This just in from our friends down south: The Bookstore Speakeasy in Bethlehem and Tap and Table in Emmaus have closed, along with sister spot Fork & Barrel in Philly. The same owners recently opened The Farmer’s Cabinet in center city Philly, which is to remain open. We can only guess that they expanded too much too quickly. Obviously this puts plans for Bahnhof, the German beer bar project at the old Main Steet Depot in Bethlehem, in very murky waters. The El Vee will be heading down there for an event tonight and hopefully we can get more info from the owner about the recent closings.
Update 2.5: Just got a statement from their PR person that reads as follows,
“It’s been a great year at Fork & Barrel in East Falls, but we made a business decision to close since The Farmers’ Cabinet has so many of the same elements. We hope that our Fork & Barrel customers will continue to visit us in the city. We’ve also decided to close Tap and Table in Emmaus and bring the concept to Philadelphia in the coming months. The new restaurant will also have an Old World atmosphere, a menu based on fresh-ingredients including fondue, mussels, flatbreads, sandwiches and entrees and will feature American and European craft beers. We’ve had incredible opening success at The Farmers’ Cabinet and look forward to our next venture in the city. The Bookstore, our 1920s speakeasy, in Bethlehem will remain open.”
We inquired about the future of Bahnhof and will post the response shortly.
Update 2: Foobooz confirms as well, adding that the Tap and Table concept will be transported to Philly in the coming months. Sad to see a great beer bar leaving the valley to open in Philly, especially since we enjoyed the food and service at Tap and Table so much more than The Bookstore. Sigh.
UPDATE: Confirmed that The Bookstore Speakeasy in Bethlehem will remain open, according to one of the business partners.