First Peek at The Wooden Match

Well, we may or may not have rolled into The Wooden Match last night during the soft opening/VIP party.  Here’s the details some of you have been looking for about the spot, including menu, beer, etc.

The new restaurant does look very much like the old Main Street Depot.  A big difference is the floors are much nicer (beautiful wood) and the bar is now a shiny, awesome copper.  They’ve also got a hell of a beer selection with Brew Works, Brooklyn Brown, Blanche de Bruxelles, Bell’s Two Hearted, Flying Dog Old Scratch, and Victory Headwaters all on tap (for FIVE DOLLARS per MUG during Musikfest!!!!).  Needless to say we’ll be heartily stocking up on Bell’s Two Hearted any time we’re on Northside.  Holy shit.  They’ve also got a serious bottle list going already.

The beer menu is in a cigar box and the food menu is pasted onto cigar box lids tied together.  Kinda Bookstore-esque but still cool.  The whiskey and bourbon selection could definitely get much larger as it’s the basics right now.  Foodwise they’ve got fries, pierogies, wings, nachos, and onion rings as appetizers priced from $7-$10.  The wings are called “12 Angry Birds” which is possibly the greatest name for hotwings in all of history.  The sandwiches are hot dogs, burgers, and ruebens ranging from $7 to $12.  The cigar selection is pretty basic for right now.  Keep in mind this is a soft opening and their menus will grow over time.

While hanging out I definitely enjoyed myself and it was refreshing to be able to sit in a relaxed atmosphere, have a cigar, and quaff a beer.  It wasn’t too loud or crazy.  It certainly wasn’t too smoky, and whatever smoke-eater system they have in there must suck more than (insert LV prostitute joke here).  Seriously though, there was no gagging on clouds of smoke or anything.  It was very clear inside.

The spot is now decorated with old train depot pics as well as cigar memorabilia like an old cigar store Indian.  Great stuff.  As mentioned, they’re doing cheap refills of great beer during Musikfest and already have a super-solid lineup of not only drafts, but bottles.  I talked to a few regulars from the Main Street Depot that don’t even smoke but came back and will be regulars just because they like the place.  It has all the mixins of a great place that will only get better.

The Wooden Match
61 East Lehigh St
Bethlehem, PA 181018