Bar of the Week: Dead Dog Saloon
Just came back from the beach and you’re a bit parched? Stop at the Dead Dog for the coldest Coors Light Drafts on the planet Earth. Don’t feel like dealing with the overpriced drinks and wall-to-wall crowds at the OD or the Springfield? Post up at the Dead Dog and buy a round of whiskey shots. The Phils are playing a day game? Nothing better than watching Doc pitch a gem over a few Twisted Elbows with some buddies. The Phils aren’t playing today? Well, I’m sure you could throw $50 on the Royals and watch it at the Dead Dog… and yes, of course – the Elbows. No place else will serve you? Well, I think I know two bartenders (Jamie & Scott) who take pride in over-serving their loyal patrons. You just found your girlfriend hot-mouthing a stud that’s seven inches taller than you in front of all your buddies who were cheering him on? Well you better head over to the Dead Dog and tell Jamie or Scott your plight and they will most likely force feed you your booze for free (Editors note: This didn’t exactly happen to me but one time I got into a verbal altercation with a female outside of the Dead Dog that lasted over 40 minutes (something along the lines of whether or not Batman could win in an arm wrestling contest against God) and it wasn’t resolved until we split a tuna sandwich from Wawa to make peace. The next day I walked in to say goodbye to my friends who were staying to put on a day load while I was being a punk and heading home for work the next day. I said “hello” to Scott and asked for a Coors Light. To my dismay he started shaking his head and told me he wasn’t going to give me a beer. Immediately, I started apologizing for whatever I had done the night before that had caused him to deny me service, but he told me to relax and that he had candidly caught my argument the previous night and in appreciation of the comedy, he was going to pour me unlimited shots of Jack until I told him to stop – on the house. I pre-jacked in my pants and didn’t make it to work the next day).
Founded in 1678 by the Vikings, the Dead Dog Saloon has been the epicenter for blacking out and enjoying yourself, blacking in, not enjoying yourself, blacking out again, and waking up in jail for Sea Isle City vacationers for over three centuries. The name derives itself from an instance during the early 1900s when a Polack walked into the establishment and asked for a shot of whiskey and something to eat because he was so famished from catching stray dogs and cats all day (he was the neighborhood Dogcatcher as most Polacks are). The bartender told him that this particular bar was a place for pouring whiskey only. The Polack, dejected and starving, took his shot and went outside. He came back in with a dead Doberman, propped it up on the bar, and asked for another shot and a knife & fork. The bartender obliged and the rest goes down in history. Since then, the Dead Dog has gotten a reputation for letting people hang loose anyway they feel is necessary. This is truly a great bar. And now that it is officially located in Upper Darby, it’s a great Delco Bar.
Prices: Moderate (Cash Only) – It is a shore bar
Atmosphere: Dive Bar downstairs. Swanky lounge upstairs
Activities: Live Music, Sunday Specials, All Philadelphia sports on TV.
Food: Besides the Pour House, it has the best bar food in Sea Isle.
Address: 39th & Landis Ave
City, State: Upper Darby, PA (formerly Sea Isle, NJ)
Telephone: (609) 263-7600
-Chug Monky