The Best Bars in Philadelphia

This is a city that knows how to drink. That knows how to drink well. And we owe a lot of that to our bars — the drinking establishments that are very good at what they do, that keep up with trends (or know when to ignore them), that pour bottles of murky natural wines or brew refermented beer in alleyways. And while the drink world is constantly in flux, there are bars that really stick out. Bars that seem like they’ll shine forever, from the newbies doing everything right, to the dives and haunts that never seem to do anything wrong. So, this here list? It’s for all you cork dorks. You hop-heads and cocktail enthusiasts. For the serious boozing class of this serious drinking city.

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Cocktail and Wine Bars | Neighborhood Bars | Holiday Bars | Bars for Singing and Dancing | Restaurant Bars | Dive Bars and Taverns | Breweries and Distilleries | Sports Bars | Whiskey Bars

The Best Cocktail and Wine Bars

Bloomsday

Bloomsday sits like a welcoming pub overtaken by wine nerds, beer-bottle philosophers and cocktail alchemists. It’s a place where all the deep thinking on booze — its provenance, its footprint, its utility, its charm — comes to a sharp point, with Kelsey Bush and Zach Morris from Green Engine Coffee and notable wine guy Tim Kweeder putting together lists upon lists of faraway pét-nats, local ciders and smart cocktails for all hours of the night (and day). With its all-day cafe format, solid kitchen and Euro-mod space, it’s the perfect example of evolved drinking and thoughtful consumption — a place made for 2019, designed to be ready for whatever 2020 brings. 414 South 2nd Street, Society Hill.

R&D

The former Root went through a transformation recently, from a full-fledged wine bar to a full-fledged cocktail bar (and a new name). Seasonally changing menus by barman Aaron Deary, tasty snacks from the kitchen, and a quiet, grown-up atmosphere push it straight to the top of the city’s best cocktail joints. 1206 Frankford Avenue, Fishtown.

The Lunar Inn

Gray and bunkerish on the outside, comfy and welcoming on the inside, with a 100-year-old bar and an attached bottle shop (Tinys), the Lunar Inn is like a study in what would happen if you assembled a multidisciplinary dream team of industry pros and let them all loose in a neighborhood in transition with the goal of creating the perfect bar. So whether you think “perfect” means PBR and a plate of chicken wings or a tofu banh mi and a glass of natty wine, Lunar Inn is it. 3124 Richmond Street, Port Richmond.

Hop Sing Laundromat

Always divisive, Hop Sing lives on its reputation almost as much as it does on its deep stock of liquor. But through serious research, alchemy, and a freakish talent for flavor combinations, owner Lê and his crew have created some of the best cocktails in the entire city behind their unmarked door. 1029 Race Street, Chinatown.

The Ripplewood

The Rip’s staff takes great pride in their cocktail craftsmanship. And thank God they do, because without them, Ardmore would still be thirsting for a place that can shake up a decent daiquiri, let alone a great one. 29 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore.

a.bar

A.bar has always been (and continues to be) at the forefront of drinking culture in Philly, ushering in the golden age of cocktails with always-excellent mixed drinks — and doing the same for the modern era of wine in Philly. In fact, our fledgling wine scene owes much of its success to a.bar, one of the few bars in Philly that truly and deeply embraced the natural, biodynamic vino movement, selling bottles of Fortana dell’Emilia Rosato way, way back before the label started appearing all over our Instagram feeds.

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The Best Neighborhood Bars

Tattooed Mom

Bright, weird, cluttered, occasionally sticky — the place looks like a craft store exploded inside, but it’s full of cool people, great beer, fun food, and unusual cocktails that all defy logical description. 530 South Street, Queen Village.

Watkins Drinkery

A dependable bar on a sleepy corner just off East Passyunk Avenue where owner Jonn Klein and his staff run an incredibly friendly, no-B.S. operation. The menu is heavy on craft beer, the kitchen stays open late doing standard pub fare (plus some not-so-standard game-meat specials), and there’s a game room upstairs that, on the best nights, you’ll have all to yourself, with a pool table, darts, and an old Pac-Man machine. 1712 South 10th Street, East Passyunk.

Teresa’s Next Door

Twenty-eight taps with interesting brews, a curated wine list (and shop!), lots of whiskeys, and tenders who know the difference between mixing with Schweppes and Fever-Tree — add it all up (it’s a really comfortable place to drink, too) and you get a 2018 James Beard semi-finalist for Outstanding Bar Program. That Teresa’s didn’t win was a crime. 126 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne.

