My Bartender
A city deeply rooted in American history, Philadelphia is a charming and important destination for any citizen or American history buff. After visits to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, you can enjoy a lively restaurant and bar scene at night.
Philly is widely known as the city of brotherly love, so what’s more “brotherly” than sharing drinks with friends? You’ll find plenty of wonderful bars around town to toast the end of a workday, birthdays, or just being alive.
Read on to explore the best cocktail bars in Philadelphia for your next night on the town.
Hop Sing Laundromat
1029 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 629-0444
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Located between the Jefferson Station and Chinatown metro stops in Market East, Hop Sing Laundromat is an ode to America that everyone should visit while they’re in the city.
The owners traveled to every state in the continental US to create a menu and theme that would honor its citizens. Hop Sing Laundromat’s refined drinks and vintage-chic ambiance attract a sophisticated crowd.
Philadelphia Distilling
25 E Allen St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: (215) 671-0346
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Philadelphia distilling is a hip Fishtown distillery, bar, lounge, and liquor store a few blocks from the Delaware River.
You get first-row seats to the distillation process from the stunning tasting room, with a two-story window displaying massive vats of vodka and gin.
Their passion for distilling translates to a passion for mixology. I recommend a dirty vodka or gin martini.
Charlie was a sinner.
131 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (267) 758-5372
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I was happy to sin as much as Charlie at this swanky Market East cocktail lounge. Charlie was a sinner. offers elegant cocktails that run the gamut from traditional to innovative.
They also offer small gourmet plates made from scratch. I recommend going with a group so you can split various amazing small plates with your craft cocktails.
In the Valley (ITV Philly)
1615 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (267) 858-0669
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Lauded by philly.com, Philadelphia Magazine, and Eater, ITV Philly is a fine-dining cocktail and wine bar located next door to their sister fine-dining restaurant Laurel in East Passyunk.
The ambiance is lively, with speakeasy décor. The cocktails are as elegant as the small plates, all engineered by the award-winning chef and owners of Laurel.
I had a beef fat biscuit to soak up an Old Fashioned.
Martha
2113 E York St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Phone: (215) 867-8881
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A quaint and rustic Kensington neighborhood bar and restaurant, Martha is a farm-to-table pub that sources food and drinks locally as much as possible.
They’ve got an inviting atmosphere with a great outdoor patio. They’ve got an impressive wine list and a spirit list that features local PA distilleries.
I was also delighted by their African-inspired food menu with classics like Jollof rice and plantains.
The Library Bar
210 W Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 546-9000
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The Library Bar is a cozy and luxurious cocktail lounge inside a historic library with a wood-burning fireplace and floor-to-ceiling bookcases.
Located inside the award-winning Rittenhouse Hotel in Center City, The Library Bar offers elegant cocktails, wine, beer, and spirits with a full dinner menu.
I enjoyed a classic Sidecar with a plate of fresh oysters.
a.bar
1737 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 825-7035
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Another award-winning Center City haunt, a.bar is the cocktail lounge counterpart to its sister restaurant and next-door neighbor, a.kitchen.
James Beard finalist Eli Collins creates the menu for both, garnering the Wine Spectator Award and praise from P Magazine.
I’ll stop into a.bar for an award-winning, innovative cocktail while I wait for a table to open up at a.kitchen.
R&D Cocktail Bar
1206 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Phone: (215) 515-3452
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Winner of Best Cocktail Bar from Best of Philly, R&D Cocktail Bar is a chic, mid-century modern lounge and bistro in the heart of Fishtown.
There’s always a long wait for this first-come-first-serve bar due to the excellence of its cocktails and atmosphere. Menus change monthly.
I went for the Baby Jazz Musician cocktail with scotch, quinaquina, sherry, apricot, and pineapple.
Friday Saturday Sunday
261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 546-4232
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Led by Chef Chad Williams, Friday Saturday Sunday is an intimate fine dining restaurant and cocktail bar in a stunning historical setting in Rittenhouse, a few blocks from Rittenhouse Square.
