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A pair of white hands serving a cocktail in a martini glass.
A cocktail being made at Southwark.
Southwark

15 Philly Bars for a Damn Good Cocktail

Where to drink when you’re craving something creative

by Ernest Owens, Sarah Maiellano, and Dayna Evans Updated
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A cocktail being made at Southwark.
| Southwark
by Ernest Owens, Sarah Maiellano, and Dayna Evans Updated

Philadelphia hasn’t always been a cocktail town, thanks to regretfully strict alcohol laws. But that doesn’t mean those in search of noteworthy mixed drinks are out of luck. The city’s cocktail scene spans speakeasy-style bars, hit restaurants paying as much attention to the drinks as the food, and even a few dives that can shake up something well worth going out of the way for. Here’s a map of 15 places that do cocktails better than anyone else.

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Booker's Restaurant & Bar

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Southern charm is only a part of the allure of this Black-owned bar in West Philly. Booker’s is also admired for their boozy punches (such as the “Booker’s punch” made with Hennessy) and their out-of-the-box libations (such as their mule-that’s-not-from-Moscow “Cobbs creek” that’s made with Stateside Vodka, pear simple syrup, fresh lime, and topped with ginger beer).

5021 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 883-0960
(215) 883-0960

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Friday Saturday Sunday

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Cocktail genius Paul MacDonald mixes up tempting cocktails poured into elegant glassware at local favorite fine dining destination Friday Saturday Sunday. MacDonald regularly rotates the cocktail list, and each new addition is always worth trying.

261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-4232
(215) 546-4232

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The Ranstead Room

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Stephen Starr’s red-walled speakeasy-esque bar tucked into the alley street (Ranstead) behind his Mexican eatery El Rey is lit almost solely by candlelight. The sexy space is a perfect spot for a fancy cocktail and the bartenders here are top-notch.

2013 Ranstead St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-3330
(215) 563-3330

a.bar

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With a location right on Rittenhouse Square, the people-watching doesn’t get any better than at a.bar, from hotel chain AKA and Ellen Yin’s High Street Hospitality Group. But there’s more reason to come here than the sunny corner spot: The drinks are inventive and well made.

135 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 825-7030
(215) 825-7030

The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company

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A chic speakeasy vibe (you have to enter at an unmarked entrance) is the highlight of a night out at Franklin Bar — it’s intimate and sexy and the cocktails match the mood. Try the “Per My Last Email”: a mezcal, yuzu, grapefruit, and Thai chili cocktail that packs a punch.

1715 Latimer St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(267) 892-4557
(267) 892-4557

Rex at the Royal

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The essence of New Orleans is in this jazzy bar on South Street that serves traditional and whimsical cocktails. Try the “deep south” (which includes vodka, rooibos tea, salted honey, and lemon) or the zero-proof “secret knowledge between us” (which includes green bean, basil, mint, pineapple, lime, and bubbles) to get a grasp of how experimental this spot can be.

1524 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(267) 319-1366
(267) 319-1366

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Hop Sing Laundromat

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Hop Sing Laundromat’s air of mystery enhances its allure — and the outstanding drinks don’t hurt, either. The hidden Chinatown cocktail bar features a strict set of rules enforced by owner/proprietor Lê. Dressing inappropriately, taking photos inside, or doing something else to break one of them is to risk being added to the bar’s banned list. And no one wants to be banned from a beautiful bar with top-shelf liquor and some of the best cocktail recipes around.

1029 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
hop sing Robert Neroni

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Bánh Mì and Bottles

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This Vietnamese-inspired bar on South Street has garnered a reputation for cocktails that have are memorable and culturally provocative. Libations such as “sage smash” (that includes vodka, umami, sage, fresh squeezed sugar cane, and nutmeg) and “yes, chef!” (that includes house pork-belly-infused whiskeys, cherry cardamom bitters, and honey) are bold stand-outs.

712-14 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 800-1533
(215) 800-1533

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The Good King Tavern

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The Good King is a laid-back French bistro with a drinks list worth paying attention to. It covers the usuals — sazeracs, martinis, and so on — just as well as any other cocktail bar, but riffing off the classics is where the bartenders here truly excel. The wine list is, of course, stellar.

