The new venture from South Philadelphia Tap Room’s John Longacre and Scott Schroeder is far more than just the canned sardines listed in its name. Although, yes, the Point Breeze tavern has those too, served in the form of addictive $2 sliders, topped with thinly sliced red onions and hard boiled egg.

American Sardine Bar has chalkboards filled with craft brews, perfect for drinking alongside their soup-and-sandwich stacked menu, which tops out at $12. For example, what goes better with a pork belly and apple mostarda ‘wich than a malty Dogfish Head pour. Conversely, it seems like nothing better befits a Troegs Nugget Nectar than a surprisingly meaty-tasting seitan cheesesteak, slathered with provolone and packed with portobello mushrooms. For the vegetarian in town, this is heaven.

With a kitchen open until 1 AM, the deep South Philly pub on 18th and Federal is the place to go when you want a hearty meal alongside your brew at anytime of the night. However, if you happen to make it there on the early side, you can enjoy a can of beer for half off during the weekday 4–6 PM happy hour (as the website notes, “Remember, ASB likes it in the can and so will you…”).

The canned beer list is fairly diverse, and the 16 beers on tap rotate often with the seasons. There’s a small wine list too, also featured on a piece of slate hanging on the wall.

Open 11 AM–2 AM seven days a week, with a special brunch served through 3 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, ASB offers a low-key setting and a budget-friendly menu to match. With rare brews like Brewery Ommegang’s Rare Vos alongside equally innovative takes on bar eats (fried PB&J!), ASB definitely belongs on your don’t-miss hit list.

1800 Federal St.; 215-334-2337

Photos by Grace Dickinson