As you descend into U-Bahn from Chestnut Street, you seem to be transported far away from the busy Center City buzz into a modern clubhouse with a passion for local flavor. Reclaimed wood and railroad ties line the walls and bar, and more industrial touches remind you of the bar’s namesake, the German Untergrundbahn or subway system.

As you take a seat at the bar, you’ll quickly realize where the local flavor comes into play. The taps here are home to 18 Pennsylvania drafts as well as multiple draft cocktails created using local ingredients. Look for brews from Yards, Troegs, Victory, Saint Benjamin, Lavery, Bullfrog, Pizza Boy, Voodoo, Hijinx, Nodding Head, Other Farm and Funk Brewing on the opening tap list. In addition to the great draft lineup, we’ve been told we can look forward to a cask of Nugget Nectar for the opening as well.

Along with drafts, U-Bahn will also offer bottles and cans of local suds. Guests can expect to see cans from Jack’s ciders, Sly Fox, Neshaminy Creek, Lavery, Iron City, Troegs and Old Forge. If you’re looking for a brew to share, or just looking to enjoy a bigger pour of a particular brew, bombers and large format bottles of Frecon’s Cidery Apfelwine, Pizza Boy Bean Dream, Spring House Big Gruesome, Lavery La Bealtine, Naked Aigre Canon and more will be available to slake your biggest thirst.

And if beer isn’t for you, we highly recommend trying one of the draft cocktails. Opening cocktails include the Fernet Sour made with Fernet Branca, Campari, citrus and egg white, the Bluecoat Rickey prepared with Bluecoat gin, lime, St Germaine and club soda and a root beer cocktail featuring Yards Root Beer and Dad’s Hat Whiskey. Shortly, guests can also expect to see a vodka cocktail hit the taps which will feature Philadelphia Distilling vodka.

If you’re still not getting the love of all things local vibe by now, might we recommend grabbing a bite to eat. The menu pairs perfectly with a brew or two and features cheeses from Valley Shepherd Farms from Long Valley, NJ, house-made pickles including spicy cucumber, pho carrots, brussels sprouts and more and sandwiches based on local favorites but with a twist, like the Steak and Cheese with a smoked porter sauce, fried onions and cheddar fondue or the Veggie Italiano with eggplant, broccoli rabe, mushrooms, roasted peppers, onions, fennel, arugula, sharp provolone and smoked garlic and tomato spread.

Doors opened this past Thursday, March 5. Current hours are Sunday–Friday, 4 PM–2 AM and Saturday, 12 PM–2 AM. Happy hour will run Monday through Friday, 4–7 PM with specials like $4 drafts, $5 well drinks, $5 house wines and half-off the select sandwich, cheese and pickle of the day.

U-Bahn; 1320 Chestnut St.; 215-800-1079

Photos (Bombers and pickles, Fernet Sour and Bluecoat Rickey) by Marci Prester