Kraftwork logo wrench, with bricks chipped from the façade, at entrance to the restaurant at 541 E. Girard Ave., in Fishtown. (David M Warren / Staff Photographer)
About the restaurant
Rating:
Neighborhood: Fishtown
Parking: Street parking.
Handicap access: Wheelchair accessible by portable ramp.
Handicap access: Wheelchair accessible by portable ramp.
Hours:
Entire menu daily, noon-1 a.m. Nightly specials after 4 p.m. Brunch Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Reservations: Not available
Prices:
$
Payment methods:
MasterCard
Visa
Cuisine type: Pub
Meals Served:
Brunch
Lunch - Tue. thru Sun.
Dinner - Mon. thru Sun.
Late Night - Mon. thru Sun.
Style:
Fishtown's rising nightlife avenue now has one of the city's more ambitious new gastropubs, a corner beer bar fitted with hop leaf-carved saws, tiger maple communal tables and a tool motif that's an ode to industrial days past. The seasonally-minded kitchen had its share of stumbles, but some exceptional sandwiches, specials and charcuterie, plus one of the area's best new draft beer lists and a good energy room, make this pub is a keeper.
Specialties:
Heirloom tomato salad; pork croquettes; chicken liver mousse; charcuterie; cheese board; flatbread pizzas; short rib sandwich; eggplant parmesan sandwich; beer can chicken sandwich; B.L. . .Trout; pork chop special with bacon jus; chocolate terrine.
Alcohol:
This beer bar is dedicated to draft brews, with 25 American craft and international selections constantly rotating on tap (including one nitro and one hand-pump), available in four sizes. The $8 flight of four is a great bargain. Among my faves were the Tripel Karmeliet, Russian River Blind Pig IPA, St. Feuillien saison, Harviestoun's Bitter & Twisted, and sour ales from Ommegang (Zuur) and Ichtegem's (Grand Cru.) There is a small but intriguing collection of unusual wines and cocktails.
Weekend noise:
The noise is as extreme as some of the beers, at 93 decibels. (Ideal is 75 decibels or less.)
Philly.com Dining
The Rating Key
$ = cheap eats
$$ = moderate priced; most entrees $16-$25
$$$ = premium priced; most entrees $26-$35
$$$$ = hey, big spender; most entrees $36 and up
Superior 
Rare; sets fine-dining standards.
Rare; sets fine-dining standards.
Excellent 
Excels in every category of the dining experience.
Excels in every category of the dining experience.
Very Good
Interesting, with above-average food.
Interesting, with above-average food.
Hit-or-miss 
Poor — No bells
RELATED
Updated, based on a recent revisit
Fishtown’s buzzing nightlife avenue now has several worthy gastropubs, but few as handsome as this corner beer bar fitted with hop-leaf-carved saw blades, tiger-maple communal tables and a tool motif ode to industrial days past.
Along with one of the area’s best draft-beer lists, theres’s a seasonally minded menu from chef, Brian Lofink, who, aside from an excellent burger and house-made brat wrapped in pastry, also turns out notable salads and veggie-friendly options.
