September | 2016 | Food, Sweat, and Beers

If you’ve ever thought any of the following:

I love darts… I wish there was something bigger and sharper I could throw competitively at a target, though.
Why don’t more intramural leagues in Philly let me wear street clothes and eat pizza while I’m playing?
I don’t spend enough time in converted warehouses in Kensington.
Axe puns are great. I should use more axe puns.

…then you should probably continue reading.

Urban Axes is a new competitive axe-throwing spot in Kensington and unlike anything I’ve experienced before.

There are heaps of intramural sports leagues in the city where you can play everything from kickball to cornhole to volleyball to broomball to ultimate frisbee. But, apparently, in Canada, the trendy move is axe-throwing leagues. And you know what I always say,

“If it’s trendy in Canada, sign me up.”

This got me in heaps of trouble during the poutine shortage of 2014, but that’s another story entirely.

I schlepped up to Kensington with beau in tow to check out the scene and we were promptly introduced to our Axe-pert (if this job sounds perfect to you, UrbanAxes is hiring!) who quickly showed us the ropes (REALLY quickly. Like… 2 minutes. This isn’t rocket science.) And then, it was throwin’ time.

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You may have a few questions about how I went from gentle giantess to axe-throwing Amazon in two minutes. Or just about Urban Axes. I’ll answer a few now:

Wait. How can I do this exciting activity?!
Well, just hit up their website and click UrbanAxes – BOOK NOW. They offer axe adventures for the die-hard (leagues that run 8 weeks long) to newbs like myself (walk-in sessions every night except Monday and Wednesday!) Costs range from $20 for a 2 hour session to leagues for $120, and even some group events if you think this would make a great Bachelor party or potluck spot. Not good for a Sweet 16, though. Urban Axes is 21+ only!
Did you just say potluck?!
I did! You can bring food, or have it delivered! We nibbled on some Federal Donuts and soft pretzels because I’m fairly sure axe-throwing requires carbo-loading. They even have refrigeration to keep your treats (or your drinks) chilly.
DRINKS?! ADULT DRINKS?!
You bet. No hard alcohol, but they allow you to bring beer and wine. I know this may sound counter-intuitive (sharp objects + booze = ???) But their Axe-perts aren’t gonna let you get sloshed and toss axes. So be responsible.

If you have more questions about what to wear and how you get their and parking, check out theirUrbanAxes FAQ Page!

Their first leagues sold out, but they’re selling space for their October league already, so get moving!

Urban Axes
2019 E Boston St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(267) 585-2937

There’s a new kid on the block. This kid is juicier, meatier, and full of whiskey. And he’s a welcome addition to an area that is mostly populated by a hodge podge of restaurants full of, sushi, Thai, and other pan-Asian cuisine. Welcome to town, Butcher Bar. Our meat mouths have been waiting.

Butcher Bar, located at 2034 Chestnut Street

Butcher Bar is warm and welcoming AND has the ability to have all those beautiful windows hurled open and transform into an open-air party spot.

Last night, my beau and I joined a few foodies for a real sausage fest as the Butcher Bar team flung out the red carpet for friends and family. They brought the meat, and the heat (literally, we were a sweaty mess). Luckily, the bartenders were happy to cool things down with refreshing cocktails.

Their cocktail menu is bourbon-centric and this New York Sour packed a tart and boozy punch. But if you’re a fan of old school classics (See: Old Fashioned, Sazeracs, and Vieux Carres) you’re in business. And baby, business was BOOMING.

Just a few close friends…

Highlights ranged from the small….

Fontina stuffed Italian meatball made with pork, veal, and beef (side of Mint Julep!)

…to the less small.

The Trough

That’s right, “The Trough”. Carried by two men, this bad boy is a cornucopia of carnivorous pleasures: rotisserie chicken, house-made sausages, grilled skirt steak, rack of ribs, kabobs, house-smoked bacon, bone-in short ribs, fries and grilled pita. For $250 (and 24 hours notice), this could be yours (though they recommend sharing with 6-8 friends. For health.)

Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

Don’t mind that beautiful, dripping skirt steak… Sleeper hits included their seafood sausage (made with scallop, lobster & shrimp) and the french fries (could’ve eaten a trough of them alone). If you’re looking for a big, celebratory meal, I can’t think of a better way to reconnect with your inner animal.

This space also has a cute little dessert menu, which we didn’t get to sample, but sounded delicious and simple. Butcher Bar would totally make for the perfect late-night date spot. Their kitchen’s open until midnight, and who wouldn’t wanna woo with some whiskey?

Thanks for the meat sweats, Butcher Bar. We can’t wait to see what else y’all can do with your beautiful kitchen.

Food, Sweat, and Beers

That's what this girl's made of…

Month: September 2016

Urban Axes Comes to Philly!

Butcher Bar in Philadelphia: Eat All The Meats