4. Restaurants

The Institute

549 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA, 19123
  • (215) 787-0888
  • Store is closed

The Institute Menu

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  • Arianna C.

    I've been here a few times, and was for the most part unimpressed. Their food was hit or miss and the service was SLOW - like 15 minutes to get a beer in a nearly empty bar. That being said, they have really stepped up their game. They finally have enough staff and the disco fries were on point Will definitely be coming back.

    (4)

  • Brienne T.

    Pod and I stopped here because we could store and water our horses around back. My singular goal of finding the Stark girl(s) has left me without a proper appetite but the aromas wafting from this establishment set my stomach to speaking in tongues. When I asked Pod if he wanted to get something to eat, he was inside sitting at the table before even answering. This place is much nicer and inviting than what we are used to. Another place with superior ales. We ordered ground cow flesh served between slabs of bread along with potatoes served in the tot manner. All of this had Pod and I debating whether to end our quest and become permanent residents of the City of Brotherly Love. Although I fear that the evil Queen Cercei had a hand in naming this place.

    (4)

  • Rachel Z.

    Ed, Mark, and Kurt are great company, conversationalist, and bartenders. Others have posted saying they stop by for the cat, but I come for the bartenders that have through the years of loyal drinking at this establishment become friends. Attentive staff with loyal customers. Love you institute

    (5)

  • Kyle J.

    Ok this place has me fucked up to say the least. First time I called and ordered a plain cheese burger well done. Simple enough right? Not for these bozos. They proceed to give me a rare burger that was still mooing with all the bullshit none sense (pickle juice and such) I asked for them not to put on the damn thing. I don't think they could have fucked it up any more.

    (1)

  • Jim H.

    It's really the simple things in life. Maybe a few beers, a porter, a cider, a stout. Possibly a shot of whiskey. Most likely a burger with a side of tots and the burger has pulled pork, onion ring, bacon and BBQ on it. All if these things happened at the Institute tonight, in a 2 hr time frame, while I watched a homoerotic volleyball scene on their tv. Why, you ask? Because fuck you, that's why! P.s. they have wonderful new bathrooms upstairs now. Yep, that's bathrooms , plural.

    (5)

  • Jake S.

    This cozy bar has a great selection of drinks on tap, and a really amazing menu! Are you allergic to cats? Then be cautious - a very friendly feline roams the upper and lower floors of this fine establishment.

    (4)

  • Mark Z.

    As soon as I walked in, I knew I was gonna enjoy this place. It is a laid back gastropub, so don't worry about bar intimidation. The bartenders were friendly and willing to chat. The tap list was good, but their can list was amazing! The food was really good comfort food! The Scooby and Shaggy burger was a pug out's dream! A burger with bacon and pulled pork is awesome! I will probably come here before a Union Transfer or Philamoca show as a pregame spot!

    (5)

  • Liz S.

    Great selection of beer! My boyfriend and I shared (really good!) Mac and cheese. Then I had a burger with blue cheese and he had the pulled pork sandwich. The servings were really big, especially the Mac and cheese. I would definitely recommend the Mac and cheese and the burger, but the pulled pork was just ok. We live close, so we'll definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Lehigh Valley Eats K.

    Alright. I am a huge fan of dive bars. As someone that has been working in the industry for over a decade I can say that The Institute is one of the best dive bars in Philly. I love this place. Located in one of the 'up and coming' neighborhoods of Philly, The Institute has a lot to offer. The crowd is laid back, unpretentious and sophisticated at the same time. It's a great beer and whiskey bar with good prices. The tap list is donned with local artisanal brews featuring Conshohocken Brewing company, Victory, and Rivertowne Brewing. The food menu is simple and oh so tasty. Stop by after work, have a beer and stumble home. You deserve it. Happy drinking Philly !

    (4)

  • Gina V.

    This was my first time at The Institute, but from what I hear it's getting a facelift and undergoing a lot of changes. If you're one of those people who can't roll with change, this may be a turnoff for you, but I think it must be a good thing because the place looks awesome. Some highlights: there are now bathrooms upstairs, which I was told did not used to be the case, and a new staircase at the front. Some highlights (which may or may not only matter to me): There are Christmas lights upstairs, individual little TVs in the booths which is pretty neat and not something I've seen before, and a lovely orange cat that accepts loving ear scratches from strangers. The staff was very nice, and the food looked and smelled delicious. I regret having eaten before I came. The one thing that wasn't quite so awesome was how cold it was upstairs. I get it, February in Philadelphia is a bit chilly by its very nature. However, the poor bartender was in a sweatshirt with the hood up, and apologized for not being able to make it any warmer. Don't let that keep you away though - just don an extra layer and drink til you're all warm and toasty inside and out, because The Institute is a great bar.

    (4)

  • Christina W.

    A great little secret spot on the edge of the Eraserhood/Loft District/Poplar/whatever you want to call it. Been here a few times, both with large groups and on my own and they consistently have a solid line up of craft beers on tap. The food is pretty good on it's own, but can seem average when compared to other nearby spots like Prohibition, Llama Tooth and Jose's Tacos. But what really makes this place stand out from those others is that there's a cat. Often, you can find him curled up in front of the fireplace sleepily tolerating various strangers ear scratches. Come for the beer and food (if you're hungry), stay for the cat.

    (4)

  • Rachael S.

    Great bar with a variety of beers in can and on tap. The food is always great. The bartenders know their stuff and are friendly. Glad this is my neighborhood bar!

    (5)

  • Michael A.

    A solid neighborhood bar, but far classier and trendier than your typical local. The beer selection was solid, but the service was gruff and unwelcoming. The decor was in the vogue of American modern with exposed brick and steel, but it honestly seemed uninspired, like it was trying to imitate other spots. If you're around, it's a decent choice, but nothing special.

    (3)

  • Michelle C.

    I love this place. I love the idiotic graffiti in the bathrooms and the snarky bartenders and Franklin the bar cat. I love the weird creepy maybe haunted upstairs bar and self aware cigarette machine and the fact that the Gay Cowboy Burger comes with a gay pride flag. I love the Great Pumpkin Beer Festival and the Most Triumphant Tots and the fact that at the end of the night I don't need to ask for a nightcap because they've already poured it for me. I love you, Institute. And the fact that you're a little rough around the edges just makes me love you more.

    (5)

  • Stephen R.

    The Institute means a lot to me because of what it has done for the surrounding neighborhood. When this place first opened, they had to deal with the previous owner's clientele of riff-raff that would come in to drink 40s and eat Chinese food from containers that they bought across the street. Charlie and his wife Heather cleaned the place up, improved the draft list by featuring all craft brews, and installed a kitchen. Now The Institute is a destination and it brings people to West Poplar from all over the city. If you ever get a chance, come to the block parties they throw like the Fruit Beer Party in the Summer and the Pumpkin Beer Party in the Fall - the best street beer festivals around. The beers that Charlie and Heather acquire for these festivals are from literally all over, and there is something for everyone. It gives you a unique opportunity to try around a hundred beers in a great setting. The Institute's menu is very good, and they even added a brunch menu recently. My favorite item is the Most Triumphant Tots, a loaded tater tot meal with pulled pork, jalapenos, salsa, cheese, and bacon. For the vegetarians out there, like me, substitute the pork and bacon for some crispy seitan bites - outstanding! The menu is vegetarian friendly without excluding meat-lovers. I have been told that the burgers are very good, too, especially the Institute. Although I am regularly found at the Institute, there is still a bit more room for improvement before I would grant it 5 out of 5. I would like to see more sports featured on the TVs (the bar has several). I think Charlie is not a fan of sports, and it's his place so his rules, but I would love to have a place close to home that I could walk to and enjoy a Phillies game during the week or maybe a Penn State game on a Saturday, in a cool environment like the Institute. The clientele the Institute attracts doesn't strike me as very enthusiastic about sports, so Charlie may know more than I do. But I do feel like sports is a cash cow, and if you have a few special events around it you could attract a crowd that doesn't normally come otherwise while still not scaring away your regulars. Other than sports, I might also suggest that the bar incorporate more session, wheat, and saison beers. They pay a lot of homage to fantastic IPAs, stouts, and barleywines, but sometimes I have trouble finding a beer that my wife can drink, and it keeps us from staying as long as we'd like to. I love a good 9% ABV, but the Institute shouldn't be afraid to stack them up against more 4-5% styles as well. Overall - a great bar that's getting better everyday with fantastic ownership and friendly service.

    (4)

  • Sean S.

    Always make it a point to stop here when I'm in the city. The vege burger was spot on. The tater tots are worth the trip out. Great selection of beers. The owners are friendly and welcoming. Just love this place.

    (5)

  • Nico L.

    An awesome hole in the wall!!!! As soon as I walked in, I felt like this place was special. It definitely is close quarters, but it is clean and the prices are perfect for craft beers. Purple monkey dishwasher and wells brewing banana bread on tap?!? Hell yeah! I haven't tried the food, but if the ambiance is any dictation, it is will be awesome. Also, there are board games. These new owners know what's up!!!!

    (5)

  • Ken H.

    Kind of a hip, but divey atmosphere. Loads of unusual craft beers on tap (the selection changes often). Good food. Also, it's a few blocks from Union Transfer, so it's a good place to have dinner or a couple of drinks before a show.

    (3)

  • Benjamin M.

    The Great Pumpkin Beer Festival = a great reason to finally stop by The Institute. This place wouldn't normally stick out like a sore thumb, but a ton of round tables lined up along closed Green Street and all the people mingling around definitely let me know I was at the right spot. Leading up to this year's event, I had heard that the festival has its fair share of issues last year. But thankfully, The Institute made some improvements based on these lessons learned, including more outdoor elbow room and a ticket based system for purchasing food and drinks. I was impressed with how effortlessly and entertainingly the numerous bartenders continually served almost 20 pumpkin beers to the never ending patrons filing through the doors. I briefly sat at one of the outdoor tables and chatted with a few other Yelpers I had met once before, but spent most of the afternoon conversing with others inside. Of course it goes without saying I enjoyed a few of the pumpkin ales as well. A really great event and something to definitely look forward to every Fall.

    (4)

  • Emma D.

    I love this place. Super relaxed and ultra neighborhood-y. The bartenders are really knowledgeable about the beers they have on tap and the food is delicious, definitely a step or two above average bar food. I think about their burrito a lot, full disclosure. Plus, they have fun games and the most adorable, chill little bar cat. Check this place out!

    (4)

  • Steve B.

    Great local bar with good beers always on tap and a decent menu - can't go wrong with the loaded tots, and the burrito/quesadilla is also amazing. Local bar cat Franklin is usually hanging around to make the place feel cozy. Two happy hours a day too!

    (5)

  • Er B.

    Pretty cool spot in a neighborhood with few options for food/beer. Stopped here to grab a bite to eat before a concert at Union Transfer. Quite walkable to the venue. Small space, with a bar that seats about 15, and some tables of 2 and 4 that seat a total of 25-30. I believe there is an upstairs, but did not visit. Beer selection was great, with a dozen taps and many more craft beers in bottles/cans. Glad we stumbled upon this place when our first choice did not pan out.

    (4)

  • Nicole D.

    I like this industrial-inspired spot for a happy hour beer or a bite before shows. The beer selection is great, though bar service can be a bit spotty at the busy times, and the dozen televisions on the second floor can be overstimulating. The menu here features tasty, though not especially exciting, bar food. Portions are pretty generous.

    (4)

  • Tom C.

    First review. Cool atmosphere with friendly service. Perfectly placed tv with the Phils game on behind the bar with the volume on, but music in the background. Megatouch!That's all I got, but it's the first bar I'd think to go to the next time I'm in the area.

    (4)

  • Sarah L.

