Manatawny Still Works Opens New Cocktail Bar and Tasting Room in Fishtown

-Courtesy of Bondfire Media

On April 6, Manatawny Still Works (MSW), will proudly celebrate its Ninth Anniversary by opening its third cocktail bar and tasting room located at 1321 N. Lee Street in Fishtown, joining the neighborhood’s vibrant scene of craft artisans and makers, both in the beverage space and beyond. The Fishtown expansion comes a few short months after MSW landed in Ardmore as the company continues to grow and bring quality craft spirits to fans across the Philadelphia region. With the opening also comes the release of President and Distiller Max Pfeffer’s 2023 Coffee Whiskey, a smooth blend made with Fishtown favorite ReAnimator Coffee. 

“We’re excited to become part of the maker’s space that is Fishtown,” says Pfeffer. “There are so many talented producers around us – whether artists, chefs, coffee makers, brewers, designers, as well as other craft spirit producers. As we head into a decade of distilling, we’re confident we’ll fit right into the homegrown, hard-working, quality-driven community that thrives here.” 

Down the narrow stretch of cobblestoned Lee Street, between Pizzeria Beddia and Hiroki restaurants, guests will find MSW tucked away – the perfect spot for a pre- or post-dinner drink. Fronted by a garage door that will lift open in nicer weather, the space was built with the area’s industrial history in mind. Its shipping container-style exterior meets metal and wood on the interior in the form of a signature wooden-fronted and custom coppertop bar. Along the royal purple walls a one-of-a-kind mural was painted by K.C. Grummun, a local art teacher and talented MSW team member. Guests may sit at the bar or at various high-top tables around the room and enjoy MSW’s signature seasonal cocktails, a strong pour of any house spirit, plus local beers, wines, and ciders. From the new menu and highlighting this year’s coffee whiskey collaboration is the “I Get Knocked Down (But I Get Up Again)” mixed with cold brew, oat milk and mint, and the “Coffee Whiskey Old Fashioned” mixed with chocolate bitters and demerara. Another drink perfect for spring is the “Hey Baby,” made with oak barrel rested gin, strawberry, chamomile, and lemon. The new tasting room will be open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

At the same time, teaming up with its new neighbor in ReAnimator Coffee, MSW will release a small batch of Coffee Whiskey using the roaster’s Ethiopian blend. The medium roast was cold brewed and blended with barrel-strength whiskey to create a bold, yet delicately balanced spirit that’s sure to be a hit among coffee and whiskey lovers alike. The 84-proof whiskey’s mash is 79% malt, 10% wheat, 9% oat, and 2% rye. With notes of chocolate, fruit, and toasted hazelnut, it’s a perfect spirit to enjoy neat or in a classic Manhattan or Old Fashioned.

In addition to this collaboration, Pfeffer has several exciting product releases on the horizon including Manatawny’s traditionally commemorative annual Anniversary Whiskey for the ninth anniversary, another Tequila Gin (gin finished in tequila barrels) and a Sherry Peated Whiskey (peated single malt whiskey finished in sherry casks) just in time for Father’s Day. 

MSW’s current line of spirits can be found in their home state of Pennsylvania, where consumers can pick up a bottle at the Pottstown distillery (320 Circle of Progress Drive, Suite 104), at the tasting room in South Philadelphia (1603 East Passyunk Avenue), the tasting room in Ardmore (49 W. Lancaster Avenue), or at various Fine Wine & Good Spirits shops across the Commonwealth.  MSW also ships within PA from their online shop.