The Greeks

A Narberth institution since 1922 (!), the Greeks is open during the day and into the night. It’s beloved by locals and barflies across the region, and, most importantly, there are plenty of booths and corners to keep things quiet and cozy. 239 Haverford Avenue, Narberth.

Monk’s Café

Like a church where beer nerds worship, Monk’s is a love letter to Belgian beers, mussels and frites, potato salad and pub culture. 264 South 16th Street, Rittenhouse.

The International

An internationally themed bar called the International feels very … of a time, right? This place might not have worked in different hands, but it does here, because the Johnny Brenda’s team understands cool on a level that’s more than mere imitation. It’s not just a look — not just the downstairs DJ and the brickwork, but an understanding that sherries on tap are cool. That amari is having a moment. That different castes of serious drinkers are having their own wild obsessions with Siberian wines and rare Belgian sours. They made a place where (however inconceivably) all those things work together so that no matter your mood — no matter what kind of experience you’re looking to have — this is where you want to be. 1624 North Front Street, Kensington.

Fountain Porter

When you’re dreaming about a perfect neighborhood bar, Fountain Porter is what you’re imagining. The prices are cheap, the staff is friendly, the vibe is relaxed, and the $5 burger is one of the best in the city. 1601 South 10th Street, East Passyunk.

Pickering Creek Inn

It’s a town stalwart, but one with great craft beer, live music, solid wings, half-price drafts at happy hour, and $2.50 Yuenglings during the weekly “Karaoke Shitshow.” 37 East Bridge Street, Phoenixville.

El Bar

You go to El Bar for Citywides, a raucous bar, an extra-friendly staff, live entertainment, and, of course, its big ol’ twinkly-lit outdoor patio right under the rumbling El train. 1356 North Front Street, Kensington.

Johnny Brenda’s

After 15 years, JB’s has become an iconic part of the Philly scene. What’s remarkable is that a place that’s already a triple threat (live music, local beer on tap, and a menu better than anyone has a right to expect) keeps improving, year after year. 1201 North Frankford Avenue, Fishtown.

Tavern on Camac

It’s good to have a place like Tavern on Camac in your pocket. It draws a big, loud, fun crowd; pours the drinks strong; and shakes the dust from the rafters with show tunes, Broadway standards and pop hits. There’s also dancing upstairs, for those after a more raucous night. 243 South Camac Street, Midtown Village.

Good Dog Bar

After a thorough renovation last year, Good Dog brought on a new chef, installed a new menu (that still respects the crowd favorites), and found a new energy. But the bar didn’t forget how to mix a classic, the taps are ever full of local beers, and you can still get the legendary burger stuffed with Roquefort cheese. 224 South 15th Street, Center City.

Cavanaugh’s Headhouse

There are a couple of Cav’s in Philly. There’s the one in University City that’s always so full of youth and raucousness. There’s the one in Center City, tucked away on Sansom Street, a late-night draw for the Rittenhouse community of restaurant-industry workers. There’s the River Deck on Columbus Boulevard, which, as a deck, is very much its own thing. And then there’s the Cav’s on Headhouse Square, which operates mostly as, like, a bar … a neighborhood watering hole, no more, no less. It’s cavernous, multiple stories high, with seven different rooms (each of them offering slightly different moods and vibes) and a staff that knows its regulars well. 421 South 2nd Street, Society Hill.

American Sardine Bar

A food menu that never quits no matter who’s cooking in the kitchen (think: mushroom patty melts, super-seasonal salads, tinned fish boards, and, of course, sardine sandwiches), an outdoor patio space that feels like a party in your best friend’s backyard, and a staff that knows how to pour a farmhouse ale just as expertly as it does a shot of Jamo and a High Life. 1800 Federal Street, Point Breeze.

Standard Tap

Philly bars aren’t exactly impervious to the pressures of new bar trends. Standard Tap remains unflappable, sticking to what it does best (local, quality products; great service) but never resting on its laurels. 901 North 2nd Street, Northern Liberties.

New Wave Cafe

What is it about New Wave that makes it so appealing? In reality, it’s very much Just A Bar. A neighborhood watering hole that doesn’t specialize in anything specific — no fussy wines; craft beers, sure, but nothing too crazy; the food is classic gastropub Americana. Maybe what makes New Wave so wonderful is that it lives in the negative space of all the others: friendly when so many staffs are snobby; efficient when other spots keep you waiting; a bar and kitchen that reliably keep the doors open at times when so many bars choose to close theirs. 784 South 3rd Street, Queen Village.

