I went few weeks ago to Deuce and had two apple martinis late afternoon. I was sick that night and next morning. My only explanation is that they used a pretty bad vodka. I have never felt that bad for two drinks. Has anybody have a similar experience in that place? I am not going back.

Is this another slam-the-establishment thread?

You have no proof it was bad vodka, or do you have a toxicology report? My advice: drink beer or stay home.

Seriously, you can't be serious. That's a ridiculous assertion. There are any number of reason why two appletinis will lay you up.

Drinking on an empty stomach.

Low tolerance (appletinis have the equivalent of three ounces of alcohol per serving.)

Food poisioning from something ingested earlier in the day.

IMHO, K's post is an unwarranted attack that deserves an apology. It's gutless to attack somebody's reputation like that. You should say you're sorry.

Excuse me but It is not a malicious statement. It is just a comment. If you are their customer and nothing happens to you then you keep going and everything is OK. For instance, I read things about Honney here and yet I always go because "my" experience is what matters to me when I choose a restaurant and I like their food.
No need to get defensive.
That drink is my usual drink, I always have it, my stomach was not empty for I ate there also. I was surprised to get sick.
Anyways I am not apologizing at all for voicing my experience. I have no interest involved in the restaurant business of our neighborhood more than being a satisfied customer.

Just out of curiosity, if you ate there, too, why would you think it was the vodka?

Well, going around old city for first Friday I have had the experience of having cheap cheap wine or mixed wine a few times and I get a hangover right away. How do I know is cheap? I get a hangover in a matter of hours, not even next day. I am not knowledgeable in alcoholic beverages, but anyways the symptoms were similar, that is why I assume that was the problem. Nothing was spinning, two apple martinis do not affect me that way, it was just that feeling....
I only wanted to know if I was the only one so maybe is just that my body is changing, but if others were or had experiences like that... if there are many complains companies change policies, organization, whatever. If there is only one complain then not big deal, at least that is how I see it.

Clearly that is the case!

An apple martini is an apple martini. When a person orders and apple martini it is automatically made with "well" vodka. Well vodka is the inexpensive vodka you would find for around $7 at the liquor store. A step up from well vokda is "call". Call vodkas are absolut, stoli, ketel one, etc. The finer and most expensive vodkas are "top shelf" - belvedere, grey goose, etc.

All in all, if you were ordering a vodka martini, which is 7 counts of vodka and a very light splash of vermouth, you would want to request a call or top shelf vodka, as most of your drink is vodka. On the other hand, an apple martini has less vodka and much more green apple pucker and sour.

The difference between top shelf and well vodka? Not a lot. In fact recently, Smirnoff Vodka beat out Belvedere and Grey Goose in a taste test performed by the New York Times.

I would focus more on what you ate. You have to realize that your apple martinis have been made with cheap vodka everywhere, and since they have never made you sick before, they aren't going to now.

Thank you Saturninus.
Though I still believe it was the apple martinis which caused the distress (hey, maybe they don't go well with half a plate of chicken wings), I have learned something here thanks to you. I had no idea of the differences and will try to be smarter when ordering next time.
Thanks for your constructive response!

This whining about drinks is giving me a hangover.

As the manager and one of the bartenders at Deuce I can tell you we use Vox green apple vodka and Smirnoff green apple vodka for our Apple Martinis. (Neither of which is considered "well", if you read our drink menu you would know this.)

In regard to the food at Deuce, we just hired a brand new kitchen staff and our food is fabulous.

Honestly..I think Deuce is great. I love the look, food, and drinks. I also love the ideas Laura has for it...with the old school tattoo work, etc. However, I'm really not fond of the crowd in there. Or atleast the ignorant closed minded people I had the displeasure of meeting! That can be found everywhere though. I just don't feel comfortable walking out of my apartment and past the bar anymore. I should not be ostracized outside of my own home because I look "different" than them. Last night I was told to take off my shirt and was severely made fun of when I just keep walking. Last week a lady loudly talked a lot of trash about me while turning around in her chair to follow me down the walk. All I could hear is "What is SHE doing here? Why is she dressed like that? Eww. Blah blah blah blah blah" And on it went. I can say now that I will probably never hang out there again. I refuse to go where I am not comfortable. I do not like that it is right outside my house that I should have these people make fun of me. But such is life I suppose. It's ashame that people still can't accept difference in others. Get over it! Sorry to incessantly babble. Just thought I'd add that it is a good bar. Never found anything wrong w/ the food, drink, or staff.

