Way back in April of 2017, Monk's proprietor Tom Peters journeyed to the far-off Northeast Kingdom of Vermont to blend a special beer commemorating Monk's 20th anniversary. As Hill Farmstead founder and brewer Shaun Hill says, "the beer follows its own path," and is only now ready to share with our loyal guests at Monk's Café.
On Read More
By Sean Lynch, Monk's bartender
I first became aware of Tonewood Brewing in 2016 as soon as they opened in Oaklyn, New Jersey. Once I heard that a new brewery was opening around the corner from my childhood home, by alumni of the same high school I went to, I was immediately curious. At the time I was a year into working as a barback at the greatest beer bar in the Read More
June, 29 2022 Tom Peters talks beer distributors on The JawncastMonk's Café founder and co-owner Tom Peters caught up with The Jawncast pod crew at KYW, to talk about the recently resolved strike of drivers, warehouse workers and sales reps at three major beer distributors in Philadelphia.
Tom talks about the importance of distributors in the three-tier Pennsylvania system, and why small businesses such as Monk's rely o Read More
May, 26 2022 17 Places to Explore the World Without Leaving PAWant to explore the globe without leaving the Commonwealth? Uncover PA has the scoop on where to find a European castle, Japanese tea house, Celtic-inspired stacked megaliths, and a little place with over 200+ beers from around the world in their fun article on Pennsylvania destinations that take you Read More
March, 25 2022 James Beard Foundation recognizes Philly's BestThe James Beard Foundation Awards (aka the food-biz Oscars) have recognized the greatness of Philadelphia's restaurants and hospitality professionals for a long time. Jillian Wilson collects all of the JBFA nominees and winners in thi Read More
March, 19 2022 Honoring ArmandToday, our friends at 3 Fonteinen are honoring the life of Armand Debelder with an open house at the Lambik-O-Droom in Lot, Belgium. On March 17, 2022, our proprietor Tom Peters shared the following story about the day he met Armand, when we hosted A Toast to Armand&nbs Read More
March, 12 2022 A Toast to Armand DebelderThe sadness of losing Armand Debelder - a giant of the lambic tradition, and dear friend - has been immense, and is being felt all around the world. Though the grief is great, so is the upwelling of love, respect and adoration for the man who taught so many, so much.
If you don't know who Armand is, come find out on Thursday, March 17 at 5pm Eastern Time Read More
March, 09 2022 Monk's Café 25th AnniversaryMarch 9, 2022 is our 25th anniversary. To celebrate, we are pouring a knockout draft list featuring a variety of our exclusive 20th and 25th Anniversary collaborations and rarities. Today is also the public debut of Monk’s Café 25th Anniversary Collaboration with Russian River Read More
March, 07 2022 Monk's Named Among 13 Best Burgers In PhillyCheers to Thrillist for naming Monk's among the 13 best burgers in Philadelphia!
Ah, Monk’s... what’s not to love? There’s a menu of seven burgers that are nearly impossible to choose from, so start deciding now if you’re more in the mood for the Brussels, bacon, and cheddar burger or the Antwerp Shiitake mushroo Read More
March, 05 2022 The Infatuation Names Monk's Among Philly's BestOh, you know how much we love being called "venerable," right? Just in time for our upcoming 25th Anniversary, The Infatuation names Monk's Café among the best bars in our always-sunny city.
Read The Bar Greatest Hits List: The 12 Best Bars in Philly to fin Read More
March, 01 2022 Pliny the Younger Week A Smashing SuccessVast gratitude to everyone who came out for Pliny the Younger Week 2022, we had an epic time pouring Russian River Brewing Company's legendary Pliny the Younger for you. This year brought a variety of firsts for all of us, including our first-ever curated, ticketed day of Younger tastings, and a full week of keg tappings. It was our hope that the ne Read More
November, 20 2021 Best Bar in the World! Craft Beer & Brewing MagHuge gratitude to the readers of Craft Beer & Brewing magazine for voting Monk’s as the number one beer bar in the world!!
