly to make sure we got at least one drink at Happy Hour price. We had the duck fries, burger, and the shrimp pot stickers. Everything was good but the shrimp and sauce was THE BEST. We will definitely be back. I'd love to try the brunch!
(5)
Jessica P.
Good place for a brew and a game. I have three words for you -- DUCK FAT FRIES. This is not a joke. Get them. They're incredible. The burger here is also really nice, they cook it 100% to your liking. I have also been for brunch and that was also yummy. The only thing the menu is lacking is probably lighter fare. So, if you come here, prepare yourself to leave super stuffed!!
(4)
Ron C.
Great beer list. Nice vibe. Good Staff. The food menu seemed too duck-centric. The duck fries have a blob a brown goo on them. Nasty, but some may like it.
(3)
Maria C.
They have a great happy hour and decent food but the rudest and least professional staff I have experienced in philadelphia. I have given them several chances but it is always the same. The last time I went there we were the only costumers there, and the bartender could not have been more annoyed by our presence. She spent the first 15 minutes of us trying to get her attention putting make up on behind the bar (so unsanitary). As more people came in, we had to practically beg for her to get us a drink and our bill. A girl I was with asked for a drink and she claimed not to have the ingredients - pickle juice. She then asked the server who got her pickle juice, and the bartender rolled her eyes and reluctantly made her a drink. This has been the attitude and demeanor of every single person I had had serve me here and I most likely will not be back!
(2)
John C.
After a long day at the office, I really enjoy visiting Devil's Den for a tasty beer and burger. The staff is fantastic and their brunch is also to die for! I have been visiting this fine establishment regularly for over a year now (5 STARS)! Yesterday, I decided to sit at the bar with my woman for a nice sour-beverage to close out my day. The bartender, tall / mid 30's / glasses, asks for our ID's. I show him my ID and order my favorite bottle of brew, and then he evaluates my girls drivers license & notices that it has just expired. She tells the bartender that she lives 4 blocks away and would have no problem picking up her passport to show him. (My girlfriend and I are both 24 years old) While she is commuting to pick up a non-expired government form of identification, the bartender ignores me and never delivers my drink. After a couple of minutes pass (with a not-so-crowded bar), I flag him down and request my drink again. The bartender tells me that he is going to need me to move into the dinning area to receive my drink and to leave the bar. With a valid drivers - sitting alone at the bar - I question his reasoning. He continued to tell me that even though my 24 year old girlfriend is returning with a valid passport, he could not serve me while I wait. I then asked him, "hypothetically, if she never returned, can I receive my beverage now?". He then replied, "maybe in the dinning room after your server arrives". After that answer, I picked up my jacket and walked out to meet my girlfriend half way in her commute back to explain to her the craziness that just took place at our favorite joint. I understand that he is protecting the restaurant, the bar, and his job by being cautious, but this was just all sorts of crazy to me. In his mind, serving an individual with a valid ID was absolutely out of the question and why two 24 year old had to be escorted to a table was beyond me. This exchange with the bartender has put a really sour taste in my mouth, and unfortunately it will be awhile until I return to my once favorite happy our joint. Cheers?
(1)
YouTakeItEasy U.
Great bar, great food.....Duck fat fries YES......started with the Micro flight and and fries. Both great, and had a special for dinner. Chicken Saltimbocca was amazing came with creamy polenta. Girlfriend went with tuna still flipping, jk but basically raw, also amazing. Also had a few pints of Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose so good. Place was cozy and a great ppl watching place. Only down fall, parking and we waited for 10 min before someone came to take or drink order. A waiter from a different section noticed we were not being helped and took our table. Daniel, thank you for going above and beyond. Can't wait to come back, Thank You...
(4)
Dan D.
Excellent mussels and beer selection. The waiter we had was super on point and was constantly emptying the mussel discard bowl.
(4)
danielle p.
Last night was our first dining experience at Devils Den. As always we were indecisive as to where to eat so I was checking out the latest Zagat lists. This restaurant was listed under top restaurants with fireplaces. The weather was rainy,cold, and miserable so a warm cozy fire was exactly what we needed. The atmosphere rocked. Appropriately dim and warm. The seasonal holiday decor was full of spirit and added to the dining experience. The hostess was genuinely welcoming and helpful which I loved, really set the tone for the rest of the meal. My boyfriend got a burger which was huge and filling. I got the open face hot turkey special which was DELICIOUS and hearty. The beer list is extensive, also lots of great drafts. We ordered the holiday beer flight which was perfect. My server ( platinum blonde female, I forget her name sorry :-/ ) was also super awesome, personable, and on point through out service. She even maintained service after we paid which I loved, didn't feel rushed. As a waitress employed at a competing restaurant in the neighborhood, i don't typically yelp because there are so many self Righteous jerks complaining about anything their lame brain can gather--- however praise when praise is due, I will absolutely be back devils den. YUM!
(5)
Robert M.
Phenomenal spot in South Philly. Used to go here all the time when I lived in the neighborhood. Great burgers and fries! Awesome beer selection all the time. The salmon sandwich is also great as well! I highly recommend!
(4)
DanaJoy88 ..
This place is close to my house so my boyfriend and I go here once in awhile. Overall it is a little pricey but their food is inventive and their beer list is great so the money is worth it. Due to their prices however we don't frequent too often but I like a restaurant that has good beer and food that doesn't consist of only burgers and wings.
(3)
Judy M.
I was with my girlfriend at the bar having a late night snack. The food was delicious and service was much appreciated by the guy with the batman shirt. He was very attentive and fun to talk to. I would definitely come back with more friends
(4)
Mike W.
I love the beer selection and the vibe at Devil's Den. Unfortunately when we went, the food just didnt measure up. The fries I had were delicious, but the panini I got was extremely overdone, to the point that it was hard to bite through. It also caused the sandwich to be very dried out. Also wish there was more filling inside the sandwich, but would have just been happy to have a not burnt sandwich. I devoured the fries as I dipped them into the delicious sauce served with them. The beer list is excellent. Im going to give it another try sometime soon for the food, and I will definitely be back for the beer!
(3)
Lauren B.
Did you know there are restaurants out there that sell bottles of wine for under $20? Well, Devils Den is one of them. Pair that with their awesome fries, outdoor seating, and dog watching and I think I found my new regular bar. Mind you, I won't being doing a bottle of wine every time I go there but it's good to know when out with a group. lol. Things on their menu to try- the cavatappi with short rib. Decedent, filling and worth the food coma. The cheese fries: Amazing cheese sauce with bacon! Tip- ask for a side of honey mustard. It's house made and has quite the kick to it. The perfect balance to the beer cheese sauce. Finally, the grilled Caesar salad was really good. Two large bunches of romaine drizzled with dressing and served with chicken. For the low price of $10, totally worth it! Head on over here in the warmer months and get a table on the sidewalk or at the giant open windows. You won't be disappointed. :)
(5)
Leigh Ann B.
If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would! This place is AMAZING!!! My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place while taking a walk and decided to have dinner. We started off with the bacon wrapped dates with whipped blue cheese and they were delicious then we had the diablo mussels and they were the BEST mussels I have ever tasted!!! For our entrees we had the beet salad with salmon and the roasted chicken and once again they didn't disappoint us! I would highly recommend this place and I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Heather S.
I've been three times for brunch now and it hasn't disappointed yet. $3 Bloody Marys and Mimosas from 10:30-3; can't mess up a Mimosa and the Bloody Marys are spectacular. I ordered the Avocado Benedict each time, delicious: brioche with fried avocado, eggs, and hollandaise sauce, with breakfast potatoes, red pepper, and onion as a side ($10). Roommate ordered MTO omelette with spinach, cheese, and bacon, same side. Each time we've gone at various times throughout the brunch time it has never been crowded either, no wait. I've definitely found my go-to brunch place!
Great spot for upscale bar food! The place has a locals feel with two options--you can either sit in bar area and enjoy a game or in the dining area near a lovely fireplace in a quieter setting. The service is friendly and prompt and the food is on point. Enjoyed the bacon wrapped dates, which game with goat cheese! For a main course I had the muscles, I liked the lemongrass curry, so much so I took the left over sauce home! I tried my friends traditional muscles and those were yummy as well. It came with fries (shoestring and crunchy) or side salad which had a great dressing on it. Nice beer selection and a smooth cab for $5.50 on the menu, you can't beat that. Also had some good veggie options like black bean burger and falafel .Great bar!
(4)
Nathan T.
Went her last night for dinner! Great atmosphere with centralized fireplace and historic beer references. Beer selection is diverse yet organized. Cocktails are great too! And by the way, the food is AMAZING!!! Great mixture of American classics with European touches! We've going here for years will continue to!
(5)
Jimmy W.
4 stars for the beers. At least a rotation of 10 craft beers on draft and hundreds more in bottles. Had a perfectly hand pump english extra special bitter and a GABF (great american beer festival) award winning Bière de Garde! Tasty. 3 stars for the food. BBQ Duck Buns? Wow that sauce is overly salty and adds nothing to the duck. It's just drowning with sauce which creates a mess that my 1yo would be proud of. The traditional mussels and fries were on point for Belgian standards. Devil's Den is very kid friendly with available high chairs & outdoor seating (seasonal). Free street parking all around.
(4)
Sarah L.
I've been to Devil's Den twice and pretty solidly enjoyed it. If there is one thing you order when you come here, it is the duck fries. Crispy hot fries covered in cheese and duck confit? Get out of here. They are unbelievable and totally worth the $10 which I would normally never pay for a plate of fries. We also had the confit chicken wings which we had really high expectations for but honestly they are not as good as Varga Bar and they just were not as tender as something confit should be. Good flavor and I liked the dry rub but not the best wings I've ever had. Also amazing is the Diablo Mussels- a spicy broth with chorizo and some other delicious things...everyone at the table was going for that broth and the server was awesome enough to bring us more bread so we could soak it all up (and then yes someone did drink the dregs...don't judge). Really amazing flavors with just the right amount of heat. Someone else had I think it's called the Farmer's Burger? There is a burger that is basically gluttony on a plate. It has a few kinds of meat, egg, cheese, and sauce and really is a commitment. I had the veggie burger which was huge and had fresh toppings on it. I thought the bun was delicious but the burger itself could have been a little more exciting. Veggies burgers can be hard though and it was pretty good overall. The beer list is pretty expansive and has lots of different draft and bottle options. We went during a sour/IPA event and were a little disappointed to find only about 3 'true' sours on the menu but there was one called Bullfrog Jong Bruin Cafe that two people in our party declared 'the best beer they had ever tasted' so props for selecting that one! I had a pretty delicious cherry lambic on tap which was smooth and fruity.
(4)
Christina G.
I've been to Devils Den many times for drinks and a couple times for dinner. I just had my first brunch experience over the weekend. I loved the crab eggs benedict and the potatoes that came with it. If you love crab cakes and like eggs, I don't see how you can't like it. My friend had the ham quesadilla which looked really good and he said it was decent. The brunch bloody mary's and mimosas are only $3 but very small and mediocre. My bloody mary wasn't in a big glass and was filled with a lot of ice and hardly had any alcohol in it. For brunch, I would give this place a 3. But I come to Devils Den often for drinks. I love the beer menu and it is extensive. The bartenders will let you sample a draft beer if you are uncertain and I have found that they make good recommendations. There are always good patrons in this place but the place is never packed. It is also nicer than many of the hole in the wall bars in the neighborhood. For drinks I would give this place a 4 or 5. I like their oysters but think they are a bit pricey. I wasn't a fan of their French fries and thought they were over cooked and too greasy. I have found the service to always be good here. The food is very hit or miss but I love coming here to try a new beer so I am torn over what rating to give this place.
(4)
K- O.
Absolutely my favorite place in the city. The food is delicious and fresh. The wait staff is friendly. They have an excellent selection of beer. I could go here every day.
(5)
Amy M.
I must update my review and give Daniel, our server, some major kudos. Talk about going above and beyond! He made some magic happen between us, and the kitchen, and sent us something that was previously 86'ed from the menu! What a surprise! He was super attentive, and very personable, and allowed us to enjoy a great night! Makes me love Devils Den so much more with servers who truly show they care about their guests!
(5)
Sarah A.
Nice bar. Fireplace is always roaring in the winter, and the outdoor seating on 11th is nice on sunny days. The happy hour here is fantastic. All beer on tap is half price, and the draft list is always large and on par with a plethora of palettes. And on a side note, half the time I've been here, theres been a very satisfying Nitro brew to try. Great atmosphere, great brews, & great bartenders !
(5)
Katzen Z.
I've been here dozens of times and have *never* been disappointed. They have an enormous beer list, the ambiance is great, and the food is always excellent. This is my go-to place for drinks with friends. The bartenders are always nice, attentive, and knowledgeable about the beer list. The waitstaff are also prompt and pleasant. Excellent happy hour specials on both food and drinks. Can't say enough nice things about Devil's Den, but I will say one more: The fireplace is so cozy in the winter. Love this place.
(5)
Becca M.
It pains me to give Devil's Den such a negative review because I genuinely do enjoy the mussels and flatbreads when I hit it up for a late night dinner. However, no amount of delicious mussels can offset the atrocity I experienced upon brunching here. It all started one super-hungover Sunday morning. My boyfriend and I first tried Hawthornes (1 hour wait) then called over to Sabrina's (1 hour 15 minute wait). After choice one and two were nixed, we started brainstorming where to go next. During the brainstorm process we passed Devil's Den and decided to try it despite several people telling us the brunch was subpar at best. Those people were exaggerating. Though the restaurant was not crowded AT ALL we were sat directly in between the two bathrooms. Having worked in food service before this is a no-no. The worst table is the last table to go. After we had to asked to be moved, she sat us at a table which was so slanted that the water was spilling when it was placed down. So then we were moved again. After the seating debacle, we ordered. At the waitress' suggestion I ordered the breakfast quesadilla, and my boyfriend got the biscuits and gravy. His dish came out alone, I told him to eat, but he really didn't want to because it was just not good. So a few minutes go by and we ask where my stuff is. The waitress tells us it is about to be up. At least ten more minutes pass and my shitty quesadilla is finally served. The food is plopped down sans an apology for the screw up. It was clear the waitress forgot to put in my order, and I kinda wish she had just admitted it because, ya know, people screw up and I get it. The food itself was just not good. The biscuits and gravy made my boyfriend sick all day and the eggs in the quesidilla were so over cooked I don't know if they even qualified as eggs any more. My advice to Devil's Den: Stick to dinner. The only plus was my watery, tasteless bloody mary was only $3. huzzah...
(2)
Jill C.
Ok so this was the first stop during my recent divorce party. That's right, my divorce party. My sister and friend decided I needed a celebration for closure. So we did a little bar crawl, with Devils Den being our first stop. We went inside to talk to the hostess about sitting outside. They happily put two tables together for us and it was a lovely day out. They had an excellent beer selection and everyone was happy with their selections. They had a few beer flights on the menu but I'm not sure if that was just because it was Philly Beer Week. Beers were well priced. We looked at the food menu, but no one was really hungry at that point. I would like to go back sometime As a side note: my sis and brother in law love it here for brunch so I'm only assuming the food is good! They are good judges of food! Inside there was a fireplace separating the dining area from the bar area - I'm also assuming that is pretty kick-butt on a cold Philly day. Our server was nice too! So 4 stars for now based on our experience - to be adjusted once I have food here!
(4)
Elaine M.
Mehhhh. I only stopped here for a beer the other day. We decided to get flights rather than a single draft. I am a big fan of micro brews, and enjoy many; but both flights that we had were extremely disappointing. I felt like I had to drink them since it was $9 for 16 ounces, though only 1 out of 4 was enjoyable. It was like a bad beer fest experience. They have a lot of outdoor seating so that is a plus. If I stop by again, I will stick to beers that I know. Screw the flights. I can't comment on the food, though I've heard it is standard bar fare and nothing to rave about.
(3)
Abby W.
I have this really complicated relationship with the Devil's Den. It's like the guy who calls you once and a while out of the blue, and even though you're dreadfully ashamed of and perplexed by yourself, you always agree to go out one more time. Can't put a finger on why, since each experience after the first has been underwhelming, but its convenience and surface appeal always keep me coming back to give it another go. Seriously, I think the Devil's Den has an OKCupid account. The appeal that drew me back today was a 1,000-point table reservation on OpenTable, and having heard that there was a new regime in the kitchen. I had some friends in town who used to live nearby so I figured it would be a good, nostalgic choice. Our meeting today was promising. I asked if it would be any trouble to combine two reservations at one table, and by the way we have two fewer than anticipated and we're not all here yet, and she handled this with aplomb. I had my repeated explanation on my lips for that inevitable blank-stare-what???-response, and my words failed me because she didn't bat even an eyelash and sallied off to put together some tables. I stood there for a moment baffled, with growing delight. This was the reunion I had been hoping for! We were quickly seated and waited for the rest of our group to trickle in. There was no pressure during the waiting which was great. I selected a bottle of Revolution Cider, a Philadelphia brew that I've had on draft before and enjoyed. When I poured it into the glass, it was completely flat, nary a bubble in sight. Womp womp. I took a sip, and the flavor was actually essence of womp womp. All at the table tried and agreed, this did not taste right. I communicated this to the waitress and got a lot of "oh it's because it's from the bottle and not draft, it tastes different," and "sorry you don't like it but I can't take a bottle off the check" (not that I even asked her to- but I'm sure one could have discounted some food or something in compensation. Whatever). So then I thought maybe I'll get a bloody mary, having observed that the mimosas were much heavier on the OJ than I prefer since I'm not a huge OJ fan. But I really am not fond of horseradish. I asked if their mix already had the horseradish in it or if they added it as a separate item. Pre-mixed, she says, and cannot seem to imagine that the bartender could make a fresh one (she said they did have tomato juice), y'know, without the horseradish. Oy vey. Never mind. I don't want anything to drink, thanks. At this point in the date I was over you, Devil's Den, but I still wanted to get a meal out of this. I had decided before I even came that it was a crab cake benedict for me, all the way. When our plates finally arrived, I was somewhat let down by the portion. All around me were heaping plates of yummy looking goodness, and in front of me was one was crab cake with a poached egg on top on a piece of brioche toast (hollandaise on the side per my request. You always did remember the way I liked that). It was one letdown too far. I ate it. It was OK. They could have cut the size of the crabcake, used actual lump crabmeat, and done two with way less filler, and then it would have been worth $12 and two hours of woodsmoke asphyxiation. Heck, I would even pay $14 if that was the dish I was getting. For what it's worth, as is typical of that annoying on-again-off-again, everyone else seemed pleased, although E said the bacon in his ALT was absolutely flavorless. It's the neighborhood place that I love to hate and hate to love. Why can't I get over you, Devil's Den?
(2)
Hank S.
Devil's Den is a great neighborhood pub. The bar is set up nicely. They have a bunch of taps with great brews ranging over different styles of beer. They also have flights that are a fun way to try new things. My fiance loves their mixed drinks. The menu is good, but I do wish it were a little bigger. The wings, duck fries, and bacon-wrapped dates are great appetizers. The mussels are delicious. I am also a fan of the grilled cheese which has bacon and tomato. Devil's Den has hosted some fun beer events over the past year, and they are always a lot of fun. My reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is the smaller menu along with one bad experience (compared to numerous good experiences) where my party was ignored outside. It took our waiter forever to see to us for drinks and an appetizer, and by the time those arrived I was so annoyed I decided not to order any real food. He didn't come by again even when it started to rain. I had to go inside, confront the hostess, and have our bill settled so we could get out of the rain. That experience still irks me, but since then I have had 3 or 4 good experiences.
(4)
Chelsea B.
This review is for drinks only, and as far as that goes I think this place is great. On a Saturday night a group of six of us went here for after-dinner drinks, and we were seated at a nice table away from the bar. You can tell this place has a classy vibe just from the decor: nice wood tabletops, good lighting, a fireplace. The beer list, too, is extensive and worth its salt. They had Triple Karmeliet and I ordered it even though it's expensive, and when I went for round two the server was kind enough to tell me to wait a bit as they had just started cooling so it'd be a bit warm. Thanks for this, Devil's Den--no one likes an unexpectedly warm beer when you're paying $8. The bar area was pretty crowded, but at around 10pm at a Saturday we had no problem getting a quiet-ish table or having space when our party grew to eight. If this place was in my neighborhood I bet I'd be a regular, and I'll definitely be heading back for the food.
(4)
Jonah K.
I've been a fan of Devils Den since they opened (living up the street from them) - their beers (especially during Happy Hour!) and fireplace have always made this place top notch. Their food has been hit or miss - this particular instance was a miss night with their truffle parmesan popcorn lacking both the truffle and the parmesan, and the popcorn tasted like it was popped a few days ago. The big difference I've noticed (along with other regulars) is the change in service or lack there of. The staff comes off as rude, the bartender is busy texting while there are at least six of us sitting around the bar with empty beer glasses. I don't know if there was a change of management but none of the familiar faces are there anymore and the new faces aren't up to par. The 1 star is for the great beer list and the fireplace - outside of that, it's not worth it anymore.
(2)
Ramon F.
PROS- Excellent beer selection, great food (cheesesteak is great and I also like the cuban sandwich, my friends also like the mussels), service is always great. only 2 small TV's, flights of beer CONS- South Philly parking, only 2 small TV's This is definitely a great place!
(5)
Amanda E.
Stopped here before a show at Boot and Saddle on a Saturday night. Lots of outdoor seating available and were able to sit and get a beer within 2 minutes. We split the cheese plate which came with a good toasty bread that they kept filled as we needed. Choosing a bear was the toughest part since there are so many to chose from. The first round was great and then we got a flight which we should've just skipped. Nothing memorable in the mix and for the price, should've just got another draft or bottle. The real star of the meal though was the bacon wrapped dates with whipped blue cheese. I've thought about them every day since and we almost ordered another plate. Overall, awesome neighborhood bar with high-end menu choices at reasonable prices. Can't wait to be back!
(4)
Christopher D.
The cheese fries were really good and the prices are reasonable!
(4)
Bri H.
Went here last night for dinner & beers. Not bad! Extensive beer list with explanations of type of beer and % alcohol content listed. Our server was friendly and attentive. The food was ok. My veggie burger had good flavor but it was mushy and fell apart. It appeared to be some sort of mashed bean patty. Also, one part of the burger was extremely salty. Like as if someone in the kitchen accidentally poured a bunch of salt on it. The chickpea fries, however, were awesome! I guess I was expecting them to look like actual long skinny fries, but they were tender, lightly fried squares nicely presented with aioli and a little pickle wedge atop each one. I noticed that there was a fireplace, but it was not lit. Wtf, it was cold and POURING out! Everyone was coming in soaked off the street. A roaring fire would have been the perfect way to dry off & get cozy. This is a good place for beer & snacks. I wouldn't seek it out, but if I happened to be in the area I'd stop in again.
(3)
Andi S.
Excellent deco and ambiance, it was very nice to be there after a long day scootering almost 100 miles with eight others. I ordered a turkey burger, but without the sauce they normally put on it as they put white vinegar on it (blegh) So I asked to to please put avocado on there instead. They forgot to bring the avocado, so I asked the bus boy to please bring it. I had a lovely cider and they do have a good selection of beer and wine as well. I also love the name of the place, even though this "devil" doesn't exist in real life.
(5)
Lauren S.
After driving past this place for years and knowing someone who use to work there I've been meaning to get here for a while. Loved the fire place, real fire sent is awesome and gave the place a warm atmosphere. I was there to drink but my friend hadn't eaten lunch yet and need some food, luckily there was one seat at the bar she was able to snag. But the couple next to her were super rude and annoying. The bar area is spacious enough for people to stand around it, I wasn't eating I didn't need a seat and so myself a few friends who also weren't eat stood behind her to chat why she ate. I guess they thought we wanted there seats, maybe that why they were so rude but none of us had any desire to sit we were all happy to stand. Other than that I had a great time here and I wont let one group of people stop me from head here again if I am in the area.
(4)
Theresa A.
This is strictly a Brunch review: Unfortunately, I will not be returning to or recommending Devil's Den for brunch--and what a bummer. First negative, is I made a reservation on Opentable.com and got no points for it thanks to the hostess' neglect in checking us in. Understandable to some degree, but still sort of annoying. Especially after this doosey of an experience. Second, took FOREVER to get someone to wait on us. They sat us in the bar area at a high top table. We were one of the only patrons in the place so I found it a little odd that no one was around to take care of us. This was a brunch to celebrate with my Mom and Stepdad, so it was a little embarrassing. The bartender didn't even acknowledge us or provide any reassurance. We quickly realized why. We saw one server go up to the bar to get drinks for her table. As she was waiting at the bar she was SCREAMING profanities at the bartender and slamming things left and right. And not just profanities, but things that made my mother blush. Not exactly sure what he did wrong, but clearly it was something along the lines of cheating on her with her sister. She was fuming. Meanwhile we prayed she wasn't about to wait on us. My Mom at this point is looking VERY uncomfortable. I'm mortified. A server finally arrives with no apology. Take our order. 45 minutes later someone else brings our food. We never see that server again until she drops the check. No refills, no "how was the food", etc. I left having to apologize the entire walk home to my folks. Not exactly how I had planned on spending my Sunday afternoon. Hugely disappointed. Food was OK but the service was so bad there's not much more I can give than 1 star.
(1)
Nicole H.
The spicy mussels were delicious! The side salad had a lemon vinaigrette dressing which I was in love with. Lots of beer options....LOTS. The outdoor seating is really nice when the weather cooperates. The indoor section is really nice too. The waitress was super accommodating. I want to go back and try the beermosa at brunch. This is a great local spot.
(4)
Arielle S.
I like it here. Great beer list, friendly staff, good happy hour specials. I just tried mussels for the first time because they were recommended and I really liked them!
(4)
Maureen M.
First time going to Devils Den was awesome. Best duck fries ever! will recommend to my friends. I came there for my daughters birthday, great atmosphere and frirndly people. the staff was super intutive with their menu as well.
(5)
Julia T.
I want to love this place, I really do. I live close by, and the menu makes everything look fairly appetizing, but the actual food needs some work. The mac n cheese is far too liquid-y, the grilled cheese too greasy, the hummus too bland, the iceberg wedge not clean enough, etc. For a varied beer selection, they're pretty good. But get some pho around the corner before coming here.
(2)
David B.
Very cool and mellow ambiance. The lighting is nicely dim and everything is made of dark wood. I got the Mussels Diablo ($12): Steamed mussels in a garlic chili sauce with bacon, cilantro and Belgian witbier. This was amazing! The server brings you a heaping mound of hot mussels swimming in your sauce of choice, fries, and grilled bread. The sauce had a nice kick and was delicious so I used the fries and bread to sop it up after I ate the mussels. The grilled bread was very tasty but the fries were only ok. Some biddy I know got the Pork Belly Mac & Cheese ($8): Crispy pork belly, parmesan, and gruyere. Meh. I had a bite and was pretty underwhelmed. The gruyere was so mellow to the point of being bland. Overall, it wasn't as decadent or substantial as I would have liked from restaurant mac and cheese.
(4)
Ian S.
Awesome happy hour of rotating craft drafts. Never disappointed with the food; easily above average new-American bar fare. Open-air windows and outdoor seating make Devil's Den perfect for nice weather. Ideal casual time at any time of day, lunch through late night.
(5)
Stereo C.
It seems like every time my boyfriend and I have come here for dinner, the food has been subpar. I've had burned sandwiches and undercooked potatoes and generally disappointing food. However, I do like their brunch menu. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are 3 bucks and they do have a two egg, sausage and potato option for 7 dollars. The loaded everything bagel is pretty righteous and the Biscuits and Sausage gravy (with eggs) hits the spot. The outdoor seating is clutch for getting brunch sloshed. It's nice to have this an an option down the street. I've had a pretty mixed bag with service here sometimes it's great sometimes it makes me want to pelt people with rocks. *shrug* The somewhat older (compared to the rest of the servers) woman with the blonde hair has always been super sweet and on point tho. It's not top notch but it is worthy of a go to spot.
(3)
Abbie D.
Mussels Diablo = DELISH Calamari Salad = DELISH Bison Burgers = DELISH Draft Selection = Very Good Outdoor seating is great for pet friendly diners :)
(4)
Toby K.
Wish I could give half stars because I'd really give a 3.5 review. I've been to devils den a few times now. I like the decor, atmosphere, and beer. Now for the food: I tried eating here for dinner and felt as though it was very mediocre. It was so mediocre I can't even remember what I ordered. This past weekend I tried the brunch at the Den and wow! Duck fries and short rib with poached eggs were great.
(4)
H N.
We have been here twice in the last year. Good food, great atmosphere and exceptional draft list. Awesome, friendly staff. One of the first places we happened upon a while ago and we will keep coming back
(5)
Walter K.
Last time I went to Devil's Den I remember horrible service, okay food and 3 lines tapped with no replacements in sight. My last visit, however, was much improved. This place first landed on my radar for the happy hour. M-F 5-7 gets you half priced drinks. And that's on top of the already reasonable prices. For beer selection, Devil's Den doesn't disappoint. Even though I don't go often, they always have something new for me to try, and I really appreciate that. The decor here is great, I really like this place and it has a great long wooden bar. There are a few large screen TVs. I went here to watch a hockey game, and while there was music playing all night, the bartender turned up the TV's audio all the way so I could here the game a little bit. The service here does need some work. Everyone just seems to be moving on a slower pace, but it wasn't horrible. I like the menu here. Dan ordered a raw meat platter and he enjoyed that. It had a lot of interesting different pairings, and the only complaint would be that it wasn't very filling for $15. I ordered the burger, my standard go-to. I ordered a cheeseburger, but it came out without my cheese. It was a few minutes before I could even get the bartender's attention to get it fixed, but I got a free beer for the ordeal. No harm, ho foul. There was harm in how it was cooked. I ordered medium rare, and it wasn't even close. No part of the inside of my burger was pink. The bread is great, the fries are good, and its served with a great aioli. If it came out with my cheese and cooked to order, I would be pretty satisfied. I was also out with Quinn, who is a lover of well done burgers, and she was still talking about it a few days later. I'm definitely willing to give it another go. Bottom Line: They have a great happy hour here, good beer selection, and reasonable prices. It's not amazing, but Devil's Den is a welcomed retreat, especially in winter when you cozy up next to the fireplace, which brings the whole place up a notch on a blustery evening.
(4)
Aaliyah P.
CLUSTER-F*CK CHAOS SH+T SHOW are all adjectives that can be used to describe the bar scene at Devils Den. Went for the DFH event and all of south philly decided to congregate at this bar at the exact moment that CB and i walked in. Luckily the oh so awesome Casey R was there and was gracious enough let us stand in real close while we stalked a couple that had paid a half hour before we got there and nursed one beer for what felt like and eternity. When my grandparents i mean the couple decided they had their fill they left us with two great seats and we gathered ourselves for all the DFH we could drink. I was very impressed with the beer selection (theres a book similar to the beer bible at monks) The beers are pretty reasonably priced and the specialty offerings were a great value ranting from $5-$9. We decided to only try beers we had never had i went with the gluten free Twseasnon'ale , Red and White,Namaste. All very good choices and service was ok (minus the rude person i talked too on the phone ) We tried the diablo mussels which came with frites and bread. The broth was spicy and had great flavor. I wasn't too happy that a few of the mussels were still slightly closed. Not sure if i would come here again but if i was in the hood and craving a beer i would know where to find one.
(3)
Aruna A.
I've been going back and back to Devil's Den over and over again. I keep finding new reasons to love it. I've gone back at all times of day at this point, and I really can't say enough about how I love it. The service is always good, the happy hour prices are so very right. And the sunday brunch mimosas & bloody mary's ($3 each) are well made and are the right price. I think that mostly I love the fireplace that they light up during the winter. There is nothing like the smell of burning wood and embers that I truly love. There are too many things I truly enjoy about Devil's Den. I suggest you trek here. Winter, or Summer, it's a great hole to hang out in and enjoy good drinks / beer.
(5)
James B.
I'm at devils den for the eagles game great beer selection nice bartender tom, however they need to fire there cook who doesn't know the difference between a medium burger n 1 well done. My buddy got the crab benidict that had burnt toast and cold hash. I used to love this place but as the prices rise the service declines 1 star for the beer
(1)
Lori K.
This place is the closest bar to our apartment, but I have never felt welcome. The bald bartender has the a huge arrogant, attitude and that is when he isn't ignoring you. The fireplace is wonderful in winter, the sidewall seating is great in the warm months, and the food is ok, but I still can't get past his attitude. Went there to meet friends on a Friday night and the place was busy. I gave him my credit card and it went downhill after that. I asked for another beer after waiting for 10 minutes with an empty glass. I was ignored by the girl bartender too. I couldn't remember the name of the beer and he was not helpful at all. I hope they can rely on their regulars because I won't be going back.
(2)
Michael W.
This place used to be good.... Not anymore , the food is a disappointment . I ordered the crab benedict and the brioche was burnt and the potatoes cold. When I returned the food the bartender didn't apologize he just snatched the plate away and as he walked away he checked to see if I had lied to him. After I returned the food he ignored us, to the point that we had to leave to go somewhere else to get service. Disappointing this place used to be good.
(1)
Felicia G.
Beer selection is always great. Food is awesome and so is the service. Such a cool atmosphere.
(5)
Thomas V.
Went for Sunday Brunch with 4 other friends. Service sucked, which was disheartening because my friends are regulars. They kept apologizing for everything, yet NEVER, did any employee or manager every come to do so. Besides having to flag waitstaff down for refill of drinks numerous times (all beer and mixed drinks), we had to flag someone down to take our food order. Of the 5 food orders, only 1 came out correct, and I could not eat my wings because they were bloody. NO one came to check on us. When someone came to clear our table, as she was taking my plate, I said, "these are all bloody." Her response, "ok" Server dropped check off, never asking if we wanted anything else. Then she came back and dropped a new check off that had the wings removed.
(1)
Andrea V.
I'm lucky that this is the closest bar to my current place of residence. Devil's Den has consistently tasty food and great variety of beer. I have tried the Diablo mussels per some of the reviews and they lived up to expectations. It just so happened that they had grilled octopus and brussels sprouts as specials last time I went, which are two of my favorite things, so naturally I had to get them and they didn't disappoint. I think my date was mildly horrifed that I was eating both octopus and brussels sprouts with gusto but that's beside the point. The mac and cheese and the duck fries are also things of beauty. Oh, and the short rib and horseradish flatbread, too. It's hard to go wrong with this menu. It can get a little crowded and if you're going for food at a high-volume time it's a good idea to make a reservation. If you're going for happy hour, get there as early as you can. In spite of this potential for uber-popularity, it maintains the feel of a nicer neighborhood spot. In the cooler months they have an awesome fireplace which makes you not want to move, ever, and in the warmer months they have outdoor seating. Basically, what's not to love?
(4)
Ben S.
Extensive craft beer selection Off the beaten path, unless you're a Pho phan Quirky food When my friend recommended this place partially because it was not right in the heart of typical Saturday night bar scenes, I saw that they accepted OpenTable reservations and booked a table for 10pm anyway. With confirmation email in hand when we rolled in, I unfortunately got a quizzical look, because they believed that portal had been shut off while they were doing a Dogfish Head tap takeover/dinner. Bummer there, but the hostess rebounded pretty nicely, promising to take care of us with a table within about 15 minutes, and then giving us the high sign after only about 8 had passed. A positive from a negative, to start. During that brief wait time, I had my nose in the beer bible (a la Monk's) they use as a menu, and I was not disappointed. Sorted by style and then alphabetical by brewery, my mathematical mind kept cross-tabulating "Russian River this and Russian River that," which I can't get in Rhode Island, and I'm surprised I didn't order four beers at once just for myself. This spot means business. As we made our way to a table by a pass-through fireplace, I felt a noticeable change in decibels and crampedness. It was a more chill atmosphere only 5 feet away, and a nice way to tuck into some food and brews for the evening. I kept the beer menu handy all night long, and my friends and I drank well, at a relatively reasonable price. Aforementioned Russian Rivers, collaborations, session beers, specialty bottles, and certainly plenty of DFH drafts available on that night - I have zero complaints about drinking in the Den. I drop this joint a star because the food was another story. I had a potato soup that was average to above-average, and I ventured to order the chick-pea "fries" to give them a try. These five tofu-like cubes stayed pretty much intact on my plate, un-fry-like and unappetizing. Swing and a miss. As others have said, it seemed like they were trying pretty hard to fluff up the menu's appeal, but it wasn't a Monk's Cafe kitchen offering - put it that way. Still, the staff was friendly and prompt, and they had what I was there for - a wide variety of craft beers at good rates, with a comfortable place to join friends in sharing the wealth and a good time. I'll happily be back next time I'm in town, and I'll even give more of the menu a shot. Devil's Den is a solid bet.
(4)
Matt D.
This particular part of South Philly is starting to come around. El Jarocho is on the next block, and there is destination Vietnamese food all over the place. I have to say, I was expecting something a little more divey. This place was packed inside and out for Happy Hour on a good weather Friday night. The 5-7:00 deal is well worth the walk. A great list of food specials and half price beer. As noted on most other reviews, the beer list doesn't disappoint. I found it a little odd that hot wings were not on the happy hour menu, and I was even more surprised when I saw the $11 price tag on them. I hesitated, but ordered them anyway, along with the chickpea fries, spicy hummus, and oysters. All of the food was excellent. The "hot" wings had just the right amount of heat, the chickpea fries were an odd surprise (definitely recommend these), the hummus was delicious, and the oysters had great flavor, but were a little small. I'm docking a star for the bartender who refused to pull me a beer and add it to our table tab. I told him I'd pay him cash, because I understand the tip scenario, and he still wouldn't do it. I've never been told, "no I won't get you a beer" twice...at a bar...by a bartender. Really? On top of that, they short pour beers here a lot, as in all the time.
(4)
Jordan S.
I like this place a lot. It isn't too loud or too dark for a bar and functions as a legitimate restaurant on the food side of things. The fries are a bit thin but very good. The ketchup is kicked up a notch with some tabasco and it makes for an interesting addition. All I've tried really is the bacon-wrapped meatloaf sandwich. It is open faced and delicious. I had to come back the next day to have it again it was so good! They have some other decent sandwich options too from what my fellow patrons said. Oh and of course the beer selection is epic. There's a reason they get to kick off beer week.
(4)
Juliana K.
Beer selection rocks. GREAT Happy hour specials and a huge beer selection. Food is decent. Salmon sandwich is delicious. Great decor. Good service.
(4)
Kate W.
Your typical fun, cool, neighborhood gastropub. Came here with some friends after work. We shared a salad, chickpea fries, and some mussels with french fries. Everything was average - no complaints - but I wouldn't come back specifically for the food. The real reason to come here is the beer list - if you can't find something that you like, you're crazy. Love that they keep their big windows open during the summer so it feels like you're outside even when you aren't. It's a nice hangout place, and I like the central-ish location - easy bike ride home whether you're going down to East Passyunk or further north like me to Fairmount.
(4)
Lindsay K.
omgggg the mussels!!! amazing! and i don't even like mussels that much. we ordered them as an appetizer and we all decided they were better than our entrees! SO good! yummy i want more now! i did get a side salad with the entree and i must point out that it was really good! random, i know, but i was so surprised! i will definitely go back!
(5)
Aleks K.
Been to brunch here twice. Service and Food is consistent and delicious. When I go to a place that gives me real maple syrup, you better believe I'm coming back. I went on 1/22 mid day with my best friend. I had the Cornflake Crusted French Toast and he had the Eggs Benedict. We shared a portion of Cheese fries with bacon. A Mimosa for me and a Bloody Mary for him. The toast - delicious, crunchy but not oily, berry compote on top and actual whipped cream, folks! Topped in mapley syrup and inhaled. The eggs - also disappeared quickly. :) They come with a side of potatoes and peppers. Looked yummy to a non-egg eater like me. Made me think twice about my non-egg eating status. The fries - oh lord, the fries. Run to the fries, folks. They are covered in an alfredo like cheese sauce and topped with crunchy, broken up bacon. Ask for a side of ranch. Ask for 2 sides of ranch and loosen your belt. The Mimosa - $3, decent. The Mary - 2 were consumed at $3 a piece, best friend said they were delicious and spicy. Added bonus - toothpick on which garnish came can be used as an evil sword when your best friend takes your iPhone. I also got a coffee which was delicious and worth the $2.50. I was offered a refill but was too full to indulge. Last time, I got coffee and we also had desserts (Panna Cotta and a Chocolate Mousse) Overall, we paid $35 on a Saturday! Crackling fireplace is great for ambiance, especially on a day where you can't feel your nose due to 22 degree weather.
(5)
Peter D.
Unless it's happy hour, I probably wouldn't come here too often. It's a cluster every time I've been there. I am happy for the spot, since it's a South Philly joint. That being said, the food is a little overpriced and the service could be better...especially considering the amount of people that go. It would be nice also if the servers would let you know what the beers are in each flight that you can order (one of the perks of Devil's Den). I definitely see myself coming back but there is room for improvement.
(3)
Colleen G.
I live about 2-3 blocks away and have been coming here frequently since I moved in a year ago. The beer selection is phenomenal, the food is delicious, and the servers and bartenders are all very friendly. This place is the best in the winter time, they have a fireplace in the middle of the restaurant which makes for a cozy atmosphere. And they have BEERMOSAS for brunch ..nuff said, am I right?
(5)
Mark Z.
It was nice walking by the fireplace after a cold day to get some food and drinks. This bar has a huge selection of beer and wines, so you are bound to find something you like. The food is good and the service is incredibly friendly. This is a place I will like to return to for a good dinner and drink.
(4)
Kath R.
This place has one of the best happy hours in the city but as of late the atmosphere has changed. It is either under new management or new owners. All the familiar faces from years are now gone. I don't know what's going on but it isn't the same place. Talk about cleaning house.......hopefully the new management will change the menu up---
(1)
L B.
The two stars might seem harsh. But when you're an established beer venue with a great reputation, someone's gotta call you out on the watered down beer. If you believe that proper storage of beer involves pouring what little is left of a Rodenbach Grand Cru keg into a pitcher that you then cover with plastic wrap and then just let it sit in your walk-in...there's this little thing called condensation that sometimes happens and then you end up with a lot of water in your beer...please feel free to do that with a Coors, Bud, Miller - any beer that already is pretty close to being water. PLEASE NEVER do that with any other quality beer you guys serve. Please also do not attempt to serve said watered down used-to-be-Grand Cru to your guests who are expecting to get exactly what they ordered. Mind you, Devil's Den, I dig your awesome beer selection. I also dig your waitstaff and bartenders. Solid folks with lightning-fast wit. Your fireplace keeps me warm when I'm there and smelling wonderful when I leave. But I come there for the beer first and foremost and if there's anyone working for you who doesn't understand how to properly store beer? That's a problem.
(2)
Jade B.
Another great local bar in South Philadelphia. If you are a beer lover and haven't been here yet, I highly suggest going to happy hour, all drafts are half off.
(4)
Margo K.
Alright Devil's Den, buckle up! Just as we should have one Sunday night for dinner... We were in the neighborhood and thought we'd stop in for dinner. We'd previously only ever had (some of the best) beer here and the occasional order of chickpea fries. So we were seated. A server came with water and took our beer order, and it took pretty long to get our beers. Like I said, their beer options are why we had gone so many times without eating here - came just for the beer! We ordered mussels, I forget which. The mussels themselves were okay...but the accompanying fries were SO SALTY they were pretty much inedible. I ordered Fish & Chips and the BF ordered a cheesesteak. The entree was $15 which is entirely too expensive for not specifying the fish! Also because the fried fish was so greasy that it was mush. The potatoes were the best part of my meal here. Now, the BF isn't one to complain about food very often, so I didn't expect to hear anything from him...but! He said his cheesesteak was almost entirely flavorless. Sorry Devil's Den, your food is just not good. I hope y'all fix it. I wanted to like your food too. We might still go for Sour Fest because it's a unique event and we've been going to it ever since it began...but let's hope we don't get hungry.
(2)
Dee D.
The last three times I've gone in, I've had terrible service. I live in the area, and Devil's Den used to be our go-to place. The ambiance is cozy and fun, but it doesn't make up for the service. While the food is tasty, but the daytime service just sucks. I'm sorry to say this, but it's true. The service is slow, and the daytime guy bartender/waiter I've had the last few times I've been there is particularly cold and unfriendly. Once when we walked in--and would have been just the second group of people in the entire place--the waiter/bartender actually sighed audibly with frustration. The pace of service, even when the place is nearly empty, is painfully slow. This place shouldn't feel unfriendly, but it does.
(1)
Beef M.
Went here with my parents for Sunday brunch. We chose to go here because we could place a reservation, and my mom is on crutches and can't stand around for an hour at other nearby brunch places. That said, it was actually not very busy here for brunch, a comfortable amount of busy. Drinks were cheap and pretty good, I got the bloody mary.. 3 bux! Pretty standard but spicy and I enjoyed it. I ordered the avocado benedict and my parents got the scallop benedict. Both were really awesome! Eggs perfectly poached, loved that the avocado was lightly fried, and the fluffy brioche they were on was also awesome. Benedict sauce was slightly dijon-y which was nice. Potatoes were ok, my mom liked them, I thought they could use more onions and peppers. Overall, great deal for great food. I would go back for brunch and probably drinks sometime, they have a good draft list
(4)
Benjamin M.
3.5 Stars. The Devil's Den is a warm and inviting bar/restaurant, which includes a wood fireplace burning near the front entrance. I didn't eat here, but I certainly salivated over their draft beer list for a little while. I felt like I was in stout heaven... Sam Adam's Cherry Chocolate Bock Blue Point Cherry Imperial Stout Arcadia Cocoa Loco I realize they rotate their taps fairly regularly (including the next day), so I was very happy I could assist them in reducing their inventory during Happy Hour. By the time I left, the place was packed, so I wouldn't mind coming back to try out the dinner menu next time.
(3)
Kelly S.
I wish there was a zero star option. I've only been here twice but it was a terrible experience both times. The servers and the customers are all huge douchebags. So many rude negative people. Not the kind of place where I want kick back and relax. Maybe it's called devils den because this is where devilish douches hang out. Get an attitude adjustment you assholes. We wanted to take a shit on the bar to make sure everyone knows what a shit shop this place is, but it's not worth our time or the effort.
(1)
Alexander E.
Devil's Den is arguably the best bar in Philly if you are a craft beer aficionado. There are many regular taps and special/seasonal taps at all times, plus a set selection of hundreds of bottled beers from all over the world, in addition to newly featured bottles from time to time. The food is best described as pub-nouveau; upper scale variants on old standards, with specials that run anywhere from brook trout to swiss goat cheese alfredo. I have never had a bad meal there, nor a bad beer, and I am a very experimental diner who is open to being disappointed in order to try new tastes. Everything is top notch! There are many neighborhood bars and beer rooms around Philly which I frequent for their familiarity, and knowing what I like there. Yet Devil's Den gives me a comfortable spot that I know in which I can open myself up to new territories in taste, thus making itself more memorable for a few good pints or bottles at the bar, or a novel sensation to my palette. It is one of my all time favorites for food and drink anywhere in the USA!
(5)
Hungry D.
My go to bar. Excelente for drinking- like, 6 stars- aokay for food. Never a bad time; in fact, always a vunderbar time. Wish they had more food options though. I like to munch when I drink.
(4)
Allie O.
Any bar that gets sour beers like THAT and thinks up a beer tasting like THAT and sets it all up like they did deserves four stars from the get go. Had I not just had the most insanely delicious meal at the Farmer's Cabinet moments before the Devils Den tapped their sour kegs, I would have ordered more food. I did have a croque madame (it was brunch. second brunch, really) and it was tasty, though the bread was a bit stale. But that's ok, since I was drinking a Russian River Sanctification, which might be my favorite beer of all time and I'm having it served as a replacement for champagne at my wedding. No headaches for my guests! But then there was the sour lineup that Pat got, the lucky bastard. Smart one, too. It started on the left with Allagash Confluence, then to the right the Sanctification, followed by Petrus Aged Pale, and finally the Dogfish Festina Peche. WOW. They were all amazing, but they were also paired very well and arranged very well. Whoever did that deserves a nice hearty pat on the back. But don't spill his beer.
(4)
Vinny P.
My feelings are really mixed. I've been here a few times and I've definitely noticed some ups and downs. As a drinking establishment, I think it deserves definite props. They have a very extensive beer selection and very nice bartenders who are willing to talk with you and advise you on your beverage selection. They've got a fireplace which is nice in the winter, no cover ever and a very casual extended bar area that you can sit and and enjoy your libations. I really feel like the food has been hit or miss. I've tried sandwiches which were tasty, some fried items that were missing the flavor and or texture that I was looking for and even their Charcuterie which was good but not spectacular. I'm not saying I won't go back. I end up here pretty frequently. I think I need to eat here more to develop a better opinion. I wish I could go to 3.5 stars but I can't vote that. I think there is more potential here and I'm going to try to find it.
(3)
christian C.
Great to sit by the fireplace on a dreary winter day! Nice warm atmosphere, with exposed brick and wood beams, with friendly staff. The beer selection is typically strong. There wings are terrific; perhaps the best in Philadelphia. I do wish they would include more non-breakfast things on the menu in the afternoon (before the brunch menu ends at 3 - you know, some people actually want lunch in the period of 1-3.).
(4)
Jim L.
This place is a block from my house so I go more than I might otherwise. Good food and they Know my drink and either ask me or even have it ready if I sit at the bar!! There is plenty of outdoor seating when it is warm and the fireplace is great when it is cold. Big TVs at the bar make it my favorite place for Phillies games. They are very cool about the times I bring my toddler for brunch or happy hour dinner!
(5)
Rob S.
Although I wouldn't knock off a star for it, I can't recommend going here for Friday happy hour anymore. Devil's Den maintains the high honor as my favorite South Philly bar for happy hour. A phenomenal frequently rotating and massive tap list at half price from 5-7 Monday through Friday. I regularly get amazing beers here for unbelievably economical prices. The reason for this update? Many, many other intelligent beer drinkers have discovered this place and the service on Fridays has suffered tremendously. The service at both the bar and at tables is often pretty slow considering we're just ordering beers. I've felt a bit ignored and then when ordering had to feel guilty for trying to put in a beer order for all of my friends at once (who have had a dry glass for 10-15 minutes). The service has also bordered on downright rude. One time I asked if there was still time for happy hour prices, was told "You got it boss," put in my order and then everything came full price on our receipt. When I complained I was scolded by the bartender for ordering beers "last minute." Is this not a universal happy hour tradition? I figure they just lack the amount of servers and tenders needed for how busty happy hour gets. Regardless, I recommend avoiding Fridays and coming ANY other week night. And DO GO any other week night.
(5)
Charles R.
The food was good, the service was fine and yes the beer selection is huge, BUT wish they would serve some of the dishes they are known for instead of brunch only on Satuday. You can't get any of the really good mussel dishes they offer, nor can you get the shortribs. Burger was very good as its a blend of 3 cuts of meat put thru a grinder. Eggs benedict with crab instead of Canadian bacon came with a great Bernaise sauce. There is only one egg, but it is still a good dish. WIsh in the future they offer some of their other lunch items.
(3)
Boris M.
Mr. Boris a lova the Russian Orthodoxy Catholic Church. I praise on Jesus and I love to eat a bite of him and drink his blood at my Sunday Church. Imagine Boris fear when Boris friend say "Boris! Put your boots on we are going to Devil's Den!" Boris scream, then put boots on, then run into bathroom and sit on cold toilet shaking in my boots! Boris cry a little bit, shake, and icicles form on Boris beard. Listen here. All Boris want in life is good drink and foods that need strong teeth for eating properly. Boris friend yell louder "BORIS! PULL UP YOUR PANTS AND LET'S GO!" Look, a little embarrass but Boris drink 3 whiskey shots to relax before we go see the Devil. Dr. Boris is so scared on drive over while friend sings loud to Cannibal Corpse on loudy boom boom car stereo system. Boris scream "Take me home tonight!" Boris can't take it no more! The fear! The Devil! The Devil in the car speaker! Boris friend smile evil smile then SLAP Boris! Boris cry and whimper like wet little doggy. Friend say "We here you loser." We go inside and Boris has fist tight ready to punch Devil in mouth you stay away you nasty crazy devil let the nice people eat and drink the beers! We love God!! YOU NEVER BELIEVE! oH my good ness no Devils I can see! Wow. This place like Boris Uncle Stanislaus living room in Russia. But with much good beer and food and young people with all clothes on! The mussels so good! The bread make Boris mouth water RIGHT NOWWW!!! Macaroni and cheese yummy too. "Holy Jesus the Devil is great cook!!!" Boris says out loud. Boris eat , drink, throw up in bathroom and clog toilet.
(4)
Michael B.
beer dork cheapo happy hour rankings... This ranking is done with the "best beers for the buck" in mind. Devil's Den is not my favorite bar in the city; that would probably be the POPE, SPTR, Prohibition, or Memphis. But it's cheap as hell from 5-7pm, has a tough-to-beat selection of craft drafts, and is a good jumping-off point for other watering holes in south phila. 1. devil's den. the selection is outstanding (i put dd along with varga as tops in this category) and you can get plenty of them for around $2-3 during hh. frankly the cheapest place in town for some of the best beers. and an hour later that the rest. 5-7 weekdays, half off all drafts. 2. pub on passyunk east (POPE). this is a very, very close 2nd. great staff (tim and both matts are my heros), terrific selection, always good to have a wide variety to suit everyone's tastes, from excellent belgians to hard-to-find ipas. half off drafts during happy hour mean $3.50 for goblets of super-expensive belgians or $2-3 for typical american craft pints. solid juke, too. 4-6 weekdays, half off all drafts. NOTE: Sly Fox cans are $3 all the time.. so you might as well just stay all night- every night. 3. memphis tap room. excellent selection of craft beers on tap... always rotating and creative. all $4 for happy hour. and out back with the new hot dog truck (open april-october), cans are $3 (pounders being $4) and honestly, chillin out in the alley with a beer battered and pickled gingered hot dog (vegan option) and an anderson valley ipa.. please. nothing could beat it on a nice day. well, maybe if they find a way to beat the system and start offering their indoor beers outdoors.. but hey, who are we to hold it against them? 4-6 weekdays, $4 drafts inside/$3 cans outside. 4. varga. probably the best selection of craft draft beer in the entire city. and it's all 1/2 off. no fluff on tap, great descriptions, extremely knowledgeable staff, varga was my #1 for ages but their prices recently went up (and i moved away.. coincidence?? :)). expect to pay closer to $4 per draft here during hh (still a steal for most of these hard-to-find beers). plus, no restaurant in the city makes better brussel sprouts (barbuzzo is a close second perhaps). 4-6 weekdays, half off drafts and pretty much all liquor drinks and house wine. 5. the khyber. the beer selection makes up for the happy hour deal this spot does not offer alongside its brethren (both cantinas and royal tavern all offer 1/2 off drafts at happy hour; the khyber only gives ya $2 off). but really, nothing beats sitting down at the bar with a cup of phila's best gumbo and an obscure ipa. and i know you all know by now.. but the bacon grease popcorn is so right. 4-6 weekdays, $2 off all drafts.
(4)
Er B.
First time. Definitely not going to be the last.
(4)
Sarah S.
Very friendly service! Staff is knowledgeable about beers on tap, and DD offers great flights for the indecisive. A must-try are the duck fries, similar to poutine. Their happy hour is unbeatable, 5-7 on weekdays and half-price beer (on tap). Certainly a south philly staple.
(5)
Perry H.
What a great spot...I visited for the first time this weekend and based on the beer list alone I have to give it five stars. It was their anniversary so they had a free buffet on Saturday afternoon - what a great way to say thanks to your customers. I can't really review the food as we didn't order off the menu but the meatballs and sausages were good. We sat at the bar and the service was friendly and quick and there were two televisions for baseball opening weekend viewing. How can you rate anywhere serving Pliny The Elder (outside of CA) anything but five stars? Amazing. Also on tap was the Avery Maharaja which was superb as well. A great list of about 12-15 drafts and even more bottles. The prices were spot-on as well...five bucks (actually $4 during the anniversary celebration) for a glass of Pliny?! I look forward to visiting the Devil's Den again and actually having the opportunity to sample the food menu!
(5)
Emily M.
As you'll see from the other reviews, the service here is atrocious! Absolutely terrible. Food is average and beer list is good. But for how many great restaurants are nearby I would NOT waste your time with the poor staff.
(1)
Cat P.
Devil's Den is like the forgotten stepchild of bars in Philadelphia. They have a fantastic beer selection (over 200, I believe) and an awesome happy hour deal (1/2 off beers and flights). The food is decent, the neighborhood vibe is fun, and I appreciated the portion size of the hummus plate they brought out to us. The service here leaves a little bit to be desired, though. It took upwards of 15 minutes for us to get our drinks. It would have been quicker to go to the bar, but we didn't want to stiff the wait staff. When we realized our waitress was still MIA, we tried to ask a different server if we could just grab a glass of water. She was quick to point out that she "wasn't our server" and begrudgingly brought us a glass of water. I want to come back here, but DD, please hire an extra server or your wait staff may end up killing someone.
(3)
Anthony L.
Very good selection of beer that changes often. Not a huge fan of the food but the one thing I really enjoy is their cheesesteak. Also a decent brunch spot.
(3)
E J.
Sensational Scallop appetizer special tonight, great atmosphere, awesome music. Will be back.
(5)
Mike D.
I have always wanted to try DD but stayed away due to some mediocre reviews but glad I finally stopped in. It was refreshing to see an eclectic group of people scattered about the bar and the dining room. The little food we had consisted of a beet salad and scallops were more than adequate. The topper was the beer selection which called my name at from every angle. Our short stay was pleasant and enough to elicit a return. Definitely a solid choice in an area not too hopping with beer joints with the potential to stand alone.
(4)
Sean A.
Excellent salmon BLT and great version of a cheese steak with an IPA cheese sauce. Aces on the French Fries! Best happy hour for beer lovers in Philly!
(5)
Kelly P.
any establishment that has a dogfish head events will surely get my business. i'd been to DD just a couple weeks earlier for dinner, which was solid. that's when i noticed in the menu that the DFH event was coming up, and i thought YESSS i'm in there like swimwear. i've had the pleasure of dining during a busy friday night (without reservations, my party of 5 was treated kindly), and also sitting at the bar early saturday for the event. i am happy to note that there were no hiccups in the service either time, and i will likely check out their brunch one day soon. the mussels were nice and spicy, the shortrib flatbread was ok -- definitely improved by hot sauce -- and i'd definitely return to the bar if i want to grab a beer solo to watch a game.
(3)
Steve C.
This place is really a great place to go if you want to just chill and relax. The bartenders and servers are friendly and mak you feel like you belong the first time you sit down. The beer selection is very high, but they don't carry some common local beers like Yueingling, they do have a strong selection of hard to find favorites. The food here is very good and I think it just accents all the great things this bar has to offer.
(4)
Laura K.
I have been back several times since and every single time it has been fantastic. Glad they seemed to have sorted out what they needed to- absolutely one of the best bars in the area.
(5)
Jim d.
The one star goes to the bartenders here, really nice people through and through but some of the waitstaff here is ATROCIOUS. 10/14/11: My girlfriend and I sat down at around 8:30 for dinner. We did as the sign told us to and we sat ourselves. There was only a 4 top available, so we had to sit. Another couple sat next to us at the same time as another 4 top opened up. no one came to either couple about waiting for a proper sized table. Both couples were given beer and food menus as well as waters. The other couple not only received beer right away but also an appetizer within 10 minutes. Still not even an acknowledgement of our existence from the waiter. Subsequently the next 10 minutes passed and the waiter passed us around 8-10 times. We made eye contact more than once and he NEVER stopped to wait on us. If it wasn't his section, the eye contact should be enough for him to tip off his fellow waitstaff to serve us. He did neither of these things. After 25 minutes total a third couple sat down on the other side of us and within 90 seconds he was waiting on them. We got up and walked out. I frustratingly said "THANKS A LOT" outloud. Again, no one asked us to wait at the bar until a 2 top opened (which we would be happy to do). If you want the 5 top full, then say something don't just ignore us until we leave. The busser was by the door and we let him know what happened within earshot of the offending waiter, the busser was apologetic and even offered to buy us a round of drinks citing them being short staffed that night. This really isn't an excuse when all the waiter had to do was stop, and excuse himself by saying "sorry, we're a little short, i'll just be a minute" he literally said nothing to us. If you ever see a shorter waiter with short blonde hair, that's the guy we're referring to. If management reads this yelp page, this waiter should really learn some manners. I'm not asking that he be fired, he just learns to do a job like that properly. Show a little tact, buddy. Probably won't be going back to Devil's Den for a long, long time.
(1)
eden a.
Thought I'd take the time to say that we absolutely love this place. Tom (the bartender) is simply GREAT in every way...the food is WAY WAY above average; beer selection is perfect for craft beer drinkers. Prices are fair, ambiance is nice - clean, simple, dark and peaceful. Good music. A really fine place for lunch.
(5)
Christopher M.
Go for brunch!! Get the Chickpea Fries to start!!! Have fun!!! I'm very glad our first brunch option didn't pan out. Our waitress was extremely nice and went above and beyond at times throughout our meal. The bloody mary's are nicely sized and perfectly blended! I asked for it extra spicy and I didn't have to send it back for more spice! And the bartender who made it was hot :-) We had a community brunch of Juevos Rancheros, Chickpea Fries (AMAZING!!!!!! We threatened to wrestle each other for extra!!), Crab Eggs Benedict, Smoked Trout Hash, and the Casino Omelette. Juevos Rancheros wasn't very authentic looking...but was quite pleasing. I CAN'T SAY CHICKPEA FRIES ENOUGH!! I'm considering moving back to Philly just to be closer to these phenomenal little bites, which come with an awesome chipotle aioli!!! The Crab Eggs Benedict was visually appealing and tasty! Just know that the crab meat is rather sweet (that caught us off guard at first but was fine once we knew what flavor to expect). The Smoked Trout Hash was a table fav. The Casino omelette was good...just fluffier than we expected it to be. Intriguing flavors...and I do think I'd order the Casino Flatbread next time. But I'm glad I tried it. The potatoes that came with the Benedict and Casino were so nummers especially when dipped in the aioli, which our waitress saw we liked and offered to bring out more at no extra charge :-) The mixed greens served with the trout were plentiful and super fresh. We were four happy post-yoga class campers :-) I hear the restaurant has gone through many evolutions, some of which weren't so great. So if you weren't satisfied the first time you went, I recommend going back now that they seem to have found their groove :-)
(4)
John F.
Succubi stare-downs, sultry suitors, savory suds Delighted, I delve deeper than Bella Vista to this devious diversion from daily drudgery. Succulent snacks satiate said stomach. Devilish divas distribute decadent drinks. Hellish hearth of heat, heart, heart, heart! Solo sh*ter sardonically scalds standby squatters. Brimstone bar benching belles bearing booze.
(3)
Karen N.
Really good food and service. The empanadas were good, service was quick and friendly. Parking wasn't too difficult either.
(4)
Steve S.
Wow! One of the best grilled cheese sandwiches ever - served on some magnificent multi-grain bread, with a quality cheddar, tomatoes and bacon! Cooked and burn't just perfectly. Loved the cheap happy hour dishes too - chick pea fries, blanketed dogs and very fresh oysters. And of course, they have great beer selection. Oh, the hot chicken wings are very good - definitely above average!
(5)
Deann M.
This place is wonderful for the Happy Hour drink specials... 1/2 off all drafts, you can't really beat that in Philly. They always have a ton of really good microbrews on tap, and a large selection of them. Happy hour is a well known event, it is usually packed by 6 pm, so make sure to get there early if you want to get a seat. The food is ok, but the service can be a bit spotty. The first time I went the burger I had was great! Juicy and delicious. The next couple times I went to get food, there was always an issue with my order or my bill. One time I didn't get the right dish, I don't normally send anything back but this was completely wrong and I didn't want what I got... the server apologized and told me he would take my beer off the bill. So then I had to wait about 20 minutes for my food while the rest of my party ate. When we got the bill, he didn't remove the beer from the bill! When I told him about it, he got kind of an attitude and said he DID take it off, but I only had one beer and it was still on there. Eventually he relented... but that was a little annoying. Next time I went there was another problem with my order. We ordered two burgers cooked medium and they were completely raw inside. This time I didn't return it, I just ate most of it and scraped out the inside. Most people around me were just drinking or eating appetizers, so not sure why they felt the need to not cook our burgers completely through. I don't mind waiting to get what I ordered! Anyhoo, next time I'll probably just get beer and eat somewhere else. There are plenty of other places to eat that have better food and service.
(3)
Eric W.
Devils Den is my local watering hole. They always have a great draft list with beers from all over the world. The staff is always attentive and for the most part they know their stuff. If you've never been to "the Den" and you enjoy beer this is a must try.
(5)
Bobby P.
Insane beer selection, really good mussels, a killer rendition of the cheesesteak and great service. Done! Now go drink beer!
(5)
Tian C.
Great little neighborhood spot. I like to come in on weekday evenings when it isn't so packed. The ambiance is rustic (wood stove and exposed brick) romantic and great for a date, either for dinner or grabbing a quick drink. Outdoor seating is perfect on a warm evening, and the service is friendly and attentive. I'm absolutely in love with their beer list, if you're the type of person who'd rather be overwhelmed by the beer selection rather than underwhelmed, this is the place to go. Can't decide? Get a flight. They change their flight selection frequently. Definitely try the mussels (Diablo is my favorite), they come with a generous serving of delicious french fries, and bread. I'm deducting one star because I'm not terribly thrilled with the bartenders, they can be a bit surly and rude. Otherwise, it's a great place.
(4)
Superfly T.
The mussels diablo are some of the best spicy mussels I ever had, that sauce is delicious with perfect balance of flavor and spice, and the mussels were fresh and meaty. Beer selection is great although I only sampled a few selections, I'll be back for sure.
(4)
Frank R.
Devil's Den features an elite collection of draft and bottle beer and serves very good food. This is one of my favorite places to grab some great food and beer. I have been here a number of times and every time I do, it get harder and harder to leave. Simply put, this is the sort of restaurant that I would love to open some day. Devil's Den just speaks my language in so many ways. First is the beer. I often find myself doing a double take when I see some of the beer they serve here. Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast Stout, Stone 11-11-11, Russian River Damnation, Schnieder Aventinus Eisbock, are some of the best beers in the world and I have had them all here. The beer menu is one of the best of all of the hundreds of beer bars I have visited in the country. As if having a library of beers wasn't enough, they are half price during happy hour. Its so easy to go here and spend $20 and have an excellent start to your night! The food is usually very good. Some of the really satisfying dishes are the bacon wrapped dates, chorizo quesadilla, grilled asparagus, and braised pork flatbread. One of the best dishes I had here was the open-faced crab ravioli. It was perfect! However, I find the use of dressings, especially anything with balsamic, needs a little restraint as it tends to overpower a dish with its ubiquity. The chickpea fries are a bit boring and unsatisfying. I have had some oysters here that were past their prime and had too much sand and shell. Service at the tables is usually very good in terms of promptness and friendliness. Sometimes, the bartenders are too busy talking to their friends about some things that are best not talked about at work. In fact, its kind of ridiculous. Also, at happy hour, it can be a bit tight and competitive and frustrating. Then again, its understandable when excellent beer is half off. Overall, I love going to Devil's Den. They balance quality, quantity and price that comes together for a very satisfying and enjoyable experience!
(4)
Dave C.
I love this bar. I go in all the time when I'm in town. The staff is super cool and the food is always on point. The bald guy behind the bar is a funny bastard. Last time I was there, we had a cute little curly haired blonde waitress, who's name is escaping me, but she was extremely friendly and patient with us even though we may have had a few too many to drink. Every time I come to town, this is my spot! Best beer menu in the city. PS: That cheesesteak is no joke. If you like spicy food, order it.
(5)
Lene P.
After a brief visit to the Mummers Parade, the guy and I stopped by Devils Den while walking down 11th Street. It was my first time there. We were immediately seated and walked by a nice, warm fireplace. Our table was by the bar and the stools were high. I don't mind this, it wasn't too crowded but fairly busy. There is another room with more tables. They had the Mummers on TV. Viewing the drinks menu, I was glad to see they had $10 flights and I chose the Import flight. They have a very diverse beer menu as a lot of the other reviews have mentioned. We chose mussels. He had the mussels over pasta and I ordered the mussels Diablo which was spicy but not overly so. It came with fries, bread and dipping sauce. The food was very good but I thought the fries were a little soft. The service was great. Our waiter was friendly and joked around with us. Apologized for the wait on receiving our check. The wait for drinks and food wasn't long especially for being very busy. I didn't see the bathroom but I heard it was horrible. Overall, I would like to visit again, especially for the flights and they look like they have a really great brunch.
(4)
Pam S.
The atmosphere here is definitely a winner - I have definitely gone by this place many times, mentally adding it to my list of places to check out. For beer, great. They have flights, so you can try a few beers for ~9, which is a great deal. A good draft list and extensive bottle selection as well. But as a tavern in Philly, this almost expected. The food is good, but the vegetarian/vegan options are lacking ... the chickpea fries aren't vegan?! C'mon. They do get points for actually having a good veggie burger - white bean based I expect. The hummus platter is also HUGE, which it a plus for sure. As for the meat/cheesy food, the figs are evidently amazing, but the cubano was more like a panini than a true cubano. I would return if I had some omnivores I'd like to take out when trying to stay near my neighborhood, and perhaps when going just for beer (and that giant hummus platter!).
(3)
Jonny R.
The Devil's Den is a fine gastropub that is as serious about its food and atmosphere, as it is about its tap list and bottle selection. I've had countless great experiences here, it's a place that loves beer, and hosts great events. The servers themselves are knowledgeable and helpful (sometimes to a fault). And it has one of the best happy hours in the city. It has a great seating area, and a great bar, too. It livens up that strip on 11th Street that has little going for it, too.
(3)
Adam K.
The best beer selection in Philly. Very balanced list. The food is good. Happy hour between 5-7 Mon-Fri. Half all drafts and their themed Flights of 5 beers (i.e. 5 5 oz IPAs).
(5)
Jemma C.
This place is spitting distance from my house so I go every so often. If it wasn't I'd have no reason to. Food is OK at best however brunch is awful! Good beer menu. Patchy service.
(2)
Breanna M.
Love Devil's Den! Great food, great service, great beer selection!
(5)
Richard F.
Moved into the neighborhood about a month ago. In my old neighborhood, had lots of favorite pubs - Southwark, Kennett, etc. Was worried I would not find a substitute.....until we found Devil's Den. Have now been five times and it never fails to please. Mussels Provencal about the best I've had outside of Paris - and they would compare extremely well in Paris! Croque Maison was a superb rendition of a traditional dish. Burger terrific. What else can I say. Oh, the beer list: absolutely world-class and with a nitro pump and a cask-conditioned choice, it's simply fantastic. Devil's Den is my new gastro-pub fav.
(5)
James B.
Devil's Den is like beige carpeting. There's nothing wrong with it. It just wouldn't be my choice.
(3)
Maly C.
Their mussel is really good. The beer selection is awesome. Can't wait to go back.
(3)
Maureen V.
Creative and vast selection of beers, both on draft and bottle, but moreso bottle. Lots of imports which are categorized by style. It's nice that they include the alcohol percentage so that you can see what you're getting for your money. ;) Prices are a little too high, but they do have a nice happy hour M-F 5-7pm: half off all drafts. Service is a little too slow at times, but they get really busy so I get that. Can get pretty loud there too. Food is pretty good and not what you'd expect from a bar in South Philly. It has a touch of gourmet flair and is no over the top in terms of price. This place is very clean and has a cozy, rustic look to it.
(4)
C K.
Very reasonable prices and really amazing food!! They have a great beer selection and I've been there several times and literally never had a bad meal there! It may look like a local neighborhood bar from the outside, but the food there is DELICIOUS!! Their brownie is by far the best brownie I've ever had in my life (we split it between 3 people and it was even a bit much for us, it was that rich). I had a duck breast special one night which was the best duck breast I've ever eaten. Also yummy on their menu is the grilled duck flatbread. Yum. The first time I got the chef's tasting menu, which was decadent and delicious. Their chef is a culinary artist and I'll definitely be back again and again!
(5)
Catherine L.
I don't know why but I constantly confuse this place with Devil's Alley. I know they're nowhere near each other, but every time I hear Devil's Den it makes me think of the little place that could on Chestnut... Will there be a trademark litigation in the near future I wonder? Or, are those two places in cahoots to just confuse us poor folks that can't make the distinction? Anyhoo, if drinkin' is your name, and you live in South Philly, then Devil's DEN is your game. If you're looking to snack, the food is semi-edible for low expectations bar-eatin' fare. But seriously, their beer menu means business - they've got a nice selection of drafts and bottles - and they're on par with any good beer drinkin' bar in the city. The place is shiny and new and super roomy with a sizeable bar area to match. The food is one of their low points - gastropub, puh-lease. The menu offerings are all over the place and the food was pretty lackluster. The fries and the garlic aioli (which I think is the true muster test for any good beer drinkin' bar) weren't very good. The aioli was bland and the fries limp and soggy. Service was really weird, often absent (which was inexcusable because the place wasn't busy - even for a Saturday night) Also, I don't really know who our actual, official server was, because it seemed like our table kept getting passed around to whomever was free to handle our orders, requests for beer or the check at the end of our meal. If you live nearby or you're indulging in some eats around Washington Avenue, this is a good place to get a great beer or three... otherwise, go to a REAL gastropub.
(2)
Emma M D.
This place has a great brunch! I love the mimosas and they also have a very good beer selection. The atmosphere is laid back and service is friendly. The food gets a thumbs up as well, especially their take on french toast and eggs benedict. Delicious! All decently priced too!!
(4)
T L.
Look Devil's Den. I like you. I really like you. But you're so damn inconsistent. I've ordered what I thought was my favorite salad "Roasted Beet & Arugula Salad", but every since that first time I ordered, it is prepared completely differently depending on I don't know what. It's never been as good and so, always a disappointment. Also, I gotta say whatever that neon red salad dressing you've been pairing it with is plain awful. Seriously, I think it's a mix of Kool Aid and cough syrup and it does not do anything for the salad. Other than that, your wings and chickpea fries are good. Other bigger dishes seem overpriced for what it is. But I still like your vibe so I'll be back. PS. Pls fix the salad! Thank you.
(3)
Andrei G.
Wow!!! What a great place. Among other things we had the Aventinus mussels which were just outstanding!! They were some of the best mussels I have ever had, and I have had mussels all over the place, including Belgium, Germany and France. They were plump and super fresh made in a leek, Aventinus beer, cream, garlic and bacon sauce. Also had the burger with gorgonzola which was delicious. The mussels though were amazing, served with fries and delicious garlic bread, really tasty. Pair it with a great beer selection and you have a perfect combo. We have been twice and service was good both times. Ambiance is nice, typical neighborhood bar, a bit on the noisy side, but that is to be expected.
(5)
Abhinav N.
This is a great neighborhood pub. I was here last evening with a friend and we had a great time. Our hostess was really sweet and got us a great outside table, which lasted only for a while because it started to rain. Inside they have two sections - you can either sit at the bar and enjoy the game on large screens or get one of the pub tables closer to the bar. There's another section inside which is great for dinner and provides more intimate environment. They have an amazing selection of European drafts / bottle beers and great food menu. I tried their Franziskaner Hefeweisse and for food we ordered their chickpea fires and Diablo Mussels, which were really delicious!! I'm definitely going back again to try their brunch, happy hour and beer flights!!!
(4)
Bif P.
Awesome beer selection and $3 happy Hour beers, you can't go wrong. I really liked this place.
(5)
Noise J.
They have a really nice beer menu. Pages and pages and pages of good brew. Their drafts were very pleasing as well, although not nearly extensive (obviously). Staff were Ahhhhiiittteeee.... Pretty down to Earth and not too full of their own Shite. The food was Uhhhhh.... Alright. I mean its a pub. Good munchies.
(3)
Mikey I.
I'd say this is a pretty good spot. There's a great huge beer list and every dish I've had here has been a total hit. The wings, as far as I remember are boneless, so traditionalists be warned. I'm looking forward to return visits and to try out other dishes. They have brunch on the weekends which is good, though the menu isn't that lengthy for it. More dishes please, maybe some food specials (of which I did not notice on my few recent visits).
(4)
Mary S.
I sincerely enjoy Devil's Den. We've been going for some time, though I think it is only recently that we realized that it's really a walkable location from our house. Also, GROWLER FILLS! and cheap ones! and delicious foods! like, gorgonzola stuffed figs. I'm not sure what it is about this year, but I literally cannot get enough figs, and DD is doing a great job with theirs. I had the Buffalo Chicken sandwich which featured a delightfully- no fried!- but grilled! breast of chicken atop a brioche bun with a chunky blue cheese dressing and tangy buffalo sauce. The roll was a bit doughy, but that's my own problem, lots of people love brioche, just not me, but overall the sandwich was a winner. They offer their sandwiches with fries or salad, and the small salad was also quite choice. Our waiter was a bit meh, but it was late night on a Monday so maybe he was just really tired? Overall this place is a win, it's laid back, it's not too loud, the food is good the growler fills are reasonably priced, and we can walk there. Love.
(4)
Bill M.
With Bathroom's being the main theme of the Weekly Yelp this week, and the worst bathroom in Philly thread making a comeback Devil's Den sounds like a good review to knock out. Beacuse really the awkward bathroom situation was the only thing holding me back from giving here a five. It's not that the bathroom was ranked among the god awful (it was actually somewhat clean considering). It was just that it was a single dual sex bathroom inside of a bar that get's fairly packed during a happy hour. Throw in the fact that it was directly next to the kitchen and you had a lot of people waiting in a spot where a lot of people where coming and going. A spot that's a beer paradise could really use a better arrangement. But other than that setback Devil's Den enticed me. It's a beer lover's heaven since it has so many offerings on tap and in bottles. And since all drafts are half off during Happy Hour (thanks for the tip Sara C.!) it's the perfect spot to hit up. They even had a flight sampling were you could try 3-4 flutes of different beers from a certain brewer for a decent price. It was a super steal indeed! The menu also has some innovations which are a step above your typical pub fare. The Happy Hour Tapas menu hooks up things like a decent sized fruit and cheese plate and bacon and blue cheese croquettes. But they also have a juicy looking burger, chicken fingers and all of the standard bar offerings. Overall this place offers enough things to make me a fan.
(4)
Alicia O.
This place can be hard to miss. I think they need a bigger sign outside cause if I didn't see my friend waiting outside, I would have been walking up and down street wondering where this Devil's Den is. Inside it looks like your standard pub, but they have fireplace right in the middle. I was only here for brunch, so I didn't get to see the fireplace in action. I suggest arriving before noon for brunch. We arrived just time before it got packed. I ended having two Shoo Fly porters. I'm usually not a big fan of porters, but these were good. I also had the Smoked Salmon platter which probably wasn't the best thing to order with beer. Overall, pros: atmosphere, the fireplace and the beer. Cons: Food, meh.
(3)
Denise L.
Great place to go during the winter or on a chilly day/night... They have a real burning fireplace that smells so homey and is so cozy. Love that smell! You can smell it a block away! The few times I was there, I felt like I was at the mountains in a ski lodge and not in the city of Phila. So if you dig fireplaces and the smell, go there! Ps. Their food isn't too shabby either!
(4)
Dee C.
As our local drinking hole we come here for dinner, brunch and drinks with friends to romantic nights in front of their inviting fire place on these cold night. Beer selection is insane. Food consistently good. Try the mussels.
(4)
Ernest S.
Pretty good beer selection and nice customers, but major negative for the waitress who tried to cheat us without having us notice. Two of us dropped in just to get a beer each. The bill was $11.55 and we gave her $17 (yes, it's an odd number, but we each threw in random amounts of cash for our individual beers). When the waitress returned she said awkwardly "this is what they gave me back" and left us $4. What a cheater! I don't know her name, but she works the front table area by the entrance and it happened tonight (Thursday). Beware! This sucks because I would have gone back. Now I'm definitely not stepping my foot in here again.
(2)
melissa m.
I've only been here a few times, but last night sealed the deal that the diablo mussels are my favorite Philly mussels. I want a sauce that I actually want to keep dipping my bread in after the mussels are gone, with flavor that stands up on its own; diablo is exactly that. Devil's Den has a really great beer list and nice/unusual flight options. While it seems like service can be iffy based on reviews, the Den was utterly packed last night and we received prompt & courteous service. Our food came wayyyyy faster than I expected for such a busy night.
(4)
jessica m.
Worst Bloody Mary I think I've ever had...at least it was only $3 dollars.
(2)
Phanna P.
A long list of craft beers, so much to choose from, so much to try. If you're unsure try one of the flights of beers. Outdoor seating for the cooler days but not for a party of more than 4. We had 6 people comfortably seated inside with one side booth and chairs on the other side. I'll say pass on the cheese fries, doesn't taste much like cheeses. Chickpeas fries are the best. The bar is low key and chilled for the craft beer lovers! Happy hour is great 1/2 off draft beers.
(4)
John F.
I just went here for happy hour and needless to say, I enjoyed myself. The beer menu is vast and half off drafts from 5-7 is unbeatable. I also recommend the spicy hummus plater. Devils Den has a great atmosphere. Low key, trendy and comfortable. This is an ideal place to go after work for a quick beer or if your looking for a reasonably priced dinner, Devils Den has some great food. The mussels and steak are incredible. All in all Devils Den is a great choice for almost an situation. Enjoy!
(4)
Parker S.
I like beer, I drink a lot of different styles of beer, devil's den makes even a knowledgable beer geek feel like a beginner. Their draft list is always lined with several beers I've never heard of which is awesome. Their prices are good and their half-off all drafts is the best happy hour in Philly period.
(5)
Michael P.