Wow, that's too bad that people were being such ****** to you. Just out of curiosity, how exactly do you dress that causes such responses? Also, where is Duce?

Deuce is on the corner of 2nd Street and Liberties Walk, between Wildey and George. They've rejiggered everything and are throwing a Grand Opening bash this Wednesday (8/17) from 7p to midnight. The whole neighborhood's invited.

Oh great, so the Jersey crowd have left Delaware Ave. and Old City and are now in Northern Liberties. Awesome.

Remarkable leap, there, Bernie--I didn't see the words "Jersey" anywhere in this thread before your post.

Allow me to edit: "Oh, great, so people from out of this still-blighted neighborhood want to come here and spend money. Awesome."

Yeah, why is everyone so upset when others want to actually help Northern Libs. economy? I don't understand the rationale behind segregation.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion on Deuce, as well as to voicing it, but let me suggest we shift our messages on this board towards more positive things we can do for the neighborhood, rather than using the board to complain about Deuce. If Deuce is smart, it will learn from its early mistakes (e.g. pajama party). If Deuce is not smart, it'll go out of business. Quickly. Another business will fill the space left behind by Deuce. It's that simple. Let's talk about the good we can do for the neighborhood, and let our spending dollars speak for themselves when it comes to Deuce. The invisible hand of free market forces will take care of the rest. P.S.--As regards 'South Jersey types' planting a flag at Deuce, hopefully Deuce realizes this clientele alone is not enough to sustain Deuce in the long term in its current NLs location. And with these final words I make my truce with Deuce.

What exactly was so horrible about this inital pajama party? I'm so confused.

The pajama party was sponsored by Starbucks Liqueur, which was clear evidence to some that Deuce was simply a Trojan horse designed to sneak an actual Starbucks into NoLib. Had the party been sponsored instead by, say, Stolichnaya Vodka, those same types might have accused Deuce of opening NoLib to the Russian Mafia.

I might point out to the more determined NIMBY people that Cescaphe Ballroom is responsible for bringing people in tuxedoes and evening gowns to the neighborhood. Surely there's a paranoid fantasy to be spun there, as well...

CC, as far as I know, what some people disliked about the pajama party was primarily the concept itself, rather than the choice of sponsor. A Greenpeace-sponsored pajama party would have been just as unpopular with some people. My guess is these people are fearful, correctly or not, pajama parties involving people over 21 will turn the NLs into Old City North. Regardless, as someone stated in a post above this one, the market will decide what works and what doesn't in the NLs. You can't please everyone all the time, as I think some saying goes. Meanwhile, last I heard Cescaphe will continue to enforce a strictly adult dress code on their patrons.

Ok, I guess I can see your point, but who am I, or you, or anyone else for that matter, to dictate which events are "acceptable" to host in a certain area of the city? Does this not strike you all as extrememly bigoted? Please read the "I don't get it" post to see more. If the residents of N. Libs are truely united in not having such events thrown in their neighborhood, won't a zero attendence put an end to it? Why is everyone on this board so against shirts with collars and nice cars? Does the way a person dresses make he or she bad?

Old City residents are way more tolerant of others than are you hypocrites!

CC- I usually wear jeans, stiletto's, t's..that sort of thing. I don't walk around in slutty or gothy clothes ever. But I'm "heavily" tattooed according to some people. I also change my hair a lot. Right now it's pretty bright red. So I do attract attention. I'm used to that. It just sucks that people feel the need to loudly talk trash about it. A lot of the frat styled guys see me and think I'm easy so they make really rude comments. I own the gallery a few doors down from Deuce. I'm surely no slut. It's ashame that people feel the need to be that way!

