Joe’s Tavern — or maybe a museum exhibit of what happens when time forgets to move forward.
has been around since 1960, and you can feel every year of it in the air — in the walls, in the attitude, in the way outsiders get measured before they even sit down. The place calls itself a local institution, a place where locals connect and visitors feel at home, but home is supposed to feel safe — not judged.
This isn’t gritty charm. It isn’t dive-bar authenticity. It’s the kind of place where if you’re not part of the story already written, you’re treated like a typo.
There are bars that are rough around the edges and still make you feel human. This wasn’t that.
This was the kind of place that smiles in marketing copy and frowns in real life.
Maybe if you’ve been going there for twenty years, it feels like home. If you haven’t — it feels like being reminded you’re not supposed to be there.
Some places age like whiskey. Some places just sit in the bottle too long.
I won’t be back.
Being told what I was told wasn’t just bad service — it was a moment that sticks to you like the smoke that hangs in bars that still cling to exemptions and nostalgia instead of progress.
These other reviews and the owner responses are everything you need to know about how some kinds of people are treated there. Whether it was bias, poor judgment, or just terrible customer service, I myself felt humiliated. It’s been a while since I’ve felt like that.
Places like this survive on nostalgia and loyal regulars, not on actually evolving or treating every customer with respect.
If you’re looking for: • Inclusive atmosphere • Professional customer service • Feeling comfortable as a new customer
You may want to consider one of the many other spots in Bethlehem.
Can’t wait for your Amazon same day response
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Dean Koski
Best kept secret in Bethlehem. Fantastic burgers, great menu, old school bar vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Revan Canty
I didn't try any of their food but I saw one of the owner ladies arguing with some children about where snow goes after they blew all of their snow into our parking lot she is upset that they're playing in the snow in their parking lot I'm not happy to see this it's giving off Karen energy
Service: 1
Larry glisson
The food was was nasty and they don't know how to cook it right
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Sergey Chmutov
It was not that busy, but we were completely ignored by both bartenders for about 10 minutes.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Lynne
Great watering hole! Can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe Al
Awesome local spot. Cash only, with a good selection of beers. The food is pretty good as well. Good service, friendly atmosphere, great for any kind of outing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Manuel Pena Batlle
EDIT: miserable vibes, Karen-esque
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Curt James
Friendly staff. Good food.
Denis Calarco
We should have just left after the first 15 minutes. It was 25 minutes before we got drinks and no, it was not busy at all. The guy was just sitting outside at a table with people. When we finally got the food (burgers, simple but took over half an hour) it was so incredibly salty. Absolutely will never go again. Over $100 for a couple burgers and drinks.
Great place for karaoke and a fun atmosphere. Tight space, but definitely had a great time!!!
Josh Huntington
Joe's Tavern is a bar & grill located on W Broad St. in Bethlehem. They are open Mon - Tue 3PM - 12AM, Wed 3PM - 2AM, and Thu - Sun 11:30AM - 2AM.
My buddies and I stopped in for the first time last Thursday afternoon. The food was tasty, and the bartender was friendly and efficient.
The menu is small, but has all of your favorite bar eats; cheesesteaks, wings, burgers, sandwiches, etc. I ordered French onion soup, wings (sweet and sweaty/garlic Parmesan), and the onion mushroom & Swiss burger with garlic Parmesan fries.
The FOS was sweet and savory, the wings were crispy and flavorful, and the burger was juicy and well seasoned.
Joe's has indoor and outdoor seating. Pickup is available, but there is no delivery. Cash only.
Mary Lee DeMarco
Great place. Ethan was very friendly and professional.
Andrew Underwood
Great local spot
Ric Ravier
Some pretty delicious burgers. Cash only. Very simple and good place. Nice beer selection. Lots of interesting cans too.
Joe’s Tavern — or maybe a museum exhibit of what happens when time forgets to move forward.
has been around since 1960, and you can feel every year of it in the air — in the walls, in the attitude, in the way outsiders get measured before they even sit down. The place calls itself a local institution, a place where locals connect and visitors feel at home, but home is supposed to feel safe — not judged.
This isn’t gritty charm.
It isn’t dive-bar authenticity.
It’s the kind of place where if you’re not part of the story already written, you’re treated like a typo.
There are bars that are rough around the edges and still make you feel human.
This wasn’t that.
This was the kind of place that smiles in marketing copy and frowns in real life.
Maybe if you’ve been going there for twenty years, it feels like home.
If you haven’t — it feels like being reminded you’re not supposed to be there.
Some places age like whiskey.
Some places just sit in the bottle too long.
I won’t be back.
Being told what I was told wasn’t just bad service — it was a moment that sticks to you like the smoke that hangs in bars that still cling to exemptions and nostalgia instead of progress.
These other reviews and the owner responses are everything you need to know about how some kinds of people are treated there. Whether it was bias, poor judgment, or just terrible customer service, I myself felt humiliated. It’s been a while since I’ve felt like that.
Places like this survive on nostalgia and loyal regulars, not on actually evolving or treating every customer with respect.
If you’re looking for:
• Inclusive atmosphere
• Professional customer service
• Feeling comfortable as a new customer
You may want to consider one of the many other spots in Bethlehem.
Can’t wait for your Amazon same day response
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Best kept secret in Bethlehem. Fantastic burgers, great menu, old school bar vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I didn't try any of their food but I saw one of the owner ladies arguing with some children about where snow goes after they blew all of their snow into our parking lot she is upset that they're playing in the snow in their parking lot I'm not happy to see this it's giving off Karen energy
Service: 1
The food was was nasty and they don't know how to cook it right
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
It was not that busy, but we were completely ignored by both bartenders for about 10 minutes.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Great watering hole! Can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome local spot. Cash only, with a good selection of beers. The food is pretty good as well. Good service, friendly atmosphere, great for any kind of outing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
EDIT: miserable vibes, Karen-esque
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Friendly staff. Good food.
We should have just left after the first 15 minutes. It was 25 minutes before we got drinks and no, it was not busy at all. The guy was just sitting outside at a table with people. When we finally got the food (burgers, simple but took over half an hour) it was so incredibly salty. Absolutely will never go again. Over $100 for a couple burgers and drinks.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great place for karaoke and a fun atmosphere. Tight space, but definitely had a great time!!!
Joe's Tavern is a bar & grill located on W Broad St. in Bethlehem. They are open Mon - Tue 3PM - 12AM, Wed 3PM - 2AM, and Thu - Sun 11:30AM - 2AM.
My buddies and I stopped in for the first time last Thursday afternoon. The food was tasty, and the bartender was friendly and efficient.
The menu is small, but has all of your favorite bar eats; cheesesteaks, wings, burgers, sandwiches, etc. I ordered French onion soup, wings (sweet and sweaty/garlic Parmesan), and the onion mushroom & Swiss burger with garlic Parmesan fries.
The FOS was sweet and savory, the wings were crispy and flavorful, and the burger was juicy and well seasoned.
Joe's has indoor and outdoor seating. Pickup is available, but there is no delivery. Cash only.
Great place. Ethan was very friendly and professional.
Great local spot
Some pretty delicious burgers. Cash only. Very simple and good place. Nice beer selection. Lots of interesting cans too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheeseburger and Fries
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