While a lot has changed since the prohibition era when Jimmie Kramer’s Peanut Bar opened in 1924, a lot has remained the same for the Wernersville area speakeasy turned Downtown Reading staple.
The family-owned restaurant and bar has been on 332 Penn Street since 1933 after outgrowing several locations. Peanut shells still cover the floor since owner Michael Leifer’s grandfather Jimmie Kramer started serving them free with every meal when he opened the bar and restaurant.
“My grandfather was all about people having a good time, which is how the peanuts also started in 1935,” says Leifer. “According to the Travel Channel piece, Bar Food Paradise, we were the first place in the country to do the peanut-shellson-the-floor gig. It was all because my grandfather just wanted people to relax and have a good time.”
Leifer shares that the entire restaurant staff works diligently to continue Kramer’s legacy in ensuring that their guests enjoy themselves and leave happier than when they arrived.
“One of the things that has been important to us is the fact that anybody can come in,” says Leifer. “We're a melting pot. Doesn't matter whether somebody is young, old, rich or poor, they can come in as long as they're respectful to the person next to them…we can be that place for everyone to feel comfortable. You can have a stonemason sitting next to a bank president and they're talking.”
In addition to the peanuts and the atmosphere, an adding machine from 1910 (which was still in use when Leifer joined the business in 1978), a typewriter from 1917, a slicer from the 1920s and other parts of the restaurant’s history are still at the establishment and on display for guests to enjoy and to pay homage to the original speakeasy.
But what’s changed? According to Leifer, the Peanut Bar has become more of a restaurant than a bar with a focus on the food. The venue has also expanded for guests to host dinners and private events as well.
“We strive to serve the freshest possible food,” says Leifer. “We source locally whenever we can from places like the Shady Maple Farm Store. The other massive difference is our hours. They have reduced substantially from when we were a speakeasy. We opened at 7am and closed at 2am. Now, we do dinner Monday through Saturday.”
The celebrities that have attended the Peanut Bar have also changed over the years as they find themselves in Reading for performances and appearances, except for Hal Holbrook, who has visited the restaurant multiple times.
“We're told that back when she was younger, Taylor Swift would be here with family… I don’t know that for sure,” says Leifer. “But Drew Carey, Red Skelton, Todd Eldredge, Scott Hamilton, Frank Sinatra, Ron White, the Indy Car drivers when Penske Racing was down the street, Penske Racing, professional bull riders and others were here.”
The restaurant will be celebrating the old, the new and everything in between through a series of events that will take guests on a journey through the decades with music, memorabilia and giveaways throughout 2024 leading up to their official 100-year celebration on New Year’s Eve.
“A huge thank you goes out to our staff and our guests, who are the ones who made us what we are and have allowed us to survive all these years and, very fortunately, I can say thrive all these years,” says Leifer.
Fun Facts
Pick up the phone.
Leifer says that the best way to learn about upcoming events is to call the restaurant at 610.376.8500, check Facebook or sign up for their email list.
Join the celebration.
Save the date for Jimmie Kramer’s Peanut Bar’s speakeasy party on Dec. 31, 2024, which will officially cap off the year-long celebration of the milestone.
