Philadelphia Tavern: The Shortest Distance Between Philly and The Courts at Historic Manassas

If you're from the Philadelphia area and looking for a taste of home—literally—in Manassas, you'll love The Philadelphia Tavern. This casual bar and grill is located just minutes from The Courts at Historic Manassas, and not only does it serve a menu of Philly-style fare, it even contains an antique, 1800s bar that was transported all the way from the City of Brotherly Love.

That's not to say you need to hail from Philly to this eatery's authentic cheesesteaks! What's more, Philadelphia Tavern's menu also includes fresh salads, hearty dinnertime entrees, and shareable appetizers, and the bar serves microbrews sourced from the Philadelphia area. Stop in to catch a Flyers or Eagles game on the many flatscreen televisions, or enjoy the sunny outdoor patio with friends on a warm afternoon!

Philadelphia Tavern
9413 Main St
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 393-1776
philadelphiatavern.com

Calling All Bookworms at The Courts at Historic Manassas: Find Fiction, Nonfiction and More at the Central Community Library

There are few community resources more valuable than a public library, and in Manassas, the Central Community Library is just that place. This 23,000-square-foot library is both historic and modern, and its convenient location just minutes from The Courts at Historic Manassas makes it a great place to check out books or attend a class.

At the Central Community Library, you'll find thousands upon thousands of fiction, nonfiction and children's books, as well as resource books and periodicals perfect for students or other types of researchers. Free public access computers and printers are available to anyone with a library card, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout. The library also contains private meeting rooms where you can attend a group meeting.

Be sure to check out the library's online calendar for a list of upcoming events, like English conversation classes, book bingo, storytimes, and craft workshops!

Central Community Library
8601 Mathis Ave
Manassas, VA 20110-5270
(703) 792-8360
www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/library/Pages/history.aspx

Happy Friday, The Courts at Historic Manassas! Kick Off the Weekend with a Pulled Pork Sandwich from Virginia Barbeque

Turn off the oven, The Courts at Historic Manassas—you're going out tonight! The spot? Virginia Barbeque. This strip mall eatery might not offer much by way of ambiance, but regular diners don't seem to mind one bit! The real deal is in the food: authentic Southern barbecue.

Try a sandwich combo. You can choose between pork, beef, and chicken, pick two sides, and add an iced tea or lemonade to wash it down. The Texas BBQ beef sandwich comes highly recommended and you can't go wrong with the ribs. Sometimes it's just a classic American hot dog you want. You'll get it here and for a good price.

Go in on one of the restaurant's less busy evenings to avoid the wait time. Good meat takes preparation, so a weekend evening means you'll be sipping on your iced tea for a little while.

Virginia Barbeque
Davis Ford Crossing Shopping Center
9952 Liberia Ave
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 369-4227
www.virginiabbq.com

Good News, The Courts at Historic Manassas! Nathan’s Dairy Bar Reopens March 8!

When your sweet tooth strikes and you're craving cool, refreshing ice cream, you'll love the wide variety of soft-serves at Nathan's Dairy Bar, a '50s-style ice cream parlor near The Courts at Historic Manassas. Reopening for 2016 on March 8, Nathan's Dairy Bar is a favorite among locals during the warmer Virginia months, when a shake or cone provides sweet relief from the summer sun.

Stop by and order from the old-fashioned counter at the bright red and white building, and then take your dessert to one of the matching red picnic tables to enjoy it outdoors. The menu includes everything from classic chocolate and vanilla soft-serve ice creams to low-fat sorbets and specialty flavors that change twice each week.

When the weather begins to cool down, the mobile Nate Jr. ice cream bus even drives around town serving fall favorites, like hot apples served over vanilla ice cream and topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce!

Nathan's Dairy Bar
8948 Mathis Ave
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 335-9051
nathansdairybar.com

Try the Breakfast of Champions at Tin Cannon Brewing Company

Brewmasters Aaron Ludwig and John Hilkert make the perfect complementary pair at Tin Cannon Brewing Company in Gainesville, a town not far from The Courts at Historic Manassas. Whereas Ludwig likes to brew more traditional beers, Hilkert shines when he's experimenting with offbeat brews. Together, they create a wide spectrum of suds ranging from classic to creative.

The more traditional beers include the Virginia Blonde Ale, the Busted Pipe Black IPA, and the Unkel Dunkel Dunkelweizen brew. Some of the more outlandish recipes are ever-present on tap at Tin Cannon, too, like the Vaughn's PB, a chocolaty porter laced with hints of peanut butter. Then there are also seasonal brews and strictly experimental beers that—don't be surprised to come across an amber ale infused with bacon and chipotle peppers (called the Breakfast of Champions) or other unexpected combinations.

Tin Cannon Brewing Company
7679 Limestone Drive
Gainesville, VA 20155
(571) 248-0489
www.tincannonbrewing.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tin-cannon-brewing-company-gainesville

Enjoy a Vibrant Culture at the Manassas Latino Festival

A celebration of Latino arts and culture, the Manassas Latino Festival will be held Sept. 27 just a few minutes away from The Courts at Historic Manassas. This one-day, free event brings together local artists, musicians, chefs, and Latino businesses to celebrate the amazing heritage of local Latinos.