In the interest of due disclosure, I'm writing this having just gotten home from their 1 Year Late Grand Opening Party, where they ployed me with a buffet of free food, and encheapened their entire draft list well beyond happy hour. I watched the Devil's Den slowly get built over the course of many months. It right around the corner from where I live, so I was eagerly awaiting another nearby option in addition to the incomparable POPE, and uberdivey Ray's. The fit and finish of this place is pretty wild. They definitely play on the theme with deep burgundy walls, wood trim everywhere, and various etchings and carvings of the a demonic caricature. The menus have a nice touch, with a hammered copper plate of their logo. In the winter, a roaring wood fire makes this one of my favorite places, but watch out for the tables right next to it, you might regret it. Beer is a highlight of the Devil's Den. They have a rotating tap of some fantastic beers, and that they have Franzikaner Hefe-Weisse on tap most of the time keeps me coming back. They have some nice local options in addition to the German and Belgian selection, but you really can't go wrong here. The food has definitely ironed out some of the initial kinks. The pulled pork sandwich is a favorite, and the burger is very good as well. The IPA cheese fries w/ bacon are fantastic. I love the nice variety of mussels options, and a bowl usually has 12-15 good size bivalves. Make sure you know what tapas/small plates means if you order from that menu, its a decent appetizer for one or two, or can give a four top one each. Small plates brings me to the best part, their amazing happy hour. Every draft is half price, and the small plates menu is discounted. Last time, I tried a few oysters, but they were only decent. I wish I got home from work before 7 any day but Friday to take advantage of this. The evening rush used to be completely crazy, but they recently hired a new hostess who does a fantastic job wrangling the multitudes walking through the door. The rest of the servers are a mixed bag, some are efficient and attentive, others make you feel like you're in their way. They usually have sports on the two TVs behind the bar, and I'm definitely going to make it a point to catch a few Phillies games there this summer, when they open the windows.
(4)
Kristopher M.
Gargantuan beer list. That alone would get 4 stars from me. But, the brunch menu here is awesome as well. Great little neighborhood bar. I loved the ambience. The Bloody Mary's did leave a little bit to be desired though (I prefer it not be a premade mix but then again they were only $3).
(4)
Ida L.
A three dollar Bloody Mary on a Saturday afternoon makes me happy. We sat near the bar. I had the salmon club minus the bread and it was pretty delish. We shared an order of bacon fries for an app and that was a thumbs up too. I like the Devils Den.
(3)
Bryan D.
In a word: such bourgeoisie nonsense. I've never been given such a hard time trying to have a drink somewhere. It's been going on since they opened, and it's finally time to say something. Carded a dozen times by the same waitress in the span of 4 months. Bartenders must not be accustomed to folks having more than three drinks. I've never laughed at someone after being cut off before! They need to make up their mind if they want to be a Chilis or if they want to actually be a decent bar. Such beautiful beer. Such beautiful brunch. Good neighborhood place. Just don't laugh out loud. And screw Darius Rucker. So torn to be living half a block from you, Yup-yup A-Hole's Den.
(2)
Jill T.
Their beer selection makes me cross eyed. So many choices! I've found so many beers I really like, and the bartenders are really good with offering suggestions. The food is really good too! It's light bar fare, but it's really tasty! The friendly staff is the reason this bar gets 5 stars instead of just 4. Thank you to the bartender who helped cure my hiccups. You're the best!
(5)
Tam P.
I came here on a beautiful Thursday night with my girlfriend and have to say I Was pleasantly surprised with the great atmosphere and the calamari salad was really good.. It's a great place to check out and Grab a beer
(4)
Vince G.
Excellent beer selection. Enjoyed an eclectic cheese plate and some mussels (diablo) style as well as the tomato mozzarella flat bread. The pommes frites were saturated and flimsy, but it is a solid neighborhood gem.
(4)
Mallory D.
I happened upon this place when I got a flat tire in South Philly, and what a happy accident it was. I immediately loved the vibe-large photos of delapitated buildings and rowhimes in Philly made for a lovely backdrop. I am a sucker for craft beer & microbrew places. The beer menu here is ridiculous. Beer flights ($9 each) are a great way to sample a few beers-and increase the likelihood that you will like one. I had a great strawberry wheat brew on draft that was recommended by the waitress-who happened to be lovely and attentive. The food was out of this world too-my friend & I got burgers which were great. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Ruth B.
Ok, so update. SIt at the bar, go to happy hour. Don't eat, drink delicious half price beer. The tall, blond, germanic-looking bartender is solid. She keeps up with the pace, gives a smile and a well-placed comment, and you never have an empty beer.
(3)
Jamie Lou I.
Happy Hour 5-7 Monday-Friday 1/2 price drafts! Minus 1 star for the food... overpriced and bland.... but whatever, 1/2 PRICE DRAFTS!
(4)
Melissa B.
Best beer selection in this neighborhood. Cozy place to enjoy happy hour with the fireplace. Really great staff who knows their beer! Not crazy about the food here, but the beer makes up for it.
(4)
Beth R.
The food is quite good - definitely a step above your basic bar food. I had mussels over pasta, and had a hard time choosing between the several mussel options on the menu. The beer list is long, and the wines are reasonably priced. I thought the service was so-so. They were pretty crowded last night, probably due to the snow storm, but it took forever to be seated after our table was vacated by the prior group. There were definitely some, "where is my beer/napkin/etc" moments while we were there. The decor inside is a real selling point, even if you are just there for drinks. There is a huge double sided fireplace, so you can feel the warmth at both the bar and in the dining area. The cozy dark wood and exposed brick walls really added to the feeling that we had escaped the storm to hole up in front of the fire.
(3)
Chris P.
I had heard some good things about the new pub Devil's Den, so we headed to South Philly. After nearly walking by the place since it only has a chalk board on the street as a sign, we were pleasantly surprised to find 16 beers on tap and old friend and fellow Delco Guy Randy Walker behind the 15 seat bar. After trying a few of Randy's suggestions, my companion passed on a Hennepin in favor of an EXCELLENT Ayinger Brau Weisse and I went with a Maredsous 8. Anytime you can get two beers of this quality on tap, things are looking good. Then we ordered the Mussels au Lager. We should have stopped with the beer. My companion's second shell creature was so bad it made her gag. I had a few good ones before I had to admit some were good and some were just plain awful. It seemed as though a good batch was mixed in with an old batch. I soldiered on, while my companion ate the very good fries while passing on the below-average side of mayo. The mussels necessitated a trip to the very nicely done bathroom, and we paid up and headed out. While I loved the location, ambiance, beer selection and HD TVs, bad mussels and good beer is a combination I can find lots of places. Given that friends had a similar recent experience at Devil's Den, I'm not sure I can recommend the food. Do drop in and see the proud new papa behind the bar though!
(2)
Stacey S.
Met up here with friends for a few brews & bites. Beer flights = the way to go at happy hour. I loved how they were selected for types of beer- ended up getting 2: at 1/2 off for happy hour it was only $8- & quite frankly, my dear, you can't beat that with a stick! Get the duck fries. Holy hell- delicious! Wings, also good. Best flat-bread pizza I've had in a while: thin, crispy crust & the duck one (of course) was amazing.
(4)
pearl s.
The bartender Mikey is a total D-bag. He's also unattractive so not sure where the lousy attitude comes from. Best to go on a night when he isn't working because the other bartenders all rock. Great Happy Hour. Good music, fun people. Mikey however is the worst.
(1)
Hipster D.
To begin with, the beer really is fantastic. And you simply cannot beat the happy hour special. But lets get back to the beer, because that is the point of this small, wood-themed, south of Washington tavern. They make no secret of it themselves, but its for that reason that it is difficult to congratulate them on their successes. I am rarely impressed with a Beverage Directors ability to find and order good beer and wine. I am happy to find it, as I enjoy good beer and wine, but is it really that hard to accomplish? Having run restaurants myself, I can in fact answer my own rhetorical question; no, it is not very difficult. And it is for this reason that though Devil's Den does offer up some delicious, seasonally appropriate adult beverages, they must also be judged on the food they serve from the kitchen, which often falls flat. Ambiance: *** Nothing wrong with the vibe of this place, its warm, and inviting, if not a little loud. But, it is a South Philly tavern, so if you want cozy and quiet, go elsewhere. Service: *** Oddly disorganized for such a small space. We never know who our server is, and rarely find the same person bringing or clearing drinks. Again, nothing particularly wrong with this, but it does make figuring out who to order from, and who is getting tipped a little bit difficult. The service suffers during the happy hour crush. Wine/Beer/Cocktails: **** I have already discussed my feelings on the Beer offerings, so I won't waste space here. Bravo to the curator. Food: * Unfortunately for me the food has fallen flat far more times than it has succeeded. I have been to Devil's Den for brunch, dinner and happy hour, and to give it the benefit of the doubt, I won't comment on food being served during happy hour. It is unfair to judge a kitchen's skills when it is trying to field the hundreds of orders that come streaming in between 5 and 5:30. However, dinner and brunch, during quiet moments has been disappointing. A Maryland crab cake eggs benedict was heavy and deflating, as the Hollandaise had already started to congeal by the time it reached the table. The flavors so masked by salt and cream, it was difficult to find even a hint of crab. The mussels at dinner had more closed shells than opened, and I was immediately brought to remember my sister saying she had been sick after eating said mussels. Though she claims it was probably the copious amounts of beer she consumed that did her in. A simple buffalo chicken sandwich was tasty but hardly impressive, though to be fair, it was large. And a roasted beet salad was oddly paired with the obviously chosen goat cheese, and something resembling an orange, though it was so out of season it looked and tasted a bit like a child's plastic orange wedge used to simulate a dinner party of perhaps a doll friendly tea party. Overall: ** Go to the Devil's Den in search of beer, and if your belly starts rumbling, play it safe and go for pub classics like fries and wings. These staples will more than satisfy your cravings without compromising your experience. If you are looking for dinner, I'd certainly start at Devil's Den for a seasonal brew, but then I'd pack it up and go elsewhere for the main offerings.
(2)
Sarah E.
Oh boy, just looking at Devil's Den gives me a hangover. Which is totally a good thing due to the lush that I'll always admit I am. Many a time I've walked in there with the greatest willpower to only have "1 or two" and end up staying the entire night. Mr. C loves the beer selection (as do I on the nights I'm drinking beer) and the Hendrick's gin they pour. And we both love their magical happy hour (1/2 price drafts). Alas, I am consistently not blown away by their food. The wings are good as are the $1 oyster shooters during said magical happy hour. Unfortunately, their huevos rancheros I had for brunch once were most disappointing and their other offerings fall rather flat. But given my penchant for an unquenchable thirst for drinking (pun totally intended) and the fact that the Den is a very manageable stumbling distance from our home, it succeeds in being exactly what we want it to be, a great place to call our local.
(4)
Emily K.
I've been waiting a long time to write a review of Devil's Den - and I'm STILL not even really sure I'm ready. My feelings are so torn - it's like every time I go into Devil's Den determined to be happy with what they provide, they commit some more and more blatant offense. The first time I went to DD I was so impressed - the decor is dark, but not oppressive, cozy, but not cutesy - perfect. The beer list was not to be believed. Their draft list is top of the line in Philadelphia for its combination of rare imports and best-of-the-best domestics, and their bottle list is only rivaled by that of Eulogy. AND THE HAPPY HOUR. Oh my lordie lord it is singular. Getting Russian River Consecration for $3.50 is pretty unbelievable. That said, I finally made a foray into their menu. I remember the first salad that I got - it was before the Bar Ferdinand chef came over - and it was "eh." After the menu changed I returned, and ordered the diablo mussels. This is where things started to go downhill. They came out bathed in a delicious fire-y sauce - but the many of the mussels in the already skimpy portion were severely undercooked. Okay. Now I KNOW the general rule, as I eat and cook mussels all the time - if a mussel opens, it's cooked. And I LOVE raw seafood - oysters, anytime! But there is something about an overly slimy, unpleasantly mushy mussel that I just can't stomach. So I pulled aside our waitress and casually mentioned with no animosity at all - "hey, I think a couple of there are undercooked." She removed them, apologized, and said it will be another 10-15 minutes for the chef to prepare another order. I said okay. Right as my date was finishing up his meal, my second round of mussels came out - STILL UNDERCOOKED (though I must admit, the sauce got even more deliciously fire-y :)). I ate those that I could stomach, as I was STARVING, but had to leave a large amount of my portion. I really did not want to be 'that lady,' but I let our waitress know as she cleared out table, totally nonchalantly and with no hostility, "I really hate to be a crazy lady, but I think a lot of those were still undercooked!" She offered some paltry excuses like "maybe mussels are just bad in general today," but did not apologize again. Oh well. The kicker - literally right after our waitress cleared our table she returned to the table next to ours, and let the woman sitting there know that she had comped her the cheesecake that the she had reported to be "not that good," with an apology from the chef. She then turned to us and gave us our check - WITH NOTHING COMPED. Like a slap in the face. I really was nice about it, I swear! But alas - spite won the battle. Like that experience wasn't enough, I was convinced to return to DD recently for a big splurge dinner with several friends. This was the night before their Sour Fest - and let me tell you, they were not concerned with giving customers who came in on that wrong night a good experience. Our waitress first announced that about six of the taps were kicked, and on hold for sour fest the next day. We had a choice between roughly two remaining drafts. In addition - they were out of half of the bottles we asked for! WTF. I ordered the endive salad and the bacon wrapped dates. Talk about heaven and hell - the bacon dates being the heavenly portion, and the salad making me fume. Seriously the dates were DROP DEAD DELICIOUS - but how can you go wrong wrapping my favorite food ever (medjool dates) in bacon, and frying them?? But the salad. How to even begin. It was actually offensive that they would serve that to me for $9. It consisted of some arugula, literally FOUR leaves of endive, some sliced pear (so rushed in preparation that the slices weren't even separated), ONE CRUMBLE OF GOAT CHEESE (ONE.), and a vinaigrette so tasteless I swear the recipe came from Fox News. Maddening. It literally cause me and my boyfriend to get in a huge fight. Which I will not even get into. So basically - Devil's Den has been playing me like a fool over and over. No more, Devil's Den. No more.
(2)
Daniel F.
Here is the deal. The food is good, I liked it, I had a simple burger and it was enjoyable. What I look for, aside from the food making me happy, is the atmosphere, the service and the beer. I gave it 4 stars, they deserve it, its great and its a pleasant place to hang out. If you like those things, then you agree, this place is super nice.
(4)
Rich G.
This is my favorite spot in Philadelphia....so its getting 5 stars. No, it doesn't have the best food, but it's damn good. I have had a few disappointments, but things like the Aventinus Mussels and Chick Pea fries more than make up for any negatives. I have yet to experience the happy hour madness, but what do you expect for HALF PRICE taps. They have the best beer selection in the city, IMO.
(5)
elle m.
I've been here twice and love the cozy atmosphere. Their regular dinner menu is great and includes a lot of interesting choices. We LOVED the mussels and the flatbreads, but don't know if the flatbreads are big enough for a meal. And if you leave this place without tasting the duck fries I will personally knock on your door and make you try one. They are SPLENDELICIOUS! One thing I really enjoyed were the beer flights... I'm always worried to spend $10 on a really rare beer that I may not like. The flights were really well put together in terms of theme and composition. Definitely found one or two new beers that I love trying them out. The brunch menu is slightly lacking as I recall. I give it a hardy 'meh'.
(4)
Thad S.
This place is kind of weird. Every time I go, I just feel like it is off. People seem to love it because there is nothing else around (for the most part). I am just glad it is not my bar of necessity, because it is really just eh. Good beer list, but who doesn't have that these days? It's hard to explain, just a strange feeling about this place like if I stick around too long, I am going to become one of the brainwashed zombies that thinks it's awesome.
(3)
Gandhus M.
I have mixed feelings about Devil's Den. One look at their food & beer menus and you sincerely want it to be everything you dream it to be and more. I've been here primarily within the following contexts. My introduction to DD was over a series of brunches over the last two plus years. The first time I had brunch here was the best. I hate to say it but each subsequent brunch was less rewarding than the last. Like a drug addict seeking the euphoria of their first high, I went back hoping to recapture that first brunch experience and was denied each time. This is not to say, it's a bad meal - simply that in my experiences, the quality has declined. I've done the after work thing here several times over the last year or so too. The draft list is awesome, there's no contesting that. Spaten Lager seems to be a permanent member, and that's good to see. Their bottle selection is impressive. The weeknights I've spent here they were pretty busy. It can get crazy crowded. I'm talking 'good luck saving your seat/line for the bathroom' crowded. These after work affairs usually involve meeting friends, drinking six or seven beers and ordering mussels. Despite the crowd, it's not a bad time. In March of 2010, I had the pleasure of making this one of my first stops during the first Craft Beer Express. Early day action on a Saturday with a good crew. We ate and had a few beers before proceeding on our adventure. It was a fun crowd that day and easily my best experience at Devil's Den to date. The aesthetics of the place are great. Dark wooden furniture. Fireplace. I find myself appreciating the paintings in the dining room. Heck, even the location is cool.... ...yet Devil's Den falls a bit short for me. The service is so-so and there are plenty of other places that just gain my favor over DD. For all it's sleekness and vast diversity of quality beer - there's a lack of comfort or camaraderie here that I readily find in similar establishments. (Fireplace notwithstanding) But hey, just as you can't always knock it out of the park at every at bat you can't expect the sanctity of that "home away from home" feeling at every bar. It has served me well as a brunch destination, a meeting place, a spot to grab a bite and catch a buzz after work or just a place to have a beer or two before heading someplace else. If this comes across as a negative review, it's only because I so want to be able to give it four or five stars - but in good conscious cannot. I will undoubtedly be there again at some point in the relatively near future and look forward to posting an update when I do.
(3)
Brendan O.
The menu has been re-re-re-done here and is definitely an improvement, so back up to 4 stars from 3. Next step required to get to 5? Manage crowd noise better. They crank the volume during sporting events to the point where the patrons are yelling to be heard from one another, and the din can make it unbearable to be there.
(4)
Kelly W.
Went here almost every night during Philly Beer Week. Always something new to try. Bartenders are very helpful and friendly. Servers are not great..which is why I will sit at the bar unless it's full. Huge TVs at bar which is nice when there's a game you want to watch. Good ambience. This is our go-to bar, really enjoy it. Not five star as it can be very loud on weekend nights and the pompous servers make it uncomfortable.
(4)
Jessica G.
I'm so surprised by all of the negative review's I'm seeing about DD! I went here with some friends last night (including a local who comes here pretty often) and had a really fantastic experience. We were all raving about it afterwards. My meal started off with the bacon-wrapped dates- OMG. These were absolutely divine. I could have had two plates of these and called it my dinner. But I'm so glad I didn't, because then I wouldn't have eaten the Provencal Mussels that I had as my entree. I chose these over the traditional as a recommendation from our waitress, and thank god I took her advice! The broth was incredible (chock full of sun dried tomatoes) and I couldn't stop sipping the broth and dipping the accompanying grilled bread so that I could get as much garlicky wonderfulness as possible. The fries weren't the best I've ever had, but they were a good side dish, especially when dipped in the spicy aioli. I also tried my friend's macaroni and cheese, which was a special appetizer for the night. The portion was huge and only cost $6! It was a pretty stellar mac and cheese, very creamy and satisfying. I would definitely come back here again, not only for the food but also for the atmosphere which was so cozy and warm on a winter day.
(4)
Devant W.
Pros - Ever-changing draft list of quality beers that I have a tough time choosing - knowledgeable bar staff - 2 huge TVs for watching the games when they're on - 2 clean bathrooms - Kobe slider trio - Awesome Hostess who always has interesting outfits Cons - Inconsistent service ranging from awesome to absolutely terrible - Mediocre & expensive dinner menu - wait staff doesn't always know liquor prices - Hapy Hour food menu is a joke. Chickpea fries were lukewarm at best and the three-cheese croquettes didn't really have any kind of distinctive flavor. - Gulden Draak coasters... but no Guldeen Draak bottles to be found! As it stands, the Den is my go-to spot to grab a great beer due to being stumbling distance from my home and the bar staff will actually give you real answers to beer inquiries, but if I am in the mood for something to eat, I'll skip this place and head somewhere else.
While having one of the best draught and bottle beer lists in Philly, overall this place has gone downhill. They should have stuck with the "leave well enough alone" rule for the menu. They used to offer a fairly solid menu that was reasonably priced and had a couple of vegetarian options. Now, the Den apparently thinks it's a French BYOB. The new menu is trying WAY too hard and most offerings are more expensive. Pickled quail eggs? Give me a fucking break. You can't even get just a single burger anymore but are instead forced to accept 3 different varieties in their "burger trio", which I find incredibly presumptuous. The seitan meatballs, while a nice idea, are just "meh". The service is very hit or miss, with a strong emphasis on MISS as of late. A month ago after posting up at the bar with some friends, it took a full 15 minutes and constantly staring down the bartender to get served. It wasn't as busy as it can be, but this is unacceptable by any standard. The second-to-last time I was there with a small group at a table, our server messed up 2 of our dink orders and then didn't take them off the bill until we asked. She was also way too chipper (think TGI Friday's). Hey, I don't want to be treated like an asshole, but I also don't want to be your best friend. The last time I was there a couple of weeks ago, with a larger group, was actually quite good. It was almost as if our server were trying to make up for the crappy service that seems to be the recent general consensus. Overall, still generally worth it for the excellent beer offerings alone.
(3)
Jenn P.
Amazing beer selection. As I am a solid fan of anything and everything sour, dry, bitter, or fermented I really, really appreciated the wide range of sour beers. Happy hour seems pretty decent. I enjoyed a delicious salmon-bacon sandwich. Pretty solid service, too, despite all the negative reviews claiming otherwise.
(3)
Michelle C.
This is a cute place and much-needed for the area it is in. The beer selection is decent but the food... needs work. The menu is very small and the way things are presented make it seem like they are trying too hard to be upscale. The nachos in particular were a huge disappointment. I didn't know it was possible to screw up a standard plate of bar nachos until the other night at Devil's Den. After seeing a couple plates go by, we decided to order them. We hadn't noticed an abundance of salsa, so we specifically asked for some on the side. This is how the conversation went: me: we'll have the nachos with a side of salsa server: (weird look)...okay... two minutes later server: we don't have salsa... is fresh pico okay? me: that would be great! two minutes later server: um, we can't do pico either. How about a free side of guacamole? me: um, okay Who serves nachos without salsa or anything resembling salsa? Devil's Den does. P.S. For the record, ketchup is not really good on nachos...
(3)
Scott H.
As I browsed the review list, I noticed a common theme that kept arising...bad service. It was the first thing my dudes and I noticed when we went in this past Sunday for brunch. We went in, the hostess had no greeting, hastily seated us, and gave four adults two menus. Then, our server, who never gave his name just didn't seem to come off too friendly, and seemed indifferent about his service. When we got the food, it was wrong. When they got it right, it was meager. The food tasted fine, but the price to portions ratio was shit. The ONLY thing that saved the meal was the abundance of women in this place. The bar was full, and there was a super table that sat behind us, full of 30+ yr old bombshells. Heed my warning; if you're going in for food or service : DONT Beer, Women : Go for it
(2)
Mike S.
Based on beer, they get 5 stars. Based on food, 2 stars. Not that the food is bad, it is not. It is quite delicious. Its the lack of options. Most of the food is fancy, which, is what the owners want to portray, which is great. But, if you are feeling picky, it seems like the options force you in a certain direction, like it or not. Haven't been there since the change in chef and the revamp of the menu. That changed last night. 5-7 is Happy Hour, which is 1/2 off drafts. THAT is a great deal. Nothing like drinking superb beers for half the price. Ordered mild wings. The meat literally picks clean from the bone. The sauce is not over powering and sloppy. Flyers game is on, place is busy. Not overly packed like it was Game 5 of the World Series two years ago. Ordered Aventinus Mussels. Amazingly delicious. I could swim in the broth. Fiance ordered braised pork sandwich. She said it was delicious. Beer was great. Atmosphere was perfect. A definite pro-Flyers crowd that was not obnoxious. I will go back, as the beer is alluring. I am hoping they can add a few more options to the menu to make it more rounded.
(3)
Jenna N.
When my boyfriend and I were looking to rent a room together we naturally went on Craigslist to find us some roommates. Craigslist is not a good place to find roommates (In case you haven't heard horror stories already, think "controlling, eavesdropping snoop" or "delusional, constantly-mutters-under-his-breath-er." You get the idea.) so we decided to (gasp) actually meet with the potential roommates first! We all decided to meet at Devil's Den, and while the circumstances still made it an awkward meeting the overall experience was great. I hate going to bars; I rarely drink unless there are fermented grapes involved. The bartender seemed to sense my uncertainty and took the time to make recommendations based on the tiny bit of knowledge I possessed about beers. He even offered up two samples in mini beer mugs (this is probably normal, but it blew my mind). Whatever he gave me was great. I drank lots of it, stumbled home and thought about plants. Or something.
(5)
Rebecca L.
Fantastic happy hour, and a lovely location. Sitting outside when it's nice out is fantastic. Great beer selection! The happy hour appetizers are lackluster. The bartenders are a little weird and grumpy though. That being said, they did let me still have happy hour prices when I ordered at 6:58 and it ends at 7:00 pm
(4)
Sarah C.
I really want to give Devils Den more stars, really I do -especially since the beer selection is out of this world but the food has been sub par more than once. On my first trip the mussels were ridiculously gritty, I ended up just dipping my bread in the sauce and not eating most of the actual mussels. On the second trip the server (who was wonderful) sent my food back herself! She served me the sandwich and said if you want to send this back, I totally understand! My meal was replaced with another more acceptable option that was average. I will give Devil's Den another chance because the service and beer are both so good but they need to improve what is going on in the kitchen. The menu selection sounds delicious on paper but the actual execution of the meals leaves something to be desired.
(2)
Amy K.
My new neighborhood bar. I'd gladly trade south philly tap room for the devil's den. I'm usually not disappointed with their food. Their brunch is good (my favorite being the crab cake eggs benedict - it's untouchable.) I can't wait to try their steak and eggs. Their sandwiches have always been good, and I usually stay clear of the entrees due to their high price tags. The only time I was extremely disappointed was when I got a salad with deviled eggs on it. The deviled eggs were WAY off, and made the salad almost inedible for me. The worst part of it, it appealed to both my boyfriend and I so we both got it. Talk about ouch. The bar service is wonderful, I've liked most of the bartenders I've met here. I prefer to sit at the bar, but we've gone where we didn't have a choice but to sit at a table. The service was so-so. I hear a lot of complaints from friends about their table service and it's unfortunate that it turns them away from going here. I usually start talking up the bar service so people don't count out this awesome bar altogether. And for the record, I haven't sat at a table there in months - only the bar - so it could have easily improved. Their beer selection is phonemonal, bottles and drafts. I like getting their flights to sample different beers. Their happy hour is unbeatable - half price drafts will be saving you a ton of money and getting you nice and toasty off great beer for cheap. I believe its the typical 5-7 monday through friday happy hour. They also have a tapas menu of cheap, good finger foods. And the fireplace, how I loved walking over here in that blizzard we had and melting near the fire. I always feel very comfortable at devil's den.
(4)
Mikonora R.
The good--good beer selection, good prices, good happy hour! And the bartenders always know the beers and will help describe them and offer taste to try it out! The bad--I liked eating here a lot but since new chef they have removed my best items and replaced with bad things! Duck fries are gone from menu. :( I had pork sandwich that was smallest thing I have ever ordered for $10! I have very small appetite and was still hungry after eating sandwich and fries! I hope new chef makes bigger portions.
(3)
James W.
This rating is solely for their excellent beer selection. They also have a 1/2 priced draft happy hour like their sister bar, Old Eagle Tavern. The bartenders aren't as good here and neither is the food. I wouldn't get anything besides burgers and fries or maybe the mussels. I think all this is do to it being a bigger place that gets a lot busier than Old Eagle. Either way a must.
(5)
Christopher S.
I wrote my first review for this place over two years ago. It's improved greatly and has become one of my favorite places to spend an evening in Philly. Their beer selection is fantastic and rotates quickly (see their FB page for their current list of taps.) They frequently have beer geek events and are by far one of top beer geek joints in the city. Their food is pretty good, too. However it's inconsistent. I will frequently get a dish that's fantastic one night, then "meh" the next. I think the good food outweighs the "meh". But the beer makes up for it. Seriously. If you are a beer geek and are looking for a non-touristy place to get some great libations, try this out.
Huge selection of beer, good variety on the sampler trays, super-friendly/charming service. The dessert options are pretty stellar as well.
(5)
Mike E.
Man, people are all over the map about this place... but I love it. One caveat for this review - I almost always sit at the bar, and almost always at or around Happy Hour, which for my money is the best in the city: a great, regularly-rotated selection of beers, all at half-price. And even the regular prices ain't that bad; for $4-5 you can get a rock-solid craft beer, about the same price I'd expect to pay for a lager at your typical non-dive joint. Food is ok, that's the only reason I knock off a star - haven't been blown away by any of my experiences with the regular dinner menu, although I do like the tapas: chickpea fries and the patatas bravas make for for some good finger food to soak up all that sweet, sweet half-price beer. Haven't tried brunch. Never had bad service here - all the bartenders seem pretty friendly to me, and there's only once I really had to wait long to eat (and I got comped for it). Came here once with a biggish party for a friend's birthday, and service was still solid and nobody went thirsty. I know this place gets compared to POPE a lot, but: a) it's a few blocks closer to where I live, and I really am that lazy b) POPE happy hour goes from 4 - 6, and just because I'm a freelancer with alcoholic tendencies doesn't mean I can drop everything to get loaded that early. I do have some standards. Sure, they don't have crab fries - but life is full of compromises...
(4)
Alexandra W.
I think I liked Devil's Den. Maybe because their signage is cool, but still. I think I liked it! Or maybe because I drank a Roy Pits Ichabod's Midnight Ride Belgian style ale. First of all, ICHABOD'S MIDNIGHT RIDE! So great. Also, Sleepy Hollow? Great movie. Second, it was delicious, if you like sweeter beers. Ugh. So good. It was strange though, their prices were a little odd. Some beers were rather expensive, while others weren't at all (mine was $4). They had the Franziskaner Heffeweissen for $6, and I know that it's at least a dollar cheaper at Local 44. The food was good, too, but I didn't really sample enough to know for sure. If I'm in the area, I'd see myself going back.
(4)
Ted C.
Tonight we celebrated our PSN Kickball Victory with the typical celebratory drinks. This time I ventured into some new dishes and I loved the Figs with Gorgonzola! Definitely a neat and yummy dish to try! Diablo muscles were delicious too! Oh and I almost forgot the Beet Salad too which I had on a previous visit, yum! Give me a couple more rounds at this place and the food and I am sure it will be 5 stars in no time!
(4)
A B.
Alright, I have lived across from DD for the last year and unfortunately things have gone downhill since the chef change. Getting rid of my favorite Blt sandwich was a start but then the service has been terrible as of late. My wife called ahead last week and the hostess (who admittedly is the nicest person in there) said "oh there are plenty of tables". Our walk is literally 30 seconds across the street and we get there and she then days it's 25 min wait because she just gave her last table away. Fine, 4 of us squeeze into a corner of the bar and there were two bartenders. One was tending half the bar the other was changing a tap. The guy stays on his side and doesn't even glance to the other side. The other bartender spent ten min changing the tap then proceeds to go to the other side as well. Another guy next to me is waiting and she finally comes over and he says "he was here first" and her response was "he can wait" wow. The food can be ok. Chik pea fries are good but in general food is overpriced. They did just add outdoor seating, but jeeze can you clean up 11th street a little first as there is debris all over the sidewalk near the tables. The waitresses can be friendly but it's mixed. On the flip side in the winter the atmosphere can't be beat with the brick and the fireplace.
(3)
Lauren T.
Stopped here before a Flyers game because the beer list looked pretty good online. I was disappointed when my first draught choice was kicked but my IPA was only $2.50 so I couldn't complain. The food, however was abysmal. Fried zucchini was way too breaded and way too overdone and the chicken scallopini sandwich was loaded with salt (and that was without the ham that normally accompanies it). I may have just chosen wrong, but I won't be returning for dinner anytime soon.
(2)
James W.
Fantastic beer list, with descriptions of each beer in the menu. I ordered the Torletti, but it was way too salty. Probably just a mistake. I sent it back and they had a new dish in front of me in no time. Though I protested, the server offered it to me on the house. I left her an enormous tip. I also agree with some of the other reviews: The place needs more sandwich-type meals. When I'm drinking good beer, I like to fill up. At least give us a real burger! I'll be back...
(3)
Phil P.
In all actuality I would give the Den 6 stars, even though I'm only allowed to put 5. I'm writing an update because I moved back to South Philly in June and this has become my new bar to go to. I have one complaint about the DD, there aren't enough good servers here. There are two I really like and the other two I can't stand. There was another I liked as well, but he's gone now. If they upped the ante and got a few more awesome servers then this place would be more awesome than it already is. Onto the good stuff now. They have two full time bartenders that you could almost count on being there every time. Both of them, one a man and one a woman are probably the two best bartenders in all of Philadelphia. Both are sarcastic, witty, and always quick to pour a beer. We're on a first name basis with each other now too which is pretty awesome because now it just feels like my very own Cheers every time I stop in to sit at the bar. I actually have to stop over there(maybe tonight after a ridiculously long day at school) to talk to the lady bartender about the Phillies landing Roy Halladay. She's even more gun ho about the Phillies than I am which is insanely hard to believe. The Atmosphere is great. It is really clean and kept very nice. The bar is really long which I like so there is plenty of room to sit down and watch a Phillies or Sixers game. There are double sided fire places so in the winter I get to drink a beer by a cozy fireplace. In the summer their big double door windows are open so the fresh air comes in. I think this place gets so many piss poor reviews because it is actually clean thus making it non hipster friendly. Onto the rest of the great stuff about the Den. The food is excellent. I'm completely shocked I have seen two bad reviews on the food here. There may be more, but I've only found two thus far. It must have just been a bad experience one time or something. I wouldn't be surprised because no establishment is going to be perfect every time. I for one have never had a bad experience with the food here. It is a little pricey, but it's no more pricey than the other gastro pubs in the neighborhood. For anyone reading this that wants to go grab a bite and a beer at the Devil's Den then I'll suggest what I like there: The French Dog, the Burger, the Cuban, the Pulled Pork Sandwich, and the Fried Zucchini are all out of this world. I hear the vegan food is excellent as well, but being the fat kid carnivore I am if I'm spending $9 on a meal I want meat with it. The beer selection is one of the best in the city aside from the obvious places like Monk's and Eulogy. The prices are all reasonable as well. The Happy Hour is incredible, half price draughts and unlike their counterparts down Passyunk the Devil's Den actually has a reasonable Happy Hour 5-7 unlike the other two places which I speak of whose Happy Hour's are 4-6. Lastly, I have to write about the perk of the Devil's Den card. I'm an alcoholic and I love food, so I'm at the Devil's Den often especially considering it is two blocks from my apt. They have this little card that the staff swipes for me every time I go there. Once you get to $300 on the card they give a $25 food credit which is awesome because it is a free meal. The best is when I go with a large group of people and the tab is like $200. Anyway, I could go on forever about how awesome the Devil's Den is so I'll just stop here. Next time you happen to be in South Philly and are looking for a bar to have a beer and dinner then I highly recommend stopping in the Devil's Den.
(5)
Matt A.
Devil's Den has a wonderful happy hour. Their beers are already reasonably priced, but 1/2 price on drafts from 5-7 M-F is real nice. They have a well-curated draft list (which btw is never the same as their website, which I take as a positive). The food is usually decent, but mostly there to keep something besides beer in your belly. Duck Fries I recommend. The Den would get a much higher rating from me if it were just a bar, but I had one of the worst burgers of my life there. This cheeseburger consisted of cheddar, sauteed sweet onions, a large patty, and a bun I don't remember anything about. The cheddar was on the burger, but had no discernible flavor. The sweet onions were appropriately cooked, but were the whole flavor profile. The burger patty had no discernible seasoning. I just got cooked ground beef. Unless you are malnourished, plain ground beef accompanied by oily sweet onions is not pleasant. The patty was around 8-10 oz cooked, which normally would be an asset, but in this case made the whole thing absurd, and a little sad. Go to the Den to drink, maybe snack on some fries. The bar has gotten quite popular and now is pretty much full by 530 many days. But is also mostly empty by 11 on a weekend.
(3)
Juli M.
I went to the "Den" when it first opened as it is very close to my house. It was really, really, REALLY awful. Bad service, bad food, and a bad smell permeating the place - found out later it was from a "dry drain" and could not be avoided. Our waitress was surly and we all commented that she was pretty uptight for a girl with a neck tattoo. Anyway, that was a couple of years ago. I have been back for a quick drink every now and then, but not a proper meal until a few nights ago. I would like to say - MUCH IMPROVED, Devil's Den. There are actually sandwiches on the menu and menu items that are not crazily expensive, which is how I recall one round of fare choices. Sometimes, you want to sit in a nice bar, with nice dark wood that is relatively peaceful (it was Wednesday) and enjoy a sandwich and a drink. Devil's Den delivered. I had the basic chicken sandwich (good) and some other folks had mussels and a BBQ sandwich - all seemed good. Sometimes - that is just what you want. I will be back.
(4)
Jonathan L.
This place has improved a lot since first opening. It has become my default local spot for enjoying some great beers and solid gastropub fare. The fireplace makes it all the more enjoyable in the dark depths of a hellish winter. The beer list has become excellent, and rotates frequently, including many seasonals. They regularly host events and visits from craft brewers such as Pretty Things, Victory, et cetera. The food has steadily improved, but with the recent addition of a chef of some renown, I expect big things. I will reserve my fifth star for if/when that happens.
(4)
Chris W.
Devil's Den has everything I want from a bar. Good draft beer, food, and a happy hour that can't be beat. I've discovered some of my favorite beers at this bar. I live 'dangerously' close (across the street) and its great to have somewhere to grab a quick beer and something to eat. The staff is really nice and great to strike up a conversation with. The food isn't as good as I first remember when I started going to Devil's Den, its still delicious though. Its also a hell of a lot easier to walk across the street than cooking something myself.
(5)
Emily K.
We decided to head to Devils Den for a late lunch and some good beers. In the past, this restaurant has always been top notch for good food, beer and mingling with other local craft beer enthusiasts like myself. But this most recent visit was a complete let down. First off, the bartender seemed to be annoyed with everyone in the place. It almost seemed as if he picked up this shift to cover for someone and was pissed that anyone dared to show up and ask questions about the draft list. Secondly, the food was horrible. I ordered the fried chicken Caesar sandwich...no kidding, the chicken looked and tasted like a frozen chicken cutlet, and the Caesar dressing was basically mayo with some iceberg lettuce thrown in to mock a Caesar salad. It just seemed as if everyone working was 100% checked out on their job. I will go back and give them another chance, as this was the first bad experience here; but it was a huge letdown - I recommend this place to alot of people and if this is the new vibe of Devils Den...count me out.
(2)
Sara C.
Time for an update! Now that I'm in the 'hood, the Devil's Den is my go-to bar. I mean seriously, it's right around the corner. I've come here with a rowdy birthday party (Tuesday) and I come in for Phillies games (many of which are also rowdy). The staff always works hard to please everyone. The beer selection is still always stellar and the half-price drafts at happy hour as many have mentioned are a total steal. I had the seitan sloppy joe the other night which was off the hook. The rest of their menu is comprised of solid gastropub fare. If you're a regular here, you can get one of those frequent diner cards - once you get up to a certain amount, you get $25 for food. I'll have to check back on the limit. But it's a great deal for those who are always here...like me.
(5)
Jordan L.
Oh Devil's Den! I want to like you...but no. When I first started to go to Devil's Den 2 years ago, it seemed like a much better place. I feel there was a better vibe, more jovial if you will. The food was better. I don't know if they changed chefs or anything, but it has totally gone downhill. The beer selection is still really good. This is a fine place to go and sit at the bar, but nothing worth going out of your way for. Such a shame, I thought it had so much potential!
(3)
David S.
The happy hour is amazing. The beer list is amazing. The service, unless you're at the bar, stinks. The brunch stinks (last time i had brunch there the shells for the huevos rancheros were so stale that i couldn't cut thru them with my knife) as does the menu/prices in general. This place is an amazing happy hour bar, but there's plenty of better options in the neighborhood for anything else.
(2)
Lisa J.
This place was worth going to, but then they got rid of the brisket reuben.
(2)
Jaime H.
I heart Devil's Den. This is my favorite beer bar in the city, and perhaps the country outside of Toronado (SanFran) and Falling Rock (Denver). The happy hour (half price tap list) is fricktastic, and unparalleled. In my numerous visits to DD, I have experienced fabulous service, both table and bar, and have always left one happy ass little camper. The beer selection is fantastic and consistently solid. The only drawback is that sometimes the food is less than awesome, and at times, I wish the menu was more diverse: long live the pulled pork sandwich from the early days! Aside from that, DD rocks. Much love.
(5)
Christina G.
My sister, friend and I went for an early pre-concert dinner on Saturday night and had a fantastic meal. We started with the meat and cheese board. Everything was delicious. I had muscles and the other two had flatbreads. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. The server was friendly and was a big help in selecting beers. I would absolutely go back!
(5)
Vicki M.
Devil's Den is one of the few hipster dominated/focused businesses in the Passyunk Square area that is actually worth visiting. The beer selection is great and the few times I've eaten here were pretty bangin, although a bit overpriced. (Though, for the record, it's about as overpriced as most places offering comparable food. It's yummy, slightly upscale pub food.) Don't be put off by the bad haircuts and pretentious beers, Devil's Den is well worth visiting, and I'm not saying that just because I can walk there from home.
(5)
Cassie T.
Once, I saw two dudes fighting in front of this bar, in the middle of the fight in which a girl friend of one of the dudes got a punch in on the other guy, one fighter says, " dude, if you don't hit me I'll buy you a beer" The other guy pauses, thinks for a second, and says, "OK" and they walk in... amazing. That being said, Devil's Den is a pretty chill spot, sort of classier than your average dive, with a decent selection of beers, and pretty good bar food. I'd recommend the Cuban sandwich with sweet potato fries and cole slaw, yumm. If you're feelin' munchy, the fries with some sort of aoli is very addicting. It's a good place to grab a solid dinner and also stay for the drinks.
(4)
Jake V.
Back where I'm from, there's a place called Shawarma King which specializes in Mediterranean food. Wait, hold on. This is going somewhere. Alright, so they have good Mediterranean food but they thought ahead to that stick-in-the-mud-type who doesn't want to try anything beyond a what they could find at an Applebee's. So, this Mediterranean place has such things as hamburgers to placate these types. Well, it turns out that if you're a vegetarian, your choices are also limited at this place so it became quite humorous when my friend, a vegetarian, ordered a "grilled cheese sandwich" and got a single piece of yellow kraft american cheese between a white hamburger bun. The Devil Den's vegetarian sandwich is even more comical than that. Yes, they had good beer and my sandwich was alright but I wish I could have had my camera to capture my girlfriend's face when her vegetarian sandwich was put in front of her. It was about as excited as when she opens her Christmas present from her extremely out of touch grandma.
(3)
Martin Z.
This was the first bar my friends and I hit up and what s good start . Awesome name. Cool decor. Good beers on tap. The bartender was friendly. Overall a good start to the night.
(4)
ED W.
cOOL bAR, great beer selection, i've eaten there a few times the food is good. I've had nothing but good service. I like the fact they have a great selection of German beers. THe interior is real nice, reminds me of a British pub a bit, not too bright.
(4)
Anne H.
Arrrgh! Devil's Den, I'm so mad at you!!! What happened? You get a new chef and try to turn this once glorious pub into something completely different! This place used to have focus, it used to have a theme: above-average bar food centered around an excellent and extensive beer selection. Now the menu has quail eggs? Figs wrapped in bacon? Where does this fit in? Plates got smaller and more expensive. Not a good way to keep your customers. Sadly, I won't be coming here anymore. This really hurts because it's right down the street from me and used to be my favorite drinking spot. Now recommend going to the Royal Tavern, which has always had good food or to Varga.
(2)
Caroline H.
I thought this place was pretty good! I had the Belgian beer flight and the roasted vegetable sandwhich. I liked all the beers in the flight (only one that I was so-so about) and the sandwhich was pretty tasty served on foccacia and the fries came with a spicy aioli to dip them in. Yumm! It was pretty packed because of the b-ball games but the atmosphere was good. I hear the happy hours are great here so I'll have to venture back in for that sometime.
(4)
Kathy D.
Great addition to the 11th street corridor. Excellent beer selection and flights in an atmosphere that is cozy with the fireplace in the winter and airy and breezy in the summer when they take out the windows. The food needs some improvement, but you can't do wrong with some fries with your good beer. Note: Not many hipsters here! Great place to watch the game as well
(3)
Casey H.
In a nutshell I would say 5 stars for ambiance/scene and beer selection and 2 stars for food. I just love the the fireplace, but would definitely pass on the food. Maybe it's just that I had high hopes based on the reviews for the cheese fries, but they were underwhelming at best (and I would consider myself a bit of a fry connisseur). The cheese sauce was more like a gravy. If you happen to get the munchies while there I would reccommend getting plain fries with the spicy aioli sauce (the only bit of food that was tastynon my opinion).
(3)
Kat W.
Amazing beer list! Always changing. Seems that people have gotten some bad service here, they can be a little blunt, but if you don't try to order a light beer, they will typically return kindness. The food is a little over priced, but with the best taps in the city I can eat at home. Also best happy hour, all the drafts are 1/2 off during the week!
(5)
Steph H.
This is the last time I will review or otherwise think about the devil's den. I first gave it 1 star because of a bad server, then I gave it 4 stars because I had many good times and no problems. I am back to give it 1 star and I will offer a story as to why I will never go here again. So I want to emphasize that this bar is around the corner from my house and I WANT to like it. Loving the bar around the corner from where you live is pure perfection so I have overlooked many little problems. I used to have a job that didn't let out until 7pm so I could never go to happy hour at the devil's den. I finally was able to come here for happy hour with a friend and as the hostess was seating us she told us that in addition to half-priced drinks the "small plates" were also half-off. My buddy and I both got drinks, a small plate and an entree. When the bill came we noticed that the small plates didn't get the discount, an understandable mistake for a busy waiter. We called the waiter over and told him about this silly mistake and he surprisingly told us that it wasn't a mistake. He proceeded to tell us that the small plates were not half off; the tapas in the back of the drink menu are the ones on special for happy hour. We told him about how the hostess told us very specifically that the "small plates" were half-off (found in the dinner menu) and that we wanted them to honor this. He said there was nothing he could do and so I asked to speak to the manager. The waiter said that the manager wasn't available but the acting manager was the bartender, who I have met many times in the way that one would be familiar with the bartender at the neighborhood bar. When I told him what happened he said "Well you're here all the time, you should KNOW it's the tapas that are half off, not the small plates". I told him that I had never been there for happy hour before and emphasized that the hostess TOLD US that the "small plates" were on special. He wouldn't budge. We left unhappy less because of having to spend an extra few dollars but more because of the "every man for himself" feeling that you would never expect from a neighborhood bar. The management have made it clear that they are more concerned with making every last cent from their patrons than forging a relationship with the community. There are too many other bars in south philly to spend your time and money in a place that doesn't deserve it.
(1)
maj s.
I'm hesitant to give it a good review because I don't want more people going here. But......... the beer list never fails you and the happy hour, yes, is incredible.
(5)
Elizabeth B.
I like this place -- the food is delicious, the beer list is surprisingly thorough. The service is really nice and I liked that the dining area is slightly separated from the bar area. However ... I don't like having to wait to use the bathroom on multiple occasions when there seems to be no need for a wait (is it just bad timing on my part? I don't think so since other people have made similar remarks) AND the wood fire, during the wintertime, makes things nice and cozy but the smell it left in my clothes and hair made me feel sick.
(3)
Vincent C.
Devil's Den has amazing food and awesome beer selection. Highly recommended! If you're in Philly, take the time to leave the generic areas and check this place out.
(5)
Jodi E.
Really interesting menu. Really. But the execution was just alright. Still, I was excited by the choices and would go back to try it again. We had the seitan meatballs (This meat-eater is mad for seitan! Tofu be damned!). Lovely idea, and definitely tasty... but they fell apart too much for my liking. The chorizo-shrimp skewers were served over crostini with ricotta. These were good. Real good. The trio of mini burgers also were delicious. A+ there. The lamb flatbread was a disappointment. It was basically braised lamb spread on a flatbread base. Like, the lamb and the flatbread did not seem to be cooked together and the whole thing just ended up looking like a thin "meat pizza" with a 1/4" of pulled lamb sitting on top of some flatbread. Our friend who met up with us after we'd eaten asked that the leftover flatbread be removed from the table. Yeah, it did look kinda gross, just sitting there all lamb-spread-like. Oh well. Some things were good, some not-as-good. But the inspiration is definitely there. Oh, and good beer selection, bien sur!
(3)
Daniel B.
Terrible service. I find myself drawn to sitting at the bar/hightops and secretly praying I don't get stuck in the dining room. While, as one poster already wrote, noone ever seems to be your dedicated server, the majority of the servers don't seem to care. Requests for WATER seem like a burden. One server tends to slam down your drinks every single time I order. Also, god forbid you want to move a chair from another table. This spot is NOT good for large groups. The only reason I give this place a 3rd star is the Happy Hour can't be beat. The "tapas" are all tasty, and 1/2 price drafts are welcoming. Just don't sit in the dining room unless you want to leave with a bad taste in your mouth.
(3)
Jess C.
I walked into this place today and loved everything about it! The cozy warmth of the fireplace was perfect on this chilly day. Our bartender was very accommodating when my tomato veggie soup needed some bread for dipping :) The veggie burger had a consistency of a crab cake, which was surprisingly awesome! Loved the arugula salad too! Thanks so much! I'll be back :)
(5)
Lauren H.
I've been here twice in the last month and was impressed each time. First time we hung mainly at the bar, the second time we were seated at a table in the dining room, right in front of the fireplace - and this is a truly spectacular fireplace. This fireplace is in the center of the bar and opens up, on one side, to the bar, and on the other, to the dining room. An honest to goodness fireplace with a merry, crackling, "you'll be a burnt marshmallow if you sit in front of it for to long" flame, which I know from personal experience as I sat directly in front of it for two hours the other night. The beer list looks to be seasonal - which is difficult for my friends who have less robust palates - but is rather delightful for me as it always means something new to try. I've only had the braised pork sandwich, so I can't comment extensively on the food, but I'd order that particular sandwich again. My table mates the last time around ordered the gorditas and the sliders, and made considerable dents in their plates, considering they are two small women. In the middle of a snowstorm, this place was packed, as it was the other time I was there, so you may have to wait for a table, or for a place at the bar, when you go - and you should go.
(4)
Tina N.
I've been here on several occasions, and have never been wowed. However, the last time I was there was game 4 of the World Series on Sunday. Maybe it was the excitement of the game, or the current love of everything Philly, but I finally had an experience worth mentioning (I tend to get lazy to write a review right after I've tried a place). My friend and I ordered the Cuban sandwich, Thai mussels, duck confit fries, one chicken and one pork gorditas. If this sounds like a lot of food for two people, it is. I never got to try the gorditas, since we were so full and he ended up taking them home. He says they were good. The Cuban and the duck fries, I can and will vouch for. You can't go wrong when smothering fries with cheese and duck meat. The mussels however were a bit bland, and I probably could have taken or leave them. The few times I've tried the mussels here have resulted in the same opinion. I agree with everyone, in that this is a nice addition to the neighborhood. It's a good cross between gastro pub and sports bar. And the beer list is not too shabby I should add.
(3)
Meredith K.
After months of putting it off, my boyfriend and I went to the Devil's Den for the first time tonight. I was quite impressed. Their tap selection was unique for the most part, including three Stone selections (Smoked Porter, Arogant Bastard, and Ruination IPA). They had a Dogfish Head I'd never seen before (the Palo Santo Marron, a 12% Imperial Brown Ale), though they ran out of it around 6 p.m.. The rest of the taps didn't really appeal to me, but I'm sure they appeal to others (Spaten Lager, High & Mighty Abbey Double, Abbey St Martin Blonde, etc.). The bartender was really cool, someone with whom it was easy to hold a conversation (which we did), and the atmosphere was comfortable and fairly quiet. The menu held the typical gastropub fare. My friends ordered some food... three ordered a burger and one ordered mussels, all of which were thoroughly enjoyed. I tried a french fry, but waited to order takeout from the Thai-Laotian place down the street. :) Overall, I definitely enjoyed this place. They have better beer than most of the bars in Philly, at least. Extra star for that. And they weren't too crowded. It was a hike to get to, though, but I'll ignore that because of the good beer!
(4)
Sandrine F.
I live close so i've been there many times. HAPPY HOUR: Devils Den at its best. 5-7pm 1/2 priced drafts (awesome selection) and $3 tapas menu. Beer flights also half price, $4.50 for a belgian beer flight (4 8 oz glasses). DRINKS: The beer selection is great, wines are expensive and not so great. The bartenders are cool esp. Steve. ATMOSPHERE: In the winter, the fireplace is a warm welcome on both the bar and dining-room sides. They have a pile of logs next to it and the staff is diligent about keeping us cozy. In the summer, the windows open for some fresh air and they have outdoor tables. FOOD: nice gastropub menu on paper but food is inconsistent although getting better with time. I disagree with the other reviews, the fries & their sauce are tasty; the mussels are good too. The apps seem more like bar food than gastrofare. Fried zucchini was good, a friend liked the quesadilla. Friends have liked the sandwiches esp. the pulled pork. I've been disappointed by specials like grilled rabbit (who grills rabbit? should have been a clue) but the duck entree was nicely done. Check it out for Happy Hour and then go eat some cheapo delicioso mexicano fare in the area.
(4)
Retta H.
I have been to Devil's Den on multiple occasions ranging from happy hour, to late time drinks, to grabbing grub. Regardless of my reasons for stopping by, the experience is always great. Happy Hour/Late Night: The beer selection is awesome, especially if you genuinely like GREAT BEER. They have a great variety of imported, domestic and local brews. I def recommend going for happy hour as it's half price for these awesome beers and worth every penny. The atmosphere is pretty chill during happy hour as well as late night. The two flat screens above the bar usually have some type of sporting events going on. During NFL season it gets pretty rowdy....especially when non-Eagles fans are amongst die hards. Finally, the bartenders and waitresses alike are awesome. Speaking as a former bartender, I think the bar staff is attentive and knows a lot about the beer they are serving. Brunch: I have been here a half dozen times for brunch and like there happy hour, it is pretty delicious for the price. I am an eggs and sausage/bacon sort of girl and I think they do omelets pretty well here. I have had the Omelet Très Fromage, Smoked Salmon Omelet , and several of the omelets on special. I have also had the Crab Benedict, which if you like crab cakes is awesome to start your day. The coffee is alil intense at Devils Den, but you can always opt for a morning beer instead. Dinner: I have only been here once for dinner (so far). I had an awesome dinner when I went on a Monday night with the fireplace ablaze...it was great atmosphere, great food, and great service. I had the Grilled Veal Flank Steak with sunchoke gratin, Brussels sprouts & veal jus. The sunchoke is a root vegetable that tasted like smokey potato au gratin...it was SOOOOOO GOOD! The veal was a great portion and cooked perfectly. The spices were appropriate for the sides and the veal jus really was more so a tasty light wine gravy. My boyfriend had the Grilled Wild Boar with roasted salsify, Swiss chard & red wine sauce. Again, this was a solid entree with a great amount of meat and a unique side dish. Salsify is another root veggie and the Swiss chard is a green that was sauteed and complimented the boar well. Overall, for the price of each dish and the amount and quality of food, I was more than pleased. I def recommend going for dinner. I will def be back.
(4)
M J.
I liked the vibe of this place. It's casual and cosy, seating close to the wood burning fireplace is highly recommended. The food is good enough. The oysters are fresh; duck fries is tasty but a bit rich with the cream sauce; burger is decent- good but not the best. I'd return for the expansive beer list, warm dining space, and good food.
(4)
Ashley H.
The beer list at Devil's Den is decent, but the food needs some work. I think I'd only go as a hang out spot, as opposed to getting lunch or dinner here. I ordered the pan fried tortellini as a small plate the other night and it was sub-par. The tortellini looked like they were probably frozen and they sat in a bowl of grease. The pancetta that came with was incredibly salty. But, the service was good and the atmosphere is great. I learned my lesson, I'll only go to Devil's Den to sit and hang out with friends.
(3)
Sagi S.
The place is about a block for my house so I have been there several time. Every time I come I leave a little disappointed. I end up going again since it is so close. It is not that it's that bad it's that it is consistently inconsistent. Drinks- The bar is good and generous for beer and liquor. They have a long beer list and they are good with letting you try them. The couple of times I got a glass of wine it was somewhat warm and tasted like it was opened a couple of days ago. Food- The menu sounds very cool and the food sounds very tasty. I had good wings there with a nice buffalo flavor and on another time the wings arrived cold. I had a great burger on one visit and when I had another sandwich (duck) it was dry on a bun that was probably a day or two old - or tasted like it was a day or two old. The fries were undercooked a couple of times and really good on other visits. I think fries, winds and sandwiches are the bare basics for a bar menu and they manage to mess them up. I hope they read this review and work on improving the kitchen since the place has a lot of potential.
(3)
Ryan S.
A solid beer bar on Washington. fantastic; now i don't have to hike across town to Monks, Eulogy, or Belgian cafe. Others have said it and they are correct, the wait staff is top notch. They know their beer and are attentive, friendly, and fast. I had the lamb sandwich. At $10 it was more than i'd like to pay, but within the area of what I've come to expect. We also had the Arrogant Bastard cheese fries (which i tried to recreate at home tonight using XX--the best beer i had in the house; sadly the hopdevil is gone) which were above average, the thai mussels could have been spicier but were still really good, the hot brie (which is a sandwich) that wasn't as good as other brie sandwiches i've had, and the chicken fingers which were corn flake crusted and yummy. ok, if you cant tell, if you go eat with me at a new place, i'll probably taste your food. anyway, this is getting long. wrapping it up: this is a monks that i can find street parking at (though, my #$%^ing car died) and is close to all us south phila folks. ps. someone mentioned the atmosphere/the patrons didn't feel very warm. This is no 'dive bar' nor cantina. go here with you friend; you'll not be making any at this place.
(4)
Joanne P.
Definitely one of my favorite bars. I always always order their burgers, great price for an awesome burger, and the fries are yummy too. I'm never disappointed with food or service. Atmosphere is very chill, great place to grab a drink day or night. I'm not a beer person, but they have an actual book for all the different kinds of drinks they serve. I always leave satisfied
(5)
Molly O.
Went last night. Drank WAY TOO MUCH but no hangover since they carry such high quality beer at low prices..no hangover! yea!!! I ate off the tapas menu and everything was really good. Bartender was great as always.
(4)
Meghan R.
Last Friday I decided to walk over to Devils Den which I pass often as it's in my neighborhood. For drinks I started off with the english flight of beers (I am such a sucker for flights, I love being able to try more than one thing) and I thought it was a decent deal for $8 and four tastings. My companion had a Boulder Mojo Risin' which, although I adore IPA's, I wasn't the biggest fan of. Beer aside the food really underwhelmed. We started with the queso fresco gordita which was mushy and lacking in any real flavor. I had the soup special with was listed as a spicy vegetable rice but if there was rice in there I completely missed it. My companion got the cuban sandwich and for $9 it was TINY and didn't come with any sides. The gastropub thing is done farrrrr better at other places throughout the city but I would pop in Devils Den for a beer as they have an awesome selection and just skip the food.
(3)
Elizabeth R.
Devil's Den has a nice selection of beer - something for everyone, really. The food, however, leaves much to be desired. I'm not tryin to hate, so to speak, but other than the mussels (which are the menu's highlight), the food is bland and boring. It's not bad, but it lacks flare and perhaps some creativity and ingenuity. I've never been wowed by an experience at Devil's Den, but I'm always pleased with the service, espesh at the bar. That it's within quick walking distance of my abode is worth the trip of going back to see if the menu has improved at all with time and subtle hints of critique to the chef.
(3)
Tom A.
The Devil's Den has one problem besides the atmosphere not matching the name and that problem is food. I've had soggy, undercooked fries (c'mon really?), Stale bread on a sandwich and Some NASTY ASS mussels that most definitely deserved me sending them back (in fact it was the first time I have EVER sent food back in my life, so it was warranted). These occurences were on 3 seperate occasions, and if you can believe it I've eaten there more than 3 times. The other times were okay. Saving grace is two things. First, and quickly I will mention they have a fireplace that Kicks serious ass on cold winter days. And second and more importantly... They have loads of beer and loads of good whiskeys. Loads. Awesome tap selection with a beer bible menu over 100 deep. You couldn't possibly find nothing to drink on this list unless you are a diehard Zima fan. Prices are a little high for my poor ass but with the options that is not a problem.
(3)
James K.
Admittedly I was only here for two beers last night. But my impressions were favorable and I will definitely come back next week for Happy Hour (5-7 1/2 priced drafts). This is definitely a place for beer connoisseurs. The draft and bottle menu is thorough with descriptions and alcohol % for each beer. I am definitely not a connoisseur (since I also drink PBR) but I enjoy quality beer and this is a place to expand your horizons. My girlfriend is not normally a beer drinker but we found two that suited her fancy. This place has incredible ambiance. The exposed brick walls, the smell of wood smoke and the soft candlelight juxtaposed with the music (Radiohead when I walked in) make for an enjoyable experience.
(4)
Christopher S.
If you take the Applebee's name off an Applebee's, it is still an Applebees. Devil's Den feels like an Applebee's. I guess its a matter of personal preference, but the the interior is so pristine and shiny I almost feel as if gone to visit the home of a obsessive compulsive friend who covers their furniture with saran wrap so as to not "ruin it". Personally, I hate that feeling. Devil's Den is too well lit. Its too spacious. It's an Applebee's without the name. However, Devil's Den has an excellent beer list with some decent choices on their rotating Draught system. They are doing that much right. Their happy hour is unbeatable compared to other bars within that vicinity (think POPE, or South Philly Tap Room) with their 50% off Drafts. That is a plus. But is the 2 bucks I save worth feeling like I am drinking in an uncomfortable setting? I cannot hold my personal views of how a bar should be against a place as I am certain there are many people who feel like dimly lit dingy establishments are depressing, but this is my review and this reviewer wants dank. Its a great bar to take co-workers after work. Its a great bar for a blind date. Its not romantic. Its clean. I honestly did not get the chance to sample the menu much but I did have the popcorn shrimp Happy Hour Tapas special. While I was glad to find they pulled the tails off the shrimp (I've been to a place where the whole shrimp was fried and unfortunately not all the tails were gone), it was not what I expected. The shrimp was a decent size but it was only six. A shrimp cocktail sized platter at a shrimp cocktail sized price. The chili sauce was interesting and while I do prefer my food spicy, it was more than acceptable. I did find it a bit on the sweet side though. But what should I have expected for a Tapas style dish? I incorrectly assumed a multitude of Shrimp in line with its "Popcorn" appellation, but that is my problem not theirs. Devil's Den does have a lot of good things going for it. Would I go back? Maybe. But I might only stick to happy hour. And I might only stick around for an hour. Its perfect if you like well lit well stocked establishments. If the idea of bright lights with your beverages is not appealing, I would pass it on by. But as far as other gastro pubs in the city go, I feel like its falling short of something. I want to say character, though I hate to sound that harsh, but I'm saying it anyway.
(3)
Nu S.
Must have are the mussels. I always get flights because the beer lists are too long.
(4)
Sid L.
Went for dinner with my bro a short whiles ago, it was the new spot in our neighborhood and after biking past it numerous times decided to stop in... the menu was very limited, whereas the beer list was several times the food menu's length...so its definitely a beer pub as opposed to a "gastropub"... bro had the burger and i had the mussels...not bad, but not great...service was great, but we were the only table in the dining room (this was around 6:45 on a Monday evening)... will probably stop back for drinks, and read recently that there's been a chef change in the kitchen, so hopefully the food selections will be more than a single page long...
(3)
Katrina G.
Devil's Den is one of our local restaurants, and I've always enjoyed it when we've been. The drinks were good, but the food was only okay. We have been for both dinner and brunch; the service was fine and the beer menu is extensive. While the food is nothing special, it's still a solid place that I would recommend.
(4)
Joseph D.
Great potential, bad management. I had always enjoyed the atmosphere of this bar. Although the prices were always steep for both food and drink at this bar, the choice of beer tended to justify this premium. However, after years of patronizing the establishment, I encountered great frustration with staff wanting to serve people after 1:30 A.M. Due to the fact that they wanted to get home. This was on a Saturday night. After contacting the owner, it was clear that he blindly stands behind the poor customer service provided by his staff. After relaying my concerns of his staff ignoring a large group who came in during business hours (of which, two were drunk, and not drinking - not the rest!) in order to go home, I received this response: "I do certainly appreciate you relaying you concerns to me. Unfortunately it would seem that your entire group was intentionally given slow and absentee service do to what you feel was two "drunk" people in your group, but what my staff (with corroboration by video)felt was a majority of your group. One of the women with you fell not once but twice, two people at a table were having trouble staying awake and keeping their heads up. There was a conscious decision that your group had had enough to drink for the night, that the one round would be served and that was it. This was further reinforced with the aggressive and blatantly confrontational way which you approached Bruce the MOD. By ALL accounts (including a customer who has no vested interest or reason to lie) the way you approached the situation was the final deciding factor in refusing further service to you and your friends. In regards to your concern over the timing of last call, 1:45 is our standard and the standard across the city. Individuals ability to be flexible with that is generally exercised on slower week nights when there are fewer people in the bar and done to allow people that have been in the bar to have another drink while the bartender and staff start doing there cleaning. You would be hard pressed to find any place that will serve right up to 2, especially on a Saturday to a large group that spent most of their evening elsewhere. I am sorry if you disagree with the way my staff or I have handled this situation, but I do stand by their decision to stop service to your entire group based on the level of intoxication demonstrated by some of your friends. They did what they felt was necessary for the whole group and could not be expected in these circumstances to individually determine each person's sobriety level." This is in response to a letter to the owner stating that, after having my issue with their neglect of service, that I asked the manager for the owner's information, which was refused to me. I had to write down the owner's name from the business license on the wall. Although the food and drink is good, the occasional great server and bartender were greatly overshadowed by bad, lazy servers and bartenders, who apparently say they "flagged" a group of people because two were drunk. Devil's Den is incapable of serving alcohol, however will serve as a upper scale restaurant. Although I was never thrilled with the customer service before, I didn't think I would have to contact the owner, and then have the owner stand blindly behind his lazy Saturday night staff.
(1)
Charles B.
Since I live just blocks away, this is the kind of place I really want to love, but I don't even like it. It's just not good. I will say if your looking for a good beer selection they do have a nice happy hour with great prices, but as far as overall experience and food it just misses the mark too consistently for me. Food takes absolutely forever, and at all times of service. I waited an hour once for a ham and cheese sandwich at 3;30 in the afternoon, another time an hour and fifteen for some pickled veggies and parfait at brunch. I just don't get it, and I guess neither do their servers, as no attempt was made to relieve my frustrations. I gave it another shot during the Phils playoffs, had some too-boozy mussels, an unpleasant crab ravioli, and a Phils loss. Won't be back.
(2)
Tom S.
The beer list is great and the atmosphere is awesome. It has a wood-fireplace that splits the joint in two. It's really a great place. And a good spot to go to watch a game when that's applicable because they have TVs playing the games, and its not a deafening sports bar.
(4)
JJ N.
Love the Diablo mussels. Menu has changed so many times I don't know what they have anymore. Sliders are pretty good and the beer selections is great.
(4)
Sean D.
Extremely split when it comes to this place. Great prices for even better craft beers. We went for happy hour and it was amazing. Great music and fun atmosphere. If I were basing my decision just on these factors alone I would have given it a 4 but unfortunately I just can't do that. Although there were a lot of positives, there were just as many negatives that out weigh all. First the service. The server we had was extremely pretentious, and made it seem like it was a major inconvenience that we were there an spoke to us like dirt when we had any questions. The food took forever to come out and the beers took a little longer than we would have liked to come out as well. And last but definitely not least the food. Although the taste was amazing unfortunately I got FOOD POISONING off of the short rib sandwich. Like I said it tasted great but I suffered for it later and it is taking me days to rehydrate. It was a little pricey for the quality as well. All and all of not for the food poisoning I probably would at least think about returning but because of it I can't say I ever will. Please remember everyone that this is only my experience. The group I was with has been there multiple times and had no issues until this time. Just wanted to make you aware that this is a possibility, as it is with all establishments. Enjoy.
(1)
Retset Y.
I still frequent Devil's Den because the happy hour is unbeatable considering the quality of beer always on tap. Service at the bar is better than table service, most of the time. It's hard to ignore customers that are right in front of you. Table service is still a problem. I'm not sure what the problem is. SPTR is always busy and service is always consistently good. They need to get it together, service-wise. And the food? Meh. Still just OK.
(2)
John V.
Wow, man has South Philly changed, even progressed since I resided in Packer Park, back in 1991 and prior....The Devil's Den, simply based on the name and logo alone had me sold. But as always, proof is in the pudding. I finally had the rare op. to get over to S. Philly and frequent this place after several months of trying to find time to do so. So, last weekend I found myself in the Devil's Den admist a diverse crowd consistign of twenty-somethign year olds to sixty something year olds, and evryone inbetween. It was a late night diner for me and an old local rock n' roll drummer pal of mine. Their menu was solid, particuarly if you like Belgian fare. I tried the muscles diablo, and it was damn good-hell raising in fact, to the taste buds.The food is a bit pricey, as my uptight buddy made known tot he overally patient and sweet waitress. He was hung up on the size of the crab cakes, which he eventualy decided to order. They were on the smaller size, but as the waitress informed him, "it's not always size that matters". I nearly spit my delicious Duvul ale out of my nose when I heard her say that!!! As did my friend! Yes, big plates, small portions here, but the food was very good, but not the greatest value for your money. The real reason to be here is for their lare beer selections, global offerings at that!!! We each had three ales apiece....I stuck with the Belgians: Palm, Duvel, Chimay...all were delicious....but hell, you can order the same ales at Monks or Eulogy in center city. What seperates those places apart from the Devil's Den, is the unpretentous staff and clientel. CC ale house crowds tend to be a bit upper crust,profss..that is fine, but sometimes you just want to let your hair down, and be relxed while becoming intoxicated on fine imported ales. Their beer menu exceeds 100 world class ales. The prices mirror monks, et al. The interior of the place is alluring, with a fuctional large center room fireplace, polished red brick walls, and clean, but tight, wooden tables. A sprinkling of flat screen TVs around the place, with some Devil rtelated paraphanellia tops off the places unique charm. I most definently want a return visit. If i nthe area of 11 th and elsworth streets, do make a bee line for this place. Enjoy. PS. When Monks, et al have a one to two hour waiting list, the Devil's Den, can usualy seat you promptly, at least that was my experience on a Saturday evening at 9:30 PM
(4)
Simon B.
Great beer selection. Great happy hour. Food is WAY overpriced. But the main reason for the low rating is the staff. There are maybe 2 waiters/waitresses/bartenders that demonstrate any sliver of hospitality, and I'm not difficult to please ( I live in South Philly, after all). I've been at Devil's Den many times, and I'll continue to go only to get my fill of beer. No more tips for you suckers! My advice is to go for the beer. Don't expect good service, and make sure you let them know that their service sucks nads.
(2)
Darnelle R.
I'm fairly new to South Philly but I have found my new favorite place. Devil's Den has a great color story, great beer and food menu and enough space to have any kind of event! So far, I have been there for half-price drafts during the week and a nice late afternoon meal on a Saturday. This place is great for a date, fun with a flat mate, drown your sorrows and rant about people you hate, or to simply celebrate! What a great place to be... Devil's Den is the place for me! I AM A HUGE FAN OF DEVIL'S DEN!!!
(5)
Sean D.
My first impression when I walked in is that it's not very Devily. Lots of exposed brick and beams, and there is a fireplace dividing the bar from the dining room. It's very nice on the inside, but I'll stop short of officially calling it classy, thanks to the dude at the bar yelling "FLYER HOCKEY!" at the television while he spits tobacco juice into an empty Snapple bottle. Oh, and this place has a kickass logo. There have to be close to 100 bottles available, but the well-balanced list of 17 taps kept all my attention. The draft menu includes a description of each along with the state, ABV and pour/price, which range from 10.5 to 23 ounces and from four to eight dollars. It looked like everything above 8% abv was served in the smaller size. Those nine beers were a good mix of styles - DIPA, wee heavy, tripel and a couple of big stouts. Served in pints were six (amber/brown/porter/IPA) including one cask. Also available were two Germans in a large size for only around five bucks. The only complaint you could make was that only two drafts were local, although one was from hard-to-find Spring House (the other was a Yard's cask). We didn't eat but the menu looks like it has something for everyone while not being to extensive. Our server was able to make some good recommendations and was up to date on any changes in availability. There are 2-3 large TV's above the bar which make it a good place to watch a game without dominating the atmosphere. I'd bet that everyone in the place was older than 25 and younger than 35. I was impressed with the number of people in here at 3pm on a random Saturday afternoon. In all this was my favorite stop on our pub crawl through South Philly.
(4)
Dana V.
Came in here for the first time for brunch. Cool bar, definitely seems better to come grab a beer here (food menu looked decent though). I had a fruit and granola parfait with a blueberry scone. One of the first decent scones I've had in Philly. It was warm and fluffy, not hard as a rock. The place is a little out of the way, but definitely worth the trip :)
(4)
Ken M.
The Inside of this bar has a nice, dark wood motif with a fireplace. The bar is very clean/ organized. The bathroom was clean as well. I would say that the bar is a casual environment, all types are welcome. They have a great beer selection (especially German). Our bartender was very friendly and on-point. For food, we had the $20.00 meat (Charcuterie) & cheese plate combo. I felt that the plate was lame. The meat tasted overly dry & stale. The cheese was nothing to write home about. (doesn't compared to the tasty plates I have had at Tria, Di Bruno Brothers, etc)....... We also had the 'Diablo' mussels, it was realy good. The mussels were done just right, not over cooked. The broth was a Garlic chili sauce with bacon, cilantro & Belgian Wit. I enjoyed sopping up the broth with the included bread. The Mussels came with french fries (more like pommes frites if you know what I am sayin'). The frites were a medium cut, nice & crispy, skin on, I liked them. This was our 2nd visit to the Den, we will return again.
(4)
Larry M.
Been here a few times only ate once, had a burger and it was pretty good. The beer selection is very good if you are looking for craft beers this is a great place. The decor is very nice and the bartenders and service are good.
(4)
Elina K.
Um, this place rocks. From what I saw of it anyway; which was only an hour or two of sipping beer and a late night meal very near closing time. Generally speaking bars like this don't wow me back to Pluto (huh? I dunno it sounds ok for now) But Devil's Den did. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because my experience was rather brief and limited. Here's what I observed, vibewise: -Crackling fireplace when you enter the bar. lovely surprise in the dead of dreary winter -Exposed brick and polished wood all over (bar, floors, tables) kind of a sparse yet cozy feel. -Chill patrons. it wasn't much of a crowd but the folks I saw looked like they were hanging out in their LR or porch drinking and talking. seems like the kinda place you could easily strike up a convo even if you're not a regular or one of the cool kids. As for the actual refreshments found behind the bar and the menu, those rocked as well. Beer selection was eclectic and interesting. Prices were quite reasonable for yummy fancy shmancy sounding drafts. Five bucks for a beer with 10% alkie content is cool and the gang with me considering you gotta pay six bucks for a freakin Heineken in other metropolises. The server was also more than encouraging about sampling the beers prior to making selection and kept bringing stuff out to try when we asked what something was. LOVE THAT. I mean that's the type of thing that makes you wanna spend your money and order stuff you normally wouldn't order far from some uptight attitude I've gotten when asking to sample a beer (I'm looking at you Memphis Taproom). Our server was...frankly, adorable. I couldn't help but comment on his baby face looks only to find out he used to be a cop. Babyfaced ex-cop barback. I can dig it! Lastly the food was yum. I ordered cream of parsnip soup not knowing what to expect (what the hell is a parsnip? I still don't know) which arrived all thick and creamy with candied apples in the middle. Consistency was much like applesauce but flavor was a distinct vegetable puree. I also got a pulled chicken carnita sandwich, also yum served on a hearty sourdoughlike bread. Maybe it's because I was famished and weary from a day of travel but the whole experience was delightful. By the time I finished my hearty meal and delicious beer my lungs and clothes smelling of logs I felt ready to face the elements once again, albeit sad that I couldn't stay perched up on my bar stool a little bit longer.
(4)
Eric A.
Was pretty good. Wings were hot, cheesefries and bacon was great. I didnt know what to expect, but they have a good variety of beer as well :)
(3)
Amy M.
i heart the devil's den. with an intimidating beer list, and delicious gastropub/comfort food fare, this is the kind of place i like to go when i feel like kicking back with a few new friends. like everyone else has mentioned, the happy hour is just wonderful. grab yourself some top notch craft beer drafts at half price. the cute happy hour tapas are also awesome. my favorite entree is the vegetarian sloppy joe - which as a meat eater, i still very much enjoyed. love the fries and the spicy mayo dip as well.
(5)
Jessica E.
This place gets an extra star for having Schneider Aventinus on tap all the time! The beer selection here is great and drafts are half-price during happy hour! I like their flight selection. You can choose from German, Belgian, or micro. Nifty! They offer friendly service and I have experienced better service at the bar than at a table. I have only eaten here once, but was not impressed. I ordered a chicken sandwich that came on a baguette that was really over-toasted. The sandwich itself was pretty bland. I will say that I explained to the server that I had a dairy allergy, so I imagine that too many elements of the sandwich were missing because of that and that is why it had no flavor, but I feel as though I should have been warned. (The sandwich was just chicken and lettuce.) I would have asked if there was a way I could spruce it up a bit, but I already felt as though I had really stressed out our server by bringing up the allergy and I did not get the impression that they were used to dealing with that. I will say that the other three people I was with thoroughly enjoyed their food, so perhaps this place is just not food allergy friendly. Also, the fries and mayo dipping sauce are delicious! I will definitely go back for the beer and I will probably give the food another shot. Oh...and did I mention that they have Schneider Aventinus on tap ALL THE TIME...!?
(4)
Larissa B.
They have an amazing draft beer list. The food is good, but the portions were fairly small. They have excellent happy hour specials. It is owned by the same people as Old Eagle in Manayunk.. another favorite for beer.
(4)
Lucio P.
Great beer, excellent service, so-so food. They recently revised the menu. Kinda sad. Hotdogs? There's a 7-11 around the corner for that. I was there for my birthday recently and out server entertained us all. He knew his menu well and guided out hands to alot of delcious and new beers. Id def come back here. Their happy hour is the bee's knees.
(5)
Corey B.
Good Beer List, food is okay, and usually a bit crowded.
(3)
Geronimo G.
I like that the window-walls open up all the way. I don't like the lack of Corona--it's summer, the window-walls are open. Lighten up.
(3)
gigi n.
South Philly needed a nice beer bar! And Devil's den is it. The atmosphere is great, so is the beer selection. It is pretty clean. The bar is really long which I dig so there is plenty of room to sit down and watch a game. There are double sided fire places so in the winter you can get to drink a beer by a cozy fireplace. In the summer their big double door windows are open so the fresh air comes in. The problem is lack of quality service and the food is a hit or miss. The service is slow and rather unprofessional; one time the waitress took someone else's fork and napkin and gave it to me--right in front of him because he said he wasn't ready to order yet!!!
(3)
Jeremy Q.
Devil's Den's brunch is tasty. I dig the pork sandwich. Where they really win though, is with the drinks. Impeccable bloody mary's!
(4)
miss f.
Consistently the worst, most inedible food I've eaten in Philly. I've tried and tried and tried to give Devil's Den a chance and they never fail to disappoint. Often the more esoteric beers are flat or stale, a sad thing indeed so ask for a taste first. Just don't order any food. If you must mussels are your best bet, just hope they are fresh. I've gotten burnt carcasses of chicken wings and another times bitten into a perfectly golden crisp wing that was a bloody mess inside. Recently I got a chicken sandwich with guacamole that horrified me. The guacamole was an unnatural color, m n m green? Christmas ribbon green? It was oily, bitter and plain nasty. The waitress poo-poo'd me and assured me it was "100% all natural hand made guacamole." I call b.s. on that, it was prolly the horrid palm oil based fake gauac that's dirt cheap and sold in ethnic markets. Another patron overheard me and we talked at great length about how foul that green stuff is. A few months ago a sandwich with pork belly was served with the pork belly on the lower bun. The entire bottom of the sandwich stuck to the plate in a loose oily mess. Having lived south of the mason dixon I know pork. I suspect a thin slice of cheap lard was subbed for the pork belly. (notice a trend here? Tasty $$ item on the menu subbed with a dollar store impostor) They do have beer, lotsa beer and always keep the Spaten on tap. The bathrooms are clean and the location can't be beat. Why should they bother improving when they do such a good business.
(1)
Brian M.
I'm not qualified to write reviews on this place. i've only been here like five times. the first two times I turned around and left within 30 seconds of walking in (achingly busy). Even after a quieter Thursday happy hour and a flight special I was undecided. Then I saw Port Brewing's Hop 15 on tap last night, right next to Cantillon Geuze. Yes the beer list is often world class, this bar is driven by a passion for beer. That is 4/5 of what I look for when I venture out of my house.
(4)
Joy C.
This place is a hidden treasure in South Philly. It sits on 11th street hidden behind a Vietnamese shopping center. We have been there 2 times and enjoy their beer selection. They have a wide selection of Belgian beers and even have a sampler for like 5-8 bucks. Things to try are their spicy chorizo mussels, which I think is the best I've had. It's flavorful, and you just want to use the bread to sop up the sauce. For brunch you can get 1000 open table points which is halfway towards a $20 gift certificate from open table. It has a cozy atmosphere with a smokeless fireplace in the middle of the room. Parking is doable in that area. It's a really nice hidden gem in South Philly. Can't wait to try their happy hour.
(4)
Mary G.
I like this place and I don't even like beer. They used to have fruit infused vodka which was AWESOME, but even still, it's a cool place with a good jukebox, good service and unpretentious attitude. It is very "new Brooklyn" to me and that is a good thing. I have not eaten here, but the food looks yummy.