    We weren't sure what to expect in this neighborhood- the block is pretty run down with a lot of trash and empty homes nearby. We came in around 6:30 for a special beer event (barleywines) and went up to the bar to check out the draft list. The bar is pretty grungy downstairs and didn't have a lot of appeal. We were sitting there for about 10 minutes and none of the bartenders asked us what we wanted...which was a little strange but didn't matter because we were waiting for a friend. We moved over to a table instead (it's self seating) and waited a little while until one of the bartenders (they double as servers) brought us menus. We weren't planning to eat anything, just have a drink or two before dinner, but we changed our mind because the barleywines were pretty high in alcohol content. We ordered the onion rings with spicy aioli and they came out incredibly fast and were very fresh and hot. They were really crispy and the aioli was good but I thought they were a little too mushy and watery on the inside. The draft list was exciting since we came for the barleywines and we managed to try a bunch of different ones for reasonable prices. The bar was pretty empty when we arrived but a lot of alternative-type kids (sort of metro grunge?) kept coming in and going upstairs to the second bar. When we finished our drinks we checked out the upstairs which was already hopping at 8pm and they have a second fully stocked bar and booths with individual TVs in them which was surprising and pretty cool given the bare bones decor downstairs. Oh, and there was a cat in the bar which I thought was hilarious. Overall, the service was quick with bringing orders but slow to come around to take them (probably due to the double duty server/bartenders) and the food came out with good portions (the table next to us got the hummus platter which was a ton of food for $8). If I lived in this neighborhood I'm sure I would visit this local bar for the cool upstairs but I probably won't trek across the city for it.

    (3)

  • Matt S.

    If craft beer is your thing than this place is a must! There has never been a time I wasn't impressed with the tap list. Best part about this bar is that it is rarely so crowded that you can't get a seat. The food is your typical bar food but not expensive. You can also get 6 packs to go for a reasonable price. When this place first opened my wife and I were regulars there. The staff and owners always spoke to us and made small talk. There seems to be a disconnect with the owner and patrons now, but I still go for the beer.

    (4)

  • Kirby J.

    I seriously don't get why this place is always empty. The staff is awesome, the food is to die for, and the ever-changing list of beers is always top notch. Oh, and they've got a cat. And live music. And board games. And a functioning cigarette machine. And they air Game of Thrones. Seriously, why aren't you here yet?

    (5)

  • Meredith M.

    This place WAS one of my favorite bars in Philly, due to the great rotating taps, the cool vibe, the sparse crowds and Franklin the cat. But I fear I may be done with it due to really unprofessional management and staff and general disorganization. (Read my previous review about the issues at the pumpkin festival for more disorganization galore.) The fact that it's in a neighborhood I rarely visit and isn't conducive to foot traffic means I probably won't go out of my way to go back. First, a few months ago, one of the owners posted a rant about a customer on FB. It was really odd and super unprofessional to air an interaction on social media that maybe, like, 3 people in total saw. That put a sour taste in my mouth. And then the bartenders. Some have been fine, but more often than not when I'm there in the middle of the afternoon, I get bartenders who are more interested in watching cartoon network at top volume and texting their friends. The last straw was going in the last Saturday of beer week. They had advertised 1/2 off ALL drafts from noon to five in order to clear out the beer week beers, calling it the semi-annual clearance or something. We ordered 2 drinks. We asked the bartender (who barely looked at us) which beers were half off. He scoffed and said, "no beers." Thinking we got the time wrong, we looked it up on the beer week app and showed it to him. He was shocked and said, "Oh. Um, wow. No one told me anything about that." So we closed out. He charged us full price. We had been planning on sitting there and having more drinks, but we high-tailed it to center city instead and spent our money there. Lack of communication, lack of professional staff, lack of owners who know what they're doing.

    (2)

  • Jonny R.

    A. for effort. I like that the location of this place because it's trying to be somewhere where there isn't a lot. I'll give it this: it is the best beer bar east of Broad and north of Spring Garden. It gives Temple graduate students an alternative to the Draught Horse, that's for sure. But I don't think that novelty is enough. It is trying to be a high-end beer bar, but it fails to really be that. Tap list consists of B-level beer that you wouldn't see many places in Philly (for good reason), as well as overpriced artisan and luxury kegs. This bar has an identity crisis, to be sure. The menu keeps changing and it leaves a lot to be desired. I'm rooting for them, but I don't think that's a good enough reason to show up here for more than a few drinks.

    (2)

  • Colleen M.

    We came here for a happy hour to see some friends while we were in town. I'm not a beer drinker, but my husband is. He ordered some flights to try all the different beers they had on tap and said they had a good selection. I stuck with my usual rum and coke and got a burger. They have really good tater tots. It was a nice chill place to hang out for a few hours with friends.

    (4)

  • Jamie D.

    I've been to The Institute a few times and have always had really pleasant experiences there. It's a very dark bar, but the ambiance is nice. They have boardgames there that you can play (I kicked ass in a few rounds of Uno over beers....very enjoyable) which I always find give the bar a homey neighborhood-feel. I hosted an Arts & Drafts event here after a friend recommended them (saying they made her birthday party awesome) and they were very easy to work with. They gave us the entire upstairs (very spacious, great for events) and were accommodating. It has been awhile since I was there, so I don't remember exactly what I ate....but I remember it being good! I was more interested in their beers, which were awesome! The bartenders were very knowledgeable when I didn't know what I wanted and picked the right beer for me.

    (4)

  • Rebecca N.

    Everything here seems simultaneously full of potential yet disappointing. The beer list is usually good, but there's only one place to read it - a dark, small chalkboard. Seems that people seated anywhere other than at one end of the bar aren't privy to that info. When I went last, it was difficult to see what price each beer was supposed to be. Happy hour prices are a vaguely advertised mystery. The location is great. It's a spacious corner property with bike parking and lots of street parking, but the space feels haphazardly furnished, like someone threw a couple of church pews chairs into an empty hall with some tables and added a bar at one end as an afterthought. The lighting is nice for a cozy bar atmosphere, though. They have outdoor seating and serve food, but the service is incredibly spotty. Bars shouldn't try to be restaurants if they're not interested in good food and have a way of delivering it to tables. The nachos I tried a couple of months ago were barely passable. I've been spoiled by the Cantina for too long, it would seem. "Eehhh."

    (2)

  • Erin C.

    Dude. The Institute. First, I found ace easy parking nearby. Second, some folks whose shadows I was trying not to walk in (aka not creepily close) asked me if this was The Institute. I replied, Well, I hope so! cos I'm meeting someone here. And so it was, The Institute. My first time here was with Bill M. before an Elite event at Union Transfer. The Elite event wasn't what I expected, and neither was The Institute. Who needs a clear sign when the food and atmosphere speak for themselves? Exactly. It was freezing, actually, when Bill & I grabbed grub here, but I have and will go back. Staff are awesome, food is heart-warming, games are available, minimal hipsters are present, and the beer options are grand.

    (4)

  • Sasha E.

    Adam and Sarah are awesome, they made the annual Pumpkin Beer Festival so much fun, thank you!!

    (5)

  • Edward M.

    I've been here several times now, which is somewhat surprising since it's out of my normal work/play/sleep zone. But it's worth the excursion. My favorite thing about this place is the on-tap beer selection, which includes a good number of solidly premium beers. The food is pretty tasty, too -- including a satisfying veggie burger. And the prices are reasonable. The staff is friendly. Service is prompt (though varies with how crowded it is). The decor includes clean dark wood and exposed red brick. And games! Seating downstairs can get kinda cramped; they have an upstairs with booths(!) -- but it isn't open as often as it should be. Certainly worthy of repeat patronage.

    (4)

  • Jason A.

    I don't believe in reviewing a place after one experience, so that's why I'll give it two. And both times I went to the Institute, I was left underwhelmed, bordering on disappointed. Both times, we walked into a nearly empty bar, with the only patrons being at the bar itself. This led me to believe they were either regulars or friends of the surly bartender (more on that later). The beer listings were high above and behind the bar at a 90-degree angle so picking a beer was really just a guess. Overpriced, too. Since it was so difficult to see what they had, all of the stools were taken and our group wanted to order food, we decided to pick a table, assuming we would get some kind of service. We did, after oh, about 15 minutes. This happened both visits. Both times, it was the bartender who came out from behind the bar. Apparently there was no one else on shift, except for whoever made food in the back. I wasn't sure whether the initial delay was because he didn't see us, or whether he honestly didn't feel like leaving his regulars/friends and wanted to wait us out- hoping we'd end up leaving. I don't want to speculate, but it sure seemed like the latter. Since we couldn't see the listings and there was no drink menu, we asked what the specials were. He listed 4 different forgettable beers. They were out of three of them. Oh well. A friend (who isn't picky about beer) just asked for a lager (Yuengling, for out-of-towners). It's kind of a standby 'round these parts. The bartender/server stifled laughter and said, "we don't have any TV beers here." So! Rundown so far: - Delayed service. - Keg is kicked on 75% of their specials. - Unclear on what exactly they DO have. - Beer sensibilities are openly insulted. Not a great start, Institute. However despite the beer incidents, the food was decent, though not memorable. The burgers were Quality. The second time we visited, it was with caution, knowing what happened before. This time we chose to tell the bartender (same one) that we were sitting at a table and needed table service. Only two of the four specials were finished. At least it was an improvement. This time the food was a problem; they were out of everything (Seriously? Even out of tater tots?) It's hard going into an establishment, not knowing if they'll have what you are in the mood for. It's even more difficult when the establisment itself doesn't have what they say they have. Apparently the Institute has been in business for years, even though they operate like they've only been around for a few months and is experiencing "growing pains." If I want to be barked at by a bartender with ill-planned tattoos, I'll pick a grimy old man bar and have a 60-year old guy named "Shep" yell at me for trying to use a credit card. I'm not going to put up with a guy 5 years younger than me who laughs at my friends because they're not in the mood for an $8 6 oz. porter with maple and raisin notes. The only real redeeming quality of this place is it's close to Union Transfer. Otherwise there is zero reason to make the trip there. Two stars. One for each visit.

    (2)

  • John F.

    Pumpkinfest was awesome. Bathrooms were a little terrifying. The Institute could easily be a 3 or 5 star bar, but I'll punch 4 for now until I can get a normal visit. I came here on a crowded Pumpkinfest where they hosted about 20 pumpkin brews on tap and an assortment of pumpkin'y food. The wait for food was super long but there was only one brave soul working all the tables outside. The inside feel was pretty dungeon'esk, just the look you'd want for a nice dark Philly tavern. Two stories, a few TVs - it's a cool corner joint. I look forward to heading back and having brunch and a beer. BTW, the TOTS were 5 stars!

    (4)

  • Kathleen D.

    One day I'd like to be able to bellow into the night, "They laughed me out of The Institute!" You know, how disgraced maverick scientists do. "They said I was mad! MAD!" So, that either means that I will have wear a lab coat and somehow finagle my way into working in some kind of laboratory, only to devise a wildly crackpot experiment to the dismay of my fellow scientists. Or, the other option is that I'll have to really work on my stock gags and jokes for when I visit this bar, so I can be laughed out literally. Either one of those two plans, to live out a cartoonish dream. Based on the quality, quality selection of beers here at The Institute, and the constant friendly vibe we encounter, I think I will give up my life of science and work on muh jokes. Great beers, nice peoples, I dig.

    (4)

  • Kristina C.

    Ok I really really like this place, the bartenders are awesome, the place is such a great atmosphere, they cater to us Yelpers and our movie night and the have such a cool cat that hangs out. They have an amazing beer selection, and a ton of liquor options. They also have their menu identify VEGAN, VEGETARIAN, and GLUTEN FREE! I have tried quite a few things and everything has been really good and I have seen that everyone else really enjoyed what they ordered. From what I understand, the Tater Tots...Macho...or Massive Tots...(can't remember the exact name, but you will know it when you see it).. is AWESOME! My one thing....Don't get the nachos - tiny portion...whamp whamp! But I will be back....

