Bent Elbo changing hands

The Bent Elbo Tavern, a fixture for decades at the corner of Skippack and Bethlehem Pikes in Fort Washington (it was the old Fortside Inn), is closed and under agreement of sale.

Settlement is planned for Tuesday, says prospective owner John Dolaway, who with his brother Paul own MaGerks Pub & Grill, with locations in Baltimore and Bel-Air, Md.

John Dolaway, who grew up in Blue Bell and now lives in Horsham, says he respects the Bent Elbo's history, as it was where he celebrated his 21st birthday about 22 years ago. The MaGerks in Fort Washington will be a family friendly operation, though its bread and butter will be as a nightspot with live entertainment starting at 10:30 p.m.

Dolaway introduced cheesesteaks at MaGerks, importing rolls from Conshohocken Bakery. "You wouldn't believe it, but when we started there [in 2000], people would put lettuce and tomatoes and mayo on them," he says. "We got them to stop that." He intends to introduce unspecified Baltimore foods.

Renovation will include a dramatic removal of wall and bars, so the work may take six months, Dolaway says.