Nodding Head

In a former life, Nodding Head was the ol' Samuel Adam's Brew House. That owner has moved on to his own placed called Standard Tap in Northern Liberties (review coming soon to a P-town web page near you). The new owners of the site are the same folks who graced the Philly Pub Scene with Monk's and Fergies.

Keeping with the tradition of the Sam Adam's Brew House, the brews on tap at Nodding Head are manufactured on-site in beer kettles and vats that are behind glass, in full view for the dining and drinking patrons to ogle as they wait in line at the pisser. The beers on tap include: Monk's Porter and Angry Scotch Ale. The porter is a nice smooth dark beer with a hint of chocolate flavor in the finish. The Angry Scotch Ale is a full flavored brew that gives Bass Ale a run for it's money.

Back in the ol' college days at Drexel Penitentiary, or, uh, University, the Sam Adam's Brew House was one of the places that we visited often because it had nice homemade brews, a dartboard and these really cool half-moon booths along the wall which provided a great view of the room. Luckily, Nodding Head has kept these aspects, and even improved upon them a bit.

You climb a set of steep stairs to the center of the main room of Nodding Head. At the top of the stairs, turn left and you are in view of the bar; if you turn right, it's tables, chairs and booths. One thing that I have always found interesting about this place (back when it was the Sam Adam's) was the booths. Along the wall opposite the bar are four booths shaped in a half moon style, each flanking a mini table that is just big enough to hold about 6 cocktails. The booths provide a great view of the happenings and allow you to really stretch out. In front of the two bay windows pictured above are tall bar tables. These tables are industry standard for a bar; set your sights on the booths, they are the real "money" seats.

If worse comes to worse, the railing that overlooks the stairwell has a small ledge attached; quite suitable for placing your drinks on. There are only a couple of chairs that belly-up to the railing-ledge. If you're not lucky enough to grab a chair, you can put-on your best Rico Suave look and lean on the ledge as you drink one of the home brews. Just keep your eye's peeled for an opening in one of the booths or you could get some cojone's and crash that gaggle of honeybabies (or dudes). Just do it.

Beyond the bar is another room that is primarily used as a dining area. Not much going on here accept that the room is a little less noisy and smoky since it is separated from the main bar area. You could probably steal one of these tables if you wanted to just have a few drinks and a nice quiet conversation, but where's the fun in that?

Other accoutrements of Nodding Head are the copper clad columns which support the roof around the stairs (very nice), a dart board, and old paintings of aristocracy, carriages and men in top hats which decorate the walls.

The sign pointing to Nodding Head is hidden as you walk east on Sansom Street from 16th street. If you look at the photo to the right you will see that the Sansom Street "signage" is dense to say the least. Since Nodding Head is located on the second floor, you'll have to keep your eye's peeled for the Sansom Street Oyster House because right next door is the entrance to Nodding Head.

Now on to one of the major beefs I have with the place. The old Sam Adams Brew House validated your parking stub. Nodding Head shakes their head on this one. This means that if you are not able to locate a spot on the street you have to pony up $13 - $15 parking in a garage! That's a "downer" especially since most of the lots in the area close at 11PM or midnight. Thankfully the lot directly across the street never closes; but it's going to set you back $13 for the few fleeting hours that you are parked there.

My point is validate parking or at least give me a free pint of brew for making the trip down here and having to pay around $15 to park my car! If Nodding Head gave the parking public something for the high cost of parking; there would be more repeat customers. Validating the parking stubs shows that management realizes that there is a high cost to parking in this area and they're willing to give a little back. I think that if you show your parking stub to the bartender he should give you your second beer on the house. It takes the hassle out of making the trek to the high rent district. Ah well, I'm done pontificating.

Within a one block radius of Nodding Head are other Phillytown favorites such as Chris' Jazz Café, Oscar's Tavern, Monk's Cafe and the Sansom Street Oyster House. Giddy up!

Keep your eyes peeled for the Nodding Head sign - it's buried.