Kelly's Taproom — Restaurant in Lower Merion Township

I am very disappointed to say that I have not been able to step foot into Kelly’s past the front door. As a first year law student, I came to the bar with most of my class to enjoy the end of orientation and get to know everyone. However, the bouncer (who later told me was the manager as well) claimed that my ID was a fake. I know as a 22 year old from Arizona that my Arizona driver's license was in no way fake. Arizona did recently update their driver's licenses from an older version which looks completely different. Even though I explained this to the bouncer/manager, offered my Villanova ID, debit card, credit card, and insurance card as proof, he insisted my ID did not have the proper UV marks on it. Sadly, as a student who just moved to Pennsylvania, I left my passport, SS card, and birth certificate back in Arizona, thinking I wouldn't need them - wrong! I even called the local police station and an officer came to me and authenticated my ID. However he was not allowed to tell the bar that my ID was real since it could make him liable in case I got too drunk and something bad happened. What was most upsetting about my experience at Kelly's was how patronizing the bouncer/manager was. I understand they need to be strict and enforce checking ID properly, but using techniques that turn away potential paying customers for invalid reasons and treating that person like an idiot for wondering why this is happening is not professional, welcoming, or even decent. I am very disappointed in this business and encourage people to not waste your time or...

As a former neighbor of theirs for the first few years after their rebirth, I went once and i would never consider eating there again. When they re-opened, it looked ok so we tried it. The food was so-so

That has been about the best I've heard from anyone i know who's been there. That they serve overpriced garbage and watered down drinks seems to be the local consensus. Most think they'll be lucky to stay open another year.

It's a place for college kids to get drunk, particularly during a big game. Then they leave and cover the sidewalks with vomit all around the building. Walk by the place in the day time and you smell vomit and urine and bar rags and cigarettes and the place looks like a crack house. There are almost always cups and bottles and spilled take-out containers of garbage all around the place..It's not unusual to see a condom or some pills on the ground. Several years ago, I had personally seen drugs being dealt outside the building. Ironically, the guy buying was the asst manager. I think his name was Brian or Ryan. The funniest thing is when reopening, they were claiming this would be a family restaurant and nothing like the former kellys. Everything I have seen says its as bad or worse. So unless you just want a drink and can overlook the bad food and retched environment, there is nothing appetizing about this place at all

Overall, not very appetizing...

I'm understanding the bouncer is also the manager. In my opinion the way he handles his business and his customers is deplorable. He was rude, dignified, and down right audacious. He will flat out ignore you if he does not wish to speak with you any longer, no matter the level of respect you attempt to give him. Whomever this bouncer was (white male, approx 6", tattooed, bald I believe) is an absolute detriment to the establishment and ensured that I and a few others had a night filled with patronizing remarks, and a clear lack of professionalism in his line of work. I believe that when more than three people within an hour are voicing complaints about your demeanor, attitude, and ability to communicate with your customers politely, you should probably stop holding the door for others and remember not to let it hit you on the way out. As far as the mixed drinks went, sub par for the price you pay, the food was Meh. I won't be...