Top of the Town: Best Of 2019
• • • ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE • • •
By Carrie Havranek and Amy Unger with Kristen Rinaldi
In the sixth annual Best of the Lehigh Valley competition, the stakes were high—locals cast more than 20,000 votes across 93 different categories. Why were they crowned the best? Read on to find out!
Best Date Location
Oak Steakhouse
• • • • • • • • •A New York-style steakhouse, Oak offers upscale dining and unparalleled menu options. This summer, take advantage of their rooftop overlooking Downtown Easton.
Photography by Alison Conklin
323 Northampton St., Easton | 610.559.5510 | oak-steakhouse.com
Best Concert Venue
PPL Center
• • • • • • • • •This month, see Chris Stapleton, Red Zombie and Marilyn Manson, and Alice Cooper and Halestorm.
Photo courtesy of PPL Center
701 Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.224.4625 | pplcenter.com
Best Trivia Night
Braveheart Highland Pub and Restaurant
• • • • • • • • •Attend Braveheart’s trivia night every Tuesday and their music trivia night every Thursday, both kicking off at 8 p.m.
430 Main St., Hellertown | 610.838.6555 | bravehearthighlandpub.com
Best Radio Station
Best Local Radio Personality
Becca & Malone, Cat Country 96
• • • • • • • • •It’s hard to have a bad day when you start it with Becca and Malone’s banter. The fun they have is contagious to listeners.
Photo courtesy of Cat Country 96
catcountry96.com
Best Dive Bar You Hate to Love
Leather Corner Post
• • • • • • • • •The Leather Corner Post Hotel was built in 1861 and is one of the oldest hotels in the Valley. Though it no longer operates as a hotel, there’s still tons of history to be found. And the newer additions are great, too—like the Back Bar, which lets patrons enjoy outdoor sunshine all summer long. Photography by Andrew Tomasino
6855 Horseshoe Rd., Orefield | 610.395.1782 | leathercornerpost.com
Best Local TV Personality
Eve Russo, WFMZ-TV, Channel 69 News
• • • • • • • • •Anchor Eve Russo joined WFMZ in 2005, and she’s won this award several times during her reign. Catch her at sunrise with Jaciel Cordoba.
Photo courtesy of 69 News
wfmz.com
Best Local Musician
Craig Thatcher Band
• • • • • • • • •Fun fact: Band leader Craig Thatcher has performed in nearly every U.S. state and in more than 35 different countries across the globe. He is also an international clinician/ambassador for C.F. Martin & Co.
Photo courtesy of Craig Thatcher Band