All the Philly Restaurants and Bars Decked Out for the Holidays

Courtesy of McGillin’s Old Ale House | Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philly

Sure, it’s easy to overload on Christmas cheer pretty much any time after Halloween. But there’s something to be said for the ability of seasonal holiday decor to mark the end of the year and help us get through the cold and dark of winter with a celebratory vibe.

Whether you love the rainbow of color that gaudy baubles, colored lights, holographic wrapping paper, and ugly Christmas sweaters can bring to your favorite bar or an upscale dining room accented with tasteful candles, evergreen swags, and poinsettias is more your speed, dining out during the holidays just feels extra special. Here are some of our favorite spots to enjoy your food and drink with a little holiday cheer.

Photo courtesy of Royal Boucherie

Royal Boucherie, Old City
Nick Elmi’s French-inspired brasserie feels cozy just about any time. Add some candlelight, holiday greenery, pointsettias, and a few $2 martinis and you’ll be hearing sleigh bells in the distance.

Harp & Crown, Center City
Michael Schulson’s upscale gastropub goes all out for the holidays — and it’s great for big crowds of family, friends, or coworkers looking to celebrate the season.

High Street on Market | Facebook

High Street on Market, Old City
The all-day cafe keeps it subtle yet festive during the holidays with white lights, swags of greenery, and a gorgeous wreath in the window.

Garage North, Fishtown
Just because it’s got an automotive vibe doesn’t mean this Girard Avenue spot can’t add a little Christmas sparkle.

The Dandelion | Facebook

The Dandelion, Rittenhouse
Stephen Starr’s upscale pub is all polished wood and red leather — the perfect backdrop for holiday decor.

The Bercy, Ardmore
Ardmore’s grand, two-story homage to French fanciness has been appropriately dressed up for Christmas with tasteful garlands and wreaths ornamented with baubles and flowers in white and gold.

Green Engine Coffee | Photo by Bondfire Media

Green Engine Coffee, Haverford
The cafe’s green wall is decked out with a pastel-toned wreath made of sparkling baubles and ornaments, with garlands and stockings hung with care (of course) above the fireplace.

McGillin’s Old Ale House, Midtown Village
Head to Philly’s oldest continuously operating tavern when you’re looking for a colorful, Christmas-y vibe to go with your libation of choice.

Inside Tinsel | Photo by Society Hill Films

Tinsel, Jeweler’s Row
The December-only pop-up bar that only exists to spread Christmas cheer got even bigger this year, with more space, snow globe cocktails, higher ceilings for their massive ornament and wrapped present chandeliers.

D’Angelo’s, Rittenhouse
Old-school red gravy Italian just off the Square in a space decked out with wreaths, multicolored lights, and Christmas ornaments hanging from the ceiling just might make for the most Christmas-y meal you’ll have this winter.

Photo courtesy of Walnut Street Cafe

Walnut Street Cafe, University City
We wouldn’t expect anything less from the perfectionists at Walnut Street Cafe than tasteful-yet-festive December decor — and that’s exactly what you’ll find there.

M Restaurant, Washington Square West
With a historic, 18th-century vibe, M is the place to go when you want to enjoy one of Joncarl Lachman’s pot pies with a side if holiday atmosphere.

Photo courtesy of Manatawny Still Works

Manatawny Still Works, East Passyunk
Put up all the lights, evergreen swags, and bright red bows you want. The real next level in holiday decor is covering the entire length of the bar in wrapping paper.

Parc | Facebook

Parc, Rittenhouse
The tony downtown spot is the perfect place for a festive evening out: watch the snow fall outside and the lights twinkle inside.

Kensington Quarters, Fishtown
The meat-centric farm-to-table spot has decked out its sleek dining room with rustic-chic, Kinfolk-inspired fresh greens like cedar, spruce, magnolia, and juniper.

Bar, Midtown Village
This downtown dive gets festive with strings of brightly-colored lights — plus some that are an homage to their all-canned-beer and pickleback philosphy.

Jose Pistola’s, Center City
Joe Gunn’s flagship watering hole offers a dose of holiday atmosphere to go with your beer and tacos.

Photo courtesy of Peacock Room

Peacock Room, Kensington
Philadelphia Brewing Co.’s in-house bar is all decked out with Christmas lights and a roaring fire in the fireplace for the holidays.

ITV, East Passyunk
ITV doubled down on classic holiday cheer early with their Miracle cocktail pop-up again this year, complete with reindeer figurines in the window and stockings hung for staff.

Photo courtesy of Brauhaus Schmitz

Brauhaus Schmitz, South Street
The German beer hall is festooned with nutcrackers, a beer advent calendar, bows, and other Weinachten decor. Don’t miss the giant Christmas tree in the back room or the glühwein, a spiced mulled wine cocktail, on the menu.

Photo courtesy of Brü Craft & Wurst

Brü Craft & Wurst, Midtown Village
Beer just tastes better when the bar is decked out with festive colored lights and garlands.

Prohibition Taproom, Spring Arts
Eat a plate of their excellent fried chicken in the glow of ProTap’s Christmas tree.