Before 2nd Street Brew House opened its doors recently, locals were familiar with 1700 S. 2nd St. as being home to Irish sports bar, Raw Dawg’s Saloon. In order for fiancées and co-owners Jim Clark and Tiffany Ainsley to create the new atmosphere they desired, some renovations were in order. Their goal: to create a bar dedicated to delicious craft beer.

Eliminated were ten glaring television sets, neon beer signs, and the bright green paint. Additions included a second bar, a kitchen, a dart board, Ms. Pac Man, twelve rotating taps, and over 65 craft beers. Now we’re talking. The cozy new spot will soon offer outdoor seating, which will coincide with an expansion for the menu. Bartenders are knowledgeable; one is even the
co-founder of PhillyBeerScene magazine. Establishments like this have been popping up all over town in the past few years, but there are not many bars like it in this part of Pennsport.

Even though there are nearly a dozen other bars within a five block radius of 2nd Street Brew House, this small neighborhood watering hole has a unique atmosphere for Two Street. While other local bars tend to offer little in the craft beer or lighter fare departments, the Brew House kitchen offers a menu with fewer fried options, hoping to satiate appetites with assorted paninis and such.

The two month renovation has produced wonderful results. The owners hope that their new baby will introduce locals to different kinds of beer with guest bartenders, tastings, and by serving beer flights. “Maybe someone who normally drinks a Miller Lite would try something different here,” Ainsely notes, “and we’d love that.”

–Suzy Grimberg