Kildare's now open where Uno's was...anyone go? - PhillyBlog

alesis · #1 (**permalink**) 01-29-2006, 05:28 AM

Kldare's Irish Pub is now open at 509 S. 2nd Street where Pizzeria Uno was. Anyone go to the grand opening? They were nice enough to donate their entire proceeds from 8pm-midnight to the conservancy fund for the neighborhood...seems like a pretty nice way to start a neighborhood relationship, even if youre not into their "irish experience"...
Anyone go? Any thoughts? Keep in mind that every new restaurant tends to have bumps along the road during the first week or so, but tell everyone about your initial experiences at this new neighborhood spot!

kaizen · #2 (**permalink**) 01-29-2006, 11:14 AM

was walking by on Sat.
They picked a beuatiful day to open.
Didnt go in

Tim K · #3 (**permalink**) 01-29-2006, 05:40 PM

I was at the grand opening pre-party. The place was packed. They 'requested" a $20 donation which is to be given to the South Street district for improvements to the Headhouse, and drinks and appetizers were included. I also got a sneak peek at the place last week. They did a nice job inside on the finishes and it is a pretty big place. Downstairs they have some booths and tables in the two rooms with a back-to-back bar serving both rooms. Upstairs is more tables in a couple of rooms with one really long bar in the main room. There is a small stage in the front upstairs for music. They had an Irish band "the Hooligans" playing last night. The decor is what you'd expect from a traditional irish pub. I didn't have any food but the beer was plenty tasty. They have a ton of it on tap...maybe like 30 varieties.

Considering what a POS Uno's was this place is a welcome change to the end of my street. The good news is it is only 100yds from my front door. The bad news is that it is only 100yds from my front door. Hopefully I don't spend too many nights there.

GMonkey · #4 (**permalink**) 01-30-2006, 11:47 AM

I live pretty close to the Media location, and they are pretty good. Their mussels are de-lish.

alesis · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2006, 05:08 AM

Finally went tonight. Overall, it was a positive experience-but as with anything else in our neighborhood, it is what you make it.
The interior is beautiful. If you are a local, and don't wish to deal with the bar scene in the evening, walk up the stairs and make an immediate right. The surreal tree chairs are surprisingly comfortable, and the room is available to the ambience without the shrill of the band.
The service is casual and up beat; without intrusion, yet always looking forward to see if the table needs anything. Although the kitchen was closed when we got there, my associate got some wings after joking with the bartender. Although I don't eat chicken wings, everyone around the table said they were great compared to standard fare, and the waiter was gracious enough to come back with menus to explain the daily menu.
The only thing that would bring it down to a b-,c+ is two things:
The idiotic bathrooms need reinvented...My party was attempting to use the restroom several times, only to be refrained by several wish-to-be whitey trashy gangsters "talkin shop"...when I did finally use the restroom, I witnessed a cheeseball look at a guy looking in the mirror, and whisper "reflection equals perfection dude"...amazing. He and his two friends proceeded to pour themselves tap water from the bathroom into their empty cups, and have a "bidness meeting yo" in the bathroom.
Kildare's has unknowingly caused this behavior by having oversized men's rooms that do not have enough stalls, yet too much standing room, complete with a community calendar which gives everyone an excuse to linger while the rest of the world is trying to relieve themselves.
The final complaint is a direct violation of their neighborhood agreement. They repeatedly stated in community meetings that they would enclose garbage and keep a bouncer on the corner of 2nd and Naudain. Within 3 hours of their grand opening, I saw college kids throwing up on Naudain. Within two hours of opening, I've seen excessive trash on Naudain. Neither issue has changed since they've opened-each day I have witnessed the same problems.
Like I said, alot of what they do is good. They keep the noise away from the neighbors, have a good menu which would be great for lunch, and overall run a tight ship...only a few things need tightened up to make it what it was promised to be.<hiccup>

Tim K · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2006, 04:24 PM

I have been in touch with the owner Dave Magrogan on several occasions. He and his crew have always been receptive to us and willing to work with the neighbors to address any issues. In fact, I had asked them if they would consider adding some lighting on the Naudain side of the building, and not only did he offer to look into it, but the week after the grand opening the lights were installed. With regard to trash, puking and pissing on Naudain street...well, I live on Naudain street and know all about it! Anyway, in defense of Kildares, the 'trash' that has recently been left out has been construction debris left out by their contractors....and while this is Kildare's responsibility it is not as if they are dumping their garbage on the street (like Uno's did). As they stated they would before opening, they have brand new rool-out trash cans that they keep locked up behind the building and roll out after closing to 2nd street for pick up.

Alot is being made of this agreement which is really just the conditions of their liquor license that QVNA fought to have included. Kildares did not oppose these conditions, and in fact most of the conditions were already included in Kildares plans/policy.

As far as bouncers/managers on Naudain street, to my knowledge, they stated that they would station a manager/bouncer out on the sidewalk as closing time approaches, not all night.

