Everything You love about Dive Bars and More

Bar Review by Aaron Stella

The mélange of entertainment enterprises that comprise Old City’s corridors wouldn’t be the same without the dive-bar sensation The Khyber. As one of the original rock venues in the city, The Khyber has stood the test of time, and continues to deftly accommodate their patron’s voracious appetites with the continuous blare of rock ‘n’ roll and a limitless supply of premium brews. Like any dive bar, the Khyber doesn’t so much concern itself with décor; however, that doesn’t mean it lacks atmosphere. The bar relies more on the people than the wallpaper to make their bar, not to mention their veteran and cordial staff. Of the brews procurable, you have a cornucopia of domestic and imported, and a category enticingly titled “The Good Stuff”, under which their finest in-house beers are reserved. And you can’t beat the deal at happy hour (5-7pm): $2 Kenzinger pints, $1 domestic bottles, $2 off all drafts, and $1 off everything else. A tour through the Khyber’s quarters will reveal the stages, where the bands that jam on them give pull to why Philadelphians consistently crowd this vivacious vender night after night. Even tourists to the city make it a point of popping in on return visits. For a calendar of upcoming performances visit The Khyber’s web site. Of course, seeing is believing, so stop by the Kyber and lose yourself in the mirth of good people, good brews and rockin’ tunes.

Spring is in the air (or at least it was until the temps dipped back down below 40 but hopefully that’s just a temporary setback!)

Last weekend’s brief burst of fine weather motivated me to prep my backyard space for a season full of out-of-doors fun. What better way to get inspired than to take a trip to the ultra-fabulous Terrain! This gorgeous nursery and cafe, located in Glen Mills, offers a wide selection of beautiful plants, pots and accessories, as well as unique housewares and botanical products. Terrain also offers a full schedule of events (last weekend, we caught Sustainable Garden Design II featuring Jonathan Alderson of Jonathan Alderson Landscape Design Architects, Inc.) Check out the amazing greenhouses spaces housing different varieties of plants, as well as the sprawling grounds, for tons of ideas on how to turn your backyard or deck into the garden of your dreams.

Terrain is also currently offering complimentary landscape design consultations to help you figure out what will work best in your space. I met with designer Matt Sigda, who offered great advice on what tall plants would fill out my built-in flower beds and what would work on my full sun deck that wouldn’t get fried (like all my plants did last year – sigh). Get in touch with the Landscape Design Services Team at 610-459-2400 or click here to read more about their services.

Mosses and other green things on display at Terrain

Check out a few pictures I snapped during my tour of Terrain below and click here to search all local listings to find the backyard space that you can transform into your very own urban oasis!

Orchids, planters and birdhouses at Terrain

Courtesy of Eric Sweeney with RE/MAX City Space, this new listing at 1024 Orianna just arrived just today and is already creating a buzz in No Libs!

Features include:
- 3 beds, 2.5 baths, 1980 square feet of gorgeous new construction
- wooden strand bamboo hardwood floors
- granite countertops and rich espresso cabinets finished with stainless steel hardware
- Electrolux and Jenn-Air energy efficient appliances
- master suite with cathedral ceilings, skylights and a patio leading to a roof deck with city views
- master bathroom offers a jacuzzi tub, rainmaker shower, and floating European vessel sinks
- lots of closet space (2 walk-ins in the master suite alone)
- the finished basement with a bathroom can function as an entertainment roo, guest suite or fourth bedroom
- great No Libs location within walking distance to all neighborhood amenities and hot spots

Want to take a peek for yourself? Email verticalphilly@gmail.com today!

Looking for your dream home but not in Northern Liberties? Search ALL local properties on the current market by clicking here!

A CHANCE TO HEAL is a non-profit working to prevent eating disorders through education and advocacy. Programming is targeted at training healthcare providers about eating disorders and empowering both youth and adults to have a strong body image and self esteem. Click here to sign up for A Chance to Heal’s newsletter or read more about the organization at their website.