CC, I think some people in the NLs don't mind collar shirts so much as they mind pajamas. Just kidding!!! Seriously now: as others have said, the market, and time, will determine Deuce's fate. I think this is what you allude to when you write about 'zero attendance' (though your harmless use of this term might inadvertently send chills up Deuce's spine!). Regardless of one's tastes for attire or automobiles, I can tell you this: sociological studies have found a healthy dose of humor greatly increases people's enjoyment of the NLs. So my advice to you is get out there, get involved and enjoy the neighborhood. You'll be surprised how friendly people can be. Heck, someone might even stop you on the street and ask you where you bought that nice Ralph Lauren seersucker suit (they might also ask you if you have some spare change!)

Ha, ha... Ok, good post, and fair enough. For the record, I'm not the typical "frat boy" type and I certainly do enjoy the neighborhood. I just happen to be very open-minded and dislike when I hear our residents trash any demographic b/c of dress and hair style. It's just so silly.

this has really gone too far. i often hear people on this site complain about being judged for their look. i have to tell you something , you have a complex. you really really really really need to get over yourself. no one cares what you look like. stop acting like those goth kids on south park. i myself have tattoos and have, what the masses would call, an "edgy" look.ive been to deuce and ive never seen anyone eyball me. hell ive never been eyballed at a steven star joint. we dont live in alabama, we live in philly. i doubt anyone here was shocked by you ink or your clothes. you ever think that you are the one doing judging people for being different from you?

Deuce in the Inky, sounds good, let's give it a shot:

"The northern end of Northern Liberties is set to get new action this week with Deuce (1040 N. Second St., 215-413-3822), part of the new Liberties Walk development just below Girard Avenue.

Owner Laura Vernola - former marketing director for the strip club Delilah's and current marketing director for Liberties Walk's developer, Tower Investments - intends it as a pub with ramped-up food, along the order of Standard Tap down the block and the nearby N. 3rd.

Head chef is Scott Schroeder, whose resume includes Jake's, Jones, Brasserie Perrier and ¡Pasion! Randy Walker, a vet of Standard Tap and N. 3rd, is general manager. Kobe beef burger ($11) is the priciest menu item, and four beers are on tap. For now, it's open for dinner and late night daily (kitchen is open till 1 a.m.); lunch is due to start next month. Design is by Owen Kamihira, who consulted on most of Stephen Starr's restaurants and happens to be planning a tapas restaurant of his own in Liberties Walk."

(Michael Klein, Table Talk)

I did not read the entire post concerning Deuce but I wanted to say that my better half and I ate there this Saturday night for the first time. We thought it was awesome, very sexy, and completely trendelicious if you are into quality trendy. The price is right and the hand made ravioli was dangerously good. Even the chicken dish was excellent and that says a lot for the most bland tasting of proteins. Their hummus was cold and fresh and a perfect opening dish for what was a very enjoyable meal at Deuce. Drinks were good and average price. Service was friendly and personable. Everyone seemed to be cool trendoids and best of all we did not get ill. The prices were really good and if you haven't gone... go! It's a nice place.

Two more up votes for Deuce on Friday night. Unusual and tasty watercress and shrimp salad, good drinks (Horses, Green Apple Martini), and excellent service.

Went to Deuce with my son last week and we both agreed that their Kobe Beef Hambuger was the best burger either of us had had in years. The Cheese Steak Spring Rolls were really good, too.

I like the place, however...$2.50 for a can of Pabst?! You gotta be puttin me on

I don't mind Duece at first i was a little turned off by all the meat heads out side. Than i went there and I liked the Food the meat heads were nice. The Staff was excellent. 2.50 for PBr is the norm in the city. I didn't like the 5 bucks for a blue moon. Overall i don't mind mixing with the high Falutin trash that goes there as long as they don't mind me strolling out of the gutter and grabing a beer there

Actually- at the Manhattan Room you can get a PBR for $1.50, and Lager is buy one get one free from 5-7.
So, yeah, Deuce is a little over priced, but you're paying to sit in a fancy place.

I don't know that I would call Deuce "fancy" however if you're looking for a deal, I would go there during happy hour... as for the PBR, a PBR and a shot of Beam Black is only 5 bucks.

