When the doors of Zagat-rated restaurant Thomas’ shut down late this summer, locals were anxious to see what would take its place. Then in early fall, The Workhorse opened at 4201 Main Street (an address that earlier this year went to bankruptcy court with attorney Robert W. Seitzer by its side). Claiming it was newly renovated (it looks pretty much the same with the exception of a second-floor “nightclub” and some added flat-screen TVs) business took off and things seemed to be going well. Then in October the doors shut down and the establishment was closed for a few days. Rumors surfaced that taxes weren’t being paid and that they had serious “pipe problems;” not even the Workhorse staff (who could be seen standing outside wondering why they couldn’t get in the dark, locked restaurant to start their shift) knew what was going on.

It’s an unusual place, as the crowd seems to fluctuate; some Saturdays are packed and other Saturdays it just seems desolate. The atmosphere of Thomas’ couldn’t have been more different from The Workhorse and the second-floor nightclub is Workhorse’s main attraction (do we need another Mad River-esque fist pumping dance floor?). Currently on its third manager, the new bar has everyone wondering if it will succeed or become another Main Street Manayunk victim. We would like to see the business prosper but the grueling bar business can eat people alive. Good luck Workhorse.