(4)
Sharon F.
this place gets 4 stars for the beer and 2 stars for the food and maybe 3 for the service. That averages out to 3. Stopped here before the phillies game because it is in such a great location to catch the subway. It was happy hour and glad to see that my $5 beer cost $2;50. Can't go wrong with the beer here. The have an awesome selection on tap. Ordered a flatbread and some edamame because they were the few vegetarian items on the menu. The menu is a little underwhelming. They seem to try to be too fancy and a lot of the items don't make sense. The flatbread tasted fine.. I was hungry as fuck and edamame is edamame. Waitress was nice and attentive but got a weird vibe from the bartender. Oh well, I was buzzed off the beers and on my way to happy land Citizens Bank Park. This place is ok but not a go to place when I am in south PHilly. I could overlook the food shortcomings if the environment was more comfortable. A smile and a little bit of service go long way.
(3)
Valerie T.
The ambiance/decor is swell. I especially like the brick wall(s). The service had a bit of attitude, not sure why! The beer selection was extensive, especially the Belgians~ however, the food was mediocre to our palates.
(2)
Jim T.
We recently had a chance to check out the Devil's Den. The first thing is that they have an amazing selection of beers. I devulged into several selections. The overall vibe is good. friendly staff and good bartenders. A good hang for a few beers. The food was good but not outstanding for what it could be. I think the small menu hurts a little. My girlfriend had the mussels and I had a ham & cheese panni which was good.
(4)
Ted P.
This place has an excellent, always rotating, choice of beers. Sign up for them on Facebook and follow what they have on tap any given night. The food is also very good and the atmosphere is nice and relaxed.
(4)
Maxwell S.
This place was pretty cool when I went there but my waitress was so stupid it really pissed me off. She was just rude. I asked a question and she looked at me like I had two heads. My friends at the table agreed that she was weird. I forget her name. Everything else was great though so I only took away one star.
(4)
Ti L.
Devil's Den is a very chill place to go and grab a drink with friends. Great beer selection. Bar staff is great and happy hour is solid. As for the food... eh... the hostess was pretty rude, so we didn't even bother stay for dinner.
(2)
Brent S.
Had a great time- the whole experience was nice. Definitely a Happy Hour diamond Melanie, the bartender, was great. The beer selection was very good. We had bloody mary's to start. Decent but not stellar. We enjoyed a beer flight selection and a few drafts during happy hour which was a real bargain. Can't comment on the food other than the tapas menu at happy hour {50% off}. We had Chickpea fries and potatoes which were both good. I plan on going back to try the duck on the dinner menu. It sounds great.
(4)
Spencer L.
Outstanding beer selection. The food was fantastic - good place to catch the game or a bight prior to the game. Had a burger and it may be one of the best burgers in town. Excellent vegetarian selection for those that don't eat meat. Just a great tavern.
(4)
Marina B.
This place is awesome! Went there last night. It was a Thursday, and it was a blast. The beer selection is INSANE. The food was good (and VERY filling). The bar was crowded, in a good way, with a great crowd that ranged in age. The bartenders are amazing. Cute and fun and very fast and attentive. I cannot wait to go back. I can't pronounce half the beers on the menu, but I'm gonna try. Just had an all around great time. I was there with about 10 people, and it was really good for a big group.
(5)
amber r.
eh. brunch at the devil's den is ok. they know how to get eggs to scramble just right (somewhere between runny and dry), but everything else was pretty middle of the road. the service was lacking. our waiter seemed thoroughly uninterested in the fact that he was there to do his job and that job was to make sure our drinks were full and our food was good. he even brought me COLD coffee. really? and this is why, i suppose, it's the only place that's dead on a sunday at noon in philly. so if you can't get a seat anywhere else and don't mind a bored staff, this will do.
(3)
Heather C.
A nice place for dinner with a group of friends. The food is tasty and the atmosphere is lively. A sage bet!
(3)
Marie R.
The reason we chose Devils Den is because I was looking for late night food and searched, well of course, late- night- food...anyways, for under 34.00 dollars we both had a sandwich (very large and yummy), 1 w/ friends, 1/ salad, a soda and gls of viognier....so i think thats a deal.....our bartender was excellent. I enjoyed the music and the overall bar crowd- very low key and relaxed. Ill definitely be back.
(3)
Joseph I.
Devil's Den started out as the place that my friends want to go, but I didnt. However, I've learned to like the place for the food and the great selection of beer. Maybe they could vary the menu a little bit with more sandwiches on the bar menu. Their fries are excellent especially with the cheese sauce. Definitely a classy place, but watch out, you could end up emptying your wallet real easy in this place if you are a beer lover.
(4)
Manisha N.
What a cool bar. Immediately upon walking in, I was greeted with the sight of a hot, roaring fireplace and exposed brick walls. Both of these things are delightful to me. The bar was hopping, full of bearded, classy and/or young people, so the waitress seated my bf and I in a corner seat in the back. From there we had privacy, and a good view of the rest of the bar. The lighting was low and candlelit, which created a very sexy ambiance. The drink menu was incredibly comprehensive and reasonably priced. I don't drink beer, but we ordered a raspberry and pumpkin ale beer. Both were exquisite and delicious. I had a wonderful time, and would definitely come again during happy hour to enjoy more drinks and appetizers.
(4)
patrick k.
went there again in the winter during a snow storm. like i said it's the closest bar to my house, so it was the logical choice. i loved the hot fireplace. the beers are great. made the mistake of eating again. i ordered the $16 chicken pot pie, hoping it was at least as good as the one at the Standard Tap. It wasn't close. It was more like a bowl of chicken pot pie campbells soup, with the crust sitting on top. That's right, no crust underneath the soup. I'm pretty embarrassed that I ordered the $16 pot pie to begin with. But it was a blizzard and it sounded so good. My lady ordered a veggie quesadilla, which was disgusting. But like i said, the beers are good, and it's cozy in there.
(2)
Don R.
I really haven't gotten a good read on this place yet. All the makings of a nice place, interior, decent service..great selection of beers bottles/draft....Everytime I stop in it's usually on a Sunday afternoon with not many people inside for 1 or 2 beers so I''m not sure if this is indicative of say a Friday or Saturday night...Off to a good start in my book...
(3)
Bella Vista R.
Beer - Really good Mussels - Good Churros - Bad Will miss the Duck fries as they were a nice compliment to any beer on the menu. Fireplace is also a great touch during the winter. Need to get a little more consistent and have a better overall menu than just the Mussels.
(3)
matthew h.
Copious amounts of beer to choose from. Nice selction of quality beer on tap too! I like this place. It's cozy and in the hood. I had wonderful mussels au saffron that were so good I craved them for a couple days. Service was very attentive.
(4)
Rebecca C.
I have to say I think this place is pretty good. Now I base this review on my husband and I going and just splitting a few small plates...All were really good. I startd with the French Onion soup..it was tasty...pretty standard, but none the less good. Then we split wings (awesome), cheese fries (also awesome) and Chicken Fingers (we had to bring the rugrats and this was their choice, but very good and plentiful). All in all a pretty great meal. Also major points for their Happy Hour draft specials...1/2 off all drafts..and a great selection of drafts!! W will definately be adding Devils Den into our rotation!!
(4)
David K.
One of the earlier posters said that the only thing good about this joint is its name. Devil's Den was the name given to a section of the battlefield at the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg at which the casualties were especially numerous. If this bar's name is a reference to that, fine. If, however, there is some satanic reference in this joint's name, I would like to be informed about that, in which case my rating would be minus a billion stars. I like the food here, particualrly the cuban sandwich. This is a beer bar, and a second tier one among the universe of Philadelphia beer bars. And, like other Philadelphia beer bars, it's a great place when it is quiet and not very crowded. The beer selection here is a cut below that of the Grey Lodge and the South Philadelphia Tap Room, but a person who loves beer can always find something worth drinking here.
(4)
Megan K.
i went with a group of 8 friends last night. it was monday and i didnt get there until almost midnight. so i wasnt expecting a big crowd. there were just a few people at the end of the bar. It was pretty nice. the dining room was closed. bar is long. they have tvs behind the bar. its warm feeling. i did not eat, nor do i drink beer. but all my friends were drinking beers.each one had something different and they all came with glass ware to match. they were happy with the selections. the service was fine. but again, it wasnt busy. but to tell the truth. it was nothing special. i was with the funniest people i know, so a great time was had. but we could have been anywhere and had the same experience. the devil's den just didnt leave an impression on me either way. not saying i wont go back. maybe next time i'll grab food and go on a busier night so i can see what the crowd is like.
(3)
Beth S.
Four of us ate there. Good beers, waitress was top-notch. I ordered the cassoulet. A couple bites in, I realized that the white beans were only half-cooked, still crunchy and dry inside, and the duck confit wasn't a confit at all but just a roasted duck leg-and-thigh, no resemblance to a true long-and-slow-cooked confit. I told the waitress that the dish wasn't good; she said of course she'd send it back and would bring something else. I went for the burger, figuring it would be the fastest thing to get, so I wouldn't be eating alone, with my companions done before my supper came. Wishful thinking. Maybe the chef was punishing me. The burger took forever and my pals were long finished by the time the burger (it was decent) came. And then we were stunned when the check came and it included the charge for the confit. Our waitress was embarrassed and uncomfortable as she explained that the chef refused to remove the charge, and an unpleasant and complicated round of conversations ensued, while the manager behind the bar said we'd have to ask someone else, and someone else pointed to someone else, and someone else said the chef was in charge, and someone else said the chef wasn't, and finally the charge was removed, but it was really badly handled and left a bad taste in our mouths. Too bad. A fun place with great beers but some kind of tyrant -- and one who doesn't know a good confit when he/she sees one -- in the kitchen.
(1)
Drew S.
Caveat-- beer only. I was ridiculously impressed that they have Southern Tier Unearthly IPA on tap, one of the best brews from a top 20 brewer in the world and very unlikely to be found in these parts. Crowd seemed chill at 9:30 on a Friday night, with people trying a bit less hard than they do at the PoPE or Royal, probably the two greater neighborhood comparison bars. I'd amend the review after I eat there, but this 5 *s for the beer can be weighted out against all them picky eaters out there.
(5)
Vincent J.
I went there for my birthday and had reserved tables for my friends, they totally messed up my reservation. I would give them fewer stars but I like the place.
(3)
JEAN S.
The damn drink specials here keep bringing me back, but this place sort of sucks. Today I went for brunch with a bunch of friends, lured by $3 bloody marys. They were great and the waitress kept them coming. Unfortunately we waited a really unreasonable amount of time for our food - and when we looked around the dining room no one else had food either. I ordered the breakfast parfait - fruit and yogurt and the menu said a blueberry scone. Anyone who knows me knows I am crazy about blueberries. The scone I was served was nasty chocolate chip with powdered sugar. So gross. I know it's unladylike but I don't really care for chocolate, so I talked to the server about it. She said they didn't have any blueberry, however she did cheerfully take the chocolate back and bring me a lemon. The kitchen is always out of something. I would have been so much happier had they simply said they were out of it in the first place. I need to regard this place strictly as a place for drinking and just forget about the kitchen altogether, I've been disappointed too many times.
(2)
Laur A.
I have tried to give this place many chances, but the food is not good. It needs to learn a thing or two from The Royal Tavern and South Philly Taproom. Beer selection is good, but a bit pricey.
(1)
Christopherson M.
I am a huge fan of the Den; suffice to say as I frequent the joint at least once a week. The beer selection is amazing, diverse and well-informed. The half-priced beer of the Den's caliber (Happy Hour: every week day from 5 to 7 pm) brings me back time and time again. Their themed-based flights of beer are well selected and are a great starting point for novices immersing themselves into the world of artisanal brews. The service is pretty good for a place that is so consistently busy. My favorite waiter, Francisco, is jovial, sincere and knowledgeable. I never question his recommendations as you can tell that he is honest and a true beer connoisseur. Something about his treatment of the customers makes my friends and I feel as if though we have known him forever. Elisa (sp?) at the bar usually makes me feel the same way. James is very helpful and attentive. The food is generally good but leaves a little to be desired. As I visit so often, I am totally bored by the food selection. I wish they would change the sandwich selection up a little more often. Also, I really miss the Portobello sandwich (passe, I know, but it was delicious) - the roasted veggie sandwich is a poor substitute. I get the feeling that kitchen has been skimping on the Belgian Ale marinated Chicken Sandwich and I'm finding it harder to shell out 9$ to purchase it when I can drop a mere $6 on a huge bowl of Pho right down the street. The environment is chill. The appearance is casual but cleanly with comforting new brick walls all around. Their use of Pandora keeps the music diverse and sometimes groundbreaking for Haute Pubs (I HATE the hipster bullshit played at the comparable Royal Tavern). The lighting always seems to be just right. Kudos, Den.
(4)
Raaar r.
People are giving this place a lot of credit. I don't find the food to be particularly interesting, or well done. The best I've had were the vegetarian quesedillas - I'll say they were a little above average. I had a sandwich on a second visit, that was built sloppily, covered in some dressing that I did not like (can't remember what kind) and it was an overall disappointing meal. I couldn't even eat most of it. I am giving Devil's Den three stars because of inconsistency in food quality, and customer service. The plus is that this bar has the most selection for beer in the neighborhood just below Washington. I would go for a happy hour and appetizers, but not for a full meal, or a whole night out.
(3)
Wes J.
My wife and I stopped in to the Devil's Den and I was very excited about the incredible beer selection. We had decided that we would eat, i was having to much fun trying the different beers to leave. I ordered the Grilled burger trio, which are basically sliders done three ways, I ordered them rare and they came out somewhere between med. rare to med. not necessarily a crime as they are little sliders. My wife ordered the Cheeseburger medium, and it came out Well. We asked the waitress if she thought it was medium and she said, "No it doesn't look medium to me either." Then turned around and walked away. Our total bill came to around $60 dollars, like I said I was enjoying the different beers, but I was disappointed with the consistancy of the cooking. I have had better but it wasn't horrible.
(2)
Carrie R.
Devils den is great place to hang out, whether for a game or just with friends! i love the winter time there because they light their fire place. It makes it feel really homey. they always have a great selection of beer. The menu keeps changing which is good but not everything on the menu is for me... but i can always find some thing to eat especially thier burger and chicken sandwich!
(4)
Sally f.
i sooo want to like devils den...but the past three times here i have had not so great servers who ruined my experience. ugh. its such a cool place with such great beers...
(3)
Jessica W.
First off, If you're one of those "gastropub" people who wants to eat some over-concept weird food with your beer and football, this is not the bar for you. If you want good food and a fantastic beer selection, this is an excellent choice. I was dragged here for a birthday celebration thinking the place would be over-priced, but I was surprised to find a good selection of $4-5 dollar craft brews. As for the food, everyone in our group liked their sandwiches. I merely had cheese fries upon a friends rec, and they were an orgasmic belgian beer/earthy cheese sauce. Reasonably priced for the quality. I very much look forward to trying the truffle popcorn someday.
(4)
Amanda F.
I've been to the Den for lunch, dinner, and brunch, and I've got mixed opinions about it. I really WANT to like it, more than I do. It's got the makings of a great bar, and I'm excited to hear that they've got a new chef to shake things up a bit. They even have a fire place. It's always hit or miss, though, even though it's not usually crowded when we go (which always makes for a pleasant time). For example, we had a great server today who was prompt with bringing out the food and was really friendly and nice. But we've also had spotty service with a server who didn't seem to really want to deal with us. The fireplace can make the bar nice and toasty warm in the evenings, but before they start it, it's often cold and extremely drafty. The beer selection is great, that's for sure. I especially love in the winter that they have such a nice variety of seasonal beers on tap. I'm not much of a beer person, but I can usually find something I like here solely based on the apt descriptions on their draft list. The one non-beer drink I had here didn't particularly knock my socks off, so I've stayed away ever since. As for the food, it's hard to say where this is going to go since they've gotten a new chef. Today at brunch, I was pretty disappointed with it. I ordered eggs over easy and while they were well-seasoned, they came out solid as a rock, yolks and whites and all, which was really disappointing. My boyfriend's omelette was tasty, but our toast wasn't warm and the butter was too cold to spread on it. I'm willing to chalk this up to first day jitters, but we've also had mixed experience with the other food. Usually the wings are a safe bet, but the one day that I branched out, I was disappointed. The BLT was an interesting concept: pork belly and fried green tomato, but the execution was poor. The "spicy aioli" had no spice at all. Everything was so soggy and fatty and wet that I couldn't even pick it up, I had to cut into it with a fork. But again, I'm willing to keep trying it to see what a new chef will do with the menu; all of the appetizers we've tried, from the wings to the fried zucchini, have been pretty decent. So again, if you're looking for a nice bar with a good beer selection that isn't that crowded most of the time, give Devil's Den a try. It has potential that I'm hoping it will grow into, but it's not quite there at the moment.
(3)
Ruth A.
Great brunch food and inexpensive cocktails.
(4)
Kristine D.
Devil's Den has so much work to do. This place has got such potential, great location, nice atmosphere, and a killer beer list. What it needs is to up the presentation on the food by make sandwiches a little thicker and partner them with better side dishes. The waitstaff needs an attitude adjustment, and some serious server training. I always want to come here, but knowing that the food is going to be poor and the service less than acceptable always turns me away. I hope they pick up the slack soon, we could really use them. Also, they should bring back their brunch menu (and make the food good of course). Brunch is HUGE and they should take advantage of that beautiful brunch market.
(3)
Kristen S.
Beer list: 5 stars. Seriously amazing, and on par with the more established beer bars in town. Service: tough to rate. Seriously pushy and overattentive to start, and then she disappeared during our meal. I understand that she is probably well versed in their beer options and would be able to make an educated recommendation if we'd needed one, but when she came over every ten seconds, it didn't allow us the perusal of their rather long beer list to know what the options were. Food: inconsistent. Chickpea fries were awesome. Everything else was ok. Onion rings with the seitan sloppy joe were seriously greasy--they left a puddle of grease on the plate. Flatbread was average. BBQ pork had a lot less flavor than pork normally would. I'll definitely be back for beer. And sit at the bar.
(3)
Kimberly S.
I really enjoyed my first experience here. As a foodie and beer lover, I felt very at home at Devil's Den. It seems that a lot of reviewers are complaining about the re-invention of their menu, but I think it's great that they're offering more thoughtful, refined dishes. One of the things that plagues my beer drinking experiences is going to a bar/pub with a decent to amazing beer selection and getting stuck with menu choices like buffalo wings and burgers. Come on people, been there done that a thousand times before, show me a lil' creativity! My boyfriend and I came here more for the beer and truthfully were not expecting much from the food. We had the bacon wrapped dates, open faced crab ravioli and the braised pork flatbread. All three dishes were impressive. Bacon wrapped dates are becoming a common little trend amongst menus these days and in the words of McDonalds, I'm lovin' it. These were no exception. Although the presentation of the crab ravioli was odd (who the hell makes "open-faced" ravioli??), the flavors were absolutely delicious! I can't stop thinking about this dish and it has fueled my choices at dinners since then; I keep ordering dishes with crabmeat everywhere I go. I think with a little refinement, this dish could easily be on a more upscale menu. The pork flatbread was also great. Flavors and textures all lived up to my standards and it was a delicious dish that could please all crowds. The beer selection, as most of you know, was pretty amazing. Prices were rather reasonable too. They get bonus points for having Founder's Nemesis...one of the best beers ever made. Service was very good, atmosphere was pretty cool and laid back. I'm eagerly awaiting my next visit to Devil's Den.
(4)
Lauran T.
Love this place! The Mussels are fantastic!
(5)
dan D.
This is my bar I live across the street and love the place!!
(5)
Juicebomb X.
[8/28/08 update] Craig LaBan just gave the Den one Bell. Ouch. His criticisms were accurate though. While the beer selection, service, atmosphere etc are all great, they just can't figure out the food. We recently got a crabcake napolean, and my wife said it was amazing, and I'm sticking with the thai mussels, but I've given up on getting a good burger. It's too inconsistent, and always a bit of a letdown compared with a monk's or royal tavern burger. I REALLY want the Den to find some good dishes and do them right every time, it just hasn't happened yet. [4/2/08 update] The Devil's Den opened last night, so a bunch of neighbor/friends headed over to check it out. It's got the makings of something really good, but it has a ways to go. The decor is pretty nice - not divey, but not too showy. Less rustic than the Royal or the POPE. I didn't see any Eagles decorations, but it's still early. The second floor, which is rumored to host 8 beers on tap in addition to the 16 on the first floor, is still under construction. I felt the beer list was a little gimmicky....lots of beers with demonic/satanic names - I would have liked to have seen a wider selection of domestic craft beers over the themed selection. The kitchen had a sprinkler complication so there was no food on opening night. We did get to meet the owners, Scott and Erin, who both seemed courteous and ready to bring their experience running Manayunk's Old Eagle tavern to the Devil's Den. The draft beer selection was pretty good and reasonably priced. I had several glasses of a strong ale at $5/glass, and there's enough variety of domestics and european beers on tap to keep me interested in returning again and again. One downside was that a friend ordered Heradura on the rocks and it rang up at $15/glass. That's kinda crazy...maybe they only have the most expensive type, but it was a shock when we got the bill. It was a warm night, so there were several large windows and doors open, which gave the main seating room a nice al fresco feel (if you were close to these openings). The music was not too loud and at times was drowned out completely by the crowd, which is the way I prefer it. I do wonder how summertime noise levels will jibe with the neighbors, who are certainly not foreigners to noise, with the Nam Phuong/Pho 75 restaurant complex and Washington ave so close. I look forward to seeing how this place fills out, and hope to give it more stars once I try the food and they get their sea legs.
(3)
Heather D.
Food is hit or miss, and a little overpriced for the portions. The wait staff is subpar and the management is terrible. Used to like going here but there are a few bad experiences that have changed my opinion of this place.
(2)
Ellen R.
Great beer and cozy tables! A wonderful winter spot. But the service was not great. Our waitress couldn't hear us and didn't take any time to talk to us. We felt like we were bothering her.
(3)
Mike S.
Great food, great beer selection, great atmosphere inside and out, and delightful staff. Always packed, but we never seem to have to wait too long for a drink, for food, or a table. Absolutely love this place. 100% my favorite "neighborhood" bar.
(5)
Sheila F.
We had the worst dining experience we have had in a very long time (living in Philadelphia w/ so many great restaurants to choose from a bad experience does not happen often) from the moment we sat down and the waitress/bartender took our order (writing nothing down but she assured us she got the 4 orders...NOT) it was a bad scene. The wonderful fireplace everyone has referred to was not lit? Valentines Day brunch would have been a perfect time to have the fire lit also the temp outside was 30 degrees. We found out it was the bartender (woman) who took our order because we never saw her again? Our food took almost 1hr to arrive? and when it did they forgot our friends order which then took another 10 minutes. We ordered ice tea which never came but another excuse why that happened did arrive. You would think that a table sitting for an hour to have eggs would have been offered a roll something anything - NOTHING. The hostess was ineffective and unavailable to address concerns? The only 2 people on their staff was a very nice busboy and another waitress who did apologize and did remove the late late meal from our bill. She was the only person on the wait staff that seemed to really care about the CUSTOMERS. We all agreed as did the table next to us (table of 8 ours 4) that we would NEVER go back here - the way the food was served it appeared that it was just thrown onto the plates no presentation at all? Our intention was to go to Hawthorne's the only reason we didn't dine there was due to a 45 minute wait...WE WISH WE HAD WAITED THE 45 MINUTES - money down the drain at the DEVILS' DEN The sourpuss bartender that worked on Valentine's day had to go. Our being there was an inconvenience to her. She did not seem to have a clue that customers are what keeps the place in business.
(1)
Mirian V.
I am a huge fan of the Den. Every time one of my friends come to town I take them there. They have a great selection of beer and their happy hour is AWESOME. I do wish they had a larger bar menu selection and a nicer staff (you know who you are).
(4)
Wayne S.
Ugh, what can I say? Another bar with zero atmosphere below Washington. It wasn't bad, it wasn't good, it was just sorta there. I came in with three friends for a late after movie beer. Three of us got the fries, which will never crack the top ten in this city (see Monks, Good Dog, Five Guys) . They had kind of a weird-something-else-was-in-the-oil-prior to them taste. The beer selection is good but it's in a section of town where the beer selection really isn't so bad (see POPE, SPTR). I think my biggest complaint was just it really doesn't set itself apart. The POPE is in the hood , so it has that going for it, besides being dark and really feeling like somewhat of a pub. There is really no Den type feeling or even Devil type vibe in this place. It's just there. I felt akin to sitting in maybe a chain restaurant in the burbs. We have the Cantina, we have the POPE, hell we have the FRIENDLY which is a gem, a bona fide gem, what is Devil's Den doing for us? You don't have to reinvent the wheel, just keep me from shrugging my shoulders and continuing to pedal when I come across your door.
(1)
Jennifer E.
I have been to this bar a few times, and besides the fact that they have great beer, it pretty much sucks because of the wait staff there. Every time I have been in here the wait staff is very slow, rude, and does not want to do their job. Last Thursday was the last time I will step foot in this bar. They have a great happy hour which me and my friend decided to go to. It starts at 5 pm, and times before I have no been allowed to get the special until the strike of 5, so I planned on waiting the 3-4 minutes to order my drink. Meanwhile, my friend ordered hers and said oh maybe I should have waited for the special. At that point, the waitress not only laughed in our face and made a comment about us being rude, but also got another patron involved who also said we were rude ( am assuming they were friends). I am not sure what part of happy hour special she doesn't understand, but that's a way to get people into the bar and then hopefully they will stay after, which me and my friends always do. After that attitude from the very rude bartender, I will never go back to this bar again. Although the waitress did give my friend the special on the beer she ordered (I declined to order after her comments) we did pay the full price for the beer to show her that we weren't being cheap, but we were there to try some new beers.
(1)
ezekial f.
this place has a great beer list, probably the best within 7 blocks of my house. for the previous poster who complained of the themed beers, its only as many as or fewer than any other belgium bar and for the most part, they are very good. they had "the lost abbey" lost and found ale which is AWESOME!!! now, for the food. as you know my lady is a vegetarian (bummer) but we compromise. so, nachos with chorizo on the side and the grilled satan tips(sic). the nachos were ok and big enough to make up for their okness but the meat on the side was HOT SAUSAGE, i dont care, it was good and i know hot sausage doesnt sound as romantic as chorizo but why mislead me thusly? as for the seitan which i believe is supposed to resemble beef, it was OBVIOUSLY, BLATANTLY the canned fake duck meat you can get at the asian supermarkets on washington ave. it was also only kinda warm, not really hot and grilly like i was expecting but bottom line, the fake duck is good, why sell it as something else? i know its opening week and maybe they are still hammering out suppliers and the like soi will definately go back and i will probably order food again. as far as the setting goes it is very nice inside and not too fancy, it was kinda young business folks when i was there but also some obvious beer fans. good luck devils den. see you in the near future.
(3)
J Q.
good spot, nice vibe - was kind of empty late fri night. really good beer selection is a plus and a decent menu. they overcooked my burger though and that sucked at the time. Plenty of space for a group is nice to have and it's not far from passyunk ave. I'll have to head back and do the 2nd run through to determine what's what
(4)
J B.
I stopped by Devil's Den on a Sunday to try the brunch and was so disappointed. We were told to sit anywhere and when we headed towards the dining room were greeted by a young man with a rude comment. Once we decided to sit at the bar we hoped the service would change and the food be amazing. While our bartender was polite she was in no way personable. At this point I would have in the past just found a new place for brunch, but I knew anywhere else in the area would have wait. So we ordered and while my eggs were decent my friends food was under cooked. I was also upset when a family of four stood behind use for 5 minutes waiting for someone to greet and seat them. Devil's Den could do well it the staff got rid of the chip on their shoulder and lowered the prices of Sunday brunch beverages. $8.00 for a mimosa in a glass the size of a shot is never worth it. I've worked in the resturant industry for years and I'm always looking for new chill spots, sorry guys but you need a little work.
(2)
Rachel P.
went last night for cheap drinks. had no idea what to expect really other than they had happy hour. i was surprised at what i found there. it was a small place and it was very busy, we waited for about 10 or so minutes for a table, but we were able to stand next to the wood burning fireplace (nice touch since it is so cold outside). when we were sat, it was on the other side of the two sided fireplace, so i was able to keep nice and toasty! the only huge problem i had with the place was that the service was very very slow. i really think maybe they needed another waiter, cuz the waiters that they had took quite awhile to get to us. i mean 5 to 10 minutes to get our water? that's a little much. but once we got to the beer and the food it was much better. i got the duck and shared it along with the beef carpaccio with my roommate. all i can say is yum! so many many yums on both. i would go again for that any day. my bf got the chicken fingers, which were also very good. crispy and not too bready. then we ordered dessert and had the bread pudding and the creme brulee dujour. the bread pudding was yummy and while the creme brulee wasn't very custardy it was still good. all and all we enjoyed the place very much!
(4)
Tim P.
Every time I go here I am jealous of my friends who live nearby and keep hoping the owners will open a 2nd location in Fishtown (I know all the bar owners read yelp so come on guys :). I have had consistently good service here, occasionally it is slow but they do tend to get packed. The food has always been excellent, whether I have gotten entrees, appetizers or just a sandwich. Its rare that a pub has entrees that would be at home at a gourmet place but Devil's Den does. And the beer list continues to impress. The fact that they always have Schnider Aventinus on tap alone would get them a few stars. Plus they are always rotating in new beers and breweries, they definitely don't rest on old favorites (besides the aforementioned Aventinus which is rare on tap in this city). Seriously guys, come to Fishtown, open a 2nd bar. You'll make a mint.
(5)
Ali W.
I want to like Devil's Den, because t's near my house, it's near my nail salon, it looks so nice. But sadly it's just sooo disappointing. This is how my past 2 visits went. Saturday in May, my birthday in fact, went to have an apres mani pedi brunch with my best friend, in from NYC, while my family got my Bday party together (awesome family!)... I order something that sounded delicious and perfect...Fried egg, smoked mozzerella, thick cut toast, some kind of ham (serrrano? jambon?) what I got was eggs with presliced square deli mozzerella, that pink deli ham with rounded edges, over....ready for this... 2 barely toasted slider rolls. It was like something you'd make when you came home drunk. next to it was some slimy wilted salad. I will say though our server was awesome. Now against my better judgment went back a couple of weeks ago, it was a beautiful day, I was meeting some friends for happy hour, decided to sit outside have a bottle of white wine and a few snacks, decided on DD because, really where else could we go in the neighborhood at 4pm on a Tuesday that wasn't the POPE or Cantina? So never mind that they didn't have the wine we ordered then they did then they had to chill it ...whatever it took 25 minutes to get it, server was sweet though. The travesty of the whole experience was that the truffle popcorn reminded me of old Joke, not only wasn't it very good, but there wasn't enough of it. Properly made truffle popcorn is a wonderful soul enriching thing, this was flat, and kind of dirty tasting, there were copious black flecks all about the tiny bowl but the truffle taste was such a whisper that you could taste it only as an after thought, there was no unctuous funky truffly goodness. it was dry and really just ok not omg I can't eat this bad, just ok, like ate it because it was in front of me, which made me sad. Speaking of just ok. the chick pea fries were under salted, and bland with not enough mayo ( really mayo with chick pea fries??) and incongruous dice of pickles which we couldn't figure out how to consume, too small to pick up...were we supposed to drag the fry through the mayo then hope little pickle bits would cling to it??? Actually they tasted and looked, and felt more like polenta fries than chick pea. I could not taste a hint of legume. Then there were the Cheese Croquettes now they were fried and they were cheesy, both of which are good things but they weren't very special, they're weren't interesting or even particularly good. Oh Devil's Den why why why can't you get your kitchen together!!!!!!!!
(2)
Joseph C.
I go here probably once a week. The beer list is infinite long. Yes I said infinite. The happy hour is half off all drafts and some other decent food items. As for the ala carte menu its all about the mussels and specials. Specials are sometimes $9 and the dish will include a ginormous portion of pork belly.. Or a numerous large day boat scallops. Its soooo cheap! The staff is very informative except for this one guy who is RETARDED. Outdoor seating there makes for great creepin/judging people watching which is a popular thing in our current society. The paprika mayo is also the bomb to dip with fries!
(4)
Melissa R.
A friend of mine lives a few blocks from this place and this is her neighborhood joint. I was looking forward to trying it as I heard good things. The food was decent, especially the chickpea fries, which were different and delish and the beer list is pretty extensive. The hostess however, was a huge pain-in-the-you know where. We arrived 4 of us, but were waiting on one other person. There were no 5 person seating options at the moment, but there was a 4 person high top. They wouldn't allow a stool at the end of the table, because apparently is against fire code. They weren't very accommodating to our group of 5 and even expected someone to stand for dinner! As one of my dining companions said, their behavior "is just bad business." Finally, we were able to get a table for 5 in the dining room, but this experience left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)
Lilli C.
The happy hours here are awesome. 1/2 off every beer on draft (they have a great selection) and $3 bar snacks. We got the shipyard pumpkin beer which I think is my new favorite beer. We also got a huge plate of spicy hummus and the chickpea fries which were amazing. They aren't your traditional fries and look more like square nuggets w/ aoli and a cucumber slice on top. They were fantastic, but sadly there were only 3 per order. I could probably eat like 10 of them. So for 20 bucks, we were full and drunk. I will definitely be back again for happy hour. Next time I'll have to get here right at 5 to snag a seat at the bar.
(4)
Adam F.
Devil's Den is a classic gastropub in South Philly. Inside decor is nice; outdoor seating is a plus. Beer list is top notch and full of awesome craft beers. The food menu is typical gastropub fare but accents some of their "spicy" items (to complement the "devil" theme). Some items are hit or miss, so I recommend the following: - Duck Fries - Spicy Duck Flatbread - Mussels Diablo or Provencal
(4)
Christopher S.
Nice bar with a great selection of beers. Nice location. Bar is big enough that you dont feel jammed like some of the others in the area.
(4)
Donna A.
One of the best beer selections in Philly! The kitchen rocks. Solid menu. Decent service.
(5)
Lee N.
The beer selection is great, the food is pretty good, but the service is ... well ... HORRIBLE. Unbelievably horrible. I worked in the restaurant industry for over 10 years and if I can smile and act like I care about customers, anyone can. Not Bethany. We went on a Friday for happy hour and our server Bethany could have cared less about our needs. We seemed to be an annoyance to her. I went there a while ago, but one of my coworkers was just complaining about the service there which reminded me to yelp about them. Clearly I'm not the only one who feels this way.
(3)
Luke L.
So I typically praise DD.. A definite go to place for food and drinks the last few years. That last few months things have changed . Service has been shotty (brunch specifically) they changed the menu, and it doesn't seem it's for the better.
(2)
Jill L.
In all the times I've visited Devil's Den, I think I may have had the food one time. And honestly, I was already a few beers deep and can't really remember anything about it. So I'm going to talk about their Happy Hour. What a great deal they have here! Monday through Friday, from 5 to 7, half priced draft beers. Now at a generic bar that serves generic beer it may not be that exciting, but Devil's Den has one of the best beer selections around. Each time I've visited, I've been able to try a new beer that was absolutely delicious. They also offer beer flights (which I've never sampled) Scene wise, it's a pretty chill atmosphere. I hate those happy hours where everyone's in a suit, and you feel like a bum if you went home and changed. You know those type of happy hours I am talking about! The only bad thing is that the bar area tends to get a little crowded. There are tables on the wall across the bar and it makes it difficult to stand around-- we usually try to get there as early as possible to stake out bar stools. Another nice thing about Devil's Den is that 11th street has a decent amount of street parking- if you are coming from work in your car, that is clutch. Just don't drink and drive! I'm serious!
(4)
Alexis S.
My husband and I took our daughter here for brunch this weekend. I had heard mixed things about this place, but I always reserve judgment until I've tried a place myself. I was very please with my experience here. Our waiter was very attentive and accommodating. The food was good. I ordered the black bean burger and my husband ordered a beef burger. Both were prepared to our liking and the fries were decent. My husband was very impressed with their beer selection. What I really enjoyed was that it wasn't overcrowded for brunch. I would definitely try it again for a different meal.
(4)
Amanda C.
Came here for brunch my bloody mary was really delicious, one of the best I have had in a long time. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. My coffee was good too. Food was completely decent, one problem is I ordered huevos rancheros and there were no black beans to be found in the dish, it was sort of eggs over tortillas which isn't bad, just not what I wanted. The vinegar based coleslaw on the side was good as were the breakfast potatoes. Basically I liked everything but my entree, I would come back for the bloodys but maybe order really simple food.
(3)
Callan W.
It was a Monday night so it wasn't packed (though still quite busy - which says a lot). I liked the space, but the music was a tad random, and not in a good way. I can't say much else since I just sat at the bar and drank myself into happiness, but the bartender was quick with a refill. I hope to go back one day since the food looked/smelled good.
(3)
Ryan W.
I've been here a few times due to a friend living very close to this bar. If I lived as close as he does, I'd definitely be there more often. They have a huge selection of quality beers and their staff is usually pretty friendly. Their food is decent as well. There's nothing crazy impressive about this place, and it can be a bit pricey, but if you're looking for a good beer and maybe an appetizer or two, I would recommend it.
(3)
David W.
Consistently amazing and diverse beers on tap, including one on the hand engine. The menu is not as vegetarian friendly as I'd like, with their veggie burger too mushy and not very flavorful. The chickpea fries, though, are excellent. Over the longer term, they seem to be having trouble with the food aspect of the business, but they've mastered the beer part of it. But who goes here for the food?
(4)
Vincent D.
Beer selection is phenomenal. I'm not sure there are too many other places in the city that come close. Their tap specials during PCBW were awesome and their normal rotations can keep you coming back weekly. Cocktails also look quite delicious. Food is also amazing. Brunch is highly recommended. Duck fat fries will stick to your ribs for a day or two but that's just long enough for you to decide to return. The macncheese is also another must have with so much cheese at the bottom you may ask for a straw.
(4)
Mia W.
This place is great! They have a real fireplace, great food, great service. I've never been disappointed going here. The burger is so yummy and you should really try the duck fries, no seriously.
(4)
Laura G.
Great food and always the best beers. The service is usually good although my recent waitress wasn't the friendliest. The bus boys are awesome! Definitely try the burger and mussels! Along with the bacon wrapped dates. Good place to watch sporting events and outdoor seating available.
(4)
Lauren K.
A Devil's Den in south Philly? Thought this was Flyers territory. This is a local bar in South Philly. My friend brought me here for some beverages and a tapas feast. We drank Death in the Afternoon. It was absinthe and champagne. Not American absinthe either Whoa! We quickly realized we were elderly and couldn't have more than one. Moving on... We had tapas. Pot stickers, hummus and oysters. All were good. Rumor has it duck fries are all the rage here. I would return. Service is fast and friendly. I like sitting outside because you can smoke.
(4)
Michelle C.
This review may be a bit biased since I live around the corner, but I think Devil's Den is really solid. Their beer list always has at least a few drafts I've never tried, and their food is quite good. The duck fries are of course fabulous. The rest of the menu is also worth trying but honestly, not noteworthy. Their mussels are large and meaty and prepared well, but the portion is a bit small for the price. Their salads are actually pretty damn good for a pub and really reasonably priced--$8 for a big wedge salad! Oh, did I mention they have a fireplace? It's lovely. A really nice touch for such a cozy neighborhood pub.
(4)
Christian S.
Friend of mine took me to Devil's Den last week. The beer was good, the food (wings) were ok. The atmosphere was great. The roots reggae was pouring out the good vibes.
(3)
Christine B.
Went for brunch with Krista P., and Katrina C., on Sunday during the dogfish head takeover. Unfortunately, none of us ended up with beer, but I did try a $3 mimosa, pretty tasty. I had the eggs benedict. It was good, not the best ever, and a little on the lukewarm side. The potatoes on the side were very brown and crispy. Others had steak and eggs which looked awesome, an omelette, and a breakfast sandwich. The wait time for our food seemed pretty long, especially when other patrons who were seated after us got their food first. They take reservations for brunch which is a plus.
(3)
Susan C.
Having been a server and bartender, I am genuinely understanding with poor service when a place is packed. However, it was not packed. It was not busy. There were plenty of servers on the floor. And this was by far the poorest service I have experienced in years. It took 15-20 minutes to get drink. The order was incorrect on the meals - the result was the waitress avoiding our table for 20 minutes and having the expediter take care of the mistake (note: server only came over after 10 minutes of specifically asking hostess to send her over). The awesome thing: she billed us for things not on menu. Not returning anytime soon.
(1)
Bob Q.
My friends and I went here for a birthday on Friday night and got some of the worst bar service we've ever had. The female bartender literally cursed out my friend because he had the audacity to wave to try to get her attention. We then watched her drink on the job and complain loudly to the rest of the customers about him. Unbelievable. Needless to say, we won't be coming back. Ever.
(1)
Michael K.
Great happy hour specials. Love the ambience and outdoor seating. I bring my dogs just about every time and the severs always bring a bowl and water for them. 5 star bar and pub food.
(5)
Toki W.
Devil's Den is pretty solid. It's not great, but it's very reliable. The menu is pretty diverse (bring back the cheesesteak please). I like to think of it as a privately owned, higher end Applebee's. It seats lots of folks, has TVs for sports, full service bar, and great happy hour deals that include some bar snacks. Even flights of beers are half off during happy hour. Lots of outdoor seating too! This is a great place to go with large groups of friends who all want to eat and/or drink. Also great for watching sports without having to go to a bro dude sports bar.
(3)
Catherine C.
I've been to Devil's Den many times, as it's right around the corner from my apartment. My advice: Go here for drinks. Go elsewhere for food. The beer list is exhaustive and wonderful. Oh, beer. Glorious beer. They also have some great flights. The ambiance is also quite nice. They have a fireplace in the winter, which is so cozy. In the summer they open huge doors/windows for air flow. Nice. I've typically had good service here too. The food, however, is lackluster. They have a decent brunch ($3 mimosas? Um, yes), but holy God do I love brunch, so I'm easy to please there. The food here used to be really good, but something has changed. Now it is not. And it's definitely overpriced. Rather than detailing this I will just say that I've never been with anyone who really liked what they had for lunch or dinner at Devil's Den since the food changed. Also, on more than one occasion there has been some kind of plumbing problem that resulted in...an unfortunate smell. Maybe this has been fixed, but it's obviously been a recurring issue.
(3)
Colin S.
Yes, both a hit AND a miss! HIT! One of my FAVORITE bars for a Happy Hour. Heavenly beer selection and great prices too. Finally, a crowd that is a little more mature and easy-going. Bar-side service is excellent. The fireplace makes everything better. MISS! The food here should be relatively simple to deal with since the menu isn't that complicated, but the pizza/flat bread arrived cold, the brine chicken fingers looked almost "EMO", skinny and sad, sitting all alone on a plate that was too large for them (inner tears), or perhaps the portion was too small? Dunno, either way, the food was not memorable and service on the restaurant side was as bright as a 60 watt bulb (no not one of those energy efficient one either...) Overall, go for the bar and pass on the restaurant....
(3)
Mike G.
I ventured south to join friends at this south philly gem. It was simply great. The atmosphere is casual and warm and there's lots of outdoor seating for fair weather. The beer selection, which they're quite known for, is wonderful and not at all over-hyped. Their happy hr is 5-7 and having arrived at 6, the server was outstanding in getting us as many rounds as we could manage, up until the last 30 seconds! The food was very good. What can I say more? I'm in love.
(4)
Francis U.
Finally...a decent pub in south Philly. Happy hour prices for a pint are reasonable, but can otherwise be pricey. The beer list is creative & boutiquey, but lacks a few good staple beers...sometimes you just want a Guinness. Service is adequate, but nothing amazing. The fireplace is nice in the winter...now we just need to get winters back. I'm also partial to the name. No rest for the wicked.
(3)
Kristie B.
After walking down East Passyunk Avenue on a nice summer day, I spotted Devil's Den. The outdoor seating made it enticing. I happen to be there during happy hour. I've got to say, the beer selection was amazing. I love trying new things, and boy they've got some random ones on there. Not only was the beer selection impressive, but they have a tapas menu featuring small plates for VERY cheap. I got the mini wrapped dogs, and although, that sounds juvenile, they were the best dogs I've ever had. The service was a bit slow, but overall, I would definitely go here again.
(3)
Sean R.
I have had the chicken sandwich and mussels here, and both were pretty good. One of their "things" are home made pickles, but unfortunately they are not dill, but more like bread and butter pickles (which is one of the only foods I despise). They have a decent draft selection, and an extensive bottle selection. The mostly wood interior is nicely done, giving it relaxed feel, without being grungy. The last time i was there, the bartender said they are hoping to get some outdoor seating (hopefully by mid June), but they were waiting from approval from the city. I have not had the chance to go there for happy hour, but with 1/2 price drafts, and a special happy hour "tapas" menu, it looks like a great option for a post work drink and small bite.
(4)
Rebecca S.
i love love this place. i love love the salmon blt.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Juke Box 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
Ron H.
This is a great neighborhood bar. The fireplace just past the entrance is a nice and warm welcoming touch for these colder months. Decent bar space and hightops that you can easily walk in and grab a seat. Good beer selection with an ever rotating line-up or artisan beers. Bartenders are knowledgable and can help you navigate your choice of beverage.
(3)Jennifer N.
The food was delicious. But the service was dissapointing, the hostess took 15 minutes to bring the menu to us, the waitress seemed annoyed of her job.
(1)Michele R.
Been here twice and my complaint is about service. Yes, they have good beer, and the food I had was tasty enough. I just don't know why it took 40 minutes to come out when we were the only people there. Bartender and server friendliness does not overwhelm, either. I return to the places where I feel welcomed, and the energy is positive and friendly. There's so many bars that out perform, I'd only go back if there was a planned meeting that was not under my control.
(2)eden a.
Thought I'd take the time to say that we absolutely love this place. Tom (the bartender) is simply GREAT in every way...the food is WAY WAY above average; beer selection is perfect for craft beer drinkers. Prices are fair, ambiance is nice - clean, simple, dark and peaceful. Good music. A really fine place for lunch.
(5)Bobby P.
Insane beer selection, really good mussels, a killer rendition of the cheesesteak and great service. Done! Now go drink beer!
(5)Tian C.
Great little neighborhood spot. I like to come in on weekday evenings when it isn't so packed. The ambiance is rustic (wood stove and exposed brick) romantic and great for a date, either for dinner or grabbing a quick drink. Outdoor seating is perfect on a warm evening, and the service is friendly and attentive. I'm absolutely in love with their beer list, if you're the type of person who'd rather be overwhelmed by the beer selection rather than underwhelmed, this is the place to go. Can't decide? Get a flight. They change their flight selection frequently. Definitely try the mussels (Diablo is my favorite), they come with a generous serving of delicious french fries, and bread. I'm deducting one star because I'm not terribly thrilled with the bartenders, they can be a bit surly and rude. Otherwise, it's a great place.
(4)Mike G.
I ventured south to join friends at this south philly gem. It was simply great. The atmosphere is casual and warm and there's lots of outdoor seating for fair weather. The beer selection, which they're quite known for, is wonderful and not at all over-hyped. Their happy hr is 5-7 and having arrived at 6, the server was outstanding in getting us as many rounds as we could manage, up until the last 30 seconds! The food was very good. What can I say more? I'm in love.
(4)ezekial f.
this place has a great beer list, probably the best within 7 blocks of my house. for the previous poster who complained of the themed beers, its only as many as or fewer than any other belgium bar and for the most part, they are very good. they had "the lost abbey" lost and found ale which is AWESOME!!! now, for the food. as you know my lady is a vegetarian (bummer) but we compromise. so, nachos with chorizo on the side and the grilled satan tips(sic). the nachos were ok and big enough to make up for their okness but the meat on the side was HOT SAUSAGE, i dont care, it was good and i know hot sausage doesnt sound as romantic as chorizo but why mislead me thusly? as for the seitan which i believe is supposed to resemble beef, it was OBVIOUSLY, BLATANTLY the canned fake duck meat you can get at the asian supermarkets on washington ave. it was also only kinda warm, not really hot and grilly like i was expecting but bottom line, the fake duck is good, why sell it as something else? i know its opening week and maybe they are still hammering out suppliers and the like soi will definately go back and i will probably order food again. as far as the setting goes it is very nice inside and not too fancy, it was kinda young business folks when i was there but also some obvious beer fans. good luck devils den. see you in the near future.
(3)J Q.
good spot, nice vibe - was kind of empty late fri night. really good beer selection is a plus and a decent menu. they overcooked my burger though and that sucked at the time. Plenty of space for a group is nice to have and it's not far from passyunk ave. I'll have to head back and do the 2nd run through to determine what's what
(4)J B.
I stopped by Devil's Den on a Sunday to try the brunch and was so disappointed. We were told to sit anywhere and when we headed towards the dining room were greeted by a young man with a rude comment. Once we decided to sit at the bar we hoped the service would change and the food be amazing. While our bartender was polite she was in no way personable. At this point I would have in the past just found a new place for brunch, but I knew anywhere else in the area would have wait. So we ordered and while my eggs were decent my friends food was under cooked. I was also upset when a family of four stood behind use for 5 minutes waiting for someone to greet and seat them. Devil's Den could do well it the staff got rid of the chip on their shoulder and lowered the prices of Sunday brunch beverages. $8.00 for a mimosa in a glass the size of a shot is never worth it. I've worked in the resturant industry for years and I'm always looking for new chill spots, sorry guys but you need a little work.
(2)Michelle C.
This review may be a bit biased since I live around the corner, but I think Devil's Den is really solid. Their beer list always has at least a few drafts I've never tried, and their food is quite good. The duck fries are of course fabulous. The rest of the menu is also worth trying but honestly, not noteworthy. Their mussels are large and meaty and prepared well, but the portion is a bit small for the price. Their salads are actually pretty damn good for a pub and really reasonably priced--$8 for a big wedge salad! Oh, did I mention they have a fireplace? It's lovely. A really nice touch for such a cozy neighborhood pub.
(4)Rachel P.
went last night for cheap drinks. had no idea what to expect really other than they had happy hour. i was surprised at what i found there. it was a small place and it was very busy, we waited for about 10 or so minutes for a table, but we were able to stand next to the wood burning fireplace (nice touch since it is so cold outside). when we were sat, it was on the other side of the two sided fireplace, so i was able to keep nice and toasty! the only huge problem i had with the place was that the service was very very slow. i really think maybe they needed another waiter, cuz the waiters that they had took quite awhile to get to us. i mean 5 to 10 minutes to get our water? that's a little much. but once we got to the beer and the food it was much better. i got the duck and shared it along with the beef carpaccio with my roommate. all i can say is yum! so many many yums on both. i would go again for that any day. my bf got the chicken fingers, which were also very good. crispy and not too bready. then we ordered dessert and had the bread pudding and the creme brulee dujour. the bread pudding was yummy and while the creme brulee wasn't very custardy it was still good. all and all we enjoyed the place very much!
(4)Lauren D.
I went on a Sunday for outside brunch. I did a beer flight and the frisee salad with bacon lardon and poached egg. I got my dog a grilled chicken breast. The service outside was phenomenal. I'm not sure how the other reviewers come to their conclusion, but I have a strong feeling it's the lady servers that are not as attentive. All the male servers have been great. Came back on a Friday HH and sat at the bar. Both the female and male bartender were great. I had the half off oysters plus 2 pints of some yummy sour ale. Came back again for Friday HH with a girlfriend, sat outside and again had great service. Sour Ale Flight plus some apps (that I agree are weirdly placed on the menu--- there is no true theme to the food) that were decently tasty. The pork bun seemed skimpy on the meat- but the flavor was good. And the dumplings were good, not great. At the end of our meal I asked my server to see if he can scrounge for a cigarette for me... and he delivered. What service :) I
(4)Vincent D.
Beer selection is phenomenal. I'm not sure there are too many other places in the city that come close. Their tap specials during PCBW were awesome and their normal rotations can keep you coming back weekly. Cocktails also look quite delicious. Food is also amazing. Brunch is highly recommended. Duck fat fries will stick to your ribs for a day or two but that's just long enough for you to decide to return. The macncheese is also another must have with so much cheese at the bottom you may ask for a straw.
(4)Mia W.
This place is great! They have a real fireplace, great food, great service. I've never been disappointed going here. The burger is so yummy and you should really try the duck fries, no seriously.
(4)Laura G.
Great food and always the best beers. The service is usually good although my recent waitress wasn't the friendliest. The bus boys are awesome! Definitely try the burger and mussels! Along with the bacon wrapped dates. Good place to watch sporting events and outdoor seating available.
(4)Nancy N.
I just went here last night for an early Birthday dinner with some friends. I was able to make a reservation for the night before for a group of ten. Overall, everyone loved it here! The service was decent. Weirdly, they don't have ice or cold water? I don't know. But I got the Special Mussels of the night. It had chorizo, summer corn, jersey tomatoes, and petite shrimp in it. So delicious! They give you bread so you can dip it into the mussels broth and it either comes with fries or a side salad. I got their fries and I love the dipping sauce it comes with. The boyfriend usually get the diablo mussels over pasta. Apparently they don't do the mussels over pasta anymore but he requested it and they gladly made it with no upcharge! We also tried the Korean BBQ wings my friend ordered. We loved it but she was not use to the taste so she didn't like them. Some friends got the Cheeseteak Empanadas, Nachos, Pork Tacos, Cobb Salad, Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese, and more and they all loved their food! Everyone tried a few beers from their draft/bottles list. They have a very decent selection and a lot to pick from. They usually have a few flights you can try too. The boyfriend got a sour beer flight and he didn't love it, but he drank it all. I got the summer mojitio and it was delicious! My friends surprised me with a piece of their dessert and a candle for my birthday, so sweet of them! It was a chocolate peanut butter pie. It was soo gooood!!! but a little too rich for me. And i didn't like that they had whole peanuts it but it was really good. I just could not eat a whole piece by myself so the whole table shared it. i just love it here!!! and i'm so glad my friends did too!!!
(5)Rachel S.
The staff is nice, the drinks/beer are fine but the new menu blows. The menu and food was just ok before but now it's really terrible. It doesn't know if it wants to be a pub or an Asian-fusion restaurant now, and honestly, none of the stuff sounds appetizing. The grilled cheese and cheesesteak empanadas were awful. Also, they seemed to have done away with their late night tater tots with cheese sauce which was probably the best tasting food item they had but never advertised or put on the menu. I really hope things get better for this neighborhood bar.
(2)Ashley T.
Been meaning to give this place a try. I like how they have both indoor and outdoor seating. They have quite a selection of beers, but not enough variety when it comes to wines and cocktails. The atmosphere is nice. The music selection not so much lol Staff is pretty attentive and always checking on you to make sure you're ok. I appreciate that the most when it comes to any establishment in the city. Didnt try any food here. maybe next time!
(3)Claudia L.
Great place that I think people forget about. Super cute, has a fireplace so makes it a cute, casual date place. Food is very good. I've been here twice and both times, service and food was great. The have a great happy hour special where all beers are half off and some apps too. The popcorn is bangin and their pretzel bites (more like pretzel biscuits) are damn good!
(4)Andrea F.
This place might be my new favorite that's relatively in the area I like to eat, especially cause parking's not bad around there. It kind of reminds me of my ever-favorite St. Stephen's Green, what with the large selection of big and small plates of bar food, but it's a little less pubbish on the inside and a little more spacious and inviting. The selection of food is great- tons of delicious-sounding appetizers and a wide variety of sandwiches and mussels. For the app, we opted for the duck confit gravy cheese fries which were heavenly and melt-in-your-mouth with a nice helping of crunchy, fresh scallions on top. I would honestly get a huge plate of just that for my entrée if I could. As for the entrees, they were equally as tasty. We got the fish tacos and BBQ pulled pork sandwich (both on special that night) and the Diablo mussels. All were great, though be forewarned: the Diablo mussels are HOT. You're probably saying, "Well, duh, doesn't the name imply that they'll be hot?" I should've figured that as well, considering the description said they were in a garlic-chile sauce, but I was still surprised. They were absolutely delicious, flavorful and in a huge portion, simmering in a spicy sauce with chunks of bacon and crunchy bread to soak it all up with, and a side of those addicting Belgian-style pomme frites and aioli dipping sauce. I would totally order the Diablo again, but maybe next time I'll be prepared and have a glass of milk and a box of tissues on hand. Or maybe I should avoid spice altogether and order the more basic options like lemon and garlic and wine. As for the beer list, it's really expansive and similar to those you find at most other Belgian places in the city (Monk's, Belgian Café, etc.). It can become pretty overwhelming trying to decide what beer to pick and it's helpful when the server knows what you're looking for and can make suggestions based on your taste and preference. This is why I dropped it down a star. I like a beer called Ephemere by the Canadian brand Unibrou and I couldn't find it on the list, so I asked for something similar and he couldn't tell me even one. It WAS a slow Sunday night and I'm sure it's hard to memorize all that beer, but I still wish he would've at least tried and asked the bartender if they had something within that same scope of beer. He didn't even make the effort so I ended up picking one at random. It's not enough to ruin my experience, though, so I'll definitely be back to try another beer and another helping of mussels.
(4)Kelly T.
Came here for brunch with a friend, because it was a Sunday and the only non-BYOB in my neighborhood I could find open at 10:30 (we are early risers!). Mimosas here are only $3 and you can get a beermosa (Ommegang Witte + OJ) for $4.50. My friend got the regular mimosa and was happy, I got the beermosa and was extremely pleased--you could definitely taste the characteristics of the ommegang, which blends well with any kind of citrus. To eat, I had the avocado benedict, which was an extremely indulgent and unconventional benedict. It was a single set up, with a poached egg, especially creamy hollandaise, breaded and fried avocado, atop a slice of brioche. It came with a side of home fries. I added some sriracha and was in heaven. It was an absolutely delicious breakfast. My friend ordered the burrito, which was insanely huge, and got through about 1/4 of it. She was happy with her breakfast, but not as wowed as I. Service was great. Our server was friendly and our table was bussed promptly after we were done. I will definitely be back for brunch for the cheap mimosas and early opening time.
(4)Jody P.
I was pleasantly surprised at how good the bean burger was, but if you're looking for something vegetarian you should let them know because the bun was waaay too tasty to not have been toasted on the same grill as meat. The salad that came with them was colorful and fresh. The popular duck fries were small, crispy and topped with gooey duck and gravy. The portion was perfect for two people to share, but requires a fork to avoid goo soaked fingers. I thought they were just ok, typical bar food, but my boyfriend thought that they were great. On a separate visit for brunch I had a benedict that I found to be bland. On both visits staff took a long time to give us a bill, but were polite. In the winter the place smells heavily of it's fireplace to the point where I left smelling like the fireplace.
(3)Sarah P.
The average rating for Devil's Den should be higher! I think this place merits 4-4.5 stars. Atmosphere: Love it. Fireplace for wintertime coziness, tables to sit outside with your dog and people watch in the summer. The space is large, and even during busy times, there always seems to be an open table, so I've never waited for a table (yesss!) Unpretentious vibe. Good service. Beer: One of the best beer lists in the city, in my opinion. I mean, it's more of a tome than a list when you include their enormous bottle selection. The descriptions of each beer are clear and inviting. Half price happy hour too.. cannot complain. Food: vegan and vegetarian options still need some work. I also miss the gigantic pickle plate they used to have maybe 1.5-2 years ago that was like 9 bucks and more than enough for 2 people. They have a pickle plate special now, but it's really small and doesn't have as many different types of veggies as the original, if I remember correctly. If there were a few more vegan options, this place would be 5 stars..
(4)Edwardius W.
Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale, 7.2% ABV - traditional American brown ale with notes of molasses, coffee, ginger, chocolate. Product of the armpit of America : Deleware. Beautiful man!
(5)Lynda Z.
I noticed that the menu changes from time to time so my review may be irrelevant by now lol. BUT, I will review the stuff I've had there in case they make their way back to the menu, and I hope they do because they were delicious. I've have the burger, which is still listed. The burger is solid..typical real meat, not formed beef pub burger, which isn't a bad thing to say because most pub burgers I've had have been yummy. The things that are missing from the menu now are the bacon wrapped dates. It hurts my heart that they're not on there anymore too because they were my first experience at those delicious little nuggets of love. They were pretty much forced into my mouth by friends that were annoyed that I'm a picky eater and refuse to try new things. So, they bullied me into trying them and they were pure heaven. Another item MIA is their pulled pork flatbread. It had pulled pork (obviously), arugula and a creme fresh sauce. The pork was tender and seriously delicious. Why Devil's Den? Why did you make these things go away? Bottom line is, is that I really haven't had anything there that I didn't like, so I would recommend them for good grub and different types of beers on tap.
(4)Nina S.
Great neighborhood spot to check out for good food and large beer selection! I have been here for just drinks once and enjoyed it but when I went back and ordered food I was very impressed. The table next to me had a large order of Mussels that looked so good so I ordered them also. The traditional mussels is a very good value for $13. The bowl of mussels is swimming in a buttery garlic sauce and served with toasted Italian bread and a large bowl of french fries. The fries came with a chipotle aioli sauce and it added a nice kick to it. This is not a healthy option but very tasty and I recommend you trying the mussels too! The bartender gives great explanations of what types of beer I would like based on what is on tap. I tried a very good Saison Pumpkin Ale that I recommend. It's on draught now so not sure how long it will last!
(4)Joshua V.
One of the slickest neighborhood bars a South Philly resident could hope for. When my abode was around the vicinity of this pub/bar/tavern, I took my proximity for granted, though the relatively "more expensive" booze prices also served as a deterrent for a poor liberal arts student. This joint prides itself on its beer selection, with prices and alcohol content listed beside beer names in a menu neatly bound with stretchy string. The atmosphere in this place definitely adds to the score; the low lighting and the fireplace contribute greatly for an intimate mood. The place may be out of the way from all the goings-on of center city, but sometimes that's exactly the kind of fix that's needed.
(4)Devon L.
I don't know why I haven't written a review for Devil's Den yet - I have had numerous great experiences here, and find myself referring friends from out of town to try the Den when they are nearby for concerts/events. Last night, I had my first Happy Hour experience here - which I feel is worth sharing with the world. They feature a tapas menu for Happy Hour - we had the spicy hummus - for $4 we got a large portion of hummus and plenty of delicious pita to eat it all up. All of our beers were 1/2 off during the Happy Hour time, which I believe is from 5-7, Monday through Friday - but don't quote me on that. I had 2 different pumpkin beers, as well as a coffee-chocolate beer that was a great way to end the meal, sadly the names of the brews escape me. One thing I know for sure, is that they constantly rotate their draft beer and always have a great beer selection. I am a creature of habit, and typically get mussels here or the salmon BLT. All of the mussels are delicious, and the salmon blt is just so right. The fries are also super crunchy and come with a great aioli dipping sauce. Service has been consistently good here, everyone is nice, and when I can't decide what to drink they offer up a suggestion. And I enjoy the ambience, it's certainly a nicer bar and has a cozy, neighborhood, feel which I love. Will always return to the Devil's Den and continue bringing friends and family from out of town.
(4)Nina J.
This place is near my job and they have THE best happy hour I've found in Philly - 1/2 price drafts and food every single day, from 5-7. The only grip I have about this place is that the service could be a bit better. I shouldn't have to stare at my empty glass for more than a couple of minutes, before someone asks if I'd like a refill. During my last happy hour visit, the bartender was somehow able to squeeze my appetizer order in for half price, but not my beer. They were both ordered at the same time and before 7 PM, so I don't really understand why I got jipped like that. If it weren't for the happy hour, I probably wouldn't frequent this place as much as I do but it's such a damn good deal! I guess I'll deal with the annoyances to enjoy good beer for cheap.
(3)Hali R.
I loved the crackling fire and the dim lighting. We were sat by the door so I was worried about being cold but it turned out to be fine. They were out of the first couple beers I tried to order but I settled on a third and it was really good. Our server told us there was only b5 minutes left of Happy Hour and came back quickly to make sure we got at least one drink at Happy Hour price. We had the duck fries, burger, and the shrimp pot stickers. Everything was good but the shrimp and sauce was THE BEST. We will definitely be back. I'd love to try the brunch!
(5)Jessica P.
Good place for a brew and a game. I have three words for you -- DUCK FAT FRIES. This is not a joke. Get them. They're incredible. The burger here is also really nice, they cook it 100% to your liking. I have also been for brunch and that was also yummy. The only thing the menu is lacking is probably lighter fare. So, if you come here, prepare yourself to leave super stuffed!!
(4)Ron C.
Great beer list. Nice vibe. Good Staff. The food menu seemed too duck-centric. The duck fries have a blob a brown goo on them. Nasty, but some may like it.
(3)Maria C.
They have a great happy hour and decent food but the rudest and least professional staff I have experienced in philadelphia. I have given them several chances but it is always the same. The last time I went there we were the only costumers there, and the bartender could not have been more annoyed by our presence. She spent the first 15 minutes of us trying to get her attention putting make up on behind the bar (so unsanitary). As more people came in, we had to practically beg for her to get us a drink and our bill. A girl I was with asked for a drink and she claimed not to have the ingredients - pickle juice. She then asked the server who got her pickle juice, and the bartender rolled her eyes and reluctantly made her a drink. This has been the attitude and demeanor of every single person I had had serve me here and I most likely will not be back!
(2)John C.
After a long day at the office, I really enjoy visiting Devil's Den for a tasty beer and burger. The staff is fantastic and their brunch is also to die for! I have been visiting this fine establishment regularly for over a year now (5 STARS)! Yesterday, I decided to sit at the bar with my woman for a nice sour-beverage to close out my day. The bartender, tall / mid 30's / glasses, asks for our ID's. I show him my ID and order my favorite bottle of brew, and then he evaluates my girls drivers license & notices that it has just expired. She tells the bartender that she lives 4 blocks away and would have no problem picking up her passport to show him. (My girlfriend and I are both 24 years old) While she is commuting to pick up a non-expired government form of identification, the bartender ignores me and never delivers my drink. After a couple of minutes pass (with a not-so-crowded bar), I flag him down and request my drink again. The bartender tells me that he is going to need me to move into the dinning area to receive my drink and to leave the bar. With a valid drivers - sitting alone at the bar - I question his reasoning. He continued to tell me that even though my 24 year old girlfriend is returning with a valid passport, he could not serve me while I wait. I then asked him, "hypothetically, if she never returned, can I receive my beverage now?". He then replied, "maybe in the dinning room after your server arrives". After that answer, I picked up my jacket and walked out to meet my girlfriend half way in her commute back to explain to her the craziness that just took place at our favorite joint. I understand that he is protecting the restaurant, the bar, and his job by being cautious, but this was just all sorts of crazy to me. In his mind, serving an individual with a valid ID was absolutely out of the question and why two 24 year old had to be escorted to a table was beyond me. This exchange with the bartender has put a really sour taste in my mouth, and unfortunately it will be awhile until I return to my once favorite happy our joint. Cheers?
(1)YouTakeItEasy U.
Great bar, great food.....Duck fat fries YES......started with the Micro flight and and fries. Both great, and had a special for dinner. Chicken Saltimbocca was amazing came with creamy polenta. Girlfriend went with tuna still flipping, jk but basically raw, also amazing. Also had a few pints of Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose so good. Place was cozy and a great ppl watching place. Only down fall, parking and we waited for 10 min before someone came to take or drink order. A waiter from a different section noticed we were not being helped and took our table. Daniel, thank you for going above and beyond. Can't wait to come back, Thank You...
(4)Dan D.
Excellent mussels and beer selection. The waiter we had was super on point and was constantly emptying the mussel discard bowl.
(4)danielle p.
Last night was our first dining experience at Devils Den. As always we were indecisive as to where to eat so I was checking out the latest Zagat lists. This restaurant was listed under top restaurants with fireplaces. The weather was rainy,cold, and miserable so a warm cozy fire was exactly what we needed. The atmosphere rocked. Appropriately dim and warm. The seasonal holiday decor was full of spirit and added to the dining experience. The hostess was genuinely welcoming and helpful which I loved, really set the tone for the rest of the meal. My boyfriend got a burger which was huge and filling. I got the open face hot turkey special which was DELICIOUS and hearty. The beer list is extensive, also lots of great drafts. We ordered the holiday beer flight which was perfect. My server ( platinum blonde female, I forget her name sorry :-/ ) was also super awesome, personable, and on point through out service. She even maintained service after we paid which I loved, didn't feel rushed. As a waitress employed at a competing restaurant in the neighborhood, i don't typically yelp because there are so many self Righteous jerks complaining about anything their lame brain can gather--- however praise when praise is due, I will absolutely be back devils den. YUM!
(5)Robert M.
Phenomenal spot in South Philly. Used to go here all the time when I lived in the neighborhood. Great burgers and fries! Awesome beer selection all the time. The salmon sandwich is also great as well! I highly recommend!
(4)DanaJoy88 ..
This place is close to my house so my boyfriend and I go here once in awhile. Overall it is a little pricey but their food is inventive and their beer list is great so the money is worth it. Due to their prices however we don't frequent too often but I like a restaurant that has good beer and food that doesn't consist of only burgers and wings.
(3)Judy M.
I was with my girlfriend at the bar having a late night snack. The food was delicious and service was much appreciated by the guy with the batman shirt. He was very attentive and fun to talk to. I would definitely come back with more friends
(4)Mike W.
I love the beer selection and the vibe at Devil's Den. Unfortunately when we went, the food just didnt measure up. The fries I had were delicious, but the panini I got was extremely overdone, to the point that it was hard to bite through. It also caused the sandwich to be very dried out. Also wish there was more filling inside the sandwich, but would have just been happy to have a not burnt sandwich. I devoured the fries as I dipped them into the delicious sauce served with them. The beer list is excellent. Im going to give it another try sometime soon for the food, and I will definitely be back for the beer!
(3)Lauren B.
Did you know there are restaurants out there that sell bottles of wine for under $20? Well, Devils Den is one of them. Pair that with their awesome fries, outdoor seating, and dog watching and I think I found my new regular bar. Mind you, I won't being doing a bottle of wine every time I go there but it's good to know when out with a group. lol. Things on their menu to try- the cavatappi with short rib. Decedent, filling and worth the food coma. The cheese fries: Amazing cheese sauce with bacon! Tip- ask for a side of honey mustard. It's house made and has quite the kick to it. The perfect balance to the beer cheese sauce. Finally, the grilled Caesar salad was really good. Two large bunches of romaine drizzled with dressing and served with chicken. For the low price of $10, totally worth it! Head on over here in the warmer months and get a table on the sidewalk or at the giant open windows. You won't be disappointed. :)
(5)Leigh Ann B.
If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would! This place is AMAZING!!! My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place while taking a walk and decided to have dinner. We started off with the bacon wrapped dates with whipped blue cheese and they were delicious then we had the diablo mussels and they were the BEST mussels I have ever tasted!!! For our entrees we had the beet salad with salmon and the roasted chicken and once again they didn't disappoint us! I would highly recommend this place and I will definitely be going back!
(5)Heather S.
I've been three times for brunch now and it hasn't disappointed yet. $3 Bloody Marys and Mimosas from 10:30-3; can't mess up a Mimosa and the Bloody Marys are spectacular. I ordered the Avocado Benedict each time, delicious: brioche with fried avocado, eggs, and hollandaise sauce, with breakfast potatoes, red pepper, and onion as a side ($10). Roommate ordered MTO omelette with spinach, cheese, and bacon, same side. Each time we've gone at various times throughout the brunch time it has never been crowded either, no wait. I've definitely found my go-to brunch place!
(5)Sang D.
I don't ever give 5 stars. But I have to restrain myself from eating here too often. Let's get to it. The duck fries are delicious. The burger is good. Their brunch is awesome, (love places that will blanch a potato before frying it for home fries - makes a huge difference). Great omelettes, great biscuits. They do a maple pork belly hash special that is really tasty. Every different style of mussels they cook is outrageous, favorite being the Provençal (skip it if you don't like lots of garlic and sun dried tomatoes). They had a duck breast special that was probably the best thing I ate all month (including $30/lb prime rib for Christmas). It had a parsnip purée and I think a red wine sauce (AND a pear ginger coulis?) and it was better than the duck at Morimoto that cost twice as much. If you like creamy (heavier) pastas, the cavatelli with short rib is delicious. They had a ground pork burger special, that again, was delicious. I'm really going to miss this spot if I leave the neighborhood.
(5)Flavia C.
Great spot for upscale bar food! The place has a locals feel with two options--you can either sit in bar area and enjoy a game or in the dining area near a lovely fireplace in a quieter setting. The service is friendly and prompt and the food is on point. Enjoyed the bacon wrapped dates, which game with goat cheese! For a main course I had the muscles, I liked the lemongrass curry, so much so I took the left over sauce home! I tried my friends traditional muscles and those were yummy as well. It came with fries (shoestring and crunchy) or side salad which had a great dressing on it. Nice beer selection and a smooth cab for $5.50 on the menu, you can't beat that. Also had some good veggie options like black bean burger and falafel .Great bar!
(4)Nathan T.
Went her last night for dinner! Great atmosphere with centralized fireplace and historic beer references. Beer selection is diverse yet organized. Cocktails are great too! And by the way, the food is AMAZING!!! Great mixture of American classics with European touches! We've going here for years will continue to!
(5)Jimmy W.
4 stars for the beers. At least a rotation of 10 craft beers on draft and hundreds more in bottles. Had a perfectly hand pump english extra special bitter and a GABF (great american beer festival) award winning Bière de Garde! Tasty. 3 stars for the food. BBQ Duck Buns? Wow that sauce is overly salty and adds nothing to the duck. It's just drowning with sauce which creates a mess that my 1yo would be proud of. The traditional mussels and fries were on point for Belgian standards. Devil's Den is very kid friendly with available high chairs & outdoor seating (seasonal). Free street parking all around.
(4)Sarah L.
I've been to Devil's Den twice and pretty solidly enjoyed it. If there is one thing you order when you come here, it is the duck fries. Crispy hot fries covered in cheese and duck confit? Get out of here. They are unbelievable and totally worth the $10 which I would normally never pay for a plate of fries. We also had the confit chicken wings which we had really high expectations for but honestly they are not as good as Varga Bar and they just were not as tender as something confit should be. Good flavor and I liked the dry rub but not the best wings I've ever had. Also amazing is the Diablo Mussels- a spicy broth with chorizo and some other delicious things...everyone at the table was going for that broth and the server was awesome enough to bring us more bread so we could soak it all up (and then yes someone did drink the dregs...don't judge). Really amazing flavors with just the right amount of heat. Someone else had I think it's called the Farmer's Burger? There is a burger that is basically gluttony on a plate. It has a few kinds of meat, egg, cheese, and sauce and really is a commitment. I had the veggie burger which was huge and had fresh toppings on it. I thought the bun was delicious but the burger itself could have been a little more exciting. Veggies burgers can be hard though and it was pretty good overall. The beer list is pretty expansive and has lots of different draft and bottle options. We went during a sour/IPA event and were a little disappointed to find only about 3 'true' sours on the menu but there was one called Bullfrog Jong Bruin Cafe that two people in our party declared 'the best beer they had ever tasted' so props for selecting that one! I had a pretty delicious cherry lambic on tap which was smooth and fruity.
(4)Christina G.
I've been to Devils Den many times for drinks and a couple times for dinner. I just had my first brunch experience over the weekend. I loved the crab eggs benedict and the potatoes that came with it. If you love crab cakes and like eggs, I don't see how you can't like it. My friend had the ham quesadilla which looked really good and he said it was decent. The brunch bloody mary's and mimosas are only $3 but very small and mediocre. My bloody mary wasn't in a big glass and was filled with a lot of ice and hardly had any alcohol in it. For brunch, I would give this place a 3. But I come to Devils Den often for drinks. I love the beer menu and it is extensive. The bartenders will let you sample a draft beer if you are uncertain and I have found that they make good recommendations. There are always good patrons in this place but the place is never packed. It is also nicer than many of the hole in the wall bars in the neighborhood. For drinks I would give this place a 4 or 5. I like their oysters but think they are a bit pricey. I wasn't a fan of their French fries and thought they were over cooked and too greasy. I have found the service to always be good here. The food is very hit or miss but I love coming here to try a new beer so I am torn over what rating to give this place.
(4)K- O.
Absolutely my favorite place in the city. The food is delicious and fresh. The wait staff is friendly. They have an excellent selection of beer. I could go here every day.
(5)Amy M.
I must update my review and give Daniel, our server, some major kudos. Talk about going above and beyond! He made some magic happen between us, and the kitchen, and sent us something that was previously 86'ed from the menu! What a surprise! He was super attentive, and very personable, and allowed us to enjoy a great night! Makes me love Devils Den so much more with servers who truly show they care about their guests!
(5)Sarah A.
Nice bar. Fireplace is always roaring in the winter, and the outdoor seating on 11th is nice on sunny days. The happy hour here is fantastic. All beer on tap is half price, and the draft list is always large and on par with a plethora of palettes. And on a side note, half the time I've been here, theres been a very satisfying Nitro brew to try. Great atmosphere, great brews, & great bartenders !
(5)Katzen Z.
I've been here dozens of times and have *never* been disappointed. They have an enormous beer list, the ambiance is great, and the food is always excellent. This is my go-to place for drinks with friends. The bartenders are always nice, attentive, and knowledgeable about the beer list. The waitstaff are also prompt and pleasant. Excellent happy hour specials on both food and drinks. Can't say enough nice things about Devil's Den, but I will say one more: The fireplace is so cozy in the winter. Love this place.
(5)Jade B.
Another great local bar in South Philadelphia. If you are a beer lover and haven't been here yet, I highly suggest going to happy hour, all drafts are half off.
(4)Margo K.
Alright Devil's Den, buckle up! Just as we should have one Sunday night for dinner... We were in the neighborhood and thought we'd stop in for dinner. We'd previously only ever had (some of the best) beer here and the occasional order of chickpea fries. So we were seated. A server came with water and took our beer order, and it took pretty long to get our beers. Like I said, their beer options are why we had gone so many times without eating here - came just for the beer! We ordered mussels, I forget which. The mussels themselves were okay...but the accompanying fries were SO SALTY they were pretty much inedible. I ordered Fish & Chips and the BF ordered a cheesesteak. The entree was $15 which is entirely too expensive for not specifying the fish! Also because the fried fish was so greasy that it was mush. The potatoes were the best part of my meal here. Now, the BF isn't one to complain about food very often, so I didn't expect to hear anything from him...but! He said his cheesesteak was almost entirely flavorless. Sorry Devil's Den, your food is just not good. I hope y'all fix it. I wanted to like your food too. We might still go for Sour Fest because it's a unique event and we've been going to it ever since it began...but let's hope we don't get hungry.
(2)Dee D.
The last three times I've gone in, I've had terrible service. I live in the area, and Devil's Den used to be our go-to place. The ambiance is cozy and fun, but it doesn't make up for the service. While the food is tasty, but the daytime service just sucks. I'm sorry to say this, but it's true. The service is slow, and the daytime guy bartender/waiter I've had the last few times I've been there is particularly cold and unfriendly. Once when we walked in--and would have been just the second group of people in the entire place--the waiter/bartender actually sighed audibly with frustration. The pace of service, even when the place is nearly empty, is painfully slow. This place shouldn't feel unfriendly, but it does.
(1)Kath R.
This place has one of the best happy hours in the city but as of late the atmosphere has changed. It is either under new management or new owners. All the familiar faces from years are now gone. I don't know what's going on but it isn't the same place. Talk about cleaning house.......hopefully the new management will change the menu up---
(1)Beef M.
Went here with my parents for Sunday brunch. We chose to go here because we could place a reservation, and my mom is on crutches and can't stand around for an hour at other nearby brunch places. That said, it was actually not very busy here for brunch, a comfortable amount of busy. Drinks were cheap and pretty good, I got the bloody mary.. 3 bux! Pretty standard but spicy and I enjoyed it. I ordered the avocado benedict and my parents got the scallop benedict. Both were really awesome! Eggs perfectly poached, loved that the avocado was lightly fried, and the fluffy brioche they were on was also awesome. Benedict sauce was slightly dijon-y which was nice. Potatoes were ok, my mom liked them, I thought they could use more onions and peppers. Overall, great deal for great food. I would go back for brunch and probably drinks sometime, they have a good draft list
(4)Alexis S.
My husband and I took our daughter here for brunch this weekend. I had heard mixed things about this place, but I always reserve judgment until I've tried a place myself. I was very please with my experience here. Our waiter was very attentive and accommodating. The food was good. I ordered the black bean burger and my husband ordered a beef burger. Both were prepared to our liking and the fries were decent. My husband was very impressed with their beer selection. What I really enjoyed was that it wasn't overcrowded for brunch. I would definitely try it again for a different meal.
(4)Benjamin M.
3.5 Stars. The Devil's Den is a warm and inviting bar/restaurant, which includes a wood fireplace burning near the front entrance. I didn't eat here, but I certainly salivated over their draft beer list for a little while. I felt like I was in stout heaven... Sam Adam's Cherry Chocolate Bock Blue Point Cherry Imperial Stout Arcadia Cocoa Loco I realize they rotate their taps fairly regularly (including the next day), so I was very happy I could assist them in reducing their inventory during Happy Hour. By the time I left, the place was packed, so I wouldn't mind coming back to try out the dinner menu next time.
(3)Kelly S.
I wish there was a zero star option. I've only been here twice but it was a terrible experience both times. The servers and the customers are all huge douchebags. So many rude negative people. Not the kind of place where I want kick back and relax. Maybe it's called devils den because this is where devilish douches hang out. Get an attitude adjustment you assholes. We wanted to take a shit on the bar to make sure everyone knows what a shit shop this place is, but it's not worth our time or the effort.
(1)Alexander E.
Devil's Den is arguably the best bar in Philly if you are a craft beer aficionado. There are many regular taps and special/seasonal taps at all times, plus a set selection of hundreds of bottled beers from all over the world, in addition to newly featured bottles from time to time. The food is best described as pub-nouveau; upper scale variants on old standards, with specials that run anywhere from brook trout to swiss goat cheese alfredo. I have never had a bad meal there, nor a bad beer, and I am a very experimental diner who is open to being disappointed in order to try new tastes. Everything is top notch! There are many neighborhood bars and beer rooms around Philly which I frequent for their familiarity, and knowing what I like there. Yet Devil's Den gives me a comfortable spot that I know in which I can open myself up to new territories in taste, thus making itself more memorable for a few good pints or bottles at the bar, or a novel sensation to my palette. It is one of my all time favorites for food and drink anywhere in the USA!
(5)Hungry D.
My go to bar. Excelente for drinking- like, 6 stars- aokay for food. Never a bad time; in fact, always a vunderbar time. Wish they had more food options though. I like to munch when I drink.