614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-3700
(215) 625-3700

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Southwark

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This lively tavern serves up classic and inventive cocktails that’s impressive enough for a neighborhood regular and a visitor from out of Pennsylvania. With well-crafted (and funny-titled) libations such as the “everybody loves grandpa” (that includes Famous Grouse scotch, Alpine style amaro, and cocchi torino) and the “Mariah Carey can’t dance” (that includes Reposado tequila, carrot juice, galliano, lemon, and angostura) — it’s no wonder why this bar been a staple in Queen Village.

Southwark, Philadelphia, PA 19147

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Forsythia

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With a nice cocktail list and a great happy hour, Forsythia is a comforting place to grab a seat at the bar and have some French snacks after work or before dinner. Try the Smoking Carrot: a mezcal cocktail with carrot ginger cordial.

233 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19105
(215) 644-9395
(215) 644-9395

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The Olde Bar

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Jose Garces’ Olde Bar in Old City pays tribute to the address’s former life as the legendary Bookbinder’s by keeping fish house punch on the menu (three types of rum, brandy, peach cordial, and lemon). The long cocktail list includes other classics, alongside newer concoctions.

125 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 253-3777
(215) 253-3777

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Middle Child Clubhouse

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It should come as no surprise that when Middle Child Clubhouse — the boozier, dinner-menu version of Middle Child the sandwich shop — opened in Fishtown, the drinks would be as fun as the dishes. That’s all thanks to beverage director Brandon Thrash, whose cocktail, beer, and wine selections are worth the visit to the Philly institution alone. The drinks menu changes, but the excellent negroni is always there for you.

1232 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
(267) 858-4325
(267) 858-4325

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R&D

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The cocktail list at R&D in Fishtown rotates based on the season, with warming beverages in the winter and more fruity offerings in the summer. No matter when you go, you’ll always have something nice to drink, including all the classics. Snacks are available, too.

1206 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 515-3452
(215) 515-3452

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Martha

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Named a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2017 for its bar program, Kensington’s cocktail spot Martha is big on bold but balanced flavors. The drinks are infused with acidity, spice, bitterness, and funk in the form of ingredients like fermented honeycomb, wasabi, and apricot matcha tea.

2113 E York St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 867-8881
(215) 867-8881

Also featured in:

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Booker's Restaurant & Bar

5021 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Southern charm is only a part of the allure of this Black-owned bar in West Philly. Booker’s is also admired for their boozy punches (such as the “Booker’s punch” made with Hennessy) and their out-of-the-box libations (such as their mule-that’s-not-from-Moscow “Cobbs creek” that’s made with Stateside Vodka, pear simple syrup, fresh lime, and topped with ginger beer).

5021 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 883-0960
(215) 883-0960

Friday Saturday Sunday

261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Cocktail genius Paul MacDonald mixes up tempting cocktails poured into elegant glassware at local favorite fine dining destination Friday Saturday Sunday. MacDonald regularly rotates the cocktail list, and each new addition is always worth trying.

261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-4232
(215) 546-4232

The Ranstead Room

2013 Ranstead St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Stephen Starr’s red-walled speakeasy-esque bar tucked into the alley street (Ranstead) behind his Mexican eatery El Rey is lit almost solely by candlelight. The sexy space is a perfect spot for a fancy cocktail and the bartenders here are top-notch.

2013 Ranstead St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-3330
(215) 563-3330

a.bar

135 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

With a location right on Rittenhouse Square, the people-watching doesn’t get any better than at a.bar, from hotel chain AKA and Ellen Yin’s High Street Hospitality Group. But there’s more reason to come here than the sunny corner spot: The drinks are inventive and well made.

135 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 825-7030
(215) 825-7030

The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company

1715 Latimer St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

A chic speakeasy vibe (you have to enter at an unmarked entrance) is the highlight of a night out at Franklin Bar — it’s intimate and sexy and the cocktails match the mood. Try the “Per My Last Email”: a mezcal, yuzu, grapefruit, and Thai chili cocktail that packs a punch.