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The Best Bars for The Holidays

Tinsel

Sometimes you want your bar to be open during the holidays, and sometimes you want your bar to be decked out for the holidays. And for those times when you want both, there’s Tinsel. 116 South 12th Street, Midtown Village.

 

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The Best Bars for Singing, Dancing, and Playing

Dahlak

Yes, it has great Ethiopian and Eritrean food. Yes, it has a bar. But on Tuesday nights, Dahlak is also a destination for West Philly karaoke fans looking to get loud. 4708 Baltimore Avenue, University City.

Spin

It’s a 12,000-square-foot ping-pong club and bar with a pub menu, scratch-and-sniff wallpaper, a manifesto (something about uniting the world through table tennis), and drinks named the Topspin, the Backspin and the Fishtown Throwdown. Sure, it’s a chain out of New York. But it’s still a fantastic night out. 211 South 15th Street, Center City.

Ortlieb’s

Ideally, there’d be an Ortlieb’s in every neighborhood — a place where local chefs can pop up with their newfangled concepts, where there are taco specials some days and bingo and karaoke nights on others. And for those times when we’re jonesing for something new to do, something exciting, there’s Ortlieb’s small stage — at times, the first stage for many of the city’s young musical talents. Call Northern Liberties lucky. 847 North 3rd Street, Northern Liberties.

John & Peter’s

A beloved and dive-y bar tucked away just off the main drag, with great burgers, a seasoned staff, and a tiny stage in the back for rockin’ and rollin’. 96 South Main Street, New Hope. 

Bob & Barbara’s

This near-legendary city dive bar is also a place for karaoke (Sunday nights), regular Thursday-night drag shows, and live jazz and “liquor-drinkin’ music” on Fridays and Saturdays. 1509 South Street, Grad Hospital.

Doobie’s

Go here because the bartender will remember your name. Because the beer is cold and the cocktails are fast. And because there’s an entire locker filled with board games for you and all your friends. 2201 Lombard Street, Fitler Square.

Dolphin Tavern

After a particularly restless slumber, the premier dance club in South Philly came back to life this summer with a full stage and a legit sound system (swiped from the just-shuttered Boot & Saddle) for live bands, DJ sets, theme nights and karaoke. Plus dollar tacos every day. 1539 South Broad Street, East Passyunk.

Martha

If you (like everyone) like pickles, local booze, kombucha, charcuterie and bocce ball, then you (like everyone) will love Martha. 2113 East York Street, Kensington.

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The Best Restaurant Bars

Oloroso

On Oloroso’s best days, the bar smells entirely of sherry, giant shrimp and pigs’ heads are scattered everywhere, and everyone’s teeth are stained red from sangria. Nice, right? 1121 Walnut Street, Midtown Village.

Friday Saturday Sunday

Chad and Hanna Williams turned this longtime institution into a New American powerhouse with a fantastic drinking space downstairs. Black-and-white tile, a marble bar top, and an ever-changing list of cleverly named and brilliantly mixed cocktails. 261 South 21st Street, Rittenhouse.

Suraya

The restaurant itself is amazing at all hours of the day. It seems almost unfair that the bar is so good, too — spiking its list with Middle Eastern flavors (za’atar, saffron sugar, orange-blossom water) in a way that could have felt stunt-ish but instead comes off like genius. 1528 Frankford Avenue, Fishtown.

South

There’s shrimp and grits, blue crab toasts, and fried chicken touched with honey in the dining room; brown liquor at the bar; and live jazz almost every night. For those who need it, it’s a hit of Southern comfort right in the middle of Philly. 600 North Broad Street, Spring Garden.

Nunu

Forget the milk bread toast and miso cheese dip, the furikake fries and shrimp skewers with Kewpie mayo. Forget the fact that they’ve expanded into the sushi game. Let all that go and consider for a minute the amount of care put into the sake flights, the cocktails made with green tea shochu, the refreshing shochu spritzes. This is a bar that does nothing accidentally but makes everything seem off-the-cuff. That knows exactly what it’s ripping off, and why. That makes fusion (such a dirty word these days) seem not only fresh and original, but fun and almost regenerative in an industry that’s sometimes badly in need of original, groundbreaking thought. 1414 Frankford Avenue, Fishtown.

Giuseppe & Sons (temporarily closed)

Yeah, yeah. You know all about the downstairs bar, with its Rat Pack vibes and glitzy charm. But what often gets overlooked is the upstairs “luncheonette” (not really a luncheonette at all) and its bar at night. You can get some truly excellent pizzas (courtesy of Michael Schulson’s newish partner, Jeff Michaud) up there. Plates of meatballs and shrimp scampi skewers, and when you’re all done, some Termini cannoli. And all the while, the bar is slinging cheap Negronis and really nice wine (think: a crushable Italian favorita) at happy hour like they’re nothing at all. 1523 Sansom Street, Center City.

