Olde Black Horse Tavern and Motel

This bar is a total dive. I mean, tooootal dive.
Just so we’re clear on that.
That being said, I always enjoy my time here. You know what you’re getting into when you come in, so there are no high expectations. Prices are super reasonable, of course. There is also a very decent selection of draft beers and liquors. They also always seem to have monthly specials on some interesting homemade mixed drinks. Unfortunately, I’ve had some issues with funky tasting drafts. Most likely from not cleaning the taps often enough. Then I’m just forced to drink more vodka — the horror! (sarcasm.)
The shocker with the Black Horse is the food. It’s actually good! The menu is crazy huge, and it’s definitely bar food, but there’s a cool mix of items that you’d expect and items you wouldn’t expect. They also have two large chalkboards filled with daily specials that are always interesting and completely different each day. The prices aren’t dirt cheap for food, but they are reasonable. And I love that. If the food was dirt cheap, you’d know it was low quality. But instead, they spend the extra dollar to get better quality. It’s not Michelin rated or anything, but it’s always yummy. I love the cheesesteak flatbread. It’s the size of a medium pizza, as thin as a cracker, and filled with lots of steak and cheese for about 8 bucks. If you’re already a little drunkski, get the chicken and fries parm. It’s a bed of french fries, topped with chicken fingers and covered in marinara and mozzarella. It’s a drunk girl’s delight.
The only reason why it’s just «A-​OK» is that they allow smoking inside. And because it’s the last relic on earth to do so, this is where all the smokers in Montgomery County come to smoke. At least, it smells as if all the smokers in Montgomery County are there to smoke. It’s seriously raunchy in here from the smoke on busier days. On slower days, it’s manageable. I only go into Black Horse when I know I can take a shower as soon as I get home, and also wash my clothes soon after so they do not make my room smell like smoke for days. Seriously, if this place got rid of smoking, I’d go several days a week.

The bartender seemed annoyed to have to deal with customers, but the food was pretty good (and cheap), and a decent beer selection. However the amount of smoke was ridiculous (and that’s coming from a smoker), ate my food as quick as possible just to get outside for some fresh air. No way I’d ever come back here until they get some sort of ventilation system in place, as it was impossible to enjoy being there.

Not a place you’d want to take your lady…
But awesome beer prices, even a small craft beer fridge selection… and the menu was far above normal dive bar food.
The wings in their «Lava» sauce were outstanding; not ripyourfaceoff hot… but spicy enough with a nice thick texture to the sauce.
Chicken cheesesteak is real chicken; not frozen thinly sliced patties of processed meat. Outstanding! Zep on the soft kaiser was better than most deli’s.
I’d stick with the steak fries over the hand cuts.

this place is kind of scary. i love me a good dive bar, but even i am hesitant to go back to this one. bartenders are nice, drinks are cheap. they have pool tables and ok music.
if you have boobs, you will be hit on. a 50-​some year old man will tell you that you remind him of his daughter and then try to take you home. ew. and WHO stays in the motel here?! i’m thinking the ladies of the evening i used to see at frannies up the street (and yes, they were legit ladies of the evening because they told me they have been working the streets for 20 years. fun night!). first time i went here we were harrassed all night by a drunk friend of the bartender who eventually got kicked out because he cursed her out for not getting her car keys, and for throwing coasters at people. indeed folks, this is the kind of clientelle you are likely to encounter. it can be fun, and downright entertaining sometimes, but i just get a creepy vibe from this place.
i stop here every now and then for beer to-​go, but never alone.

If you’re looking for a small place to have a smoke, drink some beer, watch tv and listen to crappy jukebox music, this is the place to go. It’s the classic idea of a «dive bar»…
I’ve been there twice, once on a first date, and all I can say is «WTF?» The place is usually filled with middle-​aged drunks trying to play pool. Very dive-​y. There’s usually some old Metallica are some old hair bands on the jukebox. But if all you want is to have a drink and watch tv, then go for it! Live it up!
P. S. If you’re looking for a good laugh, read the menu. Roadkill is a regular special. :) The burgers are delicious, though!