Spirit Cruises January 2023 Leaderboard

Finding Shelter from the Storm at Fado

Finding Shelter from the Storm at Fado
When you’re stuck in your apartment for three days straight and about to go stir-crazy, the only real logical thing to do is go to a bar. So this Thursday I decided to brave the aftermath of the blizzard and trek out just a few blocks past City Hall to Fado at the corner of 15th and Locust. 

I felt quite welcome as I entered this modern Irish pub and was greeted by a very cheerful hostess. I was looking for a place to warm up on this cold snow day, but as I soon found out, the bar’s heat was broken. Womp womp. To me, this seemed like the end of the world, as I was already shivering from the brisk winter air. But as I sat down with some friends in a cozy corner booth, I could hardly notice the lack of heat. The fireplace in the corner, the dim and relaxed atmosphere, the friendly staff, and of course the beer in my hand, created more than enough warmth and cheer. 

I arrived in time for their Happy Hour, which is from 4 to 7 PM Monday through Friday, and was ecstatic to find their happy hour small plates menu, which provided a variety of appetizers for only $6 each. As I read on, I realized you could order five of these happy hour small plates for only $25. I was pretty hungry, but decided to go for the chicken boxty small plate. 

Now, I had no idea what a “boxty” was, but I decided that I would try it, since it was advertised as a “traditional Irish dish”. This ended up being a fabulous decision, as I soon discovered that “boxty” is an Irish potato pancake, and that it made my mouth very happy. What made my mouth and I even more happy were the cheese wedges that I decided to order off of the appetizer section in the regular menu. They were so addicting that I will probably need to enter a 12-step program or risk getting high cholesterol. Seriously, I can’t stop eating these. Later, I found out that the wedges were boxty wedges! Moral of the story? When you go to Fado, order anything with boxty. 

The drinks specials offered during happy hour went perfectly with my boxty: four dollar pints of Harp, New Castle, and Harpoon ??" three different tastes to appeal to all. I prefer lager, so I went with the Harp and was quite pleased. For fewer than fifteen dollars during happy hour you can get two pints and a small plate. I’d say that’s pretty impressive. What was equally impressive was the fun modern Irish music they were playing ??" not too loud or too soft, but just right. I felt like I was in a completely different place ??" Ireland perhaps? 

What was also great about Fado was that as I sat in my corner cozy booth, my friends and I had a great deal of privacy. I stayed long after happy hour ended, and it wasn’t until I got up to leave that I realized how crowded the bar actually was. Patrons were sitting at the bar, at tables, and even standing around; and there were still empty tables! 

I then found out that at 9 PM on Thursdays is when live bands come to play. And if you’re into sports like soccer and rugby, there is no doubt that they’ll be on the TV’s at the bar. On Wednesdays you can try your luck at Quizzo, and on the weekends you can show your moves on the dance floor while the DJ plays. 

A great happy hour, great atmosphere, and great events? I’ll definitely be back to Fado. And next time, I might have to get some boxty to go.
Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Inflation Hits PA Wine & Spirits with 4% Price Increase Across 3,500 Products

Inflation Hits PA Wine & Spirits with 4% Price Increase Across 3,500 Products

The PLCB, announced that a 4% price increase would go into effect on 3,554 of its most popular wine and spirit...read more ›

by Jessie Donofrio Jan 9, 2023
Best Bars for Outdoor Drinking in Philadelphia, 2019

Best Bars for Outdoor Drinking in Philadelphia, 2019

Whether it's to enjoy the first warm breezes of spring or the unexpected sunshine of a crisp day in fall, Philadelphia is full of great places to drin...read more ›

by Drink Philly Apr 11, 2019
The Philly Distiller Who Got Laid Off and Moved to Hawaii to Make Gin

The Philly Distiller Who Got Laid Off and Moved to Hawaii to Make Gin

In this segment we speak to Olivia Babiec, the former Philadelphia Distiller who moved to Hawaii to make gin...read more ›

by Jessie Donofrio Jan 5, 2023
SPONSORED
The Best Cocktail Bars in Philadelphia

The Best Cocktail Bars in Philadelphia

Here it is - the definitive list of Philadelphia's best cocktail bars....read more ›

by Drink Philly Dec 13, 2017
Bars & Restaurants that Host Private Events in Philadelphia

Bars & Restaurants that Host Private Events in Philadelphia

Holidays, birthdays, weddings, or any private event - Philadelphia has you covered...read more ›

by Drink Philly Dec 5, 2022
Where to Celebrate Philly Cider Week 2022, October 23-30

Where to Celebrate Philly Cider Week 2022, October 23-30

The fourth annual Philadelphia Cider Week is being celebrated from Sunday, October 23 through Sunday, October 30...read more ›

by Jessie Donofrio Oct 21, 2022
Enjoy Fall Weather & PA Ciders in a Historic Setting at CiderFest, October 15 & 16

Enjoy Fall Weather & PA Ciders in a Historic Setting at CiderFest, October 15 & 16

Fall is here and what better way to celebrate than at CiderFest at the historic Woodford Mansion in Fairmount ...read more ›

by Drink Philly Oct 13, 2022
WitchCraft: Halloween Themed Beer Fest in the Middle of the NJ Woods Returns October 14 & 15

WitchCraft: Halloween Themed Beer Fest in the Middle of the NJ Woods Returns October 14 & 15

The team behind the Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival have conjured up a spellbinding event - WitchCraft - a...read more ›

by Jessie Donofrio Oct 12, 2022
LMNO: An Inside Look at Their 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Cocktail Menu

LMNO: An Inside Look at Their 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Cocktail Menu

Fishtown has a new Baja Mexican destination for tequila and mezcal fans...read more ›

by Drink Philly Feb 14, 2022
Behind the Bar: Bartender Barry (Johnson)

Behind the Bar: Bartender Barry (Johnson)

In this installment of Behind the Bar, we sit down with Barry Johnson, better known as "Bartender Barry" of Instagram and as cocktail catering special...read more ›

by Drink Philly Feb 9, 2022
SPONSORED
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close