Iconic Philadelphia craft beer bar the Grey Lodge has announced that they will close for good due to COVID restrictions.
The Grey Lodge turned 70 years old this year and was one of the first craft beer bars and a pivotal player in the Philadelphia beer scene. Owner Mike “Scoats” Scotese posted an announcement on the Grey Lodge Facebook page saying “I am gutted by this, but it is time for me to move on.”
Associated project Lucky Cat Brewing, located next door, will continue operating.
The final blow for Grey Lodge and many other hospitality businesses in the city may have been due to the recent ban on indoor dining, which went into effect on Friday, Nov. 20.
Full Statement from Grey Lodge Owner Mike Scotese
Special Announcement
This latest shutdown (which I’m not blaming anyone for) will be the final blow for the Grey Lodge Pub. Alter ego Lucky Cat Brewing will live on, but there is no plan to reopen the Grey Lodge. The bar at 6235 Frankford Avenue turned 70 this year, and I have been there for 27 of those years.
I want to thank everyone, on both sides of the bar, who made the Grey Lodge the special place it was. A lot of strangers became lifelong friends, some even became family. It has been a great run. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I will be at 6235 Frankford on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm* for contactless pick-up of Lucky Cat 4-packs and anything else I can put up on the Square store and/or greyBay auction page. So please keep your eyes open, we’ll have some great deals.
While working the 41st Friday the Firkinteenth (thanks to everyone who could make it), I got a text to check my email. It said that on Monday the city would be announcing the shutting down of indoor dining for at least 6 weeks. With the high of a Firkinteenth being successful in spite of everything, coupled with a dismal but sadly now not unusual Saturday, it was a fitting time to hang it up.
Grey Lodge was much more than a building, it was always about people. Whenever we can all safely be together again, we’ll have a huge reunion. Maybe at 6235 Frankford Ave, maybe somewhere else. I know the spirit of the Grey Lodge will live on in the friendships we have made. Once again, thank you.
Until we meet again!
Scoats