Palizzi Social Club

If you can get in (it’s members-only), and if you can get a seat at the bar, there are moments here that feel like pure Hollywood magic — like you’re a bit player in some kooky Rat Pack romp. It’s a bar that lives in Technicolor and serves Italian cocktails full of grappa, Galliano, prosecco and over-proof rye. 1408 South 12th Street, East Passyunk.

Royal Boucherie

Dark and loud and crowded and fun. There’s no bar in the city right now better for camping out in on a gray day, drinking Gibsons and eating plates of duck meatballs and rabbit terrine. 52 South 2nd Street, Old City.

Alimentari

The second-floor space at the big Di Bruno Bros. has been used as a display area, as a classroom, for events both public and private, and as a cafeteria-style dining room. But the one thing it never really had? An identity of its own. Alimentari changed that. On one side, you’ve got the stuff Di Bruno’s does best — a charcuterie bar offering meats and imported cheeses, little toasts and pizza alla Romana. And on the other, the other thing Di Bruno’s (more recently) does best: beer and wine, with an entire section devoted to oddities like orange wine, biodynamic wineries, and some seriously funky natural juice. 1730 Chestnut Street, Rittenhouse.

Farm & Fisherman Tavern

You wanna drink local in the ’burbs? Josh Lawler has expanded his farm-to-table aspirations and put together bars that are stocked wide and deep with excellent beers, good wines, four different ciders, lots of whiskey, and seasonally inspired lists of cocktails that lean heavy on locally produced spirits. 575 Horsham Road and 1442 Marlton Pike East, Horsham and Cherry Hill.

Good King Tavern

You come here for simple French things done really well: perfect bar food, all the natural wine you could ever dream of, and a focused cocktail list that never quits. 614 South 7th Street, Bella Vista.

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The Best Dive Bars and Taverns

Tony’s Tavern

Tony’s, like so many Delco dives and taverns, opens early and closes late. But what sets it apart are its friendlier-than-most crowd (in other words, the record won’t scratch when you walk through the door as a first-timer) and the tiny one-person kitchen that puts out some of the best roast pork and other Italian sandwiches around. 1002 Woodlawn Avenue, Collingdale.

Oscar’s Tavern

It is, and will always be, the same windowless, sin-colored bunker with the same cheap beer, the same crowd of regulars, and the same one-and-a-half-cheesesteak deal. 1524 Sansom Street, Center City.

DelMar Lounge

Anyplace that’s survived to 2018 with “Lounge” in its name must have something special going for it. At the Del, it’s the easy bartenders and a crowd that’s just there for the juke, the pool tables, some cheap drinks, and a little conversation. Plus, the back patio is nice when the nights start turning cooler. 304 West Chelten Avenue, Germantown.

McCusker’s Tavern

You know, just your average everyday chilled-out neighborhood joint with a Pearl Jam theme. 2601 South 17th Street, South Philly.

Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar

Sometimes you just need a friendly place to get a shot and a beer at 7 a.m. 1200 East Passyunk Avenue, East Passyunk.

Dirty Franks

When you use “dive bar” as a term of endearment, Franks is the kind of place you’re talking about. 347 South 13th Street, Midtown Village.

Wine Dive

Is it weird that a new(ish) bar came out of the gate calling itself a dive? Yes. But is it a place that does all the things a dive bar does (quirky paraphernalia, cheap drinks, casual vibes) and, more importantly, does them well? Also yes. 1506 South Street, Grad Hospital.

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The Best Brewery and Distillery Bars

Philadelphia Distilling

A gorgeous space with windows that look right into the heart of the distilling operation. You can get a tour if you like, or just hang out, drink a couple G&Ts, and have a snack. 25 East Allen Street, Northern Liberties.

Forest & Main

These guys make some amazing beer. They don’t ever repeat themselves, which is rather remarkable. And with a recent expansion into the space next door, they now offer cocktails, live music, room for larger groups, and a short, tight menu of bar snacks and small plates. 55-61 North Main Street, Ambler.

Hale & True

For a long time, these folks were schlepping their cider door-to-door and from event to event. But now, they’ve got their own taproom where they can show off their straight-from-the-orchard PA ciders (plus some local beers and spirits) and a short menu of snacks done in collaboration with Good King Tavern. 613 South 7th Street, Bella Vista.

