If you need a reason to take a mini trip outside of the city this weekend, there are now three, and it’s Good Bad and Ugly.
Luckily, these reasons are not literal, and what you can actually expect is Stove and Co. Restaurant Group’s latest eatery opening this Thursday in West Chester. This first-ever bar-focused concept for the group represents their fifth grand opening during the pandemic as they expand across the Main Line and western suburbs — and it brings out a modern twist on an old-fashioned underground dive bar.
Good Bad and Ugly boasts 2,000 square feet and features seating for 52 people, including at the giant 80-foot long bar, plus games that include a pool table, foosball and shuffleboard. Fans of old-fashioned spaghetti westerns will be able to indulge in the owners’ (Justin Weathers and Joseph Monnich) love of Clint Eastwood and Quentin Tarantino movies.
“Good Bad and Ugly in West Chester is our homage to something that we all love — a good dive bar,” said Weathers in a statement. “We wanted to put our own Stove and Tap twist on a dive bar with delicious food in baskets that you eat with your hands, games to play, TVs to watch, sports to cheer for, well-made drinks, a great mix of beers on tap and by the can, and design that is sensory overload to keep the energy light and fun.”
“We want a spot [where] you can come as you are — whether it’s dressed from work, casual from home, or stylish for a night on the town,” he continued. “We want to tell all sides of the story — the good, the bad and the ugly. All are welcome and invited. We’re bringing the fun back to the bar game in our region — but with the same level of quality you would expect from us.”
What patrons can expect when walking through the front door is Warhol-inspired wallpaper with a cowboy and a horse mask, Vato-style murals behind the taps, modern impactful lighting and custom games. For design, the duo worked with Next Studios as the architects, and they self-designed the interior decor elements, according to a news release.
Weathers added: “We wanted a country vibe in the bar but with modern pop colors and tones. Joe picked the horse head on the mural and it makes me laugh every time I look at it.”
Now, on to the food and drinks.
Good Bad and Ugly is focused on a “tight easy selection of signature house cocktails that are designed for flavor, quality and also speed.” Cocktail selections include their Banging Lemonade (vodka and housemade lemonade), Flying Out Loud (rum, pineapple and Tropical Red Bull), Mex in the City (tequila, pomegranate juice, house grenadine and lemon), and more.
There is also wine by the glass, drafts, ciders, bottled beer and more to compliment the food menu as well. Speaking of dishes, those who head to the new venue can indulge in tap fries (made with smoked brisket, beer, cheese and cheese curds), crispy chicken fingers (available in plain, Nashville or hot), an All American Burger (made with a double patty, American Cheese, special sauce, pickled onions and lettuce on a Big Marty’s Seeded Roll) and much more.
Patrons can sip and eat on the food and drinks for a discounted price during happy hour as well, which is available on the weekends. Happy hour will run daily, from Wednesday to Sunday, from 4 to 6 p.m., with priced specials starting at only $3, including $3 domestics, $4 craft drafts, $5 well cocktails, $6 house cocktails and $6 snacks.
So, why open a place like this now? For the owners, who also operate Stove and Tap, Revival Pizza Pub, Al Pastor and DePaul’s Table, there was an obvious reason. Weathers explained, “With all we just went through the last two years, the world needs a good bar right about now.”
Weathers also said: “With Good Bad and Ugly, we wanted to bring something a little different and new here to West Chester. There’s tons of great spots for a drink on the town, happy hour and dinner, but we wanted to create a brand new spot where you can come as you are, let your hair down, have fun, and have things to do.”
“Sometimes you want to go out for a casual night after work and play some pool, grab a great beer and hang with friends. Other nights, you want to stop out for a drink before a date night on the town. We want to be all of those things. We want to cater to those that want to go out and have fun and escape for the evening.”
Good Bad and Ugly (158 W. Gay St, West Chester), like all saloons, is 21 and up only and officially opens Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. Opening hours will be Wednesdays, from 4 p.m. to midnight; Thursdays and Fridays, from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturdays, from noon to 2 a.m.; and Sundays, from noon to midnight. The kitchen closes at 11 p.m. nightly. For more information about Good Bad and Ugly, visit goodbaduglywc.com
