On May 12, the newly remodeled 3rd and Spruce Drafthaus opened their doors to an eager public. A beloved West Reading institution since 1983, the former Third and Spruce Cafe was previously owned by John Woodward.
When the pandemic forced the Cafe to close its doors last year, Woodward decided to sell the building instead of reopening himself. In April 2021, Victor Pytleski–who also owns The Ugly Oyster in Reading–purchased the property and reopened the restaurant as 3rd and Spruce Drafthaus.
General Manager Jared Klinger shared that while the building was remodeled in many ways (new paint, flooring, etc.), they worked hard to keep a sense of the original aesthetic of the building for customers. “It’s an iconic building,” he said, noting that they kept the neon lighting the bar was famous for, as well as the giant bottle cap on one of the walls.
The ambiance is not the only aspect of the restaurant that will excite both old and new fans of 3rd and Spruce–the carefully curated menu is sure to delight even the pickiest eaters.
“You can get a good variety of options; anything from excellent steaks and seafood to chicken fingers, fries, wings, and burgers, etc,” said Klinger.
Head chef Trevor Fake agreed, sharing that there weren’t many places in the area known for delivering truly delicious, high-quality steaks and seafood, and that he was looking forward to bringing that to West Reading.
“[We are] all about sustainability, [using] local produce, working with the community, and supporting small and local [businesses],” said Fake. Fake also noted that working with his wife, Brianna Fake, was particularly special. “I get to come to work with my best friend,” he said.
In addition to the delicious menu, 3rd and Spruce Drafthaus offers a brand-new bar, speciality drinks, a game room, a second story with its own bar that can be reserved for private parties, and live music on the weekends.
Front of House Manager Brianna Fake shared that the community response to their soft opening last week has been extremely positive. “There’s been good vibes, good feedback,” she said. “We’ve been open for 3 days, [and have had] nothing but a lot of love.”
3rd and Spruce Drafthaus is open Tuesday-Thursday from 4-11PM, and Friday-Saturday from 4 PM-12 AM. To learn more or view their menu, you can visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/3rd-and-Spruce-Drafthaus-1425846494309211, or their Instagram at @3rd_sprucedrafthaus.