    (4)

  • Sara L.

    I just enjoyed my first trip to The Institute to take part in the Yelp Film Club screening of Anchorman. While I had a perfectly A-OK time, the bar itself didn't quite make me exclaim "great Odin's Raven!" My limited exposure suggests this is a really solid local bar with a lot of loyal regulars. I liked the two-floor set-up, the dark semi-industrial setting and the cozy fireplace. I also really liked the precious orange bar kitty. The bathrooms were fully functional and remained acceptably clean throughout the evening. I ordered my first beer from the downstairs bar before heading upstairs to settle in for film club. The service was a little slow, but I was in no particular hurry. The draft list was solid, but not exceptional, with pretty average prices. I had heard raves about the burgers here, so that made my dinner choice pretty obvious in the form of the Gay Cowboy option. It was a perfectly fine burger - juicy and cooked to the requested medium, but not especially memorable. If I had realized that the "salad" that comes with the burgers and sandwiches was just a pile of greens, I definitely would have gotten fries or tots instead :-( If I lived closer, The Institute is the sort of place I could see patronizing regularly. I'd be happy to come back for another specific event, but it just didn't wow me enough to be worth a ~1 mile hike for its own sake.

    (3)

  • Pam S.

    The Institute is great. Seriously great. I've been a few times now, with my first visit being Pumpkinfest (now that was busy!) but I've been here for events, hanging out before a show at Union Transfer, etc. Now, hopefully you can glean from other reviews (and the brief mention in this one) that the beer is great. Really great. But really, I love The Institute's people. They're friendly, nice, and dang if they don't make some good food - which they are totally amazing about making mods for vegan/vegetarian. I think that says something special about a place when you can look forward to seeing the people who work there. I don't live nearby, but in the warmer weather, it'd totally be worth the bike ride to meet up with someone there on a whim. For now, I love their events and a nice pre-show brew.

    (5)

  • Joshua V.

    Love this place. If you want a chill night, just throwing back some brews with some buddies this joint does the trick. If the paycheck ain't coming to next week, stick with the PBR. If it's payday, they have some pretty good beers on tap. You can always ask for a beer flight if you can't make up your mind. It is a bit out of the way, but it still gets pretty crowded on some nights. Some things are worth going the extra mile for, and this place makes a pretty good argument for itself as one of those things to be added to the list.

    (4)

  • Maggie M.

    So I've been reading about The Institute and its greatness for months now, but as a lifelong Philly resident, I had a very hard time overcoming my resistance to hanging out east of the prison, especially in a bar located 3 blocks from what used to be (might still be?) one of the biggest drug corners in philly...The kickoff brunch and bluegrass band finally lured me in, though, and I am much happier for it. I had the classic breakfast, which would normally have cost $8, and a side of bacon for $2. The breakfast tater tots were unbelievably good, the bacon was perfectly crisped, the eggs just-right sunny-side up, and the pancakes were smooth, creamy, cinnamony and delicious. The waitress was friendly and seemed happy, which is always a plus. The beers were all fantastic, though my favorite was a (sort of girly) Gold Stout. I gotta say that I wish I could make this place a regular brunch event, but we dropped at least 70 bucks on breakfast, sans tip, and both of our food orders combined only totaled $14... if not for the price it could be my ideal pre-game warmup! The single best thing about this brunch kickoff event was that my co-bruncher and I had what amounted to a personal concert from the bluegrass band (they even took requests!). Amazingly, perhaps because it was spitting a little off and on, we were the only people who came outside to hear them play (you couldn't hear them at all inside the bar, which I didn't think was so cool). I know they won't be there in the future, but it made for an awesome start to an awesome day! (we did that free Philly:The Game scavenger hunt afterwards, and thanks to the great start to the day that the Institute provided us, we actually won!) Will definitely be going back at night to check out the regular menu... p.s. they'd've gotten 4 stars, but they didn't have mimosas. they DID have big $1 bloody marys, but I don't like them :(

    (3)

  • Emmett M.

    So I finally came in and didn't eat pulled pork, but at least I still drank enough cold and strong beers to make the world seem fuzzy; that's just how a professional handles eating brunch. Yup, brunch. Writing this update because we were at The Institute knocking them back at 11AM this past Saturday (and we could have come an hour earlier), a previously impossible feat. Quite a few tasty items were offered on the menu for the inaugural run of the newly added brunch, but the rich and sweet sound of a few of the dishes had my hangover belly calling out instead for the omelet of the day: a tasty tomato and pepper combo that absolutely hit the spot. I really appreciated the spicy side of the accompanying sweet potato home fries (which were damn good), because emmett was too lazy to ask for hot sauce and he needed some heat to round out the egg dish (I just like my beaters to be caliente). Tater tots were a peppery score as well, and since not liking tots is un-American, this patriot made certain to eat two thirds of his sister's allotment. Of special note this past Saturday was the blue grass band that was kicking some sweet tunes for the brunch crowd; they really rocked it out. Perhaps it was because we were the only people outside listening to them (it was raining), or maybe they are always friendly and talkative when they play, but relaxing there while they jammed left me feeling like I just sat in on a private studio recording session; a very cool experience. On top of the intimate feeling, the tunes were great; that dude plucks a mean banjo, the mandolin and guitar players held it down all day, and the bass player (between dropping a few choice lyrics) thumped a mean string next to a fancy fast fiddlin' lady, all while the lot of them harmonized their voices to sooth my soul. Nicely done, all around.

    (5)

  • Carolyn L.

    BEER: Rotating menu of 16 craft drafts at all times on both floors. FOOD: Really good food. The menu has changed a lot since I've last been there, but they hung onto the seasonal fruit and goat cheese salad, which is one of my favorites! AMBIANCE: Quiet, plenty of seating, and hardly ever crowded. A nice place to stretch out those legs and have a normal-speaking-volume conversation. Also, the owners here are super friendly and are pretty cool people. This place has come a long way since I first started going here years ago. First, the 2nd floor was opened, then they started offering food, next came outdoor seating and fun events. It has really grown into a nice place to grab a drink and hang out with friends. The events they have here are both fun and creative. I went one time to a Troegs event. There weren't many people there, but it was A-Ok. A representative from Troegs was there to answer questions and chat, there were all Troegs on tap on the 2nd floor (including a firkin of dry hopped hop devil), and we got to bring home a couple sweet Troegs pint glasses. I've also seen events like 80's pop/punk night, dance parties, and apparently they've paired up with yelp for a monthly movie club. For most, this place is off the beating path, but if you're ever in the area, try it out. You won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Jennifer M.

    Came here during the Pumpkin Festival, so I can only rate the bar for that. I was so excited for this event, especially with the variety of pumpkin beers and special pumpkin menu. The menu itself looked amazing! However, they knew that this event would draw huge crowds. Not enough staff were at this event. Sad, I really wanted to enjoy it! So let's see. We were a party of 5 trying to find a table. No hostess, so we basically had to find a booth or table on our own. It was about 1pm, and the place was pretty busy. The outdoor cafe was already filled with guests, and I was so jealous that they were outside in the beautiful weather! We headed upstairs, and we found a server that let us know that we could have the next booth. Each booth had a small flatscreen TV, and currently Mortal Kombat was on. While we waited, we looked at the beer menu. What a selection! There were so many good ones, but I loved the Porter and the Williamsburg. Very strong pumpkin taste. Since it was a bit crowded, we take a picture of the menu so that we could just look at the camera for when we order our next beers :) This definitely gave us an advantage since their were crowds at both the downstairs and upstairs bars. We finally get a table, and look at the menu. Out of the party, we've ordered the bowl of gluttony, pumpkin mac and cheese, 2 classic breakfasts (pumpkin hash, french toast or pancakes, and two eggs any style), and two more sides of eggs. We were so excited to eat! Our server was Phil, and though very nice, he seemed to have gone missing for the entire time we were there. Since he went missing, we just ordered the beers at the bar. Time slowly went by, and we were still without food. Tick tock. Tick tock. Phil came to stop by, and did say that the kitchen was backed up. Of course it was, the 100 people that were there all wanted to order food! Guess how long how food finally arrived? AN HOUR AND A HALF! We could have watched a movie between that time! *sigh* My pumpkin mac and cheese was just A-OK, but that small bowl only gave me a measly 6 bites. Other friends ate their food, but ate it grudgingly. The only highlight was the pumpkin pancakes. Just the wait to even pay almost took as long as the wait to get our food. Not a good experience. We left our booth, and our dirty plates were still on the table. I saw another party rush towards the booth, despite the mess. (That's how crazy busy it was!) Please, please, please get more staff to work during the Pumpkin Festival! I'd give a one star, but I rewarded another star for their extensive pumpkin beer selection.

    (2)

  • Walter K.

    I'm shocked I haven't written about the Institute, because I've been here tons of times. There's a lot to like about this bar: It's close to work (for me). It's got a chill atmosphere and is never too crowded. The beer list is good. The happy hour is every day of the week and features $2 off drafts and half priced apps. Most importantly, the Institute is always improving. The bar has expanded along with the number of draft lines, and the kitchen has always been experimenting and getting better ever since they started serving food. I also finally had dinner here, and the burger is delicious. I'm pretty judgmental when it comes to cheese burgers, and the Institute was impressive. It was perfectly cooked to order, the meat was juicy and flavorful, and the toppings and bun are good quality. All of these are essential for a great burger. I'll continue to hit up this joint and look forward to seeing how they improve. Maybe Quizzo?

    (4)

  • Vinny P.

    An honest, very approachable bar in Philadelphia. This is why I love this city. When you walk into The Institute, there is no bs. It's a simple place that focuses on relaxation, good beer and good food. They aren't full of themselves. It's a very matter of fact place. You know what you're getting when you're walking in there. I've been here a few times and I have never been disappointed. Last night, we had our film club congregate upstairs for a good dose of holiday cheer with Bad Santa. We had a choice of two beers from Southampton, the double white and the saison. I was very impressed with the saison. The double white was good, it's more of a summer beer in my opinion. The Bell's Rye Stout did rock my world. I have to have more of that beer. For food, I had the grilled cheese and soup. For the soup I chose their gumbo-esque preparation. Very tasty and just what I needed on a cold night. The grilled cheese was also very good and not overwhelming. I have been to places that go crazy with their grilled cheese to the point where it's so rich and heavy I need to split it with someone. Not the case here. I was able to have the sandwich and enjoy it along with my nice bowl of soup. All in all, I have had solid times at The Institute and I will continue to be a patron. Hopefully, I can make it to one of their beer events. They always coincide with weekends that I am out of town.

    (4)

  • Alli H.

    Oh boy. My boyfriend and I were excited when we heard about the 5th Annual Pumpkin Beer Fest and scooped up tickets as soon as we heard about it. It was easily the least organized beer fest I've ever been to. Easily. Ever. Upon arrival, you got a wristband that allowed you unlimited pours and both inside bars and the entire side street with tables and taps set up. The inside was packed, so we opted to hang outside. There was no signage outside indicating which beers were where. The lines were often 6-8 people deep, and you didn't know what you were in line for until you got to the front and asked the staff what they were pouring or looked at the keg stickers. We got frustrated with not knowing what we were going to get when we got to the front of the lines outside, so we went to the upstairs bar. There was no signage for what was pouring. We made our way to the front of the bar and asked what was on tap, and the bartenders both said "I don't know, everything is changing". "I don't know"??? How do you not know 1. what is on tap, and 2. what is on deck for when the first keg kicks...? This is a bar. Your job is to sell alcohol. The bartender filled two mystery cups for us but had no idea what either one was. Seriously. The lines for the bathroom? Don't get me started. Yes, I know I'm rating an entire bar based on one special event. But when I pay $40 per person, I expect to at least know what I'm drinking when the bartender hands me a beer. It was so disorganized, I can't help but leave honest feedback. I was so excited for this event but was extremely underwhelmed.

