While Southside Bethlehem continues to evolve, Lehigh and its students have been part of the neighborhood’s story for generations. In many ways, Lehigh is a throughline — the university growing alongside the city and contributing to its development. Over the years, beloved businesses have come and gone, while generations of students have had a front-row seat to that evolution.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the hangout spots that have shaped Southside, from those that are part of Lehigh lore to those that remain part of the neighborhood today.
Uncle Manny’s
Opened: 1975
Closed: 1978
Location: 701 Wyandotte Street
If you flip through archives of The Brown and White, you’ll find mentions of "Uncle” Manny Gonsalves in several places. Manny and his wife, Ann Marie, owned both Uncle Manny’s and Your Mother’s Bloomers at different points.
Their first bar, Uncle Manny’s, grew a loyal local following. It was known for its walls covered in college banners and photos, affordable pitchers, and steak sandwiches. In 1986, Michael Burke ’88 interviewed Manny for The Brown and White, writing that “Uncle Manny’s bar is regarded by many as one of Lehigh's greatest assets.”
Manny attributed the bar’s success, in part, to his and Ann Marie’s willingness to bond with customers. “Whether it be with graduating seniors, alumni, or even some Lehigh professors, we don't mind hearing girlfriend-boyfriend or academic problems — it keeps us young,” he said. At the end of the article, he thanked Lehigh and its students for their continued support.
Though Uncle Manny’s is long gone, a quick search online shows plenty of active threads and posts from people reminiscing about the bar and Manny himself.
Your Mother’s Bloomers
Opened: 1982
Closed: Late 1980s
Location: 331 East 5th Street
Your Mother’s Bloomers, affectionately referred to as YMB, was once a staple neighborhood spot for Lehigh students, local rugby teams, and members of the community. It was known for its friendly bartenders, quality libations, and downstairs gaming area, “Ichabod Crane’s.” Competitive foosball games, Genny Cream Ale on tap, and crowds of students were all part of the scene.
Eventually, liquor license suspensions and violations caught up with the bar. Facebook posts and blogs about the establishment often joke that it was impossible to grab a barstool because Lehigh students had flooded the place.
And after a Rivalry game? The whole stadium was there. We can only imagine how many memories, laughs, and renditions of “The Old Silver Goblet” YMB served as a backdrop for.
The Goose
Opened: 1979
Location: 102 West 4th Street
Whether you call it The Goosey Gander, The Goosemen, or The Goose, this sandwich shop is a local landmark. Not much has changed since the deli opened, and that’s exactly what makes it so charming. From open to close, you can find students grabbing a bite, working behind the counter, or simply hanging out.
Owners Tony and Deb Silvoy have a knack for making every patron feel like a friend. Between their welcoming atmosphere and delicious food, it’s no surprise that The Goose has remained a student favorite for decades. And then there’s the not-so-secret special menu, packed with sandwiches with names like Krabby Patties, Anakins, and Wambulances.
Every once in a while, students even get the chance to leave their mark on the menu. In 2025, Keegan Gagnon ’26, in conjunction with the Lehigh Rocket Club, debuted the “Rocket Fuel" — a combination of pepper jack cheese, roast beef, pastrami, onions, bacon, buffalo sauce, and chipotle mayo.
The Goose is more than a place for lunch; it’s part of the Southside experience.
The Lehigh Tavern
Opened: 1933
Reimagined: 1982
Location: 5 East 4th Street
Located just steps from campus, the Lehigh Tavern was a popular gathering place for students and community members alike during its decades in Southside Bethlehem. Before it became the Lehigh Tavern, local lore held that the building housed a Prohibition-era bar in the back and an ice cream parlor in the front.
According to an interview with Dave Fry ’73, the owners of the Lehigh Tavern were instrumental in the founding of Godfrey Daniels, a nonprofit live music listening room in Southside. It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that the Lehigh Tavern became a hub for local music. The alternative rock band Live often performed at the bar before it had commercial success.
In 1982, the Lehigh Tavern became The FunHouse, which has remained a Southside staple ever since. Today, the spot continues to be a great place to see local musicians and Lehigh bands.
Tally Ho
Opened: 1933
Location: 205 West 4th Street
The longest-continually operated watering hole on this list, the Tally Ho has been a staple of the community for decades. It’s hard to imagine Bethlehem without it.
Before it became a bar, the Tally Ho building housed a post office, with commercial space on the first floor for other businesses, including a tailoring business called High Art Tailors and a barbershop by the name of J.S. Jones — both of which advertised their services in The Brown and White classifieds. For a brief stint in the 1920s, the building was home first to a grocery store, H.G. Tambler Stores Co., and later to an auto body repair shop.
Six years before Prohibition ended, the building became a tavern, and it’s remained one ever since. If local legends are to be believed, the “Ho” operated as a speakeasy before the 21st amendment made it legal.
Old The Brown and White articles reference its iconic burgers, affordable drinks, and welcoming atmosphere. Tally Ho has been home to trivia nights, karaoke, live music, and countless nights with friends. With any luck, it’ll be here for another 93 years.
Pete's Hot Dog Shop
Opened: 1937
Closed: 2023
For 86 years, Pete’s Hot Dog Shop served up hot dogs, cheesesteaks, hamburgers, and just about everything else you can think of to residents of Southside Bethlehem. Pete’s was more than a restaurant; it was a hub for community.
Lehigh students and alumni were an essential part of that community. For many, a stop at Pete’s was a must when returning to campus, whether they were grabbing a seat in one of the booths or ordering one of the shop’s signature chili-dog Greekers. Over the years, the meals became traditions, and quick stops became lasting memories.
Pete’s may be gone, but its place in the town, and in the memories of alumni, remains.
And Then There’s Today…
The names may change, but the traditions continue. Ask a current Lehigh student where to grab a bite or hang out in Southside, and you’re likely to hear a few familiar names.
These are the spots where today’s students are making their own memories, one sandwich, slice, or late-night stop at a time:
