I’ve always said that Brownies reminded me of a “Delaware Avenue” type bar. To clarify, a “Delaware Avenue” type bar is basically a warehouse that has a few x-mas lights, fake walls, a turntable and sometimes a stage for live acts to perform on. You turn the main lights down and, voila! Instant bar! Not that there is anything inherently wrong with such a set-up, - hey the kids these days need a place to rock and kick up their heels and if the place does the job, great! But such an establishment never really gives you the “warm fuzzy” feeling you get from an actual structure that was meant for eating and drinking. I guess that’s the biggest beef I have with Brownies. But I’ve obsessed enough already on this, so let me move on to describing the bar.

You enter under the canopy shown in the above picture, which, once you pass the carding and cover charge area, you find yourself in one corner of the nightclub. Against the right wall is quite a large stage, straight ahead is the dance floor and to your left is a bar that you can belly-up to. There are two other bars near the remaining walls of the building. There are two upstairs balconies: one contains a few pool table and the other is used primarily for private parties. The three nights per week that Brownies is open, usually has live acts booked for each night. The stage is one of the largest in the Philadelphia area. It really gives the live acts a chance to spread out and shake their groove things. Alternative music is the main staple of the acts here. Brownies does a great job in recruiting some of the premiere cover bands of the Philadelphia Region.

If you look at the photo above, I took a wide shot of the entrance to include the outside portion of Mango’s. Mangos’ is the outside part of Brownies that is open during the warmer months. Mango’s came into existence a few years back and I think it’s a great addition to the place. There is no additional cover charge to drink under the stars and it’s usually a great place to hang out in because the band isn’t blaring their 20something angst in your ears. Mango’s has the grass-hut, Hawaiian shirt wearing Bartender theme to it. And yes there is a DJ out here spinning records in the hopes of enticing the clientele to Mango’s Boardwalk style dance floor.

Brownies/Mango’s really has to put some effort into their brews. All of the years I’ve been frequenting the place, it’s been all domestic brews. Oooh, maybe even a Canadian or Heineken thrown in. But the Molson and Heiny’s are sooo played! Surprise me with some Michael O’Shea’s, Harp or Guinness on tap. I’m just looking for some libacious lovin'. Regardless, always interesting, never dull, and usually packed to the gills – it’s Brownies. By the way, could someone please get me a date with the beer girl stationed right by the door. If she were a President, that girl would be Baberham Lincoln. Umm umm good!