    (2)

  • Bill M.

    Starting a whole batch of new updates fresh with one that is looooooooong overdue! Ever since I set foot in The Institute a second time during Chris's pulled pork filled birthday extravaganza, and have partook in the greatness that is Film Club (Go Hot Fuzz! - yelp.com/events/philadel… ) I have gotten to know Charlie and experience his bar's full on potential. If you have have skimmed through the event section on here than you have come across several incredible events like the Charlie Brown Pumpkin Fest, the Sprinkler Room for the Mad Decent Block Party, and Semi-Annual Clearance Event after Philly Beer Week. When it comes to their events Charlie and his crew really pull out all of the stops to make their special occasions stand out! Another thing that really stands out is their food! I've had the chance to sample everything from small bites like bacalaitos and french toast sticks, to incredible pumpkin mac & cheese and epic burgers fully loaded with chili and green onions. It's menu is truly the stuff of legends! Add in the fact that it's a beer lovers paradise, the incredible staff that works there, and the random band that you may come across on Tuesday nights, and you have a place that gives a fresh experience every time you enter!

    (5)

  • Michelle C.

    There's really something to be said about the hospitality you receive at any given establishment. A little kindness goes a long way and, in this case, has pushed a four star review update to five. Charlie and Heather at The Institute are masters at making people feel comfortable and accommodating special events. Last night, several yelpers and friends gathered for the inaugural meeting of the Yelp Film Club. The second floor was opened up specifically for the screening, and an Ithaca Brewing Co. promotion was held simultaneously, boasting $3.50 pints. THREE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENT PINTS! This may very well have been one of my cheaper nights out in the past month, and I ate dinner. Speaking of dinner, the new menu had me eeny-meeny-miny-moing between at least five items. I eventually settled on the pork tacos, which were delicious and very generously portioned for a mere $7. My only gripe is that they were a tad greasy, and I had to place a napkin on the plate to sop up the juices so they wouldn't run onto the other taco shells. It was a small miracle that I kept my white sweater spotless, but I wasn't about to miss my mouth with the delicious tortilla vehicles of shredded pork and mango salsa goodness. Later in the night, I took a bite of Blake F's pumpkin mac and simply could not stop myself - it was probably the best mac and cheese I've ever tasted in my life. I had her side of fries transferred to my check to (hopefully) make up for some of the damage. My only regret is that I waited so long to get back to The Institute. I'm very much looking forward to hanging out there again soon!

    (5)

  • Daniel T.

    It's been a while since I last wrote about the Institute. I think I've been here over a dozen times since then. Lots have changed. Wait service appears to be handled by the bar, at least during the day and at happy hour time. The menu evolved dramatically. Thankfully though, the excellent beer rotation remains. I still have one gripe about the bar; I just don't like the bar itself. It's too small and situated off in the corner. I'd love to see one long bar that goes front-to-back. It would make much more sense that way since the beer takes the stage here first and foremost.

    (4)

  • Michael P.

    What do you call The Institute's neighbourhood? The realtors want to call it "The Loft District" which is just terrible. You could call it "Spring Garden" or "Brandywine", but that's kind of boring. I've heard it called "The Eraserhood", but I don't quite understand the six degrees of Kevin Bacon that led to that name. Regardless of what you call it, if you live east of Broad, and North of Vine, and you love beer, this is your bar. On first visit, on a quiet weekend afternoon, appearances can be deceiving. Walking up 12th street, you might be fooled into thinking you've found another corner dive. Round the corner, and you find several umbrella shaded outdoor tables and a large window. There's even a convenient bike rack to lock up on. When I've driven, I've never parked more than a block away, and it's just a short walk from the subway stop at Spring Garden. Inside, your first impression is challenged again. A small corner bar seats 8 people, allowing room for several high tops on the window side, and a long bench with low tables on the interior wall. There are TVs behind the bar and on both sides of the room, so if there's a game on you should be able to watch it from any table. Beside the bar is a list of the days tap beer, which rotates constantly and is always stocked with a good variety of fantastic beers. The prices are reasonable, and they're always poured perfectly. They back it up with a good selection of cans and bottles, and a good variety of liquor options for those who haven't yet found the right beer (because anyone who says they don't drink beer just hasn't tried the right beer yet). They also have a decent selection of whiskeys. The food is excellent, particularly the serveral different specialty burgers. Cheeseburger + Egg over easy = win. They also keep the menu fresh, it seems like every few months they shake things up. But the food brings me to some of my few complaints about The Institute. The fries they serve are of the very skinny type that I'm not very fond of. That might actually be a plus for some, but it's almost like a deconstructed hash brown. The other issue is that when ordering food, the service can be a bit uneven. Mostly because the bartenders are also serving the tables, so it can take a bit more time to get served. They are consistently friendly and helpful, so unless you're apt to break out a stopwatch, it doesn't really hurt the experience. They also have a secret weapon up their sleeves. Upstairs is a second bar, with more seats, and a half dozen booths, each housing it's own Wii. It used to be kind of labyrinthine up there, but they rearranged so it is much more open. I'm not really sure if there's a schedule for when they open the upstairs, so it might help to call in advance. They also have a number of good events, so checking their website is recommended.

    (4)

  • Caroline L.

    Doing a second review of this place because I'm absolutely in love with it. I'd like to add that The Institute hosts lots of interesting events, including Yelp Film Club. Tuesdays: Blue grass improv jam that's open to anyone with an instrument. Thursdays (monthly): Detroit techno party. And a variety of beer tastings and parties throughout the year. I just love, love, love this place. It's not only a cool bar, but a low key gathering spot.

    (5)

  • Susanne J.

    Thanks to Chris R. and Film Club, I have finally made it to The Institute. Otherwise, I am pretty sure I would have never have found this little corner spot on my own as I really never have cause to head down N 12th Street. The Institute is one of those friendly, neighborhood places that I wish I could import to the 'burbs. They have a rather impressive assortment of libations (if you're on a budget, order a PBR or go for an import if you've got cash to burn) and a unique menu. Pumpkin mac n' cheese? Why yes they do serve that! The atmosphere is warm and cozy and utterly unpretentious unlike some other city establishments. No need to be a card-carrying member of any sort of crowd to fit in here. Heather, one of the owners, started off as our bartendress upstairs for Film Club and was wonderful. She is very knowledgeable about all of their beer selections and helped me narrow down my dinner choice. Charlie C. is about the best guy you could meet and even sent some free tastings our way. Obviously, the customer service here is top notch. I had the new-to-the-menu Cajun Fish Wrap which was superb! I was very tempted to order one of their burgers which sounded delicious from what I read on the menu and heard from other folks. Unfortunately, some of us are not endowed with speedy metabolisms. Heather suggested the fish wrap as a compromise between healthier eating and great taste. The fish was very mild - pollock I believe - moist and flaky. The cajun seasoning has a fair kick to it, which I am sure Michael P. and other spice lovers would enjoy. The fish is adorned simply with fresh lettuce and tomato snug in a tortilla. It is served with a hearty helping of fresh field greens and a light vinaigrette. Since I didn't down a burger and fries, I opted for two glasses of one of their draft beers. I can't for the life of me remember what I drank, but it was quite tasty and refreshing. Suffice it to say, no one was complaining about their choice of drink. The only bummer of the night? No dessert to be had! That was probably just the universe keeping me from gorging myself on unnecessary calories, so I won't sweat it. I definitely look forward to return visits.

    (4)

  • Shane J.

    This bar is awesome!! I noticed it many times driving my car past the 'shady' neighborhood and wondered.."what's going on in there". Well, I got the perfect opportunity to check it out during the CBX (craft beer express) a few months ago. The Institute was one of the stops & I tell you they made an impression upon me that I have returned since the CBX. I enjoy the beer selection, the diversity of the patrons & yes--the food is good too. I would recommend to those who like trying different beers.

    (3)

  • Angry E.

    A local place off Spring Garden that seems to be a mix of hipsters and addicts (of sorts), with some friendly staff (some extremely Mark, Phil, Mr. Hutte). T he food has gotten better than the recent time they felt they could be french influenced on the menu (misspellings and over their ability attempts!) Prices for food could be lower for food, though the food is dramatically better since Max is in charge!) . Stereo music achine doesn't seem to work. The cat's a plus. P.S The restrooms tend to smell and permeates the bar at times.

    (1)

  • Joe W.

    One of the best rotating tap rooms in Philly. The annual pumpkin beer and fruit beer events are a must for any craft beer enthusiast.

    (4)

  • Mike G.

    I've been to this bar a few times since they opened but I probably wont end up there intentionally. I stopped in for a few drinks with friends and the atmosphere in the first floor bar was not exactly great since they had one of those pay tunes juke boxes. The problem with it was no one was playing music since it was a quiet night. That meant the few people in the bar were subjected to the machine's auto-play cycle of replaying a song by Enrique or something. That song played several times in a row but at random times. When that jewel of a song wasn't playing the audio of the tvs would kick in. So crap music/tv background noise. The beer was good but $13.50 per round for two drafts seemed a bit high for me. The beer board had alcohol content but no prices listed so Im not sure which beer was the one that drove the price up. I live near fishtown and have no shortage of better, cheaper, cooler places to hang. I hope they rectify the music situation at least because that was just plain ugly. Charlie C. has been nice enough to contact me regarding this review. I appreciate that I misread the music situation, though the results were still unpleasant enough. Maybe I should admit a couple things. I want to go to a place to drink and enjoy some ambiance. I dont like to pay for music. If another patron does, and repeats the same song, I dont blame the bar. If no one plays music, I dont want to listen to tv's. In fact, I usually avoid bars with tvs but I can usually tolerate them if I dont have to hear them. I thought most of those pay jukeboxes had a setting to randomly play music when no one payed for specific songs. If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong. It's still a situation I dont enjoy. As for the beer price. It wasn't a huge deal, just a small thing. Apparently the beer I had was $8.50 and it was delicious! I just don't like the idea of a bar that doesn't tell you prices up on a board. Maybe Im spoiled. Frankly,I do not want to be in the position to have to ask how much each beer on a menu is in order to make my choice.

    (1)

  • Cat P.

    This bar is not in the trendiest area of Philly and quite frankly, it looks pretty damn seedy from the outside. I had heard great things, though, so I knew I needed to check this place out. I'm so glad I did. They have a nice mix of draft beers and the bartender, Mark, gave us some awesome recommendations. We got here just as they were finishing up quizzo and ordered hummus and tater tots to go with our drinks (this was definitely a winning combo, in my book). The menu was bigger than I expected and our portions were fairly large. Never judge a book by its cover. This place rocks. Apparently they do a "film club" viewing on the second level every so often. I'm looking forward to coming back for more tots and good beers.

    (4)

  • Monica S.

    Our server was attentive and sympathetic to the kitchen's lack of menu ingredients. It took my friend so long to get her mac n cheese that we finally canceled the order. The food we did have was tasty though: hanger steak sandwich, BBQ pork sandwich, plantain fritters. Great beer list. While this isn't a destination bar, I'd probably go here often if I lived in the neighborhood.

    (3)

  • Laura D.

