New Deck Tavern
(215) 386-4600
3408 Sansom St
Philadelphia,
PA
19104
39.9535
-75.1923
Neighborhoods: West Philadelphia, University City
Reviews & Ratings for New Deck Tavern
17 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 17 reviews
Great Food, Awful Owner
by DrexAlum2005
April 08, 2009
The food, beer, bartenders & bouncers are great. Its an awesome chill bar to go to in University City.
The only downside is that the owner got rid of the specials her dad had in place and really badly wants to run New Deck like an Old City bar rather than a bar that should cater to college kids. Some things the owner/manager could change: No pitchers until 3pm, bring back the specials that bring college kids in the door & most importantly stop walking around looking upset. If my Dad gave me his bar to run, I'd be a heckofa lot happier than this woman appears to be, especially around the people who pay for her lifestyle.
- Pros: Food, Beer Selection, Atmosphere
- Cons: Owner doesn't get that the customers pay for her lifestyle
College-town Pub by Peter S. at InsiderPages
Contributor
November 18, 2008
New Deck, being so close to UPenn and Drexel, is a college-town pub with an Irish theme and tends to be somewhat hit or miss.
The hosts and hostesses are often rude and difficult to deal with, especially if you have more then 2-4 people in your party and the waitstaff isn't particularly attentive. However, the bartenders are fantastic -- they are very friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about their craft, from perfect pours to drink suggestions. As an aside, most, if not all of them, are from Ireland or the UK. As such, I recommend trying to get a seat at the bar.
The bar has a very nice selection of liquor, especially whiskeys, as well as a diverse selection of beers, including Irish/UK imports, American macro- and midi-brews, and various regional micro-brews (eg. Dogfish Head 90 IPA). Food is a pretty standard Pub combination of Irish and bar food. I've had most of the appetizers and they are good, but none stand out, with the possible exception of the Nachos, which were very unspectacular, but then again, this is not a cantina, so I can't say I was suprised.
The crowd tends to be mostly students, as well as some faculty and staff from the local collages.
Overall this is not a bad place to meet someone for a beer after work or a drink later, but only if you can get a seat at the bar.
New Deck by A S. at InsiderPages
Contributor
October 12, 2008
My friends and I were regulars at this bar throughout college. They have great food and drink specials, a lively atmosphere, and attentive service. Check out their schedule of events for things such as karaoke and quizo. Try their cheese fries - they are best I have ever had!
Put the Happy in Happy Hour
by m_raven415
April 05, 2007
This was the second institution that my friends and I always frequent for Happy Hour while going to UPenn. They don't usually accept reservations for Happy Hour so come early before the crowd to get a table. There are plenty of beers on tap but my personal favorites are the Guiness mixes especially the Guiness and Black. Try them and I'm sure you will find a favorite too. Everything on the appertizer section of the menu is half off during Happy Hour, so our bill always come out pretty cheap. We usually go for the wings.
- Pros: Happy Hour, Guiness
- Cons: long wait
Lame American "Pub" Atmosphere
by rdefinite
October 30, 2006
Went to school around New Deck and only ended up there more then once because I was dragged. Your typical college crowd, which for the most part is a bad things when people who traditionally can't handle their beer get a little out of hand. Most night it's pretty loud and noisy, and the drink specials and gimmicky uninspired even nights keep 'em coming. Karaoke night especially is horrible and noisy, and not only because of the singers. It's one of the few choices in the area, so I'm sure you'll only end up there because you have little other choice or are sick of Mad Mex. Steer clear if you can.
- Pros: Drink Specials
- Cons: Crowd, Noise
so-so
by kevala_
September 11, 2006
I'm not a big fan of New Deck. It's often very crowded and very loud, service is slow, and the food is ridiculously greasy. Sometimes you have to wait a good 45 minutes or so for a table, even for a group of just 3-4 people. They do have a good selection of beers, and if the Irish theme is done well as far as the decor goes (not so well done in the food department).
- Pros: Pretty good selection, nice interior
- Cons: often extremely crowded and loud, mediocre food
Crowded Penn hangout also doubles as an Irish bar.
by Contributor
September 05, 2006
In Short
Thanks to its location in the Samson Commons, the New Deck Tavern boasts a steady stream of UPenn students. Unfortunately, the tavern's Irish identity--walls covered with Irish memorabilia, Guinness signs and maps of the Emerald Isle--gets lost amid the drinking, laughing and smoking college crowd. There are plenty of beers on tap, and a good variety of scotches and whiskies help make an evening out with the gang a merry one.
Re: selling water
by gesturejester
September 04, 2006
This place is ok. There's nothing wrong with the food or the service, but they won't give you tap water for free after 10pm during the weekend. That's right: they'll sell you a pitcher of mediocre beer but will make you _buy_ bottled water if you want to stay hydrated. I'm not sure if this is illegal or not, but it's enough to make me never set foot in New Deck again.
Best Beer Selection with GREAT draft beer and the food is damn good too
by haveamcmeal
August 17, 2006
New Deck is definitely one of the best unknown spots to non-college students in the area. They have the best happy hours with $2 pints every Thursday night from 10-midnight you cant go wrong. Nothing like getting a heogaarden or a guiness for 2 bucks. The weekly happy hour from 5-7 with half price appetizers is pretty darn nice too, not to mention the half priced menu from 11-1 everynight. The scene is very chill too, not the best place for a dance party but Im sure you could make it happen if need be...
- Pros: Best draft beer I ever had, besides micro brewers...
- Cons: Only Penn and Drexel College students really know about it
Irish Pub by Samrat M. at InsiderPages
Contributor
August 10, 2006
New Deck is a cool pub located in university city. Its a local hangout for the college kids of the area so the atmosphere is lively and young. The bar has a heavy Irish influence even including the bartenders. The drinks are good and food is high quality as far as bar food goes.
