Obscure Bar Reviews - CJ & Ecks

Does this look like a man who would steer you wrong?

Once, long ago, your humble reviewer was a fresh faced young man just out of college wide eyed with hopes and dreams, and even though he did not live in the Manayunk\Roxborough area yet, he was still known to occasionally take a drink or two. Even then he was already developing a penchant for bars off the beaten path, and one of the first ones he stumbled into in the aforementioned area was the the newly re christened CJ & Ecks. Now, I'm not saying it's the reason I moved to the area, but it certainly didn't hurt. It was dank, the staff and patrons were friendly, and the lager was plentiful. Within 2 months I lived a few blocks away and still frequent it to this day.

Located at the corner of Shurs and Pechin streets, CJ's is straight up the hill from Main street Manayunk. As you walk up the hill, you can almost feel yourself rising above the pretentiousness that can accompany an evening out on Main street, and there, on the left, you'll see CJ's perched physically and symbolically above it all. A beacon in the night.

Now, CJ's has gone through some changes over the years. It's almost as if as if as I've grown, so have they. Sadly, the dank is gone. When you walk in, you are greeted by a large wooden bar and a well lit room. The first room is broken up into 2 portions, the lower set is taken up almost entirely by the bar, and a few small tables. a step up to the second portion of the room leads to a few more tables, overlooking the bar. This room was completely redone a few years back. The bar, while large and built of solid wood, can be slightly intrusive during busier times. If you can get a seat at it, it's a joy to work with. In the back is another room with plenty of tables. There is a small bar in here but it's rarely manned, good to know it's there for an emergency though. Finally, Upstairs is yet another bar and tables, decorated in the same style as the front bar. This room can also be rented out and is perfect for boisterous gatherings and special occasions.

Televisions abound in all three rooms. While, I sometimes feel this can detract from a bar, as it can limit conversation, it works here. This is a sports bar. Many a night have we come here to watch a Flyers or Eagles game, and enjoy the camaraderie of our peers. More than once have I done shots with formerly complete strangers as the result of a touchdown or timely goal. These are good things. Any bar can be good if you enter it with enough of your friends, the friendly staff and patrons here make it good all the time. The staff seems to know everyone, and it seems like their kind words and easy going demeanor are infectious.

The beer selection is decent. Lager, Guinness, some Canadian beers, and few mass produced brands on tap. strong take out selection for your walk home. Solid. Not exceptional, but solid.

Food is another story altogether though. It is exceptional. Try the Decks fries. Thank me later. Wings are great, and you get a free order with every pitcher on sundays. Combine that with the NFL package for direct tv and that's a long day of drinking. Nothing on the menu will let you down, and it runs the whole gamut of bar food, from salads, to burgers, to a more eclectic direction such as catfish.

All in all a great bar. the friendly staff practically begs you to drink and, truth be told, I have found myself there much later than planned on multiple occasions. One drink turns into many, and before you know it, you're struggling to get to work the next day. I will leave you with 2 words of warning gentle reader. One, don't use last call as a guide of when to call it a night. Two, CJ will attempt to charge you rent if you pass out there too often, believe me, I know.

Email the Author at mike@sunsoutgunsout.com