    I came here for the pumpkin UYE saturday, and damn they serve good beer. How can you not love an event that features 10 varieties of pumpkin ale and is giving away pumpkin pies? The pumpkin beers were outstanding. Southern Tier Pumpking was a crowd favorite (slightly sweet, vanilla flavor) and it's not surprising they ran out part-way through the evening. Weyerbacher, Brooklyn, and Dogfishhead were other favs. However my personal favorite (that some others didn't like) was The Brewery's autumn maple. It didn't really taste like maple, or autumn for that matter. It reminded me of a Belgian triple, and is strong and dark... the way I like my men. It might in fact be one of my new fav beers. The pumpkin-inspired menu was a fun addition to their regular menu - pumpkin french toast, pasta, soup, and cake. I snagged the last order of the pumpkin plantain soup and happy I did. And they were basically giving away pumpkin pies. The deal was supposed to be drink 4 beers and get a pie, but my friend just asked about the pies and was given one on the spot. Good deal! So what if it was a little burnt around the edges... I don't turn down free baked goods when I'm drinking. A bunch of yelpers and others there for the pumpkin event made the small space even more crowded. They seemed a little unprepared for such a crowd, and could have benefited from some extra servers. I gather that their usual saturday afternoon crowd though is probably pretty sparse. Even in the small space however, my gang was able to congregate around a table at one end with plenty of space. While it's a fine neighborhood bar, I wouldn't go out of my way to come here on a regular basis. But the pumpkin event was brilliant and a great way to spend an afternoon!

    (4)

  • Heather R.

    Well, I feel like I just went through a nasty breakup. Living across the street from this place, I have been a regular patron for the past two years. I will never go back here again. Looking back, I remember always giving The Institute the benefit of the doubt despite their consistent letdowns: * Often being out of MULTIPLE ITEMS on their menu. I once requested 4 items on the menu and they were out OF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM... I still went back. * Since I live across the street, I like to order my food ahead of time and pick it up. The Institute was consistently bad at telling me when my food would be done... I still went back. * Waiting for over 30 minutes for my food EVERY TIME I was there... I still went back. * Bad mouthing their competition publicly especially when their competition FAR EXCEEDS them in menu options, service, quality of food, and professionalism... I still went back. Why the sudden change? My friends, yes plural, both found hairs in their food. Rather than comp us or apologize profusely (which any other manager at a restaurant would do) the owners embarassed them and said it was impossible that that would happen there. Sometimes hair gets in food at restaurants, that is understandable. But, the way management handled it was scathy, unwarranted, direspectful, and just plain mean. Plus, they were having a Pumpkinfest (which I bragged for weeks about to my friends), and they didn't have enough servers and the wait for drinks was unbearable. Please folks, go to these local establishments instead. They are only a few blocks away. Prohibition Taproom - great mac and cheese with a cool Old Town saloon vibe Llama Tooth - friendly management, awesome menu, great outdoor seating - just a great place all around... Silk City - great "new wave" diner with an incredible brunch menu

    (1)

  • Shannon M.

    I've heard a lot of good things about this bar since it opened a few years ago. Unfortunately, i didn't experience anything good. We were here on a Thursday evening hoping to play some video games. When we tried to go upstairs the bartender firmly told us, "There's nobody up there" prohibiting us from playing any games. The beers were pricey- $6-$7 and they didn't have any Yuengling on tap--a travesty in my opinion. We ordered a few beers and the spinach and artichoke dip. The dip was okay- and the portion for the dip was pretty big but they only gave us maybe 10 tortilla chips and 1 soft pretzel. Therefore, we had much more dip than anything to dip it in. Additional chips were $3 according to the menu. We found the bartender to be really rude and cocky. We were obviously not one of his "regulars" and because of this were treated like sh*t. I'm glad that they had board games for us to amuse ourselves but other than that there were no positives. I don't think we'll be returning.

    (1)

  • Nicey J.

    They forgot to bring me my food! But then I got it for free .. But that is the saving grace because the tostones are terrible .. However with a dab of mustard they are ok.. Blah .. wait... actually the tostones were not terrible just under seasoned.. the sofrito sauce is what was terrible.. and that's what needed a dab of mustard. HA! however for the sake of all the beer heads.. they do have a surprising range of craft beers... I don't drink beer but it's still a good attribute to have.. They also have cider.. which makes me happy.. ACE I think.. I'm always happy to go to a bar that has cider.. whether bottles or on tap.. this is definitely a place where you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.. because the menu and beer selection is surprising for this neighborhood bar right across the street from the ghetto chinese store haha ... If I lived nearby I'd probably go there more frequently ... however I wouldn't really go out of my way just to come here and drink..

    (3)

  • Alexandra S.

    So I've been here a few times. The food is eh. The service is eh. I decided to comment now because I'm shocked that the owner would comment on someone's negative review the way he did! Instead of trying to get the customer back he told him to never come back. Doesn't seem very friendly or good for business. (See Mike D's post) "Comment from Charlie C. of The Institute 10/2/2011 I was looking for that hair all day when you get to my age every one counts.... I was looking for that hair all day when you get to my age every one counts. That being said every time your friend comes to the establishment with either you or other friends there is an issue. If there was an issue every time you go to a place why would you continue to come back to it. Also the fact that you both had hair in your food is highly unlikely. "

    (1)

  • BethandGus H.

    OMFG cats allowed, automatic 5 stars. We toasted our first round of Cold Ridge Creek Coffee Stout in memory of Iris. Franklin, orange tabby, now resides in her place. Goats in Rome Burger was SUPREME, as well as, the Tilapia Wasabi, er Wasabi Tilapia. Prrrrrrrfect amount of fries!!!!! This place seemed more like a bar than an institute, so do not be intimidated by it's name, it's a bar.

    (5)

  • Aaliyah P.

    I felt like i wandered back to 1994 when i walked into the institute and saw the board games and UNO cards while dining at sundays brunch. We arrived to a pretty empty restaurant , which under normal circumstances would have meant this place SUCKED. however after Irene that was to be expected. OJ and du cafe for moi and a Blackberry Wheat Lager for CB. Brunch options are not a plenty but the choices are great. i decided on the Breakfast which consists of two eggs, french toast or pancakes, homefries or sweet potato homefries. I chose french toast and tater tots. Very Happy with my choice. CB did sausage w/ gravy(turkey sausage) and a side of turkey sausage. The food took a little longer than normal but we played UNO while we waited which made the time pass by. Our waitress was super friendly and she managed the few tables that came in after us but checked back regularly. Our food though much anticipated did not disappoint the tater tots were superior to anything i ever had at school lunch and my french toast was crispy brown on the edges but very moist and flavorful on the inside. After munching down i opted for my new favorite beer ALLAGASH triple ! and CB did a Dogfish while we finished up our UNO tournament. Few beefs : the bathroom is GROSS (management please do something about this and STAT). the front door was not in use. There should have been multiple exists in case of an emergency. This "institute" is a scholastic staple for my brunchin and boozin needs

    (4)

  • Flora T.

    We came here for Philly Beer Week and brunch. They were understaffed- you had to order food at the bar and were told that the kitchen was backed up. The food was okay, but we didn't get what we ordered (we didn't make it an issue since they were so busy). The bartender was friendly, but I wouldn't recommend coming here for food. It has a good atmosphere to sit with friends and have a drink.

    (2)

  • Deann M.

    "Meh" is about right. Went for beers on tap, they must have been having some kind of special event going on because all they seemed to have was barley wine. The crowd at the bar was on the loud side, yelling at each other although they were sitting right next to each other. They all seemed to know the bartenders, so I guess they were regulars. We sat at a table but the bartenders were busy at the bar, so we went up to order. I ended up getting a bottle of beer because the tap selection was all barley wines. I couldn't hear my friends talking because the bar was so loud. Nothing to write home about.

    (2)

  • Sarah F.

    How many times can I re-review this place?? Since the menu relaunch we've been twice for brunch and once for dinner. Brunch: The frit-"tot"-a was yummy, eggs with tots and spinach dip, as was the berry french toast...though it came topped with Reddi Whip and not the advertised homemade vanilla whip. The biscuits and gravy are hit or miss. Dinner: Triumphant Tots. AWESOME. Huge portion, is enough for two to share for dinner IMO. Pork, BBQ, Gravy, Cheese, Blackbeans, Bacon (Best bacon, ever) Order them. The Pumpkin Mac was great also. The half portion was pretty big-the size of a cereal bowl. Creamy goat cheese, mm. We also had Goats in Roam burger and a Jr burger. Both were fine, but nothing compared to those tots.

    (4)

  • Rachel S.

    I stopped by with a friend for a couple beers on a Monday night. The bartender was super friendly and brews tasty. I haven't gotten the full vibe yet, so I'll write another review after another visit. But so far, I liked it enough.

    (3)

  • Angela J.

    What a great place. It's such a low-key, homey-feeling place, yet the menu is fabulous! Excellent selection of beer that is always changing, and the staff is great. Charlie always hooks it up for Yelp film nights. I wish this bar were closer to me! It's a little off the beaten path, but well-worth the trip. I had the spinach artichoke dip the other night, and it was delicious, served with crispy freshly fried tortilla chips, and a pretzel on top...soft AND crunchy... The rest of the menu has some new additions too, I suggest you stop in and try it out!

    (4)

  • Joe L.

    Good beers, friendly staff, and delicious food. They have a sweet cat that hangs out in the bar, which may turn some people away, but it keeps to itself. Overall The Institute is a very cozy and welcoming place to have some dinner and drinks. Menu highlights for me are the tots and the mac.

    (4)

  • Alicia M.

    The Institute is truly great. My boyfriend and I go there quite often because it has everything we want in a local bar. Every dish we've ordered off of the menu has been exceptionally delicious, as well as innovative. My favorite being The Most Triumphant Tots, and the Pumpkin Mac and Cheese. The beer selection is also thoughtfully curated and diverse. Also, I'm a sucker for Franklin, the sweet orange kitty that loves to nestle by the fireplace!

    (5)

  • Jim M.

    If this place had been open when I lived nearby I probably would have frequented it more. I've been here both on the UYE film nights(which I would like to start attending again, but haven't due to work conflicts) and on weekend nights. It's kind of a dark bar with two different floors. Charlie, the co-owner usually tends bar downstairs, while Heather or another employee handles the upstairs bar. The beer selection is usually pretty diverse. Rarely have I gone to my standbys(Sam Adams, Guinness, Yuengling) because there are usually some excellent craft beer/indie beer/whatever you want to call it beers available to try. Service by in large has been good, though I have occasionally had problems getting served when I was at the second floor bar. The food is pretty good here. The chili was pretty good and the burger is also solid. The steak sandwich is surprisingly one of the better steak sandwiches I've had in Philly. I'd probably put it up against Eulogy's. Hmm, maybe its time to go back again......

    (4)

  • Ida G.

    This bar has been on my to-do list since I heard rumors of a resident feline. I finally came with a group of friends for their 4-6 Happy Hour and to gawk at the cat. Tried a couple of new beers and was quite impressed. I was also excited to get in on the fad of ordering tater tots at a bar, and although they were delicious and plentiful, somehow I received pulled pork tots instead of cheese, and this even though the server came by to confirm my order. This wouldn't have been so bad if I weren't trying to go vegetarian, and the beer convinced me that from an ethical perspective it made no sense to send it back. Sorry, Pig.

    (3)

  • Casey R.

