Dark Horse

This upstairs-downstairs series of mini-pubs attracts single malt-sipping couples and Guinness-guzzling dart teams.

(267) 439-4688

421 S Second St (Pine Street)
Philadelphia, PA 19147 39.9429 -75.1451

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Neighborhoods: Center City, Center City East

darkhorsepub.com

Hours:

Mon 3pm-2:30am

Tue-Sun 11:30am-2am

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Price:

$$

Dark Horse

Dark Horse Pub

What People Are Saying About Dark Horse

The Owner

Dark Horse

Owner

Located in the former Dickens Inn you will find the Dark Horse, a Society Hill restaurant and bar that pulls double duty as an old-fashioned watering hole and a fine dining destination for Philadelphians and tourists seeking culinary goodies. The re-created three-story townhouse bursts with English atmosphere, creating mini-pubs that are accented by dark wood and vintage beer ads. British pub grub has been skewed slightly to more modern cravings. Dishes such as hummus, grilled jerk-chicken skewers and paella are right at home next to the burgers and fries, the popular steak and mushroom…

Read more from the owner

The Editor

Contributor

Citysearch

In Short – Little has changed since this bar was called Dickens Inn. The kitchen's quirky British fare has been intertwined with sophisticated American pub grub like grilled Portobello sandwiches, pulled pork barbeque and gourmet burgers. Entrees like bangers and mash definitely do justice to English cuisine, as does the large plate of fish and chips. Not hungry? Then just pop into one of the four bars upstairs and have a few pints of English or Irish suds.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/25/08

Fantastic!

by 34maude

While I love British pubs typically I don't usually have too many high expectations, but at the Dark Horse I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food, the fish and chips a standard british staples at most pubs can endup greasy, heavy and cafeteria like but here they were not. Our appetizer of calamari had a delicate cornmeal crust on it-and not greasy or heavy-actually very delicate, and the accompanying sauce was delicious. Our fish and chips had a lovely crispy batter and and the fish was moist and flaky and the tartar sauce was unique and savory. We had started our meal with a few pints, a Strongbow Cider-nicely chilled and fresh as a dewy meadow, and my hubby says his tap pint of Guiness-was served perfectly not too warm, too cold, or from a can, was one of the better ones hes had. When finished I told my husband I wanted to go get a shot at Bump some red drink I couldn't remember the name of, so I asked the waitress and she tried to think of what it could be, she said she could make it or I could look it up in her Bartender Black Book-she handed me the book...How cool is that? so needless to say we stayed there, I had a Swedish Fish and he had an Irish Carbomb and we just sat there stunned at how often the smallest but most taken for granted details are overlooked in the most typically mundane of all restaurants -the classic british pub- but The Black Horse seemingly sets a higher standard than those of its neighbors and is our new favorite wind-down restaurant, it is really a gem.

3 Star Rating: Average

04/10/07

The "Cheer's of Philly

by citycycler

I truly see this place as Philly's "Cheers". Paul, the Irish-owner never dissapoints. I have held parties here, brought friends from out of town and different "mixes" of people and we always leave having a great time. Try the Dark Horse Burger too, goes down well and is reasonably priced. Filled with young professionals and no South Street riff-raff. One of our favorite spots in the Socirty Hill area. Even better with the smoking ban!

  • Pros: Great all around
  • Cons: Parkin in that area is at a premium
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/16/06

Good Food, Great Bartenders and no hipsters!

by ilovefriedchicken

Great Fish n chips and shepards pie. The chicken quesadillas were good but not now. Great Beer selection and bartenders that know how to treat you right. What happened to the chicken cheesesteak? Also, no more english and scottish blokes spewing ciggarette smoke in your face! 4 thumbs up!

  • Pros: no more smoke! great bartenders. why goto kildaires?

The Details on Dark Horse

What To Drink:

You can order beer by the yard.

Category:

European, Sports Bars, Brew Pubs, Restaurants, Bars & Pubs, Taverns, Irish Pubs

Payment Methods:

Gift Certificate, American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Group Dining, Fireplace, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Irish, English

Smoking Permitted:

Yes

Message from Dark Horse

  • Private Parties, Rooms
  • Sports Events Calendar
  • Bar, European & American Food

Located in the former Dickens Inn you will find the Dark Horse, a Society Hill restaurant and bar that pulls double duty as an old-fashioned watering hole and a fine dining destination for Philadelphians and tourists seeking culinary goodies.

The re-created three-story townhouse bursts with English atmosphere, creating mini-pubs that are accented by dark wood and vintage beer ads.

British pub grub has been skewed slightly to more modern cravings. Dishes such as hummus, grilled jerk-chicken skewers and paella are right at home next to the burgers and fries, the popular steak and mushroom and the fish and chips, battered with Guinness, of course. The Dark Horse is an old world comfort with a taste of the new.

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