Rooster's Replacing Keswick Tavern In Glenside

GLENSIDE, PA —The Keswick Tavern will be replaced by a group joining forces to open Rooster's, which is expected sometime in the fall.

Stove and Co. Restaurant Group will team up with the owners of Jasper's Backyard to open Rooster's at 294 N. Keswick Ave. sometime this fall.

Justin Weathers, Joe Monnich and Glenside native Matt Moyer (Stove and Tap, Al Pastor, Joey Chops, GBU) and Chris Magarity (Jasper's Backyard) will open the classic American pub with a focus on great food and drinks, a welcoming and lively atmosphere, and customer service that will have locals feeling like royalty.

The new bar, restaurant, and community space will occupy the former home of Keswick Tavern.

Keswick Tavern's owners had announced their closure after numerous years in business and ended their tenure with an "End of Era" bash.

Rooster's will pay homage to Moyer's recently deceased father, who was very involved and well-known in the Glenside community.

The 3,000-square-foot space will feature 40 bar seats, 90 dining seats, and an additional 44 seats outside.

Rooster's will operate seven days a week, and offer lunch, brunch, dinner, happy hour, and late night services.

The menu will feature elevated pub fare, including a raw bar, burgers, sandwiches, salads, wings, seasonal entrees, and other crowd-pleasers.

The bar will feature 14 drafts on tap, plus eclectic wines by the glass and hand-made cocktails.

Construction begins this week.

As a community preview, Rooster’s will host a beer garden meet-and-greet in conjunction with the Greater Glenside July 4th Parade.

"We are excited to team up with our friends from Jasper’s Backyard to create a new classic American Pub with great food and drinks, a community-focused atmosphere and quality service,” Moyer said. “Chef Joe Monnich is busy creating a menu of elevated pub food with bold flavors and unique presentations. The bar program will offer a big selection of draft beers, eclectic wines and house-made cocktails. We are aiming to provide amazing service no matter the occasion or the time of day. Rooster’s is where we want locals to come to celebrate life and be treated like royalty. Whether it is a team coming in after the big game, a show at the Keswick Theatre, or friends and family coming together, we want to create a place where everyone is welcome and feels at home. We will also host live music and create a great new venue to cheer on the Phillies, Eagles, Sixers, Union and Flyers.”

The new concept will be named after Moyer’s father, Danny “Rooster” Moyer” who was a fixture of the Glenside community for many years.

The name “Rooster” came from Danny’s red hair.

Moyer recently passed away and the family thought naming the pub after him was the perfect way to honor his legacy. Moyer added, “He would have loved it.”

Rooster’s will be the 9th restaurant in Stove and Co's restaurant portfolio which includes Stove and Tap Lansdale, Stove and Tap West Chester, Al Pastor Exton, Al Pastor Havertown, Revival Pizza Pub Chester Springs, Joey Chops Malvern, GBU Good, Bad, and Ugly and DePaul's Table.

The new concept will occupy the former home of the Keswick Tavern, in the Keswick Village neighborhood of Glenside.

The Keswick Tavern operated for 25 years in the space, and Moyer said it was important to carry the torch for them after their amazing run. The location brings deep connections to the community, high visibility and walkability, and regional draw because of the nearby Keswick Theatre

.From the kitchen, Chef Monnich and his team will present an elevated menu of pub and bar favorites, all with a modern take, including oysters, wings, burgers, sandwiches and more. Sandwiches will include braised beef and smoked gouda dip on sour dough, hot fried chicken, and a big rooster double cheeseburger. Large plates will include roasted organic chicken, blackened tuna and housemade pastas.

For dessert, save room for the skillet blondie with salted caramel ice cream. On the weekends, look for Monnich to serve up an over-the-top brunch that aims to be one of the best regionally.

The menu will offer GF, vegetarian and healthier lighter options.

From the bar, look for a craft cocktail program highlighting made-to-order speakeasy throwbacks and new modern classics - all using fresh ingredients.

The beer program will feature 14 taps pouring, with a mix of local crafts, international favorites and macro classics. Bottle beers will feature pilsners, lagers, IPA, ciders, sours, wheats and classics. Wines by the glass will focus on eclectic varieties and top wine regions. Other beverages will include mocktails, ciders, Stateside Seltzers, Surfside Teas and Lemonades.

Renovations include a top to bottom design make-over, renovation of the bar to close the rectangle and add more seating, the addition of more communal tables and banquettes, a full rehab of the kitchen, and new bathrooms.

Renovations also include a big investment in upgrades to the televisions and sound system.

Outside, look for tables with umbrellas to be added, as well as work to flatten the sidewalk and add landscaping and flower boxes.For vibe and aesthetic, Weathers and Monnich will team up again with Barbara Balongue and Balongue Design.

For entertainment, look for a live music program, plus DJs and special events. For sports viewing, look for our 14' x 6' video wall and 8 additional TV's where you can see every game and cheer on the home teams.For special events, Rooster’s can hold special events with up to 60 people standing. Rooster’s will start to take party and event bookings later in August.

Rooster’s will create 26 full and part-time positions to start, with more after the opening phase.