Regardless, if anyone has any complaints about Kildare's I would appreciate hearing about them as a neighbor. I would also be glad to bring any complaints to the owner or manager's attention as I have spoken to both of them on several occasions.

alesis · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 01:36 AM

I know Dave professionally, so it is not a question of getting in touch with him. I was merely giving an honest assessment of what, overall, seems like a good place. I was not assessing the negatives as they relate to myself, but the way they may be perceived by immediate neighbors who, you know, will do anything to kill a place if one little thing p*sses them off.
QVNA had nothing to do with the agreement-it was asserted after Mr. Magrogan met with the Neighborhood LCB Committee that meets in the Headhouse, and the Naudain Street Neighbor's Assoc., which you obviously know about since you live on Naudain.
At any rate, I don't care-I was just stating things I noticed which could cause some neighbors to hassle them(i.e., the 20% of Naudain St. residents that are not as welcoming as you towards local establishments-you know, the one's that want prohibition re-enacted to preserve their property values, while their recycle bins are overflowing with wine and Stoli bottles....hehe).
If the terms of this agreement are indeed "just the conditions of their liquor license", then I merely suggested they should be extra guarded during their grand opening to insure a smooth run.
At any rate, I ate there today, and the food was amazing. We had garlic prawns as an app., and Seafood Pasta as an entree-the seafood surpassed several "nicer" restaurants in the city, and the waiter was friendly and casual, who seemed to really enjoy his new digs.
The wine was eh, but who goes to an Irish Bar for wine?(besides my wife...hehehe)

Tim K · #8 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 02:53 PM

Believe me, I know how some of the neighbors can be around here!

Regarding the 'agreement' with Kildares I will try to clarify it all. I am both a member of the board of the South Street Headhouse District as well as president of my homeowners association (the one the encompasses the houses on the east end of Naudain, on front street and the south side of lombard) so I was closely involved in all of the discussions. There is a small group of homes off of Naudain called Hancock court that is also involved in the neighborhood.

In order to get their liquor license Kildares had to simply apply for a transfer of the license (Uno's license). Typically, when the license is applied for it is posted in the window and people have 30 or 60 days to file a petition of "objection, protest or intervention". If no petitions are filed the license is automatically approved. In this area, the QVNA files an objection to every application. Now, an objection is not an objection to the license per se, it is an objection to the automatic approval. If the LCB considers the objections to warrant a hearing, one is held and any filers can voice their concerns. In this case, QVNA was not opposed to Kildares getting a license, rather they simply wanted conditions added to the license. The reason for the conditions was so that if these conditions were ever violated it would be easier to have the license revoked than to try to go through the courts or L&I to get the business 'in order'. In addition to QVNA, several of the neighbors on Hancock street also filed objections. I chose not to object as I feared that it might appear as if too many neighbors were taking an antagonistic position. I wanted to have a good relationship with Kildare's from the start. I also felt that having QVNA's filing would be sufficient.

As for the "agreement", there is no standing agreement between Kildare's and any other group that I am aware of. Yes, the SSHD and neighbors met with Kildare's and each expressed its concerns. Setting out trash and the collection of said trash is not so much an agreement as it is a requirement for all area businesses by law. Other things such as the lighting on Naudain and the manager outside at closing were more or less just verbal agreements. I asked the owner if they would consider adding lighting to the side of the building b/c the street is so dark at that end and it is also an area prone to urination. Dave (the owner) said he'd have his architect/designer work something out. As I said, the lights went up this week without so much as a 2nd request from me. The manager out front at closing was something else we requested, but Kildare's made it clear that it was already their policy anyway. There was nothing else that I can recall that we requested from them.

The only actual agreement is the conditional liquor license that they agreed to as put forth by QVNA and Senator Fumo's office. As I said earlier, most of the terms of this agreement already fell within Kildare's proposal/practices as they presented them to us at a meeting with the SSHD and some of the neighbors. In fact, I have a copy of the conditions and I'll list them here. To my knowledge, none of these conditions were opposed by Kildare's and the negotiations went fairly smoothly.

a. Applicant agrees that it will not apply or accept a dance hall or “cabaret” license from the City of Philadelphia.

b. Applicant agrees that in the event that it does apply for an amusement permit, it will take all necessary measures to ensure that the sound of the music or entertainment on the licensed premises cannot be heard outside of the licensed premises.

c. Applicant agrees that upon approval of the transfer of the License it will not apply for any other class of liquor license at the premises.

d. Applicant agrees that it will not sell malt or brewed beverages for off-premises consumption nor will it apply for any permit(s) which allow it to sell malt or brewed beverages for off premises consumption.

e. Applicant agrees that it will not apply for an Extended Hours Food License from the Board.

f. Applicant agrees that it will not use, hire or employ the services of any outside promoter or the services provided by an outside promoter to operate or conduct business at the premises.

g. Applicant agrees that it will not display any type of banners, signs or other types of displays on the exterior of the premises or the area adjacent to the premises that promote the consumption of alcohol, happy hours or the sale of alcohol at a discounted price.

. Applicant agrees that it will maintain at all times seating at the licensed premises at tables or booths for at least one hundred and ninety (190) patrons, however on no more then five (5) days per year (from January 1 until December 31), the applicant may lower this minimum to one hundred and fifteen (115) seats as long as the applicant notifies the South Street Alliance Liquor Sub- Committee (SSA) two weeks prior to that day.

i. The applicant agrees that on such days when the applicant has notified the SSA it intends to lower its minimum number of available seating to no less then one hundred and fifteen (115), the applicant will hire extra security through the Philadelphia Police Department.

j. Applicant agrees that all bartenders and servers become compliant and remain compliant with the Responsible Alcohol Management provisions of the Liquor Code.

alesis · #9 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 11:41 PM

You are correct in your language. I was at the lcb meeting, but forgot that QVNA proceeds with their objections at every transfer.

sam · #10 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 08:37 PM

Tim,

Didn't I see you pissing on the side of Kildare's the other night while you were puking, on the way home from a few cocktails?