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We have met some of our most memorable characters in bars and pubs. Like a fellow who called himself “Stone,” whose claim to fame was the most “awesome collection of Jimmy Hendrix albums ever.” This guy was of adult age, too. Damn, I knew something was holding my career back. It’s all those blasted Clapton albums we have. There have been Washington lobbyists, actors, documentary producers, pods (plain old drunks), deviants, and on and on each with a story to tell and we love hearing them all (well... Stone was a little hard to take... dude). Here are some of our favorite hangouts. The booze is essentially the same. It’s the atmosphere that’s the key.
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Baci is a typical Italian restaurant located off route 202 in Buckingham, Bucks County, PA. What really distinguishes this place is the English pub in the basement, Heart of Oak. They serve up Fuller’s and Young’s .
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The General Lafayette Inn in Lafayette Hill, PA, is a world class brew pub. Award-winning Brewmaster Chris Leonard serves up a diverse selection of English, American and Belgian-style ales. The food is several cuts above pub grub and the atmosphere is appropriately rustic but with class. The late owner Mike McGlynn’s labor of love is a truly wonderful place. Wes was a charter mug club member for 10 years. There is an adjacent B&B.
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Boston’s in Del Ray Beach, Florida is not exactly ON the beach. Highway A1A bisects the access, but it’s close enough. We meet the usual Florida denizens there who all have a story to tell. Never mind that many of them have loser flashing in neon on their foreheads. The bartenders are friendly and professional and the food is good, too. Settle back and listen to the ocean.
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No pictures yet for many of these fine joints, but here is a list of some of our favorite watering holes:
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The Lobster Trap
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Pennsauken, NJ
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This is like family for us. We have been there over 100 times (!). Nice bar, nice wait staff, simple but excellent food.
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Sand bar at the Engleside hotel
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Beach Haven, Long Beach Island
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Located behind a dune so you have to stand to get a water view. The gin and tonics are honest. The bands are first class, especially a Crosby-Stills-Nash sound-alike group. Wow, for an outdoor bar those guys were good.
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Callahan's
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Surf City, Long Beach Island
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Irish pub that serves Italian food. Gotta love it. The Guiness pours well. Bass on tap. Dinner only.
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Bunch of Grapes
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Ohio University Inn, Athens, Ohio
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The Bunch of Grapes in Boston was the site of the chartering of Ohio U. back in the 18th century. The tavern is gone but a plaque marks the spot. This pleasant pub borrows it's name from the University's genesis.
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Braddock's Tavern
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Medford, NJ
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Historic old house is the setting of a fine dining restaurant. The bar is small but cordial, with some decent single malts and pleasant, young bartenders.
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Explorer's Bar
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Harbor Court Hotel, Baltimore
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Animal rights activists would hate this place, which is probably why we love it. Lots of safari stuff, but very tastefully done. View of the inner harbor. Great selection of exotic vodkas.
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Wharf Rat
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Fels Point, Baltimore
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Fels Point is the Bohemian section of town and this is the chief watering hole. Features lots of good beer on tap including some locals (Olivers) and others. The TV show Homicide was often filmed there.
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The Continental
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Philadelphia Old City
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Kitsch rules. The bar stool look like olives. The lamps look like olives with toothpicks in them. The martinis are outstanding. Food is good, too, especially the wasabi mashed potatoes. Companion bar uptown in Rittenhouse Square -- Continental Midtown -- features rooftop dining.
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Old Ebbitt
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Washington, DC
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Gorgeous oak bar. Lots of decapitated animals for decoration - some rumored to have been shot by Teddy Roosevelt. Friendly, knowledgeable bar staff, and an interesting crowd from all over the world.
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Tabard Inn
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Washington, DC
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It's not the bar, which is mainly a service bar, it's the courtyard, which is decorated with bizarre sculptures and a large parachute overhead to keep out the glare of the sun.
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Legal Spirits
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Easton, MD
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Attached to an old, still operational theater, this is a bright, and fun place to have a drink and lunch. Usually a couple of local brews on tap.
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Marion Inn
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Cape May, NJ
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Gorgeous bar and grumpy bartenders... but we still love to go there.
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Ship Inn
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Milford, NJ
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Very authentic English brewpub... the bitter is one of the best ever.
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Buckalew’s
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Beach Haven, Long Beach Island
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One of our favorite lunch hangouts. Piano player cranks out the old standards. Good pub grub.
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