P. J. Welihan's Pub and Restaurant, Lancaster - Bar # 142

There are chain pubs and there are neighborhood bars.  You cannot really compare the two especially as Garry and I have grown to appreciate more than just the beer selection on our quest.  However, it is possible to create a very comfortable atmosphere in a sports bar as P. J. Welihan's Pub and Restaurant has done in the new Shoppes at Belmont complex on Fruitville Pike.

On entering the pub you are immediately impressed by the many large screen TVs circling the entire room and the mammoth 9 panel TV behind the bar.  The next thing you notice is the taps.  There are 36 taps with a full range of beers that includes many local microbrews.  Robby, our bartender, was quick to greet and provide a beer list.  Today was also Robby's first day at P. J. Welihan's, but you would never know it.  He seemed smooth in moving around behind the bar and confident on the touch screen.  In observing the rest of the staff, they were energetic and attentive to the clientele.

Sampling the food has become something the Retired Guys have come to look forward to.  Today we chose the PJ's Ultimate Combo.  With the thumbs up approval from Robby, we dove in and we were not disappointed.  Of course, it was all fried so how could it not be good?  There was plenty for the both of us too!

Today was another relaxing afternoon of friendship, world's problems solving and beer.  Seize the day folks.  Grab a friend, have a brew and talk face to face.

Until next time, CHEERS!



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Square Mile Public House, Mountville - Bar # 141

There was no mistaking the warm welcome in Tiffany's voice as the Retired Guys sat down at the bar in the newly opened and remodeled Square Mile Public House in Mountville.  The "Welcome, I'm glad you're here", was genuine and made us feel we were in the perfect spot for a Tuesday afternoon beer.  Twelve beers on tap with a range from light to craft and a cooler full of great selections will allow anyone to find something to match their taste.

Speaking of taste, the menu looks great!  If the very attentive wait staff doesn't bring you in, the food should.  As usual, Garry and I wanted to try an appetizer and asked Tiffany for some advice.  Even though she is not a fan of seafood, admittedly she doesn't eat it at all, Tiffany recommended the Square Mile Crab Pretzel.  It did not disappoint!  There was plenty for the two of us and it had a very good crab flavor.  We can't wait to return and sample more of the menu.

I have tried to mention before how Garry and I have come to appreciate different things about bars on our quest to visit every bar in Lancaster County.  At first it was just about drinking beer during the day because we could.  Now it is about the social make up of each watering hole.  The regulars, the staff, the food and how everything blends together to make for a comfortable respite from whatever you need a break from.  Square Mile has only been open for three weeks, but they seem to be building a nice client base.  We only met two bartenders directly, Tiffany and Ann, but they are both very personable and know their job.  The rest of the staff seemed energetic and eager to please if my observations are correct.  And lastly, Kelly the owner.  Quick with a smile and right on top of the operation.  Kelly and her husband Dan, a part owner in Union Station Grill in Columbia, have put together what seems to be a winning combination in a perfect spot.

Until next time, CHEERS!

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The Dock (at Kyma Seafood Grill), Stephens - Bar # 140

"Things work out best for people who make the best of how things work out"

Today the Retired Guys went on a trek to Stevens in an attempt to find an interesting bar as our 140th visited location.  We were actually headed to Johnny's Bar & Steakhouse but drifted into "The Dock" which is an outdoor appendage of Kyma Seafood Grill.  We arrived a few minutes before the official opening time but were welcomed anyway by the friendly staff who were there busily prepping for their upcoming work shift at 4:00PM.

Our bartender was Jordan, a very professional and energetic young lady who was knowledgeable of all the beers on tap (6) as well as capable at making some very good recommendations from the ample selection of available bottles too.  Jordan advised us that "The Dock" is really a part of Kyma and Johnny's, while considered totally separate, is actually owned by the same person who owns Kyma.  So, in effect, there are three distinct bars under one roof.  Are we in a dream or were we in a serious accident and are now finding ourselves in heaven?  We discovered that Jordan is a student at Millersville University entering her senior year in Political Science.  Based on how she approached all her customers and handled everything as it got busier we both felt confident that she would be successful wherever her future career leads.

We tried the fried pickles as an appetizer and enjoyed every bite!  As luck would have it, a very strong storm was passing through the Lancaster area as we were getting ready to leave.  So, Terry enjoyed one more beer (I was the driver so could not) and while there, we observed the delicious looking meals being served to the many customers who managed to get in before the rain.  Jordan suggested to us that if we should return to eat, the "Colossal Crab Cake" or the "Johnny's Special" would be excellent choices and we could not possibly be disappointed.  As it happens, we had plans to go out for dinner this coming Saturday so will return.

This location is just another example of how wise our choice to visit all bars in Lancaster County has turned out.  Under nornal circumstances we would not plan to go this far out of our way for a meal let alone just a beer.  Now, we can't wait to get back to try the other two bars!

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Quips Pub, Lancaster - Bar # 139

I have never been in a genuine English pub so I have no legitimate point of reference.  However, after the Retired Guys visited Quips Pub in Lancaster, I feel the pub has so many good points that whether it is authentic or not doesn't matter.

Jen and Riley, our bartenders, were friendly and welcoming.  The décor sure seemed British to me; lots of wood with a large u-shaped bar.  One of the first things I noticed was the lack of big screen TVs everywhere.  I really appreciated that element of the atmosphere.  To me a pub should be a gathering place of friends and those who will soon be friends.  Quips seems to foster an air of personal interaction and enjoyment of the community.