Separatist Beer Project

There’s always a little bit of danger when a small, nomadic group of brewing friends (like this former Sole Artisan Ales crew) makes the decision to grow up and settle down with a brick-and-mortar. Sometimes, the DIY bravado of limited stakes gets lost, the creativity frightened away by rent payments and paperwork. But at Separatist Beer Project’s South Philly tasting room, it all comes together. Big windows, Stargazy pies on the menu, and a lineup of smart, creative beers that go from approachable IPAs like Turbo Nerd to dank-ass double IPAs like the potent Farm Cove. 1646 South 12th Street, East Passyunk.

Root Down

A psychedelic vibe combined with a straightforward menu, house sours on tap, and lots of choices to-go make this a winner among the locals. 1 North Main Street, Phoenixville.

Borough Brewhouse

Neshaminy Creek’s brewpub has limited-run and seasonal beers on tap, along with meads, ciders and brews from other local breweries. The kitchen does a locally sourced farm-to-table menu. And the space is big, bright, comfortable and casual. 208 York Road, Jenkintown.

Dock Street

In its 33 years, the West Philly brewpub has never been anything but wonderful. Tried and true. And now, with its new(ish) cannery and lounge pouring great cocktails and drafts, its whole brand is, somehow, fresh and exciting again. 701 South 50th Street, West Philly.

Dock Street South

A long maple bar, a comfortable lounge space, and a mess-hall-style dining room where Euro-esque small plates (octopus socca; Sicilian-style rotisserie chicken) combine on a menu that’s more substantial than your average wings-and-nachos brewpub fare. On the drinking side, there are 12 taps pouring Dock Street beers, hand-pumped cask variations, cocktails shaken up with local spirits, and a whole coffee-shop side of things called Center of Gravity, open early every day and covering all your caffeination needs. Really, this makes the new Dock Street South an all-day brewpub, which may sound strange at first but is actually, the more you think about it, truly brilliant. 2118 Washington Avenue, Point Breeze.

Fermentery Form

You know that dream you have about finding some hidden, weird, amazing little secret place down an alley in a neighborhood you don’t usually visit? This is that place — a microbrewery and tiny tasting room doing some of the most fascinating beers you’ll ever try. 1700 North Palethorp Street, Kensington.

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The Best Sports Bars

Bar-Ly

It’s the only sports bar in Chinatown, yes, but it’s also the only sports bar in Philly where you can watch a game at a table full of craft beers and sake bombs, munching on grilled chicken gizzards, bacon-wrapped quail eggs, shrimp dumplings, and, if you so please, as many bowls of pho as your heart might desire. 101 North 11th Street, Chinatown.

Tradesman’s

Pulled pork, whiskey, and a giant 10-foot media wall. The sports bar Holy Trinity. 1322 Chestnut Street, Midtown Village.

Philadium Tavern

The South Philly stalwart went through a somewhat-recent ownership change (it’s now owned by the folks behind Uncle Oogies, another South Philly institution) that’s turned it into a destination sports bar in its own right, with dedicated wing and taco nights from a kitchen that does cheese pierogies with bourbon-glazed onions, spicy fried chicken sandwiches, and crab fries topped with actual crabmeat. (Better luck next time, Chickie’s and Pete’s!) 1631 Packer Avenue, South Philly.

Union Jack’s Olde Glory Pub

Beer and chicken wings, a TV hanging behind the bar … the big difference here is that the focus is on soccer and rugby matches. 2750 Limekiln Pike, Glenside.

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The Best Whiskey Bars

Fiume (temporarily closed)

It’s tiny. It’s half-hidden in a space above Abyssinia. But if you’re a serious beer nerd or dedicated whiskey drinker, you already know all about Fiume. 229 South 45th Street, University City.

Lloyd

Whether you’re sipping an Eagle Rare, working your way through a Jack and Wendy (Four Roses, sweet vermouth, lemon and apricot), or throwing down with the house Citywide (the Lloyd — a High Life and a shot of Old Grand-Dad), Lloyd is the place for brown spirits. 529 East Girard Avenue, Fishtown.

Village Whiskey

The biggest problem with this place is that it’s crowded. The second problem: It ain’t cheap. But if it’s expensive and still drawing a big crowd, imagine what that says about the whiskey selection, cocktails and menu. 118 South 20th Street, Rittenhouse.

Goat’s Beard

The place has a whiskey bible. Looking for something unusual? Go here first. 4201 Main Street, Manayunk.

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Best Bars in Philly, Mapped