(4)Felicia G.
Beer selection is always great. Food is awesome and so is the service. Such a cool atmosphere.
(5)ED W.
cOOL bAR, great beer selection, i've eaten there a few times the food is good. I've had nothing but good service. I like the fact they have a great selection of German beers. THe interior is real nice, reminds me of a British pub a bit, not too bright.
(4)Anne H.
Arrrgh! Devil's Den, I'm so mad at you!!! What happened? You get a new chef and try to turn this once glorious pub into something completely different! This place used to have focus, it used to have a theme: above-average bar food centered around an excellent and extensive beer selection. Now the menu has quail eggs? Figs wrapped in bacon? Where does this fit in? Plates got smaller and more expensive. Not a good way to keep your customers. Sadly, I won't be coming here anymore. This really hurts because it's right down the street from me and used to be my favorite drinking spot. Now recommend going to the Royal Tavern, which has always had good food or to Varga.
(2)Caroline H.
I thought this place was pretty good! I had the Belgian beer flight and the roasted vegetable sandwhich. I liked all the beers in the flight (only one that I was so-so about) and the sandwhich was pretty tasty served on foccacia and the fries came with a spicy aioli to dip them in. Yumm! It was pretty packed because of the b-ball games but the atmosphere was good. I hear the happy hours are great here so I'll have to venture back in for that sometime.
(4)Kathy D.
Great addition to the 11th street corridor. Excellent beer selection and flights in an atmosphere that is cozy with the fireplace in the winter and airy and breezy in the summer when they take out the windows. The food needs some improvement, but you can't do wrong with some fries with your good beer. Note: Not many hipsters here! Great place to watch the game as well
(3)Jodi E.
Really interesting menu. Really. But the execution was just alright. Still, I was excited by the choices and would go back to try it again. We had the seitan meatballs (This meat-eater is mad for seitan! Tofu be damned!). Lovely idea, and definitely tasty... but they fell apart too much for my liking. The chorizo-shrimp skewers were served over crostini with ricotta. These were good. Real good. The trio of mini burgers also were delicious. A+ there. The lamb flatbread was a disappointment. It was basically braised lamb spread on a flatbread base. Like, the lamb and the flatbread did not seem to be cooked together and the whole thing just ended up looking like a thin "meat pizza" with a 1/4" of pulled lamb sitting on top of some flatbread. Our friend who met up with us after we'd eaten asked that the leftover flatbread be removed from the table. Yeah, it did look kinda gross, just sitting there all lamb-spread-like. Oh well. Some things were good, some not-as-good. But the inspiration is definitely there. Oh, and good beer selection, bien sur!
(3)Jess C.
I walked into this place today and loved everything about it! The cozy warmth of the fireplace was perfect on this chilly day. Our bartender was very accommodating when my tomato veggie soup needed some bread for dipping :) The veggie burger had a consistency of a crab cake, which was surprisingly awesome! Loved the arugula salad too! Thanks so much! I'll be back :)
(5)Superfly T.
The mussels diablo are some of the best spicy mussels I ever had, that sauce is delicious with perfect balance of flavor and spice, and the mussels were fresh and meaty. Beer selection is great although I only sampled a few selections, I'll be back for sure.
(4)John F.
Succubi stare-downs, sultry suitors, savory suds Delighted, I delve deeper than Bella Vista to this devious diversion from daily drudgery. Succulent snacks satiate said stomach. Devilish divas distribute decadent drinks. Hellish hearth of heat, heart, heart, heart! Solo sh*ter sardonically scalds standby squatters. Brimstone bar benching belles bearing booze.
(3)Christine B.
Went for brunch with Krista P., and Katrina C., on Sunday during the dogfish head takeover. Unfortunately, none of us ended up with beer, but I did try a $3 mimosa, pretty tasty. I had the eggs benedict. It was good, not the best ever, and a little on the lukewarm side. The potatoes on the side were very brown and crispy. Others had steak and eggs which looked awesome, an omelette, and a breakfast sandwich. The wait time for our food seemed pretty long, especially when other patrons who were seated after us got their food first. They take reservations for brunch which is a plus.
(3)Steph H.
This is the last time I will review or otherwise think about the devil's den. I first gave it 1 star because of a bad server, then I gave it 4 stars because I had many good times and no problems. I am back to give it 1 star and I will offer a story as to why I will never go here again. So I want to emphasize that this bar is around the corner from my house and I WANT to like it. Loving the bar around the corner from where you live is pure perfection so I have overlooked many little problems. I used to have a job that didn't let out until 7pm so I could never go to happy hour at the devil's den. I finally was able to come here for happy hour with a friend and as the hostess was seating us she told us that in addition to half-priced drinks the "small plates" were also half-off. My buddy and I both got drinks, a small plate and an entree. When the bill came we noticed that the small plates didn't get the discount, an understandable mistake for a busy waiter. We called the waiter over and told him about this silly mistake and he surprisingly told us that it wasn't a mistake. He proceeded to tell us that the small plates were not half off; the tapas in the back of the drink menu are the ones on special for happy hour. We told him about how the hostess told us very specifically that the "small plates" were half-off (found in the dinner menu) and that we wanted them to honor this. He said there was nothing he could do and so I asked to speak to the manager. The waiter said that the manager wasn't available but the acting manager was the bartender, who I have met many times in the way that one would be familiar with the bartender at the neighborhood bar. When I told him what happened he said "Well you're here all the time, you should KNOW it's the tapas that are half off, not the small plates". I told him that I had never been there for happy hour before and emphasized that the hostess TOLD US that the "small plates" were on special. He wouldn't budge. We left unhappy less because of having to spend an extra few dollars but more because of the "every man for himself" feeling that you would never expect from a neighborhood bar. The management have made it clear that they are more concerned with making every last cent from their patrons than forging a relationship with the community. There are too many other bars in south philly to spend your time and money in a place that doesn't deserve it.
(1)maj s.
I'm hesitant to give it a good review because I don't want more people going here. But......... the beer list never fails you and the happy hour, yes, is incredible.
(5)Elizabeth B.
I like this place -- the food is delicious, the beer list is surprisingly thorough. The service is really nice and I liked that the dining area is slightly separated from the bar area. However ... I don't like having to wait to use the bathroom on multiple occasions when there seems to be no need for a wait (is it just bad timing on my part? I don't think so since other people have made similar remarks) AND the wood fire, during the wintertime, makes things nice and cozy but the smell it left in my clothes and hair made me feel sick.
(3)Vincent C.
Devil's Den has amazing food and awesome beer selection. Highly recommended! If you're in Philly, take the time to leave the generic areas and check this place out.
(5)Lauren H.
I've been here twice in the last month and was impressed each time. First time we hung mainly at the bar, the second time we were seated at a table in the dining room, right in front of the fireplace - and this is a truly spectacular fireplace. This fireplace is in the center of the bar and opens up, on one side, to the bar, and on the other, to the dining room. An honest to goodness fireplace with a merry, crackling, "you'll be a burnt marshmallow if you sit in front of it for to long" flame, which I know from personal experience as I sat directly in front of it for two hours the other night. The beer list looks to be seasonal - which is difficult for my friends who have less robust palates - but is rather delightful for me as it always means something new to try. I've only had the braised pork sandwich, so I can't comment extensively on the food, but I'd order that particular sandwich again. My table mates the last time around ordered the gorditas and the sliders, and made considerable dents in their plates, considering they are two small women. In the middle of a snowstorm, this place was packed, as it was the other time I was there, so you may have to wait for a table, or for a place at the bar, when you go - and you should go.
(4)Tina N.
I've been here on several occasions, and have never been wowed. However, the last time I was there was game 4 of the World Series on Sunday. Maybe it was the excitement of the game, or the current love of everything Philly, but I finally had an experience worth mentioning (I tend to get lazy to write a review right after I've tried a place). My friend and I ordered the Cuban sandwich, Thai mussels, duck confit fries, one chicken and one pork gorditas. If this sounds like a lot of food for two people, it is. I never got to try the gorditas, since we were so full and he ended up taking them home. He says they were good. The Cuban and the duck fries, I can and will vouch for. You can't go wrong when smothering fries with cheese and duck meat. The mussels however were a bit bland, and I probably could have taken or leave them. The few times I've tried the mussels here have resulted in the same opinion. I agree with everyone, in that this is a nice addition to the neighborhood. It's a good cross between gastro pub and sports bar. And the beer list is not too shabby I should add.
(3)Meredith K.
After months of putting it off, my boyfriend and I went to the Devil's Den for the first time tonight. I was quite impressed. Their tap selection was unique for the most part, including three Stone selections (Smoked Porter, Arogant Bastard, and Ruination IPA). They had a Dogfish Head I'd never seen before (the Palo Santo Marron, a 12% Imperial Brown Ale), though they ran out of it around 6 p.m.. The rest of the taps didn't really appeal to me, but I'm sure they appeal to others (Spaten Lager, High & Mighty Abbey Double, Abbey St Martin Blonde, etc.). The bartender was really cool, someone with whom it was easy to hold a conversation (which we did), and the atmosphere was comfortable and fairly quiet. The menu held the typical gastropub fare. My friends ordered some food... three ordered a burger and one ordered mussels, all of which were thoroughly enjoyed. I tried a french fry, but waited to order takeout from the Thai-Laotian place down the street. :) Overall, I definitely enjoyed this place. They have better beer than most of the bars in Philly, at least. Extra star for that. And they weren't too crowded. It was a hike to get to, though, but I'll ignore that because of the good beer!
(4)Sandrine F.
I live close so i've been there many times. HAPPY HOUR: Devils Den at its best. 5-7pm 1/2 priced drafts (awesome selection) and $3 tapas menu. Beer flights also half price, $4.50 for a belgian beer flight (4 8 oz glasses). DRINKS: The beer selection is great, wines are expensive and not so great. The bartenders are cool esp. Steve. ATMOSPHERE: In the winter, the fireplace is a warm welcome on both the bar and dining-room sides. They have a pile of logs next to it and the staff is diligent about keeping us cozy. In the summer, the windows open for some fresh air and they have outdoor tables. FOOD: nice gastropub menu on paper but food is inconsistent although getting better with time. I disagree with the other reviews, the fries & their sauce are tasty; the mussels are good too. The apps seem more like bar food than gastrofare. Fried zucchini was good, a friend liked the quesadilla. Friends have liked the sandwiches esp. the pulled pork. I've been disappointed by specials like grilled rabbit (who grills rabbit? should have been a clue) but the duck entree was nicely done. Check it out for Happy Hour and then go eat some cheapo delicioso mexicano fare in the area.
(4)Retta H.
I have been to Devil's Den on multiple occasions ranging from happy hour, to late time drinks, to grabbing grub. Regardless of my reasons for stopping by, the experience is always great. Happy Hour/Late Night: The beer selection is awesome, especially if you genuinely like GREAT BEER. They have a great variety of imported, domestic and local brews. I def recommend going for happy hour as it's half price for these awesome beers and worth every penny. The atmosphere is pretty chill during happy hour as well as late night. The two flat screens above the bar usually have some type of sporting events going on. During NFL season it gets pretty rowdy....especially when non-Eagles fans are amongst die hards. Finally, the bartenders and waitresses alike are awesome. Speaking as a former bartender, I think the bar staff is attentive and knows a lot about the beer they are serving. Brunch: I have been here a half dozen times for brunch and like there happy hour, it is pretty delicious for the price. I am an eggs and sausage/bacon sort of girl and I think they do omelets pretty well here. I have had the Omelet Très Fromage, Smoked Salmon Omelet , and several of the omelets on special. I have also had the Crab Benedict, which if you like crab cakes is awesome to start your day. The coffee is alil intense at Devils Den, but you can always opt for a morning beer instead. Dinner: I have only been here once for dinner (so far). I had an awesome dinner when I went on a Monday night with the fireplace ablaze...it was great atmosphere, great food, and great service. I had the Grilled Veal Flank Steak with sunchoke gratin, Brussels sprouts & veal jus. The sunchoke is a root vegetable that tasted like smokey potato au gratin...it was SOOOOOO GOOD! The veal was a great portion and cooked perfectly. The spices were appropriate for the sides and the veal jus really was more so a tasty light wine gravy. My boyfriend had the Grilled Wild Boar with roasted salsify, Swiss chard & red wine sauce. Again, this was a solid entree with a great amount of meat and a unique side dish. Salsify is another root veggie and the Swiss chard is a green that was sauteed and complimented the boar well. Overall, for the price of each dish and the amount and quality of food, I was more than pleased. I def recommend going for dinner. I will def be back.
(4)M J.
I liked the vibe of this place. It's casual and cosy, seating close to the wood burning fireplace is highly recommended. The food is good enough. The oysters are fresh; duck fries is tasty but a bit rich with the cream sauce; burger is decent- good but not the best. I'd return for the expansive beer list, warm dining space, and good food.
(4)Sagi S.
The place is about a block for my house so I have been there several time. Every time I come I leave a little disappointed. I end up going again since it is so close. It is not that it's that bad it's that it is consistently inconsistent. Drinks- The bar is good and generous for beer and liquor. They have a long beer list and they are good with letting you try them. The couple of times I got a glass of wine it was somewhat warm and tasted like it was opened a couple of days ago. Food- The menu sounds very cool and the food sounds very tasty. I had good wings there with a nice buffalo flavor and on another time the wings arrived cold. I had a great burger on one visit and when I had another sandwich (duck) it was dry on a bun that was probably a day or two old - or tasted like it was a day or two old. The fries were undercooked a couple of times and really good on other visits. I think fries, winds and sandwiches are the bare basics for a bar menu and they manage to mess them up. I hope they read this review and work on improving the kitchen since the place has a lot of potential.
(3)Ryan S.
A solid beer bar on Washington. fantastic; now i don't have to hike across town to Monks, Eulogy, or Belgian cafe. Others have said it and they are correct, the wait staff is top notch. They know their beer and are attentive, friendly, and fast. I had the lamb sandwich. At $10 it was more than i'd like to pay, but within the area of what I've come to expect. We also had the Arrogant Bastard cheese fries (which i tried to recreate at home tonight using XX--the best beer i had in the house; sadly the hopdevil is gone) which were above average, the thai mussels could have been spicier but were still really good, the hot brie (which is a sandwich) that wasn't as good as other brie sandwiches i've had, and the chicken fingers which were corn flake crusted and yummy. ok, if you cant tell, if you go eat with me at a new place, i'll probably taste your food. anyway, this is getting long. wrapping it up: this is a monks that i can find street parking at (though, my #$%^ing car died) and is close to all us south phila folks. ps. someone mentioned the atmosphere/the patrons didn't feel very warm. This is no 'dive bar' nor cantina. go here with you friend; you'll not be making any at this place.
(4)Joanne P.
Definitely one of my favorite bars. I always always order their burgers, great price for an awesome burger, and the fries are yummy too. I'm never disappointed with food or service. Atmosphere is very chill, great place to grab a drink day or night. I'm not a beer person, but they have an actual book for all the different kinds of drinks they serve. I always leave satisfied
(5)Molly O.
Went last night. Drank WAY TOO MUCH but no hangover since they carry such high quality beer at low prices..no hangover! yea!!! I ate off the tapas menu and everything was really good. Bartender was great as always.
(4)Meghan R.
Last Friday I decided to walk over to Devils Den which I pass often as it's in my neighborhood. For drinks I started off with the english flight of beers (I am such a sucker for flights, I love being able to try more than one thing) and I thought it was a decent deal for $8 and four tastings. My companion had a Boulder Mojo Risin' which, although I adore IPA's, I wasn't the biggest fan of. Beer aside the food really underwhelmed. We started with the queso fresco gordita which was mushy and lacking in any real flavor. I had the soup special with was listed as a spicy vegetable rice but if there was rice in there I completely missed it. My companion got the cuban sandwich and for $9 it was TINY and didn't come with any sides. The gastropub thing is done farrrrr better at other places throughout the city but I would pop in Devils Den for a beer as they have an awesome selection and just skip the food.
(3)Elizabeth R.
Devil's Den has a nice selection of beer - something for everyone, really. The food, however, leaves much to be desired. I'm not tryin to hate, so to speak, but other than the mussels (which are the menu's highlight), the food is bland and boring. It's not bad, but it lacks flare and perhaps some creativity and ingenuity. I've never been wowed by an experience at Devil's Den, but I'm always pleased with the service, espesh at the bar. That it's within quick walking distance of my abode is worth the trip of going back to see if the menu has improved at all with time and subtle hints of critique to the chef.
(3)Tom A.
The Devil's Den has one problem besides the atmosphere not matching the name and that problem is food. I've had soggy, undercooked fries (c'mon really?), Stale bread on a sandwich and Some NASTY ASS mussels that most definitely deserved me sending them back (in fact it was the first time I have EVER sent food back in my life, so it was warranted). These occurences were on 3 seperate occasions, and if you can believe it I've eaten there more than 3 times. The other times were okay. Saving grace is two things. First, and quickly I will mention they have a fireplace that Kicks serious ass on cold winter days. And second and more importantly... They have loads of beer and loads of good whiskeys. Loads. Awesome tap selection with a beer bible menu over 100 deep. You couldn't possibly find nothing to drink on this list unless you are a diehard Zima fan. Prices are a little high for my poor ass but with the options that is not a problem.
(3)James K.
Admittedly I was only here for two beers last night. But my impressions were favorable and I will definitely come back next week for Happy Hour (5-7 1/2 priced drafts). This is definitely a place for beer connoisseurs. The draft and bottle menu is thorough with descriptions and alcohol % for each beer. I am definitely not a connoisseur (since I also drink PBR) but I enjoy quality beer and this is a place to expand your horizons. My girlfriend is not normally a beer drinker but we found two that suited her fancy. This place has incredible ambiance. The exposed brick walls, the smell of wood smoke and the soft candlelight juxtaposed with the music (Radiohead when I walked in) make for an enjoyable experience.
(4)Christopher S.
If you take the Applebee's name off an Applebee's, it is still an Applebees. Devil's Den feels like an Applebee's. I guess its a matter of personal preference, but the the interior is so pristine and shiny I almost feel as if gone to visit the home of a obsessive compulsive friend who covers their furniture with saran wrap so as to not "ruin it". Personally, I hate that feeling. Devil's Den is too well lit. Its too spacious. It's an Applebee's without the name. However, Devil's Den has an excellent beer list with some decent choices on their rotating Draught system. They are doing that much right. Their happy hour is unbeatable compared to other bars within that vicinity (think POPE, or South Philly Tap Room) with their 50% off Drafts. That is a plus. But is the 2 bucks I save worth feeling like I am drinking in an uncomfortable setting? I cannot hold my personal views of how a bar should be against a place as I am certain there are many people who feel like dimly lit dingy establishments are depressing, but this is my review and this reviewer wants dank. Its a great bar to take co-workers after work. Its a great bar for a blind date. Its not romantic. Its clean. I honestly did not get the chance to sample the menu much but I did have the popcorn shrimp Happy Hour Tapas special. While I was glad to find they pulled the tails off the shrimp (I've been to a place where the whole shrimp was fried and unfortunately not all the tails were gone), it was not what I expected. The shrimp was a decent size but it was only six. A shrimp cocktail sized platter at a shrimp cocktail sized price. The chili sauce was interesting and while I do prefer my food spicy, it was more than acceptable. I did find it a bit on the sweet side though. But what should I have expected for a Tapas style dish? I incorrectly assumed a multitude of Shrimp in line with its "Popcorn" appellation, but that is my problem not theirs. Devil's Den does have a lot of good things going for it. Would I go back? Maybe. But I might only stick to happy hour. And I might only stick around for an hour. Its perfect if you like well lit well stocked establishments. If the idea of bright lights with your beverages is not appealing, I would pass it on by. But as far as other gastro pubs in the city go, I feel like its falling short of something. I want to say character, though I hate to sound that harsh, but I'm saying it anyway.
(3)Nu S.
Must have are the mussels. I always get flights because the beer lists are too long.
(4)Sid L.
Went for dinner with my bro a short whiles ago, it was the new spot in our neighborhood and after biking past it numerous times decided to stop in... the menu was very limited, whereas the beer list was several times the food menu's length...so its definitely a beer pub as opposed to a "gastropub"... bro had the burger and i had the mussels...not bad, but not great...service was great, but we were the only table in the dining room (this was around 6:45 on a Monday evening)... will probably stop back for drinks, and read recently that there's been a chef change in the kitchen, so hopefully the food selections will be more than a single page long...
(3)Katrina G.
Devil's Den is one of our local restaurants, and I've always enjoyed it when we've been. The drinks were good, but the food was only okay. We have been for both dinner and brunch; the service was fine and the beer menu is extensive. While the food is nothing special, it's still a solid place that I would recommend.
(4)Joseph D.
Great potential, bad management. I had always enjoyed the atmosphere of this bar. Although the prices were always steep for both food and drink at this bar, the choice of beer tended to justify this premium. However, after years of patronizing the establishment, I encountered great frustration with staff wanting to serve people after 1:30 A.M. Due to the fact that they wanted to get home. This was on a Saturday night. After contacting the owner, it was clear that he blindly stands behind the poor customer service provided by his staff. After relaying my concerns of his staff ignoring a large group who came in during business hours (of which, two were drunk, and not drinking - not the rest!) in order to go home, I received this response: "I do certainly appreciate you relaying you concerns to me. Unfortunately it would seem that your entire group was intentionally given slow and absentee service do to what you feel was two "drunk" people in your group, but what my staff (with corroboration by video)felt was a majority of your group. One of the women with you fell not once but twice, two people at a table were having trouble staying awake and keeping their heads up. There was a conscious decision that your group had had enough to drink for the night, that the one round would be served and that was it. This was further reinforced with the aggressive and blatantly confrontational way which you approached Bruce the MOD. By ALL accounts (including a customer who has no vested interest or reason to lie) the way you approached the situation was the final deciding factor in refusing further service to you and your friends. In regards to your concern over the timing of last call, 1:45 is our standard and the standard across the city. Individuals ability to be flexible with that is generally exercised on slower week nights when there are fewer people in the bar and done to allow people that have been in the bar to have another drink while the bartender and staff start doing there cleaning. You would be hard pressed to find any place that will serve right up to 2, especially on a Saturday to a large group that spent most of their evening elsewhere. I am sorry if you disagree with the way my staff or I have handled this situation, but I do stand by their decision to stop service to your entire group based on the level of intoxication demonstrated by some of your friends. They did what they felt was necessary for the whole group and could not be expected in these circumstances to individually determine each person's sobriety level." This is in response to a letter to the owner stating that, after having my issue with their neglect of service, that I asked the manager for the owner's information, which was refused to me. I had to write down the owner's name from the business license on the wall. Although the food and drink is good, the occasional great server and bartender were greatly overshadowed by bad, lazy servers and bartenders, who apparently say they "flagged" a group of people because two were drunk. Devil's Den is incapable of serving alcohol, however will serve as a upper scale restaurant. Although I was never thrilled with the customer service before, I didn't think I would have to contact the owner, and then have the owner stand blindly behind his lazy Saturday night staff.
(1)Casey H.
In a nutshell I would say 5 stars for ambiance/scene and beer selection and 2 stars for food. I just love the the fireplace, but would definitely pass on the food. Maybe it's just that I had high hopes based on the reviews for the cheese fries, but they were underwhelming at best (and I would consider myself a bit of a fry connisseur). The cheese sauce was more like a gravy. If you happen to get the munchies while there I would reccommend getting plain fries with the spicy aioli sauce (the only bit of food that was tastynon my opinion).
(3)Kat W.
Amazing beer list! Always changing. Seems that people have gotten some bad service here, they can be a little blunt, but if you don't try to order a light beer, they will typically return kindness. The food is a little over priced, but with the best taps in the city I can eat at home. Also best happy hour, all the drafts are 1/2 off during the week!
(5)Charles B.
Since I live just blocks away, this is the kind of place I really want to love, but I don't even like it. It's just not good. I will say if your looking for a good beer selection they do have a nice happy hour with great prices, but as far as overall experience and food it just misses the mark too consistently for me. Food takes absolutely forever, and at all times of service. I waited an hour once for a ham and cheese sandwich at 3;30 in the afternoon, another time an hour and fifteen for some pickled veggies and parfait at brunch. I just don't get it, and I guess neither do their servers, as no attempt was made to relieve my frustrations. I gave it another shot during the Phils playoffs, had some too-boozy mussels, an unpleasant crab ravioli, and a Phils loss. Won't be back.
(2)Tom S.
The beer list is great and the atmosphere is awesome. It has a wood-fireplace that splits the joint in two. It's really a great place. And a good spot to go to watch a game when that's applicable because they have TVs playing the games, and its not a deafening sports bar.
(4)JJ N.
Love the Diablo mussels. Menu has changed so many times I don't know what they have anymore. Sliders are pretty good and the beer selections is great.
(4)Ashley H.
The beer list at Devil's Den is decent, but the food needs some work. I think I'd only go as a hang out spot, as opposed to getting lunch or dinner here. I ordered the pan fried tortellini as a small plate the other night and it was sub-par. The tortellini looked like they were probably frozen and they sat in a bowl of grease. The pancetta that came with was incredibly salty. But, the service was good and the atmosphere is great. I learned my lesson, I'll only go to Devil's Den to sit and hang out with friends.
(3)Sean D.
Extremely split when it comes to this place. Great prices for even better craft beers. We went for happy hour and it was amazing. Great music and fun atmosphere. If I were basing my decision just on these factors alone I would have given it a 4 but unfortunately I just can't do that. Although there were a lot of positives, there were just as many negatives that out weigh all. First the service. The server we had was extremely pretentious, and made it seem like it was a major inconvenience that we were there an spoke to us like dirt when we had any questions. The food took forever to come out and the beers took a little longer than we would have liked to come out as well. And last but definitely not least the food. Although the taste was amazing unfortunately I got FOOD POISONING off of the short rib sandwich. Like I said it tasted great but I suffered for it later and it is taking me days to rehydrate. It was a little pricey for the quality as well. All and all of not for the food poisoning I probably would at least think about returning but because of it I can't say I ever will. Please remember everyone that this is only my experience. The group I was with has been there multiple times and had no issues until this time. Just wanted to make you aware that this is a possibility, as it is with all establishments. Enjoy.
(1)Retset Y.
I still frequent Devil's Den because the happy hour is unbeatable considering the quality of beer always on tap. Service at the bar is better than table service, most of the time. It's hard to ignore customers that are right in front of you. Table service is still a problem. I'm not sure what the problem is. SPTR is always busy and service is always consistently good. They need to get it together, service-wise. And the food? Meh. Still just OK.
(2)Marina B.
This place is awesome! Went there last night. It was a Thursday, and it was a blast. The beer selection is INSANE. The food was good (and VERY filling). The bar was crowded, in a good way, with a great crowd that ranged in age. The bartenders are amazing. Cute and fun and very fast and attentive. I cannot wait to go back. I can't pronounce half the beers on the menu, but I'm gonna try. Just had an all around great time. I was there with about 10 people, and it was really good for a big group.
(5)amber r.
eh. brunch at the devil's den is ok. they know how to get eggs to scramble just right (somewhere between runny and dry), but everything else was pretty middle of the road. the service was lacking. our waiter seemed thoroughly uninterested in the fact that he was there to do his job and that job was to make sure our drinks were full and our food was good. he even brought me COLD coffee. really? and this is why, i suppose, it's the only place that's dead on a sunday at noon in philly. so if you can't get a seat anywhere else and don't mind a bored staff, this will do.
(3)Heather C.
A nice place for dinner with a group of friends. The food is tasty and the atmosphere is lively. A sage bet!
(3)John V.
Wow, man has South Philly changed, even progressed since I resided in Packer Park, back in 1991 and prior....The Devil's Den, simply based on the name and logo alone had me sold. But as always, proof is in the pudding. I finally had the rare op. to get over to S. Philly and frequent this place after several months of trying to find time to do so. So, last weekend I found myself in the Devil's Den admist a diverse crowd consistign of twenty-somethign year olds to sixty something year olds, and evryone inbetween. It was a late night diner for me and an old local rock n' roll drummer pal of mine. Their menu was solid, particuarly if you like Belgian fare. I tried the muscles diablo, and it was damn good-hell raising in fact, to the taste buds.The food is a bit pricey, as my uptight buddy made known tot he overally patient and sweet waitress. He was hung up on the size of the crab cakes, which he eventualy decided to order. They were on the smaller size, but as the waitress informed him, "it's not always size that matters". I nearly spit my delicious Duvul ale out of my nose when I heard her say that!!! As did my friend! Yes, big plates, small portions here, but the food was very good, but not the greatest value for your money. The real reason to be here is for their lare beer selections, global offerings at that!!! We each had three ales apiece....I stuck with the Belgians: Palm, Duvel, Chimay...all were delicious....but hell, you can order the same ales at Monks or Eulogy in center city. What seperates those places apart from the Devil's Den, is the unpretentous staff and clientel. CC ale house crowds tend to be a bit upper crust,profss..that is fine, but sometimes you just want to let your hair down, and be relxed while becoming intoxicated on fine imported ales. Their beer menu exceeds 100 world class ales. The prices mirror monks, et al. The interior of the place is alluring, with a fuctional large center room fireplace, polished red brick walls, and clean, but tight, wooden tables. A sprinkling of flat screen TVs around the place, with some Devil rtelated paraphanellia tops off the places unique charm. I most definently want a return visit. If i nthe area of 11 th and elsworth streets, do make a bee line for this place. Enjoy. PS. When Monks, et al have a one to two hour waiting list, the Devil's Den, can usualy seat you promptly, at least that was my experience on a Saturday evening at 9:30 PM
(4)Sean D.
My first impression when I walked in is that it's not very Devily. Lots of exposed brick and beams, and there is a fireplace dividing the bar from the dining room. It's very nice on the inside, but I'll stop short of officially calling it classy, thanks to the dude at the bar yelling "FLYER HOCKEY!" at the television while he spits tobacco juice into an empty Snapple bottle. Oh, and this place has a kickass logo. There have to be close to 100 bottles available, but the well-balanced list of 17 taps kept all my attention. The draft menu includes a description of each along with the state, ABV and pour/price, which range from 10.5 to 23 ounces and from four to eight dollars. It looked like everything above 8% abv was served in the smaller size. Those nine beers were a good mix of styles - DIPA, wee heavy, tripel and a couple of big stouts. Served in pints were six (amber/brown/porter/IPA) including one cask. Also available were two Germans in a large size for only around five bucks. The only complaint you could make was that only two drafts were local, although one was from hard-to-find Spring House (the other was a Yard's cask). We didn't eat but the menu looks like it has something for everyone while not being to extensive. Our server was able to make some good recommendations and was up to date on any changes in availability. There are 2-3 large TV's above the bar which make it a good place to watch a game without dominating the atmosphere. I'd bet that everyone in the place was older than 25 and younger than 35. I was impressed with the number of people in here at 3pm on a random Saturday afternoon. In all this was my favorite stop on our pub crawl through South Philly.
(4)Dana V.
Came in here for the first time for brunch. Cool bar, definitely seems better to come grab a beer here (food menu looked decent though). I had a fruit and granola parfait with a blueberry scone. One of the first decent scones I've had in Philly. It was warm and fluffy, not hard as a rock. The place is a little out of the way, but definitely worth the trip :)
(4)Ken M.
The Inside of this bar has a nice, dark wood motif with a fireplace. The bar is very clean/ organized. The bathroom was clean as well. I would say that the bar is a casual environment, all types are welcome. They have a great beer selection (especially German). Our bartender was very friendly and on-point. For food, we had the $20.00 meat (Charcuterie) & cheese plate combo. I felt that the plate was lame. The meat tasted overly dry & stale. The cheese was nothing to write home about. (doesn't compared to the tasty plates I have had at Tria, Di Bruno Brothers, etc)....... We also had the 'Diablo' mussels, it was realy good. The mussels were done just right, not over cooked. The broth was a Garlic chili sauce with bacon, cilantro & Belgian Wit. I enjoyed sopping up the broth with the included bread. The Mussels came with french fries (more like pommes frites if you know what I am sayin'). The frites were a medium cut, nice & crispy, skin on, I liked them. This was our 2nd visit to the Den, we will return again.
(4)Larry M.
Been here a few times only ate once, had a burger and it was pretty good. The beer selection is very good if you are looking for craft beers this is a great place. The decor is very nice and the bartenders and service are good.
(4)Luke L.
So I typically praise DD.. A definite go to place for food and drinks the last few years. That last few months things have changed . Service has been shotty (brunch specifically) they changed the menu, and it doesn't seem it's for the better.
(2)Toby K.
Wish I could give half stars because I'd really give a 3.5 review. I've been to devils den a few times now. I like the decor, atmosphere, and beer. Now for the food: I tried eating here for dinner and felt as though it was very mediocre. It was so mediocre I can't even remember what I ordered. This past weekend I tried the brunch at the Den and wow! Duck fries and short rib with poached eggs were great.
(4)H N.
We have been here twice in the last year. Good food, great atmosphere and exceptional draft list. Awesome, friendly staff. One of the first places we happened upon a while ago and we will keep coming back
(5)Lee N.
The beer selection is great, the food is pretty good, but the service is ... well ... HORRIBLE. Unbelievably horrible. I worked in the restaurant industry for over 10 years and if I can smile and act like I care about customers, anyone can. Not Bethany. We went on a Friday for happy hour and our server Bethany could have cared less about our needs. We seemed to be an annoyance to her. I went there a while ago, but one of my coworkers was just complaining about the service there which reminded me to yelp about them. Clearly I'm not the only one who feels this way.
(3)Christian S.
Friend of mine took me to Devil's Den last week. The beer was good, the food (wings) were ok. The atmosphere was great. The roots reggae was pouring out the good vibes.
(3)Elina K.
Um, this place rocks. From what I saw of it anyway; which was only an hour or two of sipping beer and a late night meal very near closing time. Generally speaking bars like this don't wow me back to Pluto (huh? I dunno it sounds ok for now) But Devil's Den did. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because my experience was rather brief and limited. Here's what I observed, vibewise: -Crackling fireplace when you enter the bar. lovely surprise in the dead of dreary winter -Exposed brick and polished wood all over (bar, floors, tables) kind of a sparse yet cozy feel. -Chill patrons. it wasn't much of a crowd but the folks I saw looked like they were hanging out in their LR or porch drinking and talking. seems like the kinda place you could easily strike up a convo even if you're not a regular or one of the cool kids. As for the actual refreshments found behind the bar and the menu, those rocked as well. Beer selection was eclectic and interesting. Prices were quite reasonable for yummy fancy shmancy sounding drafts. Five bucks for a beer with 10% alkie content is cool and the gang with me considering you gotta pay six bucks for a freakin Heineken in other metropolises. The server was also more than encouraging about sampling the beers prior to making selection and kept bringing stuff out to try when we asked what something was. LOVE THAT. I mean that's the type of thing that makes you wanna spend your money and order stuff you normally wouldn't order far from some uptight attitude I've gotten when asking to sample a beer (I'm looking at you Memphis Taproom). Our server was...frankly, adorable. I couldn't help but comment on his baby face looks only to find out he used to be a cop. Babyfaced ex-cop barback. I can dig it! Lastly the food was yum. I ordered cream of parsnip soup not knowing what to expect (what the hell is a parsnip? I still don't know) which arrived all thick and creamy with candied apples in the middle. Consistency was much like applesauce but flavor was a distinct vegetable puree. I also got a pulled chicken carnita sandwich, also yum served on a hearty sourdoughlike bread. Maybe it's because I was famished and weary from a day of travel but the whole experience was delightful. By the time I finished my hearty meal and delicious beer my lungs and clothes smelling of logs I felt ready to face the elements once again, albeit sad that I couldn't stay perched up on my bar stool a little bit longer.
(4)Marie R.
The reason we chose Devils Den is because I was looking for late night food and searched, well of course, late- night- food...anyways, for under 34.00 dollars we both had a sandwich (very large and yummy), 1 w/ friends, 1/ salad, a soda and gls of viognier....so i think thats a deal.....our bartender was excellent. I enjoyed the music and the overall bar crowd- very low key and relaxed. Ill definitely be back.
(3)Joseph I.
Devil's Den started out as the place that my friends want to go, but I didnt. However, I've learned to like the place for the food and the great selection of beer. Maybe they could vary the menu a little bit with more sandwiches on the bar menu. Their fries are excellent especially with the cheese sauce. Definitely a classy place, but watch out, you could end up emptying your wallet real easy in this place if you are a beer lover.
(4)Vinny P.
My feelings are really mixed. I've been here a few times and I've definitely noticed some ups and downs. As a drinking establishment, I think it deserves definite props. They have a very extensive beer selection and very nice bartenders who are willing to talk with you and advise you on your beverage selection. They've got a fireplace which is nice in the winter, no cover ever and a very casual extended bar area that you can sit and and enjoy your libations. I really feel like the food has been hit or miss. I've tried sandwiches which were tasty, some fried items that were missing the flavor and or texture that I was looking for and even their Charcuterie which was good but not spectacular. I'm not saying I won't go back. I end up here pretty frequently. I think I need to eat here more to develop a better opinion. I wish I could go to 3.5 stars but I can't vote that. I think there is more potential here and I'm going to try to find it.
(3)christian C.
Great to sit by the fireplace on a dreary winter day! Nice warm atmosphere, with exposed brick and wood beams, with friendly staff. The beer selection is typically strong. There wings are terrific; perhaps the best in Philadelphia. I do wish they would include more non-breakfast things on the menu in the afternoon (before the brunch menu ends at 3 - you know, some people actually want lunch in the period of 1-3.).
(4)Jim L.
This place is a block from my house so I go more than I might otherwise. Good food and they Know my drink and either ask me or even have it ready if I sit at the bar!! There is plenty of outdoor seating when it is warm and the fireplace is great when it is cold. Big TVs at the bar make it my favorite place for Phillies games. They are very cool about the times I bring my toddler for brunch or happy hour dinner!
(5)Rob S.
Although I wouldn't knock off a star for it, I can't recommend going here for Friday happy hour anymore. Devil's Den maintains the high honor as my favorite South Philly bar for happy hour. A phenomenal frequently rotating and massive tap list at half price from 5-7 Monday through Friday. I regularly get amazing beers here for unbelievably economical prices. The reason for this update? Many, many other intelligent beer drinkers have discovered this place and the service on Fridays has suffered tremendously. The service at both the bar and at tables is often pretty slow considering we're just ordering beers. I've felt a bit ignored and then when ordering had to feel guilty for trying to put in a beer order for all of my friends at once (who have had a dry glass for 10-15 minutes). The service has also bordered on downright rude. One time I asked if there was still time for happy hour prices, was told "You got it boss," put in my order and then everything came full price on our receipt. When I complained I was scolded by the bartender for ordering beers "last minute." Is this not a universal happy hour tradition? I figure they just lack the amount of servers and tenders needed for how busty happy hour gets. Regardless, I recommend avoiding Fridays and coming ANY other week night. And DO GO any other week night.
(5)Boris M.
Mr. Boris a lova the Russian Orthodoxy Catholic Church. I praise on Jesus and I love to eat a bite of him and drink his blood at my Sunday Church. Imagine Boris fear when Boris friend say "Boris! Put your boots on we are going to Devil's Den!" Boris scream, then put boots on, then run into bathroom and sit on cold toilet shaking in my boots! Boris cry a little bit, shake, and icicles form on Boris beard. Listen here. All Boris want in life is good drink and foods that need strong teeth for eating properly. Boris friend yell louder "BORIS! PULL UP YOUR PANTS AND LET'S GO!" Look, a little embarrass but Boris drink 3 whiskey shots to relax before we go see the Devil. Dr. Boris is so scared on drive over while friend sings loud to Cannibal Corpse on loudy boom boom car stereo system. Boris scream "Take me home tonight!" Boris can't take it no more! The fear! The Devil! The Devil in the car speaker! Boris friend smile evil smile then SLAP Boris! Boris cry and whimper like wet little doggy. Friend say "We here you loser." We go inside and Boris has fist tight ready to punch Devil in mouth you stay away you nasty crazy devil let the nice people eat and drink the beers! We love God!! YOU NEVER BELIEVE! oH my good ness no Devils I can see! Wow. This place like Boris Uncle Stanislaus living room in Russia. But with much good beer and food and young people with all clothes on! The mussels so good! The bread make Boris mouth water RIGHT NOWWW!!! Macaroni and cheese yummy too. "Holy Jesus the Devil is great cook!!!" Boris says out loud. Boris eat , drink, throw up in bathroom and clog toilet.
(4)Callan W.
It was a Monday night so it wasn't packed (though still quite busy - which says a lot). I liked the space, but the music was a tad random, and not in a good way. I can't say much else since I just sat at the bar and drank myself into happiness, but the bartender was quick with a refill. I hope to go back one day since the food looked/smelled good.
(3)Ryan W.
I've been here a few times due to a friend living very close to this bar. If I lived as close as he does, I'd definitely be there more often. They have a huge selection of quality beers and their staff is usually pretty friendly. Their food is decent as well. There's nothing crazy impressive about this place, and it can be a bit pricey, but if you're looking for a good beer and maybe an appetizer or two, I would recommend it.
(3)Perry H.
What a great spot...I visited for the first time this weekend and based on the beer list alone I have to give it five stars. It was their anniversary so they had a free buffet on Saturday afternoon - what a great way to say thanks to your customers. I can't really review the food as we didn't order off the menu but the meatballs and sausages were good. We sat at the bar and the service was friendly and quick and there were two televisions for baseball opening weekend viewing. How can you rate anywhere serving Pliny The Elder (outside of CA) anything but five stars? Amazing. Also on tap was the Avery Maharaja which was superb as well. A great list of about 12-15 drafts and even more bottles. The prices were spot-on as well...five bucks (actually $4 during the anniversary celebration) for a glass of Pliny?! I look forward to visiting the Devil's Den again and actually having the opportunity to sample the food menu!
(5)Jessica E.
This place gets an extra star for having Schneider Aventinus on tap all the time! The beer selection here is great and drafts are half-price during happy hour! I like their flight selection. You can choose from German, Belgian, or micro. Nifty! They offer friendly service and I have experienced better service at the bar than at a table. I have only eaten here once, but was not impressed. I ordered a chicken sandwich that came on a baguette that was really over-toasted. The sandwich itself was pretty bland. I will say that I explained to the server that I had a dairy allergy, so I imagine that too many elements of the sandwich were missing because of that and that is why it had no flavor, but I feel as though I should have been warned. (The sandwich was just chicken and lettuce.) I would have asked if there was a way I could spruce it up a bit, but I already felt as though I had really stressed out our server by bringing up the allergy and I did not get the impression that they were used to dealing with that. I will say that the other three people I was with thoroughly enjoyed their food, so perhaps this place is just not food allergy friendly. Also, the fries and mayo dipping sauce are delicious! I will definitely go back for the beer and I will probably give the food another shot. Oh...and did I mention that they have Schneider Aventinus on tap ALL THE TIME...!?
(4)Larissa B.
They have an amazing draft beer list. The food is good, but the portions were fairly small. They have excellent happy hour specials. It is owned by the same people as Old Eagle in Manayunk.. another favorite for beer.
(4)Lucio P.
Great beer, excellent service, so-so food. They recently revised the menu. Kinda sad. Hotdogs? There's a 7-11 around the corner for that. I was there for my birthday recently and out server entertained us all. He knew his menu well and guided out hands to alot of delcious and new beers. Id def come back here. Their happy hour is the bee's knees.
(5)Corey B.
Good Beer List, food is okay, and usually a bit crowded.
(3)Geronimo G.
I like that the window-walls open up all the way. I don't like the lack of Corona--it's summer, the window-walls are open. Lighten up.
(3)gigi n.
South Philly needed a nice beer bar! And Devil's den is it. The atmosphere is great, so is the beer selection. It is pretty clean. The bar is really long which I dig so there is plenty of room to sit down and watch a game. There are double sided fire places so in the winter you can get to drink a beer by a cozy fireplace. In the summer their big double door windows are open so the fresh air comes in. The problem is lack of quality service and the food is a hit or miss. The service is slow and rather unprofessional; one time the waitress took someone else's fork and napkin and gave it to me--right in front of him because he said he wasn't ready to order yet!!!
(3)Kristine D.
Devil's Den has so much work to do. This place has got such potential, great location, nice atmosphere, and a killer beer list. What it needs is to up the presentation on the food by make sandwiches a little thicker and partner them with better side dishes. The waitstaff needs an attitude adjustment, and some serious server training. I always want to come here, but knowing that the food is going to be poor and the service less than acceptable always turns me away. I hope they pick up the slack soon, we could really use them. Also, they should bring back their brunch menu (and make the food good of course). Brunch is HUGE and they should take advantage of that beautiful brunch market.
(3)Kristen S.
Beer list: 5 stars. Seriously amazing, and on par with the more established beer bars in town. Service: tough to rate. Seriously pushy and overattentive to start, and then she disappeared during our meal. I understand that she is probably well versed in their beer options and would be able to make an educated recommendation if we'd needed one, but when she came over every ten seconds, it didn't allow us the perusal of their rather long beer list to know what the options were. Food: inconsistent. Chickpea fries were awesome. Everything else was ok. Onion rings with the seitan sloppy joe were seriously greasy--they left a puddle of grease on the plate. Flatbread was average. BBQ pork had a lot less flavor than pork normally would. I'll definitely be back for beer. And sit at the bar.
(3)Kimberly S.
I really enjoyed my first experience here. As a foodie and beer lover, I felt very at home at Devil's Den. It seems that a lot of reviewers are complaining about the re-invention of their menu, but I think it's great that they're offering more thoughtful, refined dishes. One of the things that plagues my beer drinking experiences is going to a bar/pub with a decent to amazing beer selection and getting stuck with menu choices like buffalo wings and burgers. Come on people, been there done that a thousand times before, show me a lil' creativity! My boyfriend and I came here more for the beer and truthfully were not expecting much from the food. We had the bacon wrapped dates, open faced crab ravioli and the braised pork flatbread. All three dishes were impressive. Bacon wrapped dates are becoming a common little trend amongst menus these days and in the words of McDonalds, I'm lovin' it. These were no exception. Although the presentation of the crab ravioli was odd (who the hell makes "open-faced" ravioli??), the flavors were absolutely delicious! I can't stop thinking about this dish and it has fueled my choices at dinners since then; I keep ordering dishes with crabmeat everywhere I go. I think with a little refinement, this dish could easily be on a more upscale menu. The pork flatbread was also great. Flavors and textures all lived up to my standards and it was a delicious dish that could please all crowds. The beer selection, as most of you know, was pretty amazing. Prices were rather reasonable too. They get bonus points for having Founder's Nemesis...one of the best beers ever made. Service was very good, atmosphere was pretty cool and laid back. I'm eagerly awaiting my next visit to Devil's Den.
(4)Lauran T.
Love this place! The Mussels are fantastic!
(5)dan D.
This is my bar I live across the street and love the place!!
(5)Juicebomb X.
[8/28/08 update] Craig LaBan just gave the Den one Bell. Ouch. His criticisms were accurate though. While the beer selection, service, atmosphere etc are all great, they just can't figure out the food. We recently got a crabcake napolean, and my wife said it was amazing, and I'm sticking with the thai mussels, but I've given up on getting a good burger. It's too inconsistent, and always a bit of a letdown compared with a monk's or royal tavern burger. I REALLY want the Den to find some good dishes and do them right every time, it just hasn't happened yet. [4/2/08 update] The Devil's Den opened last night, so a bunch of neighbor/friends headed over to check it out. It's got the makings of something really good, but it has a ways to go. The decor is pretty nice - not divey, but not too showy. Less rustic than the Royal or the POPE. I didn't see any Eagles decorations, but it's still early. The second floor, which is rumored to host 8 beers on tap in addition to the 16 on the first floor, is still under construction. I felt the beer list was a little gimmicky....lots of beers with demonic/satanic names - I would have liked to have seen a wider selection of domestic craft beers over the themed selection. The kitchen had a sprinkler complication so there was no food on opening night. We did get to meet the owners, Scott and Erin, who both seemed courteous and ready to bring their experience running Manayunk's Old Eagle tavern to the Devil's Den. The draft beer selection was pretty good and reasonably priced. I had several glasses of a strong ale at $5/glass, and there's enough variety of domestics and european beers on tap to keep me interested in returning again and again. One downside was that a friend ordered Heradura on the rocks and it rang up at $15/glass. That's kinda crazy...maybe they only have the most expensive type, but it was a shock when we got the bill. It was a warm night, so there were several large windows and doors open, which gave the main seating room a nice al fresco feel (if you were close to these openings). The music was not too loud and at times was drowned out completely by the crowd, which is the way I prefer it. I do wonder how summertime noise levels will jibe with the neighbors, who are certainly not foreigners to noise, with the Nam Phuong/Pho 75 restaurant complex and Washington ave so close. I look forward to seeing how this place fills out, and hope to give it more stars once I try the food and they get their sea legs.
(3)Heather D.
Food is hit or miss, and a little overpriced for the portions. The wait staff is subpar and the management is terrible. Used to like going here but there are a few bad experiences that have changed my opinion of this place.
(2)Ellen R.
Great beer and cozy tables! A wonderful winter spot. But the service was not great. Our waitress couldn't hear us and didn't take any time to talk to us. We felt like we were bothering her.
(3)Mike S.
Great food, great beer selection, great atmosphere inside and out, and delightful staff. Always packed, but we never seem to have to wait too long for a drink, for food, or a table. Absolutely love this place. 100% my favorite "neighborhood" bar.
(5)Sheila F.
We had the worst dining experience we have had in a very long time (living in Philadelphia w/ so many great restaurants to choose from a bad experience does not happen often) from the moment we sat down and the waitress/bartender took our order (writing nothing down but she assured us she got the 4 orders...NOT) it was a bad scene. The wonderful fireplace everyone has referred to was not lit? Valentines Day brunch would have been a perfect time to have the fire lit also the temp outside was 30 degrees. We found out it was the bartender (woman) who took our order because we never saw her again? Our food took almost 1hr to arrive? and when it did they forgot our friends order which then took another 10 minutes. We ordered ice tea which never came but another excuse why that happened did arrive. You would think that a table sitting for an hour to have eggs would have been offered a roll something anything - NOTHING. The hostess was ineffective and unavailable to address concerns? The only 2 people on their staff was a very nice busboy and another waitress who did apologize and did remove the late late meal from our bill. She was the only person on the wait staff that seemed to really care about the CUSTOMERS. We all agreed as did the table next to us (table of 8 ours 4) that we would NEVER go back here - the way the food was served it appeared that it was just thrown onto the plates no presentation at all? Our intention was to go to Hawthorne's the only reason we didn't dine there was due to a 45 minute wait...WE WISH WE HAD WAITED THE 45 MINUTES - money down the drain at the DEVILS' DEN The sourpuss bartender that worked on Valentine's day had to go. Our being there was an inconvenience to her. She did not seem to have a clue that customers are what keeps the place in business.
(1)Jeremy Q.
Devil's Den's brunch is tasty. I dig the pork sandwich. Where they really win though, is with the drinks. Impeccable bloody mary's!
(4)Eric A.
Was pretty good. Wings were hot, cheesefries and bacon was great. I didnt know what to expect, but they have a good variety of beer as well :)
(3)Amy M.
i heart the devil's den. with an intimidating beer list, and delicious gastropub/comfort food fare, this is the kind of place i like to go when i feel like kicking back with a few new friends. like everyone else has mentioned, the happy hour is just wonderful. grab yourself some top notch craft beer drafts at half price. the cute happy hour tapas are also awesome. my favorite entree is the vegetarian sloppy joe - which as a meat eater, i still very much enjoyed. love the fries and the spicy mayo dip as well.
(5)Simon B.
Great beer selection. Great happy hour. Food is WAY overpriced. But the main reason for the low rating is the staff. There are maybe 2 waiters/waitresses/bartenders that demonstrate any sliver of hospitality, and I'm not difficult to please ( I live in South Philly, after all). I've been at Devil's Den many times, and I'll continue to go only to get my fill of beer. No more tips for you suckers! My advice is to go for the beer. Don't expect good service, and make sure you let them know that their service sucks nads.
(2)miss f.
Consistently the worst, most inedible food I've eaten in Philly. I've tried and tried and tried to give Devil's Den a chance and they never fail to disappoint. Often the more esoteric beers are flat or stale, a sad thing indeed so ask for a taste first. Just don't order any food. If you must mussels are your best bet, just hope they are fresh. I've gotten burnt carcasses of chicken wings and another times bitten into a perfectly golden crisp wing that was a bloody mess inside. Recently I got a chicken sandwich with guacamole that horrified me. The guacamole was an unnatural color, m n m green? Christmas ribbon green? It was oily, bitter and plain nasty. The waitress poo-poo'd me and assured me it was "100% all natural hand made guacamole." I call b.s. on that, it was prolly the horrid palm oil based fake gauac that's dirt cheap and sold in ethnic markets. Another patron overheard me and we talked at great length about how foul that green stuff is. A few months ago a sandwich with pork belly was served with the pork belly on the lower bun. The entire bottom of the sandwich stuck to the plate in a loose oily mess. Having lived south of the mason dixon I know pork. I suspect a thin slice of cheap lard was subbed for the pork belly. (notice a trend here? Tasty $$ item on the menu subbed with a dollar store impostor) They do have beer, lotsa beer and always keep the Spaten on tap. The bathrooms are clean and the location can't be beat. Why should they bother improving when they do such a good business.
(1)Brian M.
I'm not qualified to write reviews on this place. i've only been here like five times. the first two times I turned around and left within 30 seconds of walking in (achingly busy). Even after a quieter Thursday happy hour and a flight special I was undecided. Then I saw Port Brewing's Hop 15 on tap last night, right next to Cantillon Geuze. Yes the beer list is often world class, this bar is driven by a passion for beer. That is 4/5 of what I look for when I venture out of my house.
(4)Joy C.
This place is a hidden treasure in South Philly. It sits on 11th street hidden behind a Vietnamese shopping center. We have been there 2 times and enjoy their beer selection. They have a wide selection of Belgian beers and even have a sampler for like 5-8 bucks. Things to try are their spicy chorizo mussels, which I think is the best I've had. It's flavorful, and you just want to use the bread to sop up the sauce. For brunch you can get 1000 open table points which is halfway towards a $20 gift certificate from open table. It has a cozy atmosphere with a smokeless fireplace in the middle of the room. Parking is doable in that area. It's a really nice hidden gem in South Philly. Can't wait to try their happy hour.
(4)Mary G.
I like this place and I don't even like beer. They used to have fruit infused vodka which was AWESOME, but even still, it's a cool place with a good jukebox, good service and unpretentious attitude. It is very "new Brooklyn" to me and that is a good thing. I have not eaten here, but the food looks yummy.
(4)Sharon F.
this place gets 4 stars for the beer and 2 stars for the food and maybe 3 for the service. That averages out to 3. Stopped here before the phillies game because it is in such a great location to catch the subway. It was happy hour and glad to see that my $5 beer cost $2;50. Can't go wrong with the beer here. The have an awesome selection on tap. Ordered a flatbread and some edamame because they were the few vegetarian items on the menu. The menu is a little underwhelming. They seem to try to be too fancy and a lot of the items don't make sense. The flatbread tasted fine.. I was hungry as fuck and edamame is edamame. Waitress was nice and attentive but got a weird vibe from the bartender. Oh well, I was buzzed off the beers and on my way to happy land Citizens Bank Park. This place is ok but not a go to place when I am in south PHilly. I could overlook the food shortcomings if the environment was more comfortable. A smile and a little bit of service go long way.
(3)Valerie T.
The ambiance/decor is swell. I especially like the brick wall(s). The service had a bit of attitude, not sure why! The beer selection was extensive, especially the Belgians~ however, the food was mediocre to our palates.
(2)Jim T.
We recently had a chance to check out the Devil's Den. The first thing is that they have an amazing selection of beers. I devulged into several selections. The overall vibe is good. friendly staff and good bartenders. A good hang for a few beers. The food was good but not outstanding for what it could be. I think the small menu hurts a little. My girlfriend had the mussels and I had a ham & cheese panni which was good.
(4)Ted P.
This place has an excellent, always rotating, choice of beers. Sign up for them on Facebook and follow what they have on tap any given night. The food is also very good and the atmosphere is nice and relaxed.
(4)Maxwell S.
This place was pretty cool when I went there but my waitress was so stupid it really pissed me off. She was just rude. I asked a question and she looked at me like I had two heads. My friends at the table agreed that she was weird. I forget her name. Everything else was great though so I only took away one star.
(4)Brent S.
Had a great time- the whole experience was nice. Definitely a Happy Hour diamond Melanie, the bartender, was great. The beer selection was very good. We had bloody mary's to start. Decent but not stellar. We enjoyed a beer flight selection and a few drafts during happy hour which was a real bargain. Can't comment on the food other than the tapas menu at happy hour {50% off}. We had Chickpea fries and potatoes which were both good. I plan on going back to try the duck on the dinner menu. It sounds great.
(4)Spencer L.
Outstanding beer selection. The food was fantastic - good place to catch the game or a bight prior to the game. Had a burger and it may be one of the best burgers in town. Excellent vegetarian selection for those that don't eat meat. Just a great tavern.
(4)A B.
Alright, I have lived across from DD for the last year and unfortunately things have gone downhill since the chef change. Getting rid of my favorite Blt sandwich was a start but then the service has been terrible as of late. My wife called ahead last week and the hostess (who admittedly is the nicest person in there) said "oh there are plenty of tables". Our walk is literally 30 seconds across the street and we get there and she then days it's 25 min wait because she just gave her last table away. Fine, 4 of us squeeze into a corner of the bar and there were two bartenders. One was tending half the bar the other was changing a tap. The guy stays on his side and doesn't even glance to the other side. The other bartender spent ten min changing the tap then proceeds to go to the other side as well. Another guy next to me is waiting and she finally comes over and he says "he was here first" and her response was "he can wait" wow. The food can be ok. Chik pea fries are good but in general food is overpriced. They did just add outdoor seating, but jeeze can you clean up 11th street a little first as there is debris all over the sidewalk near the tables. The waitresses can be friendly but it's mixed. On the flip side in the winter the atmosphere can't be beat with the brick and the fireplace.
(3)Lauren T.
Stopped here before a Flyers game because the beer list looked pretty good online. I was disappointed when my first draught choice was kicked but my IPA was only $2.50 so I couldn't complain. The food, however was abysmal. Fried zucchini was way too breaded and way too overdone and the chicken scallopini sandwich was loaded with salt (and that was without the ham that normally accompanies it). I may have just chosen wrong, but I won't be returning for dinner anytime soon.
(2)James W.
Fantastic beer list, with descriptions of each beer in the menu. I ordered the Torletti, but it was way too salty. Probably just a mistake. I sent it back and they had a new dish in front of me in no time. Though I protested, the server offered it to me on the house. I left her an enormous tip. I also agree with some of the other reviews: The place needs more sandwich-type meals. When I'm drinking good beer, I like to fill up. At least give us a real burger! I'll be back...
(3)Darnelle R.
I'm fairly new to South Philly but I have found my new favorite place. Devil's Den has a great color story, great beer and food menu and enough space to have any kind of event! So far, I have been there for half-price drafts during the week and a nice late afternoon meal on a Saturday. This place is great for a date, fun with a flat mate, drown your sorrows and rant about people you hate, or to simply celebrate! What a great place to be... Devil's Den is the place for me! I AM A HUGE FAN OF DEVIL'S DEN!!!
(5)Ti L.
Devil's Den is a very chill place to go and grab a drink with friends. Great beer selection. Bar staff is great and happy hour is solid. As for the food... eh... the hostess was pretty rude, so we didn't even bother stay for dinner.
(2)Manisha N.
What a cool bar. Immediately upon walking in, I was greeted with the sight of a hot, roaring fireplace and exposed brick walls. Both of these things are delightful to me. The bar was hopping, full of bearded, classy and/or young people, so the waitress seated my bf and I in a corner seat in the back. From there we had privacy, and a good view of the rest of the bar. The lighting was low and candlelit, which created a very sexy ambiance. The drink menu was incredibly comprehensive and reasonably priced. I don't drink beer, but we ordered a raspberry and pumpkin ale beer. Both were exquisite and delicious. I had a wonderful time, and would definitely come again during happy hour to enjoy more drinks and appetizers.
(4)patrick k.
went there again in the winter during a snow storm. like i said it's the closest bar to my house, so it was the logical choice. i loved the hot fireplace. the beers are great. made the mistake of eating again. i ordered the $16 chicken pot pie, hoping it was at least as good as the one at the Standard Tap. It wasn't close. It was more like a bowl of chicken pot pie campbells soup, with the crust sitting on top. That's right, no crust underneath the soup. I'm pretty embarrassed that I ordered the $16 pot pie to begin with. But it was a blizzard and it sounded so good. My lady ordered a veggie quesadilla, which was disgusting. But like i said, the beers are good, and it's cozy in there.
(2)Don R.
I really haven't gotten a good read on this place yet. All the makings of a nice place, interior, decent service..great selection of beers bottles/draft....Everytime I stop in it's usually on a Sunday afternoon with not many people inside for 1 or 2 beers so I''m not sure if this is indicative of say a Friday or Saturday night...Off to a good start in my book...
(3)Bella Vista R.
Beer - Really good Mussels - Good Churros - Bad Will miss the Duck fries as they were a nice compliment to any beer on the menu. Fireplace is also a great touch during the winter. Need to get a little more consistent and have a better overall menu than just the Mussels.
(3)matthew h.
Copious amounts of beer to choose from. Nice selction of quality beer on tap too! I like this place. It's cozy and in the hood. I had wonderful mussels au saffron that were so good I craved them for a couple days. Service was very attentive.
(4)Rebecca C.
I have to say I think this place is pretty good. Now I base this review on my husband and I going and just splitting a few small plates...All were really good. I startd with the French Onion soup..it was tasty...pretty standard, but none the less good. Then we split wings (awesome), cheese fries (also awesome) and Chicken Fingers (we had to bring the rugrats and this was their choice, but very good and plentiful). All in all a pretty great meal. Also major points for their Happy Hour draft specials...1/2 off all drafts..and a great selection of drafts!! W will definately be adding Devils Den into our rotation!!
(4)David K.
One of the earlier posters said that the only thing good about this joint is its name. Devil's Den was the name given to a section of the battlefield at the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg at which the casualties were especially numerous. If this bar's name is a reference to that, fine. If, however, there is some satanic reference in this joint's name, I would like to be informed about that, in which case my rating would be minus a billion stars. I like the food here, particualrly the cuban sandwich. This is a beer bar, and a second tier one among the universe of Philadelphia beer bars. And, like other Philadelphia beer bars, it's a great place when it is quiet and not very crowded. The beer selection here is a cut below that of the Grey Lodge and the South Philadelphia Tap Room, but a person who loves beer can always find something worth drinking here.
(4)Megan K.
i went with a group of 8 friends last night. it was monday and i didnt get there until almost midnight. so i wasnt expecting a big crowd. there were just a few people at the end of the bar. It was pretty nice. the dining room was closed. bar is long. they have tvs behind the bar. its warm feeling. i did not eat, nor do i drink beer. but all my friends were drinking beers.each one had something different and they all came with glass ware to match. they were happy with the selections. the service was fine. but again, it wasnt busy. but to tell the truth. it was nothing special. i was with the funniest people i know, so a great time was had. but we could have been anywhere and had the same experience. the devil's den just didnt leave an impression on me either way. not saying i wont go back. maybe next time i'll grab food and go on a busier night so i can see what the crowd is like.
(3)Michael B.
beer dork cheapo happy hour rankings... This ranking is done with the "best beers for the buck" in mind. Devil's Den is not my favorite bar in the city; that would probably be the POPE, SPTR, Prohibition, or Memphis. But it's cheap as hell from 5-7pm, has a tough-to-beat selection of craft drafts, and is a good jumping-off point for other watering holes in south phila. 1. devil's den. the selection is outstanding (i put dd along with varga as tops in this category) and you can get plenty of them for around $2-3 during hh. frankly the cheapest place in town for some of the best beers. and an hour later that the rest. 5-7 weekdays, half off all drafts. 2. pub on passyunk east (POPE). this is a very, very close 2nd. great staff (tim and both matts are my heros), terrific selection, always good to have a wide variety to suit everyone's tastes, from excellent belgians to hard-to-find ipas. half off drafts during happy hour mean $3.50 for goblets of super-expensive belgians or $2-3 for typical american craft pints. solid juke, too. 4-6 weekdays, half off all drafts. NOTE: Sly Fox cans are $3 all the time.. so you might as well just stay all night- every night. 3. memphis tap room. excellent selection of craft beers on tap... always rotating and creative. all $4 for happy hour. and out back with the new hot dog truck (open april-october), cans are $3 (pounders being $4) and honestly, chillin out in the alley with a beer battered and pickled gingered hot dog (vegan option) and an anderson valley ipa.. please. nothing could beat it on a nice day. well, maybe if they find a way to beat the system and start offering their indoor beers outdoors.. but hey, who are we to hold it against them? 4-6 weekdays, $4 drafts inside/$3 cans outside. 4. varga. probably the best selection of craft draft beer in the entire city. and it's all 1/2 off. no fluff on tap, great descriptions, extremely knowledgeable staff, varga was my #1 for ages but their prices recently went up (and i moved away.. coincidence?? :)). expect to pay closer to $4 per draft here during hh (still a steal for most of these hard-to-find beers). plus, no restaurant in the city makes better brussel sprouts (barbuzzo is a close second perhaps). 4-6 weekdays, half off drafts and pretty much all liquor drinks and house wine. 5. the khyber. the beer selection makes up for the happy hour deal this spot does not offer alongside its brethren (both cantinas and royal tavern all offer 1/2 off drafts at happy hour; the khyber only gives ya $2 off). but really, nothing beats sitting down at the bar with a cup of phila's best gumbo and an obscure ipa. and i know you all know by now.. but the bacon grease popcorn is so right. 4-6 weekdays, $2 off all drafts.
(4)Er B.
First time. Definitely not going to be the last.
(4)Sarah S.
Very friendly service! Staff is knowledgeable about beers on tap, and DD offers great flights for the indecisive. A must-try are the duck fries, similar to poutine. Their happy hour is unbeatable, 5-7 on weekdays and half-price beer (on tap). Certainly a south philly staple.
(5)Cat P.
Devil's Den is like the forgotten stepchild of bars in Philadelphia. They have a fantastic beer selection (over 200, I believe) and an awesome happy hour deal (1/2 off beers and flights). The food is decent, the neighborhood vibe is fun, and I appreciated the portion size of the hummus plate they brought out to us. The service here leaves a little bit to be desired, though. It took upwards of 15 minutes for us to get our drinks. It would have been quicker to go to the bar, but we didn't want to stiff the wait staff. When we realized our waitress was still MIA, we tried to ask a different server if we could just grab a glass of water. She was quick to point out that she "wasn't our server" and begrudgingly brought us a glass of water. I want to come back here, but DD, please hire an extra server or your wait staff may end up killing someone.
(3)Anthony L.
Very good selection of beer that changes often. Not a huge fan of the food but the one thing I really enjoy is their cheesesteak. Also a decent brunch spot.
(3)E J.
Sensational Scallop appetizer special tonight, great atmosphere, awesome music. Will be back.
(5)Mike D.
I have always wanted to try DD but stayed away due to some mediocre reviews but glad I finally stopped in. It was refreshing to see an eclectic group of people scattered about the bar and the dining room. The little food we had consisted of a beet salad and scallops were more than adequate. The topper was the beer selection which called my name at from every angle. Our short stay was pleasant and enough to elicit a return. Definitely a solid choice in an area not too hopping with beer joints with the potential to stand alone.
(4)Sean A.
Excellent salmon BLT and great version of a cheese steak with an IPA cheese sauce. Aces on the French Fries! Best happy hour for beer lovers in Philly!
(5)Francis U.
Finally...a decent pub in south Philly. Happy hour prices for a pint are reasonable, but can otherwise be pricey. The beer list is creative & boutiquey, but lacks a few good staple beers...sometimes you just want a Guinness. Service is adequate, but nothing amazing. The fireplace is nice in the winter...now we just need to get winters back. I'm also partial to the name. No rest for the wicked.
(3)Lilli C.
The happy hours here are awesome. 1/2 off every beer on draft (they have a great selection) and $3 bar snacks. We got the shipyard pumpkin beer which I think is my new favorite beer. We also got a huge plate of spicy hummus and the chickpea fries which were amazing. They aren't your traditional fries and look more like square nuggets w/ aoli and a cucumber slice on top. They were fantastic, but sadly there were only 3 per order. I could probably eat like 10 of them. So for 20 bucks, we were full and drunk. I will definitely be back again for happy hour. Next time I'll have to get here right at 5 to snag a seat at the bar.
(4)Kelly P.
any establishment that has a dogfish head events will surely get my business. i'd been to DD just a couple weeks earlier for dinner, which was solid. that's when i noticed in the menu that the DFH event was coming up, and i thought YESSS i'm in there like swimwear. i've had the pleasure of dining during a busy friday night (without reservations, my party of 5 was treated kindly), and also sitting at the bar early saturday for the event. i am happy to note that there were no hiccups in the service either time, and i will likely check out their brunch one day soon. the mussels were nice and spicy, the shortrib flatbread was ok -- definitely improved by hot sauce -- and i'd definitely return to the bar if i want to grab a beer solo to watch a game.
(3)Steve C.
This place is really a great place to go if you want to just chill and relax. The bartenders and servers are friendly and mak you feel like you belong the first time you sit down. The beer selection is very high, but they don't carry some common local beers like Yueingling, they do have a strong selection of hard to find favorites. The food here is very good and I think it just accents all the great things this bar has to offer.
(4)Laura K.
I have been back several times since and every single time it has been fantastic. Glad they seemed to have sorted out what they needed to- absolutely one of the best bars in the area.
(5)Jim d.
The one star goes to the bartenders here, really nice people through and through but some of the waitstaff here is ATROCIOUS. 10/14/11: My girlfriend and I sat down at around 8:30 for dinner. We did as the sign told us to and we sat ourselves. There was only a 4 top available, so we had to sit. Another couple sat next to us at the same time as another 4 top opened up. no one came to either couple about waiting for a proper sized table. Both couples were given beer and food menus as well as waters. The other couple not only received beer right away but also an appetizer within 10 minutes. Still not even an acknowledgement of our existence from the waiter. Subsequently the next 10 minutes passed and the waiter passed us around 8-10 times. We made eye contact more than once and he NEVER stopped to wait on us. If it wasn't his section, the eye contact should be enough for him to tip off his fellow waitstaff to serve us. He did neither of these things. After 25 minutes total a third couple sat down on the other side of us and within 90 seconds he was waiting on them. We got up and walked out. I frustratingly said "THANKS A LOT" outloud. Again, no one asked us to wait at the bar until a 2 top opened (which we would be happy to do). If you want the 5 top full, then say something don't just ignore us until we leave. The busser was by the door and we let him know what happened within earshot of the offending waiter, the busser was apologetic and even offered to buy us a round of drinks citing them being short staffed that night. This really isn't an excuse when all the waiter had to do was stop, and excuse himself by saying "sorry, we're a little short, i'll just be a minute" he literally said nothing to us. If you ever see a shorter waiter with short blonde hair, that's the guy we're referring to. If management reads this yelp page, this waiter should really learn some manners. I'm not asking that he be fired, he just learns to do a job like that properly. Show a little tact, buddy. Probably won't be going back to Devil's Den for a long, long time.
(1)Christopher M.
Go for brunch!! Get the Chickpea Fries to start!!! Have fun!!! I'm very glad our first brunch option didn't pan out. Our waitress was extremely nice and went above and beyond at times throughout our meal. The bloody mary's are nicely sized and perfectly blended! I asked for it extra spicy and I didn't have to send it back for more spice! And the bartender who made it was hot :-) We had a community brunch of Juevos Rancheros, Chickpea Fries (AMAZING!!!!!! We threatened to wrestle each other for extra!!), Crab Eggs Benedict, Smoked Trout Hash, and the Casino Omelette. Juevos Rancheros wasn't very authentic looking...but was quite pleasing. I CAN'T SAY CHICKPEA FRIES ENOUGH!! I'm considering moving back to Philly just to be closer to these phenomenal little bites, which come with an awesome chipotle aioli!!! The Crab Eggs Benedict was visually appealing and tasty! Just know that the crab meat is rather sweet (that caught us off guard at first but was fine once we knew what flavor to expect). The Smoked Trout Hash was a table fav. The Casino omelette was good...just fluffier than we expected it to be. Intriguing flavors...and I do think I'd order the Casino Flatbread next time. But I'm glad I tried it. The potatoes that came with the Benedict and Casino were so nummers especially when dipped in the aioli, which our waitress saw we liked and offered to bring out more at no extra charge :-) The mixed greens served with the trout were plentiful and super fresh. We were four happy post-yoga class campers :-) I hear the restaurant has gone through many evolutions, some of which weren't so great. So if you weren't satisfied the first time you went, I recommend going back now that they seem to have found their groove :-)
(4)Deann M.
This place is wonderful for the Happy Hour drink specials... 1/2 off all drafts, you can't really beat that in Philly. They always have a ton of really good microbrews on tap, and a large selection of them. Happy hour is a well known event, it is usually packed by 6 pm, so make sure to get there early if you want to get a seat. The food is ok, but the service can be a bit spotty. The first time I went the burger I had was great! Juicy and delicious. The next couple times I went to get food, there was always an issue with my order or my bill. One time I didn't get the right dish, I don't normally send anything back but this was completely wrong and I didn't want what I got... the server apologized and told me he would take my beer off the bill. So then I had to wait about 20 minutes for my food while the rest of my party ate. When we got the bill, he didn't remove the beer from the bill! When I told him about it, he got kind of an attitude and said he DID take it off, but I only had one beer and it was still on there. Eventually he relented... but that was a little annoying. Next time I went there was another problem with my order. We ordered two burgers cooked medium and they were completely raw inside. This time I didn't return it, I just ate most of it and scraped out the inside. Most people around me were just drinking or eating appetizers, so not sure why they felt the need to not cook our burgers completely through. I don't mind waiting to get what I ordered! Anyhoo, next time I'll probably just get beer and eat somewhere else. There are plenty of other places to eat that have better food and service.
(3)Stereo C.
It seems like every time my boyfriend and I have come here for dinner, the food has been subpar. I've had burned sandwiches and undercooked potatoes and generally disappointing food. However, I do like their brunch menu. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are 3 bucks and they do have a two egg, sausage and potato option for 7 dollars. The loaded everything bagel is pretty righteous and the Biscuits and Sausage gravy (with eggs) hits the spot. The outdoor seating is clutch for getting brunch sloshed. It's nice to have this an an option down the street. I've had a pretty mixed bag with service here sometimes it's great sometimes it makes me want to pelt people with rocks. *shrug* The somewhat older (compared to the rest of the servers) woman with the blonde hair has always been super sweet and on point tho. It's not top notch but it is worthy of a go to spot.
(3)Abbie D.
Mussels Diablo = DELISH Calamari Salad = DELISH Bison Burgers = DELISH Draft Selection = Very Good Outdoor seating is great for pet friendly diners :)
(4)Walter K.
Last time I went to Devil's Den I remember horrible service, okay food and 3 lines tapped with no replacements in sight. My last visit, however, was much improved. This place first landed on my radar for the happy hour. M-F 5-7 gets you half priced drinks. And that's on top of the already reasonable prices. For beer selection, Devil's Den doesn't disappoint. Even though I don't go often, they always have something new for me to try, and I really appreciate that. The decor here is great, I really like this place and it has a great long wooden bar. There are a few large screen TVs. I went here to watch a hockey game, and while there was music playing all night, the bartender turned up the TV's audio all the way so I could here the game a little bit. The service here does need some work. Everyone just seems to be moving on a slower pace, but it wasn't horrible. I like the menu here. Dan ordered a raw meat platter and he enjoyed that. It had a lot of interesting different pairings, and the only complaint would be that it wasn't very filling for $15. I ordered the burger, my standard go-to. I ordered a cheeseburger, but it came out without my cheese. It was a few minutes before I could even get the bartender's attention to get it fixed, but I got a free beer for the ordeal. No harm, ho foul. There was harm in how it was cooked. I ordered medium rare, and it wasn't even close. No part of the inside of my burger was pink. The bread is great, the fries are good, and its served with a great aioli. If it came out with my cheese and cooked to order, I would be pretty satisfied. I was also out with Quinn, who is a lover of well done burgers, and she was still talking about it a few days later. I'm definitely willing to give it another go. Bottom Line: They have a great happy hour here, good beer selection, and reasonable prices. It's not amazing, but Devil's Den is a welcomed retreat, especially in winter when you cozy up next to the fireplace, which brings the whole place up a notch on a blustery evening.
(4)Aaliyah P.
CLUSTER-F*CK CHAOS SH+T SHOW are all adjectives that can be used to describe the bar scene at Devils Den. Went for the DFH event and all of south philly decided to congregate at this bar at the exact moment that CB and i walked in. Luckily the oh so awesome Casey R was there and was gracious enough let us stand in real close while we stalked a couple that had paid a half hour before we got there and nursed one beer for what felt like and eternity. When my grandparents i mean the couple decided they had their fill they left us with two great seats and we gathered ourselves for all the DFH we could drink. I was very impressed with the beer selection (theres a book similar to the beer bible at monks) The beers are pretty reasonably priced and the specialty offerings were a great value ranting from $5-$9. We decided to only try beers we had never had i went with the gluten free Twseasnon'ale , Red and White,Namaste. All very good choices and service was ok (minus the rude person i talked too on the phone ) We tried the diablo mussels which came with frites and bread. The broth was spicy and had great flavor. I wasn't too happy that a few of the mussels were still slightly closed. Not sure if i would come here again but if i was in the hood and craving a beer i would know where to find one.
(3)Aruna A.
I've been going back and back to Devil's Den over and over again. I keep finding new reasons to love it. I've gone back at all times of day at this point, and I really can't say enough about how I love it. The service is always good, the happy hour prices are so very right. And the sunday brunch mimosas & bloody mary's ($3 each) are well made and are the right price. I think that mostly I love the fireplace that they light up during the winter. There is nothing like the smell of burning wood and embers that I truly love. There are too many things I truly enjoy about Devil's Den. I suggest you trek here. Winter, or Summer, it's a great hole to hang out in and enjoy good drinks / beer.
(5)James B.
I'm at devils den for the eagles game great beer selection nice bartender tom, however they need to fire there cook who doesn't know the difference between a medium burger n 1 well done. My buddy got the crab benidict that had burnt toast and cold hash. I used to love this place but as the prices rise the service declines 1 star for the beer
(1)Lori K.
This place is the closest bar to our apartment, but I have never felt welcome. The bald bartender has the a huge arrogant, attitude and that is when he isn't ignoring you. The fireplace is wonderful in winter, the sidewall seating is great in the warm months, and the food is ok, but I still can't get past his attitude. Went there to meet friends on a Friday night and the place was busy. I gave him my credit card and it went downhill after that. I asked for another beer after waiting for 10 minutes with an empty glass. I was ignored by the girl bartender too. I couldn't remember the name of the beer and he was not helpful at all. I hope they can rely on their regulars because I won't be going back.
(2)Michael W.
This place used to be good.... Not anymore , the food is a disappointment . I ordered the crab benedict and the brioche was burnt and the potatoes cold. When I returned the food the bartender didn't apologize he just snatched the plate away and as he walked away he checked to see if I had lied to him. After I returned the food he ignored us, to the point that we had to leave to go somewhere else to get service. Disappointing this place used to be good.
(1)Dave C.
I love this bar. I go in all the time when I'm in town. The staff is super cool and the food is always on point. The bald guy behind the bar is a funny bastard. Last time I was there, we had a cute little curly haired blonde waitress, who's name is escaping me, but she was extremely friendly and patient with us even though we may have had a few too many to drink. Every time I come to town, this is my spot! Best beer menu in the city. PS: That cheesesteak is no joke. If you like spicy food, order it.
(5)Andrea V.
I'm lucky that this is the closest bar to my current place of residence. Devil's Den has consistently tasty food and great variety of beer. I have tried the Diablo mussels per some of the reviews and they lived up to expectations. It just so happened that they had grilled octopus and brussels sprouts as specials last time I went, which are two of my favorite things, so naturally I had to get them and they didn't disappoint. I think my date was mildly horrifed that I was eating both octopus and brussels sprouts with gusto but that's beside the point. The mac and cheese and the duck fries are also things of beauty. Oh, and the short rib and horseradish flatbread, too. It's hard to go wrong with this menu. It can get a little crowded and if you're going for food at a high-volume time it's a good idea to make a reservation. If you're going for happy hour, get there as early as you can. In spite of this potential for uber-popularity, it maintains the feel of a nicer neighborhood spot. In the cooler months they have an awesome fireplace which makes you not want to move, ever, and in the warmer months they have outdoor seating. Basically, what's not to love?
(4)Ben S.
Extensive craft beer selection Off the beaten path, unless you're a Pho phan Quirky food When my friend recommended this place partially because it was not right in the heart of typical Saturday night bar scenes, I saw that they accepted OpenTable reservations and booked a table for 10pm anyway. With confirmation email in hand when we rolled in, I unfortunately got a quizzical look, because they believed that portal had been shut off while they were doing a Dogfish Head tap takeover/dinner. Bummer there, but the hostess rebounded pretty nicely, promising to take care of us with a table within about 15 minutes, and then giving us the high sign after only about 8 had passed. A positive from a negative, to start. During that brief wait time, I had my nose in the beer bible (a la Monk's) they use as a menu, and I was not disappointed. Sorted by style and then alphabetical by brewery, my mathematical mind kept cross-tabulating "Russian River this and Russian River that," which I can't get in Rhode Island, and I'm surprised I didn't order four beers at once just for myself. This spot means business. As we made our way to a table by a pass-through fireplace, I felt a noticeable change in decibels and crampedness. It was a more chill atmosphere only 5 feet away, and a nice way to tuck into some food and brews for the evening. I kept the beer menu handy all night long, and my friends and I drank well, at a relatively reasonable price. Aforementioned Russian Rivers, collaborations, session beers, specialty bottles, and certainly plenty of DFH drafts available on that night - I have zero complaints about drinking in the Den. I drop this joint a star because the food was another story. I had a potato soup that was average to above-average, and I ventured to order the chick-pea "fries" to give them a try. These five tofu-like cubes stayed pretty much intact on my plate, un-fry-like and unappetizing. Swing and a miss. As others have said, it seemed like they were trying pretty hard to fluff up the menu's appeal, but it wasn't a Monk's Cafe kitchen offering - put it that way. Still, the staff was friendly and prompt, and they had what I was there for - a wide variety of craft beers at good rates, with a comfortable place to join friends in sharing the wealth and a good time. I'll happily be back next time I'm in town, and I'll even give more of the menu a shot. Devil's Den is a solid bet.