Chef Williams creates a stunning 8-course tasting menu to pair with an equally stunning cocktail and wine program. I loved the light and bubbly Orange Catholic vodka and prosecco cocktail.
The Good King Tavern
614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 625-3700
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The Good King Tavern is a French pub and James Beard-nominated wine bar in Bella Vista. The rustic, brick-walled interior has an old-world feel, serving an impressive list of French wine and draft cocktails to accompany a daily menu of French-inspired small plates.
If ever there were a place to get wine and cheese, The Good King Tavern is the cream of the crop, in my opinion.
1 Tippling Place
2006 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 665-0456
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Located in a low-key, industrial-chic space in Rittenhouse, a block from the Mutter Museum, 1 Tippling Place is a whiskey bar and traditional cocktail bar.
1 Tippling Place has an impressive selection of bourbon, scotch, rye, and Irish whiskeys, along with a classic cocktail menu.
If you don’t want it on the rocks, I recommend trying a scotch cocktail called Penicillin.
Irwin’s
800 Mifflin St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (215) 693-6206
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Located on the 8th floor of the Bok Building in South Philadelphia, Irwin’s is a modern Sicilian restaurant and natural wine bar.
They have a glorious outdoor terrace for al fresco dining and drinks during the summers, late spring, and early fall. They have a small yet perfectly curated cocktail and wine menu to accompany a multi-course Italian meal.
I had an Aperol spritz with my gnocchi.
Manatawny Still Works Passyunk Tasting Room
1603 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (267) 687-8772
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Manatawny Still Works is a small-batch American whiskey distillery out of Pottstown with a cozy tasting room in Passyunk.
By day, Manatawny Still Works serves as a liquor shop, and by night they’re an inviting cocktail and spirit tasting bar, serving a wide array of spirits and cocktails for aperitifs and nightcaps alike. I’m a fan of their Manhattans.
The Olde Bar
125 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 253-3777
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Located inside the former Original Bookbinder’s, The Olde Bar maintains the historic charm of Olde City’s beloved saloon while offering a contemporary oyster bar and cocktail menu.
The Olde Bar offers a fresh raw bar and seafood menu to honor Philly’s culinary traditions, along with a comprehensive cocktail and spirits menu.
I’d go for their unbeatable happy hour for bargain pints and fried oysters.
Writer’s Block Rehab
1342 Cypress St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (267) 603-6960
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Located in a funky and fashionable space in Philly’s 13th Street District, Writer’s Block Rehab is a literary-inspired fine cocktail bar offering gourmet bar fare.
Their list of cocktails features classic and innovative cocktails named after famous books, scripts, and authors.
I had a delicious dessert cocktail with the Not A Night Cap espresso martini with chocolate.
Sonny’s Cocktail Joint
1506 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
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A self-proclaimed “feel good bar,” Sonny’s Cocktail Joint is a friendly, old-fashioned cocktail bar and pub teetering between Rittenhouse and Gayborhood.
The shotgun interior and streetside seating offer a fun atmosphere for high-quality, moderately priced cocktails, craft beers, and natural wines.
The best part is that they have an awesome gourmet pub fare menu available till midnight. I had a cider with a tartare toasty.
Final Thoughts
After a stroll through Independence Hall, you can quench your thirst in style at any of the amazing options on my list of the best cocktail bars in Philadelphia.
I’d love to hear what you think of my list in the comments section below.
Best Cocktail Bars in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Hop Sing Laundromat
- Philadelphia Distilling
- Charlie was a sinner.
- In the Valley (ITV Philly)
- Martha
- The Library Bar
- a.bar
- R&D Cocktail Bar
- Friday Saturday Sunday
- The Good King Tavern
- 1 Tippling Place
- Irwin’s
- Manatawny Still Works Passyunk Tasting Room
- The Olde Bar
- Writer’s Block Rehab
- Sonny’s Cocktail Joint
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