The Keys

Awesome beer selection and crazy great vegan bar food specials will a super chill, friendly vibe.

To label The Keys anything other than one of the best bars in Scranton would be a great diservice.
I have been going to The Keys since it opened and I can tell you that the owner Jen not only takes GREAT PRIDE in her interactions with customers, but also the drink and food selections she has to offer.
I want to really start by talking about Jen. From day one Jen has always approached me like we were old friends. Ready to accommodate a spur of the moment celebration or a last minute birthday suprise. she strives to know her patrons names and ensures her staff follows her example. No where else will you find such a gracious host for your night out.
Beyond that Jenn is dedicated to the things most people love about Scranton. The art and music «scene».
Just like a box of chocolates you really never know what you are going to get. And that is not a bad thing! She has stayed true to the things that have made this bar great and continued to present art shows that range from pop culture ro abstract. With the music choices being just as diverse.
I would also challenge you to find something that leaves the service side of the bar that hasn’t been crafted with great attention to detail. The Keys offers a great selection of martinis and an even greater section of microbrews.
The food selection, while limited to the night you visit due to the size of the kitchen is always delicious. The owner hand crafts everything and would never serve something she would not personally enjoy.
The Keys is one of those places that you could walk in, have a drink, and enjoy the company of a group of people that are there for the atmosphere.
If you are visiting the Scranton area and are looking for a smaller bar with a more mature crowd this one has it all. Do not miss out.

I’m so confused by all these positive reviews. I suppose having lived away from Scranton the last 6 years has raised the bar on my expectations. I have seen many friends chant accolades for The Keys. So, last week, I finally go, but only to have a single drink with a friend who was already there and to drive him home.
I walk in and there is a door man. Or, I would say, just a guy standing in your way as you try to enter from the freezing cold. Instead of even a greeting, I get a «Five Dollars» demand. I was with a friend who wasn’t even going to have a drink, so I explained I was only going to pick up a very drunk friend at the bar and leave. He says, «Doesn’t matter. Five dollars each.» Ew. Seriously. No class at all. Apparently there was supposed to be some sort of live music happening. This was not, in fact, happening. There were a bunch of dude types standing around equipment scattered all over the floor of the entrance way, drinking.
So I pay $ 10 to enter the palace, find our friend slumped over the bar and being fed shots by – who we would later find out was the owner? – the bartender. Not even able to stand or speak full sentences, my sober friend and I slowly try to persuade our sloppy sidekick to let me drive him home. I order one drink: the most offensive Manhattan you could imagine. Sipping while working. Somehow yet ANOTHER full beer ends up in the hands of Sir Sloshface! What?! Aren’t there rules about serving the sloppy? He then falls off his stool…
A short while later I get agreements to leave this place. It was rather miserable. I suppose you would need to be as drunk as everyone seemed to enjoy the atmosphere. As we literally have to stumble and push our way across the still-​scattered musical equipment and still-​drinking dude types smashed against the entrance, I end up face-​to-​face with the random, $ 5-​demanding, greeter.
With my obviously now-​sleepwalking friend being held upright by our paying-​customer arms, we are bottlenecked at the doorway. So I ask if we are able to have our «Live Music» cover charges refunded as am straddling the case of a guitar not being used… Nope! No refunds. I get, «There was supposed to be live music… but…uhhh…there wasn’t.» Wow. This was the saddest and most hard-​up dive bar I’ve been to in a Very. Long. Time… Oh, probably since the last time I was in Scranton.
Don’t get my wrong, I returned to Scranton after years in Los Angeles with the understanding that the city has been somewhat revitalized and looking forward to living here again. It can be a very eclectic city with hidden gems. I want to love it. REALLY! But dealing with sad, douch*y types who expect payment to retrieve a drunken comrade just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The Keys has missed the hipster train back in 2010 and is now somehow trying to get its patrons to pay for its mistakes.

Seriously the best bar in Scranton. Ridiculously affordable and deliciously strong drinks, $ 2 tacos or $ 5 burgers (a vegan option always available… whaaaat) that are ahh-​mazing, great wonderful staff and owner, always a good (and welcoming) crowd, and one of the only establishments in the city that regularly supports local music and art. ¡Viva los keys!

The best bar in Scranton. Great beer selection, amazing service and knowledgeable bartenders. Love going there for Taco Tuesdays and stuffed burger Wednesdays. They support local artists and bands and showcase they consistently. This place is a must on First Fridays.

I absolutely love the martinis and fancier drinks they have here! I love how they list the ingredients and the cool names they came up for the drinks and how the drinks taste like what they say they are.
(Example: Almond Joy, or pineapple upside down cake, and so much more!)
These are exactly my types of martini drinks!
The bartender are always friendly, too.

2 for $ 3 taco Tuesday. $ 5 hand stuffed burger on Wednesday. Great sandwich and nibbles menu the rest of the week. Did I mention very vegan friendly?! Great drink specials, great pricing, and there’s an N64 in the corner. What more are you looking for?
Always art for First Friday, often local bands on the weekends, and a great open mic night every other Thursday.
Seriously, my favorite bar in town.

My wife and I visited The Keys on the recommendation of some co-​workers who raved about their stuffed burgers. We both had the pulled pork stuffed burger and I can attest the burgers are fantastic. Our bartender was friendly and attentive. The beer menu is impressive. My only complaint was the atmosphere. The music was barely audible which made the almost empty bar feel like a bit like a morgue. This is a minor complaint and we will definitely be back.

Nice bar! Brightly and nicely decorated. Taco Tuesday is pretty cool! Good, cheap tacos. Lots of beers. They have Pimm’s! No one around here does.
Bands play here sometimes. There are First Friday art shows. The bouncers are strict! They have to be, though. Don’t forget your valid ID! Jenn, the owner, is super-​nice. Not too many bros, thank Gosh.
Parking on the 200 block of Linden is easily snaggable.

Pretty good place to grab a beer. This bar would be awesome if the sarcastic bartender guy would change his attitude or work somewhere else. Kind of gives off the vibe that he does not want you there…

$ 2 Taco Tuesday $ 5 stuffed burger Wednesday plus great drinks, chill atmosphere and great service.

Best bar in Scranton, I think. Their burger and taco nights are awesome, the drinks are fabulous (and cheap), and hell, they have an N64! Love the staff, the atmosphere, and the entertainment.

The Keys, in my estimation has the best vibe of any bar in NEPA. They always have an impeccably clean barroom, it’s non smoking, and is run by one of the kindest, most generous people I’ve ever met. It is also a place that is a great friend to the live music scene. As a musician & a patron I couldn’t give Jenn & the rest of the staff higher praise. Keep up the good work!