    Stopped by the Institute this weekend after trying to come up with somewhere that wouldn't be slammed for brunch at 1 pm and that wasn't too far from home. We arrived and took a seat at a table as the bar was pretty full. This was a mistake since the bartender was the only server at the time. We had to walk up to the bar to order our drinks and food. Also it was near impossible to read the draft selections from the tables, which is definitely not ideal when you have a good variety of uncommon brews. I really wished they had a list since I assume they also have bottles etc. We ordered our food and waited for it to come out, which it did quickly. However, I did not receive what I ordered, Cheesecake Mousse French Toast, instead I received 2 slices of plain french toast, 2 fried eggs and 2 pieces of bacon. I immediately stated that it was not what I ordered and was asked by the bartender what sides I wanted. No sides were listed on the item I ordered, a fact which he found confusing and then disappeared to the back. Being a vegetarian and someone who does not eat fried eggs the plate in front of me was pretty repulsing so I was annoyed that it was left on the table when the bartender left to sort out the issue. It was also fairly annoying that he was confused by the menu as there were only 8 or 9 items on it. When he finally came back he said "Oh I was supposed to tell you we were out of that item". Alright, that's fine but don't substitute things without asking the diner, since that completely changed the meal. I wanted something sweet for breakfast, and had ordered my beer to pair with that. I then tried to order just a side of the sweet potato fries as they were listed as an option with a few of the entrees but they were also not available. Meanwhile my bf has been really enjoying his breakfast sliders so I was feeling bad for having such a bad time with my order. He ate quickly so we could go somewhere else. Just as he was finishing the bartender appeared with an order of french toast. Not exactly the one listed on the menu, but something closer with thick slices of bread, cream and some cooked apples. It was a very nice gesture but I am not sure why they didn't just do that in the first place since the description said fruit but wasn't specific. It tasted ok, but really at that point I had lost my appetite and just wanted to go somewhere else. They also charged me half price for the french toast which again was a nice but since after they were out of the sweet potato fries I had said, "I won't have anything to eat then" I feel like the french toast should have been free. Others seem to really enjoy this bar, so I hope to give it another chance, maybe at dinner when there are more vegetarian options in case they are out of a lot of things again.

    (2)

  • Jessica E.

    I wandered in to the institute on Christmas Eve since it was one of the few bars that was open and I was feeling sociable. It ended up being a very nice evening. Our bartenders (who I am fairly sure are also the owners) were very friendly and welcoming. The beer list was impressive and they were happy to offer samples. The Institute gets kudos for their unique events. Last year I attended the Belgian versus American beers event, which was enjoyable because we got to rate the beers. This year they are having a California beer event in January.

    (4)

  • J P.

    This isn't really a destination bar, but we made it a destination trip. They have poutine, a good beer list, and there menu looks like a bar menu, not a wannabe gastro-pub (there are enough of those in the city). I had an imperial pumpkin beer, just on a whim, and it was great. We started our meal with the poutine. They use thin fries, but all in all it was great. Really good flavor, nice job on the gravy. Next up, we each got a different burger. I had the one with beef chili on it. Yes, beef on top of beef. Intense, and really good. I ordered it medium and it came medium. Gtfo right? Awesome. My wife got the burger with the egg on it. She loved it. It came as ordered and came AFTER the poutine. Imagine that, we asked for the poutine as an app and it came out as an app! I'm really liking this place. Good bar tender and their jukebox had Hall and Oates. Win.

    (4)

  • Rich G.

    I have been here a few times. I would return if friends wanted to go, but based on its location I just cant see myself getting there for any other reason....well, maybe like the craft beer express, or pumpkin beer extravaganza. They always have good beer, and the owners are knowledgeable. Anyone can read these reviews and see that any of the bad reviews were refuted by the owners themselves. I do think that puts them in a bad light. If your customers have a bad experience, you cannot refute that. Just try to do better in the future and the bad reviews will get balanced out. Maybe send a private message, try to rectify it, and leave it alone.

    (3)

  • Michael O.

    I think I would really get into this place if it hadn't been for the weird music thing going on when I went. There was loud music coming from upstairs that I could hear mixed with the downstairs music from the jukebox. The beer selection is good and priced reasonably. The food was beautifully described but blandly presented. If the food had more flavor, I would have given 4 stars. The staff was very nice, which is always appreciated and they should get credit for that.

    (3)

  • Jennifer L.

    I had a great time here las night! The owner and the other bartender were really nice and friendly and gave great recommendations for beer. The beer is all wonderful! They have a ton on draft and in bottles so if you can't find a beer to drink here your too picky! I also tried the poutin, which is fries smothered in gravy and topped with cheese curds. It was a HUGE plate of them so I suggest splitting these with 3-5 people. Yes it is that large. Unfotunalty since I only split it with 1 other person I didn't get to try any of the other food that I wanted to try. Oh well I guess there's next time! The owner is doing some reminding over the holidays so I cannot wait to come back and see what it looks like!

    (4)

  • Mike D.

    We stopped in The Institute for dinner and beers, after hearing good things about it. The food was great, the selection of uncommon craft beers was great and the prices were good. That's enough for me to declare the place a winner. The only complaints we had (mostly from the wife), were that the restrooms could have been cleaner and the upstairs area lacked warmth. As other have said, they did appear to be understaffed (and the bartender explained that to us upon arrival), but the folks that were working, were extremely friendly. That being said, we had 4 great pints of beer, a tasty appetizer and 2 delicious entrees for $50. That's hard to beat in any neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Sarah K.

    They always have an amazing beer selection. And the food is excellent as well.

    (5)

  • Alexandra W.

    Okay. I know I had a bad experience here that one time. But, I have been back multiple times since. Oddly enough, they've all been for some sort of event, so I don't know how much that skews my perception of the place. Regardless, I like it. The owner, whose name I'm told is Charlie, is very nice and accommodating. On the nights that they hold the UYE Film Club, there are always 2 (maybe 1 to 2) discounted beers just for the film clubbers. And that poutine! If I wasn't already genetically pre-disposed to high cholesterol, I'd eat that every day for the rest of my life.

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    1st time here - loved the place. With that said, it would easily get 4 stars, but it only gets 3 stars because: 1) The bathrooms were dirty, had a bunch of nasty graffiti on the walls, and had no paper towels in the dispenser. The second bathroom toilet was overflowed with yuck, but the only person to address it was too busy (see #2). 2) The bartender was completely on his own and the place was packed. There were many people at the bar as well as the tables and only the bartender to cover them all. We briefly saw a large man, who seemed like an owner, walking around for a minute, but then disappeared. The food was very good. We had a great salad (The Skinny), although it was a little skimpy. The Most Triumphant Tot's were amazing. I will go back just for them! Also had the pork taco's - they were decent, but the soft shells were stale. All 3 shells broke apart as soon as you picked them up - big time lame rookie mistake! Also, the taco's were too spicy hot for the average person. They were no problem for me (the hotter the better), but my partner couldn't enjoy them. We had well made cocktails, so I can't speak to the beer selection, but it seemed good. The bartender was really a nice guy, especially with how frazzled he was from the crowd. Also, the woman (chef?) who brought out some of our food was real sweet. Took a look at the upstairs bar and tables too. Very cool place - the design reminds me of Grace Tavern off 23rd St.

    (3)

  • Tom D.

    This place is fun. So I had never been here until the UYE Film clubs. Then I came to check out a block party on Green St and they provided my booze fuel. You gotta dig that. Really great beer selections. All for decent prices. They have rotating taps and it's a nice mix of styles. They also host a variety of beer events and I keep promising myself to check one out. The food is good. Gotta love a place that sells burgers smothered in chili or topped with a fried egg. The fries are nicely seasoned. I've scoped a couple other dishes that will be tried at future film clubs. Also, the owner and the staff are really cool and friendly. If you are scared to check it out because it's in the middle of nowhere, don't be. There is a buddhist temple and gigantic synagogue down the street; that means the neighborhood can't be that bad, right?

    (5)

  • Mark H.

    Just thinking about this bar makes me smile! Anytime I go down to Philly I refuse not to go to this one of a kind bar. In the middle of a semi-ghetto yet you wouldn't know while inside. The clientele is about as varied as the great beers! Seriously ,the customers are young, old, white, Spanish, black, smart, dumb, heterosexual, homosexual...everyone is covered here and everyone gets along inside! Next to the beers, this is why I love the place so much. I've been there so many times and have never seen a fight or even really a heated argument with any of the customers, bartenders or owners. The food is random is well! I believe its a mix of Puerto Rican and American "bar" food. The pork fries are of course awesome and the hanger steak w/ goat cheese is something out of a NY steakhouse. A lot of people don't realize this but they will make you French toast sticks anytime of day....they are prepared out of this world. Reading other reviews I'm impressed but not surprised that the owner takes the time to respond and tries to contact anyone that didn't enjoy their time there. I've met him a few times and he always...always leaves the impression on me that he is tremendously happy for my business. This place just has such as good/happy vibe to it and they back it up with great food and a beer selection great than that of a bar twice the size. I wish I was there right now talking to random people, eating, and of course...drinking some barley-wine beer.

    (5)

  • Christopher R.

    After experiencing the Institute across a representative sample of visits--beer events, block parties, my birthday party, Film Club UYEs & just random weeknights--its time to bump it up to full five star rating. Evidence of its greatness: I. The vast and well-curated selection of BEERS. It manages to stock the full range, from lowly PBR to rare imports like Hitachino. Even better, drafts are half-off during happy hour. II. The monthly (or even more frequent) EVENTS are always a blast. Charlie & Heather always manage to come up with great concepts and really deliver in the executions. Plus, they've been incredibly gracious hosts to our Film Club UYEs. III. The FOOD is great and there's not much on the menu that I would hesitate to order again. A number of friends are fierce advocates of the delicious pumpkin mac & cheese. My personal favorites include the pork fries (fries, pulled pork & bourbon bbq sauce) and chicken cheesesteak (spicy island sauce, onions, peppers, bacon & cheddar). Let me throw this out there as well: the veggie burger topped with their dangerously meaty Old Rasputin chili. Its a bonanza of textures and flavors and irony that I greatly enjoy. IV. Finally, its a fantastic place to HANG OUT. There are televisions everywhere and you can watch the game without enduring a corporate sports bar vibe. Alternately, you can head to the second floor to play Wii with friends in a private booth. On a sunny day you can sit outside, in view of the concrete barriers recently adorned with beer-related designs during the Block Shock event.

    (5)

  • Tony F.

    Great beer selection, of course! They bring in some really special beers, plus they have a nitro tap, and really come up with creative events and reasons to drink fine suds. Food is really good, and a great no-wait spot for brunch on weekends. Fine bloody marys, too. Occasional bluegrass bands are a big plus. Lots of props for locating in a fringe neighborhood, which makes going here interesting but on the other hand, may make it a bit more adventurous than one might like when you have to park a few blocks away.

    (4)

  • Colleen V.

    This is definitely my favorite bar/hangout in Philly. The staff is great, the food is delicious and reasonably priced and the beer is fantastic. I spent many a time hanging out here while I was on the East Coast and the staff was all extremely friendly and the atmosphere was really fun.

    (5)

  • Lauren C.

    Though it seems like a rather sketchy part of town, it is a great place to get together with friends and drink good beer. They have Voodoo, Dogfish Head, Victory, and some other good brews. Another thing I liked was the fact that they have board games. We didn't play but it seems like it would be fun if you stopped by for a drink with friends in the afternoon and pulled out The Game of Life or Trivial Pursuit. Food was ok - I got one of the veggie burgers - it was very mushy and squeezed out the sides when I bit into it. Sweet potato fries were delicious!

    (3)

  • Valissa W.

    The Institute is one of those places that genuinely surprises me. * Tiny neighborhood bar? Surprise! There's a huge second level with tons more seating. * I'm gonna hafta walk through the ghetto to get here? Surprise! There's an abundance of free on-street parking right out front. * Average Joe beers? Surprise! This is a craft beer bar and they're not messing around. The monthly beer events bring in some great hard-to-find options in addition to the regular list. * Just another place to watch the game? Surprise! There are Wii consoles at every booth upstairs (as well as lots of TVs, in case you DID want to see the game). It's not over-the-top loud either, making it perfect for chiling with friends. * Typical deep fried bar food? Surprise! Their menu options are crazy and pretty damn good. This omnivore devoured the veggie burger, and the pumpkin mac & cheese is a real fav (order it at your own risk; however, that particular item is notoriously hard to get for whatever reason). I've heard wondrous reports of the pork fries and sandwiches as well. The Achille's heelâ„¢ (Chris R., 2009, all rights reserved) of The Institute is their waitstaff -- or sometimes lack thereof. It's still a pretty new bar and they're obviously working out the kinks, so hopefully soon they'll work out some way to manage the crowds. It's frustrating when orders get lost or only half your group gets their food/drinks at a time, but I must say the staff has been exceptionally kind in correcting any mistakes. All in all, this place is definitely a very pleasant surprise.

