My love note: I left NYC 4 years ago because there is a pervasive competition of who can be more cool in what they’re doing and where they are. Local 44 is the antithesis of that concept; there, cool is being yourself. While Philly has plenty of places for the hipsters, elites, geeks, artists, grad students, punks, regular Joes, and sports fans, there are very few places where they can all come together and be whomever they are with pride. Local 44 is a home for everybody.
They have a rotating selection of 20 beers on tap but won’t judge you if you don’t know what a saison is. They have solid food that ranges from hot wings to seitan reuben sandwiches. Their bartenders and waitresses are some of the most honest and friendly the city has to offer. It’s a place where you can sit down at the bar and enjoy a few by yourself, or go on a date, or take a group and do the best quizzo in the city on sunday nights. Say hi to Nate, Cas, and Jen while you’re there, and stop in the Local 44 Bottle Shop on your way out.