And then there was the music.  Garry and I both enjoyed listening to classic rock from, and I'm guessing, mostly the late 1960's to mid 1970's.  Garry could even name who he was dating at the time each song was a hit!  He must have been quite the ladies man.

Of course this is beer afternoon so we did have a couple of brews from a great tap selection.  Quips has 16 taps with the beer selection spanning a wide range of styles that should satisfy most. Bottled beer is also available.  We decided to try their crab dip with crusty baguette and it hit the spot perfectly.  The warm dip had a very good crab flavor and the bread was fresh.

On this quest we are having a great adventure.  We started out just wanting to find beer in the afternoon because our retirement schedule allows us to do that.  Along the way we are finding out what makes  this county a great place to live.  We are going into corners of the community we didn't know existed and coming away with an appreciation that for all the differences in us, they still make us all basically the same.

Until next time, CHEERS!

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Rawlinsville Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Holtwood - Bar # 138

"Depth perception and beer obviously aren't related!"

Today marked our 138th visit to a bar in Lancaster County.  Somehow we manage to keep finding a gem of a location!  Once again, we are glad we took on the task to visit all non smoking bars as it has taken us near and, perhaps more importantly, far.  Well about 30 minutes worth of driving far today. 

The Rawlinsville Hotel Restaurant & Bar built in 1851 in Holtwood and serving food and beverages since its inception is no longer a hotel but it continues to be a welcoming bar and restaurant for regulars and newcomers alike.  We found an adequate selection of beers on tap (7) of which 3 were of the light variety.  Our bartender for the day was Jamie who took great care of us and advised of the varied bottle selection  as well as those on tap.  When we asked about appetizers she claimed all were good but clearly steered us to the crab dip with bread.  Made in house, it was delicious!  Soon after the crab dip arrived, we were introduced to Chrys, the establishment owner.  Chrys let us know that she started at the Rawlinsville as a waitress and then she and her husband purchased the "Hotel" about 4 years ago. 

Chrys spent a lot of time talking with us shamelessly showing her pride in the facility, her employees, and the customers.  All of her food is made on site and is very reasonably priced.  We were especially curious about the crab cakes and roast beef and she explained to us how they are made.  If we hadn't been drinking beer, we would have definitely noticed our mouths watering!  Another great location added to our ever growing experience.

This is a bar and restaurant we will be revisiting for sure in the not too distant future!

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Olde Lincoln House, Ephrata - Bar # 137

"Beer is the original Photoshop"

The Olde Lincoln House in Ephrata Borough is another of the relics from the past that has been around longer than the sum of the two Retired Guys ages!  The building was erected prior to 1813 and when built was just the second edifice in the town then known as “New Ephrata”.  From the start, it was planned as a tavern type of establishment with boarding rooms and has been in the drinking / eating business non-stop through today (no more boarding though).  Notably, it still has the original bar as well as tin ceiling tiles that certainly lend an air of nostalgia and might I also say “charm”?  Interestingly, it was not named Lincoln as a result of a visit by Honest Abe but rather because the town of “New Ephrata” had a name change to Lincoln before it was eventually absorbed into Ephrata Borough.

We had the pleasure of being served by our bartender of the day, Jen, who remembered us from when we visited the Tiki Barn almost two years ago.  Jen was very knowledgeable of the beers on tap (12) and made excellent recommendations to suit our tastes.  She also recommended a change when the weather is warmer to see if we would add to our taste repertoire.  She affectionately pointed out one of her regulars, a man who goes by the name of "Dickey" who has been visiting the bar for 50+ years.  Now that's a regular!

We sat in front of a row of 6 taps and four of the beers were regionally local with two of them being right from Ephrata.  This is the kind of thing we have noticed repeatedly when visiting "mom & pop" establishments in the county.  It seems that they all make an effort to support local establishments and thereby improve the local economy for all.  It may be just a personal view but we definitely need more of this dedication to the home front!

As is our normal experience we tried an appetizer of fried pickles and mentioned to Jen that our last experience was not so good since it was clear those offered were just frozen items dropped into a deep frier.  She promised us that they were a new addition to the menu and felt they were really good.  We tried them and they were excellent!  We mentioned that we intended to return as a group of 4 in the month of May and Jen strongly advised making a reservation for a Saturday night.  Unfortunately, Jen finishes her shift around 5:30 and won't be our server but we're confidant the rest of the staff will be just as efficient and friendly.  We're looking forward to our return and recommend any of our readers take a chance and visit as soon as they can.

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Huricane Pizza Grill and Tavern, Columbia - Bar # 136

As you drive on Columbia Avenue the Hurricane Pizza Grill and Tavern appears to be an ordinary pizza shop with some beer signs in the window, but inside it is a different story.  The upper level is a nice looking casual dining establishment.  The lower level tavern that opens at 4:00 PM is a pub with a long bar stretching the length of the room and plenty of seating at tables on two levels.

As the tavern undergoes some cosmetic renovations it is still neat and clean, but the staff and patrons make Hurricane a good choice to stop for a brew.  There are 10 beers on tap with a well stocked cooler and some very good happy hour specials as well.  I was drawn to the Rolling Rock draft; you just don't see that from a tap very often in this area.  Belinda and Jenna, our bartenders, were very friendly and had a great relationship with their "regulars" who stopped by.  As Belinda spoke with passion about a fundraiser they recently conducted for the Four Diamonds Fund, Garry and I instantly had admiration and felt a kinship with Belinda.  Garry and I originally met as volunteers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Today was another relaxing day fulfilling our mission to visit Lancaster County's Pubs.  We are learning much about the people who live here.  We have to admit, we are enjoying the people the most on this quest, the beer is coming in second.

Until next time, CHEERS!


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