Going Underground With U-Bahn

by Cassie Hepler

If you think U-Bahn, 1320 Chestnut Street, is just another new restaurant and craft-beer joint, you’ve got it all wrong.

PETE Sourias, Councilman Mark Squilla and Teddy Sourias (Owner U-Bahn, BRU Craft & Wurst, Finn McCool’s) enjoy the opening night at U-Bahn during the last major snow storm.

By day, the musicians’ stage flips into three flat-screen TVs; perfect for Skyping business meetings from around the world and, of course, 18 craft beers on tap with amazing snacks (including a house-made pickle program) – and a little bit of old-school quarter-slot video game fun for after the meeting. They used sturdy ceiling tv mounts for flat screens.

“We’re looking to add NBA Jam specifically,” said the lovable Teddy Sourias, who also owns BRU Craft & Wurst and Finn McCools. “But maybe another multi-game. We’ll see what our clients like.”

Sourias named his hip new addition to the roster after the subway system in Berlin, Germany.

EXTERIOR ENTRANCE off Chestnut Street is a twist on a transit stop in Germany. As you descend below streets of Midtown Village, look out for oversized U that hangs above to confirm your trip. Alternative secret entrance can also be found inside BRU Craft & Wurst (1318 Chestnut) for nights when you want a connecting trip to 40 more drafts and do-it-yourself pouring stations upstairs. Photo by Cassie Hepler

“It’s a rathskeller idea,” said Sourias. “The team came up with it and we went with it.”

There are also two VIP areas which were once elevator shafts, allowing private parties. They fit about 10 people and can be closed off by curtains if privacy is a concern.

The menu will showcase house-made pickles, cheese boards, throwback bar snacks and twists on Philadelphia’s favorite sandwiches (like a pimped-out fondue cheesesteak).Vegetarian and vegan options are available. An emphasis will be placed on local produce and cheese.

Produce for the pickle program will be sourced locally from farms in Pennsylvania and South Jersey. Cheeseboard selections will come from Valley Shepherd, located in South Jersey but also with a sales stand and small production facility in the Reading Terminal Market.

MAIN BAR is 20 feet long and features a granite slab top with room for up to 25 stools. The base features reclaimed woods, back-lit color accents and ample outlets to charge your cell phone. At rear is 15-foot stage with state-of-the-art sound system that will be stomping ground for established and local emerging talent. Look for regular list of talent on biweekly and monthly basis, plus one-time performances. Enjoy everything from indie rock, bluegrass, jazz, Latin music, reggae, DJs and cover bands. Goal is to showcase new talent that will quickly outgrow U-Bahn space and become the region’s next big thing. Opening lineup will include bands and DJs on select nights. Later in spring, look for music three to five nights per week. HD smart television looks down on bar and will feature a custom-made railway tour from Masterminds Agency. Photo by Cassie Hepler

“Our sandwich design is ‘Philly Street Food’ focused, to take advantage of the amazing street-food culture that we have in this city,” said Sourias. “All cities have one or two trademark sandwiches, and by my estimation Philly has over half a dozen. Our goal is to put modern ‘cheffed-up’ twists on some of these favorites.”

Executive Chef Andrew Gaspar will oversee the kitchens for both U-Bahn and BRU Craft & Wurst. His menus showcase his experience in classic German cuisine and pub food that he developed from working in kitchens at the Belgian Café, Brauhaus Schmitz, Stateside and Monk’s Café.

U-Bahn will pour from 18 taps at two bars with a custom tower featuring Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale, Brawler Root Beer and three draft cocktails. The 11 regular taps will all rotate based upon style, all Pennsylvania breweries, with an emphasis on German styles. A hand-pump beer engine will feature unique beers, brewed and then cask-conditioned with special ingredients specifically for U-Bahn. Brewpubs from around the state will be tapped to send special kegs not otherwise available in the city.  Other drinks will include quality rye whiskeys, a Pennsylvania-centric wine list and cocktail program using local liquors and ingredients. The main bar is 20 feet long and features a granite slab top (use this link if you want one for your home) with room for up to 25 stools. The base features reclaimed woods, back-lit color accents and ample outlets to charge your cell phone.

BAR SNACKS at U-Bahn such as this cheesesteak with aged cheddar fondue and aged smoky porter au jus melts in the mouth. Photo by Cassie Hepler

“Given our emphasis at BRU in imported German lager drafts, we have found very little space for the German-style lagers that our local breweries thrive on producing,” said Sourias. “It is important for all bars to support their local breweries, as the products are always fresh and it keeps jobs and money in our local economy. We decided to do Pennsylvania-only drafts so we could include some of the ‘old faithful’ German-style breweries from the Western part of the state, such as Penn Brewing Co., as well as some exciting newcomers like Bullfrog and Pizza Boy.”

A VARIETY OF craft beer will be available at U-Bahn, and as always with a variety of Weyerbacher being available. Photo by Cassie Hepler

Starting hours will be 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Sundays through Fridays, and noon to 2:00 a.m. on Saturdays. Live music and DJs will take the stage on select days during opening month. Coasting ahead into spring, live entertainment will be on stage three to five nights per week. For boarding information, call (215) 800-1079, visit www.ubahnphilly.com, follow @ubahnphilly and like U-Bahn Philly.

Happy hour will run Monday through Friday, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Starting drink specials will include $4 drafts, $5 well liquor (neat, rocks, single mixer) and $5 house wine. Starting food specials will include half off your choice of a sandwich, cheese and pickle of the day. Also, look for out for off-menu food specials during happy hour.

AUTHENTIC RAILROAD TIES line the walls on each side of the bar, and extend to the arcade that features Mortal Combat and EA Madden Football, plus two multi-game machines with 600+ old school and ‘90s favorites. Photo by Cassie Hepler

SECOND BAR features a wall made from slates from spent whiskey and wine barrels that were then used to age Shawnee Craft beer. Photo by Cassie Hepler

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