    (4)

  • Ryan B.

    I'm happy to have stumbled upon this place. Certainly in the middle of no where, but still worth the visit. Food is great for pub fare-fried. The bar tender (who I believe was the owner) is great at remembering names and making you feel welcome. Great beer selection. Crowd was local no doubt. An excellent neighborhood dive. If I lived closer, I'd be by more often.

    (3)

  • Jess M.

    Happened in after taking in a movie with friends. Plenty of street parking on a Saturday night and plenty of room inside the place. Situated on the corner of 12th and Green, the space is fairly large with plenty of seating, several flat screens lining the walls (all playing Austin Powers 3 on TBS, which was oddly a great conversation piece) and some great beers on tap for a reasonable price. We had a great time in the relaxed place, joking around with the friendly staff, chowing down on some yummy hummus (though they didn't have the pita so we got toasted bread), and great beer. Love a place you can hang out and talk in a normal voice rather than yelling over a blaring sound system. They do have a jukebox where you can pick your own tunes. Quite enjoyable. Will definitely go back and recommend to others.

    (4)

  • Shaun O.

    Home to the fast growing Yelp movie club. Its a good gathering spot for a club, like our movie club, as the bar isn't too big but still has two floors for service. I went with the Great Lakes Brewing Company specials-Elliot Ness and the Edmund Fitzgerald, with the former being my favorite of the night. I also tried their "Hang Over" Burger (Fries+Chicken Wings), which turned out to be pretty good. The bartender also made sure to be on top of the drinks for me. I definitely plan to try to make it back there for another Yelp movie night

    (5)

  • Christine B.

    I finally made it to my first film club for free Ommegang beers, Zoolander, and a brand new menu. I will definitely be making film club a priority. The upstairs was pretty much just yelpers. I got there at 7 and ordered my first drink, the Aphrodite, which was really good. It's a fruit beer, but it's not overly sweet or sour. I consumed many during the course of the evening. I tasted some tater tots covered in pulled pork, beans, cheese, and a few other things that were delicious. For myself, I ordered a burger. I've been eating pretty healthy lately and couldn't remember the last time I had a burger, and boy was it worth it. The meat was a perfect medium rare, and although there was nothing special about it, it was just a well-seasoned perfectly cooked burger. I had tater tots on the side which were also great. I ended the evening with a rare vos which is definitely something I'd ordered again. This is a great local bar with great beers and great food.

    (4)

  • Yuri R.

    My initiation to participatory Yelping came by way of a Fall UYE at this out-of-the-way but welcoming taproom. Pumpkin was the theme and flavor of the day, and it proved a hugely popular premise for many to file in on a Saturday afternoon and kick off Fall. Breweries like Brooklyn and Dogfishhead did not disappoint with their seasonal varieties. Kudos to the bar staff for putting together a satisfying selection, ranging from hoppy fare to belgian sweetness. This place has apparent taste in beer, and judging from the pre-drinking hour visitors, attracts a pretty cool crowd. Special menu selections were attractive if only acceptably made. Attributing the lackluster service to the unanticipated popularity of the promo, I'd pop in again for a bar night with pals. Expect a fairly righteous scene and yummy suds in this no-frills meeting spot.

    (3)

  • Devant W.

    Good beer and food smells like sewage

    (2)

  • Nicole J.

    The carnitas tacos really fulfilled my craving for tacos and the draft pear cider was refreshing. Overall, the experience was a good one, although the service was a little slow and not as attentive as you would have expected for the relatively small crowd. We were there on a Thursday, but I can imagine weekend nights are a bit more rockin'. Next time maybe I'll play one of the board games.

    (4)

  • TJ M.

    STAY AWAY!!! Service was molasses slow, food was unimpressive and cold. Also, the guy next to me found a pubic-like hair in his food and the waitress/owner proceeded to curse him out on the sidewalk. I'll never be going back to this bar.

    (1)

  • Jon T.

    Loved the homey corner bar feel. Ordered the pulled pork sandwich with tater tots and both were very good. Cool that they had board games. Ill definitely be back soon.

    (4)

  • Matthew E.

    dive-ish bar. Short but tasty beer menu. Decent gastropub food, and an attentive bartender.

    (3)

  • Sarah G.

    Love this bar. Great beer selection, cool atmosphere and amazing food. I've never had a bad time here. The bartender is friendly and engaging. One of the coolest parts of this bar is that they have a "bar cat." This sweet and friendly cat roams the bar and minds his own business among the people there. It may sound strange but it really adds a unique and welcoming vibe to this place. Overall this is one of my favorite bars in the area.

    (4)

  • FRANK P.

    The maple braised pork was absolutely scrumptious, the salad gave me an adrenaline rush, and the mac cheese was warmly satisfying. I wasn't hungry six hours later. The generous portions make this place a great value. And then of course there is that top line gourmet beer list to chill for.

    (5)

  • Blake F.

    update = upgrade! since my first visit to the institute almost a year ago (man, time flies!), i have been back a good number of times and for good reason: this bar rocks! sure...it's kinda in the 'hood and not near much anything else, but for a suburban (read: car driving) gal like me, i welcome the luxury of being able to park easily, and for free. but it's not simply the parking sitch that warranted the star bump... for one, it's the amazing beer selection - bottles, drafts, imports, local brews - sure to please any beer snob. beers are priced reasonably by philly bar standards, with great happy hour deals and discounts during special events. equally diverse is the food. i order the pumpkin mac on nearly every visit - it may not be overtly pumpkiny, but it is a huge plate of cheesy, creamy, gooey deliciousness that is simply not to be missed. the homemade veggie burger, hummus plate and poutine are all quite good as well, and there are additional veggie eats i have yet to try (mainly bc i'm so hung up on that pumpkin mac!) i brought my parents here once, and while mom had no choice but to share a plate of you-know-what with me, dad got himself a burger and raved about it all nite to anyone who would listen. just as good as the beer & food is the hospitality. owners charlie & heather love what they do, and it shows. not only do they provide my lil film club with a venue for our monthly meet-ups in their flat screen-filled second floor bar, they also host their own events - from beer battles to mural-painting and sidewalk sprinkler parties - which makes the institute so much more than just a place to get your drink on. this is what all neighborhood bars should strive to be.

    (5)

  • Angela K.

    Awesome beers and burgers!!

    (5)

  • Nathan S.

    The burger I had at The Institute last night was terrific. I had a well-done burger (I only eat red meat if it is well-done) with fried egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, and lettuce. The burger was served not on a traditional burger bun, but instead some sort of soft-pretzel style roll. Washed down with a tall, cool Kenzinger from the Philadelphia Brewing Company. Eat inside. If the Phillies are on TV you can watch them on one of several fairly large, flat-screen televisions.

    (4)

  • Cdr G.

    A friendly family run neighborhood bar which has done a lot to improve the West Poplar [Currently more appropriately called Spring Arts due to a lack of any Poplar trees.]. I have seen some well deserved unfriendliness appropriately directed at some of the younger drinkers who are learning proper bar etiquite after years of drinking in Mommy and Daddy's suburban basement. Large bar with tables for groups of friends. A steady variety of craft beers and some regular selections make each visit a new experience. Food options and quality has improved and become more consistent and on par with other local establishments under their new Chef Max and managements purchasing from several non food jobber sources. The empanadas appetizers are great as well as the original steak sandwich and other dishes. Some changes in staffing levels and repair of some wear and tear will enhance what has always been a great experience.

    (4)

  • Lauren S.

    Update: They have had food for a year now! They've moved away from the Puerto Rican food and are serving more traditional bar food and it's pretty darn tasty! The beer is still spectacular and inexpensive. Definitely worth the visit to the hood! This is a fabulous beer bar with cheap prices and a knowledgeable staff. If you go on a weekend night the place will be busy and there is always live music upstairs. The rest of the week is relatively quiet; a great time to watch the game, chat with a friend or meet people at the bar. Rumor is they should have food; Puerto Rican with many veg. and vegan options in July. Besides the live entertainment the upstairs booths are outfitted with Wii systems. The bar also regularly hosts specialty tastings and chocolate and cheese events. The only downside is their location, which is mildly in the hood, but you can always find street parking and it's pretty close to downtown.

    (4)

  • Michael V.

    They have all these micro brews here... or are they now called craft beers. Anyway, after surveying the board for 20 minutes, like some confusing SAT test question, I suddenly receive a bolt of inspiration, and order a can of PBR. Nice. The bartender is not happy with that, as his expression changes from one of beer camaraderie to one of snarky scoffing. What the??? The food here is good, fine, whatever. No problems. I like the place because it is small and quiet. Sometimes. But at other times they are doing pointless sound checks upstairs, using giant subwoofers to sweep the low frequency bandwidths, as if they are trying to communicate to aliens. And like all good 20 something bars... at a certain hour they crank up the pointless music so you can't hear yourself think. So get there early, order a PBR and a burger... talk to your friends, then get the hell out.

    (4)

  • christina j.

    Checked out the institute on the night of the "lost" finale with my friend. I couldn't say what beer I tried, but I can say the "pork fries" were delicious and the portion was HUGE. My friend had a salad along with a chicken sandwich. Staff was friendly and attentive. Affordable prices and fun food. Next visit the pumpkin mac n cheese.

    (3)

  • Bridget N.

    My friends live next door to the Institute and that's really the only reason why we go here. We know the owner, the bartenders, the DJs, and the doorman so it's always comfortable and friendly. It's a very chill bar and whenever we go, we know that we will run into other friends or sit at one of the tables by the window and motion for other neighbors to come in and have a drink with us. It's a true locals bar and on nights when there's really nothing to do, we'll come here and it's like having the whole bar to yourselves. The prices are right, the selection is good and they even have a whiskey bar upstairs which is also conveniently located next to the dance floor. Come out for Solid Good Times every Saturday!

    (3)

  • Gregory W.

    I had the pleasure of going to The Institute for a Yelp event, and I left not only immensely satisfied with the event and the people I met, but also with the, well, institution in which it took place. I risk a redundancy and say institution because it's definitely more than just a bar. One could call the downstairs area a bar, and a good one at that, with quite a few excellent, carefully selected beers on tap, a large-screen HDTV for the sports fans, tables of different sizes for different-sized groups, and a pool table --yes, a pool table, centrally located, but not at all obtrusive. (I suck at pool, but appreciate their sadly dwindling bar presence nonetheless.) The bar itself was manned by a friendly and knowledgeable bartender named Mark. Mark's explanations of the components and tastes of the beers he offered were as clear as he was patient with my stupid questions. Mark and I also had a nice discussion about science-fiction films of the '70s, which was fitting for the film event featuring Logan's Run. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger as I waited for the film to begin and let me say that I was quite pleased with the choice. It was juicy, tasty, and most satisfying for this hungry patron. The fries were tasty as well, as many of my fellow Yelpers can attest to, as they helped themselves and then some to the heaping pile of fries that I could not finish after inhaling the burger and washing it down with the Yards "Love Stout," oh yeah! Next time I'm going to try the Cajun fish tacos, which others found delicious. So, the lower level is a bar, but that and the upper level is what makes The Institute an institution, someplace that's more than a place to get trashed and to stuff my face. There's a row of booths and a screen in each booth, so I got to converse and make fun of the flick with the friendly and smart folks I was sitting with, while taking advantage of the adequately spacious open area that allowed for me to meet others and to share the experience with them. (I think there was a jukebox there as well, which is also a major plus --if the songs are good, that is.) I had a great time meeting such an interesting and diverse group of people, especially since I spend most of my time in a whole writing alone. In this respect, for the society it allowed for, I consider it an institution, in the way Cheers was a Boston institution in which everyone knows your name, as it were, as the annoying song goes... I never knew about The Institute when I lived in the Spring Garden/Fairmount area in which it is located. My loss. It is out of the way, granted, and maybe they could change the sign outside to make it easier to find. It's also not the prettiest bar I've been to, but to me that's a plus. There are plenty of pretty gastropubs with fine food and a great selection of beers, but not many of them have The Institute's character. It's definitely the character of this institution, and the people I met, that make me eager to attend the next Yelp Film Event there...well, that and the food, and the beer, and the company, and maybe the pool table for a few laughs...