(4)Matt D.
This particular part of South Philly is starting to come around. El Jarocho is on the next block, and there is destination Vietnamese food all over the place. I have to say, I was expecting something a little more divey. This place was packed inside and out for Happy Hour on a good weather Friday night. The 5-7:00 deal is well worth the walk. A great list of food specials and half price beer. As noted on most other reviews, the beer list doesn't disappoint. I found it a little odd that hot wings were not on the happy hour menu, and I was even more surprised when I saw the $11 price tag on them. I hesitated, but ordered them anyway, along with the chickpea fries, spicy hummus, and oysters. All of the food was excellent. The "hot" wings had just the right amount of heat, the chickpea fries were an odd surprise (definitely recommend these), the hummus was delicious, and the oysters had great flavor, but were a little small. I'm docking a star for the bartender who refused to pull me a beer and add it to our table tab. I told him I'd pay him cash, because I understand the tip scenario, and he still wouldn't do it. I've never been told, "no I won't get you a beer" twice...at a bar...by a bartender. Really? On top of that, they short pour beers here a lot, as in all the time.
(4)Sarah E.
Oh boy, just looking at Devil's Den gives me a hangover. Which is totally a good thing due to the lush that I'll always admit I am. Many a time I've walked in there with the greatest willpower to only have "1 or two" and end up staying the entire night. Mr. C loves the beer selection (as do I on the nights I'm drinking beer) and the Hendrick's gin they pour. And we both love their magical happy hour (1/2 price drafts). Alas, I am consistently not blown away by their food. The wings are good as are the $1 oyster shooters during said magical happy hour. Unfortunately, their huevos rancheros I had for brunch once were most disappointing and their other offerings fall rather flat. But given my penchant for an unquenchable thirst for drinking (pun totally intended) and the fact that the Den is a very manageable stumbling distance from our home, it succeeds in being exactly what we want it to be, a great place to call our local.
(4)Emily K.
I've been waiting a long time to write a review of Devil's Den - and I'm STILL not even really sure I'm ready. My feelings are so torn - it's like every time I go into Devil's Den determined to be happy with what they provide, they commit some more and more blatant offense. The first time I went to DD I was so impressed - the decor is dark, but not oppressive, cozy, but not cutesy - perfect. The beer list was not to be believed. Their draft list is top of the line in Philadelphia for its combination of rare imports and best-of-the-best domestics, and their bottle list is only rivaled by that of Eulogy. AND THE HAPPY HOUR. Oh my lordie lord it is singular. Getting Russian River Consecration for $3.50 is pretty unbelievable. That said, I finally made a foray into their menu. I remember the first salad that I got - it was before the Bar Ferdinand chef came over - and it was "eh." After the menu changed I returned, and ordered the diablo mussels. This is where things started to go downhill. They came out bathed in a delicious fire-y sauce - but the many of the mussels in the already skimpy portion were severely undercooked. Okay. Now I KNOW the general rule, as I eat and cook mussels all the time - if a mussel opens, it's cooked. And I LOVE raw seafood - oysters, anytime! But there is something about an overly slimy, unpleasantly mushy mussel that I just can't stomach. So I pulled aside our waitress and casually mentioned with no animosity at all - "hey, I think a couple of there are undercooked." She removed them, apologized, and said it will be another 10-15 minutes for the chef to prepare another order. I said okay. Right as my date was finishing up his meal, my second round of mussels came out - STILL UNDERCOOKED (though I must admit, the sauce got even more deliciously fire-y :)). I ate those that I could stomach, as I was STARVING, but had to leave a large amount of my portion. I really did not want to be 'that lady,' but I let our waitress know as she cleared out table, totally nonchalantly and with no hostility, "I really hate to be a crazy lady, but I think a lot of those were still undercooked!" She offered some paltry excuses like "maybe mussels are just bad in general today," but did not apologize again. Oh well. The kicker - literally right after our waitress cleared our table she returned to the table next to ours, and let the woman sitting there know that she had comped her the cheesecake that the she had reported to be "not that good," with an apology from the chef. She then turned to us and gave us our check - WITH NOTHING COMPED. Like a slap in the face. I really was nice about it, I swear! But alas - spite won the battle. Like that experience wasn't enough, I was convinced to return to DD recently for a big splurge dinner with several friends. This was the night before their Sour Fest - and let me tell you, they were not concerned with giving customers who came in on that wrong night a good experience. Our waitress first announced that about six of the taps were kicked, and on hold for sour fest the next day. We had a choice between roughly two remaining drafts. In addition - they were out of half of the bottles we asked for! WTF. I ordered the endive salad and the bacon wrapped dates. Talk about heaven and hell - the bacon dates being the heavenly portion, and the salad making me fume. Seriously the dates were DROP DEAD DELICIOUS - but how can you go wrong wrapping my favorite food ever (medjool dates) in bacon, and frying them?? But the salad. How to even begin. It was actually offensive that they would serve that to me for $9. It consisted of some arugula, literally FOUR leaves of endive, some sliced pear (so rushed in preparation that the slices weren't even separated), ONE CRUMBLE OF GOAT CHEESE (ONE.), and a vinaigrette so tasteless I swear the recipe came from Fox News. Maddening. It literally cause me and my boyfriend to get in a huge fight. Which I will not even get into. So basically - Devil's Den has been playing me like a fool over and over. No more, Devil's Den. No more.
(2)Daniel F.
Here is the deal. The food is good, I liked it, I had a simple burger and it was enjoyable. What I look for, aside from the food making me happy, is the atmosphere, the service and the beer. I gave it 4 stars, they deserve it, its great and its a pleasant place to hang out. If you like those things, then you agree, this place is super nice.
(4)Rich G.
This is my favorite spot in Philadelphia....so its getting 5 stars. No, it doesn't have the best food, but it's damn good. I have had a few disappointments, but things like the Aventinus Mussels and Chick Pea fries more than make up for any negatives. I have yet to experience the happy hour madness, but what do you expect for HALF PRICE taps. They have the best beer selection in the city, IMO.
(5)elle m.
I've been here twice and love the cozy atmosphere. Their regular dinner menu is great and includes a lot of interesting choices. We LOVED the mussels and the flatbreads, but don't know if the flatbreads are big enough for a meal. And if you leave this place without tasting the duck fries I will personally knock on your door and make you try one. They are SPLENDELICIOUS! One thing I really enjoyed were the beer flights... I'm always worried to spend $10 on a really rare beer that I may not like. The flights were really well put together in terms of theme and composition. Definitely found one or two new beers that I love trying them out. The brunch menu is slightly lacking as I recall. I give it a hardy 'meh'.
(4)Thad S.
This place is kind of weird. Every time I go, I just feel like it is off. People seem to love it because there is nothing else around (for the most part). I am just glad it is not my bar of necessity, because it is really just eh. Good beer list, but who doesn't have that these days? It's hard to explain, just a strange feeling about this place like if I stick around too long, I am going to become one of the brainwashed zombies that thinks it's awesome.
(3)Gandhus M.
I have mixed feelings about Devil's Den. One look at their food & beer menus and you sincerely want it to be everything you dream it to be and more. I've been here primarily within the following contexts. My introduction to DD was over a series of brunches over the last two plus years. The first time I had brunch here was the best. I hate to say it but each subsequent brunch was less rewarding than the last. Like a drug addict seeking the euphoria of their first high, I went back hoping to recapture that first brunch experience and was denied each time. This is not to say, it's a bad meal - simply that in my experiences, the quality has declined. I've done the after work thing here several times over the last year or so too. The draft list is awesome, there's no contesting that. Spaten Lager seems to be a permanent member, and that's good to see. Their bottle selection is impressive. The weeknights I've spent here they were pretty busy. It can get crazy crowded. I'm talking 'good luck saving your seat/line for the bathroom' crowded. These after work affairs usually involve meeting friends, drinking six or seven beers and ordering mussels. Despite the crowd, it's not a bad time. In March of 2010, I had the pleasure of making this one of my first stops during the first Craft Beer Express. Early day action on a Saturday with a good crew. We ate and had a few beers before proceeding on our adventure. It was a fun crowd that day and easily my best experience at Devil's Den to date. The aesthetics of the place are great. Dark wooden furniture. Fireplace. I find myself appreciating the paintings in the dining room. Heck, even the location is cool.... ...yet Devil's Den falls a bit short for me. The service is so-so and there are plenty of other places that just gain my favor over DD. For all it's sleekness and vast diversity of quality beer - there's a lack of comfort or camaraderie here that I readily find in similar establishments. (Fireplace notwithstanding) But hey, just as you can't always knock it out of the park at every at bat you can't expect the sanctity of that "home away from home" feeling at every bar. It has served me well as a brunch destination, a meeting place, a spot to grab a bite and catch a buzz after work or just a place to have a beer or two before heading someplace else. If this comes across as a negative review, it's only because I so want to be able to give it four or five stars - but in good conscious cannot. I will undoubtedly be there again at some point in the relatively near future and look forward to posting an update when I do.
(3)Kelly W.
Went here almost every night during Philly Beer Week. Always something new to try. Bartenders are very helpful and friendly. Servers are not great..which is why I will sit at the bar unless it's full. Huge TVs at bar which is nice when there's a game you want to watch. Good ambience. This is our go-to bar, really enjoy it. Not five star as it can be very loud on weekend nights and the pompous servers make it uncomfortable.
(4)Jessica G.
I'm so surprised by all of the negative review's I'm seeing about DD! I went here with some friends last night (including a local who comes here pretty often) and had a really fantastic experience. We were all raving about it afterwards. My meal started off with the bacon-wrapped dates- OMG. These were absolutely divine. I could have had two plates of these and called it my dinner. But I'm so glad I didn't, because then I wouldn't have eaten the Provencal Mussels that I had as my entree. I chose these over the traditional as a recommendation from our waitress, and thank god I took her advice! The broth was incredible (chock full of sun dried tomatoes) and I couldn't stop sipping the broth and dipping the accompanying grilled bread so that I could get as much garlicky wonderfulness as possible. The fries weren't the best I've ever had, but they were a good side dish, especially when dipped in the spicy aioli. I also tried my friend's macaroni and cheese, which was a special appetizer for the night. The portion was huge and only cost $6! It was a pretty stellar mac and cheese, very creamy and satisfying. I would definitely come back here again, not only for the food but also for the atmosphere which was so cozy and warm on a winter day.
(4)Devant W.
Pros - Ever-changing draft list of quality beers that I have a tough time choosing - knowledgeable bar staff - 2 huge TVs for watching the games when they're on - 2 clean bathrooms - Kobe slider trio - Awesome Hostess who always has interesting outfits Cons - Inconsistent service ranging from awesome to absolutely terrible - Mediocre & expensive dinner menu - wait staff doesn't always know liquor prices - Hapy Hour food menu is a joke. Chickpea fries were lukewarm at best and the three-cheese croquettes didn't really have any kind of distinctive flavor. - Gulden Draak coasters... but no Guldeen Draak bottles to be found! As it stands, the Den is my go-to spot to grab a great beer due to being stumbling distance from my home and the bar staff will actually give you real answers to beer inquiries, but if I am in the mood for something to eat, I'll skip this place and head somewhere else.
(3)Donovan S.
This is THE place for beer in Philadelphia. Not only do they consistently throw rare, high-quality beers on tap from all over, but they put them ALL on half-off happy hour special. Most of my proudest beer moments occurred near their fireplace: a pint of Lagunitas Maximus for $1.75 (this shit is 7.5%ABV too), a goblet of kasteel cuvée du chateau for $4.50 (a decade old and still cheaper than you can get kenzinger in a lot of places), or a goblet of Russian River Consecration for 3.25 (usually $20 for a 12 oz bottle). Devil's den is a legendary beer bar because they do this shit on the regular like it's nothing. I have never encountered a place in the world that puts up like they do. That being said, I would probably never go there anytime other than a weekday between 5 and 7. And you could probably do without the food, although the mussels are dope after a few rounds, and they finally brought the duck fries back. My sister and I always get so pumped after we see our check. And they always have something like Spaten Lager or Franziskaner too if you're not the adventurous type. But then again, their happy hour is a good excuse to try out something new.
(5)Benjamin R.
While having one of the best draught and bottle beer lists in Philly, overall this place has gone downhill. They should have stuck with the "leave well enough alone" rule for the menu. They used to offer a fairly solid menu that was reasonably priced and had a couple of vegetarian options. Now, the Den apparently thinks it's a French BYOB. The new menu is trying WAY too hard and most offerings are more expensive. Pickled quail eggs? Give me a fucking break. You can't even get just a single burger anymore but are instead forced to accept 3 different varieties in their "burger trio", which I find incredibly presumptuous. The seitan meatballs, while a nice idea, are just "meh". The service is very hit or miss, with a strong emphasis on MISS as of late. A month ago after posting up at the bar with some friends, it took a full 15 minutes and constantly staring down the bartender to get served. It wasn't as busy as it can be, but this is unacceptable by any standard. The second-to-last time I was there with a small group at a table, our server messed up 2 of our dink orders and then didn't take them off the bill until we asked. She was also way too chipper (think TGI Friday's). Hey, I don't want to be treated like an asshole, but I also don't want to be your best friend. The last time I was there a couple of weeks ago, with a larger group, was actually quite good. It was almost as if our server were trying to make up for the crappy service that seems to be the recent general consensus. Overall, still generally worth it for the excellent beer offerings alone.
(3)Jenn P.
Amazing beer selection. As I am a solid fan of anything and everything sour, dry, bitter, or fermented I really, really appreciated the wide range of sour beers. Happy hour seems pretty decent. I enjoyed a delicious salmon-bacon sandwich. Pretty solid service, too, despite all the negative reviews claiming otherwise.
(3)Michelle C.
This is a cute place and much-needed for the area it is in. The beer selection is decent but the food... needs work. The menu is very small and the way things are presented make it seem like they are trying too hard to be upscale. The nachos in particular were a huge disappointment. I didn't know it was possible to screw up a standard plate of bar nachos until the other night at Devil's Den. After seeing a couple plates go by, we decided to order them. We hadn't noticed an abundance of salsa, so we specifically asked for some on the side. This is how the conversation went: me: we'll have the nachos with a side of salsa server: (weird look)...okay... two minutes later server: we don't have salsa... is fresh pico okay? me: that would be great! two minutes later server: um, we can't do pico either. How about a free side of guacamole? me: um, okay Who serves nachos without salsa or anything resembling salsa? Devil's Den does. P.S. For the record, ketchup is not really good on nachos...
(3)Scott H.
As I browsed the review list, I noticed a common theme that kept arising...bad service. It was the first thing my dudes and I noticed when we went in this past Sunday for brunch. We went in, the hostess had no greeting, hastily seated us, and gave four adults two menus. Then, our server, who never gave his name just didn't seem to come off too friendly, and seemed indifferent about his service. When we got the food, it was wrong. When they got it right, it was meager. The food tasted fine, but the price to portions ratio was shit. The ONLY thing that saved the meal was the abundance of women in this place. The bar was full, and there was a super table that sat behind us, full of 30+ yr old bombshells. Heed my warning; if you're going in for food or service : DONT Beer, Women : Go for it
(2)Mike S.
Based on beer, they get 5 stars. Based on food, 2 stars. Not that the food is bad, it is not. It is quite delicious. Its the lack of options. Most of the food is fancy, which, is what the owners want to portray, which is great. But, if you are feeling picky, it seems like the options force you in a certain direction, like it or not. Haven't been there since the change in chef and the revamp of the menu. That changed last night. 5-7 is Happy Hour, which is 1/2 off drafts. THAT is a great deal. Nothing like drinking superb beers for half the price. Ordered mild wings. The meat literally picks clean from the bone. The sauce is not over powering and sloppy. Flyers game is on, place is busy. Not overly packed like it was Game 5 of the World Series two years ago. Ordered Aventinus Mussels. Amazingly delicious. I could swim in the broth. Fiance ordered braised pork sandwich. She said it was delicious. Beer was great. Atmosphere was perfect. A definite pro-Flyers crowd that was not obnoxious. I will go back, as the beer is alluring. I am hoping they can add a few more options to the menu to make it more rounded.
(3)Jenna N.
When my boyfriend and I were looking to rent a room together we naturally went on Craigslist to find us some roommates. Craigslist is not a good place to find roommates (In case you haven't heard horror stories already, think "controlling, eavesdropping snoop" or "delusional, constantly-mutters-under-his-breath-er." You get the idea.) so we decided to (gasp) actually meet with the potential roommates first! We all decided to meet at Devil's Den, and while the circumstances still made it an awkward meeting the overall experience was great. I hate going to bars; I rarely drink unless there are fermented grapes involved. The bartender seemed to sense my uncertainty and took the time to make recommendations based on the tiny bit of knowledge I possessed about beers. He even offered up two samples in mini beer mugs (this is probably normal, but it blew my mind). Whatever he gave me was great. I drank lots of it, stumbled home and thought about plants. Or something.
(5)Rebecca L.
Fantastic happy hour, and a lovely location. Sitting outside when it's nice out is fantastic. Great beer selection! The happy hour appetizers are lackluster. The bartenders are a little weird and grumpy though. That being said, they did let me still have happy hour prices when I ordered at 6:58 and it ends at 7:00 pm
(4)Sarah C.
I really want to give Devils Den more stars, really I do -especially since the beer selection is out of this world but the food has been sub par more than once. On my first trip the mussels were ridiculously gritty, I ended up just dipping my bread in the sauce and not eating most of the actual mussels. On the second trip the server (who was wonderful) sent my food back herself! She served me the sandwich and said if you want to send this back, I totally understand! My meal was replaced with another more acceptable option that was average. I will give Devil's Den another chance because the service and beer are both so good but they need to improve what is going on in the kitchen. The menu selection sounds delicious on paper but the actual execution of the meals leaves something to be desired.
(2)Amy K.
My new neighborhood bar. I'd gladly trade south philly tap room for the devil's den. I'm usually not disappointed with their food. Their brunch is good (my favorite being the crab cake eggs benedict - it's untouchable.) I can't wait to try their steak and eggs. Their sandwiches have always been good, and I usually stay clear of the entrees due to their high price tags. The only time I was extremely disappointed was when I got a salad with deviled eggs on it. The deviled eggs were WAY off, and made the salad almost inedible for me. The worst part of it, it appealed to both my boyfriend and I so we both got it. Talk about ouch. The bar service is wonderful, I've liked most of the bartenders I've met here. I prefer to sit at the bar, but we've gone where we didn't have a choice but to sit at a table. The service was so-so. I hear a lot of complaints from friends about their table service and it's unfortunate that it turns them away from going here. I usually start talking up the bar service so people don't count out this awesome bar altogether. And for the record, I haven't sat at a table there in months - only the bar - so it could have easily improved. Their beer selection is phonemonal, bottles and drafts. I like getting their flights to sample different beers. Their happy hour is unbeatable - half price drafts will be saving you a ton of money and getting you nice and toasty off great beer for cheap. I believe its the typical 5-7 monday through friday happy hour. They also have a tapas menu of cheap, good finger foods. And the fireplace, how I loved walking over here in that blizzard we had and melting near the fire. I always feel very comfortable at devil's den.
(4)Mikonora R.
The good--good beer selection, good prices, good happy hour! And the bartenders always know the beers and will help describe them and offer taste to try it out! The bad--I liked eating here a lot but since new chef they have removed my best items and replaced with bad things! Duck fries are gone from menu. :( I had pork sandwich that was smallest thing I have ever ordered for $10! I have very small appetite and was still hungry after eating sandwich and fries! I hope new chef makes bigger portions.
(3)James W.
This rating is solely for their excellent beer selection. They also have a 1/2 priced draft happy hour like their sister bar, Old Eagle Tavern. The bartenders aren't as good here and neither is the food. I wouldn't get anything besides burgers and fries or maybe the mussels. I think all this is do to it being a bigger place that gets a lot busier than Old Eagle. Either way a must.
(5)Christopher S.
I wrote my first review for this place over two years ago. It's improved greatly and has become one of my favorite places to spend an evening in Philly. Their beer selection is fantastic and rotates quickly (see their FB page for their current list of taps.) They frequently have beer geek events and are by far one of top beer geek joints in the city. Their food is pretty good, too. However it's inconsistent. I will frequently get a dish that's fantastic one night, then "meh" the next. I think the good food outweighs the "meh". But the beer makes up for it. Seriously. If you are a beer geek and are looking for a non-touristy place to get some great libations, try this out.
(4)Christian J.
The Devil's Den is a cool little bar/restaurant. The décor inside is cool but welcoming; there is also plenty of outdoor seating for the warmer months. We had oysters and chicken wings for appetizers, although neither was the best I have ever tasted both were certainly enjoyable. For entree I had the Streak Frites (medium-rare), I thoroughly enjoyed the steak, fries and the accompanying spinach. I definitely think this place is a cool local bar with a good menu. If I was ever in the area I would certainly stop in for some nice, decently priced food and to try one of the many great beers they have on their extensive beer list. Overall, a good bar with good food.
(3)Jack B.
Huge selection of beer, good variety on the sampler trays, super-friendly/charming service. The dessert options are pretty stellar as well.
(5)Mike E.
Man, people are all over the map about this place... but I love it. One caveat for this review - I almost always sit at the bar, and almost always at or around Happy Hour, which for my money is the best in the city: a great, regularly-rotated selection of beers, all at half-price. And even the regular prices ain't that bad; for $4-5 you can get a rock-solid craft beer, about the same price I'd expect to pay for a lager at your typical non-dive joint. Food is ok, that's the only reason I knock off a star - haven't been blown away by any of my experiences with the regular dinner menu, although I do like the tapas: chickpea fries and the patatas bravas make for for some good finger food to soak up all that sweet, sweet half-price beer. Haven't tried brunch. Never had bad service here - all the bartenders seem pretty friendly to me, and there's only once I really had to wait long to eat (and I got comped for it). Came here once with a biggish party for a friend's birthday, and service was still solid and nobody went thirsty. I know this place gets compared to POPE a lot, but: a) it's a few blocks closer to where I live, and I really am that lazy b) POPE happy hour goes from 4 - 6, and just because I'm a freelancer with alcoholic tendencies doesn't mean I can drop everything to get loaded that early. I do have some standards. Sure, they don't have crab fries - but life is full of compromises...
(4)Jordan S.
I like this place a lot. It isn't too loud or too dark for a bar and functions as a legitimate restaurant on the food side of things. The fries are a bit thin but very good. The ketchup is kicked up a notch with some tabasco and it makes for an interesting addition. All I've tried really is the bacon-wrapped meatloaf sandwich. It is open faced and delicious. I had to come back the next day to have it again it was so good! They have some other decent sandwich options too from what my fellow patrons said. Oh and of course the beer selection is epic. There's a reason they get to kick off beer week.
(4)Juliana K.
Beer selection rocks. GREAT Happy hour specials and a huge beer selection. Food is decent. Salmon sandwich is delicious. Great decor. Good service.
(4)Jonny R.
The Devil's Den is a fine gastropub that is as serious about its food and atmosphere, as it is about its tap list and bottle selection. I've had countless great experiences here, it's a place that loves beer, and hosts great events. The servers themselves are knowledgeable and helpful (sometimes to a fault). And it has one of the best happy hours in the city. It has a great seating area, and a great bar, too. It livens up that strip on 11th Street that has little going for it, too.
(3)Adam K.
The best beer selection in Philly. Very balanced list. The food is good. Happy hour between 5-7 Mon-Fri. Half all drafts and their themed Flights of 5 beers (i.e. 5 5 oz IPAs).
(5)Jemma C.
This place is spitting distance from my house so I go every so often. If it wasn't I'd have no reason to. Food is OK at best however brunch is awful! Good beer menu. Patchy service.
(2)Aleks K.
Been to brunch here twice. Service and Food is consistent and delicious. When I go to a place that gives me real maple syrup, you better believe I'm coming back. I went on 1/22 mid day with my best friend. I had the Cornflake Crusted French Toast and he had the Eggs Benedict. We shared a portion of Cheese fries with bacon. A Mimosa for me and a Bloody Mary for him. The toast - delicious, crunchy but not oily, berry compote on top and actual whipped cream, folks! Topped in mapley syrup and inhaled. The eggs - also disappeared quickly. :) They come with a side of potatoes and peppers. Looked yummy to a non-egg eater like me. Made me think twice about my non-egg eating status. The fries - oh lord, the fries. Run to the fries, folks. They are covered in an alfredo like cheese sauce and topped with crunchy, broken up bacon. Ask for a side of ranch. Ask for 2 sides of ranch and loosen your belt. The Mimosa - $3, decent. The Mary - 2 were consumed at $3 a piece, best friend said they were delicious and spicy. Added bonus - toothpick on which garnish came can be used as an evil sword when your best friend takes your iPhone. I also got a coffee which was delicious and worth the $2.50. I was offered a refill but was too full to indulge. Last time, I got coffee and we also had desserts (Panna Cotta and a Chocolate Mousse) Overall, we paid $35 on a Saturday! Crackling fireplace is great for ambiance, especially on a day where you can't feel your nose due to 22 degree weather.
(5)Peter D.
Unless it's happy hour, I probably wouldn't come here too often. It's a cluster every time I've been there. I am happy for the spot, since it's a South Philly joint. That being said, the food is a little overpriced and the service could be better...especially considering the amount of people that go. It would be nice also if the servers would let you know what the beers are in each flight that you can order (one of the perks of Devil's Den). I definitely see myself coming back but there is room for improvement.
(3)Colleen G.
I live about 2-3 blocks away and have been coming here frequently since I moved in a year ago. The beer selection is phenomenal, the food is delicious, and the servers and bartenders are all very friendly. This place is the best in the winter time, they have a fireplace in the middle of the restaurant which makes for a cozy atmosphere. And they have BEERMOSAS for brunch ..nuff said, am I right?
(5)Mark Z.
It was nice walking by the fireplace after a cold day to get some food and drinks. This bar has a huge selection of beer and wines, so you are bound to find something you like. The food is good and the service is incredibly friendly. This is a place I will like to return to for a good dinner and drink.
(4)L B.
The two stars might seem harsh. But when you're an established beer venue with a great reputation, someone's gotta call you out on the watered down beer. If you believe that proper storage of beer involves pouring what little is left of a Rodenbach Grand Cru keg into a pitcher that you then cover with plastic wrap and then just let it sit in your walk-in...there's this little thing called condensation that sometimes happens and then you end up with a lot of water in your beer...please feel free to do that with a Coors, Bud, Miller - any beer that already is pretty close to being water. PLEASE NEVER do that with any other quality beer you guys serve. Please also do not attempt to serve said watered down used-to-be-Grand Cru to your guests who are expecting to get exactly what they ordered. Mind you, Devil's Den, I dig your awesome beer selection. I also dig your waitstaff and bartenders. Solid folks with lightning-fast wit. Your fireplace keeps me warm when I'm there and smelling wonderful when I leave. But I come there for the beer first and foremost and if there's anyone working for you who doesn't understand how to properly store beer? That's a problem.
(2)Frank R.
Devil's Den features an elite collection of draft and bottle beer and serves very good food. This is one of my favorite places to grab some great food and beer. I have been here a number of times and every time I do, it get harder and harder to leave. Simply put, this is the sort of restaurant that I would love to open some day. Devil's Den just speaks my language in so many ways. First is the beer. I often find myself doing a double take when I see some of the beer they serve here. Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast Stout, Stone 11-11-11, Russian River Damnation, Schnieder Aventinus Eisbock, are some of the best beers in the world and I have had them all here. The beer menu is one of the best of all of the hundreds of beer bars I have visited in the country. As if having a library of beers wasn't enough, they are half price during happy hour. Its so easy to go here and spend $20 and have an excellent start to your night! The food is usually very good. Some of the really satisfying dishes are the bacon wrapped dates, chorizo quesadilla, grilled asparagus, and braised pork flatbread. One of the best dishes I had here was the open-faced crab ravioli. It was perfect! However, I find the use of dressings, especially anything with balsamic, needs a little restraint as it tends to overpower a dish with its ubiquity. The chickpea fries are a bit boring and unsatisfying. I have had some oysters here that were past their prime and had too much sand and shell. Service at the tables is usually very good in terms of promptness and friendliness. Sometimes, the bartenders are too busy talking to their friends about some things that are best not talked about at work. In fact, its kind of ridiculous. Also, at happy hour, it can be a bit tight and competitive and frustrating. Then again, its understandable when excellent beer is half off. Overall, I love going to Devil's Den. They balance quality, quantity and price that comes together for a very satisfying and enjoyable experience!
(4)Eric W.
Devils Den is my local watering hole. They always have a great draft list with beers from all over the world. The staff is always attentive and for the most part they know their stuff. If you've never been to "the Den" and you enjoy beer this is a must try.
(5)Breanna M.
Love Devil's Den! Great food, great service, great beer selection!
(5)Richard F.
Moved into the neighborhood about a month ago. In my old neighborhood, had lots of favorite pubs - Southwark, Kennett, etc. Was worried I would not find a substitute.....until we found Devil's Den. Have now been five times and it never fails to please. Mussels Provencal about the best I've had outside of Paris - and they would compare extremely well in Paris! Croque Maison was a superb rendition of a traditional dish. Burger terrific. What else can I say. Oh, the beer list: absolutely world-class and with a nitro pump and a cask-conditioned choice, it's simply fantastic. Devil's Den is my new gastro-pub fav.
(5)James B.
Devil's Den is like beige carpeting. There's nothing wrong with it. It just wouldn't be my choice.
(3)Maly C.
Their mussel is really good. The beer selection is awesome. Can't wait to go back.
(3)Maureen V.
Creative and vast selection of beers, both on draft and bottle, but moreso bottle. Lots of imports which are categorized by style. It's nice that they include the alcohol percentage so that you can see what you're getting for your money. ;) Prices are a little too high, but they do have a nice happy hour M-F 5-7pm: half off all drafts. Service is a little too slow at times, but they get really busy so I get that. Can get pretty loud there too. Food is pretty good and not what you'd expect from a bar in South Philly. It has a touch of gourmet flair and is no over the top in terms of price. This place is very clean and has a cozy, rustic look to it.
(4)C K.
Very reasonable prices and really amazing food!! They have a great beer selection and I've been there several times and literally never had a bad meal there! It may look like a local neighborhood bar from the outside, but the food there is DELICIOUS!! Their brownie is by far the best brownie I've ever had in my life (we split it between 3 people and it was even a bit much for us, it was that rich). I had a duck breast special one night which was the best duck breast I've ever eaten. Also yummy on their menu is the grilled duck flatbread. Yum. The first time I got the chef's tasting menu, which was decadent and delicious. Their chef is a culinary artist and I'll definitely be back again and again!
(5)Ernest S.
Pretty good beer selection and nice customers, but major negative for the waitress who tried to cheat us without having us notice. Two of us dropped in just to get a beer each. The bill was $11.55 and we gave her $17 (yes, it's an odd number, but we each threw in random amounts of cash for our individual beers). When the waitress returned she said awkwardly "this is what they gave me back" and left us $4. What a cheater! I don't know her name, but she works the front table area by the entrance and it happened tonight (Thursday). Beware! This sucks because I would have gone back. Now I'm definitely not stepping my foot in here again.
(2)Becca M.
It pains me to give Devil's Den such a negative review because I genuinely do enjoy the mussels and flatbreads when I hit it up for a late night dinner. However, no amount of delicious mussels can offset the atrocity I experienced upon brunching here. It all started one super-hungover Sunday morning. My boyfriend and I first tried Hawthornes (1 hour wait) then called over to Sabrina's (1 hour 15 minute wait). After choice one and two were nixed, we started brainstorming where to go next. During the brainstorm process we passed Devil's Den and decided to try it despite several people telling us the brunch was subpar at best. Those people were exaggerating. Though the restaurant was not crowded AT ALL we were sat directly in between the two bathrooms. Having worked in food service before this is a no-no. The worst table is the last table to go. After we had to asked to be moved, she sat us at a table which was so slanted that the water was spilling when it was placed down. So then we were moved again. After the seating debacle, we ordered. At the waitress' suggestion I ordered the breakfast quesadilla, and my boyfriend got the biscuits and gravy. His dish came out alone, I told him to eat, but he really didn't want to because it was just not good. So a few minutes go by and we ask where my stuff is. The waitress tells us it is about to be up. At least ten more minutes pass and my shitty quesadilla is finally served. The food is plopped down sans an apology for the screw up. It was clear the waitress forgot to put in my order, and I kinda wish she had just admitted it because, ya know, people screw up and I get it. The food itself was just not good. The biscuits and gravy made my boyfriend sick all day and the eggs in the quesidilla were so over cooked I don't know if they even qualified as eggs any more. My advice to Devil's Den: Stick to dinner. The only plus was my watery, tasteless bloody mary was only $3. huzzah...
(2)Jill C.
Ok so this was the first stop during my recent divorce party. That's right, my divorce party. My sister and friend decided I needed a celebration for closure. So we did a little bar crawl, with Devils Den being our first stop. We went inside to talk to the hostess about sitting outside. They happily put two tables together for us and it was a lovely day out. They had an excellent beer selection and everyone was happy with their selections. They had a few beer flights on the menu but I'm not sure if that was just because it was Philly Beer Week. Beers were well priced. We looked at the food menu, but no one was really hungry at that point. I would like to go back sometime As a side note: my sis and brother in law love it here for brunch so I'm only assuming the food is good! They are good judges of food! Inside there was a fireplace separating the dining area from the bar area - I'm also assuming that is pretty kick-butt on a cold Philly day. Our server was nice too! So 4 stars for now based on our experience - to be adjusted once I have food here!
(4)Elaine M.
Mehhhh. I only stopped here for a beer the other day. We decided to get flights rather than a single draft. I am a big fan of micro brews, and enjoy many; but both flights that we had were extremely disappointing. I felt like I had to drink them since it was $9 for 16 ounces, though only 1 out of 4 was enjoyable. It was like a bad beer fest experience. They have a lot of outdoor seating so that is a plus. If I stop by again, I will stick to beers that I know. Screw the flights. I can't comment on the food, though I've heard it is standard bar fare and nothing to rave about.
(3)Abby W.
I have this really complicated relationship with the Devil's Den. It's like the guy who calls you once and a while out of the blue, and even though you're dreadfully ashamed of and perplexed by yourself, you always agree to go out one more time. Can't put a finger on why, since each experience after the first has been underwhelming, but its convenience and surface appeal always keep me coming back to give it another go. Seriously, I think the Devil's Den has an OKCupid account. The appeal that drew me back today was a 1,000-point table reservation on OpenTable, and having heard that there was a new regime in the kitchen. I had some friends in town who used to live nearby so I figured it would be a good, nostalgic choice. Our meeting today was promising. I asked if it would be any trouble to combine two reservations at one table, and by the way we have two fewer than anticipated and we're not all here yet, and she handled this with aplomb. I had my repeated explanation on my lips for that inevitable blank-stare-what???-response, and my words failed me because she didn't bat even an eyelash and sallied off to put together some tables. I stood there for a moment baffled, with growing delight. This was the reunion I had been hoping for! We were quickly seated and waited for the rest of our group to trickle in. There was no pressure during the waiting which was great. I selected a bottle of Revolution Cider, a Philadelphia brew that I've had on draft before and enjoyed. When I poured it into the glass, it was completely flat, nary a bubble in sight. Womp womp. I took a sip, and the flavor was actually essence of womp womp. All at the table tried and agreed, this did not taste right. I communicated this to the waitress and got a lot of "oh it's because it's from the bottle and not draft, it tastes different," and "sorry you don't like it but I can't take a bottle off the check" (not that I even asked her to- but I'm sure one could have discounted some food or something in compensation. Whatever). So then I thought maybe I'll get a bloody mary, having observed that the mimosas were much heavier on the OJ than I prefer since I'm not a huge OJ fan. But I really am not fond of horseradish. I asked if their mix already had the horseradish in it or if they added it as a separate item. Pre-mixed, she says, and cannot seem to imagine that the bartender could make a fresh one (she said they did have tomato juice), y'know, without the horseradish. Oy vey. Never mind. I don't want anything to drink, thanks. At this point in the date I was over you, Devil's Den, but I still wanted to get a meal out of this. I had decided before I even came that it was a crab cake benedict for me, all the way. When our plates finally arrived, I was somewhat let down by the portion. All around me were heaping plates of yummy looking goodness, and in front of me was one was crab cake with a poached egg on top on a piece of brioche toast (hollandaise on the side per my request. You always did remember the way I liked that). It was one letdown too far. I ate it. It was OK. They could have cut the size of the crabcake, used actual lump crabmeat, and done two with way less filler, and then it would have been worth $12 and two hours of woodsmoke asphyxiation. Heck, I would even pay $14 if that was the dish I was getting. For what it's worth, as is typical of that annoying on-again-off-again, everyone else seemed pleased, although E said the bacon in his ALT was absolutely flavorless. It's the neighborhood place that I love to hate and hate to love. Why can't I get over you, Devil's Den?
(2)Chris H.
Just went there for brunch and it was one of the best I've ever had. The slab of bacon over grits with eggs over easy and home fries was absolutely to die for and only eight bucks! Also got a chance to taste their cheese burger (basic but perfectly executed and very juicy) and the pan fried avocado benedict which was also really good and something a little different. For an app we got the cheese fries with bacon which were exactly what they needed to be and not at all greasy. The only downer on the meal was the duck sausage which is in patty form (something I'm not a fan of) and a little dry and under-seasoned. Not worth taking a star off for but I wouldn't recommend getting it. As for the rest, mimosas were good and cheap, the BEERmosa was tasty and as someone who doesn't normally like Bloody Marys they make a good one. Atmosphere was cozy and warm with a nice smokey fireplace smell. I can't recommend Devil's Den enough for a fantastic and affordable brunch.
(5)Susan C.
Having been a server and bartender, I am genuinely understanding with poor service when a place is packed. However, it was not packed. It was not busy. There were plenty of servers on the floor. And this was by far the poorest service I have experienced in years. It took 15-20 minutes to get drink. The order was incorrect on the meals - the result was the waitress avoiding our table for 20 minutes and having the expediter take care of the mistake (note: server only came over after 10 minutes of specifically asking hostess to send her over). The awesome thing: she billed us for things not on menu. Not returning anytime soon.
(1)Bob Q.
My friends and I went here for a birthday on Friday night and got some of the worst bar service we've ever had. The female bartender literally cursed out my friend because he had the audacity to wave to try to get her attention. We then watched her drink on the job and complain loudly to the rest of the customers about him. Unbelievable. Needless to say, we won't be coming back. Ever.
(1)Michael K.
Great happy hour specials. Love the ambience and outdoor seating. I bring my dogs just about every time and the severs always bring a bowl and water for them. 5 star bar and pub food.
(5)Hank S.
Devil's Den is a great neighborhood pub. The bar is set up nicely. They have a bunch of taps with great brews ranging over different styles of beer. They also have flights that are a fun way to try new things. My fiance loves their mixed drinks. The menu is good, but I do wish it were a little bigger. The wings, duck fries, and bacon-wrapped dates are great appetizers. The mussels are delicious. I am also a fan of the grilled cheese which has bacon and tomato. Devil's Den has hosted some fun beer events over the past year, and they are always a lot of fun. My reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is the smaller menu along with one bad experience (compared to numerous good experiences) where my party was ignored outside. It took our waiter forever to see to us for drinks and an appetizer, and by the time those arrived I was so annoyed I decided not to order any real food. He didn't come by again even when it started to rain. I had to go inside, confront the hostess, and have our bill settled so we could get out of the rain. That experience still irks me, but since then I have had 3 or 4 good experiences.
(4)Chelsea B.
This review is for drinks only, and as far as that goes I think this place is great. On a Saturday night a group of six of us went here for after-dinner drinks, and we were seated at a nice table away from the bar. You can tell this place has a classy vibe just from the decor: nice wood tabletops, good lighting, a fireplace. The beer list, too, is extensive and worth its salt. They had Triple Karmeliet and I ordered it even though it's expensive, and when I went for round two the server was kind enough to tell me to wait a bit as they had just started cooling so it'd be a bit warm. Thanks for this, Devil's Den--no one likes an unexpectedly warm beer when you're paying $8. The bar area was pretty crowded, but at around 10pm at a Saturday we had no problem getting a quiet-ish table or having space when our party grew to eight. If this place was in my neighborhood I bet I'd be a regular, and I'll definitely be heading back for the food.
(4)Jonah K.
I've been a fan of Devils Den since they opened (living up the street from them) - their beers (especially during Happy Hour!) and fireplace have always made this place top notch. Their food has been hit or miss - this particular instance was a miss night with their truffle parmesan popcorn lacking both the truffle and the parmesan, and the popcorn tasted like it was popped a few days ago. The big difference I've noticed (along with other regulars) is the change in service or lack there of. The staff comes off as rude, the bartender is busy texting while there are at least six of us sitting around the bar with empty beer glasses. I don't know if there was a change of management but none of the familiar faces are there anymore and the new faces aren't up to par. The 1 star is for the great beer list and the fireplace - outside of that, it's not worth it anymore.
(2)Ramon F.
PROS- Excellent beer selection, great food (cheesesteak is great and I also like the cuban sandwich, my friends also like the mussels), service is always great. only 2 small TV's, flights of beer CONS- South Philly parking, only 2 small TV's This is definitely a great place!
(5)Amanda E.
Stopped here before a show at Boot and Saddle on a Saturday night. Lots of outdoor seating available and were able to sit and get a beer within 2 minutes. We split the cheese plate which came with a good toasty bread that they kept filled as we needed. Choosing a bear was the toughest part since there are so many to chose from. The first round was great and then we got a flight which we should've just skipped. Nothing memorable in the mix and for the price, should've just got another draft or bottle. The real star of the meal though was the bacon wrapped dates with whipped blue cheese. I've thought about them every day since and we almost ordered another plate. Overall, awesome neighborhood bar with high-end menu choices at reasonable prices. Can't wait to be back!
(4)Christopher D.
The cheese fries were really good and the prices are reasonable!
(4)Alexandra W.
I think I liked Devil's Den. Maybe because their signage is cool, but still. I think I liked it! Or maybe because I drank a Roy Pits Ichabod's Midnight Ride Belgian style ale. First of all, ICHABOD'S MIDNIGHT RIDE! So great. Also, Sleepy Hollow? Great movie. Second, it was delicious, if you like sweeter beers. Ugh. So good. It was strange though, their prices were a little odd. Some beers were rather expensive, while others weren't at all (mine was $4). They had the Franziskaner Heffeweissen for $6, and I know that it's at least a dollar cheaper at Local 44. The food was good, too, but I didn't really sample enough to know for sure. If I'm in the area, I'd see myself going back.
(4)Ted C.
Tonight we celebrated our PSN Kickball Victory with the typical celebratory drinks. This time I ventured into some new dishes and I loved the Figs with Gorgonzola! Definitely a neat and yummy dish to try! Diablo muscles were delicious too! Oh and I almost forgot the Beet Salad too which I had on a previous visit, yum! Give me a couple more rounds at this place and the food and I am sure it will be 5 stars in no time!
(4)Matt A.
Devil's Den has a wonderful happy hour. Their beers are already reasonably priced, but 1/2 price on drafts from 5-7 M-F is real nice. They have a well-curated draft list (which btw is never the same as their website, which I take as a positive). The food is usually decent, but mostly there to keep something besides beer in your belly. Duck Fries I recommend. The Den would get a much higher rating from me if it were just a bar, but I had one of the worst burgers of my life there. This cheeseburger consisted of cheddar, sauteed sweet onions, a large patty, and a bun I don't remember anything about. The cheddar was on the burger, but had no discernible flavor. The sweet onions were appropriately cooked, but were the whole flavor profile. The burger patty had no discernible seasoning. I just got cooked ground beef. Unless you are malnourished, plain ground beef accompanied by oily sweet onions is not pleasant. The patty was around 8-10 oz cooked, which normally would be an asset, but in this case made the whole thing absurd, and a little sad. Go to the Den to drink, maybe snack on some fries. The bar has gotten quite popular and now is pretty much full by 530 many days. But is also mostly empty by 11 on a weekend.
(3)Juli M.
I went to the "Den" when it first opened as it is very close to my house. It was really, really, REALLY awful. Bad service, bad food, and a bad smell permeating the place - found out later it was from a "dry drain" and could not be avoided. Our waitress was surly and we all commented that she was pretty uptight for a girl with a neck tattoo. Anyway, that was a couple of years ago. I have been back for a quick drink every now and then, but not a proper meal until a few nights ago. I would like to say - MUCH IMPROVED, Devil's Den. There are actually sandwiches on the menu and menu items that are not crazily expensive, which is how I recall one round of fare choices. Sometimes, you want to sit in a nice bar, with nice dark wood that is relatively peaceful (it was Wednesday) and enjoy a sandwich and a drink. Devil's Den delivered. I had the basic chicken sandwich (good) and some other folks had mussels and a BBQ sandwich - all seemed good. Sometimes - that is just what you want. I will be back.
(4)Phil P.
In all actuality I would give the Den 6 stars, even though I'm only allowed to put 5. I'm writing an update because I moved back to South Philly in June and this has become my new bar to go to. I have one complaint about the DD, there aren't enough good servers here. There are two I really like and the other two I can't stand. There was another I liked as well, but he's gone now. If they upped the ante and got a few more awesome servers then this place would be more awesome than it already is. Onto the good stuff now. They have two full time bartenders that you could almost count on being there every time. Both of them, one a man and one a woman are probably the two best bartenders in all of Philadelphia. Both are sarcastic, witty, and always quick to pour a beer. We're on a first name basis with each other now too which is pretty awesome because now it just feels like my very own Cheers every time I stop in to sit at the bar. I actually have to stop over there(maybe tonight after a ridiculously long day at school) to talk to the lady bartender about the Phillies landing Roy Halladay. She's even more gun ho about the Phillies than I am which is insanely hard to believe. The Atmosphere is great. It is really clean and kept very nice. The bar is really long which I like so there is plenty of room to sit down and watch a Phillies or Sixers game. There are double sided fire places so in the winter I get to drink a beer by a cozy fireplace. In the summer their big double door windows are open so the fresh air comes in. I think this place gets so many piss poor reviews because it is actually clean thus making it non hipster friendly. Onto the rest of the great stuff about the Den. The food is excellent. I'm completely shocked I have seen two bad reviews on the food here. There may be more, but I've only found two thus far. It must have just been a bad experience one time or something. I wouldn't be surprised because no establishment is going to be perfect every time. I for one have never had a bad experience with the food here. It is a little pricey, but it's no more pricey than the other gastro pubs in the neighborhood. For anyone reading this that wants to go grab a bite and a beer at the Devil's Den then I'll suggest what I like there: The French Dog, the Burger, the Cuban, the Pulled Pork Sandwich, and the Fried Zucchini are all out of this world. I hear the vegan food is excellent as well, but being the fat kid carnivore I am if I'm spending $9 on a meal I want meat with it. The beer selection is one of the best in the city aside from the obvious places like Monk's and Eulogy. The prices are all reasonable as well. The Happy Hour is incredible, half price draughts and unlike their counterparts down Passyunk the Devil's Den actually has a reasonable Happy Hour 5-7 unlike the other two places which I speak of whose Happy Hour's are 4-6. Lastly, I have to write about the perk of the Devil's Den card. I'm an alcoholic and I love food, so I'm at the Devil's Den often especially considering it is two blocks from my apt. They have this little card that the staff swipes for me every time I go there. Once you get to $300 on the card they give a $25 food credit which is awesome because it is a free meal. The best is when I go with a large group of people and the tab is like $200. Anyway, I could go on forever about how awesome the Devil's Den is so I'll just stop here. Next time you happen to be in South Philly and are looking for a bar to have a beer and dinner then I highly recommend stopping in the Devil's Den.
(5)Emily K.
We decided to head to Devils Den for a late lunch and some good beers. In the past, this restaurant has always been top notch for good food, beer and mingling with other local craft beer enthusiasts like myself. But this most recent visit was a complete let down. First off, the bartender seemed to be annoyed with everyone in the place. It almost seemed as if he picked up this shift to cover for someone and was pissed that anyone dared to show up and ask questions about the draft list. Secondly, the food was horrible. I ordered the fried chicken Caesar sandwich...no kidding, the chicken looked and tasted like a frozen chicken cutlet, and the Caesar dressing was basically mayo with some iceberg lettuce thrown in to mock a Caesar salad. It just seemed as if everyone working was 100% checked out on their job. I will go back and give them another chance, as this was the first bad experience here; but it was a huge letdown - I recommend this place to alot of people and if this is the new vibe of Devils Den...count me out.
(2)Sara C.
Time for an update! Now that I'm in the 'hood, the Devil's Den is my go-to bar. I mean seriously, it's right around the corner. I've come here with a rowdy birthday party (Tuesday) and I come in for Phillies games (many of which are also rowdy). The staff always works hard to please everyone. The beer selection is still always stellar and the half-price drafts at happy hour as many have mentioned are a total steal. I had the seitan sloppy joe the other night which was off the hook. The rest of their menu is comprised of solid gastropub fare. If you're a regular here, you can get one of those frequent diner cards - once you get up to a certain amount, you get $25 for food. I'll have to check back on the limit. But it's a great deal for those who are always here...like me.
(5)Jordan L.
Oh Devil's Den! I want to like you...but no. When I first started to go to Devil's Den 2 years ago, it seemed like a much better place. I feel there was a better vibe, more jovial if you will. The food was better. I don't know if they changed chefs or anything, but it has totally gone downhill. The beer selection is still really good. This is a fine place to go and sit at the bar, but nothing worth going out of your way for. Such a shame, I thought it had so much potential!
(3)David S.
The happy hour is amazing. The beer list is amazing. The service, unless you're at the bar, stinks. The brunch stinks (last time i had brunch there the shells for the huevos rancheros were so stale that i couldn't cut thru them with my knife) as does the menu/prices in general. This place is an amazing happy hour bar, but there's plenty of better options in the neighborhood for anything else.
(2)Lisa J.
This place was worth going to, but then they got rid of the brisket reuben.
(2)Chris W.
Devil's Den has everything I want from a bar. Good draft beer, food, and a happy hour that can't be beat. I've discovered some of my favorite beers at this bar. I live 'dangerously' close (across the street) and its great to have somewhere to grab a quick beer and something to eat. The staff is really nice and great to strike up a conversation with. The food isn't as good as I first remember when I started going to Devil's Den, its still delicious though. Its also a hell of a lot easier to walk across the street than cooking something myself.
(5)Jamie Lou I.
Happy Hour 5-7 Monday-Friday 1/2 price drafts! Minus 1 star for the food... overpriced and bland.... but whatever, 1/2 PRICE DRAFTS!
(4)Melissa B.
Best beer selection in this neighborhood. Cozy place to enjoy happy hour with the fireplace. Really great staff who knows their beer! Not crazy about the food here, but the beer makes up for it.
(4)Jaime H.
I heart Devil's Den. This is my favorite beer bar in the city, and perhaps the country outside of Toronado (SanFran) and Falling Rock (Denver). The happy hour (half price tap list) is fricktastic, and unparalleled. In my numerous visits to DD, I have experienced fabulous service, both table and bar, and have always left one happy ass little camper. The beer selection is fantastic and consistently solid. The only drawback is that sometimes the food is less than awesome, and at times, I wish the menu was more diverse: long live the pulled pork sandwich from the early days! Aside from that, DD rocks. Much love.
(5)Lene P.
After a brief visit to the Mummers Parade, the guy and I stopped by Devils Den while walking down 11th Street. It was my first time there. We were immediately seated and walked by a nice, warm fireplace. Our table was by the bar and the stools were high. I don't mind this, it wasn't too crowded but fairly busy. There is another room with more tables. They had the Mummers on TV. Viewing the drinks menu, I was glad to see they had $10 flights and I chose the Import flight. They have a very diverse beer menu as a lot of the other reviews have mentioned. We chose mussels. He had the mussels over pasta and I ordered the mussels Diablo which was spicy but not overly so. It came with fries, bread and dipping sauce. The food was very good but I thought the fries were a little soft. The service was great. Our waiter was friendly and joked around with us. Apologized for the wait on receiving our check. The wait for drinks and food wasn't long especially for being very busy. I didn't see the bathroom but I heard it was horrible. Overall, I would like to visit again, especially for the flights and they look like they have a really great brunch.
(4)Christina G.
My sister, friend and I went for an early pre-concert dinner on Saturday night and had a fantastic meal. We started with the meat and cheese board. Everything was delicious. I had muscles and the other two had flatbreads. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. The server was friendly and was a big help in selecting beers. I would absolutely go back!
(5)Vicki M.
Devil's Den is one of the few hipster dominated/focused businesses in the Passyunk Square area that is actually worth visiting. The beer selection is great and the few times I've eaten here were pretty bangin, although a bit overpriced. (Though, for the record, it's about as overpriced as most places offering comparable food. It's yummy, slightly upscale pub food.) Don't be put off by the bad haircuts and pretentious beers, Devil's Den is well worth visiting, and I'm not saying that just because I can walk there from home.
(5)Cassie T.
Once, I saw two dudes fighting in front of this bar, in the middle of the fight in which a girl friend of one of the dudes got a punch in on the other guy, one fighter says, " dude, if you don't hit me I'll buy you a beer" The other guy pauses, thinks for a second, and says, "OK" and they walk in... amazing. That being said, Devil's Den is a pretty chill spot, sort of classier than your average dive, with a decent selection of beers, and pretty good bar food. I'd recommend the Cuban sandwich with sweet potato fries and cole slaw, yumm. If you're feelin' munchy, the fries with some sort of aoli is very addicting. It's a good place to grab a solid dinner and also stay for the drinks.
(4)Jake V.
Back where I'm from, there's a place called Shawarma King which specializes in Mediterranean food. Wait, hold on. This is going somewhere. Alright, so they have good Mediterranean food but they thought ahead to that stick-in-the-mud-type who doesn't want to try anything beyond a what they could find at an Applebee's. So, this Mediterranean place has such things as hamburgers to placate these types. Well, it turns out that if you're a vegetarian, your choices are also limited at this place so it became quite humorous when my friend, a vegetarian, ordered a "grilled cheese sandwich" and got a single piece of yellow kraft american cheese between a white hamburger bun. The Devil Den's vegetarian sandwich is even more comical than that. Yes, they had good beer and my sandwich was alright but I wish I could have had my camera to capture my girlfriend's face when her vegetarian sandwich was put in front of her. It was about as excited as when she opens her Christmas present from her extremely out of touch grandma.
(3)Martin Z.
This was the first bar my friends and I hit up and what s good start . Awesome name. Cool decor. Good beers on tap. The bartender was friendly. Overall a good start to the night.
(4)Tim P.
Every time I go here I am jealous of my friends who live nearby and keep hoping the owners will open a 2nd location in Fishtown (I know all the bar owners read yelp so come on guys :). I have had consistently good service here, occasionally it is slow but they do tend to get packed. The food has always been excellent, whether I have gotten entrees, appetizers or just a sandwich. Its rare that a pub has entrees that would be at home at a gourmet place but Devil's Den does. And the beer list continues to impress. The fact that they always have Schnider Aventinus on tap alone would get them a few stars. Plus they are always rotating in new beers and breweries, they definitely don't rest on old favorites (besides the aforementioned Aventinus which is rare on tap in this city). Seriously guys, come to Fishtown, open a 2nd bar. You'll make a mint.
(5)Vincent J.
I went there for my birthday and had reserved tables for my friends, they totally messed up my reservation. I would give them fewer stars but I like the place.
(3)Sean R.
I have had the chicken sandwich and mussels here, and both were pretty good. One of their "things" are home made pickles, but unfortunately they are not dill, but more like bread and butter pickles (which is one of the only foods I despise). They have a decent draft selection, and an extensive bottle selection. The mostly wood interior is nicely done, giving it relaxed feel, without being grungy. The last time i was there, the bartender said they are hoping to get some outdoor seating (hopefully by mid June), but they were waiting from approval from the city. I have not had the chance to go there for happy hour, but with 1/2 price drafts, and a special happy hour "tapas" menu, it looks like a great option for a post work drink and small bite.
(4)Rebecca S.
i love love this place. i love love the salmon blt.
(4)Ali W.
I want to like Devil's Den, because t's near my house, it's near my nail salon, it looks so nice. But sadly it's just sooo disappointing. This is how my past 2 visits went. Saturday in May, my birthday in fact, went to have an apres mani pedi brunch with my best friend, in from NYC, while my family got my Bday party together (awesome family!)... I order something that sounded delicious and perfect...Fried egg, smoked mozzerella, thick cut toast, some kind of ham (serrrano? jambon?) what I got was eggs with presliced square deli mozzerella, that pink deli ham with rounded edges, over....ready for this... 2 barely toasted slider rolls. It was like something you'd make when you came home drunk. next to it was some slimy wilted salad. I will say though our server was awesome. Now against my better judgment went back a couple of weeks ago, it was a beautiful day, I was meeting some friends for happy hour, decided to sit outside have a bottle of white wine and a few snacks, decided on DD because, really where else could we go in the neighborhood at 4pm on a Tuesday that wasn't the POPE or Cantina? So never mind that they didn't have the wine we ordered then they did then they had to chill it ...whatever it took 25 minutes to get it, server was sweet though. The travesty of the whole experience was that the truffle popcorn reminded me of old Joke, not only wasn't it very good, but there wasn't enough of it. Properly made truffle popcorn is a wonderful soul enriching thing, this was flat, and kind of dirty tasting, there were copious black flecks all about the tiny bowl but the truffle taste was such a whisper that you could taste it only as an after thought, there was no unctuous funky truffly goodness. it was dry and really just ok not omg I can't eat this bad, just ok, like ate it because it was in front of me, which made me sad. Speaking of just ok. the chick pea fries were under salted, and bland with not enough mayo ( really mayo with chick pea fries??) and incongruous dice of pickles which we couldn't figure out how to consume, too small to pick up...were we supposed to drag the fry through the mayo then hope little pickle bits would cling to it??? Actually they tasted and looked, and felt more like polenta fries than chick pea. I could not taste a hint of legume. Then there were the Cheese Croquettes now they were fried and they were cheesy, both of which are good things but they weren't very special, they're weren't interesting or even particularly good. Oh Devil's Den why why why can't you get your kitchen together!!!!!!!!
(2)Joseph C.
I go here probably once a week. The beer list is infinite long. Yes I said infinite. The happy hour is half off all drafts and some other decent food items. As for the ala carte menu its all about the mussels and specials. Specials are sometimes $9 and the dish will include a ginormous portion of pork belly.. Or a numerous large day boat scallops. Its soooo cheap! The staff is very informative except for this one guy who is RETARDED. Outdoor seating there makes for great creepin/judging people watching which is a popular thing in our current society. The paprika mayo is also the bomb to dip with fries!
(4)Melissa R.
A friend of mine lives a few blocks from this place and this is her neighborhood joint. I was looking forward to trying it as I heard good things. The food was decent, especially the chickpea fries, which were different and delish and the beer list is pretty extensive. The hostess however, was a huge pain-in-the-you know where. We arrived 4 of us, but were waiting on one other person. There were no 5 person seating options at the moment, but there was a 4 person high top. They wouldn't allow a stool at the end of the table, because apparently is against fire code. They weren't very accommodating to our group of 5 and even expected someone to stand for dinner! As one of my dining companions said, their behavior "is just bad business." Finally, we were able to get a table for 5 in the dining room, but this experience left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Catherine C.
I've been to Devil's Den many times, as it's right around the corner from my apartment. My advice: Go here for drinks. Go elsewhere for food. The beer list is exhaustive and wonderful. Oh, beer. Glorious beer. They also have some great flights. The ambiance is also quite nice. They have a fireplace in the winter, which is so cozy. In the summer they open huge doors/windows for air flow. Nice. I've typically had good service here too. The food, however, is lackluster. They have a decent brunch ($3 mimosas? Um, yes), but holy God do I love brunch, so I'm easy to please there. The food here used to be really good, but something has changed. Now it is not. And it's definitely overpriced. Rather than detailing this I will just say that I've never been with anyone who really liked what they had for lunch or dinner at Devil's Den since the food changed. Also, on more than one occasion there has been some kind of plumbing problem that resulted in...an unfortunate smell. Maybe this has been fixed, but it's obviously been a recurring issue.
(3)Colin S.
Yes, both a hit AND a miss! HIT! One of my FAVORITE bars for a Happy Hour. Heavenly beer selection and great prices too. Finally, a crowd that is a little more mature and easy-going. Bar-side service is excellent. The fireplace makes everything better. MISS! The food here should be relatively simple to deal with since the menu isn't that complicated, but the pizza/flat bread arrived cold, the brine chicken fingers looked almost "EMO", skinny and sad, sitting all alone on a plate that was too large for them (inner tears), or perhaps the portion was too small? Dunno, either way, the food was not memorable and service on the restaurant side was as bright as a 60 watt bulb (no not one of those energy efficient one either...) Overall, go for the bar and pass on the restaurant....
(3)Kristie B.
After walking down East Passyunk Avenue on a nice summer day, I spotted Devil's Den. The outdoor seating made it enticing. I happen to be there during happy hour. I've got to say, the beer selection was amazing. I love trying new things, and boy they've got some random ones on there. Not only was the beer selection impressive, but they have a tapas menu featuring small plates for VERY cheap. I got the mini wrapped dogs, and although, that sounds juvenile, they were the best dogs I've ever had. The service was a bit slow, but overall, I would definitely go here again.
(3)Daniel B.
Terrible service. I find myself drawn to sitting at the bar/hightops and secretly praying I don't get stuck in the dining room. While, as one poster already wrote, noone ever seems to be your dedicated server, the majority of the servers don't seem to care. Requests for WATER seem like a burden. One server tends to slam down your drinks every single time I order. Also, god forbid you want to move a chair from another table. This spot is NOT good for large groups. The only reason I give this place a 3rd star is the Happy Hour can't be beat. The "tapas" are all tasty, and 1/2 price drafts are welcoming. Just don't sit in the dining room unless you want to leave with a bad taste in your mouth.
(3)Beth S.
Four of us ate there. Good beers, waitress was top-notch. I ordered the cassoulet. A couple bites in, I realized that the white beans were only half-cooked, still crunchy and dry inside, and the duck confit wasn't a confit at all but just a roasted duck leg-and-thigh, no resemblance to a true long-and-slow-cooked confit. I told the waitress that the dish wasn't good; she said of course she'd send it back and would bring something else. I went for the burger, figuring it would be the fastest thing to get, so I wouldn't be eating alone, with my companions done before my supper came. Wishful thinking. Maybe the chef was punishing me. The burger took forever and my pals were long finished by the time the burger (it was decent) came. And then we were stunned when the check came and it included the charge for the confit. Our waitress was embarrassed and uncomfortable as she explained that the chef refused to remove the charge, and an unpleasant and complicated round of conversations ensued, while the manager behind the bar said we'd have to ask someone else, and someone else pointed to someone else, and someone else said the chef was in charge, and someone else said the chef wasn't, and finally the charge was removed, but it was really badly handled and left a bad taste in our mouths. Too bad. A fun place with great beers but some kind of tyrant -- and one who doesn't know a good confit when he/she sees one -- in the kitchen.
(1)Drew S.
Caveat-- beer only. I was ridiculously impressed that they have Southern Tier Unearthly IPA on tap, one of the best brews from a top 20 brewer in the world and very unlikely to be found in these parts. Crowd seemed chill at 9:30 on a Friday night, with people trying a bit less hard than they do at the PoPE or Royal, probably the two greater neighborhood comparison bars. I'd amend the review after I eat there, but this 5 *s for the beer can be weighted out against all them picky eaters out there.
(5)Lauren K.
A Devil's Den in south Philly? Thought this was Flyers territory. This is a local bar in South Philly. My friend brought me here for some beverages and a tapas feast. We drank Death in the Afternoon. It was absinthe and champagne. Not American absinthe either Whoa! We quickly realized we were elderly and couldn't have more than one. Moving on... We had tapas. Pot stickers, hummus and oysters. All were good. Rumor has it duck fries are all the rage here. I would return. Service is fast and friendly. I like sitting outside because you can smoke.
(4)JEAN S.
The damn drink specials here keep bringing me back, but this place sort of sucks. Today I went for brunch with a bunch of friends, lured by $3 bloody marys. They were great and the waitress kept them coming. Unfortunately we waited a really unreasonable amount of time for our food - and when we looked around the dining room no one else had food either. I ordered the breakfast parfait - fruit and yogurt and the menu said a blueberry scone. Anyone who knows me knows I am crazy about blueberries. The scone I was served was nasty chocolate chip with powdered sugar. So gross. I know it's unladylike but I don't really care for chocolate, so I talked to the server about it. She said they didn't have any blueberry, however she did cheerfully take the chocolate back and bring me a lemon. The kitchen is always out of something. I would have been so much happier had they simply said they were out of it in the first place. I need to regard this place strictly as a place for drinking and just forget about the kitchen altogether, I've been disappointed too many times.
(2)Laur A.
I have tried to give this place many chances, but the food is not good. It needs to learn a thing or two from The Royal Tavern and South Philly Taproom. Beer selection is good, but a bit pricey.
(1)Christopherson M.
I am a huge fan of the Den; suffice to say as I frequent the joint at least once a week. The beer selection is amazing, diverse and well-informed. The half-priced beer of the Den's caliber (Happy Hour: every week day from 5 to 7 pm) brings me back time and time again. Their themed-based flights of beer are well selected and are a great starting point for novices immersing themselves into the world of artisanal brews. The service is pretty good for a place that is so consistently busy. My favorite waiter, Francisco, is jovial, sincere and knowledgeable. I never question his recommendations as you can tell that he is honest and a true beer connoisseur. Something about his treatment of the customers makes my friends and I feel as if though we have known him forever. Elisa (sp?) at the bar usually makes me feel the same way. James is very helpful and attentive. The food is generally good but leaves a little to be desired. As I visit so often, I am totally bored by the food selection. I wish they would change the sandwich selection up a little more often. Also, I really miss the Portobello sandwich (passe, I know, but it was delicious) - the roasted veggie sandwich is a poor substitute. I get the feeling that kitchen has been skimping on the Belgian Ale marinated Chicken Sandwich and I'm finding it harder to shell out 9$ to purchase it when I can drop a mere $6 on a huge bowl of Pho right down the street. The environment is chill. The appearance is casual but cleanly with comforting new brick walls all around. Their use of Pandora keeps the music diverse and sometimes groundbreaking for Haute Pubs (I HATE the hipster bullshit played at the comparable Royal Tavern). The lighting always seems to be just right. Kudos, Den.
(4)Raaar r.
People are giving this place a lot of credit. I don't find the food to be particularly interesting, or well done. The best I've had were the vegetarian quesedillas - I'll say they were a little above average. I had a sandwich on a second visit, that was built sloppily, covered in some dressing that I did not like (can't remember what kind) and it was an overall disappointing meal. I couldn't even eat most of it. I am giving Devil's Den three stars because of inconsistency in food quality, and customer service. The plus is that this bar has the most selection for beer in the neighborhood just below Washington. I would go for a happy hour and appetizers, but not for a full meal, or a whole night out.
(3)Wes J.
My wife and I stopped in to the Devil's Den and I was very excited about the incredible beer selection. We had decided that we would eat, i was having to much fun trying the different beers to leave. I ordered the Grilled burger trio, which are basically sliders done three ways, I ordered them rare and they came out somewhere between med. rare to med. not necessarily a crime as they are little sliders. My wife ordered the Cheeseburger medium, and it came out Well. We asked the waitress if she thought it was medium and she said, "No it doesn't look medium to me either." Then turned around and walked away. Our total bill came to around $60 dollars, like I said I was enjoying the different beers, but I was disappointed with the consistancy of the cooking. I have had better but it wasn't horrible.
(2)Carrie R.
Devils den is great place to hang out, whether for a game or just with friends! i love the winter time there because they light their fire place. It makes it feel really homey. they always have a great selection of beer. The menu keeps changing which is good but not everything on the menu is for me... but i can always find some thing to eat especially thier burger and chicken sandwich!
(4)Sally f.
i sooo want to like devils den...but the past three times here i have had not so great servers who ruined my experience. ugh. its such a cool place with such great beers...
(3)Karen N.
Really good food and service. The empanadas were good, service was quick and friendly. Parking wasn't too difficult either.
(4)Steve S.
Wow! One of the best grilled cheese sandwiches ever - served on some magnificent multi-grain bread, with a quality cheddar, tomatoes and bacon! Cooked and burn't just perfectly. Loved the cheap happy hour dishes too - chick pea fries, blanketed dogs and very fresh oysters. And of course, they have great beer selection. Oh, the hot chicken wings are very good - definitely above average!
(5)David W.
Consistently amazing and diverse beers on tap, including one on the hand engine. The menu is not as vegetarian friendly as I'd like, with their veggie burger too mushy and not very flavorful. The chickpea fries, though, are excellent. Over the longer term, they seem to be having trouble with the food aspect of the business, but they've mastered the beer part of it. But who goes here for the food?
(4)Pam S.
The atmosphere here is definitely a winner - I have definitely gone by this place many times, mentally adding it to my list of places to check out. For beer, great. They have flights, so you can try a few beers for ~9, which is a great deal. A good draft list and extensive bottle selection as well. But as a tavern in Philly, this almost expected. The food is good, but the vegetarian/vegan options are lacking ... the chickpea fries aren't vegan?! C'mon. They do get points for actually having a good veggie burger - white bean based I expect. The hummus platter is also HUGE, which it a plus for sure. As for the meat/cheesy food, the figs are evidently amazing, but the cubano was more like a panini than a true cubano. I would return if I had some omnivores I'd like to take out when trying to stay near my neighborhood, and perhaps when going just for beer (and that giant hummus platter!).
(3)Thomas V.
Went for Sunday Brunch with 4 other friends. Service sucked, which was disheartening because my friends are regulars. They kept apologizing for everything, yet NEVER, did any employee or manager every come to do so. Besides having to flag waitstaff down for refill of drinks numerous times (all beer and mixed drinks), we had to flag someone down to take our food order. Of the 5 food orders, only 1 came out correct, and I could not eat my wings because they were bloody. NO one came to check on us. When someone came to clear our table, as she was taking my plate, I said, "these are all bloody." Her response, "ok" Server dropped check off, never asking if we wanted anything else. Then she came back and dropped a new check off that had the wings removed.
(1)Kate W.
Your typical fun, cool, neighborhood gastropub. Came here with some friends after work. We shared a salad, chickpea fries, and some mussels with french fries. Everything was average - no complaints - but I wouldn't come back specifically for the food. The real reason to come here is the beer list - if you can't find something that you like, you're crazy. Love that they keep their big windows open during the summer so it feels like you're outside even when you aren't. It's a nice hangout place, and I like the central-ish location - easy bike ride home whether you're going down to East Passyunk or further north like me to Fairmount.
(4)Lindsay K.
omgggg the mussels!!! amazing! and i don't even like mussels that much. we ordered them as an appetizer and we all decided they were better than our entrees! SO good! yummy i want more now! i did get a side salad with the entree and i must point out that it was really good! random, i know, but i was so surprised! i will definitely go back!
(5)Allie O.
Any bar that gets sour beers like THAT and thinks up a beer tasting like THAT and sets it all up like they did deserves four stars from the get go. Had I not just had the most insanely delicious meal at the Farmer's Cabinet moments before the Devils Den tapped their sour kegs, I would have ordered more food. I did have a croque madame (it was brunch. second brunch, really) and it was tasty, though the bread was a bit stale. But that's ok, since I was drinking a Russian River Sanctification, which might be my favorite beer of all time and I'm having it served as a replacement for champagne at my wedding. No headaches for my guests! But then there was the sour lineup that Pat got, the lucky bastard. Smart one, too. It started on the left with Allagash Confluence, then to the right the Sanctification, followed by Petrus Aged Pale, and finally the Dogfish Festina Peche. WOW. They were all amazing, but they were also paired very well and arranged very well. Whoever did that deserves a nice hearty pat on the back. But don't spill his beer.
(4)Catherine L.
I don't know why but I constantly confuse this place with Devil's Alley. I know they're nowhere near each other, but every time I hear Devil's Den it makes me think of the little place that could on Chestnut... Will there be a trademark litigation in the near future I wonder? Or, are those two places in cahoots to just confuse us poor folks that can't make the distinction? Anyhoo, if drinkin' is your name, and you live in South Philly, then Devil's DEN is your game. If you're looking to snack, the food is semi-edible for low expectations bar-eatin' fare. But seriously, their beer menu means business - they've got a nice selection of drafts and bottles - and they're on par with any good beer drinkin' bar in the city. The place is shiny and new and super roomy with a sizeable bar area to match. The food is one of their low points - gastropub, puh-lease. The menu offerings are all over the place and the food was pretty lackluster. The fries and the garlic aioli (which I think is the true muster test for any good beer drinkin' bar) weren't very good. The aioli was bland and the fries limp and soggy. Service was really weird, often absent (which was inexcusable because the place wasn't busy - even for a Saturday night) Also, I don't really know who our actual, official server was, because it seemed like our table kept getting passed around to whomever was free to handle our orders, requests for beer or the check at the end of our meal. If you live nearby or you're indulging in some eats around Washington Avenue, this is a good place to get a great beer or three... otherwise, go to a REAL gastropub.
(2)Emma M D.
This place has a great brunch! I love the mimosas and they also have a very good beer selection. The atmosphere is laid back and service is friendly. The food gets a thumbs up as well, especially their take on french toast and eggs benedict. Delicious! All decently priced too!!
(4)T L.
Look Devil's Den. I like you. I really like you. But you're so damn inconsistent. I've ordered what I thought was my favorite salad "Roasted Beet & Arugula Salad", but every since that first time I ordered, it is prepared completely differently depending on I don't know what. It's never been as good and so, always a disappointment. Also, I gotta say whatever that neon red salad dressing you've been pairing it with is plain awful. Seriously, I think it's a mix of Kool Aid and cough syrup and it does not do anything for the salad. Other than that, your wings and chickpea fries are good. Other bigger dishes seem overpriced for what it is. But I still like your vibe so I'll be back. PS. Pls fix the salad! Thank you.
(3)Andrei G.
Wow!!! What a great place. Among other things we had the Aventinus mussels which were just outstanding!! They were some of the best mussels I have ever had, and I have had mussels all over the place, including Belgium, Germany and France. They were plump and super fresh made in a leek, Aventinus beer, cream, garlic and bacon sauce. Also had the burger with gorgonzola which was delicious. The mussels though were amazing, served with fries and delicious garlic bread, really tasty. Pair it with a great beer selection and you have a perfect combo. We have been twice and service was good both times. Ambiance is nice, typical neighborhood bar, a bit on the noisy side, but that is to be expected.
(5)Abhinav N.
This is a great neighborhood pub. I was here last evening with a friend and we had a great time. Our hostess was really sweet and got us a great outside table, which lasted only for a while because it started to rain. Inside they have two sections - you can either sit at the bar and enjoy the game on large screens or get one of the pub tables closer to the bar. There's another section inside which is great for dinner and provides more intimate environment. They have an amazing selection of European drafts / bottle beers and great food menu. I tried their Franziskaner Hefeweisse and for food we ordered their chickpea fires and Diablo Mussels, which were really delicious!! I'm definitely going back again to try their brunch, happy hour and beer flights!!!
(4)Bif P.
Awesome beer selection and $3 happy Hour beers, you can't go wrong. I really liked this place.
(5)Bri H.
Went here last night for dinner & beers. Not bad! Extensive beer list with explanations of type of beer and % alcohol content listed. Our server was friendly and attentive. The food was ok. My veggie burger had good flavor but it was mushy and fell apart. It appeared to be some sort of mashed bean patty. Also, one part of the burger was extremely salty. Like as if someone in the kitchen accidentally poured a bunch of salt on it. The chickpea fries, however, were awesome! I guess I was expecting them to look like actual long skinny fries, but they were tender, lightly fried squares nicely presented with aioli and a little pickle wedge atop each one. I noticed that there was a fireplace, but it was not lit. Wtf, it was cold and POURING out! Everyone was coming in soaked off the street. A roaring fire would have been the perfect way to dry off & get cozy. This is a good place for beer & snacks. I wouldn't seek it out, but if I happened to be in the area I'd stop in again.
(3)Andi S.
Excellent deco and ambiance, it was very nice to be there after a long day scootering almost 100 miles with eight others. I ordered a turkey burger, but without the sauce they normally put on it as they put white vinegar on it (blegh) So I asked to to please put avocado on there instead. They forgot to bring the avocado, so I asked the bus boy to please bring it. I had a lovely cider and they do have a good selection of beer and wine as well. I also love the name of the place, even though this "devil" doesn't exist in real life.
(5)Lauren S.
After driving past this place for years and knowing someone who use to work there I've been meaning to get here for a while. Loved the fire place, real fire sent is awesome and gave the place a warm atmosphere. I was there to drink but my friend hadn't eaten lunch yet and need some food, luckily there was one seat at the bar she was able to snag. But the couple next to her were super rude and annoying. The bar area is spacious enough for people to stand around it, I wasn't eating I didn't need a seat and so myself a few friends who also weren't eat stood behind her to chat why she ate. I guess they thought we wanted there seats, maybe that why they were so rude but none of us had any desire to sit we were all happy to stand. Other than that I had a great time here and I wont let one group of people stop me from head here again if I am in the area.
(4)Theresa A.
This is strictly a Brunch review: Unfortunately, I will not be returning to or recommending Devil's Den for brunch--and what a bummer. First negative, is I made a reservation on Opentable.com and got no points for it thanks to the hostess' neglect in checking us in. Understandable to some degree, but still sort of annoying. Especially after this doosey of an experience. Second, took FOREVER to get someone to wait on us. They sat us in the bar area at a high top table. We were one of the only patrons in the place so I found it a little odd that no one was around to take care of us. This was a brunch to celebrate with my Mom and Stepdad, so it was a little embarrassing. The bartender didn't even acknowledge us or provide any reassurance. We quickly realized why. We saw one server go up to the bar to get drinks for her table. As she was waiting at the bar she was SCREAMING profanities at the bartender and slamming things left and right. And not just profanities, but things that made my mother blush. Not exactly sure what he did wrong, but clearly it was something along the lines of cheating on her with her sister. She was fuming. Meanwhile we prayed she wasn't about to wait on us. My Mom at this point is looking VERY uncomfortable. I'm mortified. A server finally arrives with no apology. Take our order. 45 minutes later someone else brings our food. We never see that server again until she drops the check. No refills, no "how was the food", etc. I left having to apologize the entire walk home to my folks. Not exactly how I had planned on spending my Sunday afternoon. Hugely disappointed. Food was OK but the service was so bad there's not much more I can give than 1 star.
(1)Nicole H.
The spicy mussels were delicious! The side salad had a lemon vinaigrette dressing which I was in love with. Lots of beer options....LOTS. The outdoor seating is really nice when the weather cooperates. The indoor section is really nice too. The waitress was super accommodating. I want to go back and try the beermosa at brunch. This is a great local spot.
(4)Arielle S.
I like it here. Great beer list, friendly staff, good happy hour specials. I just tried mussels for the first time because they were recommended and I really liked them!
(4)Maureen M.
First time going to Devils Den was awesome. Best duck fries ever! will recommend to my friends. I came there for my daughters birthday, great atmosphere and frirndly people. the staff was super intutive with their menu as well.
(5)Julia T.
I want to love this place, I really do. I live close by, and the menu makes everything look fairly appetizing, but the actual food needs some work. The mac n cheese is far too liquid-y, the grilled cheese too greasy, the hummus too bland, the iceberg wedge not clean enough, etc. For a varied beer selection, they're pretty good. But get some pho around the corner before coming here.
(2)Amanda F.
I've been to the Den for lunch, dinner, and brunch, and I've got mixed opinions about it. I really WANT to like it, more than I do. It's got the makings of a great bar, and I'm excited to hear that they've got a new chef to shake things up a bit. They even have a fire place. It's always hit or miss, though, even though it's not usually crowded when we go (which always makes for a pleasant time). For example, we had a great server today who was prompt with bringing out the food and was really friendly and nice. But we've also had spotty service with a server who didn't seem to really want to deal with us. The fireplace can make the bar nice and toasty warm in the evenings, but before they start it, it's often cold and extremely drafty. The beer selection is great, that's for sure. I especially love in the winter that they have such a nice variety of seasonal beers on tap. I'm not much of a beer person, but I can usually find something I like here solely based on the apt descriptions on their draft list. The one non-beer drink I had here didn't particularly knock my socks off, so I've stayed away ever since. As for the food, it's hard to say where this is going to go since they've gotten a new chef. Today at brunch, I was pretty disappointed with it. I ordered eggs over easy and while they were well-seasoned, they came out solid as a rock, yolks and whites and all, which was really disappointing. My boyfriend's omelette was tasty, but our toast wasn't warm and the butter was too cold to spread on it. I'm willing to chalk this up to first day jitters, but we've also had mixed experience with the other food. Usually the wings are a safe bet, but the one day that I branched out, I was disappointed. The BLT was an interesting concept: pork belly and fried green tomato, but the execution was poor. The "spicy aioli" had no spice at all. Everything was so soggy and fatty and wet that I couldn't even pick it up, I had to cut into it with a fork. But again, I'm willing to keep trying it to see what a new chef will do with the menu; all of the appetizers we've tried, from the wings to the fried zucchini, have been pretty decent. So again, if you're looking for a nice bar with a good beer selection that isn't that crowded most of the time, give Devil's Den a try. It has potential that I'm hoping it will grow into, but it's not quite there at the moment.
(3)Ruth A.
Great brunch food and inexpensive cocktails.
(4)Mirian V.
I am a huge fan of the Den. Every time one of my friends come to town I take them there. They have a great selection of beer and their happy hour is AWESOME. I do wish they had a larger bar menu selection and a nicer staff (you know who you are).
(4)Toki W.