The festival aims to provide entertainment and education about Latino culture to families, as well as distribute information of interest to the public, such as the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Hispanic Health Initiative. There will be music and dance performances by local favorites Mariachi Los Amigos, Danza de Tecuanes, Banda de Paz El Pulgarcito USA, and more. Expect to be on your feet too – audience participation is a must! Food and snacks will be available from places like Doña Adela Restaurant and Dolce Amore Sweets. Kick off fall with a great party at the Manassas Latino Festival.

Manassas Latino Festival
Sunday Sept. 27, noon to 5:30 p.m.
Harris Pavilion
9201 Center St.
Manassas, VA 20110
sites.google.com/site/manassaslatinofestival/home

Enjoy Hearty Comfort Food at Best American Diner

Chances are you’re no stranger to new and exciting restaurants, but sometimes we all just want to grab something simple. This is where Best American Diner comes in. It just opened in July in a spot that's just over a mile from The Courts at Historic Manassas, making a meal here convenient — and delicious.

The name may sound a little boastful, but Yelpers are quickly starting to agree that it has some of the best diner food in Manassas. The chefs can easily offer dishes like spring rolls and calamari, then also whip up a classic burger and fries. And then there's breakfast. This place offers it around the clock, and the standouts seem to be the eggs benedict, waffles, and omelets. If you’re ready to have some comfort food in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, head to Best American Diner!

Best American Diner
9091 Mathis Ave.
Manassas VA 20110
(703)-335-6868
www.bestamericandiner.info
www.yelp.com/biz/best-american-diner-manassas-2

Pair Craft Beer with Local Barbecue at Bands, Brews and Barbecue on Sept. 12!

Beer and barbecue. What more do you need on a summer’s afternoon? On Saturday, Sept. 12, the lawn at Manassas Museum will welcome local beer, delicious barbecue from some of Northern Virginia’s top spots, and talented musicians for the Bands, Brews and Barbecue event.

There are two ticket levels for this event — general admission, which includes unlimited craft beer samples from 12 to 6 p.m., access to the afternoon of music and a tasting glass and VIP, which grants you access to the festival at 11 a.m., unlimited beer samples, access to a VIP area with seating, $10 gift card to Historic Downtown Manassas, barbecue tastings once an hour and premium beer.

General admission tickets are $35 and VIP tickets are $100 in advance. Tickets at the door will be more expensive. Designated driver tickets are available for $10.

The performing musicians on tap for the afternoon are Ruckus, Kitty and the Fat Cats, and No Pressure.

Spend one of the last official days of summer soaking up the sun with beer and a barbecue in your hand at this fun-filled event, which is less than a mile from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

Bands, Brews and Barbecues
Manassas Museum Lawn
Saturday, Sept. 12
$35 for general admission, $100 for VIP, $10 for designated drivers
visitmanassas.org/event/bands-brews-and-barbecue

Enjoy Authentic Greek Fare at Katerina’s Greek Cuisine

Maybe you've had Greek cuisine before, but chances are you haven't had truly authentic Greek food. Unless, of course, you've been to Athens. At Katerina's Greek Cuisine, chefs aim to transport diners to Greece without leaving Manassas by creating dishes from time-honored recipes that have been passed down through the generations.

And, even better yet, Katerina's is only about a block from The Courts at Historic Manassas, making a meal here convenient as well as delicious. One of the highlights here is the gyro platter, a generously portioned dish with beef and lamb, and thick, sturdy pita bread. Another standout is the Taste of Greece, a platter consisting of mousakka, pastitsio and spanakopita. Reviewers recommend ending your meal on a sweet note with an order of the sweet, flaky baklava. Opa!

Katerina’s Greek Cuisine
9212 Center St.
Manassas VA 20110
(703) 361-4976
www.yelp.com/biz/katerinas-greek-cuisine-manassas

Check Out Bad Wolf Brewing Company’s Newest Location!

Bad Wolf was the first brewery in Manassas when it opened in 2012, and now local residents and visitors alike have another spot to check out. Bad Wolf Brewery's second location opened in August, and it's bigger and badder than ever! At 6,000 square feet, it boasts a 10-barrel brewing system, a foosball table, and plenty of seating. There are even plans in the works to have live music. Perhaps best of all, Bad Wolf's second location is only two scant miles from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

Jeremy Meyers was inspired to start brewing his own beer after a trip to Germany. He and wife Sarah, who has a background in business, are Northern Virginia natives, so you can not only expect top-notch craft beer at Bad Wolf, you can also count on friendly service. The staffers are happy to explain how the beer is brewed and give you recommendations if you can't decide. A great time to visit is any Wednesday from 4-9 p.m., when you can get a flight of six beers in six-ounce pours at a deep discount. Have you visited Bad Wolf yet?

BadWolf Brewing Company
8420 Kao Circle
Manassas VA, 20110
(703) 479-2305
badwolfbrewingcompany.com
www.yelp.com/biz/badwolf-brewing-company-manassas-3

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