Johnny Brenda’s Turns Ten

I remember the first time I went to Johnny Brenda’s. It was the same day the Fishtown bar was mentioned in Michael Klein’s Table Talk column. The guys behind Northern Liberties Standard Tap had opened a second establishment. It may not have been the first night, but it wasn’t far from it. My friend and I arrived to an empty room and a bartender who was incredulous as we were. Fishtown? He shrugged, “we’ll see” and poured us a local beer. Now ten years later, we’ve witnessed Fishtown come alive and Johnny Brenda’s lead the way. From reformed corner bar to music venue it has been an impressive trek. Read Bradley Maule’s excellent Hidden City piece on the bar’s first ten years.

Then, celebrate Johnny Brenda’s first decade with free casks tonight and tomorrow. AT 6 p.m. tonight it will be a firkin of Dock Street’s Man Full of Trouble Porter pouring from the top of the bar. Tomorrow at 8 p.m. it is Yards Smoked .45 (a smoked malt liquor) and at 10 p.m., a firkin of Victory Hop Devil. Thursday will also see an “all star line-up” of past and present JBs employees spinning records from 8 p.m. to close. And there will be half-price drinks of the DJs choice all night.

With Johnny Brenda’s At 10, A Look Anew At Fishtown [Hidden City]
Johnny Brenda’s [Official Site]