Devil's Den is pretty solid. It's not great, but it's very reliable. The menu is pretty diverse (bring back the cheesesteak please). I like to think of it as a privately owned, higher end Applebee's. It seats lots of folks, has TVs for sports, full service bar, and great happy hour deals that include some bar snacks. Even flights of beers are half off during happy hour. Lots of outdoor seating too! This is a great place to go with large groups of friends who all want to eat and/or drink. Also great for watching sports without having to go to a bro dude sports bar.
(3)Wayne S.
Ugh, what can I say? Another bar with zero atmosphere below Washington. It wasn't bad, it wasn't good, it was just sorta there. I came in with three friends for a late after movie beer. Three of us got the fries, which will never crack the top ten in this city (see Monks, Good Dog, Five Guys) . They had kind of a weird-something-else-was-in-the-oil-prior to them taste. The beer selection is good but it's in a section of town where the beer selection really isn't so bad (see POPE, SPTR). I think my biggest complaint was just it really doesn't set itself apart. The POPE is in the hood , so it has that going for it, besides being dark and really feeling like somewhat of a pub. There is really no Den type feeling or even Devil type vibe in this place. It's just there. I felt akin to sitting in maybe a chain restaurant in the burbs. We have the Cantina, we have the POPE, hell we have the FRIENDLY which is a gem, a bona fide gem, what is Devil's Den doing for us? You don't have to reinvent the wheel, just keep me from shrugging my shoulders and continuing to pedal when I come across your door.
(1)Jessica W.
First off, If you're one of those "gastropub" people who wants to eat some over-concept weird food with your beer and football, this is not the bar for you. If you want good food and a fantastic beer selection, this is an excellent choice. I was dragged here for a birthday celebration thinking the place would be over-priced, but I was surprised to find a good selection of $4-5 dollar craft brews. As for the food, everyone in our group liked their sandwiches. I merely had cheese fries upon a friends rec, and they were an orgasmic belgian beer/earthy cheese sauce. Reasonably priced for the quality. I very much look forward to trying the truffle popcorn someday.
(4)Jennifer E.
I have been to this bar a few times, and besides the fact that they have great beer, it pretty much sucks because of the wait staff there. Every time I have been in here the wait staff is very slow, rude, and does not want to do their job. Last Thursday was the last time I will step foot in this bar. They have a great happy hour which me and my friend decided to go to. It starts at 5 pm, and times before I have no been allowed to get the special until the strike of 5, so I planned on waiting the 3-4 minutes to order my drink. Meanwhile, my friend ordered hers and said oh maybe I should have waited for the special. At that point, the waitress not only laughed in our face and made a comment about us being rude, but also got another patron involved who also said we were rude ( am assuming they were friends). I am not sure what part of happy hour special she doesn't understand, but that's a way to get people into the bar and then hopefully they will stay after, which me and my friends always do. After that attitude from the very rude bartender, I will never go back to this bar again. Although the waitress did give my friend the special on the beer she ordered (I declined to order after her comments) we did pay the full price for the beer to show her that we weren't being cheap, but we were there to try some new beers.
(1)Charles R.
The food was good, the service was fine and yes the beer selection is huge, BUT wish they would serve some of the dishes they are known for instead of brunch only on Satuday. You can't get any of the really good mussel dishes they offer, nor can you get the shortribs. Burger was very good as its a blend of 3 cuts of meat put thru a grinder. Eggs benedict with crab instead of Canadian bacon came with a great Bernaise sauce. There is only one egg, but it is still a good dish. WIsh in the future they offer some of their other lunch items.
(3)Amanda C.
Came here for brunch my bloody mary was really delicious, one of the best I have had in a long time. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. My coffee was good too. Food was completely decent, one problem is I ordered huevos rancheros and there were no black beans to be found in the dish, it was sort of eggs over tortillas which isn't bad, just not what I wanted. The vinegar based coleslaw on the side was good as were the breakfast potatoes. Basically I liked everything but my entree, I would come back for the bloodys but maybe order really simple food.
(3)Jill L.
In all the times I've visited Devil's Den, I think I may have had the food one time. And honestly, I was already a few beers deep and can't really remember anything about it. So I'm going to talk about their Happy Hour. What a great deal they have here! Monday through Friday, from 5 to 7, half priced draft beers. Now at a generic bar that serves generic beer it may not be that exciting, but Devil's Den has one of the best beer selections around. Each time I've visited, I've been able to try a new beer that was absolutely delicious. They also offer beer flights (which I've never sampled) Scene wise, it's a pretty chill atmosphere. I hate those happy hours where everyone's in a suit, and you feel like a bum if you went home and changed. You know those type of happy hours I am talking about! The only bad thing is that the bar area tends to get a little crowded. There are tables on the wall across the bar and it makes it difficult to stand around-- we usually try to get there as early as possible to stake out bar stools. Another nice thing about Devil's Den is that 11th street has a decent amount of street parking- if you are coming from work in your car, that is clutch. Just don't drink and drive! I'm serious!
(4)David B.
Very cool and mellow ambiance. The lighting is nicely dim and everything is made of dark wood. I got the Mussels Diablo ($12): Steamed mussels in a garlic chili sauce with bacon, cilantro and Belgian witbier. This was amazing! The server brings you a heaping mound of hot mussels swimming in your sauce of choice, fries, and grilled bread. The sauce had a nice kick and was delicious so I used the fries and bread to sop it up after I ate the mussels. The grilled bread was very tasty but the fries were only ok. Some biddy I know got the Pork Belly Mac & Cheese ($8): Crispy pork belly, parmesan, and gruyere. Meh. I had a bite and was pretty underwhelmed. The gruyere was so mellow to the point of being bland. Overall, it wasn't as decadent or substantial as I would have liked from restaurant mac and cheese.
(4)Ian S.
Awesome happy hour of rotating craft drafts. Never disappointed with the food; easily above average new-American bar fare. Open-air windows and outdoor seating make Devil's Den perfect for nice weather. Ideal casual time at any time of day, lunch through late night.
(5)Noise J.
They have a really nice beer menu. Pages and pages and pages of good brew. Their drafts were very pleasing as well, although not nearly extensive (obviously). Staff were Ahhhhiiittteeee.... Pretty down to Earth and not too full of their own Shite. The food was Uhhhhh.... Alright. I mean its a pub. Good munchies.
(3)Mikey I.
I'd say this is a pretty good spot. There's a great huge beer list and every dish I've had here has been a total hit. The wings, as far as I remember are boneless, so traditionalists be warned. I'm looking forward to return visits and to try out other dishes. They have brunch on the weekends which is good, though the menu isn't that lengthy for it. More dishes please, maybe some food specials (of which I did not notice on my few recent visits).
(4)Mary S.
I sincerely enjoy Devil's Den. We've been going for some time, though I think it is only recently that we realized that it's really a walkable location from our house. Also, GROWLER FILLS! and cheap ones! and delicious foods! like, gorgonzola stuffed figs. I'm not sure what it is about this year, but I literally cannot get enough figs, and DD is doing a great job with theirs. I had the Buffalo Chicken sandwich which featured a delightfully- no fried!- but grilled! breast of chicken atop a brioche bun with a chunky blue cheese dressing and tangy buffalo sauce. The roll was a bit doughy, but that's my own problem, lots of people love brioche, just not me, but overall the sandwich was a winner. They offer their sandwiches with fries or salad, and the small salad was also quite choice. Our waiter was a bit meh, but it was late night on a Monday so maybe he was just really tired? Overall this place is a win, it's laid back, it's not too loud, the food is good the growler fills are reasonably priced, and we can walk there. Love.
(4)Bill M.
With Bathroom's being the main theme of the Weekly Yelp this week, and the worst bathroom in Philly thread making a comeback Devil's Den sounds like a good review to knock out. Beacuse really the awkward bathroom situation was the only thing holding me back from giving here a five. It's not that the bathroom was ranked among the god awful (it was actually somewhat clean considering). It was just that it was a single dual sex bathroom inside of a bar that get's fairly packed during a happy hour. Throw in the fact that it was directly next to the kitchen and you had a lot of people waiting in a spot where a lot of people where coming and going. A spot that's a beer paradise could really use a better arrangement. But other than that setback Devil's Den enticed me. It's a beer lover's heaven since it has so many offerings on tap and in bottles. And since all drafts are half off during Happy Hour (thanks for the tip Sara C.!) it's the perfect spot to hit up. They even had a flight sampling were you could try 3-4 flutes of different beers from a certain brewer for a decent price. It was a super steal indeed! The menu also has some innovations which are a step above your typical pub fare. The Happy Hour Tapas menu hooks up things like a decent sized fruit and cheese plate and bacon and blue cheese croquettes. But they also have a juicy looking burger, chicken fingers and all of the standard bar offerings. Overall this place offers enough things to make me a fan.
(4)Alicia O.
This place can be hard to miss. I think they need a bigger sign outside cause if I didn't see my friend waiting outside, I would have been walking up and down street wondering where this Devil's Den is. Inside it looks like your standard pub, but they have fireplace right in the middle. I was only here for brunch, so I didn't get to see the fireplace in action. I suggest arriving before noon for brunch. We arrived just time before it got packed. I ended having two Shoo Fly porters. I'm usually not a big fan of porters, but these were good. I also had the Smoked Salmon platter which probably wasn't the best thing to order with beer. Overall, pros: atmosphere, the fireplace and the beer. Cons: Food, meh.
(3)Denise L.
Great place to go during the winter or on a chilly day/night... They have a real burning fireplace that smells so homey and is so cozy. Love that smell! You can smell it a block away! The few times I was there, I felt like I was at the mountains in a ski lodge and not in the city of Phila. So if you dig fireplaces and the smell, go there! Ps. Their food isn't too shabby either!
(4)Dee C.
As our local drinking hole we come here for dinner, brunch and drinks with friends to romantic nights in front of their inviting fire place on these cold night. Beer selection is insane. Food consistently good. Try the mussels.
(4)melissa m.
I've only been here a few times, but last night sealed the deal that the diablo mussels are my favorite Philly mussels. I want a sauce that I actually want to keep dipping my bread in after the mussels are gone, with flavor that stands up on its own; diablo is exactly that. Devil's Den has a really great beer list and nice/unusual flight options. While it seems like service can be iffy based on reviews, the Den was utterly packed last night and we received prompt & courteous service. Our food came wayyyyy faster than I expected for such a busy night.
(4)jessica m.
Worst Bloody Mary I think I've ever had...at least it was only $3 dollars.
(2)Phanna P.
A long list of craft beers, so much to choose from, so much to try. If you're unsure try one of the flights of beers. Outdoor seating for the cooler days but not for a party of more than 4. We had 6 people comfortably seated inside with one side booth and chairs on the other side. I'll say pass on the cheese fries, doesn't taste much like cheeses. Chickpeas fries are the best. The bar is low key and chilled for the craft beer lovers! Happy hour is great 1/2 off draft beers.
(4)John F.
I just went here for happy hour and needless to say, I enjoyed myself. The beer menu is vast and half off drafts from 5-7 is unbeatable. I also recommend the spicy hummus plater. Devils Den has a great atmosphere. Low key, trendy and comfortable. This is an ideal place to go after work for a quick beer or if your looking for a reasonably priced dinner, Devils Den has some great food. The mussels and steak are incredible. All in all Devils Den is a great choice for almost an situation. Enjoy!
(4)Parker S.
I like beer, I drink a lot of different styles of beer, devil's den makes even a knowledgable beer geek feel like a beginner. Their draft list is always lined with several beers I've never heard of which is awesome. Their prices are good and their half-off all drafts is the best happy hour in Philly period.
(5)Jonathan L.
This place has improved a lot since first opening. It has become my default local spot for enjoying some great beers and solid gastropub fare. The fireplace makes it all the more enjoyable in the dark depths of a hellish winter. The beer list has become excellent, and rotates frequently, including many seasonals. They regularly host events and visits from craft brewers such as Pretty Things, Victory, et cetera. The food has steadily improved, but with the recent addition of a chef of some renown, I expect big things. I will reserve my fifth star for if/when that happens.
(4)Michael P.
In the interest of due disclosure, I'm writing this having just gotten home from their 1 Year Late Grand Opening Party, where they ployed me with a buffet of free food, and encheapened their entire draft list well beyond happy hour. I watched the Devil's Den slowly get built over the course of many months. It right around the corner from where I live, so I was eagerly awaiting another nearby option in addition to the incomparable POPE, and uberdivey Ray's. The fit and finish of this place is pretty wild. They definitely play on the theme with deep burgundy walls, wood trim everywhere, and various etchings and carvings of the a demonic caricature. The menus have a nice touch, with a hammered copper plate of their logo. In the winter, a roaring wood fire makes this one of my favorite places, but watch out for the tables right next to it, you might regret it. Beer is a highlight of the Devil's Den. They have a rotating tap of some fantastic beers, and that they have Franzikaner Hefe-Weisse on tap most of the time keeps me coming back. They have some nice local options in addition to the German and Belgian selection, but you really can't go wrong here. The food has definitely ironed out some of the initial kinks. The pulled pork sandwich is a favorite, and the burger is very good as well. The IPA cheese fries w/ bacon are fantastic. I love the nice variety of mussels options, and a bowl usually has 12-15 good size bivalves. Make sure you know what tapas/small plates means if you order from that menu, its a decent appetizer for one or two, or can give a four top one each. Small plates brings me to the best part, their amazing happy hour. Every draft is half price, and the small plates menu is discounted. Last time, I tried a few oysters, but they were only decent. I wish I got home from work before 7 any day but Friday to take advantage of this. The evening rush used to be completely crazy, but they recently hired a new hostess who does a fantastic job wrangling the multitudes walking through the door. The rest of the servers are a mixed bag, some are efficient and attentive, others make you feel like you're in their way. They usually have sports on the two TVs behind the bar, and I'm definitely going to make it a point to catch a few Phillies games there this summer, when they open the windows.
(4)Kristopher M.
Gargantuan beer list. That alone would get 4 stars from me. But, the brunch menu here is awesome as well. Great little neighborhood bar. I loved the ambience. The Bloody Mary's did leave a little bit to be desired though (I prefer it not be a premade mix but then again they were only $3).
(4)Ida L.
A three dollar Bloody Mary on a Saturday afternoon makes me happy. We sat near the bar. I had the salmon club minus the bread and it was pretty delish. We shared an order of bacon fries for an app and that was a thumbs up too. I like the Devils Den.
(3)Bryan D.
In a word: such bourgeoisie nonsense. I've never been given such a hard time trying to have a drink somewhere. It's been going on since they opened, and it's finally time to say something. Carded a dozen times by the same waitress in the span of 4 months. Bartenders must not be accustomed to folks having more than three drinks. I've never laughed at someone after being cut off before! They need to make up their mind if they want to be a Chilis or if they want to actually be a decent bar. Such beautiful beer. Such beautiful brunch. Good neighborhood place. Just don't laugh out loud. And screw Darius Rucker. So torn to be living half a block from you, Yup-yup A-Hole's Den.
(2)Jill T.
Their beer selection makes me cross eyed. So many choices! I've found so many beers I really like, and the bartenders are really good with offering suggestions. The food is really good too! It's light bar fare, but it's really tasty! The friendly staff is the reason this bar gets 5 stars instead of just 4. Thank you to the bartender who helped cure my hiccups. You're the best!
(5)Tam P.
I came here on a beautiful Thursday night with my girlfriend and have to say I Was pleasantly surprised with the great atmosphere and the calamari salad was really good.. It's a great place to check out and Grab a beer
(4)Vince G.
Excellent beer selection. Enjoyed an eclectic cheese plate and some mussels (diablo) style as well as the tomato mozzarella flat bread. The pommes frites were saturated and flimsy, but it is a solid neighborhood gem.
(4)Mallory D.
I happened upon this place when I got a flat tire in South Philly, and what a happy accident it was. I immediately loved the vibe-large photos of delapitated buildings and rowhimes in Philly made for a lovely backdrop. I am a sucker for craft beer & microbrew places. The beer menu here is ridiculous. Beer flights ($9 each) are a great way to sample a few beers-and increase the likelihood that you will like one. I had a great strawberry wheat brew on draft that was recommended by the waitress-who happened to be lovely and attentive. The food was out of this world too-my friend & I got burgers which were great. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Ruth B.
Ok, so update. SIt at the bar, go to happy hour. Don't eat, drink delicious half price beer. The tall, blond, germanic-looking bartender is solid. She keeps up with the pace, gives a smile and a well-placed comment, and you never have an empty beer.
(3)Brendan O.
The menu has been re-re-re-done here and is definitely an improvement, so back up to 4 stars from 3. Next step required to get to 5? Manage crowd noise better. They crank the volume during sporting events to the point where the patrons are yelling to be heard from one another, and the din can make it unbearable to be there.
(4)Beth R.
The food is quite good - definitely a step above your basic bar food. I had mussels over pasta, and had a hard time choosing between the several mussel options on the menu. The beer list is long, and the wines are reasonably priced. I thought the service was so-so. They were pretty crowded last night, probably due to the snow storm, but it took forever to be seated after our table was vacated by the prior group. There were definitely some, "where is my beer/napkin/etc" moments while we were there. The decor inside is a real selling point, even if you are just there for drinks. There is a huge double sided fireplace, so you can feel the warmth at both the bar and in the dining area. The cozy dark wood and exposed brick walls really added to the feeling that we had escaped the storm to hole up in front of the fire.
(3)Chris P.
I had heard some good things about the new pub Devil's Den, so we headed to South Philly. After nearly walking by the place since it only has a chalk board on the street as a sign, we were pleasantly surprised to find 16 beers on tap and old friend and fellow Delco Guy Randy Walker behind the 15 seat bar. After trying a few of Randy's suggestions, my companion passed on a Hennepin in favor of an EXCELLENT Ayinger Brau Weisse and I went with a Maredsous 8. Anytime you can get two beers of this quality on tap, things are looking good. Then we ordered the Mussels au Lager. We should have stopped with the beer. My companion's second shell creature was so bad it made her gag. I had a few good ones before I had to admit some were good and some were just plain awful. It seemed as though a good batch was mixed in with an old batch. I soldiered on, while my companion ate the very good fries while passing on the below-average side of mayo. The mussels necessitated a trip to the very nicely done bathroom, and we paid up and headed out. While I loved the location, ambiance, beer selection and HD TVs, bad mussels and good beer is a combination I can find lots of places. Given that friends had a similar recent experience at Devil's Den, I'm not sure I can recommend the food. Do drop in and see the proud new papa behind the bar though!
(2)Stacey S.
Met up here with friends for a few brews & bites. Beer flights = the way to go at happy hour. I loved how they were selected for types of beer- ended up getting 2: at 1/2 off for happy hour it was only $8- & quite frankly, my dear, you can't beat that with a stick! Get the duck fries. Holy hell- delicious! Wings, also good. Best flat-bread pizza I've had in a while: thin, crispy crust & the duck one (of course) was amazing.
(4)pearl s.
The bartender Mikey is a total D-bag. He's also unattractive so not sure where the lousy attitude comes from. Best to go on a night when he isn't working because the other bartenders all rock. Great Happy Hour. Good music, fun people. Mikey however is the worst.
(1)Hipster D.
To begin with, the beer really is fantastic. And you simply cannot beat the happy hour special. But lets get back to the beer, because that is the point of this small, wood-themed, south of Washington tavern. They make no secret of it themselves, but its for that reason that it is difficult to congratulate them on their successes. I am rarely impressed with a Beverage Directors ability to find and order good beer and wine. I am happy to find it, as I enjoy good beer and wine, but is it really that hard to accomplish? Having run restaurants myself, I can in fact answer my own rhetorical question; no, it is not very difficult. And it is for this reason that though Devil's Den does offer up some delicious, seasonally appropriate adult beverages, they must also be judged on the food they serve from the kitchen, which often falls flat. Ambiance: *** Nothing wrong with the vibe of this place, its warm, and inviting, if not a little loud. But, it is a South Philly tavern, so if you want cozy and quiet, go elsewhere. Service: *** Oddly disorganized for such a small space. We never know who our server is, and rarely find the same person bringing or clearing drinks. Again, nothing particularly wrong with this, but it does make figuring out who to order from, and who is getting tipped a little bit difficult. The service suffers during the happy hour crush. Wine/Beer/Cocktails: **** I have already discussed my feelings on the Beer offerings, so I won't waste space here. Bravo to the curator. Food: * Unfortunately for me the food has fallen flat far more times than it has succeeded. I have been to Devil's Den for brunch, dinner and happy hour, and to give it the benefit of the doubt, I won't comment on food being served during happy hour. It is unfair to judge a kitchen's skills when it is trying to field the hundreds of orders that come streaming in between 5 and 5:30. However, dinner and brunch, during quiet moments has been disappointing. A Maryland crab cake eggs benedict was heavy and deflating, as the Hollandaise had already started to congeal by the time it reached the table. The flavors so masked by salt and cream, it was difficult to find even a hint of crab. The mussels at dinner had more closed shells than opened, and I was immediately brought to remember my sister saying she had been sick after eating said mussels. Though she claims it was probably the copious amounts of beer she consumed that did her in. A simple buffalo chicken sandwich was tasty but hardly impressive, though to be fair, it was large. And a roasted beet salad was oddly paired with the obviously chosen goat cheese, and something resembling an orange, though it was so out of season it looked and tasted a bit like a child's plastic orange wedge used to simulate a dinner party of perhaps a doll friendly tea party. Overall: ** Go to the Devil's Den in search of beer, and if your belly starts rumbling, play it safe and go for pub classics like fries and wings. These staples will more than satisfy your cravings without compromising your experience. If you are looking for dinner, I'd certainly start at Devil's Den for a seasonal brew, but then I'd pack it up and go elsewhere for the main offerings.
(2)Adam F.
Devil's Den is a classic gastropub in South Philly. Inside decor is nice; outdoor seating is a plus. Beer list is top notch and full of awesome craft beers. The food menu is typical gastropub fare but accents some of their "spicy" items (to complement the "devil" theme). Some items are hit or miss, so I recommend the following: - Duck Fries - Spicy Duck Flatbread - Mussels Diablo or Provencal
(4)Christopher S.
Nice bar with a great selection of beers. Nice location. Bar is big enough that you dont feel jammed like some of the others in the area.
(4)Donna A.
One of the best beer selections in Philly! The kitchen rocks. Solid menu. Decent service.
(5)Emily M.
As you'll see from the other reviews, the service here is atrocious! Absolutely terrible. Food is average and beer list is good. But for how many great restaurants are nearby I would NOT waste your time with the poor staff.
(1)Ron H.
This is a great neighborhood bar. The fireplace just past the entrance is a nice and warm welcoming touch for these colder months. Decent bar space and hightops that you can easily walk in and grab a seat. Good beer selection with an ever rotating line-up or artisan beers. Bartenders are knowledgable and can help you navigate your choice of beverage.
(3)Jennifer N.
The food was delicious. But the service was dissapointing, the hostess took 15 minutes to bring the menu to us, the waitress seemed annoyed of her job.
(1)Chris H.
Just went there for brunch and it was one of the best I've ever had. The slab of bacon over grits with eggs over easy and home fries was absolutely to die for and only eight bucks! Also got a chance to taste their cheese burger (basic but perfectly executed and very juicy) and the pan fried avocado benedict which was also really good and something a little different. For an app we got the cheese fries with bacon which were exactly what they needed to be and not at all greasy. The only downer on the meal was the duck sausage which is in patty form (something I'm not a fan of) and a little dry and under-seasoned. Not worth taking a star off for but I wouldn't recommend getting it. As for the rest, mimosas were good and cheap, the BEERmosa was tasty and as someone who doesn't normally like Bloody Marys they make a good one. Atmosphere was cozy and warm with a nice smokey fireplace smell. I can't recommend Devil's Den enough for a fantastic and affordable brunch.
(5)Michele R.
Been here twice and my complaint is about service. Yes, they have good beer, and the food I had was tasty enough. I just don't know why it took 40 minutes to come out when we were the only people there. Bartender and server friendliness does not overwhelm, either. I return to the places where I feel welcomed, and the energy is positive and friendly. There's so many bars that out perform, I'd only go back if there was a planned meeting that was not under my control.
(2)Lauren D.
I went on a Sunday for outside brunch. I did a beer flight and the frisee salad with bacon lardon and poached egg. I got my dog a grilled chicken breast. The service outside was phenomenal. I'm not sure how the other reviewers come to their conclusion, but I have a strong feeling it's the lady servers that are not as attentive. All the male servers have been great. Came back on a Friday HH and sat at the bar. Both the female and male bartender were great. I had the half off oysters plus 2 pints of some yummy sour ale. Came back again for Friday HH with a girlfriend, sat outside and again had great service. Sour Ale Flight plus some apps (that I agree are weirdly placed on the menu--- there is no true theme to the food) that were decently tasty. The pork bun seemed skimpy on the meat- but the flavor was good. And the dumplings were good, not great. At the end of our meal I asked my server to see if he can scrounge for a cigarette for me... and he delivered. What service :) I
(4)Nancy N.
I just went here last night for an early Birthday dinner with some friends. I was able to make a reservation for the night before for a group of ten. Overall, everyone loved it here! The service was decent. Weirdly, they don't have ice or cold water? I don't know. But I got the Special Mussels of the night. It had chorizo, summer corn, jersey tomatoes, and petite shrimp in it. So delicious! They give you bread so you can dip it into the mussels broth and it either comes with fries or a side salad. I got their fries and I love the dipping sauce it comes with. The boyfriend usually get the diablo mussels over pasta. Apparently they don't do the mussels over pasta anymore but he requested it and they gladly made it with no upcharge! We also tried the Korean BBQ wings my friend ordered. We loved it but she was not use to the taste so she didn't like them. Some friends got the Cheeseteak Empanadas, Nachos, Pork Tacos, Cobb Salad, Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese, and more and they all loved their food! Everyone tried a few beers from their draft/bottles list. They have a very decent selection and a lot to pick from. They usually have a few flights you can try too. The boyfriend got a sour beer flight and he didn't love it, but he drank it all. I got the summer mojitio and it was delicious! My friends surprised me with a piece of their dessert and a candle for my birthday, so sweet of them! It was a chocolate peanut butter pie. It was soo gooood!!! but a little too rich for me. And i didn't like that they had whole peanuts it but it was really good. I just could not eat a whole piece by myself so the whole table shared it. i just love it here!!! and i'm so glad my friends did too!!!
(5)Rachel S.
The staff is nice, the drinks/beer are fine but the new menu blows. The menu and food was just ok before but now it's really terrible. It doesn't know if it wants to be a pub or an Asian-fusion restaurant now, and honestly, none of the stuff sounds appetizing. The grilled cheese and cheesesteak empanadas were awful. Also, they seemed to have done away with their late night tater tots with cheese sauce which was probably the best tasting food item they had but never advertised or put on the menu. I really hope things get better for this neighborhood bar.
(2)Ashley T.
Been meaning to give this place a try. I like how they have both indoor and outdoor seating. They have quite a selection of beers, but not enough variety when it comes to wines and cocktails. The atmosphere is nice. The music selection not so much lol Staff is pretty attentive and always checking on you to make sure you're ok. I appreciate that the most when it comes to any establishment in the city. Didnt try any food here. maybe next time!
(3)Claudia L.
Great place that I think people forget about. Super cute, has a fireplace so makes it a cute, casual date place. Food is very good. I've been here twice and both times, service and food was great. The have a great happy hour special where all beers are half off and some apps too. The popcorn is bangin and their pretzel bites (more like pretzel biscuits) are damn good!
(4)Andrea F.
This place might be my new favorite that's relatively in the area I like to eat, especially cause parking's not bad around there. It kind of reminds me of my ever-favorite St. Stephen's Green, what with the large selection of big and small plates of bar food, but it's a little less pubbish on the inside and a little more spacious and inviting. The selection of food is great- tons of delicious-sounding appetizers and a wide variety of sandwiches and mussels. For the app, we opted for the duck confit gravy cheese fries which were heavenly and melt-in-your-mouth with a nice helping of crunchy, fresh scallions on top. I would honestly get a huge plate of just that for my entrée if I could. As for the entrees, they were equally as tasty. We got the fish tacos and BBQ pulled pork sandwich (both on special that night) and the Diablo mussels. All were great, though be forewarned: the Diablo mussels are HOT. You're probably saying, "Well, duh, doesn't the name imply that they'll be hot?" I should've figured that as well, considering the description said they were in a garlic-chile sauce, but I was still surprised. They were absolutely delicious, flavorful and in a huge portion, simmering in a spicy sauce with chunks of bacon and crunchy bread to soak it all up with, and a side of those addicting Belgian-style pomme frites and aioli dipping sauce. I would totally order the Diablo again, but maybe next time I'll be prepared and have a glass of milk and a box of tissues on hand. Or maybe I should avoid spice altogether and order the more basic options like lemon and garlic and wine. As for the beer list, it's really expansive and similar to those you find at most other Belgian places in the city (Monk's, Belgian Café, etc.). It can become pretty overwhelming trying to decide what beer to pick and it's helpful when the server knows what you're looking for and can make suggestions based on your taste and preference. This is why I dropped it down a star. I like a beer called Ephemere by the Canadian brand Unibrou and I couldn't find it on the list, so I asked for something similar and he couldn't tell me even one. It WAS a slow Sunday night and I'm sure it's hard to memorize all that beer, but I still wish he would've at least tried and asked the bartender if they had something within that same scope of beer. He didn't even make the effort so I ended up picking one at random. It's not enough to ruin my experience, though, so I'll definitely be back to try another beer and another helping of mussels.
(4)Kelly T.
Came here for brunch with a friend, because it was a Sunday and the only non-BYOB in my neighborhood I could find open at 10:30 (we are early risers!). Mimosas here are only $3 and you can get a beermosa (Ommegang Witte + OJ) for $4.50. My friend got the regular mimosa and was happy, I got the beermosa and was extremely pleased--you could definitely taste the characteristics of the ommegang, which blends well with any kind of citrus. To eat, I had the avocado benedict, which was an extremely indulgent and unconventional benedict. It was a single set up, with a poached egg, especially creamy hollandaise, breaded and fried avocado, atop a slice of brioche. It came with a side of home fries. I added some sriracha and was in heaven. It was an absolutely delicious breakfast. My friend ordered the burrito, which was insanely huge, and got through about 1/4 of it. She was happy with her breakfast, but not as wowed as I. Service was great. Our server was friendly and our table was bussed promptly after we were done. I will definitely be back for brunch for the cheap mimosas and early opening time.
(4)Jody P.
I was pleasantly surprised at how good the bean burger was, but if you're looking for something vegetarian you should let them know because the bun was waaay too tasty to not have been toasted on the same grill as meat. The salad that came with them was colorful and fresh. The popular duck fries were small, crispy and topped with gooey duck and gravy. The portion was perfect for two people to share, but requires a fork to avoid goo soaked fingers. I thought they were just ok, typical bar food, but my boyfriend thought that they were great. On a separate visit for brunch I had a benedict that I found to be bland. On both visits staff took a long time to give us a bill, but were polite. In the winter the place smells heavily of it's fireplace to the point where I left smelling like the fireplace.
(3)Sarah P.
The average rating for Devil's Den should be higher! I think this place merits 4-4.5 stars. Atmosphere: Love it. Fireplace for wintertime coziness, tables to sit outside with your dog and people watch in the summer. The space is large, and even during busy times, there always seems to be an open table, so I've never waited for a table (yesss!) Unpretentious vibe. Good service. Beer: One of the best beer lists in the city, in my opinion. I mean, it's more of a tome than a list when you include their enormous bottle selection. The descriptions of each beer are clear and inviting. Half price happy hour too.. cannot complain. Food: vegan and vegetarian options still need some work. I also miss the gigantic pickle plate they used to have maybe 1.5-2 years ago that was like 9 bucks and more than enough for 2 people. They have a pickle plate special now, but it's really small and doesn't have as many different types of veggies as the original, if I remember correctly. If there were a few more vegan options, this place would be 5 stars..
(4)Edwardius W.
Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale, 7.2% ABV - traditional American brown ale with notes of molasses, coffee, ginger, chocolate. Product of the armpit of America : Deleware. Beautiful man!
(5)Lynda Z.
I noticed that the menu changes from time to time so my review may be irrelevant by now lol. BUT, I will review the stuff I've had there in case they make their way back to the menu, and I hope they do because they were delicious. I've have the burger, which is still listed. The burger is solid..typical real meat, not formed beef pub burger, which isn't a bad thing to say because most pub burgers I've had have been yummy. The things that are missing from the menu now are the bacon wrapped dates. It hurts my heart that they're not on there anymore too because they were my first experience at those delicious little nuggets of love. They were pretty much forced into my mouth by friends that were annoyed that I'm a picky eater and refuse to try new things. So, they bullied me into trying them and they were pure heaven. Another item MIA is their pulled pork flatbread. It had pulled pork (obviously), arugula and a creme fresh sauce. The pork was tender and seriously delicious. Why Devil's Den? Why did you make these things go away? Bottom line is, is that I really haven't had anything there that I didn't like, so I would recommend them for good grub and different types of beers on tap.
(4)Nina S.
Great neighborhood spot to check out for good food and large beer selection! I have been here for just drinks once and enjoyed it but when I went back and ordered food I was very impressed. The table next to me had a large order of Mussels that looked so good so I ordered them also. The traditional mussels is a very good value for $13. The bowl of mussels is swimming in a buttery garlic sauce and served with toasted Italian bread and a large bowl of french fries. The fries came with a chipotle aioli sauce and it added a nice kick to it. This is not a healthy option but very tasty and I recommend you trying the mussels too! The bartender gives great explanations of what types of beer I would like based on what is on tap. I tried a very good Saison Pumpkin Ale that I recommend. It's on draught now so not sure how long it will last!
(4)Joshua V.
One of the slickest neighborhood bars a South Philly resident could hope for. When my abode was around the vicinity of this pub/bar/tavern, I took my proximity for granted, though the relatively "more expensive" booze prices also served as a deterrent for a poor liberal arts student. This joint prides itself on its beer selection, with prices and alcohol content listed beside beer names in a menu neatly bound with stretchy string. The atmosphere in this place definitely adds to the score; the low lighting and the fireplace contribute greatly for an intimate mood. The place may be out of the way from all the goings-on of center city, but sometimes that's exactly the kind of fix that's needed.
(4)Devon L.
I don't know why I haven't written a review for Devil's Den yet - I have had numerous great experiences here, and find myself referring friends from out of town to try the Den when they are nearby for concerts/events. Last night, I had my first Happy Hour experience here - which I feel is worth sharing with the world. They feature a tapas menu for Happy Hour - we had the spicy hummus - for $4 we got a large portion of hummus and plenty of delicious pita to eat it all up. All of our beers were 1/2 off during the Happy Hour time, which I believe is from 5-7, Monday through Friday - but don't quote me on that. I had 2 different pumpkin beers, as well as a coffee-chocolate beer that was a great way to end the meal, sadly the names of the brews escape me. One thing I know for sure, is that they constantly rotate their draft beer and always have a great beer selection. I am a creature of habit, and typically get mussels here or the salmon BLT. All of the mussels are delicious, and the salmon blt is just so right. The fries are also super crunchy and come with a great aioli dipping sauce. Service has been consistently good here, everyone is nice, and when I can't decide what to drink they offer up a suggestion. And I enjoy the ambience, it's certainly a nicer bar and has a cozy, neighborhood, feel which I love. Will always return to the Devil's Den and continue bringing friends and family from out of town.
(4)Nina J.
This place is near my job and they have THE best happy hour I've found in Philly - 1/2 price drafts and food every single day, from 5-7. The only grip I have about this place is that the service could be a bit better. I shouldn't have to stare at my empty glass for more than a couple of minutes, before someone asks if I'd like a refill. During my last happy hour visit, the bartender was somehow able to squeeze my appetizer order in for half price, but not my beer. They were both ordered at the same time and before 7 PM, so I don't really understand why I got jipped like that. If it weren't for the happy hour, I probably wouldn't frequent this place as much as I do but it's such a damn good deal! I guess I'll deal with the annoyances to enjoy good beer for cheap.
(3)Hali R.
I loved the crackling fire and the dim lighting. We were sat by the door so I was worried about being cold but it turned out to be fine. They were out of the first couple beers I tried to order but I settled on a third and it was really good. Our server told us there was only b5 minutes left of Happy Hour and came back quickly to make sure we got at least one drink at Happy Hour price. We had the duck fries, burger, and the shrimp pot stickers. Everything was good but the shrimp and sauce was THE BEST. We will definitely be back. I'd love to try the brunch!
(5)Jessica P.
Good place for a brew and a game. I have three words for you -- DUCK FAT FRIES. This is not a joke. Get them. They're incredible. The burger here is also really nice, they cook it 100% to your liking. I have also been for brunch and that was also yummy. The only thing the menu is lacking is probably lighter fare. So, if you come here, prepare yourself to leave super stuffed!!
(4)Ron C.
Great beer list. Nice vibe. Good Staff. The food menu seemed too duck-centric. The duck fries have a blob a brown goo on them. Nasty, but some may like it.
(3)Maria C.
They have a great happy hour and decent food but the rudest and least professional staff I have experienced in philadelphia. I have given them several chances but it is always the same. The last time I went there we were the only costumers there, and the bartender could not have been more annoyed by our presence. She spent the first 15 minutes of us trying to get her attention putting make up on behind the bar (so unsanitary). As more people came in, we had to practically beg for her to get us a drink and our bill. A girl I was with asked for a drink and she claimed not to have the ingredients - pickle juice. She then asked the server who got her pickle juice, and the bartender rolled her eyes and reluctantly made her a drink. This has been the attitude and demeanor of every single person I had had serve me here and I most likely will not be back!
(2)John C.
After a long day at the office, I really enjoy visiting Devil's Den for a tasty beer and burger. The staff is fantastic and their brunch is also to die for! I have been visiting this fine establishment regularly for over a year now (5 STARS)! Yesterday, I decided to sit at the bar with my woman for a nice sour-beverage to close out my day. The bartender, tall / mid 30's / glasses, asks for our ID's. I show him my ID and order my favorite bottle of brew, and then he evaluates my girls drivers license & notices that it has just expired. She tells the bartender that she lives 4 blocks away and would have no problem picking up her passport to show him. (My girlfriend and I are both 24 years old) While she is commuting to pick up a non-expired government form of identification, the bartender ignores me and never delivers my drink. After a couple of minutes pass (with a not-so-crowded bar), I flag him down and request my drink again. The bartender tells me that he is going to need me to move into the dinning area to receive my drink and to leave the bar. With a valid drivers - sitting alone at the bar - I question his reasoning. He continued to tell me that even though my 24 year old girlfriend is returning with a valid passport, he could not serve me while I wait. I then asked him, "hypothetically, if she never returned, can I receive my beverage now?". He then replied, "maybe in the dinning room after your server arrives". After that answer, I picked up my jacket and walked out to meet my girlfriend half way in her commute back to explain to her the craziness that just took place at our favorite joint. I understand that he is protecting the restaurant, the bar, and his job by being cautious, but this was just all sorts of crazy to me. In his mind, serving an individual with a valid ID was absolutely out of the question and why two 24 year old had to be escorted to a table was beyond me. This exchange with the bartender has put a really sour taste in my mouth, and unfortunately it will be awhile until I return to my once favorite happy our joint. Cheers?
(1)YouTakeItEasy U.
Great bar, great food.....Duck fat fries YES......started with the Micro flight and and fries. Both great, and had a special for dinner. Chicken Saltimbocca was amazing came with creamy polenta. Girlfriend went with tuna still flipping, jk but basically raw, also amazing. Also had a few pints of Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose so good. Place was cozy and a great ppl watching place. Only down fall, parking and we waited for 10 min before someone came to take or drink order. A waiter from a different section noticed we were not being helped and took our table. Daniel, thank you for going above and beyond. Can't wait to come back, Thank You...
(4)Dan D.
Excellent mussels and beer selection. The waiter we had was super on point and was constantly emptying the mussel discard bowl.
(4)danielle p.
Last night was our first dining experience at Devils Den. As always we were indecisive as to where to eat so I was checking out the latest Zagat lists. This restaurant was listed under top restaurants with fireplaces. The weather was rainy,cold, and miserable so a warm cozy fire was exactly what we needed. The atmosphere rocked. Appropriately dim and warm. The seasonal holiday decor was full of spirit and added to the dining experience. The hostess was genuinely welcoming and helpful which I loved, really set the tone for the rest of the meal. My boyfriend got a burger which was huge and filling. I got the open face hot turkey special which was DELICIOUS and hearty. The beer list is extensive, also lots of great drafts. We ordered the holiday beer flight which was perfect. My server ( platinum blonde female, I forget her name sorry :-/ ) was also super awesome, personable, and on point through out service. She even maintained service after we paid which I loved, didn't feel rushed. As a waitress employed at a competing restaurant in the neighborhood, i don't typically yelp because there are so many self Righteous jerks complaining about anything their lame brain can gather--- however praise when praise is due, I will absolutely be back devils den. YUM!
(5)Robert M.
Phenomenal spot in South Philly. Used to go here all the time when I lived in the neighborhood. Great burgers and fries! Awesome beer selection all the time. The salmon sandwich is also great as well! I highly recommend!
(4)DanaJoy88 ..
This place is close to my house so my boyfriend and I go here once in awhile. Overall it is a little pricey but their food is inventive and their beer list is great so the money is worth it. Due to their prices however we don't frequent too often but I like a restaurant that has good beer and food that doesn't consist of only burgers and wings.
(3)Judy M.
I was with my girlfriend at the bar having a late night snack. The food was delicious and service was much appreciated by the guy with the batman shirt. He was very attentive and fun to talk to. I would definitely come back with more friends
(4)Mike W.
I love the beer selection and the vibe at Devil's Den. Unfortunately when we went, the food just didnt measure up. The fries I had were delicious, but the panini I got was extremely overdone, to the point that it was hard to bite through. It also caused the sandwich to be very dried out. Also wish there was more filling inside the sandwich, but would have just been happy to have a not burnt sandwich. I devoured the fries as I dipped them into the delicious sauce served with them. The beer list is excellent. Im going to give it another try sometime soon for the food, and I will definitely be back for the beer!
(3)Lauren B.
Did you know there are restaurants out there that sell bottles of wine for under $20? Well, Devils Den is one of them. Pair that with their awesome fries, outdoor seating, and dog watching and I think I found my new regular bar. Mind you, I won't being doing a bottle of wine every time I go there but it's good to know when out with a group. lol. Things on their menu to try- the cavatappi with short rib. Decedent, filling and worth the food coma. The cheese fries: Amazing cheese sauce with bacon! Tip- ask for a side of honey mustard. It's house made and has quite the kick to it. The perfect balance to the beer cheese sauce. Finally, the grilled Caesar salad was really good. Two large bunches of romaine drizzled with dressing and served with chicken. For the low price of $10, totally worth it! Head on over here in the warmer months and get a table on the sidewalk or at the giant open windows. You won't be disappointed. :)
(5)Leigh Ann B.
If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would! This place is AMAZING!!! My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place while taking a walk and decided to have dinner. We started off with the bacon wrapped dates with whipped blue cheese and they were delicious then we had the diablo mussels and they were the BEST mussels I have ever tasted!!! For our entrees we had the beet salad with salmon and the roasted chicken and once again they didn't disappoint us! I would highly recommend this place and I will definitely be going back!
(5)Heather S.
I've been three times for brunch now and it hasn't disappointed yet. $3 Bloody Marys and Mimosas from 10:30-3; can't mess up a Mimosa and the Bloody Marys are spectacular. I ordered the Avocado Benedict each time, delicious: brioche with fried avocado, eggs, and hollandaise sauce, with breakfast potatoes, red pepper, and onion as a side ($10). Roommate ordered MTO omelette with spinach, cheese, and bacon, same side. Each time we've gone at various times throughout the brunch time it has never been crowded either, no wait. I've definitely found my go-to brunch place!
(5)Sang D.
I don't ever give 5 stars. But I have to restrain myself from eating here too often. Let's get to it. The duck fries are delicious. The burger is good. Their brunch is awesome, (love places that will blanch a potato before frying it for home fries - makes a huge difference). Great omelettes, great biscuits. They do a maple pork belly hash special that is really tasty. Every different style of mussels they cook is outrageous, favorite being the Provençal (skip it if you don't like lots of garlic and sun dried tomatoes). They had a duck breast special that was probably the best thing I ate all month (including $30/lb prime rib for Christmas). It had a parsnip purée and I think a red wine sauce (AND a pear ginger coulis?) and it was better than the duck at Morimoto that cost twice as much. If you like creamy (heavier) pastas, the cavatelli with short rib is delicious. They had a ground pork burger special, that again, was delicious. I'm really going to miss this spot if I leave the neighborhood.
(5)Flavia C.
Great spot for upscale bar food! The place has a locals feel with two options--you can either sit in bar area and enjoy a game or in the dining area near a lovely fireplace in a quieter setting. The service is friendly and prompt and the food is on point. Enjoyed the bacon wrapped dates, which game with goat cheese! For a main course I had the muscles, I liked the lemongrass curry, so much so I took the left over sauce home! I tried my friends traditional muscles and those were yummy as well. It came with fries (shoestring and crunchy) or side salad which had a great dressing on it. Nice beer selection and a smooth cab for $5.50 on the menu, you can't beat that. Also had some good veggie options like black bean burger and falafel .Great bar!
(4)Nathan T.
Went her last night for dinner! Great atmosphere with centralized fireplace and historic beer references. Beer selection is diverse yet organized. Cocktails are great too! And by the way, the food is AMAZING!!! Great mixture of American classics with European touches! We've going here for years will continue to!
(5)Jimmy W.
4 stars for the beers. At least a rotation of 10 craft beers on draft and hundreds more in bottles. Had a perfectly hand pump english extra special bitter and a GABF (great american beer festival) award winning Bière de Garde! Tasty. 3 stars for the food. BBQ Duck Buns? Wow that sauce is overly salty and adds nothing to the duck. It's just drowning with sauce which creates a mess that my 1yo would be proud of. The traditional mussels and fries were on point for Belgian standards. Devil's Den is very kid friendly with available high chairs & outdoor seating (seasonal). Free street parking all around.
(4)Sarah L.
I've been to Devil's Den twice and pretty solidly enjoyed it. If there is one thing you order when you come here, it is the duck fries. Crispy hot fries covered in cheese and duck confit? Get out of here. They are unbelievable and totally worth the $10 which I would normally never pay for a plate of fries. We also had the confit chicken wings which we had really high expectations for but honestly they are not as good as Varga Bar and they just were not as tender as something confit should be. Good flavor and I liked the dry rub but not the best wings I've ever had. Also amazing is the Diablo Mussels- a spicy broth with chorizo and some other delicious things...everyone at the table was going for that broth and the server was awesome enough to bring us more bread so we could soak it all up (and then yes someone did drink the dregs...don't judge). Really amazing flavors with just the right amount of heat. Someone else had I think it's called the Farmer's Burger? There is a burger that is basically gluttony on a plate. It has a few kinds of meat, egg, cheese, and sauce and really is a commitment. I had the veggie burger which was huge and had fresh toppings on it. I thought the bun was delicious but the burger itself could have been a little more exciting. Veggies burgers can be hard though and it was pretty good overall. The beer list is pretty expansive and has lots of different draft and bottle options. We went during a sour/IPA event and were a little disappointed to find only about 3 'true' sours on the menu but there was one called Bullfrog Jong Bruin Cafe that two people in our party declared 'the best beer they had ever tasted' so props for selecting that one! I had a pretty delicious cherry lambic on tap which was smooth and fruity.
(4)Christina G.
I've been to Devils Den many times for drinks and a couple times for dinner. I just had my first brunch experience over the weekend. I loved the crab eggs benedict and the potatoes that came with it. If you love crab cakes and like eggs, I don't see how you can't like it. My friend had the ham quesadilla which looked really good and he said it was decent. The brunch bloody mary's and mimosas are only $3 but very small and mediocre. My bloody mary wasn't in a big glass and was filled with a lot of ice and hardly had any alcohol in it. For brunch, I would give this place a 3. But I come to Devils Den often for drinks. I love the beer menu and it is extensive. The bartenders will let you sample a draft beer if you are uncertain and I have found that they make good recommendations. There are always good patrons in this place but the place is never packed. It is also nicer than many of the hole in the wall bars in the neighborhood. For drinks I would give this place a 4 or 5. I like their oysters but think they are a bit pricey. I wasn't a fan of their French fries and thought they were over cooked and too greasy. I have found the service to always be good here. The food is very hit or miss but I love coming here to try a new beer so I am torn over what rating to give this place.
(4)K- O.
Absolutely my favorite place in the city. The food is delicious and fresh. The wait staff is friendly. They have an excellent selection of beer. I could go here every day.
(5)Amy M.
I must update my review and give Daniel, our server, some major kudos. Talk about going above and beyond! He made some magic happen between us, and the kitchen, and sent us something that was previously 86'ed from the menu! What a surprise! He was super attentive, and very personable, and allowed us to enjoy a great night! Makes me love Devils Den so much more with servers who truly show they care about their guests!
(5)Sarah A.
Nice bar. Fireplace is always roaring in the winter, and the outdoor seating on 11th is nice on sunny days. The happy hour here is fantastic. All beer on tap is half price, and the draft list is always large and on par with a plethora of palettes. And on a side note, half the time I've been here, theres been a very satisfying Nitro brew to try. Great atmosphere, great brews, & great bartenders !
(5)Katzen Z.
I've been here dozens of times and have *never* been disappointed. They have an enormous beer list, the ambiance is great, and the food is always excellent. This is my go-to place for drinks with friends. The bartenders are always nice, attentive, and knowledgeable about the beer list. The waitstaff are also prompt and pleasant. Excellent happy hour specials on both food and drinks. Can't say enough nice things about Devil's Den, but I will say one more: The fireplace is so cozy in the winter. Love this place.
(5)Becca M.
It pains me to give Devil's Den such a negative review because I genuinely do enjoy the mussels and flatbreads when I hit it up for a late night dinner. However, no amount of delicious mussels can offset the atrocity I experienced upon brunching here. It all started one super-hungover Sunday morning. My boyfriend and I first tried Hawthornes (1 hour wait) then called over to Sabrina's (1 hour 15 minute wait). After choice one and two were nixed, we started brainstorming where to go next. During the brainstorm process we passed Devil's Den and decided to try it despite several people telling us the brunch was subpar at best. Those people were exaggerating. Though the restaurant was not crowded AT ALL we were sat directly in between the two bathrooms. Having worked in food service before this is a no-no. The worst table is the last table to go. After we had to asked to be moved, she sat us at a table which was so slanted that the water was spilling when it was placed down. So then we were moved again. After the seating debacle, we ordered. At the waitress' suggestion I ordered the breakfast quesadilla, and my boyfriend got the biscuits and gravy. His dish came out alone, I told him to eat, but he really didn't want to because it was just not good. So a few minutes go by and we ask where my stuff is. The waitress tells us it is about to be up. At least ten more minutes pass and my shitty quesadilla is finally served. The food is plopped down sans an apology for the screw up. It was clear the waitress forgot to put in my order, and I kinda wish she had just admitted it because, ya know, people screw up and I get it. The food itself was just not good. The biscuits and gravy made my boyfriend sick all day and the eggs in the quesidilla were so over cooked I don't know if they even qualified as eggs any more. My advice to Devil's Den: Stick to dinner. The only plus was my watery, tasteless bloody mary was only $3. huzzah...
(2)Jill C.
Ok so this was the first stop during my recent divorce party. That's right, my divorce party. My sister and friend decided I needed a celebration for closure. So we did a little bar crawl, with Devils Den being our first stop. We went inside to talk to the hostess about sitting outside. They happily put two tables together for us and it was a lovely day out. They had an excellent beer selection and everyone was happy with their selections. They had a few beer flights on the menu but I'm not sure if that was just because it was Philly Beer Week. Beers were well priced. We looked at the food menu, but no one was really hungry at that point. I would like to go back sometime As a side note: my sis and brother in law love it here for brunch so I'm only assuming the food is good! They are good judges of food! Inside there was a fireplace separating the dining area from the bar area - I'm also assuming that is pretty kick-butt on a cold Philly day. Our server was nice too! So 4 stars for now based on our experience - to be adjusted once I have food here!
(4)Elaine M.
Mehhhh. I only stopped here for a beer the other day. We decided to get flights rather than a single draft. I am a big fan of micro brews, and enjoy many; but both flights that we had were extremely disappointing. I felt like I had to drink them since it was $9 for 16 ounces, though only 1 out of 4 was enjoyable. It was like a bad beer fest experience. They have a lot of outdoor seating so that is a plus. If I stop by again, I will stick to beers that I know. Screw the flights. I can't comment on the food, though I've heard it is standard bar fare and nothing to rave about.
(3)Abby W.
I have this really complicated relationship with the Devil's Den. It's like the guy who calls you once and a while out of the blue, and even though you're dreadfully ashamed of and perplexed by yourself, you always agree to go out one more time. Can't put a finger on why, since each experience after the first has been underwhelming, but its convenience and surface appeal always keep me coming back to give it another go. Seriously, I think the Devil's Den has an OKCupid account. The appeal that drew me back today was a 1,000-point table reservation on OpenTable, and having heard that there was a new regime in the kitchen. I had some friends in town who used to live nearby so I figured it would be a good, nostalgic choice. Our meeting today was promising. I asked if it would be any trouble to combine two reservations at one table, and by the way we have two fewer than anticipated and we're not all here yet, and she handled this with aplomb. I had my repeated explanation on my lips for that inevitable blank-stare-what???-response, and my words failed me because she didn't bat even an eyelash and sallied off to put together some tables. I stood there for a moment baffled, with growing delight. This was the reunion I had been hoping for! We were quickly seated and waited for the rest of our group to trickle in. There was no pressure during the waiting which was great. I selected a bottle of Revolution Cider, a Philadelphia brew that I've had on draft before and enjoyed. When I poured it into the glass, it was completely flat, nary a bubble in sight. Womp womp. I took a sip, and the flavor was actually essence of womp womp. All at the table tried and agreed, this did not taste right. I communicated this to the waitress and got a lot of "oh it's because it's from the bottle and not draft, it tastes different," and "sorry you don't like it but I can't take a bottle off the check" (not that I even asked her to- but I'm sure one could have discounted some food or something in compensation. Whatever). So then I thought maybe I'll get a bloody mary, having observed that the mimosas were much heavier on the OJ than I prefer since I'm not a huge OJ fan. But I really am not fond of horseradish. I asked if their mix already had the horseradish in it or if they added it as a separate item. Pre-mixed, she says, and cannot seem to imagine that the bartender could make a fresh one (she said they did have tomato juice), y'know, without the horseradish. Oy vey. Never mind. I don't want anything to drink, thanks. At this point in the date I was over you, Devil's Den, but I still wanted to get a meal out of this. I had decided before I even came that it was a crab cake benedict for me, all the way. When our plates finally arrived, I was somewhat let down by the portion. All around me were heaping plates of yummy looking goodness, and in front of me was one was crab cake with a poached egg on top on a piece of brioche toast (hollandaise on the side per my request. You always did remember the way I liked that). It was one letdown too far. I ate it. It was OK. They could have cut the size of the crabcake, used actual lump crabmeat, and done two with way less filler, and then it would have been worth $12 and two hours of woodsmoke asphyxiation. Heck, I would even pay $14 if that was the dish I was getting. For what it's worth, as is typical of that annoying on-again-off-again, everyone else seemed pleased, although E said the bacon in his ALT was absolutely flavorless. It's the neighborhood place that I love to hate and hate to love. Why can't I get over you, Devil's Den?
(2)Hank S.
Devil's Den is a great neighborhood pub. The bar is set up nicely. They have a bunch of taps with great brews ranging over different styles of beer. They also have flights that are a fun way to try new things. My fiance loves their mixed drinks. The menu is good, but I do wish it were a little bigger. The wings, duck fries, and bacon-wrapped dates are great appetizers. The mussels are delicious. I am also a fan of the grilled cheese which has bacon and tomato. Devil's Den has hosted some fun beer events over the past year, and they are always a lot of fun. My reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is the smaller menu along with one bad experience (compared to numerous good experiences) where my party was ignored outside. It took our waiter forever to see to us for drinks and an appetizer, and by the time those arrived I was so annoyed I decided not to order any real food. He didn't come by again even when it started to rain. I had to go inside, confront the hostess, and have our bill settled so we could get out of the rain. That experience still irks me, but since then I have had 3 or 4 good experiences.
(4)Chelsea B.
This review is for drinks only, and as far as that goes I think this place is great. On a Saturday night a group of six of us went here for after-dinner drinks, and we were seated at a nice table away from the bar. You can tell this place has a classy vibe just from the decor: nice wood tabletops, good lighting, a fireplace. The beer list, too, is extensive and worth its salt. They had Triple Karmeliet and I ordered it even though it's expensive, and when I went for round two the server was kind enough to tell me to wait a bit as they had just started cooling so it'd be a bit warm. Thanks for this, Devil's Den--no one likes an unexpectedly warm beer when you're paying $8. The bar area was pretty crowded, but at around 10pm at a Saturday we had no problem getting a quiet-ish table or having space when our party grew to eight. If this place was in my neighborhood I bet I'd be a regular, and I'll definitely be heading back for the food.
(4)Jonah K.
I've been a fan of Devils Den since they opened (living up the street from them) - their beers (especially during Happy Hour!) and fireplace have always made this place top notch. Their food has been hit or miss - this particular instance was a miss night with their truffle parmesan popcorn lacking both the truffle and the parmesan, and the popcorn tasted like it was popped a few days ago. The big difference I've noticed (along with other regulars) is the change in service or lack there of. The staff comes off as rude, the bartender is busy texting while there are at least six of us sitting around the bar with empty beer glasses. I don't know if there was a change of management but none of the familiar faces are there anymore and the new faces aren't up to par. The 1 star is for the great beer list and the fireplace - outside of that, it's not worth it anymore.
(2)Ramon F.
PROS- Excellent beer selection, great food (cheesesteak is great and I also like the cuban sandwich, my friends also like the mussels), service is always great. only 2 small TV's, flights of beer CONS- South Philly parking, only 2 small TV's This is definitely a great place!
(5)Amanda E.
Stopped here before a show at Boot and Saddle on a Saturday night. Lots of outdoor seating available and were able to sit and get a beer within 2 minutes. We split the cheese plate which came with a good toasty bread that they kept filled as we needed. Choosing a bear was the toughest part since there are so many to chose from. The first round was great and then we got a flight which we should've just skipped. Nothing memorable in the mix and for the price, should've just got another draft or bottle. The real star of the meal though was the bacon wrapped dates with whipped blue cheese. I've thought about them every day since and we almost ordered another plate. Overall, awesome neighborhood bar with high-end menu choices at reasonable prices. Can't wait to be back!
(4)Christopher D.
The cheese fries were really good and the prices are reasonable!
(4)Bri H.
Went here last night for dinner & beers. Not bad! Extensive beer list with explanations of type of beer and % alcohol content listed. Our server was friendly and attentive. The food was ok. My veggie burger had good flavor but it was mushy and fell apart. It appeared to be some sort of mashed bean patty. Also, one part of the burger was extremely salty. Like as if someone in the kitchen accidentally poured a bunch of salt on it. The chickpea fries, however, were awesome! I guess I was expecting them to look like actual long skinny fries, but they were tender, lightly fried squares nicely presented with aioli and a little pickle wedge atop each one. I noticed that there was a fireplace, but it was not lit. Wtf, it was cold and POURING out! Everyone was coming in soaked off the street. A roaring fire would have been the perfect way to dry off & get cozy. This is a good place for beer & snacks. I wouldn't seek it out, but if I happened to be in the area I'd stop in again.
(3)Andi S.
Excellent deco and ambiance, it was very nice to be there after a long day scootering almost 100 miles with eight others. I ordered a turkey burger, but without the sauce they normally put on it as they put white vinegar on it (blegh) So I asked to to please put avocado on there instead. They forgot to bring the avocado, so I asked the bus boy to please bring it. I had a lovely cider and they do have a good selection of beer and wine as well. I also love the name of the place, even though this "devil" doesn't exist in real life.
(5)Lauren S.
After driving past this place for years and knowing someone who use to work there I've been meaning to get here for a while. Loved the fire place, real fire sent is awesome and gave the place a warm atmosphere. I was there to drink but my friend hadn't eaten lunch yet and need some food, luckily there was one seat at the bar she was able to snag. But the couple next to her were super rude and annoying. The bar area is spacious enough for people to stand around it, I wasn't eating I didn't need a seat and so myself a few friends who also weren't eat stood behind her to chat why she ate. I guess they thought we wanted there seats, maybe that why they were so rude but none of us had any desire to sit we were all happy to stand. Other than that I had a great time here and I wont let one group of people stop me from head here again if I am in the area.
(4)Theresa A.
This is strictly a Brunch review: Unfortunately, I will not be returning to or recommending Devil's Den for brunch--and what a bummer. First negative, is I made a reservation on Opentable.com and got no points for it thanks to the hostess' neglect in checking us in. Understandable to some degree, but still sort of annoying. Especially after this doosey of an experience. Second, took FOREVER to get someone to wait on us. They sat us in the bar area at a high top table. We were one of the only patrons in the place so I found it a little odd that no one was around to take care of us. This was a brunch to celebrate with my Mom and Stepdad, so it was a little embarrassing. The bartender didn't even acknowledge us or provide any reassurance. We quickly realized why. We saw one server go up to the bar to get drinks for her table. As she was waiting at the bar she was SCREAMING profanities at the bartender and slamming things left and right. And not just profanities, but things that made my mother blush. Not exactly sure what he did wrong, but clearly it was something along the lines of cheating on her with her sister. She was fuming. Meanwhile we prayed she wasn't about to wait on us. My Mom at this point is looking VERY uncomfortable. I'm mortified. A server finally arrives with no apology. Take our order. 45 minutes later someone else brings our food. We never see that server again until she drops the check. No refills, no "how was the food", etc. I left having to apologize the entire walk home to my folks. Not exactly how I had planned on spending my Sunday afternoon. Hugely disappointed. Food was OK but the service was so bad there's not much more I can give than 1 star.
(1)Nicole H.
The spicy mussels were delicious! The side salad had a lemon vinaigrette dressing which I was in love with. Lots of beer options....LOTS. The outdoor seating is really nice when the weather cooperates. The indoor section is really nice too. The waitress was super accommodating. I want to go back and try the beermosa at brunch. This is a great local spot.
(4)Arielle S.
I like it here. Great beer list, friendly staff, good happy hour specials. I just tried mussels for the first time because they were recommended and I really liked them!
(4)Maureen M.
First time going to Devils Den was awesome. Best duck fries ever! will recommend to my friends. I came there for my daughters birthday, great atmosphere and frirndly people. the staff was super intutive with their menu as well.
(5)Julia T.
I want to love this place, I really do. I live close by, and the menu makes everything look fairly appetizing, but the actual food needs some work. The mac n cheese is far too liquid-y, the grilled cheese too greasy, the hummus too bland, the iceberg wedge not clean enough, etc. For a varied beer selection, they're pretty good. But get some pho around the corner before coming here.
(2)David B.
Very cool and mellow ambiance. The lighting is nicely dim and everything is made of dark wood. I got the Mussels Diablo ($12): Steamed mussels in a garlic chili sauce with bacon, cilantro and Belgian witbier. This was amazing! The server brings you a heaping mound of hot mussels swimming in your sauce of choice, fries, and grilled bread. The sauce had a nice kick and was delicious so I used the fries and bread to sop it up after I ate the mussels. The grilled bread was very tasty but the fries were only ok. Some biddy I know got the Pork Belly Mac & Cheese ($8): Crispy pork belly, parmesan, and gruyere. Meh. I had a bite and was pretty underwhelmed. The gruyere was so mellow to the point of being bland. Overall, it wasn't as decadent or substantial as I would have liked from restaurant mac and cheese.
(4)Ian S.
Awesome happy hour of rotating craft drafts. Never disappointed with the food; easily above average new-American bar fare. Open-air windows and outdoor seating make Devil's Den perfect for nice weather. Ideal casual time at any time of day, lunch through late night.
(5)Stereo C.
It seems like every time my boyfriend and I have come here for dinner, the food has been subpar. I've had burned sandwiches and undercooked potatoes and generally disappointing food. However, I do like their brunch menu. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are 3 bucks and they do have a two egg, sausage and potato option for 7 dollars. The loaded everything bagel is pretty righteous and the Biscuits and Sausage gravy (with eggs) hits the spot. The outdoor seating is clutch for getting brunch sloshed. It's nice to have this an an option down the street. I've had a pretty mixed bag with service here sometimes it's great sometimes it makes me want to pelt people with rocks. *shrug* The somewhat older (compared to the rest of the servers) woman with the blonde hair has always been super sweet and on point tho. It's not top notch but it is worthy of a go to spot.
(3)Abbie D.
Mussels Diablo = DELISH Calamari Salad = DELISH Bison Burgers = DELISH Draft Selection = Very Good Outdoor seating is great for pet friendly diners :)
(4)Toby K.
Wish I could give half stars because I'd really give a 3.5 review. I've been to devils den a few times now. I like the decor, atmosphere, and beer. Now for the food: I tried eating here for dinner and felt as though it was very mediocre. It was so mediocre I can't even remember what I ordered. This past weekend I tried the brunch at the Den and wow! Duck fries and short rib with poached eggs were great.
(4)H N.
We have been here twice in the last year. Good food, great atmosphere and exceptional draft list. Awesome, friendly staff. One of the first places we happened upon a while ago and we will keep coming back
(5)Walter K.
Last time I went to Devil's Den I remember horrible service, okay food and 3 lines tapped with no replacements in sight. My last visit, however, was much improved. This place first landed on my radar for the happy hour. M-F 5-7 gets you half priced drinks. And that's on top of the already reasonable prices. For beer selection, Devil's Den doesn't disappoint. Even though I don't go often, they always have something new for me to try, and I really appreciate that. The decor here is great, I really like this place and it has a great long wooden bar. There are a few large screen TVs. I went here to watch a hockey game, and while there was music playing all night, the bartender turned up the TV's audio all the way so I could here the game a little bit. The service here does need some work. Everyone just seems to be moving on a slower pace, but it wasn't horrible. I like the menu here. Dan ordered a raw meat platter and he enjoyed that. It had a lot of interesting different pairings, and the only complaint would be that it wasn't very filling for $15. I ordered the burger, my standard go-to. I ordered a cheeseburger, but it came out without my cheese. It was a few minutes before I could even get the bartender's attention to get it fixed, but I got a free beer for the ordeal. No harm, ho foul. There was harm in how it was cooked. I ordered medium rare, and it wasn't even close. No part of the inside of my burger was pink. The bread is great, the fries are good, and its served with a great aioli. If it came out with my cheese and cooked to order, I would be pretty satisfied. I was also out with Quinn, who is a lover of well done burgers, and she was still talking about it a few days later. I'm definitely willing to give it another go. Bottom Line: They have a great happy hour here, good beer selection, and reasonable prices. It's not amazing, but Devil's Den is a welcomed retreat, especially in winter when you cozy up next to the fireplace, which brings the whole place up a notch on a blustery evening.
(4)Aaliyah P.
CLUSTER-F*CK CHAOS SH+T SHOW are all adjectives that can be used to describe the bar scene at Devils Den. Went for the DFH event and all of south philly decided to congregate at this bar at the exact moment that CB and i walked in. Luckily the oh so awesome Casey R was there and was gracious enough let us stand in real close while we stalked a couple that had paid a half hour before we got there and nursed one beer for what felt like and eternity. When my grandparents i mean the couple decided they had their fill they left us with two great seats and we gathered ourselves for all the DFH we could drink. I was very impressed with the beer selection (theres a book similar to the beer bible at monks) The beers are pretty reasonably priced and the specialty offerings were a great value ranting from $5-$9. We decided to only try beers we had never had i went with the gluten free Twseasnon'ale , Red and White,Namaste. All very good choices and service was ok (minus the rude person i talked too on the phone ) We tried the diablo mussels which came with frites and bread. The broth was spicy and had great flavor. I wasn't too happy that a few of the mussels were still slightly closed. Not sure if i would come here again but if i was in the hood and craving a beer i would know where to find one.
(3)Aruna A.
I've been going back and back to Devil's Den over and over again. I keep finding new reasons to love it. I've gone back at all times of day at this point, and I really can't say enough about how I love it. The service is always good, the happy hour prices are so very right. And the sunday brunch mimosas & bloody mary's ($3 each) are well made and are the right price. I think that mostly I love the fireplace that they light up during the winter. There is nothing like the smell of burning wood and embers that I truly love. There are too many things I truly enjoy about Devil's Den. I suggest you trek here. Winter, or Summer, it's a great hole to hang out in and enjoy good drinks / beer.
(5)James B.
I'm at devils den for the eagles game great beer selection nice bartender tom, however they need to fire there cook who doesn't know the difference between a medium burger n 1 well done. My buddy got the crab benidict that had burnt toast and cold hash. I used to love this place but as the prices rise the service declines 1 star for the beer
(1)Lori K.
This place is the closest bar to our apartment, but I have never felt welcome. The bald bartender has the a huge arrogant, attitude and that is when he isn't ignoring you. The fireplace is wonderful in winter, the sidewall seating is great in the warm months, and the food is ok, but I still can't get past his attitude. Went there to meet friends on a Friday night and the place was busy. I gave him my credit card and it went downhill after that. I asked for another beer after waiting for 10 minutes with an empty glass. I was ignored by the girl bartender too. I couldn't remember the name of the beer and he was not helpful at all. I hope they can rely on their regulars because I won't be going back.
(2)Michael W.
This place used to be good.... Not anymore , the food is a disappointment . I ordered the crab benedict and the brioche was burnt and the potatoes cold. When I returned the food the bartender didn't apologize he just snatched the plate away and as he walked away he checked to see if I had lied to him. After I returned the food he ignored us, to the point that we had to leave to go somewhere else to get service. Disappointing this place used to be good.
(1)Felicia G.
Beer selection is always great. Food is awesome and so is the service. Such a cool atmosphere.
(5)Thomas V.
Went for Sunday Brunch with 4 other friends. Service sucked, which was disheartening because my friends are regulars. They kept apologizing for everything, yet NEVER, did any employee or manager every come to do so. Besides having to flag waitstaff down for refill of drinks numerous times (all beer and mixed drinks), we had to flag someone down to take our food order. Of the 5 food orders, only 1 came out correct, and I could not eat my wings because they were bloody. NO one came to check on us. When someone came to clear our table, as she was taking my plate, I said, "these are all bloody." Her response, "ok" Server dropped check off, never asking if we wanted anything else. Then she came back and dropped a new check off that had the wings removed.
(1)Andrea V.
I'm lucky that this is the closest bar to my current place of residence. Devil's Den has consistently tasty food and great variety of beer. I have tried the Diablo mussels per some of the reviews and they lived up to expectations. It just so happened that they had grilled octopus and brussels sprouts as specials last time I went, which are two of my favorite things, so naturally I had to get them and they didn't disappoint. I think my date was mildly horrifed that I was eating both octopus and brussels sprouts with gusto but that's beside the point. The mac and cheese and the duck fries are also things of beauty. Oh, and the short rib and horseradish flatbread, too. It's hard to go wrong with this menu. It can get a little crowded and if you're going for food at a high-volume time it's a good idea to make a reservation. If you're going for happy hour, get there as early as you can. In spite of this potential for uber-popularity, it maintains the feel of a nicer neighborhood spot. In the cooler months they have an awesome fireplace which makes you not want to move, ever, and in the warmer months they have outdoor seating. Basically, what's not to love?
(4)Ben S.
Extensive craft beer selection Off the beaten path, unless you're a Pho phan Quirky food When my friend recommended this place partially because it was not right in the heart of typical Saturday night bar scenes, I saw that they accepted OpenTable reservations and booked a table for 10pm anyway. With confirmation email in hand when we rolled in, I unfortunately got a quizzical look, because they believed that portal had been shut off while they were doing a Dogfish Head tap takeover/dinner. Bummer there, but the hostess rebounded pretty nicely, promising to take care of us with a table within about 15 minutes, and then giving us the high sign after only about 8 had passed. A positive from a negative, to start. During that brief wait time, I had my nose in the beer bible (a la Monk's) they use as a menu, and I was not disappointed. Sorted by style and then alphabetical by brewery, my mathematical mind kept cross-tabulating "Russian River this and Russian River that," which I can't get in Rhode Island, and I'm surprised I didn't order four beers at once just for myself. This spot means business. As we made our way to a table by a pass-through fireplace, I felt a noticeable change in decibels and crampedness. It was a more chill atmosphere only 5 feet away, and a nice way to tuck into some food and brews for the evening. I kept the beer menu handy all night long, and my friends and I drank well, at a relatively reasonable price. Aforementioned Russian Rivers, collaborations, session beers, specialty bottles, and certainly plenty of DFH drafts available on that night - I have zero complaints about drinking in the Den. I drop this joint a star because the food was another story. I had a potato soup that was average to above-average, and I ventured to order the chick-pea "fries" to give them a try. These five tofu-like cubes stayed pretty much intact on my plate, un-fry-like and unappetizing. Swing and a miss. As others have said, it seemed like they were trying pretty hard to fluff up the menu's appeal, but it wasn't a Monk's Cafe kitchen offering - put it that way. Still, the staff was friendly and prompt, and they had what I was there for - a wide variety of craft beers at good rates, with a comfortable place to join friends in sharing the wealth and a good time. I'll happily be back next time I'm in town, and I'll even give more of the menu a shot. Devil's Den is a solid bet.
(4)Matt D.
This particular part of South Philly is starting to come around. El Jarocho is on the next block, and there is destination Vietnamese food all over the place. I have to say, I was expecting something a little more divey. This place was packed inside and out for Happy Hour on a good weather Friday night. The 5-7:00 deal is well worth the walk. A great list of food specials and half price beer. As noted on most other reviews, the beer list doesn't disappoint. I found it a little odd that hot wings were not on the happy hour menu, and I was even more surprised when I saw the $11 price tag on them. I hesitated, but ordered them anyway, along with the chickpea fries, spicy hummus, and oysters. All of the food was excellent. The "hot" wings had just the right amount of heat, the chickpea fries were an odd surprise (definitely recommend these), the hummus was delicious, and the oysters had great flavor, but were a little small. I'm docking a star for the bartender who refused to pull me a beer and add it to our table tab. I told him I'd pay him cash, because I understand the tip scenario, and he still wouldn't do it. I've never been told, "no I won't get you a beer" twice...at a bar...by a bartender. Really? On top of that, they short pour beers here a lot, as in all the time.
(4)Jordan S.
I like this place a lot. It isn't too loud or too dark for a bar and functions as a legitimate restaurant on the food side of things. The fries are a bit thin but very good. The ketchup is kicked up a notch with some tabasco and it makes for an interesting addition. All I've tried really is the bacon-wrapped meatloaf sandwich. It is open faced and delicious. I had to come back the next day to have it again it was so good! They have some other decent sandwich options too from what my fellow patrons said. Oh and of course the beer selection is epic. There's a reason they get to kick off beer week.
(4)Juliana K.
Beer selection rocks. GREAT Happy hour specials and a huge beer selection. Food is decent. Salmon sandwich is delicious. Great decor. Good service.
(4)Kate W.
Your typical fun, cool, neighborhood gastropub. Came here with some friends after work. We shared a salad, chickpea fries, and some mussels with french fries. Everything was average - no complaints - but I wouldn't come back specifically for the food. The real reason to come here is the beer list - if you can't find something that you like, you're crazy. Love that they keep their big windows open during the summer so it feels like you're outside even when you aren't. It's a nice hangout place, and I like the central-ish location - easy bike ride home whether you're going down to East Passyunk or further north like me to Fairmount.
(4)Lindsay K.
omgggg the mussels!!! amazing! and i don't even like mussels that much. we ordered them as an appetizer and we all decided they were better than our entrees! SO good! yummy i want more now! i did get a side salad with the entree and i must point out that it was really good! random, i know, but i was so surprised! i will definitely go back!
(5)Aleks K.
Been to brunch here twice. Service and Food is consistent and delicious. When I go to a place that gives me real maple syrup, you better believe I'm coming back. I went on 1/22 mid day with my best friend. I had the Cornflake Crusted French Toast and he had the Eggs Benedict. We shared a portion of Cheese fries with bacon. A Mimosa for me and a Bloody Mary for him. The toast - delicious, crunchy but not oily, berry compote on top and actual whipped cream, folks! Topped in mapley syrup and inhaled. The eggs - also disappeared quickly. :) They come with a side of potatoes and peppers. Looked yummy to a non-egg eater like me. Made me think twice about my non-egg eating status. The fries - oh lord, the fries. Run to the fries, folks. They are covered in an alfredo like cheese sauce and topped with crunchy, broken up bacon. Ask for a side of ranch. Ask for 2 sides of ranch and loosen your belt. The Mimosa - $3, decent. The Mary - 2 were consumed at $3 a piece, best friend said they were delicious and spicy. Added bonus - toothpick on which garnish came can be used as an evil sword when your best friend takes your iPhone. I also got a coffee which was delicious and worth the $2.50. I was offered a refill but was too full to indulge. Last time, I got coffee and we also had desserts (Panna Cotta and a Chocolate Mousse) Overall, we paid $35 on a Saturday! Crackling fireplace is great for ambiance, especially on a day where you can't feel your nose due to 22 degree weather.
(5)Peter D.
Unless it's happy hour, I probably wouldn't come here too often. It's a cluster every time I've been there. I am happy for the spot, since it's a South Philly joint. That being said, the food is a little overpriced and the service could be better...especially considering the amount of people that go. It would be nice also if the servers would let you know what the beers are in each flight that you can order (one of the perks of Devil's Den). I definitely see myself coming back but there is room for improvement.
(3)Colleen G.
I live about 2-3 blocks away and have been coming here frequently since I moved in a year ago. The beer selection is phenomenal, the food is delicious, and the servers and bartenders are all very friendly. This place is the best in the winter time, they have a fireplace in the middle of the restaurant which makes for a cozy atmosphere. And they have BEERMOSAS for brunch ..nuff said, am I right?
(5)Mark Z.
It was nice walking by the fireplace after a cold day to get some food and drinks. This bar has a huge selection of beer and wines, so you are bound to find something you like. The food is good and the service is incredibly friendly. This is a place I will like to return to for a good dinner and drink.
(4)Kath R.
This place has one of the best happy hours in the city but as of late the atmosphere has changed. It is either under new management or new owners. All the familiar faces from years are now gone. I don't know what's going on but it isn't the same place. Talk about cleaning house.......hopefully the new management will change the menu up---
(1)L B.
The two stars might seem harsh. But when you're an established beer venue with a great reputation, someone's gotta call you out on the watered down beer. If you believe that proper storage of beer involves pouring what little is left of a Rodenbach Grand Cru keg into a pitcher that you then cover with plastic wrap and then just let it sit in your walk-in...there's this little thing called condensation that sometimes happens and then you end up with a lot of water in your beer...please feel free to do that with a Coors, Bud, Miller - any beer that already is pretty close to being water. PLEASE NEVER do that with any other quality beer you guys serve. Please also do not attempt to serve said watered down used-to-be-Grand Cru to your guests who are expecting to get exactly what they ordered. Mind you, Devil's Den, I dig your awesome beer selection. I also dig your waitstaff and bartenders. Solid folks with lightning-fast wit. Your fireplace keeps me warm when I'm there and smelling wonderful when I leave. But I come there for the beer first and foremost and if there's anyone working for you who doesn't understand how to properly store beer? That's a problem.
(2)Jade B.
Another great local bar in South Philadelphia. If you are a beer lover and haven't been here yet, I highly suggest going to happy hour, all drafts are half off.
(4)Margo K.
Alright Devil's Den, buckle up! Just as we should have one Sunday night for dinner... We were in the neighborhood and thought we'd stop in for dinner. We'd previously only ever had (some of the best) beer here and the occasional order of chickpea fries. So we were seated. A server came with water and took our beer order, and it took pretty long to get our beers. Like I said, their beer options are why we had gone so many times without eating here - came just for the beer! We ordered mussels, I forget which. The mussels themselves were okay...but the accompanying fries were SO SALTY they were pretty much inedible. I ordered Fish & Chips and the BF ordered a cheesesteak. The entree was $15 which is entirely too expensive for not specifying the fish! Also because the fried fish was so greasy that it was mush. The potatoes were the best part of my meal here. Now, the BF isn't one to complain about food very often, so I didn't expect to hear anything from him...but! He said his cheesesteak was almost entirely flavorless. Sorry Devil's Den, your food is just not good. I hope y'all fix it. I wanted to like your food too. We might still go for Sour Fest because it's a unique event and we've been going to it ever since it began...but let's hope we don't get hungry.
(2)Dee D.
The last three times I've gone in, I've had terrible service. I live in the area, and Devil's Den used to be our go-to place. The ambiance is cozy and fun, but it doesn't make up for the service. While the food is tasty, but the daytime service just sucks. I'm sorry to say this, but it's true. The service is slow, and the daytime guy bartender/waiter I've had the last few times I've been there is particularly cold and unfriendly. Once when we walked in--and would have been just the second group of people in the entire place--the waiter/bartender actually sighed audibly with frustration. The pace of service, even when the place is nearly empty, is painfully slow. This place shouldn't feel unfriendly, but it does.
(1)Beef M.
Went here with my parents for Sunday brunch. We chose to go here because we could place a reservation, and my mom is on crutches and can't stand around for an hour at other nearby brunch places. That said, it was actually not very busy here for brunch, a comfortable amount of busy. Drinks were cheap and pretty good, I got the bloody mary.. 3 bux! Pretty standard but spicy and I enjoyed it. I ordered the avocado benedict and my parents got the scallop benedict. Both were really awesome! Eggs perfectly poached, loved that the avocado was lightly fried, and the fluffy brioche they were on was also awesome. Benedict sauce was slightly dijon-y which was nice. Potatoes were ok, my mom liked them, I thought they could use more onions and peppers. Overall, great deal for great food. I would go back for brunch and probably drinks sometime, they have a good draft list
(4)Benjamin M.
3.5 Stars. The Devil's Den is a warm and inviting bar/restaurant, which includes a wood fireplace burning near the front entrance. I didn't eat here, but I certainly salivated over their draft beer list for a little while. I felt like I was in stout heaven... Sam Adam's Cherry Chocolate Bock Blue Point Cherry Imperial Stout Arcadia Cocoa Loco I realize they rotate their taps fairly regularly (including the next day), so I was very happy I could assist them in reducing their inventory during Happy Hour. By the time I left, the place was packed, so I wouldn't mind coming back to try out the dinner menu next time.
