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Paolo Jay Agbay

14 Philly Bars for a Damn Good Cocktail

Where to drink when you’re craving something creative

by Sarah Maiellano and Dayna Evans Updated
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by Sarah Maiellano and Dayna Evans Updated
Paolo Jay Agbay

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 14 places that do cocktails better than anyone else.

Want to see some local celebs mixing up cocktails? Find out where the Spanish and Latino bartenders mixing up the best cocktails in the city are bartending here.

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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

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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
A martini glass with a piece of twisted lemon on a blonde wood countertop in a booth. Gab Bonghi

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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
Stephen Recchia

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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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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 Library Bar

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Hotel bars can be hit or miss. But when you land on a good one — especially with a long and inventive cocktail menu with drinks named for Philly neighborhoods, like Library Bar at the Rittenhouse Hotel — it can be worth pretending you’ve booked a room upstairs. The vibe inside is lovely, too.

210 W Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-9000
(215) 546-9000

Also featured in:

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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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

Also featured in:

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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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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Messina Club

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Though Messina Social Club is also a restaurant, and you need to be a member to make a reservation, finding a friend who has a membership or becoming one yourself makes it worth it for the exceptional cocktails at the bar alone. The menu changes but the bartenders are friendly and know their stuff, so order what suits you. Make a dinner reservation, if you’re interested in hanging out after.

1533 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 928-4152
(267) 928-4152

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In the Valley (ITV Philly)

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Next door to Nick Elmi’s fine dining restaurant Laurel, diners can pop in for a drink at ITV, French-meets-American cocktail bar run by the same team. An extensive wine list and a thorough cocktail list is available in the chic and intimate space — a perfect date night destination.

1615 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 858-0669
(267) 858-0669

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

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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

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
A martini glass with a piece of twisted lemon on a blonde wood countertop in a booth. Gab Bonghi

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
Stephen Recchia

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

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 Library Bar

210 W Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Hotel bars can be hit or miss. But when you land on a good one — especially with a long and inventive cocktail menu with drinks named for Philly neighborhoods, like Library Bar at the Rittenhouse Hotel — it can be worth pretending you’ve booked a room upstairs. The vibe inside is lovely, too.

210 W Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-9000
(215) 546-9000

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

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

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

Messina Club

1533 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Though Messina Social Club is also a restaurant, and you need to be a member to make a reservation, finding a friend who has a membership or becoming one yourself makes it worth it for the exceptional cocktails at the bar alone. The menu changes but the bartenders are friendly and know their stuff, so order what suits you. Make a dinner reservation, if you’re interested in hanging out after.

1533 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 928-4152
(267) 928-4152

In the Valley (ITV Philly)

1615 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Next door to Nick Elmi’s fine dining restaurant Laurel, diners can pop in for a drink at ITV, French-meets-American cocktail bar run by the same team. An extensive wine list and a thorough cocktail list is available in the chic and intimate space — a perfect date night destination.

1615 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 858-0669
(267) 858-0669

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

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