Peanut Bar Restaurant

Specialties

The Peanut Bar Restaurant, 332 Penn St in Reading, founded in 1924 during Prohibition by Jimmie Kramer, the grandfather of 3^rd generation proprietor, Michael Leifer & continues to specialize in exceptional guest experiences.

The Peanut Bar features all types of food from casual through gourmet delights with a conscious decision to focus on the dietary needs of many repeat guests. A full bar features 17 draft beers including several rotating, seasonal & Craftbrew taps. Since 1935, The P.B. has been serving peanuts, & the guests are invited to toss shells on the floor and, as told by The Travel Channel, was the first in the US to provide this atmosphere.

The Peanut Bar serves Buffalo Hot Wings rated one of the top 10 in the US by USA Today, & there is not a huge variety of sauces, as the Michael & culinary team have decided to do their several offered flavors wonderfully. Also served are many other appetizers such as homemade deep fried cheeseballs served with house marinara sauce (definitely not a typical mozzarella stick) & a Spinach/​Artichoke or a wonderful crab dip.

Specialty entrees include Lemon Parmesan Flounder, Jumbo Lump Maryland Crab Cakes, Steaks, excellent chicken choices, gluten free specialties & vegetarian options. For lighter choices, The Peanut Bar features wonderful sandwiches & burgers.

However, don’t stop enjoying ’til savoring homemade desserts such as Frozen Chocolate Covered Pretzel Ice Cream Pie or Apple Crisp with homemade cinnamon ice cream.

History

Established in 1924.

The Peanut Bar Restaurant was founded in 1924 during Prohibition by Jimmie Kramer, the grandfather of 3^rd generation proprietor, Michael Leifer. The business started as The Green Terrace Hotel in the Wernersville area and after 4 months relocated to downtown Reading.

The Olde Central Café, as it was known, shifted locations during prohibition before opening at it’s present location, 332 Penn St in Reading & became Jimmie Kramer’s «The Peanut Bar» in the mid 1950s.

The founder, Jimmie, passed in 1951 leaving the business to his wife Annie, who continued to operate the bar with daughter Bea and son-​in-​law Harold. Later the elder daughter, Edith worked in the business. In the early 1970s Edith’s son Jeffrey & his wife Judy joined the company with Michael, Bea & Harold’s son taking his position later in the 1970s.

As 3^rd generation The Peanut Bar Restaurant, seats 225 people & encompasses 3 buildings with the company focus on exceptional guest experiences. as taught by Bea & Harold.

Meet the Business Owner

Michael L.

Business Owner

Michael Leifer, 3^rd generation proprietor, joined the business officially in 1979 after being a student at Albright College. Prior to official hiring as a bartender, Michael worked as a busperson, dishwasher, & did maintenance for the company.

Michael worked behind the bar, in the kitchen, &as a manager until becoming a business partner in the 1980s then taking the role of company president in 2001.

Michael serves the community as an officer with Western Berks Ambulance Association, as a board member on The City of Reading Fire Civil Service Board, as a board member for Habitat for Humanity and as a board member of the PA Restaurant Association.