Outdoor Dining Coming to MaGerks Pub and Grill

Whitemarsh Township approved a conditional use application for an outdoor patio with a bar and dining area at MaGerks Pub and Grill, at its Feb. 9 meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

According to project architect James Morrissey, the bar will utilize the large double doors in their rear to provide an "open air quality rear room" that leads onto the patio. The patio itself will have a roof over an outdoor bar, a pizza oven, and a collection of televisions for watching sports. The new outdoor area will sit along the existing parking lot or on the right hand side of someone facing the bar from Bethlehem Pike.

John Dolaway, who’s owned the location for the last two-and-a-half years and renovated it in that time at what he called "substantial expense," emphasized MaGerks, despite previous ownership and all its previous iterations—including a stretch as college bar The Bent Elbow—is now a family oriented bar and restaurant.

He explained to the board that in order to stay competitive with other area restaurants, he needed an outdoor dining area.

"We find it necessary to keep up with the Jones," he said, adding that PJ Whelihan’s, Fireside Bar and Grill, and Redstone American Grill each already have or are building outdoor seating. He added that MaGerk’s would be most similar to Redstone’s.

"It looks wonderful," said vice-chair Sara Erlbaum.