The Most Seductive Bars in Philly

Inside Hop Sing Laundromat / Photograph by Michael Persico, originally published in How One Night in Chinatown Changed Philly’s Cocktail Scene Forever

Forget the prix-fixe menus and the frantic hunt for a 7 p.m. reservation. In Philly, the real Valentine’s Day magic happens over drinks by candlelight in luxe lounges, sultry speakeasies, and intimate corner booths. These are the city’s most alluring bars that you’ll absolutely fall in love with.

Andra Hem

The inconspicuous door to this Swedish-inspired lounge on 16th Street is easy to miss. But once you stumble upon it, you’ll feel like you’ve found a secret passageway to a luxe cocktail goldmine. The bold decor, buzzy crowd, and playful drink list make the whole experience flirty and fun. Try the Fig Around with olive oil-washed vodka and the Peat Forsberg, a blend of scotch, lemon, carrot, ginger, and honey — they’re fan favorites. 218 South 16th Street, Rittenhouse.

48 Record Bar’s Martini Salé / Photograph by Gab Bonghi

48 Record Bar

This alluring space above Sassafras feels less like a bar and more like a private listening lounge — think plush velvet seating, low lighting, a cozy fireplace, and nothing but vinyl playing on the speakers. Whether you’re browsing the crates together or just enjoying a twist on a classic cocktail (we’re partial to the umami old fashioned with Suntory and mushroom bitters), it’s an experience built around shared sensory moments: sound, taste, and close conversation. Bonus: Plan to come during one of their pop-up vinyl markets — the next one’s on Valentine’s Day. 48 South 2nd Street, Old City.

Le Caveau

Time flies when you’re hanging out at this cozy hideaway tucked above the Good King Tavern, drinking your way through the list of exceptional wines. The casual yet refined atmosphere of Le Caveau makes it the perfect spot for a date, whether you’re meeting someone for the first time or going out for a relaxing night out with your long-term partner. Chances are you’ll get caught up in conversation here, so get a French hot dog served in a baguette if you’re hungry. 614 South 7th Street, Bella Vista.

The Double Knot bourbon cocktail from the downstairs bar at Double Knot / Photograph by Jordan Harris

Double Knot, downstairs

While Double Knot draws a lively crowd at street level for its perennially popular happy hour, there’s an intimate date night waiting just down the narrow stairs in the back, a subterranean lounge of candlelit tables, shadowy vibes, and clandestine corners. The vast sake list and the charismatic cocktails (from the spicy Splice Knot with shishito vodka to the dramatically smoky Double Knot, a bourbon, rye, and vermouth cocktail kissed with torched cinnamon and clove) make this is the perfect place to try something different. 120 South 13th Street, Midtown Village.

Hop Sing Laundromat

Gaining entry to one of Philly’s most exclusive bars is sure to earn you some points with your date and a little extra credit for the hush-hush vibes. The move here is to sit at one of the secluded tables along the wall where you can enjoy your cocktails without any distractions. Cell phones are not allowed, and taking photos is strictly forbidden (lest ye be banned for eternity). But the policy adds an element of secrecy to the evening. So sip your cocktails in private, knowing that you’re keeping the magic of the night to yourselves. 1029 Race Street, Chinatown.

The Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday

The name is already doing some heavy lifting; you’re not so subtly telling your companion something by choosing this date night location, aren’t you? The tiny, dimly lit bar — spiritual successor to the original Friday Saturday Sunday’s upstairs Tank Bar — carries on its predecessor’s “lovey-dovey vibes,” to quote GM Maxine Peabody. And you almost forget that upstairs is one of Philly’s most celebrated restaurants as you sip one of head bartender Paul MacDonald’s sophisticated cocktails in this swoon-worthy space built for romance and lingering conversation. 261 South 21st Street, Rittenhouse.

Almanac / Photograph by Bre Furlong

Almanac

There’s nothing secret about Almanac — the Japanese-inspired bar is one of the best in the country. And yet, sitting in the small lounge with the soft glow of ambient lighting illuminating ornate matcha-dusted martinis and yuzu miso-glazed wings, with upbeat music that is loud enough so the next table can’t overhear you but not loud enough to disrupt your conversation, this place feels like a romantic hideaway. 310 Market Street, second floor, Old City.

1 Tippling Place

The leather armchairs, the model of a three-mast ship on the hutch, and the faux taxidermy zebra head give 1 Tippling Place a distinguished, exclusive air, like you’re sitting in someone’s private library or the Explorer’s Club in New York City. Come here for your go-to nightcap, or, if you’re open to a little bit of adventure, ask the bartender to whip you up something experimental from their menagerie of whiskey. 2006 Chestnut Street, Rittenhouse.

Ranstead Room

Tucked down a little side street near Chestnut, the Ranstead Room is the quintessential moody and seductive cocktail hideaway. There are red leather booths, (tasteful) nude paintings, dark wood, and a centerpiece chandelier. To borrow a line from — of all people — George Costanza, it’s “so adult. It’s like with stockings and martinis and William Holden.” And speaking of martinis, the cocktails are masterful — key in making it feel like a speakeasy without the circa-2010-cliché baggage that comes with that word. And while there are tempting ones on the menu, go for a little adventure with the “Bartender’s Choice” — tell them what you’re into, and they’ll make something just for you. It may just become your couple’s signature drink. 2013 Ranstead Street, Rittenhouse.

The Library Bar at the Rittenhouse

If your flavor of romance is more literary, plan your next tryst in this cozy, classic hotel bar. It checks all the boxes: leather upholstery, vintage books lining the walls, live music on Friday and Saturday nights … and a luxe hotel room just upstairs should things progress. They’ve currently got a Gatsby-inspired cocktail menu, with drinks like the rum-forward “Darling Daisy,” a clarified milk punch called “Owl Eyes,” and a gold-flecked bourbon named for the enigmatic title character. (May your love story have a happier ending.) 210 West Rittenhouse Square, Rittenhouse.