The MINT - Bethlehem’s Shiny New Gastropub

Before the MINT opened, we heard a lot of rumors that it was going to be yet another Italian joint in B-Town (yawn). But then - the sign went up: “The Mint Gastropub.” Woohoo! A gastropub next to our favorite bottle shop? Yes please!

For those of you who are not yet aware of this recently-opened gastropub in Bethlehem, The MINT is located at 1223 West Broad Street - right next to Abe’s in a former Bank of America branch (Get it now? The MINT? A bank? Clever stuff.) The vault of the bank remains, there’s money-themed art on the walls, and the napkin rings are repurposed currency bands. The style and atmosphere of the place isn’t like anything we’ve seen in this area - it’s reminiscent of Philly’s Continental, but with it’s own special vibe. 

The food is an extremely eclectic mix with very unique and interesting combinations and a focus on presentation. The bits and bobs (apps) will run you $9 a piece and the entrees go for $17. If you don’t want to break the bank (pun intended), you can always stick with the “hands on” section of the menu with items like lobster roll with sweet potato fries for ten bucks. 

Now on to the important stuff - the beer. The current draft list includes 4 Victory beers, including Donnybrook Stout which is all but impossible to find on draft. The bottle list features about 70 beers - Dogfish Head World Wide Stout, Lost Abbey Carnevale, Mikeller Not Just Another Wit, Liefman’s Goudenband, and old favorites like Bell’s Two Hearted, Rogue Shakespere Oatmeal Stout, and Brooklyn Brown Ale, just to name a few. They plan to increase the bottle list to upwards of 200 beers, incorporate beer cocktails into the menu, and have already started cellaring beers to provide vintage selections in the future. There’s even a rumor circulating that there may be a MINT/Victory signature beer in the works.

The MINT also plans to have monthly beer dinners, the first of which will take place on Thursday, June 30 and will be hosted by Victory Brewing’s VP, Steve German. This intimate affair with only 25 spots will include five courses including dessert, paired with Victory’s V-12, Summer Love, Donnybrook Stout, Golden Monkey and Hop Devil. Click here for the event page and a peek at the menu. Book your reservation now to be sure to get in on this event. Give them a call at 610-419-3810 for more info and to reserve your seat, or better yet, stop in for a beer and ask for details. You’re likely to see a few familiar faces - the MINT’s staff are no strangers to good beer, coming from craft beer establishments like Tap and Table and The Brew Works.

The MINT is still in it’s soft opening phase, so things may change a bit down the line as they get into the flow of things, but we think they are off to a great start. We raise our glasses and welcome them to the Lehigh Valley’s craft beer scene!