    (5)

  • Dmitriy M.

    the fucking place has poutine!!! and (with nothing to compare it to other than the hype i had self-inflicted on myself) it is pretty damn good. honestly, it is worth to just come there have a fancy pants beer (their selection is pretty ridiculous; i am not a beer connoisseur by any means but i do like to try new things, and they have beers from all over at pretty reasonable prices $4-8+) i had the Victory golden monkey (9.5% alc) and it was delicious. oh, i also had the crab tatter tots, which were not close to as delicious as poutine but damn good tots. i also had the tomato lager soup which was not so much (i dont exactly like tomato soups, but it had this weird, smokey flavor to it, and not in a good way). the decor is not bad, place is somewhat small but i went on a wednesday night so there was a couple people, everyone seemed chill, the bartender/waitress was very helpful and sweet. there's 2 good TVs, we were watching Comedy Central (chappelle show & south park) and while i am a fan of both, i would have preferred some sports on with the sound off and music playing i think music is an essential part of a restaurants/bar experience. overall, come here for a nice beer that you may never see anywhere else and some poutine!

    (4)

  • Jake V.

    If I went to a bar to get beer and only beer, this would be the place to go. They have quite the selection and know their stuff. The problem? Well, that's not all I go to a bar for. It seemed incomplete because it, well, was incomplete. The upstairs wasn't done yet but that's okay, I suppose. The staff, though, was really friendly and you know they want to be there.

    (4)

  • Scott F.

    Went out of my way to try this spot. It's definitely not something you should go out of your way to visit as I did. The bar was next to empty on a Friday night with a cat sleeping on top of their cigarette machine. I was there with 3 friends and enjoyed our time over a good selection of craft beers despite extended wait times for drinks (how that happens in an empty bar is not clear). If I'm in that area again then I might stop in, but I probably won't be back.

    (3)

  • Andrew C.

    On a recent trip to Philadelphia, I spent several hours drinking at The Institute, and I'm truly glad I did. We were skeptical at first, because the neighborhood didn't seem like one in which we'd turn a corner and find ourselves at a great beer bar. But our skepticism and long, drunk walk to The Institute yielded a great find. The beer list was excellent, the crowd was tolerable, and the service was extremely friendly and hospitable. In fact, we had such a great time drinking good beers and getting to know the bartender/owner that we lingered quite a bit past bar-time. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Philly.

    (5)

  • Seth D.

    And so I bring myself to the ranks of the Yelpers the best way I can think to: by reviewing an event that I went to for my friend's birthday--my friend being a frequent yelper, and an even which I got most of my information about from Yelp. The Institute is a bar in some neighborhood of Philly that my host friend described as "sort of rapey" but we would survive the night and almost 2 mile walk each way rape free. The event was called BYB, which I think stood for bbq and yard beers. My impression was that we'd have loads of pork (as they were roasting a full pig), and yards of beer. I was half right, not knowing beforehand (or not researching properly beforehand, your call), that Yard is a brand of beer. Nonetheless, for $40, I was open to 5 full hours of pork, delicious mashed sweet potatoes, vegetarian lasagna (which I did not try because it appeared to have mushrooms within, and I don't do mushrooms), and 4 different brews of Yard beer. $40 for 5 hours of all you can drink is a bargain. $40 for 5 hours of all you can eat is a disaster. Put them together and I'm more or less in love. It helped that the beer was good (though none of my favorite brews were covered in the four available), and the food was fantastic. I would definitely go back just to try the menu items (of which most of the locals were raving about). The bar itself also passed my critical, and fairly socially awkward assessment. Sort of off the beaten path, I could have guessed that The Institute wouldn't be elbow to elbow packed, and whether or not the event brought more to the scene than usual I don't know. But, the crowd was big enough to make friends while not being too big that you have to wait too long to get a drink (a crime during an all you can drink session). The staff seemed cool, and really personable, and the duel level set up probably added to the breakup of the crowd, which I certainly can appreciate. Overall, I'd say I would definitely go back to the institute, but probably take a cab.

    (4)

  • Max K.

    Beer is priced well, has a great selection and food is solid. Too bad its not in my neighborhood otherwise I'd come here more often.

    (3)

  • Phil W.

    I only live a few blocks from The Institute but had never been there before last night. Huge oversight. (Apparently the comment "I just never cross Spring Garden Street" touched a nerve with the owner....and rightly so: this place is well worth waiting for the light to change.) This is the neighborhood bar/eatery I've been looking for! It's cozy and has character, and we sat at a table by the window, snug and warm, watching snow fall outside. There's a good selection of beers and a solid menu of no-nonsense food. And best of all, everyone in the place seemed to actually be having fun! It's probably never going to be written up in Bon Appetite, but after all the pretentiousness and attitude of some places, that's just what I was looking for.

    (4)

  • Mike d.

    This is tough for me. Bar looks good, nice beer list, good looking menu, I thought my group was in for an enjoyable afternoon. Unfortunately the service in general, food execution, and inability of management to handle a delicate situation ruined the experience. 1) When I find hair in 2 dishes my table has ordered, and show said hair to one of the owners, I do not expect the next interaction with ownership to be her yelling at another member of my party because she is friends with a competing restaurateur. 2) I know it was busy, but when a restaurant expects enough people to warrant closing down part of the street, perhaps hiring additional staff for the event would have been wise. Almost 2 hours we were there and received: 1 round of drinks, 1 plate of food (with hair). 3) The menu looked good as I said, we ordered the pumpkin mac and cheese and a pumpkin and sage biscuit with sausage gravy. After waiting over an hour for both they arrived in cereal bowls. No silverware (an hour to bring us silverware and napkins), no accoutrement, just lumps of cold food in bowls. The pumpkin taste was not apparent in the sausage biscuit dish and the dish as a whole would have scored low at a waffle house for taste, appearance, and preparation. At least the hair in this one was only an eyelash. Mac & cheese was also cold, the pasta was pre-al dente (crunchy) and the cheese blend was underwhelming. The hair in this dish was about an inch and a quarter, thick, black, and curly. Again, nothing was done except the plates were taken away from us, not an apology, nothing. If I am in the area, I will head to Prohibition tap room.

    (1)

  • Lori H.

    I really think having ALL your draught beer as pumpkin flavored beers is poor judgement. They were also faster at clearing empty glassware than they were at filling glasses with beers for patrons. The draughts were fairly priced and they had outdoor seating. Probably a fine bar when it is not very busy but they really don't deal well with high volume.

    (2)

  • Chris T.

    The beer list was good but the kitchen and service was slow. Empty on a Friday night. The BBQ pork sandwich and fries tasted excellent.

    (3)

  • Alex F.

    Great spot. SO glad this is right around the corner from me. Better beer selection than most bars in Philadelphia, friendly staff, and stellar pork fries. I'm there usually once a week, without fail.

    (4)

  • Xtine H.

    what an odd place! I went here with a few friends right after the pumpkin beer fest. I had even called ahead to see if there were any left on tap, and was told what was left. There was enough left that we gave it a go. I ordered a flight and it was strange- everytime the waiter spoke he would look over his shoulder at the owner, who also would interrupt him when we asked questions. Ok so mark against us that we had questions. Two of us started with soups off the menu that sounded so good. The owner interrupts the waiter to tell him the soups are not hot yet. We ordered what ever (so memorable,mine was some sort of salad, the other was a fish dish, the third ?....) and the owner would interrupt each with a "well, we don't have this" or "we are out of that side", strange. not sure why she didn't ask us to leave, since it seemed like even though we were provided with menus that they didn't have the items from the menu. Seemed like the regulars loved it, so at least we know we are not welcome there!

    (2)

  • liz t.

    This place was truly awful. I am really surprised by all the good reviews. I went here last night with a few friends. We didn't see a table open, so we were about to leave when the waitress insisted that we stay and head upstairs for table service. There were tables, yes, but no service. I had to walk up to the bar for menus and a draft list which was scribbled on a receipt. Not only did no one approach us to ask us if we wanted drinks or menus or anything really, I had to go BACK to the bar to place both our drink AND food order. When I did so, the chef had come out with a plate for someone else and complained that he didn't feel like working anymore. The bartender, with whom I was speaking and giving my food order, then joked "I have A LOT more coming for you ha ha." Then the food arrived. Since it wasn't the worst part of the evening I will keep it polite and say it was "mediocre" but this is a VERY GENEROUS description. It wasn't late - We arrived around 9-930 so there was no reason for there to be no table service or for the kitchen to be closing. It was a SATURDAY NIGHT. Now I am a drinker - I LOVE beer. I am not a beer snob by any means, but I also have never left a drink unfinished, but when they started blaring awful club music I got up to get our check (because, lets be real, no one had any intentions of offering it to me or even bringing it to the table) and left my beer half finished. I hardly feel compelled to write reviews - I think I have a small handful on here - but holy hell this place was the pits.

    (1)

  • TJ B.

    Place stinks. Food sucks. Bartenders are turds. Good beer.

    (1)

  • Colleen B.

    I think this was the best brunch I have ever had. I am still thinking about the sliders. I can't wait to go back for another brunch.

    (5)

  • Amanda F.

    The tables were really sticky and rickety, it took a while for a waitress to notice we were there, and then it took almost half an hour for one of our friends to get his beer (apparently it was being finicky?) but we still had a better time here than an abortive attempt to visit the Prohibition Taproom earlier in the evening. Once everyone was served we had a great time. There was a very drunken elderly couple sitting next to us who insisted on high fives periodically, the music was lively but not too loud, the beer selection was great, and even though I wasn't drinking that night, the waitress was very prompt about refilling my water, and they didn't rush us out when we'd finished the last round. Not too shabby, the Institute. Not too shabby.

    (4)

  • Stevie S.

    Still love this place but one or two of their bartenders are pretty worthless. A few times I've been there and experienced awful pours and other awkward bar service.

    (4)

  • Serena D.

    First I will say, I am a "beer snob" and this place is a diamond in the rough. We have been several times for happy hour, which is one of the few happy hour deals left in the city (being from NH where cheap good beers are $2.50 this is true). Recently, I took my parents, from out of town, and our food was taking a little time. The owner brought out some hummus and bread for us to snack on (gratis) while we waited...problem solved, we were happy as clams. The food has always been above expectations - burgers, mac and cheese, appetizers - all good, although the salads look a little skimpy for the price but who's ordering greens anyways. Overall, this place gets busy sometimes, and you may have to wait a bit, but they make you feel like family and the beers are good, the food is good, the people are friendly. This is a great place to try if you're looking for a neighborhood joint to just sit back and relax at - plastic outdoor tables, good beer, good food, no frills - just a nice place to meet people and enjoy good brews.

    (4)

  • Sally f.

    saw this place on foobooz and decided to give it a try. the menu sounded unique but the food was not really as exciting as it sounded. still it was pretty decent and i had a nice time. the beer selection was great. it was kind of a weird atmosphere because for the first half hr i was there, no music was playing. when the music finally came on it seemed more relaxed.

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :4:00 pm - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner, Late Night
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    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 : Thu, Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

The Institute

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