Proprietors Bernadette Roe & Tom Peters pose proudly with this Major Award, which is cleverly also a tap handle. Congratulations to all of our fellow publicans, it’s an honor to be on the page beside you. Look for Read More
June, 24 2021 Farewell, Falling Rock Tap HouseAfter 24 years of service, Falling Rock Tap House in Denver, one of the greatest beer bars in the USA, will close on Sunday June 27, 2021. Our Tom Peters traveled to meet up with friends from across the country, including Vinnie & Natalie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing Company, Tomme Arthur of Lost Abbey, and Curt Decker from Philly’s own Second District Brewing, to Read More
June, 07 2021 Russian River Brewing Collaboration Brew DayI traveled to visit with friends Natalie and Vinnie Cilurzo in Windsor, California. This was after several phone calls, texts and emails to create a receipe for this special collaboration between Monk's Café and Russin River Brewing Company. This is to celebrate our upcoming 25th Anniversary. We brewed on the cool 5 barrel system enclosed in glass, in one corner of their large dinin Read More
April, 20 2021 Brussels in the City of Brotherly Love“You know when you walk into Monk’s and you have to walk through the three doors, it’s like entering a vortex,” says Tomme Arthur, co-founder of California’s The Lost Abbey and Port Brewing Company.
Many brewers and beer obsessives know those doors well. You leave the busy streets of Philadelphia—about three blocks from central Rittenhouse Squar Read More
March, 26 2021 20 Ans D'Amité debuts at The French LaundryFor the first time ever, Brasserie Cantillon lambic will be served at Chef Thomas Keller's legendary The French Laundry in Yountville, California - including our exclusive Monk's 20th anniversary blend, 20 Ans D'Amitié.
Our deepest appreciation to Andrew Adelson, head sommelier of the French Laundry, and our dear friends the Van Read More
March, 18 2021 Delivery Debuts!UPDATE March 18, 2021:
1. As of Thursday, March 18, we are now open for Takeaway & Delivery. That's right – Delivery from Monk's Café! We are partnering with Relay Delivery Service to bring food & beer right to you door for a flat delivery fee of $5.50.
February, 16 2021 Fire & Beer: The Godfather of BeerHave you ever wondered how our fearless leader Tom Peters got his start in the beer world, 35+ years ago? Tom calls in to Fire & Beer podcast to tell his origin story to host Marcel Gomez, and both enjoy a Suarez Family Brewing Lo & Behold - they both happened to have one on hand - which is a Flemish sour, a style Tom helped popularize in the USA.
Read More January, 26 2021 Greater Philadelphia Craft Beer Trail Ep. 8In episode 8 of the Greater Philadelphia Craft Beer Trail, Monk's proprietor Tom Peters welcomes Philly's own Marisa Magnatta and Chill Moody to the back bar to talk beer history, and Philadelphia's crucial role in bringing craft beer to America. Thanks so much to Visit Philly for making us a part of the Greater Philadelphia Craft Beer Trail! See the full episode on t Read More
November, 20 2020 Philadelphia shuts down indoor dining once againAs of this week, Philadephia has imposed new restrictions for indoor dining amid a new spike in COVID-19 cases. Our Tom Peters, along with a host of Philadelphia's best restaurateurs, spoke with Craig LaBan at the Philadelphia Inquirer about the curren Read More
November, 11 2020 Monk's temporarily closes for the winterAfter much deliberation, we have decided to “mothball” Monk’s Café for a few months. Cold weather is rolling in and – even though we have gone above and beyond what is required – we just don’t feel it’s wise or safe enough to welcome guests indoors as our only seating option.
COVID cases are rising rapidly in Philadelphia and we love our Read More
May, 09 2020 Tom Peters on the 21 Best Widely-Available BeersMonk's proprietor Tom Peters talks with Sam Dangremond of Town & Country magazine about the 21 best beers you can buy at your local store - from Sierra Nevada Pale Ale to benchmark Belgian, Saison Dupont. Read the story here.
Read More February, 17 2020 Monk's Cafe Taps Rare Beer for CharityDeepest gratitude to Monica Herndon of the Philadelphia Inquirer, who visited with us for our Pliny the Younger Day Fundraiser 2020, benefiting Alex's Lemonade Stand.
This year's event raised over $20,000 for Alex's Lemonade Stand, who work to find a cure for pediatric neuroblastoma. Read More
February, 04 2019 Monk's Café ranked 31 of America's Top 150 BarsHuge gratitude to The Daily Meal, who named Monk's Café number 31 on their list of the 150 best bars in America. Tom Peters, Fergie Carey and all of the staff owe our eternal thanks to each and every one of Read More
February, 26 2018 The Belgian Beer Whisperer of PhiladelphiaA few days ago, we were pleasantly stunned by an essay in October web magazine about Monk's co-founder Tom Peters. Writer Kevin Koczwara examines how Tom introduced Americans to Belgian beer, by way of Philadelphia.
Koczwara definit Read More
September, 15 2015 Monk's Cafe Hosts Zwanze DayOnce a year, Cantillon brewer Jean Van Roy shares just over 50 extra-special kegs of Zwanze, a wild Brussels stout,&nb Read More