Sunday 14th of October 2012 10:25:53 AM

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Brauhaus Schmitz is Philadelphia’s only authentic German bierhall restaurant. South Street Head House District, reminds me of New Orleans' Bourbon Street. Erotic shops and tattoo parlors are dispersed amongst a great variety of shopping, bars and restaurants. Street parking is metered, and can be challenging during peak hours. South Street, from 3rd Street to 8th Street, is an area of great diversity and all kinds of cuisine. At the western end of this dense craft beer area is the distinguished Brauhaus Schmitz. The facade is wooden with a distinctive arch over the entryway. Enter into the dining area, and ahead on the right are high top bench tables reminiscent of bierhall seating. On the left is a 15 chair pale wooden bar, with ceramic and brass beer towers, sparkling glassware, and cases of refrigerated bottled beer. Overhead is a 2nd floor balcony with many small dining tables. In the back there is a connected room which has plenty of dining tables and a second 10 chair wooden bar with a couple televisions. The atmosphere is open and inviting, and there is a slight aroma of sauerkraut in the air. The brick walls and decorated like a German beer hall, the friendly waitresses wear traditional German bierhall attire, and the professional bartenders are very knowledgeable. I was pleasantly surprised at the diverse yet distinctively German food menu, a refreshing mix of authentic traditional cuisine and creative German-inspired modern fusion dishes. The beer selection naturally consists of imported German beers or German-inspired American interpretations. They have 30 taps between their two bars, and about 100 bottled beers with heavy emphasis on German and other European imports. My only critique is that the smallest pours are 0.5L. While I understand large pours fit the German beerhall traditional, this beer hunter craves sampler flights. The wunderbar Brauhaus Schmitz is an undeniable jewel of South Street.

Monday 11th of July 2011 09:50:27 AM

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A true German style Beer-Hall on South Street in Philly. Great beers on tap, lots of styles mostly German (but there are a few non-German beers too.) They had a true German Kolsch on tap, as well as a Granitbock, both interesting styles I haven't seen at many places. Lots of other choices on tap and a decent bottle list too.

Food was very good, although it was a bit pricey. I had the house specialty bratwurst, which I recommend to anyone who likes to eat meat off a wooden cutting board (very traditional, I I loved that touch.)

We were there for a lunch on a Sunday, so I have to assume that's a pretty dead time. The bar was pretty full with people watching the soccer game, but there was plenty of seating available. I can see that this place could get very crowded and very loud at certain times.

My only knock is that service was a bit slow.

Thursday 5th of November 2009 01:33:38 PM

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Brauhaus Schmitz is located at 7th and South, in a bustling crowded part of town in Philadelphia. The bar has high ceilings, tiled floors which results in a very loud vibe. The bar which is situated in the middle of the space has ample seating.

The beer selection is very good. While you may not find all german styles represented, you will find weiss, dunkel, schwartzbier, fests etc on tap, served in small or large glasses.

The food is as good as German food gets in Philadelphia. I had a very good schnitzel a la holstein complete with an egg capers and anchovies. Side dishes included home made spaetzel and delicious grilled brussel sprouts that had almost a horseradish like bite to them.

Parking is a problem as it is everywhere on South Street, so public transportation is a good bet.