Lucky's Last Chance Debuts With Artistic Burgers and Craft Beer

When Chris Barnes, managing partner at Lucky’s Last Chance, 4421 Main Street, walked into the former Yunkers, he had a vision.

“The building screamed for some vintage arts,” he said. “We (his wife and business partner) bought the place in February. We wanted to make sure we were bringing the right thing to the neighborhood.”

The name was chosen to pay tribute to the history of Manayunk with a travel-inspired road trip feel mixed with old-style flair.

When walking into the building, you may notice a mosaic built out of recycled glass and in the pub area downstairs some carnival-type art pieces are displayed, all made by local artists.

“We may have some smaller art shows with art for sale,” Barnes said.

Keeping up with Manayunk’s green initiative, Lucky’s Last Chance plans on being as eco-friendly as possible. A local glass blowing artist in East Falls will be using their recycled beer bottles to make drinking glasses.

Upstairs at Lucky’s will feature electronic and house music with an underground vibe. There will be no top 40 dance grooves anymore. Nor will there be a jukebox downstairs in the pub area. Instead, patrons will be able to enjoy indie rock.

Hurricane Irene put a bit of a damper on their soft opening, which was set for before Labor Day weekend. However, the grand opening will be in the middle of September with discounted burgers throughout September.

The core of the menu are artistic burgers such as the macaroni and cheese burger, the bacon, egg and cheese burger, peanut butter and bacon burger with a side of jelly and the Joocey Lucy inspired from the Minnesota area, which is stuffed with American cheese, bacon and onion. The burgers will be accompanied by homemade onion rings and fries. Eventually artistic hot dogs will be on the menu with a New England-inspired any topping goes twist.

“Our produce is from Maple Acres Farms. We shop locally and get fresh meat – a special blend – from our butcher outside of the city,” said Barnes.

Craft beer, vintage cocktails and unique drinks such as the IPA fizz will also be highlights of the space.

“Our philosophy is to carry a couple local products one step further,” he said. “We taste test all of our beer and have a bunch of beer nerds working here. It works well together.”

To help the public learn about different types and tastes of beer, Lucky’s Last Chance will host Tuesday beer flight clubs where customers can sample four 4-ounce samples of new beers. Daily specials will stay the same and rotate as well as the original bar staff – some dating back to the days of Tonic.

The bar will be closed on Mondays with business hours from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. On Sunday football game days, the bar will open at noon.

Visit www.luckyslastchance.com for more information.