1715 Latimer St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(267) 892-4557
(267) 892-4557

Rex at the Royal

1524 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146

The essence of New Orleans is in this jazzy bar on South Street that serves traditional and whimsical cocktails. Try the “deep south” (which includes vodka, rooibos tea, salted honey, and lemon) or the zero-proof “secret knowledge between us” (which includes green bean, basil, mint, pineapple, lime, and bubbles) to get a grasp of how experimental this spot can be.

1524 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(267) 319-1366
(267) 319-1366

Hop Sing Laundromat

1029 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Hop Sing Laundromat’s air of mystery enhances its allure — and the outstanding drinks don’t hurt, either. The hidden Chinatown cocktail bar features a strict set of rules enforced by owner/proprietor Lê. Dressing inappropriately, taking photos inside, or doing something else to break one of them is to risk being added to the bar’s banned list. And no one wants to be banned from a beautiful bar with top-shelf liquor and some of the best cocktail recipes around.

1029 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
hop sing Robert Neroni

Bánh Mì and Bottles

712-14 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

This Vietnamese-inspired bar on South Street has garnered a reputation for cocktails that have are memorable and culturally provocative. Libations such as “sage smash” (that includes vodka, umami, sage, fresh squeezed sugar cane, and nutmeg) and “yes, chef!” (that includes house pork-belly-infused whiskeys, cherry cardamom bitters, and honey) are bold stand-outs.

712-14 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 800-1533
(215) 800-1533

The Good King Tavern

614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

The Good King is a laid-back French bistro with a drinks list worth paying attention to. It covers the usuals — sazeracs, martinis, and so on — just as well as any other cocktail bar, but riffing off the classics is where the bartenders here truly excel. The wine list is, of course, stellar.

614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-3700
(215) 625-3700

Southwark

Southwark, Philadelphia, PA 19147

This lively tavern serves up classic and inventive cocktails that’s impressive enough for a neighborhood regular and a visitor from out of Pennsylvania. With well-crafted (and funny-titled) libations such as the “everybody loves grandpa” (that includes Famous Grouse scotch, Alpine style amaro, and cocchi torino) and the “Mariah Carey can’t dance” (that includes Reposado tequila, carrot juice, galliano, lemon, and angostura) — it’s no wonder why this bar been a staple in Queen Village.

Southwark, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Forsythia

233 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19105

With a nice cocktail list and a great happy hour, Forsythia is a comforting place to grab a seat at the bar and have some French snacks after work or before dinner. Try the Smoking Carrot: a mezcal cocktail with carrot ginger cordial.

233 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19105
(215) 644-9395
(215) 644-9395

The Olde Bar

125 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Jose Garces’ Olde Bar in Old City pays tribute to the address’s former life as the legendary Bookbinder’s by keeping fish house punch on the menu (three types of rum, brandy, peach cordial, and lemon). The long cocktail list includes other classics, alongside newer concoctions.

125 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 253-3777
(215) 253-3777

Middle Child Clubhouse

1232 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122

It should come as no surprise that when Middle Child Clubhouse — the boozier, dinner-menu version of Middle Child the sandwich shop — opened in Fishtown, the drinks would be as fun as the dishes. That’s all thanks to beverage director Brandon Thrash, whose cocktail, beer, and wine selections are worth the visit to the Philly institution alone. The drinks menu changes, but the excellent negroni is always there for you.

1232 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
(267) 858-4325
(267) 858-4325

R&D

1206 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

The cocktail list at R&D in Fishtown rotates based on the season, with warming beverages in the winter and more fruity offerings in the summer. No matter when you go, you’ll always have something nice to drink, including all the classics. Snacks are available, too.

1206 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 515-3452
(215) 515-3452

Martha

2113 E York St, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Named a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2017 for its bar program, Kensington’s cocktail spot Martha is big on bold but balanced flavors. The drinks are infused with acidity, spice, bitterness, and funk in the form of ingredients like fermented honeycomb, wasabi, and apricot matcha tea.

2113 E York St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 867-8881
(215) 867-8881

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