Archive for the ‘First Impressions’ Category

The Bookstore Speakeasy – Bethlehem, PA – First Impressions
Sunday, November 15th, 2009

When you go looking for Bethlehem’s new speakeasy, don’t be confused at the almost complete lack of signage out front or the Danielle Steel novels lining the shelves as you get your ID checked…it’s just a front to keep the feds guessing. Step through the curtains leading to the main room and you’re transported to another time, a time “when the cocktail hour was a sacred and revered part of the day”. The Bookstore Speakeasy, located at 336 Adams St in Bethlehem, is Bethlehem’s newest and classiest place to get a drink.

The bookshelves lining the walls, the three piece jazz band, and the candlelight in the room will you let know, if you haven’t already figured it out, that you’re at someplace completely different from the mostly college friendly bars you’ll find on the Southside. The interior and furnishings are exclusively vintage and antique. The cocktail menu can be found pasted into the first couple pages of the hardcover book you’ll find on your table. The only thing missing from this modern day speakeasy is a haze of cigarette smoke in the air.

You’re not going to find Miller Lite, Yuengling Lager, or even Sam Adams at the Bookstore, but what you will find are unique, handcrafted cocktails. Take a look at the cocktail menu and see for yourself. Last night I tried the Old Fashioned with bourbon and the Bookstore cocktail. Both were exquisite, made with fine ingredients and an attention to detail rarely found these days. The large chunks of hand chipped ice were a particularly nice touch. But with that attention to detail and those fine ingredients came an appropriate price tag…$11 each.

This isn’t the place you go to for a bachelor party or to watch the Eagles play. This is a place to unwind with friends and savor your hard earned moment of respite. The Bookstore is something that the Lehigh Valley hasn’t had in roughly nine decades…it’s something that the Southside didn’t know it needed until it had it.

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The Firehouse – Bethlehem, PA – First Impressions
Sunday, September 20th, 2009

A lot has been said on this blog about The Firehouse and their long awaited opening. Rumors and mutterings have been swirling around the Lehigh Valley about the ancient structure for the better part of 2009. As you can imagine, it was quite a relief to myself and other nightlife watchers throughout the area when The Firehouse finally opened. I’m sure it was equally relieving to the owners of The Firehouse when valley club goers reponded by showing up en masse Thursday night for their grand opening event. Pictures from the grand opening event can been seen by scrolling down or clicking here.

As annoying as they may have been, the delays in opening may have been for the best. When it finally opened the place looked awesome inside. Dark wood, rough brick and various firehouse memorabilia combined for a subtle, yet cool atmosphere. It appears that no expense was spared in transforming the decades old firehouse into the brand new Firehouse that we now have.

Now, when I tell you that no expense has been spared, what comes to mind? Expensive drink prices? A snobby wait staff? A place trying to be something it’s not? Well that couldn’t be father from the truth at The Firehouse. Drinks prices are very reasonable; I believe Lager drafts are $3 (Correct me if I’m wrong in the comments section below) and I know it’s only $3.50 for a Sam Adams draft. The bartenders and servers were friendly and quick, although most seemed a bit green.

As previously mentioned the crowds really turned out on Thursday night, the bar hit capacity at about 11:45PM. I wasn’t able to make it out to The Firehouse on either Friday or Saturday night, so I’m relying on you now…what was it like on Friday and Saturday nights? Please share in the comments section below.

I’m really excited to see where things will go for The Firehouse. The next couple of weeks it should continue to draw a solid crowd from people throughout the Valley. I’m especially curious to find out what the place is going to be like in a month or so once the newness has worn off. But for right now, it’s really cool to have a new addition to Bethlehem’s Southside entertainment district. I think The Firehouse is a nice compliment to the current roster of bars and restaurants and, like I said, I’m excited to see where it goes. What’s your First Impression of The Firehouse?

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Roosevelt's 21st – First Impressions
Friday, May 8th, 2009

Last night, as I drove to Roosevelt’s 21st, I had no idea what to expect. If you’d ever been to Our Beerbelly’s before it shut down, you probably understand my confusion. When I heard that the owner’s of Drinky’s in Easton had purchased the dive bar with plans to remodel, my first thought was that the Northside of Bethlehem didn’t need a swanky night club like Drinky’s. Beerbelly’s was popular among Moravian students and locals for it’s cheep beer, wings, and popular trivia night. In it’s heyday, you had to come at least an hour early to get a table.

But, as I turned onto Elizabeth Ave I saw large crowds of people walking towards the newly opened bar and knew that I was probably wrong. Wrong both in the local reception and with what I saw as I walked in. Roosevelt’s isn’t a nightclub, though it has nightclub elements, it’s almost a hybrid of sorts. Imagine if your local neighborhood bar got an ultralounge pregnant (bad analogy, I know)…Roosevelt’s would be their bastard offspring. The tastefully decorated interior is in stark contrast to their reasonable drink prices and nightly specials. A chalk board hung on the wall lists everyday drink specials, happy hour specials from 10-12 (finally! a real happy hour!), and food specials every day.

Mostly Moravian students, the crowd could be heard from outside the building singing along with the music. Word of mouth alone drew a crowd of at least 200 people. Tables had to be cleared away to make room for dancing and both bars had sizeable crowds waiting for drinks. I left Roosevelt’s last night impressed and very excited to see how this new bar would affect the Lehigh Valley’s nightlife. Like I said last night on the LV Scene twitter lastnight…lookout PigPen.

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