In recent times, New Hope, Pennsylvania, has been grappling with a brand new actuality: Their secret’s out. The picturesque city has at all times been a draw—good luck parking on a Saturday—however the vibe has additionally at all times skewed bohemian. Its oddity and enchantment retailers, punky classic shops, biker-friendly pubs and quaint bed-and-breakfasts have lengthy appealed to artists, musicians, witches, Harley-Davidson lovers, outdated hippies and younger creatives. Maybe the city was at all times primed to be found by a slicker set—in spite of everything, it’s a mere 90-minute drive from Manhattan. However it might have been exhausting to foretell the present wave of curiosity from luxurious vacationers and frequent topics of Deuxmoi. Right now, multimillion-dollar condos are arising, as are $600-per-night accommodations. The New York Times dubbed New Hope a rival to the Hamptons firstly of 2025, noting superstar settlers just like the Hadids and Bradley Cooper alongside guests like Justin Bieber and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Within the midst of a altering New Hope, although, a longtime coronary heart of the neighborhood nonetheless beats sturdy. You’ll be able to’t miss it: John & Peter’s bar is painted royal blue with crimson and yellow trim. When the climate’s good, you’ll see the gang on the aspect patio—regulars hunker down at stools close to the road, and weekend guests can’t appear to withstand the pleasant dialog or the aroma of “the perfect burgers in New Hope.” Personally, it was the craft beer choices—a rarer discover in 2008—that first drew me to John & Peter’s. That, the eclectic stay music roster and the best way that the employees treats first-time guests like cherished regulars has stored me coming again. 

John Larsen based the enterprise as a espresso store with stay music in 1972—no booze, no drums. In 1974, his first spouse’s brother, Peter Value, got here on board; a liquor license and drum tolerance adopted. The homeowners’ real curiosity in nurturing expertise made the bar a sought-after vacation spot for musicians. Standing in entrance of the low stage within the bar’s again room, a musty, creaky place, feels such as you’ve been transported to the perfect basement celebration ever circa 1975; it has hosted George Thorogood, Ween, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tiny Tim, Norah Jones and Arlo Guthrie. 

“The area has this uncooked, unfiltered vitality,” says David Fehnel, co-owner of 13 Classic, a 20-year-old store down the block from John & Peter’s. “Whether or not you’re there for a present, a drink or simply to meet up with locals, it appears like dwelling.” Framed images of famed musicians who’ve performed the bar grasp alongside these of employees and regulars previous and current like captured household reminiscences in a dad and mom’ basement. Through the day, it’s simple to by accident spend hours on the patio, the place nobody ever appears to be on their telephones. Seasoned locals chat with vacationers, and not less than as soon as, a person with a cockatoo perched on his shoulder; almost everybody drinks lagers and IPAs. As bands take the stage, the area fills and the temper turns into electrical.

In 2018, Larsen and Value handed the torch to Chris Williams (a musician who had performed on the bar), Mike Wieners (an everyday turned bartender) and Kevin Rauch (a chef and bar supervisor at one other native institution). The John & Peter’s neighborhood, who had been anxious concerning the destiny of their treasured third place, had been relieved to see the reins handed to 3 of their very own. 

“It was a promise we made John and Peter,” Wieners says. “So long as there was air in our lungs, we might protect their legacy.” The one noticeable modifications they’ve made are enhancements to each the meals and beer applications. “The microwave was one in all their favourite cooking devices,” jokes Wieners about Larsen and Value. Rauch has expanded the bar’s variety of faucets each inside and on the patio, regularly visiting Pennsylvania breweries to remain updated. Alongside macro staples and extra nationally identified craft choices like Sierra Nevada, he pours native crafts from breweries like Vault Brewing Firm and Neshaminy Creek Brewing. 

Reserving supervisor Lauren Williams works seven days per week to uphold John & Peter’s music repute, valuing each brand-new and well-established artists equally. The sheer breadth of genres you may catch on any given night time has helped repeatedly entice new clients. Mike DiAlto, who hosts the bar’s open mic and comedy nights, recollects “an Appalachian string band all concerning the satan” taking part in at John & Peters, with an ’80s dance celebration the subsequent night time. 

As for the brand new guests New Hope has come to anticipate, the John & Peter’s crew is pleased to ask them in. For one factor, says Wieners, persevering with to develop the bar’s viewers is simply good for survival. However for one more, the homeowners and employees know it might go towards that welcoming ethos of New Hope and the bar to gatekeep the particular place they’ve nurtured. “After I began, it was … your artists, your blue-collar employees,” says Nathan Leventhal, a employees member for 34 years. “Then you definitely additionally had your yuppies and other people coming in from out of city, and it was the sturdy homosexual inhabitants, and a wider mixture of those that this city was a protected area for.” Newer generations is likely to be pouring in, however the outcome—variety—is one thing that’s been part of the bar’s DNA since its begin. Alongside longtime regulars, John & Peter’s will proceed constructing its neighborhood—the bar turns into a brand new favourite for everybody from vacationers to established musicians.

“Considered one of my favourite reactions is to see [an internationally touring act] stroll within the again door, go searching, and say, ‘Oh, God, why are we taking part in a basement?’” says DiAlto. “After which by the tip of the present, they’re hugging our employees … and saying, ‘[We’re] taking part in this place each time we’re on the East Coast.’”