(3)Kelly S.
I wish there was a zero star option. I've only been here twice but it was a terrible experience both times. The servers and the customers are all huge douchebags. So many rude negative people. Not the kind of place where I want kick back and relax. Maybe it's called devils den because this is where devilish douches hang out. Get an attitude adjustment you assholes. We wanted to take a shit on the bar to make sure everyone knows what a shit shop this place is, but it's not worth our time or the effort.
(1)Alexander E.
Devil's Den is arguably the best bar in Philly if you are a craft beer aficionado. There are many regular taps and special/seasonal taps at all times, plus a set selection of hundreds of bottled beers from all over the world, in addition to newly featured bottles from time to time. The food is best described as pub-nouveau; upper scale variants on old standards, with specials that run anywhere from brook trout to swiss goat cheese alfredo. I have never had a bad meal there, nor a bad beer, and I am a very experimental diner who is open to being disappointed in order to try new tastes. Everything is top notch! There are many neighborhood bars and beer rooms around Philly which I frequent for their familiarity, and knowing what I like there. Yet Devil's Den gives me a comfortable spot that I know in which I can open myself up to new territories in taste, thus making itself more memorable for a few good pints or bottles at the bar, or a novel sensation to my palette. It is one of my all time favorites for food and drink anywhere in the USA!
(5)Hungry D.
My go to bar. Excelente for drinking- like, 6 stars- aokay for food. Never a bad time; in fact, always a vunderbar time. Wish they had more food options though. I like to munch when I drink.
(4)Allie O.
Any bar that gets sour beers like THAT and thinks up a beer tasting like THAT and sets it all up like they did deserves four stars from the get go. Had I not just had the most insanely delicious meal at the Farmer's Cabinet moments before the Devils Den tapped their sour kegs, I would have ordered more food. I did have a croque madame (it was brunch. second brunch, really) and it was tasty, though the bread was a bit stale. But that's ok, since I was drinking a Russian River Sanctification, which might be my favorite beer of all time and I'm having it served as a replacement for champagne at my wedding. No headaches for my guests! But then there was the sour lineup that Pat got, the lucky bastard. Smart one, too. It started on the left with Allagash Confluence, then to the right the Sanctification, followed by Petrus Aged Pale, and finally the Dogfish Festina Peche. WOW. They were all amazing, but they were also paired very well and arranged very well. Whoever did that deserves a nice hearty pat on the back. But don't spill his beer.
(4)Vinny P.
My feelings are really mixed. I've been here a few times and I've definitely noticed some ups and downs. As a drinking establishment, I think it deserves definite props. They have a very extensive beer selection and very nice bartenders who are willing to talk with you and advise you on your beverage selection. They've got a fireplace which is nice in the winter, no cover ever and a very casual extended bar area that you can sit and and enjoy your libations. I really feel like the food has been hit or miss. I've tried sandwiches which were tasty, some fried items that were missing the flavor and or texture that I was looking for and even their Charcuterie which was good but not spectacular. I'm not saying I won't go back. I end up here pretty frequently. I think I need to eat here more to develop a better opinion. I wish I could go to 3.5 stars but I can't vote that. I think there is more potential here and I'm going to try to find it.
(3)christian C.
Great to sit by the fireplace on a dreary winter day! Nice warm atmosphere, with exposed brick and wood beams, with friendly staff. The beer selection is typically strong. There wings are terrific; perhaps the best in Philadelphia. I do wish they would include more non-breakfast things on the menu in the afternoon (before the brunch menu ends at 3 - you know, some people actually want lunch in the period of 1-3.).
(4)Jim L.
This place is a block from my house so I go more than I might otherwise. Good food and they Know my drink and either ask me or even have it ready if I sit at the bar!! There is plenty of outdoor seating when it is warm and the fireplace is great when it is cold. Big TVs at the bar make it my favorite place for Phillies games. They are very cool about the times I bring my toddler for brunch or happy hour dinner!
(5)Rob S.
Although I wouldn't knock off a star for it, I can't recommend going here for Friday happy hour anymore. Devil's Den maintains the high honor as my favorite South Philly bar for happy hour. A phenomenal frequently rotating and massive tap list at half price from 5-7 Monday through Friday. I regularly get amazing beers here for unbelievably economical prices. The reason for this update? Many, many other intelligent beer drinkers have discovered this place and the service on Fridays has suffered tremendously. The service at both the bar and at tables is often pretty slow considering we're just ordering beers. I've felt a bit ignored and then when ordering had to feel guilty for trying to put in a beer order for all of my friends at once (who have had a dry glass for 10-15 minutes). The service has also bordered on downright rude. One time I asked if there was still time for happy hour prices, was told "You got it boss," put in my order and then everything came full price on our receipt. When I complained I was scolded by the bartender for ordering beers "last minute." Is this not a universal happy hour tradition? I figure they just lack the amount of servers and tenders needed for how busty happy hour gets. Regardless, I recommend avoiding Fridays and coming ANY other week night. And DO GO any other week night.
(5)Charles R.
The food was good, the service was fine and yes the beer selection is huge, BUT wish they would serve some of the dishes they are known for instead of brunch only on Satuday. You can't get any of the really good mussel dishes they offer, nor can you get the shortribs. Burger was very good as its a blend of 3 cuts of meat put thru a grinder. Eggs benedict with crab instead of Canadian bacon came with a great Bernaise sauce. There is only one egg, but it is still a good dish. WIsh in the future they offer some of their other lunch items.
(3)Boris M.
Mr. Boris a lova the Russian Orthodoxy Catholic Church. I praise on Jesus and I love to eat a bite of him and drink his blood at my Sunday Church. Imagine Boris fear when Boris friend say "Boris! Put your boots on we are going to Devil's Den!" Boris scream, then put boots on, then run into bathroom and sit on cold toilet shaking in my boots! Boris cry a little bit, shake, and icicles form on Boris beard. Listen here. All Boris want in life is good drink and foods that need strong teeth for eating properly. Boris friend yell louder "BORIS! PULL UP YOUR PANTS AND LET'S GO!" Look, a little embarrass but Boris drink 3 whiskey shots to relax before we go see the Devil. Dr. Boris is so scared on drive over while friend sings loud to Cannibal Corpse on loudy boom boom car stereo system. Boris scream "Take me home tonight!" Boris can't take it no more! The fear! The Devil! The Devil in the car speaker! Boris friend smile evil smile then SLAP Boris! Boris cry and whimper like wet little doggy. Friend say "We here you loser." We go inside and Boris has fist tight ready to punch Devil in mouth you stay away you nasty crazy devil let the nice people eat and drink the beers! We love God!! YOU NEVER BELIEVE! oH my good ness no Devils I can see! Wow. This place like Boris Uncle Stanislaus living room in Russia. But with much good beer and food and young people with all clothes on! The mussels so good! The bread make Boris mouth water RIGHT NOWWW!!! Macaroni and cheese yummy too. "Holy Jesus the Devil is great cook!!!" Boris says out loud. Boris eat , drink, throw up in bathroom and clog toilet.
(4)Michael B.
beer dork cheapo happy hour rankings... This ranking is done with the "best beers for the buck" in mind. Devil's Den is not my favorite bar in the city; that would probably be the POPE, SPTR, Prohibition, or Memphis. But it's cheap as hell from 5-7pm, has a tough-to-beat selection of craft drafts, and is a good jumping-off point for other watering holes in south phila. 1. devil's den. the selection is outstanding (i put dd along with varga as tops in this category) and you can get plenty of them for around $2-3 during hh. frankly the cheapest place in town for some of the best beers. and an hour later that the rest. 5-7 weekdays, half off all drafts. 2. pub on passyunk east (POPE). this is a very, very close 2nd. great staff (tim and both matts are my heros), terrific selection, always good to have a wide variety to suit everyone's tastes, from excellent belgians to hard-to-find ipas. half off drafts during happy hour mean $3.50 for goblets of super-expensive belgians or $2-3 for typical american craft pints. solid juke, too. 4-6 weekdays, half off all drafts. NOTE: Sly Fox cans are $3 all the time.. so you might as well just stay all night- every night. 3. memphis tap room. excellent selection of craft beers on tap... always rotating and creative. all $4 for happy hour. and out back with the new hot dog truck (open april-october), cans are $3 (pounders being $4) and honestly, chillin out in the alley with a beer battered and pickled gingered hot dog (vegan option) and an anderson valley ipa.. please. nothing could beat it on a nice day. well, maybe if they find a way to beat the system and start offering their indoor beers outdoors.. but hey, who are we to hold it against them? 4-6 weekdays, $4 drafts inside/$3 cans outside. 4. varga. probably the best selection of craft draft beer in the entire city. and it's all 1/2 off. no fluff on tap, great descriptions, extremely knowledgeable staff, varga was my #1 for ages but their prices recently went up (and i moved away.. coincidence?? :)). expect to pay closer to $4 per draft here during hh (still a steal for most of these hard-to-find beers). plus, no restaurant in the city makes better brussel sprouts (barbuzzo is a close second perhaps). 4-6 weekdays, half off drafts and pretty much all liquor drinks and house wine. 5. the khyber. the beer selection makes up for the happy hour deal this spot does not offer alongside its brethren (both cantinas and royal tavern all offer 1/2 off drafts at happy hour; the khyber only gives ya $2 off). but really, nothing beats sitting down at the bar with a cup of phila's best gumbo and an obscure ipa. and i know you all know by now.. but the bacon grease popcorn is so right. 4-6 weekdays, $2 off all drafts.
(4)Er B.
First time. Definitely not going to be the last.
(4)Sarah S.
Very friendly service! Staff is knowledgeable about beers on tap, and DD offers great flights for the indecisive. A must-try are the duck fries, similar to poutine. Their happy hour is unbeatable, 5-7 on weekdays and half-price beer (on tap). Certainly a south philly staple.
(5)Perry H.
What a great spot...I visited for the first time this weekend and based on the beer list alone I have to give it five stars. It was their anniversary so they had a free buffet on Saturday afternoon - what a great way to say thanks to your customers. I can't really review the food as we didn't order off the menu but the meatballs and sausages were good. We sat at the bar and the service was friendly and quick and there were two televisions for baseball opening weekend viewing. How can you rate anywhere serving Pliny The Elder (outside of CA) anything but five stars? Amazing. Also on tap was the Avery Maharaja which was superb as well. A great list of about 12-15 drafts and even more bottles. The prices were spot-on as well...five bucks (actually $4 during the anniversary celebration) for a glass of Pliny?! I look forward to visiting the Devil's Den again and actually having the opportunity to sample the food menu!
(5)Emily M.
As you'll see from the other reviews, the service here is atrocious! Absolutely terrible. Food is average and beer list is good. But for how many great restaurants are nearby I would NOT waste your time with the poor staff.
(1)Cat P.
Devil's Den is like the forgotten stepchild of bars in Philadelphia. They have a fantastic beer selection (over 200, I believe) and an awesome happy hour deal (1/2 off beers and flights). The food is decent, the neighborhood vibe is fun, and I appreciated the portion size of the hummus plate they brought out to us. The service here leaves a little bit to be desired, though. It took upwards of 15 minutes for us to get our drinks. It would have been quicker to go to the bar, but we didn't want to stiff the wait staff. When we realized our waitress was still MIA, we tried to ask a different server if we could just grab a glass of water. She was quick to point out that she "wasn't our server" and begrudgingly brought us a glass of water. I want to come back here, but DD, please hire an extra server or your wait staff may end up killing someone.
(3)Anthony L.
Very good selection of beer that changes often. Not a huge fan of the food but the one thing I really enjoy is their cheesesteak. Also a decent brunch spot.
(3)E J.
Sensational Scallop appetizer special tonight, great atmosphere, awesome music. Will be back.
(5)Mike D.
I have always wanted to try DD but stayed away due to some mediocre reviews but glad I finally stopped in. It was refreshing to see an eclectic group of people scattered about the bar and the dining room. The little food we had consisted of a beet salad and scallops were more than adequate. The topper was the beer selection which called my name at from every angle. Our short stay was pleasant and enough to elicit a return. Definitely a solid choice in an area not too hopping with beer joints with the potential to stand alone.
(4)Sean A.
Excellent salmon BLT and great version of a cheese steak with an IPA cheese sauce. Aces on the French Fries! Best happy hour for beer lovers in Philly!
(5)Kelly P.
any establishment that has a dogfish head events will surely get my business. i'd been to DD just a couple weeks earlier for dinner, which was solid. that's when i noticed in the menu that the DFH event was coming up, and i thought YESSS i'm in there like swimwear. i've had the pleasure of dining during a busy friday night (without reservations, my party of 5 was treated kindly), and also sitting at the bar early saturday for the event. i am happy to note that there were no hiccups in the service either time, and i will likely check out their brunch one day soon. the mussels were nice and spicy, the shortrib flatbread was ok -- definitely improved by hot sauce -- and i'd definitely return to the bar if i want to grab a beer solo to watch a game.
(3)Steve C.
This place is really a great place to go if you want to just chill and relax. The bartenders and servers are friendly and mak you feel like you belong the first time you sit down. The beer selection is very high, but they don't carry some common local beers like Yueingling, they do have a strong selection of hard to find favorites. The food here is very good and I think it just accents all the great things this bar has to offer.
(4)Laura K.
I have been back several times since and every single time it has been fantastic. Glad they seemed to have sorted out what they needed to- absolutely one of the best bars in the area.
(5)Jim d.
The one star goes to the bartenders here, really nice people through and through but some of the waitstaff here is ATROCIOUS. 10/14/11: My girlfriend and I sat down at around 8:30 for dinner. We did as the sign told us to and we sat ourselves. There was only a 4 top available, so we had to sit. Another couple sat next to us at the same time as another 4 top opened up. no one came to either couple about waiting for a proper sized table. Both couples were given beer and food menus as well as waters. The other couple not only received beer right away but also an appetizer within 10 minutes. Still not even an acknowledgement of our existence from the waiter. Subsequently the next 10 minutes passed and the waiter passed us around 8-10 times. We made eye contact more than once and he NEVER stopped to wait on us. If it wasn't his section, the eye contact should be enough for him to tip off his fellow waitstaff to serve us. He did neither of these things. After 25 minutes total a third couple sat down on the other side of us and within 90 seconds he was waiting on them. We got up and walked out. I frustratingly said "THANKS A LOT" outloud. Again, no one asked us to wait at the bar until a 2 top opened (which we would be happy to do). If you want the 5 top full, then say something don't just ignore us until we leave. The busser was by the door and we let him know what happened within earshot of the offending waiter, the busser was apologetic and even offered to buy us a round of drinks citing them being short staffed that night. This really isn't an excuse when all the waiter had to do was stop, and excuse himself by saying "sorry, we're a little short, i'll just be a minute" he literally said nothing to us. If you ever see a shorter waiter with short blonde hair, that's the guy we're referring to. If management reads this yelp page, this waiter should really learn some manners. I'm not asking that he be fired, he just learns to do a job like that properly. Show a little tact, buddy. Probably won't be going back to Devil's Den for a long, long time.
(1)eden a.
Thought I'd take the time to say that we absolutely love this place. Tom (the bartender) is simply GREAT in every way...the food is WAY WAY above average; beer selection is perfect for craft beer drinkers. Prices are fair, ambiance is nice - clean, simple, dark and peaceful. Good music. A really fine place for lunch.
(5)Christopher M.
Go for brunch!! Get the Chickpea Fries to start!!! Have fun!!! I'm very glad our first brunch option didn't pan out. Our waitress was extremely nice and went above and beyond at times throughout our meal. The bloody mary's are nicely sized and perfectly blended! I asked for it extra spicy and I didn't have to send it back for more spice! And the bartender who made it was hot :-) We had a community brunch of Juevos Rancheros, Chickpea Fries (AMAZING!!!!!! We threatened to wrestle each other for extra!!), Crab Eggs Benedict, Smoked Trout Hash, and the Casino Omelette. Juevos Rancheros wasn't very authentic looking...but was quite pleasing. I CAN'T SAY CHICKPEA FRIES ENOUGH!! I'm considering moving back to Philly just to be closer to these phenomenal little bites, which come with an awesome chipotle aioli!!! The Crab Eggs Benedict was visually appealing and tasty! Just know that the crab meat is rather sweet (that caught us off guard at first but was fine once we knew what flavor to expect). The Smoked Trout Hash was a table fav. The Casino omelette was good...just fluffier than we expected it to be. Intriguing flavors...and I do think I'd order the Casino Flatbread next time. But I'm glad I tried it. The potatoes that came with the Benedict and Casino were so nummers especially when dipped in the aioli, which our waitress saw we liked and offered to bring out more at no extra charge :-) The mixed greens served with the trout were plentiful and super fresh. We were four happy post-yoga class campers :-) I hear the restaurant has gone through many evolutions, some of which weren't so great. So if you weren't satisfied the first time you went, I recommend going back now that they seem to have found their groove :-)
(4)John F.
Succubi stare-downs, sultry suitors, savory suds Delighted, I delve deeper than Bella Vista to this devious diversion from daily drudgery. Succulent snacks satiate said stomach. Devilish divas distribute decadent drinks. Hellish hearth of heat, heart, heart, heart! Solo sh*ter sardonically scalds standby squatters. Brimstone bar benching belles bearing booze.
(3)Karen N.
Really good food and service. The empanadas were good, service was quick and friendly. Parking wasn't too difficult either.
(4)Steve S.
Wow! One of the best grilled cheese sandwiches ever - served on some magnificent multi-grain bread, with a quality cheddar, tomatoes and bacon! Cooked and burn't just perfectly. Loved the cheap happy hour dishes too - chick pea fries, blanketed dogs and very fresh oysters. And of course, they have great beer selection. Oh, the hot chicken wings are very good - definitely above average!
(5)Deann M.
This place is wonderful for the Happy Hour drink specials... 1/2 off all drafts, you can't really beat that in Philly. They always have a ton of really good microbrews on tap, and a large selection of them. Happy hour is a well known event, it is usually packed by 6 pm, so make sure to get there early if you want to get a seat. The food is ok, but the service can be a bit spotty. The first time I went the burger I had was great! Juicy and delicious. The next couple times I went to get food, there was always an issue with my order or my bill. One time I didn't get the right dish, I don't normally send anything back but this was completely wrong and I didn't want what I got... the server apologized and told me he would take my beer off the bill. So then I had to wait about 20 minutes for my food while the rest of my party ate. When we got the bill, he didn't remove the beer from the bill! When I told him about it, he got kind of an attitude and said he DID take it off, but I only had one beer and it was still on there. Eventually he relented... but that was a little annoying. Next time I went there was another problem with my order. We ordered two burgers cooked medium and they were completely raw inside. This time I didn't return it, I just ate most of it and scraped out the inside. Most people around me were just drinking or eating appetizers, so not sure why they felt the need to not cook our burgers completely through. I don't mind waiting to get what I ordered! Anyhoo, next time I'll probably just get beer and eat somewhere else. There are plenty of other places to eat that have better food and service.
(3)Eric W.
Devils Den is my local watering hole. They always have a great draft list with beers from all over the world. The staff is always attentive and for the most part they know their stuff. If you've never been to "the Den" and you enjoy beer this is a must try.
(5)Bobby P.
Insane beer selection, really good mussels, a killer rendition of the cheesesteak and great service. Done! Now go drink beer!
(5)Tian C.
Great little neighborhood spot. I like to come in on weekday evenings when it isn't so packed. The ambiance is rustic (wood stove and exposed brick) romantic and great for a date, either for dinner or grabbing a quick drink. Outdoor seating is perfect on a warm evening, and the service is friendly and attentive. I'm absolutely in love with their beer list, if you're the type of person who'd rather be overwhelmed by the beer selection rather than underwhelmed, this is the place to go. Can't decide? Get a flight. They change their flight selection frequently. Definitely try the mussels (Diablo is my favorite), they come with a generous serving of delicious french fries, and bread. I'm deducting one star because I'm not terribly thrilled with the bartenders, they can be a bit surly and rude. Otherwise, it's a great place.
(4)Superfly T.
The mussels diablo are some of the best spicy mussels I ever had, that sauce is delicious with perfect balance of flavor and spice, and the mussels were fresh and meaty. Beer selection is great although I only sampled a few selections, I'll be back for sure.
(4)Frank R.
Devil's Den features an elite collection of draft and bottle beer and serves very good food. This is one of my favorite places to grab some great food and beer. I have been here a number of times and every time I do, it get harder and harder to leave. Simply put, this is the sort of restaurant that I would love to open some day. Devil's Den just speaks my language in so many ways. First is the beer. I often find myself doing a double take when I see some of the beer they serve here. Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast Stout, Stone 11-11-11, Russian River Damnation, Schnieder Aventinus Eisbock, are some of the best beers in the world and I have had them all here. The beer menu is one of the best of all of the hundreds of beer bars I have visited in the country. As if having a library of beers wasn't enough, they are half price during happy hour. Its so easy to go here and spend $20 and have an excellent start to your night! The food is usually very good. Some of the really satisfying dishes are the bacon wrapped dates, chorizo quesadilla, grilled asparagus, and braised pork flatbread. One of the best dishes I had here was the open-faced crab ravioli. It was perfect! However, I find the use of dressings, especially anything with balsamic, needs a little restraint as it tends to overpower a dish with its ubiquity. The chickpea fries are a bit boring and unsatisfying. I have had some oysters here that were past their prime and had too much sand and shell. Service at the tables is usually very good in terms of promptness and friendliness. Sometimes, the bartenders are too busy talking to their friends about some things that are best not talked about at work. In fact, its kind of ridiculous. Also, at happy hour, it can be a bit tight and competitive and frustrating. Then again, its understandable when excellent beer is half off. Overall, I love going to Devil's Den. They balance quality, quantity and price that comes together for a very satisfying and enjoyable experience!
(4)Dave C.
I love this bar. I go in all the time when I'm in town. The staff is super cool and the food is always on point. The bald guy behind the bar is a funny bastard. Last time I was there, we had a cute little curly haired blonde waitress, who's name is escaping me, but she was extremely friendly and patient with us even though we may have had a few too many to drink. Every time I come to town, this is my spot! Best beer menu in the city. PS: That cheesesteak is no joke. If you like spicy food, order it.
(5)Lene P.
After a brief visit to the Mummers Parade, the guy and I stopped by Devils Den while walking down 11th Street. It was my first time there. We were immediately seated and walked by a nice, warm fireplace. Our table was by the bar and the stools were high. I don't mind this, it wasn't too crowded but fairly busy. There is another room with more tables. They had the Mummers on TV. Viewing the drinks menu, I was glad to see they had $10 flights and I chose the Import flight. They have a very diverse beer menu as a lot of the other reviews have mentioned. We chose mussels. He had the mussels over pasta and I ordered the mussels Diablo which was spicy but not overly so. It came with fries, bread and dipping sauce. The food was very good but I thought the fries were a little soft. The service was great. Our waiter was friendly and joked around with us. Apologized for the wait on receiving our check. The wait for drinks and food wasn't long especially for being very busy. I didn't see the bathroom but I heard it was horrible. Overall, I would like to visit again, especially for the flights and they look like they have a really great brunch.
(4)Pam S.
The atmosphere here is definitely a winner - I have definitely gone by this place many times, mentally adding it to my list of places to check out. For beer, great. They have flights, so you can try a few beers for ~9, which is a great deal. A good draft list and extensive bottle selection as well. But as a tavern in Philly, this almost expected. The food is good, but the vegetarian/vegan options are lacking ... the chickpea fries aren't vegan?! C'mon. They do get points for actually having a good veggie burger - white bean based I expect. The hummus platter is also HUGE, which it a plus for sure. As for the meat/cheesy food, the figs are evidently amazing, but the cubano was more like a panini than a true cubano. I would return if I had some omnivores I'd like to take out when trying to stay near my neighborhood, and perhaps when going just for beer (and that giant hummus platter!).
(3)Jonny R.
The Devil's Den is a fine gastropub that is as serious about its food and atmosphere, as it is about its tap list and bottle selection. I've had countless great experiences here, it's a place that loves beer, and hosts great events. The servers themselves are knowledgeable and helpful (sometimes to a fault). And it has one of the best happy hours in the city. It has a great seating area, and a great bar, too. It livens up that strip on 11th Street that has little going for it, too.
(3)Adam K.
The best beer selection in Philly. Very balanced list. The food is good. Happy hour between 5-7 Mon-Fri. Half all drafts and their themed Flights of 5 beers (i.e. 5 5 oz IPAs).
(5)Jemma C.
This place is spitting distance from my house so I go every so often. If it wasn't I'd have no reason to. Food is OK at best however brunch is awful! Good beer menu. Patchy service.
(2)Breanna M.
Love Devil's Den! Great food, great service, great beer selection!
(5)Richard F.
Moved into the neighborhood about a month ago. In my old neighborhood, had lots of favorite pubs - Southwark, Kennett, etc. Was worried I would not find a substitute.....until we found Devil's Den. Have now been five times and it never fails to please. Mussels Provencal about the best I've had outside of Paris - and they would compare extremely well in Paris! Croque Maison was a superb rendition of a traditional dish. Burger terrific. What else can I say. Oh, the beer list: absolutely world-class and with a nitro pump and a cask-conditioned choice, it's simply fantastic. Devil's Den is my new gastro-pub fav.
(5)James B.
Devil's Den is like beige carpeting. There's nothing wrong with it. It just wouldn't be my choice.
(3)Maly C.
Their mussel is really good. The beer selection is awesome. Can't wait to go back.
(3)Maureen V.
Creative and vast selection of beers, both on draft and bottle, but moreso bottle. Lots of imports which are categorized by style. It's nice that they include the alcohol percentage so that you can see what you're getting for your money. ;) Prices are a little too high, but they do have a nice happy hour M-F 5-7pm: half off all drafts. Service is a little too slow at times, but they get really busy so I get that. Can get pretty loud there too. Food is pretty good and not what you'd expect from a bar in South Philly. It has a touch of gourmet flair and is no over the top in terms of price. This place is very clean and has a cozy, rustic look to it.
(4)C K.
Very reasonable prices and really amazing food!! They have a great beer selection and I've been there several times and literally never had a bad meal there! It may look like a local neighborhood bar from the outside, but the food there is DELICIOUS!! Their brownie is by far the best brownie I've ever had in my life (we split it between 3 people and it was even a bit much for us, it was that rich). I had a duck breast special one night which was the best duck breast I've ever eaten. Also yummy on their menu is the grilled duck flatbread. Yum. The first time I got the chef's tasting menu, which was decadent and delicious. Their chef is a culinary artist and I'll definitely be back again and again!
(5)Catherine L.
I don't know why but I constantly confuse this place with Devil's Alley. I know they're nowhere near each other, but every time I hear Devil's Den it makes me think of the little place that could on Chestnut... Will there be a trademark litigation in the near future I wonder? Or, are those two places in cahoots to just confuse us poor folks that can't make the distinction? Anyhoo, if drinkin' is your name, and you live in South Philly, then Devil's DEN is your game. If you're looking to snack, the food is semi-edible for low expectations bar-eatin' fare. But seriously, their beer menu means business - they've got a nice selection of drafts and bottles - and they're on par with any good beer drinkin' bar in the city. The place is shiny and new and super roomy with a sizeable bar area to match. The food is one of their low points - gastropub, puh-lease. The menu offerings are all over the place and the food was pretty lackluster. The fries and the garlic aioli (which I think is the true muster test for any good beer drinkin' bar) weren't very good. The aioli was bland and the fries limp and soggy. Service was really weird, often absent (which was inexcusable because the place wasn't busy - even for a Saturday night) Also, I don't really know who our actual, official server was, because it seemed like our table kept getting passed around to whomever was free to handle our orders, requests for beer or the check at the end of our meal. If you live nearby or you're indulging in some eats around Washington Avenue, this is a good place to get a great beer or three... otherwise, go to a REAL gastropub.
(2)Emma M D.
This place has a great brunch! I love the mimosas and they also have a very good beer selection. The atmosphere is laid back and service is friendly. The food gets a thumbs up as well, especially their take on french toast and eggs benedict. Delicious! All decently priced too!!
(4)T L.
Look Devil's Den. I like you. I really like you. But you're so damn inconsistent. I've ordered what I thought was my favorite salad "Roasted Beet & Arugula Salad", but every since that first time I ordered, it is prepared completely differently depending on I don't know what. It's never been as good and so, always a disappointment. Also, I gotta say whatever that neon red salad dressing you've been pairing it with is plain awful. Seriously, I think it's a mix of Kool Aid and cough syrup and it does not do anything for the salad. Other than that, your wings and chickpea fries are good. Other bigger dishes seem overpriced for what it is. But I still like your vibe so I'll be back. PS. Pls fix the salad! Thank you.
(3)Andrei G.
Wow!!! What a great place. Among other things we had the Aventinus mussels which were just outstanding!! They were some of the best mussels I have ever had, and I have had mussels all over the place, including Belgium, Germany and France. They were plump and super fresh made in a leek, Aventinus beer, cream, garlic and bacon sauce. Also had the burger with gorgonzola which was delicious. The mussels though were amazing, served with fries and delicious garlic bread, really tasty. Pair it with a great beer selection and you have a perfect combo. We have been twice and service was good both times. Ambiance is nice, typical neighborhood bar, a bit on the noisy side, but that is to be expected.
(5)Abhinav N.
This is a great neighborhood pub. I was here last evening with a friend and we had a great time. Our hostess was really sweet and got us a great outside table, which lasted only for a while because it started to rain. Inside they have two sections - you can either sit at the bar and enjoy the game on large screens or get one of the pub tables closer to the bar. There's another section inside which is great for dinner and provides more intimate environment. They have an amazing selection of European drafts / bottle beers and great food menu. I tried their Franziskaner Hefeweisse and for food we ordered their chickpea fires and Diablo Mussels, which were really delicious!! I'm definitely going back again to try their brunch, happy hour and beer flights!!!
(4)Bif P.
Awesome beer selection and $3 happy Hour beers, you can't go wrong. I really liked this place.
(5)Noise J.
They have a really nice beer menu. Pages and pages and pages of good brew. Their drafts were very pleasing as well, although not nearly extensive (obviously). Staff were Ahhhhiiittteeee.... Pretty down to Earth and not too full of their own Shite. The food was Uhhhhh.... Alright. I mean its a pub. Good munchies.
(3)Mikey I.
I'd say this is a pretty good spot. There's a great huge beer list and every dish I've had here has been a total hit. The wings, as far as I remember are boneless, so traditionalists be warned. I'm looking forward to return visits and to try out other dishes. They have brunch on the weekends which is good, though the menu isn't that lengthy for it. More dishes please, maybe some food specials (of which I did not notice on my few recent visits).
(4)Mary S.
I sincerely enjoy Devil's Den. We've been going for some time, though I think it is only recently that we realized that it's really a walkable location from our house. Also, GROWLER FILLS! and cheap ones! and delicious foods! like, gorgonzola stuffed figs. I'm not sure what it is about this year, but I literally cannot get enough figs, and DD is doing a great job with theirs. I had the Buffalo Chicken sandwich which featured a delightfully- no fried!- but grilled! breast of chicken atop a brioche bun with a chunky blue cheese dressing and tangy buffalo sauce. The roll was a bit doughy, but that's my own problem, lots of people love brioche, just not me, but overall the sandwich was a winner. They offer their sandwiches with fries or salad, and the small salad was also quite choice. Our waiter was a bit meh, but it was late night on a Monday so maybe he was just really tired? Overall this place is a win, it's laid back, it's not too loud, the food is good the growler fills are reasonably priced, and we can walk there. Love.
(4)Bill M.
With Bathroom's being the main theme of the Weekly Yelp this week, and the worst bathroom in Philly thread making a comeback Devil's Den sounds like a good review to knock out. Beacuse really the awkward bathroom situation was the only thing holding me back from giving here a five. It's not that the bathroom was ranked among the god awful (it was actually somewhat clean considering). It was just that it was a single dual sex bathroom inside of a bar that get's fairly packed during a happy hour. Throw in the fact that it was directly next to the kitchen and you had a lot of people waiting in a spot where a lot of people where coming and going. A spot that's a beer paradise could really use a better arrangement. But other than that setback Devil's Den enticed me. It's a beer lover's heaven since it has so many offerings on tap and in bottles. And since all drafts are half off during Happy Hour (thanks for the tip Sara C.!) it's the perfect spot to hit up. They even had a flight sampling were you could try 3-4 flutes of different beers from a certain brewer for a decent price. It was a super steal indeed! The menu also has some innovations which are a step above your typical pub fare. The Happy Hour Tapas menu hooks up things like a decent sized fruit and cheese plate and bacon and blue cheese croquettes. But they also have a juicy looking burger, chicken fingers and all of the standard bar offerings. Overall this place offers enough things to make me a fan.
(4)Alicia O.
This place can be hard to miss. I think they need a bigger sign outside cause if I didn't see my friend waiting outside, I would have been walking up and down street wondering where this Devil's Den is. Inside it looks like your standard pub, but they have fireplace right in the middle. I was only here for brunch, so I didn't get to see the fireplace in action. I suggest arriving before noon for brunch. We arrived just time before it got packed. I ended having two Shoo Fly porters. I'm usually not a big fan of porters, but these were good. I also had the Smoked Salmon platter which probably wasn't the best thing to order with beer. Overall, pros: atmosphere, the fireplace and the beer. Cons: Food, meh.
(3)Denise L.
Great place to go during the winter or on a chilly day/night... They have a real burning fireplace that smells so homey and is so cozy. Love that smell! You can smell it a block away! The few times I was there, I felt like I was at the mountains in a ski lodge and not in the city of Phila. So if you dig fireplaces and the smell, go there! Ps. Their food isn't too shabby either!
(4)Dee C.
As our local drinking hole we come here for dinner, brunch and drinks with friends to romantic nights in front of their inviting fire place on these cold night. Beer selection is insane. Food consistently good. Try the mussels.
(4)Ernest S.
Pretty good beer selection and nice customers, but major negative for the waitress who tried to cheat us without having us notice. Two of us dropped in just to get a beer each. The bill was $11.55 and we gave her $17 (yes, it's an odd number, but we each threw in random amounts of cash for our individual beers). When the waitress returned she said awkwardly "this is what they gave me back" and left us $4. What a cheater! I don't know her name, but she works the front table area by the entrance and it happened tonight (Thursday). Beware! This sucks because I would have gone back. Now I'm definitely not stepping my foot in here again.
(2)melissa m.
I've only been here a few times, but last night sealed the deal that the diablo mussels are my favorite Philly mussels. I want a sauce that I actually want to keep dipping my bread in after the mussels are gone, with flavor that stands up on its own; diablo is exactly that. Devil's Den has a really great beer list and nice/unusual flight options. While it seems like service can be iffy based on reviews, the Den was utterly packed last night and we received prompt & courteous service. Our food came wayyyyy faster than I expected for such a busy night.
(4)jessica m.
Worst Bloody Mary I think I've ever had...at least it was only $3 dollars.
(2)Phanna P.
A long list of craft beers, so much to choose from, so much to try. If you're unsure try one of the flights of beers. Outdoor seating for the cooler days but not for a party of more than 4. We had 6 people comfortably seated inside with one side booth and chairs on the other side. I'll say pass on the cheese fries, doesn't taste much like cheeses. Chickpeas fries are the best. The bar is low key and chilled for the craft beer lovers! Happy hour is great 1/2 off draft beers.
(4)John F.
I just went here for happy hour and needless to say, I enjoyed myself. The beer menu is vast and half off drafts from 5-7 is unbeatable. I also recommend the spicy hummus plater. Devils Den has a great atmosphere. Low key, trendy and comfortable. This is an ideal place to go after work for a quick beer or if your looking for a reasonably priced dinner, Devils Den has some great food. The mussels and steak are incredible. All in all Devils Den is a great choice for almost an situation. Enjoy!
(4)Parker S.
I like beer, I drink a lot of different styles of beer, devil's den makes even a knowledgable beer geek feel like a beginner. Their draft list is always lined with several beers I've never heard of which is awesome. Their prices are good and their half-off all drafts is the best happy hour in Philly period.
(5)Michael P.
In the interest of due disclosure, I'm writing this having just gotten home from their 1 Year Late Grand Opening Party, where they ployed me with a buffet of free food, and encheapened their entire draft list well beyond happy hour. I watched the Devil's Den slowly get built over the course of many months. It right around the corner from where I live, so I was eagerly awaiting another nearby option in addition to the incomparable POPE, and uberdivey Ray's. The fit and finish of this place is pretty wild. They definitely play on the theme with deep burgundy walls, wood trim everywhere, and various etchings and carvings of the a demonic caricature. The menus have a nice touch, with a hammered copper plate of their logo. In the winter, a roaring wood fire makes this one of my favorite places, but watch out for the tables right next to it, you might regret it. Beer is a highlight of the Devil's Den. They have a rotating tap of some fantastic beers, and that they have Franzikaner Hefe-Weisse on tap most of the time keeps me coming back. They have some nice local options in addition to the German and Belgian selection, but you really can't go wrong here. The food has definitely ironed out some of the initial kinks. The pulled pork sandwich is a favorite, and the burger is very good as well. The IPA cheese fries w/ bacon are fantastic. I love the nice variety of mussels options, and a bowl usually has 12-15 good size bivalves. Make sure you know what tapas/small plates means if you order from that menu, its a decent appetizer for one or two, or can give a four top one each. Small plates brings me to the best part, their amazing happy hour. Every draft is half price, and the small plates menu is discounted. Last time, I tried a few oysters, but they were only decent. I wish I got home from work before 7 any day but Friday to take advantage of this. The evening rush used to be completely crazy, but they recently hired a new hostess who does a fantastic job wrangling the multitudes walking through the door. The rest of the servers are a mixed bag, some are efficient and attentive, others make you feel like you're in their way. They usually have sports on the two TVs behind the bar, and I'm definitely going to make it a point to catch a few Phillies games there this summer, when they open the windows.
(4)Kristopher M.
Gargantuan beer list. That alone would get 4 stars from me. But, the brunch menu here is awesome as well. Great little neighborhood bar. I loved the ambience. The Bloody Mary's did leave a little bit to be desired though (I prefer it not be a premade mix but then again they were only $3).
(4)Ida L.
A three dollar Bloody Mary on a Saturday afternoon makes me happy. We sat near the bar. I had the salmon club minus the bread and it was pretty delish. We shared an order of bacon fries for an app and that was a thumbs up too. I like the Devils Den.
(3)Bryan D.
In a word: such bourgeoisie nonsense. I've never been given such a hard time trying to have a drink somewhere. It's been going on since they opened, and it's finally time to say something. Carded a dozen times by the same waitress in the span of 4 months. Bartenders must not be accustomed to folks having more than three drinks. I've never laughed at someone after being cut off before! They need to make up their mind if they want to be a Chilis or if they want to actually be a decent bar. Such beautiful beer. Such beautiful brunch. Good neighborhood place. Just don't laugh out loud. And screw Darius Rucker. So torn to be living half a block from you, Yup-yup A-Hole's Den.
(2)Jill T.
Their beer selection makes me cross eyed. So many choices! I've found so many beers I really like, and the bartenders are really good with offering suggestions. The food is really good too! It's light bar fare, but it's really tasty! The friendly staff is the reason this bar gets 5 stars instead of just 4. Thank you to the bartender who helped cure my hiccups. You're the best!
(5)Tam P.
I came here on a beautiful Thursday night with my girlfriend and have to say I Was pleasantly surprised with the great atmosphere and the calamari salad was really good.. It's a great place to check out and Grab a beer
(4)Vince G.
Excellent beer selection. Enjoyed an eclectic cheese plate and some mussels (diablo) style as well as the tomato mozzarella flat bread. The pommes frites were saturated and flimsy, but it is a solid neighborhood gem.
(4)Mallory D.
I happened upon this place when I got a flat tire in South Philly, and what a happy accident it was. I immediately loved the vibe-large photos of delapitated buildings and rowhimes in Philly made for a lovely backdrop. I am a sucker for craft beer & microbrew places. The beer menu here is ridiculous. Beer flights ($9 each) are a great way to sample a few beers-and increase the likelihood that you will like one. I had a great strawberry wheat brew on draft that was recommended by the waitress-who happened to be lovely and attentive. The food was out of this world too-my friend & I got burgers which were great. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Ruth B.
Ok, so update. SIt at the bar, go to happy hour. Don't eat, drink delicious half price beer. The tall, blond, germanic-looking bartender is solid. She keeps up with the pace, gives a smile and a well-placed comment, and you never have an empty beer.
(3)Jamie Lou I.
Happy Hour 5-7 Monday-Friday 1/2 price drafts! Minus 1 star for the food... overpriced and bland.... but whatever, 1/2 PRICE DRAFTS!
(4)Melissa B.
Best beer selection in this neighborhood. Cozy place to enjoy happy hour with the fireplace. Really great staff who knows their beer! Not crazy about the food here, but the beer makes up for it.
(4)Beth R.
The food is quite good - definitely a step above your basic bar food. I had mussels over pasta, and had a hard time choosing between the several mussel options on the menu. The beer list is long, and the wines are reasonably priced. I thought the service was so-so. They were pretty crowded last night, probably due to the snow storm, but it took forever to be seated after our table was vacated by the prior group. There were definitely some, "where is my beer/napkin/etc" moments while we were there. The decor inside is a real selling point, even if you are just there for drinks. There is a huge double sided fireplace, so you can feel the warmth at both the bar and in the dining area. The cozy dark wood and exposed brick walls really added to the feeling that we had escaped the storm to hole up in front of the fire.
(3)Chris P.
I had heard some good things about the new pub Devil's Den, so we headed to South Philly. After nearly walking by the place since it only has a chalk board on the street as a sign, we were pleasantly surprised to find 16 beers on tap and old friend and fellow Delco Guy Randy Walker behind the 15 seat bar. After trying a few of Randy's suggestions, my companion passed on a Hennepin in favor of an EXCELLENT Ayinger Brau Weisse and I went with a Maredsous 8. Anytime you can get two beers of this quality on tap, things are looking good. Then we ordered the Mussels au Lager. We should have stopped with the beer. My companion's second shell creature was so bad it made her gag. I had a few good ones before I had to admit some were good and some were just plain awful. It seemed as though a good batch was mixed in with an old batch. I soldiered on, while my companion ate the very good fries while passing on the below-average side of mayo. The mussels necessitated a trip to the very nicely done bathroom, and we paid up and headed out. While I loved the location, ambiance, beer selection and HD TVs, bad mussels and good beer is a combination I can find lots of places. Given that friends had a similar recent experience at Devil's Den, I'm not sure I can recommend the food. Do drop in and see the proud new papa behind the bar though!
(2)Stacey S.
Met up here with friends for a few brews & bites. Beer flights = the way to go at happy hour. I loved how they were selected for types of beer- ended up getting 2: at 1/2 off for happy hour it was only $8- & quite frankly, my dear, you can't beat that with a stick! Get the duck fries. Holy hell- delicious! Wings, also good. Best flat-bread pizza I've had in a while: thin, crispy crust & the duck one (of course) was amazing.
(4)pearl s.
The bartender Mikey is a total D-bag. He's also unattractive so not sure where the lousy attitude comes from. Best to go on a night when he isn't working because the other bartenders all rock. Great Happy Hour. Good music, fun people. Mikey however is the worst.
(1)Hipster D.
To begin with, the beer really is fantastic. And you simply cannot beat the happy hour special. But lets get back to the beer, because that is the point of this small, wood-themed, south of Washington tavern. They make no secret of it themselves, but its for that reason that it is difficult to congratulate them on their successes. I am rarely impressed with a Beverage Directors ability to find and order good beer and wine. I am happy to find it, as I enjoy good beer and wine, but is it really that hard to accomplish? Having run restaurants myself, I can in fact answer my own rhetorical question; no, it is not very difficult. And it is for this reason that though Devil's Den does offer up some delicious, seasonally appropriate adult beverages, they must also be judged on the food they serve from the kitchen, which often falls flat. Ambiance: *** Nothing wrong with the vibe of this place, its warm, and inviting, if not a little loud. But, it is a South Philly tavern, so if you want cozy and quiet, go elsewhere. Service: *** Oddly disorganized for such a small space. We never know who our server is, and rarely find the same person bringing or clearing drinks. Again, nothing particularly wrong with this, but it does make figuring out who to order from, and who is getting tipped a little bit difficult. The service suffers during the happy hour crush. Wine/Beer/Cocktails: **** I have already discussed my feelings on the Beer offerings, so I won't waste space here. Bravo to the curator. Food: * Unfortunately for me the food has fallen flat far more times than it has succeeded. I have been to Devil's Den for brunch, dinner and happy hour, and to give it the benefit of the doubt, I won't comment on food being served during happy hour. It is unfair to judge a kitchen's skills when it is trying to field the hundreds of orders that come streaming in between 5 and 5:30. However, dinner and brunch, during quiet moments has been disappointing. A Maryland crab cake eggs benedict was heavy and deflating, as the Hollandaise had already started to congeal by the time it reached the table. The flavors so masked by salt and cream, it was difficult to find even a hint of crab. The mussels at dinner had more closed shells than opened, and I was immediately brought to remember my sister saying she had been sick after eating said mussels. Though she claims it was probably the copious amounts of beer she consumed that did her in. A simple buffalo chicken sandwich was tasty but hardly impressive, though to be fair, it was large. And a roasted beet salad was oddly paired with the obviously chosen goat cheese, and something resembling an orange, though it was so out of season it looked and tasted a bit like a child's plastic orange wedge used to simulate a dinner party of perhaps a doll friendly tea party. Overall: ** Go to the Devil's Den in search of beer, and if your belly starts rumbling, play it safe and go for pub classics like fries and wings. These staples will more than satisfy your cravings without compromising your experience. If you are looking for dinner, I'd certainly start at Devil's Den for a seasonal brew, but then I'd pack it up and go elsewhere for the main offerings.
(2)Sarah E.
Oh boy, just looking at Devil's Den gives me a hangover. Which is totally a good thing due to the lush that I'll always admit I am. Many a time I've walked in there with the greatest willpower to only have "1 or two" and end up staying the entire night. Mr. C loves the beer selection (as do I on the nights I'm drinking beer) and the Hendrick's gin they pour. And we both love their magical happy hour (1/2 price drafts). Alas, I am consistently not blown away by their food. The wings are good as are the $1 oyster shooters during said magical happy hour. Unfortunately, their huevos rancheros I had for brunch once were most disappointing and their other offerings fall rather flat. But given my penchant for an unquenchable thirst for drinking (pun totally intended) and the fact that the Den is a very manageable stumbling distance from our home, it succeeds in being exactly what we want it to be, a great place to call our local.
(4)Emily K.
I've been waiting a long time to write a review of Devil's Den - and I'm STILL not even really sure I'm ready. My feelings are so torn - it's like every time I go into Devil's Den determined to be happy with what they provide, they commit some more and more blatant offense. The first time I went to DD I was so impressed - the decor is dark, but not oppressive, cozy, but not cutesy - perfect. The beer list was not to be believed. Their draft list is top of the line in Philadelphia for its combination of rare imports and best-of-the-best domestics, and their bottle list is only rivaled by that of Eulogy. AND THE HAPPY HOUR. Oh my lordie lord it is singular. Getting Russian River Consecration for $3.50 is pretty unbelievable. That said, I finally made a foray into their menu. I remember the first salad that I got - it was before the Bar Ferdinand chef came over - and it was "eh." After the menu changed I returned, and ordered the diablo mussels. This is where things started to go downhill. They came out bathed in a delicious fire-y sauce - but the many of the mussels in the already skimpy portion were severely undercooked. Okay. Now I KNOW the general rule, as I eat and cook mussels all the time - if a mussel opens, it's cooked. And I LOVE raw seafood - oysters, anytime! But there is something about an overly slimy, unpleasantly mushy mussel that I just can't stomach. So I pulled aside our waitress and casually mentioned with no animosity at all - "hey, I think a couple of there are undercooked." She removed them, apologized, and said it will be another 10-15 minutes for the chef to prepare another order. I said okay. Right as my date was finishing up his meal, my second round of mussels came out - STILL UNDERCOOKED (though I must admit, the sauce got even more deliciously fire-y :)). I ate those that I could stomach, as I was STARVING, but had to leave a large amount of my portion. I really did not want to be 'that lady,' but I let our waitress know as she cleared out table, totally nonchalantly and with no hostility, "I really hate to be a crazy lady, but I think a lot of those were still undercooked!" She offered some paltry excuses like "maybe mussels are just bad in general today," but did not apologize again. Oh well. The kicker - literally right after our waitress cleared our table she returned to the table next to ours, and let the woman sitting there know that she had comped her the cheesecake that the she had reported to be "not that good," with an apology from the chef. She then turned to us and gave us our check - WITH NOTHING COMPED. Like a slap in the face. I really was nice about it, I swear! But alas - spite won the battle. Like that experience wasn't enough, I was convinced to return to DD recently for a big splurge dinner with several friends. This was the night before their Sour Fest - and let me tell you, they were not concerned with giving customers who came in on that wrong night a good experience. Our waitress first announced that about six of the taps were kicked, and on hold for sour fest the next day. We had a choice between roughly two remaining drafts. In addition - they were out of half of the bottles we asked for! WTF. I ordered the endive salad and the bacon wrapped dates. Talk about heaven and hell - the bacon dates being the heavenly portion, and the salad making me fume. Seriously the dates were DROP DEAD DELICIOUS - but how can you go wrong wrapping my favorite food ever (medjool dates) in bacon, and frying them?? But the salad. How to even begin. It was actually offensive that they would serve that to me for $9. It consisted of some arugula, literally FOUR leaves of endive, some sliced pear (so rushed in preparation that the slices weren't even separated), ONE CRUMBLE OF GOAT CHEESE (ONE.), and a vinaigrette so tasteless I swear the recipe came from Fox News. Maddening. It literally cause me and my boyfriend to get in a huge fight. Which I will not even get into. So basically - Devil's Den has been playing me like a fool over and over. No more, Devil's Den. No more.
(2)Daniel F.
Here is the deal. The food is good, I liked it, I had a simple burger and it was enjoyable. What I look for, aside from the food making me happy, is the atmosphere, the service and the beer. I gave it 4 stars, they deserve it, its great and its a pleasant place to hang out. If you like those things, then you agree, this place is super nice.
(4)Rich G.
This is my favorite spot in Philadelphia....so its getting 5 stars. No, it doesn't have the best food, but it's damn good. I have had a few disappointments, but things like the Aventinus Mussels and Chick Pea fries more than make up for any negatives. I have yet to experience the happy hour madness, but what do you expect for HALF PRICE taps. They have the best beer selection in the city, IMO.
(5)elle m.
I've been here twice and love the cozy atmosphere. Their regular dinner menu is great and includes a lot of interesting choices. We LOVED the mussels and the flatbreads, but don't know if the flatbreads are big enough for a meal. And if you leave this place without tasting the duck fries I will personally knock on your door and make you try one. They are SPLENDELICIOUS! One thing I really enjoyed were the beer flights... I'm always worried to spend $10 on a really rare beer that I may not like. The flights were really well put together in terms of theme and composition. Definitely found one or two new beers that I love trying them out. The brunch menu is slightly lacking as I recall. I give it a hardy 'meh'.
(4)Thad S.
This place is kind of weird. Every time I go, I just feel like it is off. People seem to love it because there is nothing else around (for the most part). I am just glad it is not my bar of necessity, because it is really just eh. Good beer list, but who doesn't have that these days? It's hard to explain, just a strange feeling about this place like if I stick around too long, I am going to become one of the brainwashed zombies that thinks it's awesome.
(3)Gandhus M.
I have mixed feelings about Devil's Den. One look at their food & beer menus and you sincerely want it to be everything you dream it to be and more. I've been here primarily within the following contexts. My introduction to DD was over a series of brunches over the last two plus years. The first time I had brunch here was the best. I hate to say it but each subsequent brunch was less rewarding than the last. Like a drug addict seeking the euphoria of their first high, I went back hoping to recapture that first brunch experience and was denied each time. This is not to say, it's a bad meal - simply that in my experiences, the quality has declined. I've done the after work thing here several times over the last year or so too. The draft list is awesome, there's no contesting that. Spaten Lager seems to be a permanent member, and that's good to see. Their bottle selection is impressive. The weeknights I've spent here they were pretty busy. It can get crazy crowded. I'm talking 'good luck saving your seat/line for the bathroom' crowded. These after work affairs usually involve meeting friends, drinking six or seven beers and ordering mussels. Despite the crowd, it's not a bad time. In March of 2010, I had the pleasure of making this one of my first stops during the first Craft Beer Express. Early day action on a Saturday with a good crew. We ate and had a few beers before proceeding on our adventure. It was a fun crowd that day and easily my best experience at Devil's Den to date. The aesthetics of the place are great. Dark wooden furniture. Fireplace. I find myself appreciating the paintings in the dining room. Heck, even the location is cool.... ...yet Devil's Den falls a bit short for me. The service is so-so and there are plenty of other places that just gain my favor over DD. For all it's sleekness and vast diversity of quality beer - there's a lack of comfort or camaraderie here that I readily find in similar establishments. (Fireplace notwithstanding) But hey, just as you can't always knock it out of the park at every at bat you can't expect the sanctity of that "home away from home" feeling at every bar. It has served me well as a brunch destination, a meeting place, a spot to grab a bite and catch a buzz after work or just a place to have a beer or two before heading someplace else. If this comes across as a negative review, it's only because I so want to be able to give it four or five stars - but in good conscious cannot. I will undoubtedly be there again at some point in the relatively near future and look forward to posting an update when I do.
(3)Brendan O.
The menu has been re-re-re-done here and is definitely an improvement, so back up to 4 stars from 3. Next step required to get to 5? Manage crowd noise better. They crank the volume during sporting events to the point where the patrons are yelling to be heard from one another, and the din can make it unbearable to be there.
(4)Kelly W.
Went here almost every night during Philly Beer Week. Always something new to try. Bartenders are very helpful and friendly. Servers are not great..which is why I will sit at the bar unless it's full. Huge TVs at bar which is nice when there's a game you want to watch. Good ambience. This is our go-to bar, really enjoy it. Not five star as it can be very loud on weekend nights and the pompous servers make it uncomfortable.
(4)Jessica G.
I'm so surprised by all of the negative review's I'm seeing about DD! I went here with some friends last night (including a local who comes here pretty often) and had a really fantastic experience. We were all raving about it afterwards. My meal started off with the bacon-wrapped dates- OMG. These were absolutely divine. I could have had two plates of these and called it my dinner. But I'm so glad I didn't, because then I wouldn't have eaten the Provencal Mussels that I had as my entree. I chose these over the traditional as a recommendation from our waitress, and thank god I took her advice! The broth was incredible (chock full of sun dried tomatoes) and I couldn't stop sipping the broth and dipping the accompanying grilled bread so that I could get as much garlicky wonderfulness as possible. The fries weren't the best I've ever had, but they were a good side dish, especially when dipped in the spicy aioli. I also tried my friend's macaroni and cheese, which was a special appetizer for the night. The portion was huge and only cost $6! It was a pretty stellar mac and cheese, very creamy and satisfying. I would definitely come back here again, not only for the food but also for the atmosphere which was so cozy and warm on a winter day.
(4)Devant W.
Pros - Ever-changing draft list of quality beers that I have a tough time choosing - knowledgeable bar staff - 2 huge TVs for watching the games when they're on - 2 clean bathrooms - Kobe slider trio - Awesome Hostess who always has interesting outfits Cons - Inconsistent service ranging from awesome to absolutely terrible - Mediocre & expensive dinner menu - wait staff doesn't always know liquor prices - Hapy Hour food menu is a joke. Chickpea fries were lukewarm at best and the three-cheese croquettes didn't really have any kind of distinctive flavor. - Gulden Draak coasters... but no Guldeen Draak bottles to be found! As it stands, the Den is my go-to spot to grab a great beer due to being stumbling distance from my home and the bar staff will actually give you real answers to beer inquiries, but if I am in the mood for something to eat, I'll skip this place and head somewhere else.
(3)Donovan S.
This is THE place for beer in Philadelphia. Not only do they consistently throw rare, high-quality beers on tap from all over, but they put them ALL on half-off happy hour special. Most of my proudest beer moments occurred near their fireplace: a pint of Lagunitas Maximus for $1.75 (this shit is 7.5%ABV too), a goblet of kasteel cuvée du chateau for $4.50 (a decade old and still cheaper than you can get kenzinger in a lot of places), or a goblet of Russian River Consecration for 3.25 (usually $20 for a 12 oz bottle). Devil's den is a legendary beer bar because they do this shit on the regular like it's nothing. I have never encountered a place in the world that puts up like they do. That being said, I would probably never go there anytime other than a weekday between 5 and 7. And you could probably do without the food, although the mussels are dope after a few rounds, and they finally brought the duck fries back. My sister and I always get so pumped after we see our check. And they always have something like Spaten Lager or Franziskaner too if you're not the adventurous type. But then again, their happy hour is a good excuse to try out something new.
(5)Benjamin R.
While having one of the best draught and bottle beer lists in Philly, overall this place has gone downhill. They should have stuck with the "leave well enough alone" rule for the menu. They used to offer a fairly solid menu that was reasonably priced and had a couple of vegetarian options. Now, the Den apparently thinks it's a French BYOB. The new menu is trying WAY too hard and most offerings are more expensive. Pickled quail eggs? Give me a fucking break. You can't even get just a single burger anymore but are instead forced to accept 3 different varieties in their "burger trio", which I find incredibly presumptuous. The seitan meatballs, while a nice idea, are just "meh". The service is very hit or miss, with a strong emphasis on MISS as of late. A month ago after posting up at the bar with some friends, it took a full 15 minutes and constantly staring down the bartender to get served. It wasn't as busy as it can be, but this is unacceptable by any standard. The second-to-last time I was there with a small group at a table, our server messed up 2 of our dink orders and then didn't take them off the bill until we asked. She was also way too chipper (think TGI Friday's). Hey, I don't want to be treated like an asshole, but I also don't want to be your best friend. The last time I was there a couple of weeks ago, with a larger group, was actually quite good. It was almost as if our server were trying to make up for the crappy service that seems to be the recent general consensus. Overall, still generally worth it for the excellent beer offerings alone.
(3)Jenn P.
Amazing beer selection. As I am a solid fan of anything and everything sour, dry, bitter, or fermented I really, really appreciated the wide range of sour beers. Happy hour seems pretty decent. I enjoyed a delicious salmon-bacon sandwich. Pretty solid service, too, despite all the negative reviews claiming otherwise.
(3)Michelle C.
This is a cute place and much-needed for the area it is in. The beer selection is decent but the food... needs work. The menu is very small and the way things are presented make it seem like they are trying too hard to be upscale. The nachos in particular were a huge disappointment. I didn't know it was possible to screw up a standard plate of bar nachos until the other night at Devil's Den. After seeing a couple plates go by, we decided to order them. We hadn't noticed an abundance of salsa, so we specifically asked for some on the side. This is how the conversation went: me: we'll have the nachos with a side of salsa server: (weird look)...okay... two minutes later server: we don't have salsa... is fresh pico okay? me: that would be great! two minutes later server: um, we can't do pico either. How about a free side of guacamole? me: um, okay Who serves nachos without salsa or anything resembling salsa? Devil's Den does. P.S. For the record, ketchup is not really good on nachos...
(3)Scott H.
As I browsed the review list, I noticed a common theme that kept arising...bad service. It was the first thing my dudes and I noticed when we went in this past Sunday for brunch. We went in, the hostess had no greeting, hastily seated us, and gave four adults two menus. Then, our server, who never gave his name just didn't seem to come off too friendly, and seemed indifferent about his service. When we got the food, it was wrong. When they got it right, it was meager. The food tasted fine, but the price to portions ratio was shit. The ONLY thing that saved the meal was the abundance of women in this place. The bar was full, and there was a super table that sat behind us, full of 30+ yr old bombshells. Heed my warning; if you're going in for food or service : DONT Beer, Women : Go for it
(2)Mike S.
Based on beer, they get 5 stars. Based on food, 2 stars. Not that the food is bad, it is not. It is quite delicious. Its the lack of options. Most of the food is fancy, which, is what the owners want to portray, which is great. But, if you are feeling picky, it seems like the options force you in a certain direction, like it or not. Haven't been there since the change in chef and the revamp of the menu. That changed last night. 5-7 is Happy Hour, which is 1/2 off drafts. THAT is a great deal. Nothing like drinking superb beers for half the price. Ordered mild wings. The meat literally picks clean from the bone. The sauce is not over powering and sloppy. Flyers game is on, place is busy. Not overly packed like it was Game 5 of the World Series two years ago. Ordered Aventinus Mussels. Amazingly delicious. I could swim in the broth. Fiance ordered braised pork sandwich. She said it was delicious. Beer was great. Atmosphere was perfect. A definite pro-Flyers crowd that was not obnoxious. I will go back, as the beer is alluring. I am hoping they can add a few more options to the menu to make it more rounded.
(3)Jenna N.
When my boyfriend and I were looking to rent a room together we naturally went on Craigslist to find us some roommates. Craigslist is not a good place to find roommates (In case you haven't heard horror stories already, think "controlling, eavesdropping snoop" or "delusional, constantly-mutters-under-his-breath-er." You get the idea.) so we decided to (gasp) actually meet with the potential roommates first! We all decided to meet at Devil's Den, and while the circumstances still made it an awkward meeting the overall experience was great. I hate going to bars; I rarely drink unless there are fermented grapes involved. The bartender seemed to sense my uncertainty and took the time to make recommendations based on the tiny bit of knowledge I possessed about beers. He even offered up two samples in mini beer mugs (this is probably normal, but it blew my mind). Whatever he gave me was great. I drank lots of it, stumbled home and thought about plants. Or something.
(5)Rebecca L.
Fantastic happy hour, and a lovely location. Sitting outside when it's nice out is fantastic. Great beer selection! The happy hour appetizers are lackluster. The bartenders are a little weird and grumpy though. That being said, they did let me still have happy hour prices when I ordered at 6:58 and it ends at 7:00 pm
(4)Sarah C.
I really want to give Devils Den more stars, really I do -especially since the beer selection is out of this world but the food has been sub par more than once. On my first trip the mussels were ridiculously gritty, I ended up just dipping my bread in the sauce and not eating most of the actual mussels. On the second trip the server (who was wonderful) sent my food back herself! She served me the sandwich and said if you want to send this back, I totally understand! My meal was replaced with another more acceptable option that was average. I will give Devil's Den another chance because the service and beer are both so good but they need to improve what is going on in the kitchen. The menu selection sounds delicious on paper but the actual execution of the meals leaves something to be desired.
(2)Amy K.
My new neighborhood bar. I'd gladly trade south philly tap room for the devil's den. I'm usually not disappointed with their food. Their brunch is good (my favorite being the crab cake eggs benedict - it's untouchable.) I can't wait to try their steak and eggs. Their sandwiches have always been good, and I usually stay clear of the entrees due to their high price tags. The only time I was extremely disappointed was when I got a salad with deviled eggs on it. The deviled eggs were WAY off, and made the salad almost inedible for me. The worst part of it, it appealed to both my boyfriend and I so we both got it. Talk about ouch. The bar service is wonderful, I've liked most of the bartenders I've met here. I prefer to sit at the bar, but we've gone where we didn't have a choice but to sit at a table. The service was so-so. I hear a lot of complaints from friends about their table service and it's unfortunate that it turns them away from going here. I usually start talking up the bar service so people don't count out this awesome bar altogether. And for the record, I haven't sat at a table there in months - only the bar - so it could have easily improved. Their beer selection is phonemonal, bottles and drafts. I like getting their flights to sample different beers. Their happy hour is unbeatable - half price drafts will be saving you a ton of money and getting you nice and toasty off great beer for cheap. I believe its the typical 5-7 monday through friday happy hour. They also have a tapas menu of cheap, good finger foods. And the fireplace, how I loved walking over here in that blizzard we had and melting near the fire. I always feel very comfortable at devil's den.
(4)Mikonora R.
The good--good beer selection, good prices, good happy hour! And the bartenders always know the beers and will help describe them and offer taste to try it out! The bad--I liked eating here a lot but since new chef they have removed my best items and replaced with bad things! Duck fries are gone from menu. :( I had pork sandwich that was smallest thing I have ever ordered for $10! I have very small appetite and was still hungry after eating sandwich and fries! I hope new chef makes bigger portions.
(3)James W.
This rating is solely for their excellent beer selection. They also have a 1/2 priced draft happy hour like their sister bar, Old Eagle Tavern. The bartenders aren't as good here and neither is the food. I wouldn't get anything besides burgers and fries or maybe the mussels. I think all this is do to it being a bigger place that gets a lot busier than Old Eagle. Either way a must.
(5)Christopher S.
I wrote my first review for this place over two years ago. It's improved greatly and has become one of my favorite places to spend an evening in Philly. Their beer selection is fantastic and rotates quickly (see their FB page for their current list of taps.) They frequently have beer geek events and are by far one of top beer geek joints in the city. Their food is pretty good, too. However it's inconsistent. I will frequently get a dish that's fantastic one night, then "meh" the next. I think the good food outweighs the "meh". But the beer makes up for it. Seriously. If you are a beer geek and are looking for a non-touristy place to get some great libations, try this out.
(4)Christian J.
The Devil's Den is a cool little bar/restaurant. The décor inside is cool but welcoming; there is also plenty of outdoor seating for the warmer months. We had oysters and chicken wings for appetizers, although neither was the best I have ever tasted both were certainly enjoyable. For entree I had the Streak Frites (medium-rare), I thoroughly enjoyed the steak, fries and the accompanying spinach. I definitely think this place is a cool local bar with a good menu. If I was ever in the area I would certainly stop in for some nice, decently priced food and to try one of the many great beers they have on their extensive beer list. Overall, a good bar with good food.
(3)Jack B.
Huge selection of beer, good variety on the sampler trays, super-friendly/charming service. The dessert options are pretty stellar as well.
(5)Mike E.
Man, people are all over the map about this place... but I love it. One caveat for this review - I almost always sit at the bar, and almost always at or around Happy Hour, which for my money is the best in the city: a great, regularly-rotated selection of beers, all at half-price. And even the regular prices ain't that bad; for $4-5 you can get a rock-solid craft beer, about the same price I'd expect to pay for a lager at your typical non-dive joint. Food is ok, that's the only reason I knock off a star - haven't been blown away by any of my experiences with the regular dinner menu, although I do like the tapas: chickpea fries and the patatas bravas make for for some good finger food to soak up all that sweet, sweet half-price beer. Haven't tried brunch. Never had bad service here - all the bartenders seem pretty friendly to me, and there's only once I really had to wait long to eat (and I got comped for it). Came here once with a biggish party for a friend's birthday, and service was still solid and nobody went thirsty. I know this place gets compared to POPE a lot, but: a) it's a few blocks closer to where I live, and I really am that lazy b) POPE happy hour goes from 4 - 6, and just because I'm a freelancer with alcoholic tendencies doesn't mean I can drop everything to get loaded that early. I do have some standards. Sure, they don't have crab fries - but life is full of compromises...
(4)Alexandra W.
I think I liked Devil's Den. Maybe because their signage is cool, but still. I think I liked it! Or maybe because I drank a Roy Pits Ichabod's Midnight Ride Belgian style ale. First of all, ICHABOD'S MIDNIGHT RIDE! So great. Also, Sleepy Hollow? Great movie. Second, it was delicious, if you like sweeter beers. Ugh. So good. It was strange though, their prices were a little odd. Some beers were rather expensive, while others weren't at all (mine was $4). They had the Franziskaner Heffeweissen for $6, and I know that it's at least a dollar cheaper at Local 44. The food was good, too, but I didn't really sample enough to know for sure. If I'm in the area, I'd see myself going back.
(4)Ted C.
Tonight we celebrated our PSN Kickball Victory with the typical celebratory drinks. This time I ventured into some new dishes and I loved the Figs with Gorgonzola! Definitely a neat and yummy dish to try! Diablo muscles were delicious too! Oh and I almost forgot the Beet Salad too which I had on a previous visit, yum! Give me a couple more rounds at this place and the food and I am sure it will be 5 stars in no time!
(4)A B.
Alright, I have lived across from DD for the last year and unfortunately things have gone downhill since the chef change. Getting rid of my favorite Blt sandwich was a start but then the service has been terrible as of late. My wife called ahead last week and the hostess (who admittedly is the nicest person in there) said "oh there are plenty of tables". Our walk is literally 30 seconds across the street and we get there and she then days it's 25 min wait because she just gave her last table away. Fine, 4 of us squeeze into a corner of the bar and there were two bartenders. One was tending half the bar the other was changing a tap. The guy stays on his side and doesn't even glance to the other side. The other bartender spent ten min changing the tap then proceeds to go to the other side as well. Another guy next to me is waiting and she finally comes over and he says "he was here first" and her response was "he can wait" wow. The food can be ok. Chik pea fries are good but in general food is overpriced. They did just add outdoor seating, but jeeze can you clean up 11th street a little first as there is debris all over the sidewalk near the tables. The waitresses can be friendly but it's mixed. On the flip side in the winter the atmosphere can't be beat with the brick and the fireplace.
(3)Lauren T.
Stopped here before a Flyers game because the beer list looked pretty good online. I was disappointed when my first draught choice was kicked but my IPA was only $2.50 so I couldn't complain. The food, however was abysmal. Fried zucchini was way too breaded and way too overdone and the chicken scallopini sandwich was loaded with salt (and that was without the ham that normally accompanies it). I may have just chosen wrong, but I won't be returning for dinner anytime soon.
(2)James W.
Fantastic beer list, with descriptions of each beer in the menu. I ordered the Torletti, but it was way too salty. Probably just a mistake. I sent it back and they had a new dish in front of me in no time. Though I protested, the server offered it to me on the house. I left her an enormous tip. I also agree with some of the other reviews: The place needs more sandwich-type meals. When I'm drinking good beer, I like to fill up. At least give us a real burger! I'll be back...
(3)Phil P.
In all actuality I would give the Den 6 stars, even though I'm only allowed to put 5. I'm writing an update because I moved back to South Philly in June and this has become my new bar to go to. I have one complaint about the DD, there aren't enough good servers here. There are two I really like and the other two I can't stand. There was another I liked as well, but he's gone now. If they upped the ante and got a few more awesome servers then this place would be more awesome than it already is. Onto the good stuff now. They have two full time bartenders that you could almost count on being there every time. Both of them, one a man and one a woman are probably the two best bartenders in all of Philadelphia. Both are sarcastic, witty, and always quick to pour a beer. We're on a first name basis with each other now too which is pretty awesome because now it just feels like my very own Cheers every time I stop in to sit at the bar. I actually have to stop over there(maybe tonight after a ridiculously long day at school) to talk to the lady bartender about the Phillies landing Roy Halladay. She's even more gun ho about the Phillies than I am which is insanely hard to believe. The Atmosphere is great. It is really clean and kept very nice. The bar is really long which I like so there is plenty of room to sit down and watch a Phillies or Sixers game. There are double sided fire places so in the winter I get to drink a beer by a cozy fireplace. In the summer their big double door windows are open so the fresh air comes in. I think this place gets so many piss poor reviews because it is actually clean thus making it non hipster friendly. Onto the rest of the great stuff about the Den. The food is excellent. I'm completely shocked I have seen two bad reviews on the food here. There may be more, but I've only found two thus far. It must have just been a bad experience one time or something. I wouldn't be surprised because no establishment is going to be perfect every time. I for one have never had a bad experience with the food here. It is a little pricey, but it's no more pricey than the other gastro pubs in the neighborhood. For anyone reading this that wants to go grab a bite and a beer at the Devil's Den then I'll suggest what I like there: The French Dog, the Burger, the Cuban, the Pulled Pork Sandwich, and the Fried Zucchini are all out of this world. I hear the vegan food is excellent as well, but being the fat kid carnivore I am if I'm spending $9 on a meal I want meat with it. The beer selection is one of the best in the city aside from the obvious places like Monk's and Eulogy. The prices are all reasonable as well. The Happy Hour is incredible, half price draughts and unlike their counterparts down Passyunk the Devil's Den actually has a reasonable Happy Hour 5-7 unlike the other two places which I speak of whose Happy Hour's are 4-6. Lastly, I have to write about the perk of the Devil's Den card. I'm an alcoholic and I love food, so I'm at the Devil's Den often especially considering it is two blocks from my apt. They have this little card that the staff swipes for me every time I go there. Once you get to $300 on the card they give a $25 food credit which is awesome because it is a free meal. The best is when I go with a large group of people and the tab is like $200. Anyway, I could go on forever about how awesome the Devil's Den is so I'll just stop here. Next time you happen to be in South Philly and are looking for a bar to have a beer and dinner then I highly recommend stopping in the Devil's Den.
(5)Matt A.
Devil's Den has a wonderful happy hour. Their beers are already reasonably priced, but 1/2 price on drafts from 5-7 M-F is real nice. They have a well-curated draft list (which btw is never the same as their website, which I take as a positive). The food is usually decent, but mostly there to keep something besides beer in your belly. Duck Fries I recommend. The Den would get a much higher rating from me if it were just a bar, but I had one of the worst burgers of my life there. This cheeseburger consisted of cheddar, sauteed sweet onions, a large patty, and a bun I don't remember anything about. The cheddar was on the burger, but had no discernible flavor. The sweet onions were appropriately cooked, but were the whole flavor profile. The burger patty had no discernible seasoning. I just got cooked ground beef. Unless you are malnourished, plain ground beef accompanied by oily sweet onions is not pleasant. The patty was around 8-10 oz cooked, which normally would be an asset, but in this case made the whole thing absurd, and a little sad. Go to the Den to drink, maybe snack on some fries. The bar has gotten quite popular and now is pretty much full by 530 many days. But is also mostly empty by 11 on a weekend.
(3)Juli M.
I went to the "Den" when it first opened as it is very close to my house. It was really, really, REALLY awful. Bad service, bad food, and a bad smell permeating the place - found out later it was from a "dry drain" and could not be avoided. Our waitress was surly and we all commented that she was pretty uptight for a girl with a neck tattoo. Anyway, that was a couple of years ago. I have been back for a quick drink every now and then, but not a proper meal until a few nights ago. I would like to say - MUCH IMPROVED, Devil's Den. There are actually sandwiches on the menu and menu items that are not crazily expensive, which is how I recall one round of fare choices. Sometimes, you want to sit in a nice bar, with nice dark wood that is relatively peaceful (it was Wednesday) and enjoy a sandwich and a drink. Devil's Den delivered. I had the basic chicken sandwich (good) and some other folks had mussels and a BBQ sandwich - all seemed good. Sometimes - that is just what you want. I will be back.
(4)Jonathan L.
This place has improved a lot since first opening. It has become my default local spot for enjoying some great beers and solid gastropub fare. The fireplace makes it all the more enjoyable in the dark depths of a hellish winter. The beer list has become excellent, and rotates frequently, including many seasonals. They regularly host events and visits from craft brewers such as Pretty Things, Victory, et cetera. The food has steadily improved, but with the recent addition of a chef of some renown, I expect big things. I will reserve my fifth star for if/when that happens.
(4)Chris W.
Devil's Den has everything I want from a bar. Good draft beer, food, and a happy hour that can't be beat. I've discovered some of my favorite beers at this bar. I live 'dangerously' close (across the street) and its great to have somewhere to grab a quick beer and something to eat. The staff is really nice and great to strike up a conversation with. The food isn't as good as I first remember when I started going to Devil's Den, its still delicious though. Its also a hell of a lot easier to walk across the street than cooking something myself.
(5)Emily K.
We decided to head to Devils Den for a late lunch and some good beers. In the past, this restaurant has always been top notch for good food, beer and mingling with other local craft beer enthusiasts like myself. But this most recent visit was a complete let down. First off, the bartender seemed to be annoyed with everyone in the place. It almost seemed as if he picked up this shift to cover for someone and was pissed that anyone dared to show up and ask questions about the draft list. Secondly, the food was horrible. I ordered the fried chicken Caesar sandwich...no kidding, the chicken looked and tasted like a frozen chicken cutlet, and the Caesar dressing was basically mayo with some iceberg lettuce thrown in to mock a Caesar salad. It just seemed as if everyone working was 100% checked out on their job. I will go back and give them another chance, as this was the first bad experience here; but it was a huge letdown - I recommend this place to alot of people and if this is the new vibe of Devils Den...count me out.
(2)Sara C.
Time for an update! Now that I'm in the 'hood, the Devil's Den is my go-to bar. I mean seriously, it's right around the corner. I've come here with a rowdy birthday party (Tuesday) and I come in for Phillies games (many of which are also rowdy). The staff always works hard to please everyone. The beer selection is still always stellar and the half-price drafts at happy hour as many have mentioned are a total steal. I had the seitan sloppy joe the other night which was off the hook. The rest of their menu is comprised of solid gastropub fare. If you're a regular here, you can get one of those frequent diner cards - once you get up to a certain amount, you get $25 for food. I'll have to check back on the limit. But it's a great deal for those who are always here...like me.
(5)Jordan L.
Oh Devil's Den! I want to like you...but no. When I first started to go to Devil's Den 2 years ago, it seemed like a much better place. I feel there was a better vibe, more jovial if you will. The food was better. I don't know if they changed chefs or anything, but it has totally gone downhill. The beer selection is still really good. This is a fine place to go and sit at the bar, but nothing worth going out of your way for. Such a shame, I thought it had so much potential!
(3)David S.
The happy hour is amazing. The beer list is amazing. The service, unless you're at the bar, stinks. The brunch stinks (last time i had brunch there the shells for the huevos rancheros were so stale that i couldn't cut thru them with my knife) as does the menu/prices in general. This place is an amazing happy hour bar, but there's plenty of better options in the neighborhood for anything else.
(2)Lisa J.
This place was worth going to, but then they got rid of the brisket reuben.
(2)Jaime H.
I heart Devil's Den. This is my favorite beer bar in the city, and perhaps the country outside of Toronado (SanFran) and Falling Rock (Denver). The happy hour (half price tap list) is fricktastic, and unparalleled. In my numerous visits to DD, I have experienced fabulous service, both table and bar, and have always left one happy ass little camper. The beer selection is fantastic and consistently solid. The only drawback is that sometimes the food is less than awesome, and at times, I wish the menu was more diverse: long live the pulled pork sandwich from the early days! Aside from that, DD rocks. Much love.
(5)Christina G.
My sister, friend and I went for an early pre-concert dinner on Saturday night and had a fantastic meal. We started with the meat and cheese board. Everything was delicious. I had muscles and the other two had flatbreads. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. The server was friendly and was a big help in selecting beers. I would absolutely go back!
(5)Vicki M.
Devil's Den is one of the few hipster dominated/focused businesses in the Passyunk Square area that is actually worth visiting. The beer selection is great and the few times I've eaten here were pretty bangin, although a bit overpriced. (Though, for the record, it's about as overpriced as most places offering comparable food. It's yummy, slightly upscale pub food.) Don't be put off by the bad haircuts and pretentious beers, Devil's Den is well worth visiting, and I'm not saying that just because I can walk there from home.
(5)Cassie T.
Once, I saw two dudes fighting in front of this bar, in the middle of the fight in which a girl friend of one of the dudes got a punch in on the other guy, one fighter says, " dude, if you don't hit me I'll buy you a beer" The other guy pauses, thinks for a second, and says, "OK" and they walk in... amazing. That being said, Devil's Den is a pretty chill spot, sort of classier than your average dive, with a decent selection of beers, and pretty good bar food. I'd recommend the Cuban sandwich with sweet potato fries and cole slaw, yumm. If you're feelin' munchy, the fries with some sort of aoli is very addicting. It's a good place to grab a solid dinner and also stay for the drinks.
(4)Jake V.
Back where I'm from, there's a place called Shawarma King which specializes in Mediterranean food. Wait, hold on. This is going somewhere. Alright, so they have good Mediterranean food but they thought ahead to that stick-in-the-mud-type who doesn't want to try anything beyond a what they could find at an Applebee's. So, this Mediterranean place has such things as hamburgers to placate these types. Well, it turns out that if you're a vegetarian, your choices are also limited at this place so it became quite humorous when my friend, a vegetarian, ordered a "grilled cheese sandwich" and got a single piece of yellow kraft american cheese between a white hamburger bun. The Devil Den's vegetarian sandwich is even more comical than that. Yes, they had good beer and my sandwich was alright but I wish I could have had my camera to capture my girlfriend's face when her vegetarian sandwich was put in front of her. It was about as excited as when she opens her Christmas present from her extremely out of touch grandma.
(3)Martin Z.
This was the first bar my friends and I hit up and what s good start . Awesome name. Cool decor. Good beers on tap. The bartender was friendly. Overall a good start to the night.
(4)ED W.
cOOL bAR, great beer selection, i've eaten there a few times the food is good. I've had nothing but good service. I like the fact they have a great selection of German beers. THe interior is real nice, reminds me of a British pub a bit, not too bright.
(4)Anne H.
Arrrgh! Devil's Den, I'm so mad at you!!! What happened? You get a new chef and try to turn this once glorious pub into something completely different! This place used to have focus, it used to have a theme: above-average bar food centered around an excellent and extensive beer selection. Now the menu has quail eggs? Figs wrapped in bacon? Where does this fit in? Plates got smaller and more expensive. Not a good way to keep your customers. Sadly, I won't be coming here anymore. This really hurts because it's right down the street from me and used to be my favorite drinking spot. Now recommend going to the Royal Tavern, which has always had good food or to Varga.
(2)Caroline H.
I thought this place was pretty good! I had the Belgian beer flight and the roasted vegetable sandwhich. I liked all the beers in the flight (only one that I was so-so about) and the sandwhich was pretty tasty served on foccacia and the fries came with a spicy aioli to dip them in. Yumm! It was pretty packed because of the b-ball games but the atmosphere was good. I hear the happy hours are great here so I'll have to venture back in for that sometime.
(4)Kathy D.
Great addition to the 11th street corridor. Excellent beer selection and flights in an atmosphere that is cozy with the fireplace in the winter and airy and breezy in the summer when they take out the windows. The food needs some improvement, but you can't do wrong with some fries with your good beer. Note: Not many hipsters here! Great place to watch the game as well
(3)Casey H.
