The Independence Brew Pub is quite possibly the classiest brewpub in Philadelphia. The word "pub" brings to mind dark wood, poor lighting and very greasy finger food. Independence is pretty much the opposite of that idea. The interior is bright and clean, with tons of open space, thanks to high ceilings and copious lighting. The bar is long and curved and opens into a large restaurant with tons of tables and booths. Unlike most pubs you'd think of, the napkins are actually made of fabric and the waiters and waitresses are dressed in black pants and white button down shirts.
Independence is actually more like a restaurant that serves a few microbrews than your typical pub. They offer a large menu that's mostly dominated by steaks and seafood, as opposed to different varieties of potato skins. The prices are also quite a bit more expensive than traditional pubs are, with most of the a la carte meals coming in around $18. The baked brie starter is a heavenly way to shut down your arteries, and the calamari is tender and delicious. The salad offerings are pretty standard, but the pizzas are unique and covered with strange combinations like BBQ chicken with apples and cheddar cheese. The chop house stuffed steak, one of an army of beef entrees, was good, but overdone and a little tough.
The beer menu is pretty standard for a microbrewery, with about five of their own beer offerings on tap and a couple extra brews in bottles. The beers aren't stellar and there aren't any options other than their microbrews, but at $3 a pint, it's hard to go wrong. Independence Brew Pub is perfect if you want to go more upscale than the typical pub with your buddies or if you want to take your date to a decent restaurant where you can still get plastered and fit in.
