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There’s Still Some Hope For Old City’s ‘Last Cool Bar’

The former Society Hill Hotel
The former Society Hill Hotel Photo: Courtesy Phoodie

Despite losing it’s “last cool bar” in February, there’s a glimmer of optimism today for the future of carousing in Old City. The HavanaBanana Group, the folks behind South Street’s endearing and enduring Copabanana, its assorted offshoots and Café Nola, has taken over the Society Hill Hotel space at Third and Chestnut streets, Phoodie reports. Their plan is to rehab the place and open it back up as the pre-Castro Havana-themed Monkey Bar & Restaurant. And they expect to have it ready for the public this coming spring! The historic hotel upstairs will undergo extensive renovations that will probably take much longer. And it’s still not clear whether any members of the hip hop outfit Black Landlord will resume tending bar there. Nonetheless, we can count our lucky stars that it’s not being turned into a sports bar or loungey restobar for the Jersey Shore set that prowls Old City on the weekends. [Phoodie]

There’s Still Some Hope For Old City’s ‘Last Cool Bar’