I've driven by Deuce a half a dozen times and decided to stop in this evening to have a beer and a bite. It was wonderful! I was greeted with a pretty smile and an awesome attitude. The bartender was really cool and the olive flatbread plate with roasted peppers and hummus was delicious and fresh. Since I've moved to this area I haven't found a place that made me feel as at home as Deuce.

My friends and I heard Randy is no longer Manager at Deuce, what happened and where is he now?

What happened to Randy?My friends and I came a few weeks ago and heard he wasn't there anymore. Where can we find him now?

we want randy

I have just started going to Deuce, so I dont even know who Randy is. That being said, I don't know about anyone else, but I for one have never needed any one particular person to work at an establishment for me to like it? I for one have had nothing but great service, drinks(great Wiskey selection), and food (the Kobe Beef buger is great) at Deuce! I welcome another option for my friends and I to dine, or just hang out at in this great neighborhood!

I really loved the place!!

NLF

I hear that Randy is now at the Fire.

I have had a great time every time I have been there. I like the atmosphere and the people, but they really need to work on their vegetarian/vegan options. If they had more options for us, I would be more likely to go more often.

We are working on a few vegan/Vegetarian items for our menu, any suggestions or feed back would be great. Thanks for the thumbs up!

Deuce gets a "surprisingly decent" review in PW:
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/view.php?id=10821

not suprising at all, Deuce Rocks!!!

The Shops on Liberties Walk celebrate Halloween with a swirl of sensations, specials and savings all night Wednesday, October 26th. Play KNOB CREEK Texas Hold ’Em for fun and prizes and enjoy great music!

It’s your chance to see Philadelphia’s
newest live/work/shop community at its best… don’t miss it!

Deuce Restaurant & Bar
Happy Hour from 5–7pm with drink specials all night long - Giveaways from the Liberties Walk retailers for best dressed

Art Star
Nicole Styer Trunk Show, 5–8pm
Come check out Nicole’s latest Fall designs & enjoy light refreshments

Brown Betty Dessert Boutique
Sweet & Savory Spoken Word featuring local poets and an open mic, 7–9pm

Cheree Amour Shoes
20% off all purchases

The Chic Petique
Animal adoptions & 10% discount on selected merchandise

Delicious Boutique
10% off all corsets

Lithe Pilates
One-day sale on private apparatus sessions for new clients only, 2 for $99

5pm -Midnight / Open House 5-7pm
1030-1040 N. 2nd St. T Philadelphia

gotta give props to deuce. i've been in the industry for many years now as a server/bartender/barista, the list goes on. i brought friends from out of town there this past saturday night LATE and we were ALL impressed. our drinks were great, one of the best cosmos i ever had actually, which was unexpected. our server was SUPER sweet and attentive. the prices were totally affordable, despite the trendy, lounge-ish vibe. love the red light by the way...EVERYONE looks good in red light. thanks deuce, i'll be back.

A peek in the crystal ball shows Deuce winning "Best New Restaurant" in the upcoming 2006 CityPaper Choice Awards. Let's see...did they also win for "Best Burger"? Answer hazy...try again later...

I was really disappointed with the PW article on Deuce. I go to Deuce at least once a week and I did not agree whatsoever with the review that I read this past week. Is this woman serious? I can honestly say that I would not go there if I did not become immediately addicted to the food. The kobe burger is phenomenal and she made it sound like good late-nite diner food. I say we boycott the Weekly!

Everytime that I have been to Deuce, the service has been great and the food was just as good, but why do they have to play the same two Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin cds? The people that work there seem cooler than that. Is it mandatory?

Deuce is falling into the same trap as Morton's: they think they have to play Sinatra et al to get that "rat pack" vibe.

Both restaurants are wrong, and Sinatra would walk out on the music they play. Better they should reach for the real thing: Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Jim Hall, instumental combo stuff. As Mel Brooks tells it, Anne Bancroft's only ultimatum to him after they were married was, "No vocals during dinner."

(And I'd much rather eat at Deuce than Morton's any day!)

Does anyone remember the Rat Pack Cafe, where Feewee's was? They blasted Liza Minelli until we had to leave. An unfortunate choice of ambiance.

(Not to change the subject)