Copa Too

Let's get it right out in the open. When you roll to a place called Copa Too, you have to expect a tropical theme. After all, the real Copacabana is a beach in Rio de Janeiro. With the geography lesson out of the way, you shouldn't be taken aback from decorations and tablecloths that take the tropical theme to an extreme. If it weren't for one of the largest selection of beers in Philly, we'd probably rate this place lower than an "8."

When you first enter Copa Too, you're greeted by a nice looking olde-fashioned wooden bar with a multitude of taps. From these brass taps, flow brewed creations from England (Bass, Boddingtons), Ireland (Guinness), Germany (Becks Oktoberfest, Franziskaner and Hefe Weiss), Belgium (Stella Artois, Corsendonk) and the good ol' USA (Flying Fish ESB, Anchor Team and Victory Hop Devil).

After reading the beer menu, I was unable to stand up for fear that my excitement may show - damn bulging Dockers. The fermented heaven doesn't end at the taps either. Copa Too also offers a few cider's (namely Woodchuck & Cider Royal) and a nice bottled brew collection for your imbibing pleasure.

Beyond the bar is a back room area with about 6 tables. The food is standard bar fare. If you head up the center stairwell, there's a 2nd bar and dining area. The second floor also features a big screen TV that is in the center of the room, perfectly elevated for watching Sunday Football, or any other sporting event.

If you feel froggy and you need to leap (have to use the bathroom), you have to weave your way to the third floor. This expedition will require you traveling up to the second floor, head to the back of the room, past the waitress station, and up a flight of stairs. The uni-sex facilities are in a corridor, just off the top of the 3rd floor stairs. I half expected to run into the Billy Penn statue up here. When the facilities are so far away from the first floor action, you can't help but contemplate using the alley outside. The bummer is that there is nothing else up on the 3rd floor but the bathroom - if there's a line, you're left entertaining yourself. I suggest reading the various initial carvings on the walls.

All of the Copa tables are covered in plastic table cloths patterned with a tropical mix of papaya, bananas, watermelons and cherries watercolors. Sure the plastic cleans up real easy, but it makes the place look a bit gaudy. The ceiling hides overhead pipes with fake rafters. There's also some orange and pink X-mas lights draped overhead and on the walls to add to the tropical ambiance. Reggae music is pumped in to complete the scene.

The crowd at Copa Too ranges from college age on up to people in their 40's. The brews seem to bring in the guys and the colorful decorations appeal to the ladies. The layout of Copa Too isn't very conducive to meeting people. You're either bellied up to the bar or parked at a table. Seats are packed pretty tight, so roaming around the place is out of the question.

After you've tried every tap at Copa Too, you can head right next door to McGlinchy's Bar or "hoof it" a block away to Monk's Cafe. Either way, these two other bars are "drinkers" bars and you won't find a better selection of brews.

...And you probably thought this review was going to be wrought with quotes from Barry Manilow's "Copacabana."

PROS:

Huge selection of beer from all over the world.

Big Screen TV on the second floor.

CONS:

Some of the tropical decorations make the place look gaudy.

Grab a Sherpa for the hike up to the bathroom on the 3rd floor. Once there, line the seat and don't touch anything.