Historic Eateries in Upper Bucks

McCoole's at The Historic Red Lion Inn

McCoole's at The Historic Red Lion Inn

The Brick Tavern

The Brick Tavern

The Spinnerstown Hotel

The Spinnerstown Hotel

If these walls could talk, what stories they could tell.

Upper Bucks lays claim to a thriving tavern and restaurant scene where historic eateries continue to serve hungry and thirsty locals, visitors and travelers.

They’ve got great food, rich histories and a pedigree of centuries behind them, a trifecta of Upper Bucks eateries boasting the near miss of a Revolutionary War hero’s hanging, a refuge for Civil War slaves on the Underground Railroad and a family’s legacy.
Within a few miles of one another McCoole’s Historic Red Lion Inn (site of the Fries’s Rebellion), The Brick Tavern Inn, (a Civil War Underground Railroad stop) and The Spinnerstown Hotel Restaurant & Taproom, owned and operated by Susan and John Dale, the second generation of the same family offering a community gathering place for more than 200 years.
 
McCoole’s is also home to McCoole’s Arts and Events Place, as well as its own microbrewery.
 
“This is our fourth year brewing beer on site. It sets us apart from various other restaurants because not only do we have our signature beer but we also brew it,” said Jan Hench, owner/operator of McCoole’s Historic Red Lion Inn.
 
Hench spotted the importance of the craft beer movement, and brought on a beer master to create signature seasonal suds, relevant to the area and to the historic property.
 
“It is a very integral extension of the culinary industry with the craft beer movement that is happening over the last several years. We want beers that can only be purchased at McCoole’s,” Hench said.
 
McCoole’s annual Beerfest in April is a showcase for a variety of the region’s craft beers and hard cider. For information about this year’s event, held April 29, visit mccoolesbeerfest.com
 
Celebrating 199 years in 2017, The Brick Tavern Inn on Old Bethlehem Pike in Milford Township is looking for stories about the staple restaurant’s history. Send stories about family milestones or other Brick connections or history via email to [email protected].

Significant renovations to the building aim to keep the historic atmosphere while providing for modern customer needs such as handicapped accessibility, cozy indoor dining and seasonal outdoor dining on the patio where a koi pond and live entertainment adds to the fair weather experience.

The Brick also offers live entertainment inside, check the website for specifics at www.thebricktaverninn.com.
 
The Spinnerstown Hotel Restaurant & Taproom sits in the western most corner of Milford Township and the name reflects the founding family of the village of Spinnerstown.

Susan and John Dale recognize the significance of a “community house” where locals go for information, for socializing and to catch up with friends and neighbors.

“A community gathering place is where you come for the food and the experience,” Susan Dale said.

While the Spinnerstown Hotel has offered curated beer dinners for years now special bottle sales means patrons can purchase a bottle of wine and not feel obliged to drink it all before the check arrives.

“We are expanding our wine business,” Susan Dale said, of the addition of a take-out bottle shop.
The goal is to bring the wine business in line with the extensive beer list and offerings, she explained of the latest niche special interest market.

Crossing Vineyards & Winery in Newtown, is one of the specially wines available at Spinnerstown. “You can sit down, buy a bottle of wine, eat, cork the bottle and take it home,” Susan Dale said.

She said the corked bottle should be stored in the truck of the car in compliance with Pennsylvania’s “open container” liquor laws. For information about Spinnerstown Hotel visit www.spinnerstownhotel.com.