In a nutshell I would say 5 stars for ambiance/scene and beer selection and 2 stars for food. I just love the the fireplace, but would definitely pass on the food. Maybe it's just that I had high hopes based on the reviews for the cheese fries, but they were underwhelming at best (and I would consider myself a bit of a fry connisseur). The cheese sauce was more like a gravy. If you happen to get the munchies while there I would reccommend getting plain fries with the spicy aioli sauce (the only bit of food that was tastynon my opinion).
(3)Kat W.
Amazing beer list! Always changing. Seems that people have gotten some bad service here, they can be a little blunt, but if you don't try to order a light beer, they will typically return kindness. The food is a little over priced, but with the best taps in the city I can eat at home. Also best happy hour, all the drafts are 1/2 off during the week!
(5)Steph H.
This is the last time I will review or otherwise think about the devil's den. I first gave it 1 star because of a bad server, then I gave it 4 stars because I had many good times and no problems. I am back to give it 1 star and I will offer a story as to why I will never go here again. So I want to emphasize that this bar is around the corner from my house and I WANT to like it. Loving the bar around the corner from where you live is pure perfection so I have overlooked many little problems. I used to have a job that didn't let out until 7pm so I could never go to happy hour at the devil's den. I finally was able to come here for happy hour with a friend and as the hostess was seating us she told us that in addition to half-priced drinks the "small plates" were also half-off. My buddy and I both got drinks, a small plate and an entree. When the bill came we noticed that the small plates didn't get the discount, an understandable mistake for a busy waiter. We called the waiter over and told him about this silly mistake and he surprisingly told us that it wasn't a mistake. He proceeded to tell us that the small plates were not half off; the tapas in the back of the drink menu are the ones on special for happy hour. We told him about how the hostess told us very specifically that the "small plates" were half-off (found in the dinner menu) and that we wanted them to honor this. He said there was nothing he could do and so I asked to speak to the manager. The waiter said that the manager wasn't available but the acting manager was the bartender, who I have met many times in the way that one would be familiar with the bartender at the neighborhood bar. When I told him what happened he said "Well you're here all the time, you should KNOW it's the tapas that are half off, not the small plates". I told him that I had never been there for happy hour before and emphasized that the hostess TOLD US that the "small plates" were on special. He wouldn't budge. We left unhappy less because of having to spend an extra few dollars but more because of the "every man for himself" feeling that you would never expect from a neighborhood bar. The management have made it clear that they are more concerned with making every last cent from their patrons than forging a relationship with the community. There are too many other bars in south philly to spend your time and money in a place that doesn't deserve it.
(1)maj s.
I'm hesitant to give it a good review because I don't want more people going here. But......... the beer list never fails you and the happy hour, yes, is incredible.
(5)Elizabeth B.
I like this place -- the food is delicious, the beer list is surprisingly thorough. The service is really nice and I liked that the dining area is slightly separated from the bar area. However ... I don't like having to wait to use the bathroom on multiple occasions when there seems to be no need for a wait (is it just bad timing on my part? I don't think so since other people have made similar remarks) AND the wood fire, during the wintertime, makes things nice and cozy but the smell it left in my clothes and hair made me feel sick.
(3)Vincent C.
Devil's Den has amazing food and awesome beer selection. Highly recommended! If you're in Philly, take the time to leave the generic areas and check this place out.
(5)Jodi E.
Really interesting menu. Really. But the execution was just alright. Still, I was excited by the choices and would go back to try it again. We had the seitan meatballs (This meat-eater is mad for seitan! Tofu be damned!). Lovely idea, and definitely tasty... but they fell apart too much for my liking. The chorizo-shrimp skewers were served over crostini with ricotta. These were good. Real good. The trio of mini burgers also were delicious. A+ there. The lamb flatbread was a disappointment. It was basically braised lamb spread on a flatbread base. Like, the lamb and the flatbread did not seem to be cooked together and the whole thing just ended up looking like a thin "meat pizza" with a 1/4" of pulled lamb sitting on top of some flatbread. Our friend who met up with us after we'd eaten asked that the leftover flatbread be removed from the table. Yeah, it did look kinda gross, just sitting there all lamb-spread-like. Oh well. Some things were good, some not-as-good. But the inspiration is definitely there. Oh, and good beer selection, bien sur!
(3)Daniel B.
Terrible service. I find myself drawn to sitting at the bar/hightops and secretly praying I don't get stuck in the dining room. While, as one poster already wrote, noone ever seems to be your dedicated server, the majority of the servers don't seem to care. Requests for WATER seem like a burden. One server tends to slam down your drinks every single time I order. Also, god forbid you want to move a chair from another table. This spot is NOT good for large groups. The only reason I give this place a 3rd star is the Happy Hour can't be beat. The "tapas" are all tasty, and 1/2 price drafts are welcoming. Just don't sit in the dining room unless you want to leave with a bad taste in your mouth.
(3)Jess C.
I walked into this place today and loved everything about it! The cozy warmth of the fireplace was perfect on this chilly day. Our bartender was very accommodating when my tomato veggie soup needed some bread for dipping :) The veggie burger had a consistency of a crab cake, which was surprisingly awesome! Loved the arugula salad too! Thanks so much! I'll be back :)
(5)Lauren H.
I've been here twice in the last month and was impressed each time. First time we hung mainly at the bar, the second time we were seated at a table in the dining room, right in front of the fireplace - and this is a truly spectacular fireplace. This fireplace is in the center of the bar and opens up, on one side, to the bar, and on the other, to the dining room. An honest to goodness fireplace with a merry, crackling, "you'll be a burnt marshmallow if you sit in front of it for to long" flame, which I know from personal experience as I sat directly in front of it for two hours the other night. The beer list looks to be seasonal - which is difficult for my friends who have less robust palates - but is rather delightful for me as it always means something new to try. I've only had the braised pork sandwich, so I can't comment extensively on the food, but I'd order that particular sandwich again. My table mates the last time around ordered the gorditas and the sliders, and made considerable dents in their plates, considering they are two small women. In the middle of a snowstorm, this place was packed, as it was the other time I was there, so you may have to wait for a table, or for a place at the bar, when you go - and you should go.
(4)Tina N.
I've been here on several occasions, and have never been wowed. However, the last time I was there was game 4 of the World Series on Sunday. Maybe it was the excitement of the game, or the current love of everything Philly, but I finally had an experience worth mentioning (I tend to get lazy to write a review right after I've tried a place). My friend and I ordered the Cuban sandwich, Thai mussels, duck confit fries, one chicken and one pork gorditas. If this sounds like a lot of food for two people, it is. I never got to try the gorditas, since we were so full and he ended up taking them home. He says they were good. The Cuban and the duck fries, I can and will vouch for. You can't go wrong when smothering fries with cheese and duck meat. The mussels however were a bit bland, and I probably could have taken or leave them. The few times I've tried the mussels here have resulted in the same opinion. I agree with everyone, in that this is a nice addition to the neighborhood. It's a good cross between gastro pub and sports bar. And the beer list is not too shabby I should add.
(3)Meredith K.
After months of putting it off, my boyfriend and I went to the Devil's Den for the first time tonight. I was quite impressed. Their tap selection was unique for the most part, including three Stone selections (Smoked Porter, Arogant Bastard, and Ruination IPA). They had a Dogfish Head I'd never seen before (the Palo Santo Marron, a 12% Imperial Brown Ale), though they ran out of it around 6 p.m.. The rest of the taps didn't really appeal to me, but I'm sure they appeal to others (Spaten Lager, High & Mighty Abbey Double, Abbey St Martin Blonde, etc.). The bartender was really cool, someone with whom it was easy to hold a conversation (which we did), and the atmosphere was comfortable and fairly quiet. The menu held the typical gastropub fare. My friends ordered some food... three ordered a burger and one ordered mussels, all of which were thoroughly enjoyed. I tried a french fry, but waited to order takeout from the Thai-Laotian place down the street. :) Overall, I definitely enjoyed this place. They have better beer than most of the bars in Philly, at least. Extra star for that. And they weren't too crowded. It was a hike to get to, though, but I'll ignore that because of the good beer!
(4)Sandrine F.
I live close so i've been there many times. HAPPY HOUR: Devils Den at its best. 5-7pm 1/2 priced drafts (awesome selection) and $3 tapas menu. Beer flights also half price, $4.50 for a belgian beer flight (4 8 oz glasses). DRINKS: The beer selection is great, wines are expensive and not so great. The bartenders are cool esp. Steve. ATMOSPHERE: In the winter, the fireplace is a warm welcome on both the bar and dining-room sides. They have a pile of logs next to it and the staff is diligent about keeping us cozy. In the summer, the windows open for some fresh air and they have outdoor tables. FOOD: nice gastropub menu on paper but food is inconsistent although getting better with time. I disagree with the other reviews, the fries & their sauce are tasty; the mussels are good too. The apps seem more like bar food than gastrofare. Fried zucchini was good, a friend liked the quesadilla. Friends have liked the sandwiches esp. the pulled pork. I've been disappointed by specials like grilled rabbit (who grills rabbit? should have been a clue) but the duck entree was nicely done. Check it out for Happy Hour and then go eat some cheapo delicioso mexicano fare in the area.
(4)Retta H.
I have been to Devil's Den on multiple occasions ranging from happy hour, to late time drinks, to grabbing grub. Regardless of my reasons for stopping by, the experience is always great. Happy Hour/Late Night: The beer selection is awesome, especially if you genuinely like GREAT BEER. They have a great variety of imported, domestic and local brews. I def recommend going for happy hour as it's half price for these awesome beers and worth every penny. The atmosphere is pretty chill during happy hour as well as late night. The two flat screens above the bar usually have some type of sporting events going on. During NFL season it gets pretty rowdy....especially when non-Eagles fans are amongst die hards. Finally, the bartenders and waitresses alike are awesome. Speaking as a former bartender, I think the bar staff is attentive and knows a lot about the beer they are serving. Brunch: I have been here a half dozen times for brunch and like there happy hour, it is pretty delicious for the price. I am an eggs and sausage/bacon sort of girl and I think they do omelets pretty well here. I have had the Omelet Très Fromage, Smoked Salmon Omelet , and several of the omelets on special. I have also had the Crab Benedict, which if you like crab cakes is awesome to start your day. The coffee is alil intense at Devils Den, but you can always opt for a morning beer instead. Dinner: I have only been here once for dinner (so far). I had an awesome dinner when I went on a Monday night with the fireplace ablaze...it was great atmosphere, great food, and great service. I had the Grilled Veal Flank Steak with sunchoke gratin, Brussels sprouts & veal jus. The sunchoke is a root vegetable that tasted like smokey potato au gratin...it was SOOOOOO GOOD! The veal was a great portion and cooked perfectly. The spices were appropriate for the sides and the veal jus really was more so a tasty light wine gravy. My boyfriend had the Grilled Wild Boar with roasted salsify, Swiss chard & red wine sauce. Again, this was a solid entree with a great amount of meat and a unique side dish. Salsify is another root veggie and the Swiss chard is a green that was sauteed and complimented the boar well. Overall, for the price of each dish and the amount and quality of food, I was more than pleased. I def recommend going for dinner. I will def be back.
(4)M J.
I liked the vibe of this place. It's casual and cosy, seating close to the wood burning fireplace is highly recommended. The food is good enough. The oysters are fresh; duck fries is tasty but a bit rich with the cream sauce; burger is decent- good but not the best. I'd return for the expansive beer list, warm dining space, and good food.
(4)Ashley H.
The beer list at Devil's Den is decent, but the food needs some work. I think I'd only go as a hang out spot, as opposed to getting lunch or dinner here. I ordered the pan fried tortellini as a small plate the other night and it was sub-par. The tortellini looked like they were probably frozen and they sat in a bowl of grease. The pancetta that came with was incredibly salty. But, the service was good and the atmosphere is great. I learned my lesson, I'll only go to Devil's Den to sit and hang out with friends.
(3)Sagi S.
The place is about a block for my house so I have been there several time. Every time I come I leave a little disappointed. I end up going again since it is so close. It is not that it's that bad it's that it is consistently inconsistent. Drinks- The bar is good and generous for beer and liquor. They have a long beer list and they are good with letting you try them. The couple of times I got a glass of wine it was somewhat warm and tasted like it was opened a couple of days ago. Food- The menu sounds very cool and the food sounds very tasty. I had good wings there with a nice buffalo flavor and on another time the wings arrived cold. I had a great burger on one visit and when I had another sandwich (duck) it was dry on a bun that was probably a day or two old - or tasted like it was a day or two old. The fries were undercooked a couple of times and really good on other visits. I think fries, winds and sandwiches are the bare basics for a bar menu and they manage to mess them up. I hope they read this review and work on improving the kitchen since the place has a lot of potential.
(3)Ryan S.
A solid beer bar on Washington. fantastic; now i don't have to hike across town to Monks, Eulogy, or Belgian cafe. Others have said it and they are correct, the wait staff is top notch. They know their beer and are attentive, friendly, and fast. I had the lamb sandwich. At $10 it was more than i'd like to pay, but within the area of what I've come to expect. We also had the Arrogant Bastard cheese fries (which i tried to recreate at home tonight using XX--the best beer i had in the house; sadly the hopdevil is gone) which were above average, the thai mussels could have been spicier but were still really good, the hot brie (which is a sandwich) that wasn't as good as other brie sandwiches i've had, and the chicken fingers which were corn flake crusted and yummy. ok, if you cant tell, if you go eat with me at a new place, i'll probably taste your food. anyway, this is getting long. wrapping it up: this is a monks that i can find street parking at (though, my #$%^ing car died) and is close to all us south phila folks. ps. someone mentioned the atmosphere/the patrons didn't feel very warm. This is no 'dive bar' nor cantina. go here with you friend; you'll not be making any at this place.
(4)Joanne P.
Definitely one of my favorite bars. I always always order their burgers, great price for an awesome burger, and the fries are yummy too. I'm never disappointed with food or service. Atmosphere is very chill, great place to grab a drink day or night. I'm not a beer person, but they have an actual book for all the different kinds of drinks they serve. I always leave satisfied
(5)Molly O.
Went last night. Drank WAY TOO MUCH but no hangover since they carry such high quality beer at low prices..no hangover! yea!!! I ate off the tapas menu and everything was really good. Bartender was great as always.
(4)Meghan R.
Last Friday I decided to walk over to Devils Den which I pass often as it's in my neighborhood. For drinks I started off with the english flight of beers (I am such a sucker for flights, I love being able to try more than one thing) and I thought it was a decent deal for $8 and four tastings. My companion had a Boulder Mojo Risin' which, although I adore IPA's, I wasn't the biggest fan of. Beer aside the food really underwhelmed. We started with the queso fresco gordita which was mushy and lacking in any real flavor. I had the soup special with was listed as a spicy vegetable rice but if there was rice in there I completely missed it. My companion got the cuban sandwich and for $9 it was TINY and didn't come with any sides. The gastropub thing is done farrrrr better at other places throughout the city but I would pop in Devils Den for a beer as they have an awesome selection and just skip the food.
(3)Elizabeth R.
Devil's Den has a nice selection of beer - something for everyone, really. The food, however, leaves much to be desired. I'm not tryin to hate, so to speak, but other than the mussels (which are the menu's highlight), the food is bland and boring. It's not bad, but it lacks flare and perhaps some creativity and ingenuity. I've never been wowed by an experience at Devil's Den, but I'm always pleased with the service, espesh at the bar. That it's within quick walking distance of my abode is worth the trip of going back to see if the menu has improved at all with time and subtle hints of critique to the chef.
(3)Tom A.
The Devil's Den has one problem besides the atmosphere not matching the name and that problem is food. I've had soggy, undercooked fries (c'mon really?), Stale bread on a sandwich and Some NASTY ASS mussels that most definitely deserved me sending them back (in fact it was the first time I have EVER sent food back in my life, so it was warranted). These occurences were on 3 seperate occasions, and if you can believe it I've eaten there more than 3 times. The other times were okay. Saving grace is two things. First, and quickly I will mention they have a fireplace that Kicks serious ass on cold winter days. And second and more importantly... They have loads of beer and loads of good whiskeys. Loads. Awesome tap selection with a beer bible menu over 100 deep. You couldn't possibly find nothing to drink on this list unless you are a diehard Zima fan. Prices are a little high for my poor ass but with the options that is not a problem.
(3)James K.
Admittedly I was only here for two beers last night. But my impressions were favorable and I will definitely come back next week for Happy Hour (5-7 1/2 priced drafts). This is definitely a place for beer connoisseurs. The draft and bottle menu is thorough with descriptions and alcohol % for each beer. I am definitely not a connoisseur (since I also drink PBR) but I enjoy quality beer and this is a place to expand your horizons. My girlfriend is not normally a beer drinker but we found two that suited her fancy. This place has incredible ambiance. The exposed brick walls, the smell of wood smoke and the soft candlelight juxtaposed with the music (Radiohead when I walked in) make for an enjoyable experience.
(4)Christopher S.
If you take the Applebee's name off an Applebee's, it is still an Applebees. Devil's Den feels like an Applebee's. I guess its a matter of personal preference, but the the interior is so pristine and shiny I almost feel as if gone to visit the home of a obsessive compulsive friend who covers their furniture with saran wrap so as to not "ruin it". Personally, I hate that feeling. Devil's Den is too well lit. Its too spacious. It's an Applebee's without the name. However, Devil's Den has an excellent beer list with some decent choices on their rotating Draught system. They are doing that much right. Their happy hour is unbeatable compared to other bars within that vicinity (think POPE, or South Philly Tap Room) with their 50% off Drafts. That is a plus. But is the 2 bucks I save worth feeling like I am drinking in an uncomfortable setting? I cannot hold my personal views of how a bar should be against a place as I am certain there are many people who feel like dimly lit dingy establishments are depressing, but this is my review and this reviewer wants dank. Its a great bar to take co-workers after work. Its a great bar for a blind date. Its not romantic. Its clean. I honestly did not get the chance to sample the menu much but I did have the popcorn shrimp Happy Hour Tapas special. While I was glad to find they pulled the tails off the shrimp (I've been to a place where the whole shrimp was fried and unfortunately not all the tails were gone), it was not what I expected. The shrimp was a decent size but it was only six. A shrimp cocktail sized platter at a shrimp cocktail sized price. The chili sauce was interesting and while I do prefer my food spicy, it was more than acceptable. I did find it a bit on the sweet side though. But what should I have expected for a Tapas style dish? I incorrectly assumed a multitude of Shrimp in line with its "Popcorn" appellation, but that is my problem not theirs. Devil's Den does have a lot of good things going for it. Would I go back? Maybe. But I might only stick to happy hour. And I might only stick around for an hour. Its perfect if you like well lit well stocked establishments. If the idea of bright lights with your beverages is not appealing, I would pass it on by. But as far as other gastro pubs in the city go, I feel like its falling short of something. I want to say character, though I hate to sound that harsh, but I'm saying it anyway.
(3)Nu S.
Must have are the mussels. I always get flights because the beer lists are too long.
(4)Sid L.
Went for dinner with my bro a short whiles ago, it was the new spot in our neighborhood and after biking past it numerous times decided to stop in... the menu was very limited, whereas the beer list was several times the food menu's length...so its definitely a beer pub as opposed to a "gastropub"... bro had the burger and i had the mussels...not bad, but not great...service was great, but we were the only table in the dining room (this was around 6:45 on a Monday evening)... will probably stop back for drinks, and read recently that there's been a chef change in the kitchen, so hopefully the food selections will be more than a single page long...
(3)Katrina G.
Devil's Den is one of our local restaurants, and I've always enjoyed it when we've been. The drinks were good, but the food was only okay. We have been for both dinner and brunch; the service was fine and the beer menu is extensive. While the food is nothing special, it's still a solid place that I would recommend.
(4)Joseph D.
Great potential, bad management. I had always enjoyed the atmosphere of this bar. Although the prices were always steep for both food and drink at this bar, the choice of beer tended to justify this premium. However, after years of patronizing the establishment, I encountered great frustration with staff wanting to serve people after 1:30 A.M. Due to the fact that they wanted to get home. This was on a Saturday night. After contacting the owner, it was clear that he blindly stands behind the poor customer service provided by his staff. After relaying my concerns of his staff ignoring a large group who came in during business hours (of which, two were drunk, and not drinking - not the rest!) in order to go home, I received this response: "I do certainly appreciate you relaying you concerns to me. Unfortunately it would seem that your entire group was intentionally given slow and absentee service do to what you feel was two "drunk" people in your group, but what my staff (with corroboration by video)felt was a majority of your group. One of the women with you fell not once but twice, two people at a table were having trouble staying awake and keeping their heads up. There was a conscious decision that your group had had enough to drink for the night, that the one round would be served and that was it. This was further reinforced with the aggressive and blatantly confrontational way which you approached Bruce the MOD. By ALL accounts (including a customer who has no vested interest or reason to lie) the way you approached the situation was the final deciding factor in refusing further service to you and your friends. In regards to your concern over the timing of last call, 1:45 is our standard and the standard across the city. Individuals ability to be flexible with that is generally exercised on slower week nights when there are fewer people in the bar and done to allow people that have been in the bar to have another drink while the bartender and staff start doing there cleaning. You would be hard pressed to find any place that will serve right up to 2, especially on a Saturday to a large group that spent most of their evening elsewhere. I am sorry if you disagree with the way my staff or I have handled this situation, but I do stand by their decision to stop service to your entire group based on the level of intoxication demonstrated by some of your friends. They did what they felt was necessary for the whole group and could not be expected in these circumstances to individually determine each person's sobriety level." This is in response to a letter to the owner stating that, after having my issue with their neglect of service, that I asked the manager for the owner's information, which was refused to me. I had to write down the owner's name from the business license on the wall. Although the food and drink is good, the occasional great server and bartender were greatly overshadowed by bad, lazy servers and bartenders, who apparently say they "flagged" a group of people because two were drunk. Devil's Den is incapable of serving alcohol, however will serve as a upper scale restaurant. Although I was never thrilled with the customer service before, I didn't think I would have to contact the owner, and then have the owner stand blindly behind his lazy Saturday night staff.
(1)Charles B.
Since I live just blocks away, this is the kind of place I really want to love, but I don't even like it. It's just not good. I will say if your looking for a good beer selection they do have a nice happy hour with great prices, but as far as overall experience and food it just misses the mark too consistently for me. Food takes absolutely forever, and at all times of service. I waited an hour once for a ham and cheese sandwich at 3;30 in the afternoon, another time an hour and fifteen for some pickled veggies and parfait at brunch. I just don't get it, and I guess neither do their servers, as no attempt was made to relieve my frustrations. I gave it another shot during the Phils playoffs, had some too-boozy mussels, an unpleasant crab ravioli, and a Phils loss. Won't be back.
(2)Tom S.
The beer list is great and the atmosphere is awesome. It has a wood-fireplace that splits the joint in two. It's really a great place. And a good spot to go to watch a game when that's applicable because they have TVs playing the games, and its not a deafening sports bar.
(4)JJ N.
Love the Diablo mussels. Menu has changed so many times I don't know what they have anymore. Sliders are pretty good and the beer selections is great.
(4)Sean D.
Extremely split when it comes to this place. Great prices for even better craft beers. We went for happy hour and it was amazing. Great music and fun atmosphere. If I were basing my decision just on these factors alone I would have given it a 4 but unfortunately I just can't do that. Although there were a lot of positives, there were just as many negatives that out weigh all. First the service. The server we had was extremely pretentious, and made it seem like it was a major inconvenience that we were there an spoke to us like dirt when we had any questions. The food took forever to come out and the beers took a little longer than we would have liked to come out as well. And last but definitely not least the food. Although the taste was amazing unfortunately I got FOOD POISONING off of the short rib sandwich. Like I said it tasted great but I suffered for it later and it is taking me days to rehydrate. It was a little pricey for the quality as well. All and all of not for the food poisoning I probably would at least think about returning but because of it I can't say I ever will. Please remember everyone that this is only my experience. The group I was with has been there multiple times and had no issues until this time. Just wanted to make you aware that this is a possibility, as it is with all establishments. Enjoy.
(1)Retset Y.
I still frequent Devil's Den because the happy hour is unbeatable considering the quality of beer always on tap. Service at the bar is better than table service, most of the time. It's hard to ignore customers that are right in front of you. Table service is still a problem. I'm not sure what the problem is. SPTR is always busy and service is always consistently good. They need to get it together, service-wise. And the food? Meh. Still just OK.
(2)John V.
Wow, man has South Philly changed, even progressed since I resided in Packer Park, back in 1991 and prior....The Devil's Den, simply based on the name and logo alone had me sold. But as always, proof is in the pudding. I finally had the rare op. to get over to S. Philly and frequent this place after several months of trying to find time to do so. So, last weekend I found myself in the Devil's Den admist a diverse crowd consistign of twenty-somethign year olds to sixty something year olds, and evryone inbetween. It was a late night diner for me and an old local rock n' roll drummer pal of mine. Their menu was solid, particuarly if you like Belgian fare. I tried the muscles diablo, and it was damn good-hell raising in fact, to the taste buds.The food is a bit pricey, as my uptight buddy made known tot he overally patient and sweet waitress. He was hung up on the size of the crab cakes, which he eventualy decided to order. They were on the smaller size, but as the waitress informed him, "it's not always size that matters". I nearly spit my delicious Duvul ale out of my nose when I heard her say that!!! As did my friend! Yes, big plates, small portions here, but the food was very good, but not the greatest value for your money. The real reason to be here is for their lare beer selections, global offerings at that!!! We each had three ales apiece....I stuck with the Belgians: Palm, Duvel, Chimay...all were delicious....but hell, you can order the same ales at Monks or Eulogy in center city. What seperates those places apart from the Devil's Den, is the unpretentous staff and clientel. CC ale house crowds tend to be a bit upper crust,profss..that is fine, but sometimes you just want to let your hair down, and be relxed while becoming intoxicated on fine imported ales. Their beer menu exceeds 100 world class ales. The prices mirror monks, et al. The interior of the place is alluring, with a fuctional large center room fireplace, polished red brick walls, and clean, but tight, wooden tables. A sprinkling of flat screen TVs around the place, with some Devil rtelated paraphanellia tops off the places unique charm. I most definently want a return visit. If i nthe area of 11 th and elsworth streets, do make a bee line for this place. Enjoy. PS. When Monks, et al have a one to two hour waiting list, the Devil's Den, can usualy seat you promptly, at least that was my experience on a Saturday evening at 9:30 PM
(4)Simon B.
Great beer selection. Great happy hour. Food is WAY overpriced. But the main reason for the low rating is the staff. There are maybe 2 waiters/waitresses/bartenders that demonstrate any sliver of hospitality, and I'm not difficult to please ( I live in South Philly, after all). I've been at Devil's Den many times, and I'll continue to go only to get my fill of beer. No more tips for you suckers! My advice is to go for the beer. Don't expect good service, and make sure you let them know that their service sucks nads.
(2)Darnelle R.
I'm fairly new to South Philly but I have found my new favorite place. Devil's Den has a great color story, great beer and food menu and enough space to have any kind of event! So far, I have been there for half-price drafts during the week and a nice late afternoon meal on a Saturday. This place is great for a date, fun with a flat mate, drown your sorrows and rant about people you hate, or to simply celebrate! What a great place to be... Devil's Den is the place for me! I AM A HUGE FAN OF DEVIL'S DEN!!!
(5)Sean D.
My first impression when I walked in is that it's not very Devily. Lots of exposed brick and beams, and there is a fireplace dividing the bar from the dining room. It's very nice on the inside, but I'll stop short of officially calling it classy, thanks to the dude at the bar yelling "FLYER HOCKEY!" at the television while he spits tobacco juice into an empty Snapple bottle. Oh, and this place has a kickass logo. There have to be close to 100 bottles available, but the well-balanced list of 17 taps kept all my attention. The draft menu includes a description of each along with the state, ABV and pour/price, which range from 10.5 to 23 ounces and from four to eight dollars. It looked like everything above 8% abv was served in the smaller size. Those nine beers were a good mix of styles - DIPA, wee heavy, tripel and a couple of big stouts. Served in pints were six (amber/brown/porter/IPA) including one cask. Also available were two Germans in a large size for only around five bucks. The only complaint you could make was that only two drafts were local, although one was from hard-to-find Spring House (the other was a Yard's cask). We didn't eat but the menu looks like it has something for everyone while not being to extensive. Our server was able to make some good recommendations and was up to date on any changes in availability. There are 2-3 large TV's above the bar which make it a good place to watch a game without dominating the atmosphere. I'd bet that everyone in the place was older than 25 and younger than 35. I was impressed with the number of people in here at 3pm on a random Saturday afternoon. In all this was my favorite stop on our pub crawl through South Philly.
(4)Dana V.
Came in here for the first time for brunch. Cool bar, definitely seems better to come grab a beer here (food menu looked decent though). I had a fruit and granola parfait with a blueberry scone. One of the first decent scones I've had in Philly. It was warm and fluffy, not hard as a rock. The place is a little out of the way, but definitely worth the trip :)
(4)Ken M.
The Inside of this bar has a nice, dark wood motif with a fireplace. The bar is very clean/ organized. The bathroom was clean as well. I would say that the bar is a casual environment, all types are welcome. They have a great beer selection (especially German). Our bartender was very friendly and on-point. For food, we had the $20.00 meat (Charcuterie) & cheese plate combo. I felt that the plate was lame. The meat tasted overly dry & stale. The cheese was nothing to write home about. (doesn't compared to the tasty plates I have had at Tria, Di Bruno Brothers, etc)....... We also had the 'Diablo' mussels, it was realy good. The mussels were done just right, not over cooked. The broth was a Garlic chili sauce with bacon, cilantro & Belgian Wit. I enjoyed sopping up the broth with the included bread. The Mussels came with french fries (more like pommes frites if you know what I am sayin'). The frites were a medium cut, nice & crispy, skin on, I liked them. This was our 2nd visit to the Den, we will return again.
(4)Larry M.
Been here a few times only ate once, had a burger and it was pretty good. The beer selection is very good if you are looking for craft beers this is a great place. The decor is very nice and the bartenders and service are good.
(4)Elina K.
Um, this place rocks. From what I saw of it anyway; which was only an hour or two of sipping beer and a late night meal very near closing time. Generally speaking bars like this don't wow me back to Pluto (huh? I dunno it sounds ok for now) But Devil's Den did. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because my experience was rather brief and limited. Here's what I observed, vibewise: -Crackling fireplace when you enter the bar. lovely surprise in the dead of dreary winter -Exposed brick and polished wood all over (bar, floors, tables) kind of a sparse yet cozy feel. -Chill patrons. it wasn't much of a crowd but the folks I saw looked like they were hanging out in their LR or porch drinking and talking. seems like the kinda place you could easily strike up a convo even if you're not a regular or one of the cool kids. As for the actual refreshments found behind the bar and the menu, those rocked as well. Beer selection was eclectic and interesting. Prices were quite reasonable for yummy fancy shmancy sounding drafts. Five bucks for a beer with 10% alkie content is cool and the gang with me considering you gotta pay six bucks for a freakin Heineken in other metropolises. The server was also more than encouraging about sampling the beers prior to making selection and kept bringing stuff out to try when we asked what something was. LOVE THAT. I mean that's the type of thing that makes you wanna spend your money and order stuff you normally wouldn't order far from some uptight attitude I've gotten when asking to sample a beer (I'm looking at you Memphis Taproom). Our server was...frankly, adorable. I couldn't help but comment on his baby face looks only to find out he used to be a cop. Babyfaced ex-cop barback. I can dig it! Lastly the food was yum. I ordered cream of parsnip soup not knowing what to expect (what the hell is a parsnip? I still don't know) which arrived all thick and creamy with candied apples in the middle. Consistency was much like applesauce but flavor was a distinct vegetable puree. I also got a pulled chicken carnita sandwich, also yum served on a hearty sourdoughlike bread. Maybe it's because I was famished and weary from a day of travel but the whole experience was delightful. By the time I finished my hearty meal and delicious beer my lungs and clothes smelling of logs I felt ready to face the elements once again, albeit sad that I couldn't stay perched up on my bar stool a little bit longer.
(4)Eric A.
Was pretty good. Wings were hot, cheesefries and bacon was great. I didnt know what to expect, but they have a good variety of beer as well :)
(3)Amy M.
i heart the devil's den. with an intimidating beer list, and delicious gastropub/comfort food fare, this is the kind of place i like to go when i feel like kicking back with a few new friends. like everyone else has mentioned, the happy hour is just wonderful. grab yourself some top notch craft beer drafts at half price. the cute happy hour tapas are also awesome. my favorite entree is the vegetarian sloppy joe - which as a meat eater, i still very much enjoyed. love the fries and the spicy mayo dip as well.
(5)Jessica E.
This place gets an extra star for having Schneider Aventinus on tap all the time! The beer selection here is great and drafts are half-price during happy hour! I like their flight selection. You can choose from German, Belgian, or micro. Nifty! They offer friendly service and I have experienced better service at the bar than at a table. I have only eaten here once, but was not impressed. I ordered a chicken sandwich that came on a baguette that was really over-toasted. The sandwich itself was pretty bland. I will say that I explained to the server that I had a dairy allergy, so I imagine that too many elements of the sandwich were missing because of that and that is why it had no flavor, but I feel as though I should have been warned. (The sandwich was just chicken and lettuce.) I would have asked if there was a way I could spruce it up a bit, but I already felt as though I had really stressed out our server by bringing up the allergy and I did not get the impression that they were used to dealing with that. I will say that the other three people I was with thoroughly enjoyed their food, so perhaps this place is just not food allergy friendly. Also, the fries and mayo dipping sauce are delicious! I will definitely go back for the beer and I will probably give the food another shot. Oh...and did I mention that they have Schneider Aventinus on tap ALL THE TIME...!?
(4)Larissa B.
They have an amazing draft beer list. The food is good, but the portions were fairly small. They have excellent happy hour specials. It is owned by the same people as Old Eagle in Manayunk.. another favorite for beer.
(4)Lucio P.
Great beer, excellent service, so-so food. They recently revised the menu. Kinda sad. Hotdogs? There's a 7-11 around the corner for that. I was there for my birthday recently and out server entertained us all. He knew his menu well and guided out hands to alot of delcious and new beers. Id def come back here. Their happy hour is the bee's knees.
(5)Corey B.
Good Beer List, food is okay, and usually a bit crowded.
(3)Geronimo G.
I like that the window-walls open up all the way. I don't like the lack of Corona--it's summer, the window-walls are open. Lighten up.
(3)gigi n.
South Philly needed a nice beer bar! And Devil's den is it. The atmosphere is great, so is the beer selection. It is pretty clean. The bar is really long which I dig so there is plenty of room to sit down and watch a game. There are double sided fire places so in the winter you can get to drink a beer by a cozy fireplace. In the summer their big double door windows are open so the fresh air comes in. The problem is lack of quality service and the food is a hit or miss. The service is slow and rather unprofessional; one time the waitress took someone else's fork and napkin and gave it to me--right in front of him because he said he wasn't ready to order yet!!!
(3)Jeremy Q.
Devil's Den's brunch is tasty. I dig the pork sandwich. Where they really win though, is with the drinks. Impeccable bloody mary's!
(4)miss f.
Consistently the worst, most inedible food I've eaten in Philly. I've tried and tried and tried to give Devil's Den a chance and they never fail to disappoint. Often the more esoteric beers are flat or stale, a sad thing indeed so ask for a taste first. Just don't order any food. If you must mussels are your best bet, just hope they are fresh. I've gotten burnt carcasses of chicken wings and another times bitten into a perfectly golden crisp wing that was a bloody mess inside. Recently I got a chicken sandwich with guacamole that horrified me. The guacamole was an unnatural color, m n m green? Christmas ribbon green? It was oily, bitter and plain nasty. The waitress poo-poo'd me and assured me it was "100% all natural hand made guacamole." I call b.s. on that, it was prolly the horrid palm oil based fake gauac that's dirt cheap and sold in ethnic markets. Another patron overheard me and we talked at great length about how foul that green stuff is. A few months ago a sandwich with pork belly was served with the pork belly on the lower bun. The entire bottom of the sandwich stuck to the plate in a loose oily mess. Having lived south of the mason dixon I know pork. I suspect a thin slice of cheap lard was subbed for the pork belly. (notice a trend here? Tasty $$ item on the menu subbed with a dollar store impostor) They do have beer, lotsa beer and always keep the Spaten on tap. The bathrooms are clean and the location can't be beat. Why should they bother improving when they do such a good business.
(1)Brian M.
I'm not qualified to write reviews on this place. i've only been here like five times. the first two times I turned around and left within 30 seconds of walking in (achingly busy). Even after a quieter Thursday happy hour and a flight special I was undecided. Then I saw Port Brewing's Hop 15 on tap last night, right next to Cantillon Geuze. Yes the beer list is often world class, this bar is driven by a passion for beer. That is 4/5 of what I look for when I venture out of my house.
(4)Joy C.
This place is a hidden treasure in South Philly. It sits on 11th street hidden behind a Vietnamese shopping center. We have been there 2 times and enjoy their beer selection. They have a wide selection of Belgian beers and even have a sampler for like 5-8 bucks. Things to try are their spicy chorizo mussels, which I think is the best I've had. It's flavorful, and you just want to use the bread to sop up the sauce. For brunch you can get 1000 open table points which is halfway towards a $20 gift certificate from open table. It has a cozy atmosphere with a smokeless fireplace in the middle of the room. Parking is doable in that area. It's a really nice hidden gem in South Philly. Can't wait to try their happy hour.
(4)Mary G.
I like this place and I don't even like beer. They used to have fruit infused vodka which was AWESOME, but even still, it's a cool place with a good jukebox, good service and unpretentious attitude. It is very "new Brooklyn" to me and that is a good thing. I have not eaten here, but the food looks yummy.
(4)Sharon F.
this place gets 4 stars for the beer and 2 stars for the food and maybe 3 for the service. That averages out to 3. Stopped here before the phillies game because it is in such a great location to catch the subway. It was happy hour and glad to see that my $5 beer cost $2;50. Can't go wrong with the beer here. The have an awesome selection on tap. Ordered a flatbread and some edamame because they were the few vegetarian items on the menu. The menu is a little underwhelming. They seem to try to be too fancy and a lot of the items don't make sense. The flatbread tasted fine.. I was hungry as fuck and edamame is edamame. Waitress was nice and attentive but got a weird vibe from the bartender. Oh well, I was buzzed off the beers and on my way to happy land Citizens Bank Park. This place is ok but not a go to place when I am in south PHilly. I could overlook the food shortcomings if the environment was more comfortable. A smile and a little bit of service go long way.
(3)Valerie T.
The ambiance/decor is swell. I especially like the brick wall(s). The service had a bit of attitude, not sure why! The beer selection was extensive, especially the Belgians~ however, the food was mediocre to our palates.
(2)Jim T.
We recently had a chance to check out the Devil's Den. The first thing is that they have an amazing selection of beers. I devulged into several selections. The overall vibe is good. friendly staff and good bartenders. A good hang for a few beers. The food was good but not outstanding for what it could be. I think the small menu hurts a little. My girlfriend had the mussels and I had a ham & cheese panni which was good.
(4)Ted P.
This place has an excellent, always rotating, choice of beers. Sign up for them on Facebook and follow what they have on tap any given night. The food is also very good and the atmosphere is nice and relaxed.
(4)Maxwell S.
This place was pretty cool when I went there but my waitress was so stupid it really pissed me off. She was just rude. I asked a question and she looked at me like I had two heads. My friends at the table agreed that she was weird. I forget her name. Everything else was great though so I only took away one star.
(4)Ti L.
Devil's Den is a very chill place to go and grab a drink with friends. Great beer selection. Bar staff is great and happy hour is solid. As for the food... eh... the hostess was pretty rude, so we didn't even bother stay for dinner.
(2)Brent S.
Had a great time- the whole experience was nice. Definitely a Happy Hour diamond Melanie, the bartender, was great. The beer selection was very good. We had bloody mary's to start. Decent but not stellar. We enjoyed a beer flight selection and a few drafts during happy hour which was a real bargain. Can't comment on the food other than the tapas menu at happy hour {50% off}. We had Chickpea fries and potatoes which were both good. I plan on going back to try the duck on the dinner menu. It sounds great.
(4)Spencer L.
Outstanding beer selection. The food was fantastic - good place to catch the game or a bight prior to the game. Had a burger and it may be one of the best burgers in town. Excellent vegetarian selection for those that don't eat meat. Just a great tavern.
(4)Marina B.
This place is awesome! Went there last night. It was a Thursday, and it was a blast. The beer selection is INSANE. The food was good (and VERY filling). The bar was crowded, in a good way, with a great crowd that ranged in age. The bartenders are amazing. Cute and fun and very fast and attentive. I cannot wait to go back. I can't pronounce half the beers on the menu, but I'm gonna try. Just had an all around great time. I was there with about 10 people, and it was really good for a big group.
(5)amber r.
eh. brunch at the devil's den is ok. they know how to get eggs to scramble just right (somewhere between runny and dry), but everything else was pretty middle of the road. the service was lacking. our waiter seemed thoroughly uninterested in the fact that he was there to do his job and that job was to make sure our drinks were full and our food was good. he even brought me COLD coffee. really? and this is why, i suppose, it's the only place that's dead on a sunday at noon in philly. so if you can't get a seat anywhere else and don't mind a bored staff, this will do.
(3)Heather C.
A nice place for dinner with a group of friends. The food is tasty and the atmosphere is lively. A sage bet!
(3)Marie R.
The reason we chose Devils Den is because I was looking for late night food and searched, well of course, late- night- food...anyways, for under 34.00 dollars we both had a sandwich (very large and yummy), 1 w/ friends, 1/ salad, a soda and gls of viognier....so i think thats a deal.....our bartender was excellent. I enjoyed the music and the overall bar crowd- very low key and relaxed. Ill definitely be back.
(3)Joseph I.
Devil's Den started out as the place that my friends want to go, but I didnt. However, I've learned to like the place for the food and the great selection of beer. Maybe they could vary the menu a little bit with more sandwiches on the bar menu. Their fries are excellent especially with the cheese sauce. Definitely a classy place, but watch out, you could end up emptying your wallet real easy in this place if you are a beer lover.
(4)Manisha N.
What a cool bar. Immediately upon walking in, I was greeted with the sight of a hot, roaring fireplace and exposed brick walls. Both of these things are delightful to me. The bar was hopping, full of bearded, classy and/or young people, so the waitress seated my bf and I in a corner seat in the back. From there we had privacy, and a good view of the rest of the bar. The lighting was low and candlelit, which created a very sexy ambiance. The drink menu was incredibly comprehensive and reasonably priced. I don't drink beer, but we ordered a raspberry and pumpkin ale beer. Both were exquisite and delicious. I had a wonderful time, and would definitely come again during happy hour to enjoy more drinks and appetizers.
(4)patrick k.
went there again in the winter during a snow storm. like i said it's the closest bar to my house, so it was the logical choice. i loved the hot fireplace. the beers are great. made the mistake of eating again. i ordered the $16 chicken pot pie, hoping it was at least as good as the one at the Standard Tap. It wasn't close. It was more like a bowl of chicken pot pie campbells soup, with the crust sitting on top. That's right, no crust underneath the soup. I'm pretty embarrassed that I ordered the $16 pot pie to begin with. But it was a blizzard and it sounded so good. My lady ordered a veggie quesadilla, which was disgusting. But like i said, the beers are good, and it's cozy in there.
(2)Don R.
I really haven't gotten a good read on this place yet. All the makings of a nice place, interior, decent service..great selection of beers bottles/draft....Everytime I stop in it's usually on a Sunday afternoon with not many people inside for 1 or 2 beers so I''m not sure if this is indicative of say a Friday or Saturday night...Off to a good start in my book...
(3)Bella Vista R.
Beer - Really good Mussels - Good Churros - Bad Will miss the Duck fries as they were a nice compliment to any beer on the menu. Fireplace is also a great touch during the winter. Need to get a little more consistent and have a better overall menu than just the Mussels.
(3)matthew h.
Copious amounts of beer to choose from. Nice selction of quality beer on tap too! I like this place. It's cozy and in the hood. I had wonderful mussels au saffron that were so good I craved them for a couple days. Service was very attentive.
(4)Rebecca C.
I have to say I think this place is pretty good. Now I base this review on my husband and I going and just splitting a few small plates...All were really good. I startd with the French Onion soup..it was tasty...pretty standard, but none the less good. Then we split wings (awesome), cheese fries (also awesome) and Chicken Fingers (we had to bring the rugrats and this was their choice, but very good and plentiful). All in all a pretty great meal. Also major points for their Happy Hour draft specials...1/2 off all drafts..and a great selection of drafts!! W will definately be adding Devils Den into our rotation!!
(4)David K.
One of the earlier posters said that the only thing good about this joint is its name. Devil's Den was the name given to a section of the battlefield at the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg at which the casualties were especially numerous. If this bar's name is a reference to that, fine. If, however, there is some satanic reference in this joint's name, I would like to be informed about that, in which case my rating would be minus a billion stars. I like the food here, particualrly the cuban sandwich. This is a beer bar, and a second tier one among the universe of Philadelphia beer bars. And, like other Philadelphia beer bars, it's a great place when it is quiet and not very crowded. The beer selection here is a cut below that of the Grey Lodge and the South Philadelphia Tap Room, but a person who loves beer can always find something worth drinking here.
(4)Megan K.
i went with a group of 8 friends last night. it was monday and i didnt get there until almost midnight. so i wasnt expecting a big crowd. there were just a few people at the end of the bar. It was pretty nice. the dining room was closed. bar is long. they have tvs behind the bar. its warm feeling. i did not eat, nor do i drink beer. but all my friends were drinking beers.each one had something different and they all came with glass ware to match. they were happy with the selections. the service was fine. but again, it wasnt busy. but to tell the truth. it was nothing special. i was with the funniest people i know, so a great time was had. but we could have been anywhere and had the same experience. the devil's den just didnt leave an impression on me either way. not saying i wont go back. maybe next time i'll grab food and go on a busier night so i can see what the crowd is like.
(3)Beth S.
Four of us ate there. Good beers, waitress was top-notch. I ordered the cassoulet. A couple bites in, I realized that the white beans were only half-cooked, still crunchy and dry inside, and the duck confit wasn't a confit at all but just a roasted duck leg-and-thigh, no resemblance to a true long-and-slow-cooked confit. I told the waitress that the dish wasn't good; she said of course she'd send it back and would bring something else. I went for the burger, figuring it would be the fastest thing to get, so I wouldn't be eating alone, with my companions done before my supper came. Wishful thinking. Maybe the chef was punishing me. The burger took forever and my pals were long finished by the time the burger (it was decent) came. And then we were stunned when the check came and it included the charge for the confit. Our waitress was embarrassed and uncomfortable as she explained that the chef refused to remove the charge, and an unpleasant and complicated round of conversations ensued, while the manager behind the bar said we'd have to ask someone else, and someone else pointed to someone else, and someone else said the chef was in charge, and someone else said the chef wasn't, and finally the charge was removed, but it was really badly handled and left a bad taste in our mouths. Too bad. A fun place with great beers but some kind of tyrant -- and one who doesn't know a good confit when he/she sees one -- in the kitchen.
(1)Drew S.
Caveat-- beer only. I was ridiculously impressed that they have Southern Tier Unearthly IPA on tap, one of the best brews from a top 20 brewer in the world and very unlikely to be found in these parts. Crowd seemed chill at 9:30 on a Friday night, with people trying a bit less hard than they do at the PoPE or Royal, probably the two greater neighborhood comparison bars. I'd amend the review after I eat there, but this 5 *s for the beer can be weighted out against all them picky eaters out there.
(5)Vincent J.
I went there for my birthday and had reserved tables for my friends, they totally messed up my reservation. I would give them fewer stars but I like the place.
(3)JEAN S.
The damn drink specials here keep bringing me back, but this place sort of sucks. Today I went for brunch with a bunch of friends, lured by $3 bloody marys. They were great and the waitress kept them coming. Unfortunately we waited a really unreasonable amount of time for our food - and when we looked around the dining room no one else had food either. I ordered the breakfast parfait - fruit and yogurt and the menu said a blueberry scone. Anyone who knows me knows I am crazy about blueberries. The scone I was served was nasty chocolate chip with powdered sugar. So gross. I know it's unladylike but I don't really care for chocolate, so I talked to the server about it. She said they didn't have any blueberry, however she did cheerfully take the chocolate back and bring me a lemon. The kitchen is always out of something. I would have been so much happier had they simply said they were out of it in the first place. I need to regard this place strictly as a place for drinking and just forget about the kitchen altogether, I've been disappointed too many times.
(2)Laur A.
I have tried to give this place many chances, but the food is not good. It needs to learn a thing or two from The Royal Tavern and South Philly Taproom. Beer selection is good, but a bit pricey.
(1)Christopherson M.
I am a huge fan of the Den; suffice to say as I frequent the joint at least once a week. The beer selection is amazing, diverse and well-informed. The half-priced beer of the Den's caliber (Happy Hour: every week day from 5 to 7 pm) brings me back time and time again. Their themed-based flights of beer are well selected and are a great starting point for novices immersing themselves into the world of artisanal brews. The service is pretty good for a place that is so consistently busy. My favorite waiter, Francisco, is jovial, sincere and knowledgeable. I never question his recommendations as you can tell that he is honest and a true beer connoisseur. Something about his treatment of the customers makes my friends and I feel as if though we have known him forever. Elisa (sp?) at the bar usually makes me feel the same way. James is very helpful and attentive. The food is generally good but leaves a little to be desired. As I visit so often, I am totally bored by the food selection. I wish they would change the sandwich selection up a little more often. Also, I really miss the Portobello sandwich (passe, I know, but it was delicious) - the roasted veggie sandwich is a poor substitute. I get the feeling that kitchen has been skimping on the Belgian Ale marinated Chicken Sandwich and I'm finding it harder to shell out 9$ to purchase it when I can drop a mere $6 on a huge bowl of Pho right down the street. The environment is chill. The appearance is casual but cleanly with comforting new brick walls all around. Their use of Pandora keeps the music diverse and sometimes groundbreaking for Haute Pubs (I HATE the hipster bullshit played at the comparable Royal Tavern). The lighting always seems to be just right. Kudos, Den.
(4)Raaar r.
People are giving this place a lot of credit. I don't find the food to be particularly interesting, or well done. The best I've had were the vegetarian quesedillas - I'll say they were a little above average. I had a sandwich on a second visit, that was built sloppily, covered in some dressing that I did not like (can't remember what kind) and it was an overall disappointing meal. I couldn't even eat most of it. I am giving Devil's Den three stars because of inconsistency in food quality, and customer service. The plus is that this bar has the most selection for beer in the neighborhood just below Washington. I would go for a happy hour and appetizers, but not for a full meal, or a whole night out.
(3)Wes J.
My wife and I stopped in to the Devil's Den and I was very excited about the incredible beer selection. We had decided that we would eat, i was having to much fun trying the different beers to leave. I ordered the Grilled burger trio, which are basically sliders done three ways, I ordered them rare and they came out somewhere between med. rare to med. not necessarily a crime as they are little sliders. My wife ordered the Cheeseburger medium, and it came out Well. We asked the waitress if she thought it was medium and she said, "No it doesn't look medium to me either." Then turned around and walked away. Our total bill came to around $60 dollars, like I said I was enjoying the different beers, but I was disappointed with the consistancy of the cooking. I have had better but it wasn't horrible.
(2)Carrie R.
Devils den is great place to hang out, whether for a game or just with friends! i love the winter time there because they light their fire place. It makes it feel really homey. they always have a great selection of beer. The menu keeps changing which is good but not everything on the menu is for me... but i can always find some thing to eat especially thier burger and chicken sandwich!
(4)Sally f.
i sooo want to like devils den...but the past three times here i have had not so great servers who ruined my experience. ugh. its such a cool place with such great beers...
(3)Jessica W.
First off, If you're one of those "gastropub" people who wants to eat some over-concept weird food with your beer and football, this is not the bar for you. If you want good food and a fantastic beer selection, this is an excellent choice. I was dragged here for a birthday celebration thinking the place would be over-priced, but I was surprised to find a good selection of $4-5 dollar craft brews. As for the food, everyone in our group liked their sandwiches. I merely had cheese fries upon a friends rec, and they were an orgasmic belgian beer/earthy cheese sauce. Reasonably priced for the quality. I very much look forward to trying the truffle popcorn someday.
(4)Amanda F.
I've been to the Den for lunch, dinner, and brunch, and I've got mixed opinions about it. I really WANT to like it, more than I do. It's got the makings of a great bar, and I'm excited to hear that they've got a new chef to shake things up a bit. They even have a fire place. It's always hit or miss, though, even though it's not usually crowded when we go (which always makes for a pleasant time). For example, we had a great server today who was prompt with bringing out the food and was really friendly and nice. But we've also had spotty service with a server who didn't seem to really want to deal with us. The fireplace can make the bar nice and toasty warm in the evenings, but before they start it, it's often cold and extremely drafty. The beer selection is great, that's for sure. I especially love in the winter that they have such a nice variety of seasonal beers on tap. I'm not much of a beer person, but I can usually find something I like here solely based on the apt descriptions on their draft list. The one non-beer drink I had here didn't particularly knock my socks off, so I've stayed away ever since. As for the food, it's hard to say where this is going to go since they've gotten a new chef. Today at brunch, I was pretty disappointed with it. I ordered eggs over easy and while they were well-seasoned, they came out solid as a rock, yolks and whites and all, which was really disappointing. My boyfriend's omelette was tasty, but our toast wasn't warm and the butter was too cold to spread on it. I'm willing to chalk this up to first day jitters, but we've also had mixed experience with the other food. Usually the wings are a safe bet, but the one day that I branched out, I was disappointed. The BLT was an interesting concept: pork belly and fried green tomato, but the execution was poor. The "spicy aioli" had no spice at all. Everything was so soggy and fatty and wet that I couldn't even pick it up, I had to cut into it with a fork. But again, I'm willing to keep trying it to see what a new chef will do with the menu; all of the appetizers we've tried, from the wings to the fried zucchini, have been pretty decent. So again, if you're looking for a nice bar with a good beer selection that isn't that crowded most of the time, give Devil's Den a try. It has potential that I'm hoping it will grow into, but it's not quite there at the moment.
(3)Ruth A.
Great brunch food and inexpensive cocktails.
(4)Kristine D.
Devil's Den has so much work to do. This place has got such potential, great location, nice atmosphere, and a killer beer list. What it needs is to up the presentation on the food by make sandwiches a little thicker and partner them with better side dishes. The waitstaff needs an attitude adjustment, and some serious server training. I always want to come here, but knowing that the food is going to be poor and the service less than acceptable always turns me away. I hope they pick up the slack soon, we could really use them. Also, they should bring back their brunch menu (and make the food good of course). Brunch is HUGE and they should take advantage of that beautiful brunch market.
(3)Kristen S.
Beer list: 5 stars. Seriously amazing, and on par with the more established beer bars in town. Service: tough to rate. Seriously pushy and overattentive to start, and then she disappeared during our meal. I understand that she is probably well versed in their beer options and would be able to make an educated recommendation if we'd needed one, but when she came over every ten seconds, it didn't allow us the perusal of their rather long beer list to know what the options were. Food: inconsistent. Chickpea fries were awesome. Everything else was ok. Onion rings with the seitan sloppy joe were seriously greasy--they left a puddle of grease on the plate. Flatbread was average. BBQ pork had a lot less flavor than pork normally would. I'll definitely be back for beer. And sit at the bar.
(3)Kimberly S.
I really enjoyed my first experience here. As a foodie and beer lover, I felt very at home at Devil's Den. It seems that a lot of reviewers are complaining about the re-invention of their menu, but I think it's great that they're offering more thoughtful, refined dishes. One of the things that plagues my beer drinking experiences is going to a bar/pub with a decent to amazing beer selection and getting stuck with menu choices like buffalo wings and burgers. Come on people, been there done that a thousand times before, show me a lil' creativity! My boyfriend and I came here more for the beer and truthfully were not expecting much from the food. We had the bacon wrapped dates, open faced crab ravioli and the braised pork flatbread. All three dishes were impressive. Bacon wrapped dates are becoming a common little trend amongst menus these days and in the words of McDonalds, I'm lovin' it. These were no exception. Although the presentation of the crab ravioli was odd (who the hell makes "open-faced" ravioli??), the flavors were absolutely delicious! I can't stop thinking about this dish and it has fueled my choices at dinners since then; I keep ordering dishes with crabmeat everywhere I go. I think with a little refinement, this dish could easily be on a more upscale menu. The pork flatbread was also great. Flavors and textures all lived up to my standards and it was a delicious dish that could please all crowds. The beer selection, as most of you know, was pretty amazing. Prices were rather reasonable too. They get bonus points for having Founder's Nemesis...one of the best beers ever made. Service was very good, atmosphere was pretty cool and laid back. I'm eagerly awaiting my next visit to Devil's Den.
(4)Lauran T.
Love this place! The Mussels are fantastic!
(5)dan D.
This is my bar I live across the street and love the place!!
(5)Juicebomb X.
[8/28/08 update] Craig LaBan just gave the Den one Bell. Ouch. His criticisms were accurate though. While the beer selection, service, atmosphere etc are all great, they just can't figure out the food. We recently got a crabcake napolean, and my wife said it was amazing, and I'm sticking with the thai mussels, but I've given up on getting a good burger. It's too inconsistent, and always a bit of a letdown compared with a monk's or royal tavern burger. I REALLY want the Den to find some good dishes and do them right every time, it just hasn't happened yet. [4/2/08 update] The Devil's Den opened last night, so a bunch of neighbor/friends headed over to check it out. It's got the makings of something really good, but it has a ways to go. The decor is pretty nice - not divey, but not too showy. Less rustic than the Royal or the POPE. I didn't see any Eagles decorations, but it's still early. The second floor, which is rumored to host 8 beers on tap in addition to the 16 on the first floor, is still under construction. I felt the beer list was a little gimmicky....lots of beers with demonic/satanic names - I would have liked to have seen a wider selection of domestic craft beers over the themed selection. The kitchen had a sprinkler complication so there was no food on opening night. We did get to meet the owners, Scott and Erin, who both seemed courteous and ready to bring their experience running Manayunk's Old Eagle tavern to the Devil's Den. The draft beer selection was pretty good and reasonably priced. I had several glasses of a strong ale at $5/glass, and there's enough variety of domestics and european beers on tap to keep me interested in returning again and again. One downside was that a friend ordered Heradura on the rocks and it rang up at $15/glass. That's kinda crazy...maybe they only have the most expensive type, but it was a shock when we got the bill. It was a warm night, so there were several large windows and doors open, which gave the main seating room a nice al fresco feel (if you were close to these openings). The music was not too loud and at times was drowned out completely by the crowd, which is the way I prefer it. I do wonder how summertime noise levels will jibe with the neighbors, who are certainly not foreigners to noise, with the Nam Phuong/Pho 75 restaurant complex and Washington ave so close. I look forward to seeing how this place fills out, and hope to give it more stars once I try the food and they get their sea legs.
(3)Heather D.
Food is hit or miss, and a little overpriced for the portions. The wait staff is subpar and the management is terrible. Used to like going here but there are a few bad experiences that have changed my opinion of this place.
(2)Ellen R.
Great beer and cozy tables! A wonderful winter spot. But the service was not great. Our waitress couldn't hear us and didn't take any time to talk to us. We felt like we were bothering her.
(3)Mike S.
Great food, great beer selection, great atmosphere inside and out, and delightful staff. Always packed, but we never seem to have to wait too long for a drink, for food, or a table. Absolutely love this place. 100% my favorite "neighborhood" bar.
(5)Sheila F.
We had the worst dining experience we have had in a very long time (living in Philadelphia w/ so many great restaurants to choose from a bad experience does not happen often) from the moment we sat down and the waitress/bartender took our order (writing nothing down but she assured us she got the 4 orders...NOT) it was a bad scene. The wonderful fireplace everyone has referred to was not lit? Valentines Day brunch would have been a perfect time to have the fire lit also the temp outside was 30 degrees. We found out it was the bartender (woman) who took our order because we never saw her again? Our food took almost 1hr to arrive? and when it did they forgot our friends order which then took another 10 minutes. We ordered ice tea which never came but another excuse why that happened did arrive. You would think that a table sitting for an hour to have eggs would have been offered a roll something anything - NOTHING. The hostess was ineffective and unavailable to address concerns? The only 2 people on their staff was a very nice busboy and another waitress who did apologize and did remove the late late meal from our bill. She was the only person on the wait staff that seemed to really care about the CUSTOMERS. We all agreed as did the table next to us (table of 8 ours 4) that we would NEVER go back here - the way the food was served it appeared that it was just thrown onto the plates no presentation at all? Our intention was to go to Hawthorne's the only reason we didn't dine there was due to a 45 minute wait...WE WISH WE HAD WAITED THE 45 MINUTES - money down the drain at the DEVILS' DEN The sourpuss bartender that worked on Valentine's day had to go. Our being there was an inconvenience to her. She did not seem to have a clue that customers are what keeps the place in business.
(1)Mirian V.
I am a huge fan of the Den. Every time one of my friends come to town I take them there. They have a great selection of beer and their happy hour is AWESOME. I do wish they had a larger bar menu selection and a nicer staff (you know who you are).
(4)Wayne S.
Ugh, what can I say? Another bar with zero atmosphere below Washington. It wasn't bad, it wasn't good, it was just sorta there. I came in with three friends for a late after movie beer. Three of us got the fries, which will never crack the top ten in this city (see Monks, Good Dog, Five Guys) . They had kind of a weird-something-else-was-in-the-oil-prior to them taste. The beer selection is good but it's in a section of town where the beer selection really isn't so bad (see POPE, SPTR). I think my biggest complaint was just it really doesn't set itself apart. The POPE is in the hood , so it has that going for it, besides being dark and really feeling like somewhat of a pub. There is really no Den type feeling or even Devil type vibe in this place. It's just there. I felt akin to sitting in maybe a chain restaurant in the burbs. We have the Cantina, we have the POPE, hell we have the FRIENDLY which is a gem, a bona fide gem, what is Devil's Den doing for us? You don't have to reinvent the wheel, just keep me from shrugging my shoulders and continuing to pedal when I come across your door.
(1)Jennifer E.
I have been to this bar a few times, and besides the fact that they have great beer, it pretty much sucks because of the wait staff there. Every time I have been in here the wait staff is very slow, rude, and does not want to do their job. Last Thursday was the last time I will step foot in this bar. They have a great happy hour which me and my friend decided to go to. It starts at 5 pm, and times before I have no been allowed to get the special until the strike of 5, so I planned on waiting the 3-4 minutes to order my drink. Meanwhile, my friend ordered hers and said oh maybe I should have waited for the special. At that point, the waitress not only laughed in our face and made a comment about us being rude, but also got another patron involved who also said we were rude ( am assuming they were friends). I am not sure what part of happy hour special she doesn't understand, but that's a way to get people into the bar and then hopefully they will stay after, which me and my friends always do. After that attitude from the very rude bartender, I will never go back to this bar again. Although the waitress did give my friend the special on the beer she ordered (I declined to order after her comments) we did pay the full price for the beer to show her that we weren't being cheap, but we were there to try some new beers.
(1)ezekial f.
this place has a great beer list, probably the best within 7 blocks of my house. for the previous poster who complained of the themed beers, its only as many as or fewer than any other belgium bar and for the most part, they are very good. they had "the lost abbey" lost and found ale which is AWESOME!!! now, for the food. as you know my lady is a vegetarian (bummer) but we compromise. so, nachos with chorizo on the side and the grilled satan tips(sic). the nachos were ok and big enough to make up for their okness but the meat on the side was HOT SAUSAGE, i dont care, it was good and i know hot sausage doesnt sound as romantic as chorizo but why mislead me thusly? as for the seitan which i believe is supposed to resemble beef, it was OBVIOUSLY, BLATANTLY the canned fake duck meat you can get at the asian supermarkets on washington ave. it was also only kinda warm, not really hot and grilly like i was expecting but bottom line, the fake duck is good, why sell it as something else? i know its opening week and maybe they are still hammering out suppliers and the like soi will definately go back and i will probably order food again. as far as the setting goes it is very nice inside and not too fancy, it was kinda young business folks when i was there but also some obvious beer fans. good luck devils den. see you in the near future.
(3)J Q.
good spot, nice vibe - was kind of empty late fri night. really good beer selection is a plus and a decent menu. they overcooked my burger though and that sucked at the time. Plenty of space for a group is nice to have and it's not far from passyunk ave. I'll have to head back and do the 2nd run through to determine what's what
(4)J B.
I stopped by Devil's Den on a Sunday to try the brunch and was so disappointed. We were told to sit anywhere and when we headed towards the dining room were greeted by a young man with a rude comment. Once we decided to sit at the bar we hoped the service would change and the food be amazing. While our bartender was polite she was in no way personable. At this point I would have in the past just found a new place for brunch, but I knew anywhere else in the area would have wait. So we ordered and while my eggs were decent my friends food was under cooked. I was also upset when a family of four stood behind use for 5 minutes waiting for someone to greet and seat them. Devil's Den could do well it the staff got rid of the chip on their shoulder and lowered the prices of Sunday brunch beverages. $8.00 for a mimosa in a glass the size of a shot is never worth it. I've worked in the resturant industry for years and I'm always looking for new chill spots, sorry guys but you need a little work.
(2)Rachel P.
went last night for cheap drinks. had no idea what to expect really other than they had happy hour. i was surprised at what i found there. it was a small place and it was very busy, we waited for about 10 or so minutes for a table, but we were able to stand next to the wood burning fireplace (nice touch since it is so cold outside). when we were sat, it was on the other side of the two sided fireplace, so i was able to keep nice and toasty! the only huge problem i had with the place was that the service was very very slow. i really think maybe they needed another waiter, cuz the waiters that they had took quite awhile to get to us. i mean 5 to 10 minutes to get our water? that's a little much. but once we got to the beer and the food it was much better. i got the duck and shared it along with the beef carpaccio with my roommate. all i can say is yum! so many many yums on both. i would go again for that any day. my bf got the chicken fingers, which were also very good. crispy and not too bready. then we ordered dessert and had the bread pudding and the creme brulee dujour. the bread pudding was yummy and while the creme brulee wasn't very custardy it was still good. all and all we enjoyed the place very much!
(4)Tim P.
Every time I go here I am jealous of my friends who live nearby and keep hoping the owners will open a 2nd location in Fishtown (I know all the bar owners read yelp so come on guys :). I have had consistently good service here, occasionally it is slow but they do tend to get packed. The food has always been excellent, whether I have gotten entrees, appetizers or just a sandwich. Its rare that a pub has entrees that would be at home at a gourmet place but Devil's Den does. And the beer list continues to impress. The fact that they always have Schnider Aventinus on tap alone would get them a few stars. Plus they are always rotating in new beers and breweries, they definitely don't rest on old favorites (besides the aforementioned Aventinus which is rare on tap in this city). Seriously guys, come to Fishtown, open a 2nd bar. You'll make a mint.
(5)Ali W.
I want to like Devil's Den, because t's near my house, it's near my nail salon, it looks so nice. But sadly it's just sooo disappointing. This is how my past 2 visits went. Saturday in May, my birthday in fact, went to have an apres mani pedi brunch with my best friend, in from NYC, while my family got my Bday party together (awesome family!)... I order something that sounded delicious and perfect...Fried egg, smoked mozzerella, thick cut toast, some kind of ham (serrrano? jambon?) what I got was eggs with presliced square deli mozzerella, that pink deli ham with rounded edges, over....ready for this... 2 barely toasted slider rolls. It was like something you'd make when you came home drunk. next to it was some slimy wilted salad. I will say though our server was awesome. Now against my better judgment went back a couple of weeks ago, it was a beautiful day, I was meeting some friends for happy hour, decided to sit outside have a bottle of white wine and a few snacks, decided on DD because, really where else could we go in the neighborhood at 4pm on a Tuesday that wasn't the POPE or Cantina? So never mind that they didn't have the wine we ordered then they did then they had to chill it ...whatever it took 25 minutes to get it, server was sweet though. The travesty of the whole experience was that the truffle popcorn reminded me of old Joke, not only wasn't it very good, but there wasn't enough of it. Properly made truffle popcorn is a wonderful soul enriching thing, this was flat, and kind of dirty tasting, there were copious black flecks all about the tiny bowl but the truffle taste was such a whisper that you could taste it only as an after thought, there was no unctuous funky truffly goodness. it was dry and really just ok not omg I can't eat this bad, just ok, like ate it because it was in front of me, which made me sad. Speaking of just ok. the chick pea fries were under salted, and bland with not enough mayo ( really mayo with chick pea fries??) and incongruous dice of pickles which we couldn't figure out how to consume, too small to pick up...were we supposed to drag the fry through the mayo then hope little pickle bits would cling to it??? Actually they tasted and looked, and felt more like polenta fries than chick pea. I could not taste a hint of legume. Then there were the Cheese Croquettes now they were fried and they were cheesy, both of which are good things but they weren't very special, they're weren't interesting or even particularly good. Oh Devil's Den why why why can't you get your kitchen together!!!!!!!!
(2)Joseph C.
I go here probably once a week. The beer list is infinite long. Yes I said infinite. The happy hour is half off all drafts and some other decent food items. As for the ala carte menu its all about the mussels and specials. Specials are sometimes $9 and the dish will include a ginormous portion of pork belly.. Or a numerous large day boat scallops. Its soooo cheap! The staff is very informative except for this one guy who is RETARDED. Outdoor seating there makes for great creepin/judging people watching which is a popular thing in our current society. The paprika mayo is also the bomb to dip with fries!
(4)Melissa R.
A friend of mine lives a few blocks from this place and this is her neighborhood joint. I was looking forward to trying it as I heard good things. The food was decent, especially the chickpea fries, which were different and delish and the beer list is pretty extensive. The hostess however, was a huge pain-in-the-you know where. We arrived 4 of us, but were waiting on one other person. There were no 5 person seating options at the moment, but there was a 4 person high top. They wouldn't allow a stool at the end of the table, because apparently is against fire code. They weren't very accommodating to our group of 5 and even expected someone to stand for dinner! As one of my dining companions said, their behavior "is just bad business." Finally, we were able to get a table for 5 in the dining room, but this experience left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Lilli C.
The happy hours here are awesome. 1/2 off every beer on draft (they have a great selection) and $3 bar snacks. We got the shipyard pumpkin beer which I think is my new favorite beer. We also got a huge plate of spicy hummus and the chickpea fries which were amazing. They aren't your traditional fries and look more like square nuggets w/ aoli and a cucumber slice on top. They were fantastic, but sadly there were only 3 per order. I could probably eat like 10 of them. So for 20 bucks, we were full and drunk. I will definitely be back again for happy hour. Next time I'll have to get here right at 5 to snag a seat at the bar.
(4)Adam F.
Devil's Den is a classic gastropub in South Philly. Inside decor is nice; outdoor seating is a plus. Beer list is top notch and full of awesome craft beers. The food menu is typical gastropub fare but accents some of their "spicy" items (to complement the "devil" theme). Some items are hit or miss, so I recommend the following: - Duck Fries - Spicy Duck Flatbread - Mussels Diablo or Provencal
(4)Christopher S.
Nice bar with a great selection of beers. Nice location. Bar is big enough that you dont feel jammed like some of the others in the area.
(4)Donna A.
One of the best beer selections in Philly! The kitchen rocks. Solid menu. Decent service.
(5)Lee N.
The beer selection is great, the food is pretty good, but the service is ... well ... HORRIBLE. Unbelievably horrible. I worked in the restaurant industry for over 10 years and if I can smile and act like I care about customers, anyone can. Not Bethany. We went on a Friday for happy hour and our server Bethany could have cared less about our needs. We seemed to be an annoyance to her. I went there a while ago, but one of my coworkers was just complaining about the service there which reminded me to yelp about them. Clearly I'm not the only one who feels this way.
(3)Luke L.
So I typically praise DD.. A definite go to place for food and drinks the last few years. That last few months things have changed . Service has been shotty (brunch specifically) they changed the menu, and it doesn't seem it's for the better.
(2)Jill L.
In all the times I've visited Devil's Den, I think I may have had the food one time. And honestly, I was already a few beers deep and can't really remember anything about it. So I'm going to talk about their Happy Hour. What a great deal they have here! Monday through Friday, from 5 to 7, half priced draft beers. Now at a generic bar that serves generic beer it may not be that exciting, but Devil's Den has one of the best beer selections around. Each time I've visited, I've been able to try a new beer that was absolutely delicious. They also offer beer flights (which I've never sampled) Scene wise, it's a pretty chill atmosphere. I hate those happy hours where everyone's in a suit, and you feel like a bum if you went home and changed. You know those type of happy hours I am talking about! The only bad thing is that the bar area tends to get a little crowded. There are tables on the wall across the bar and it makes it difficult to stand around-- we usually try to get there as early as possible to stake out bar stools. Another nice thing about Devil's Den is that 11th street has a decent amount of street parking- if you are coming from work in your car, that is clutch. Just don't drink and drive! I'm serious!
(4)Alexis S.
My husband and I took our daughter here for brunch this weekend. I had heard mixed things about this place, but I always reserve judgment until I've tried a place myself. I was very please with my experience here. Our waiter was very attentive and accommodating. The food was good. I ordered the black bean burger and my husband ordered a beef burger. Both were prepared to our liking and the fries were decent. My husband was very impressed with their beer selection. What I really enjoyed was that it wasn't overcrowded for brunch. I would definitely try it again for a different meal.
(4)Amanda C.
Came here for brunch my bloody mary was really delicious, one of the best I have had in a long time. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. My coffee was good too. Food was completely decent, one problem is I ordered huevos rancheros and there were no black beans to be found in the dish, it was sort of eggs over tortillas which isn't bad, just not what I wanted. The vinegar based coleslaw on the side was good as were the breakfast potatoes. Basically I liked everything but my entree, I would come back for the bloodys but maybe order really simple food.
(3)Callan W.
It was a Monday night so it wasn't packed (though still quite busy - which says a lot). I liked the space, but the music was a tad random, and not in a good way. I can't say much else since I just sat at the bar and drank myself into happiness, but the bartender was quick with a refill. I hope to go back one day since the food looked/smelled good.
(3)Ryan W.
I've been here a few times due to a friend living very close to this bar. If I lived as close as he does, I'd definitely be there more often. They have a huge selection of quality beers and their staff is usually pretty friendly. Their food is decent as well. There's nothing crazy impressive about this place, and it can be a bit pricey, but if you're looking for a good beer and maybe an appetizer or two, I would recommend it.
(3)David W.
Consistently amazing and diverse beers on tap, including one on the hand engine. The menu is not as vegetarian friendly as I'd like, with their veggie burger too mushy and not very flavorful. The chickpea fries, though, are excellent. Over the longer term, they seem to be having trouble with the food aspect of the business, but they've mastered the beer part of it. But who goes here for the food?
(4)Vincent D.
Beer selection is phenomenal. I'm not sure there are too many other places in the city that come close. Their tap specials during PCBW were awesome and their normal rotations can keep you coming back weekly. Cocktails also look quite delicious. Food is also amazing. Brunch is highly recommended. Duck fat fries will stick to your ribs for a day or two but that's just long enough for you to decide to return. The macncheese is also another must have with so much cheese at the bottom you may ask for a straw.
(4)Mia W.
This place is great! They have a real fireplace, great food, great service. I've never been disappointed going here. The burger is so yummy and you should really try the duck fries, no seriously.
(4)Laura G.
Great food and always the best beers. The service is usually good although my recent waitress wasn't the friendliest. The bus boys are awesome! Definitely try the burger and mussels! Along with the bacon wrapped dates. Good place to watch sporting events and outdoor seating available.
(4)Lauren K.
A Devil's Den in south Philly? Thought this was Flyers territory. This is a local bar in South Philly. My friend brought me here for some beverages and a tapas feast. We drank Death in the Afternoon. It was absinthe and champagne. Not American absinthe either Whoa! We quickly realized we were elderly and couldn't have more than one. Moving on... We had tapas. Pot stickers, hummus and oysters. All were good. Rumor has it duck fries are all the rage here. I would return. Service is fast and friendly. I like sitting outside because you can smoke.
(4)Michelle C.
This review may be a bit biased since I live around the corner, but I think Devil's Den is really solid. Their beer list always has at least a few drafts I've never tried, and their food is quite good. The duck fries are of course fabulous. The rest of the menu is also worth trying but honestly, not noteworthy. Their mussels are large and meaty and prepared well, but the portion is a bit small for the price. Their salads are actually pretty damn good for a pub and really reasonably priced--$8 for a big wedge salad! Oh, did I mention they have a fireplace? It's lovely. A really nice touch for such a cozy neighborhood pub.
(4)Christian S.
Friend of mine took me to Devil's Den last week. The beer was good, the food (wings) were ok. The atmosphere was great. The roots reggae was pouring out the good vibes.
(3)Christine B.
Went for brunch with Krista P., and Katrina C., on Sunday during the dogfish head takeover. Unfortunately, none of us ended up with beer, but I did try a $3 mimosa, pretty tasty. I had the eggs benedict. It was good, not the best ever, and a little on the lukewarm side. The potatoes on the side were very brown and crispy. Others had steak and eggs which looked awesome, an omelette, and a breakfast sandwich. The wait time for our food seemed pretty long, especially when other patrons who were seated after us got their food first. They take reservations for brunch which is a plus.
(3)Susan C.
Having been a server and bartender, I am genuinely understanding with poor service when a place is packed. However, it was not packed. It was not busy. There were plenty of servers on the floor. And this was by far the poorest service I have experienced in years. It took 15-20 minutes to get drink. The order was incorrect on the meals - the result was the waitress avoiding our table for 20 minutes and having the expediter take care of the mistake (note: server only came over after 10 minutes of specifically asking hostess to send her over). The awesome thing: she billed us for things not on menu. Not returning anytime soon.
(1)Bob Q.
My friends and I went here for a birthday on Friday night and got some of the worst bar service we've ever had. The female bartender literally cursed out my friend because he had the audacity to wave to try to get her attention. We then watched her drink on the job and complain loudly to the rest of the customers about him. Unbelievable. Needless to say, we won't be coming back. Ever.
(1)Michael K.
Great happy hour specials. Love the ambience and outdoor seating. I bring my dogs just about every time and the severs always bring a bowl and water for them. 5 star bar and pub food.
(5)Toki W.
Devil's Den is pretty solid. It's not great, but it's very reliable. The menu is pretty diverse (bring back the cheesesteak please). I like to think of it as a privately owned, higher end Applebee's. It seats lots of folks, has TVs for sports, full service bar, and great happy hour deals that include some bar snacks. Even flights of beers are half off during happy hour. Lots of outdoor seating too! This is a great place to go with large groups of friends who all want to eat and/or drink. Also great for watching sports without having to go to a bro dude sports bar.
(3)Catherine C.
I've been to Devil's Den many times, as it's right around the corner from my apartment. My advice: Go here for drinks. Go elsewhere for food. The beer list is exhaustive and wonderful. Oh, beer. Glorious beer. They also have some great flights. The ambiance is also quite nice. They have a fireplace in the winter, which is so cozy. In the summer they open huge doors/windows for air flow. Nice. I've typically had good service here too. The food, however, is lackluster. They have a decent brunch ($3 mimosas? Um, yes), but holy God do I love brunch, so I'm easy to please there. The food here used to be really good, but something has changed. Now it is not. And it's definitely overpriced. Rather than detailing this I will just say that I've never been with anyone who really liked what they had for lunch or dinner at Devil's Den since the food changed. Also, on more than one occasion there has been some kind of plumbing problem that resulted in...an unfortunate smell. Maybe this has been fixed, but it's obviously been a recurring issue.
(3)Colin S.
Yes, both a hit AND a miss! HIT! One of my FAVORITE bars for a Happy Hour. Heavenly beer selection and great prices too. Finally, a crowd that is a little more mature and easy-going. Bar-side service is excellent. The fireplace makes everything better. MISS! The food here should be relatively simple to deal with since the menu isn't that complicated, but the pizza/flat bread arrived cold, the brine chicken fingers looked almost "EMO", skinny and sad, sitting all alone on a plate that was too large for them (inner tears), or perhaps the portion was too small? Dunno, either way, the food was not memorable and service on the restaurant side was as bright as a 60 watt bulb (no not one of those energy efficient one either...) Overall, go for the bar and pass on the restaurant....
(3)Mike G.
I ventured south to join friends at this south philly gem. It was simply great. The atmosphere is casual and warm and there's lots of outdoor seating for fair weather. The beer selection, which they're quite known for, is wonderful and not at all over-hyped. Their happy hr is 5-7 and having arrived at 6, the server was outstanding in getting us as many rounds as we could manage, up until the last 30 seconds! The food was very good. What can I say more? I'm in love.
(4)Francis U.
Finally...a decent pub in south Philly. Happy hour prices for a pint are reasonable, but can otherwise be pricey. The beer list is creative & boutiquey, but lacks a few good staple beers...sometimes you just want a Guinness. Service is adequate, but nothing amazing. The fireplace is nice in the winter...now we just need to get winters back. I'm also partial to the name. No rest for the wicked.
(3)Kristie B.
After walking down East Passyunk Avenue on a nice summer day, I spotted Devil's Den. The outdoor seating made it enticing. I happen to be there during happy hour. I've got to say, the beer selection was amazing. I love trying new things, and boy they've got some random ones on there. Not only was the beer selection impressive, but they have a tapas menu featuring small plates for VERY cheap. I got the mini wrapped dogs, and although, that sounds juvenile, they were the best dogs I've ever had. The service was a bit slow, but overall, I would definitely go here again.
(3)Sean R.
I have had the chicken sandwich and mussels here, and both were pretty good. One of their "things" are home made pickles, but unfortunately they are not dill, but more like bread and butter pickles (which is one of the only foods I despise). They have a decent draft selection, and an extensive bottle selection. The mostly wood interior is nicely done, giving it relaxed feel, without being grungy. The last time i was there, the bartender said they are hoping to get some outdoor seating (hopefully by mid June), but they were waiting from approval from the city. I have not had the chance to go there for happy hour, but with 1/2 price drafts, and a special happy hour "tapas" menu, it looks like a great option for a post work drink and small bite.
(4)Rebecca S.
i love love this place. i love love the salmon blt.
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