This local organization is hosting three FANTASTIC events in the coming weeks :

BodyTalk: Educating Teens and Tweens in a Body Conscious World
Thursday, February 5, 2009 (Snow Date: February 19th), 3:30-5:30pm
Yarnall Auditorium: Germantown Friends School, 31 W. Coulter Street, Philadelphia PA
Registration: $10 – Register Now, Seating is Limited! Professional CE Credit Available for Educators (Act 48) and Registered Dietitians. Click here for additional details or to register.

Jazzed for a Cure: A Benefit Concert Supporting Eating Disorder Awareness
Saturday February 7, 6:00-10:30
New Hope-Solebury High School, 182 W. Bridge Street, New Hope, PA 18938
Tickets will be available at the door and at Farley’s Bookshop, First National Bank of Newtown-Solebury Branch, and the Doylestown Bookshop. Click here for more information.

One Body Yoga Workshop: A Benefit for a Chance to Heal at Dhyana Yoga. Fundraiser, Body Image Workshop and Yoga Class in One!
February 22, 1:30-4:00 pm. Click here for more information and location.

Please support these informative and fun events!

Melissa Barrett
REALTOR, EcoBroker
myphillyfinds@gmail.com

Visit www.myphillyfinds.com to search current listings in Germantown, New Hope, Center City or ANY local neighborhood!

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, why not let the creative juices flow and come out of winter hibernation to attend the Print Love-In, on Saturday 2/1/09 from 11-1:30 or 2-4:30?

Register here to attend the Print Love-In, a one day event where you can learn about printmaking processes while making your very own Valentine’s Day cards using designs by local artists. Or visit Fleisher’s main site to learn more about this fantastic Philadelphia institution, located in Bella Vista (7th and Catharine), that makes art-making more accessible to all!

I can personally vouch for the high quality instruction and affordable classes. So far I’ve taken “Alternative Printmaking” and “Drawing 101″ and while I’m no Picasso, my prints were a hot item on this holiday gift list to friends and relatives. Check out one below (and be gentle with your critiques – I’m trying :o) …

Looking for a new space to hang your masterpieces? Click here to see all kinds of inspiring spaces in Bella Vista or click here to customize your own search for your favorite neighborhood in Philly!

Happy Painting!

Melissa Barrett
REALTOR, EcoBroker
RE/MAX City Space
cell 215.300.4604
email myphillyfinds@gmail.com

Need an update for Fall? Call Erin at Tabu Salon in Old City to trade in your beachy look for something chic. She cleaned up my too-long do and replaced those old highlights with a vibrant red (really – it’s close to my natural color, I swear!)

Also check out their updated website for more information about the wide range of spa and salon services Tabu offers or click here for information about current specials!

Tabu Salon, 37-39 South 3rd Street (3rd Street between Market and Chestnut). 215-413-3000

Tabu Salon Waiting Area

New a new space to go with your new look? Click here to search Old City real estate (or any other Philly neighborhood!)

No disrespect to Pat’s, Geno’s or your own Philly favorite cheesesteak place, but I’ve found an exceptional steak in of all places…Manayunk!

Call ahead to Sorrentino’s Grocery at 215-487-0559 or stop in this quaint mom-and-pop corner shop with a nice deli selection at 4631 Cresson street, just down the street from Main street. You can pick up your steak, along with whatever you forgot from your last trip to the grocery store. (I highly recommend the cheesesteak with fried onions and mushrooms. They also have hot side orders if you need fries or onion rings with that steak!)
 

Before or after your steak feast, check out local Manayunk listings – then Sorrentino’s can be YOUR corner store. Click here to see all local listings!

Get the skinny on real estate trends and statistics for Manayunk and other Philadelphia neighborhoods here.

Please use the “comments” form below to leave an answer.

The first correct responder below wins $50 from Philadelphia’s Real Estate Hub. Yay!

Be sure to subscribe to our site so that you don’t miss future opportunities to play “Where In Philly?”