The Boot and Saddle has risen from the dead as a bar, restaurant and live music venue. The Boot and Saddle has a long and interesting history in South Broad and has seen the ups and downs of the urban life cycle. It was our only country and western bar for years. It hosted mainly local talent and was a watering hole for the Navy when the yard was a large active naval base. The bar was owned by Pete DelBorrello, a respected owner of the bar and other establishments in this area. With the closure, it sat vacant for over 15 years before being reopened by the owners Union Transfer. A friend and I ventured out to Boot and Saddle on Saturday to check out the venue and see a band we follow, Vulcans. I have always liked the sign and understand that it will be restored. If you like old neon signs, you'll love this piece of Philly lure. The new owners, I believe, have retained what made this place unique; tin ceilings and walls, cowboy murals, interesting wooden floors, a concert hall and a friendly atmosphere. A friendly bartender, waitress and bar manager greeted us and provided top notch service for our drinks and food. The menu is eclectic with an unusual combination of appetizers, entrees and sides, it all seems to work. We both had turkey burgers with sweet potato fries, very good. . R5 Production and The Bowerly Presents will run the entertainment side of the business and with this talent and experience we can expect to see a steady stream of top-notch live music. The opening act was a group of three women named Ladybird. I didn't get their names and couldn't locate them using my internet searching skills. It's a shame because I thought they were really good. If you saw middle of paper... It's a standing room, so it's natural to get people dancing, stomping, etc. The Vulcans started us off with “Ready Get Running” and lit the fire with “Auburn Girl.” What hasn't changed is the way they end the concert. They bring all the artists on stage and ask the crowd to break out into an enthusiastic rendition of “This Land Is Your Land.” What a way to end a concert! I hope they don't change it because it brings everyone a sense of joy that only great songs can bring about. The Boot and Saddle hits the nail on the head on everything that’s important to me; Really friendly staff, unusual but good food, an eclectic beer selection, just the best acoustics, good artists and low prices all rolled into one. I even found a free parking space less than 50 feet from the door. I'll keep an eye out for upcoming concerts and if I'm in the area, I'll stop by for a bite to eat.