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The Druid's Keep is truly underrated.
The Druid's Keep is truly underrated.
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Here's Where Philly's Bartenders Go To Drink

by Collin Flatt
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The Druid's Keep is truly underrated.
| Photo:
by Collin Flatt

In today's Cocktail Week adventure, Eater asked the Philly bartender population about the best-of-the-best underrated or underappreciated spots that they like to hit up when they're on the other side of the bar. Sadly, most of the folks we asked didn't want to be responsible for blowing up these gems, and only agreed to spill the beans if their names were left out of it. And we're more than happy to oblige to get the dirt.

So, today we're going to help you find those places you may not have thought were worth your time, but just might become your new go-to. Just don't tell anyone where you heard about it. Without further ado here are Philly's Go-To Bars for Bartenders.


· All Cocktail Week Coverage [~EPHI~]
· All Eater Guides [~EPHI~]

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. The Druid's Keep

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149 Brown St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
"The Druid's Keep is my spot on Sunday afternoons especially in Spring. You can bring your own food, they have a sweet backyard with lit cornhole boxes, and they show sports projected on the wall. And you can, uh, smoke out there, too."

2. McGlinchey's

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259 S 15th St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 735-1259
(215) 735-1259
"Lots of people talk about McGlinchey's as this legendary Philly dive, but their bartenders throw together really solid classic cocktails. After serving nothing but Powers and beers, they're happy to flex drink-making muscles that they haven't used in awhile."

3. Doobie's

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2201 Lombard St
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 546-0316
(215) 546-0316
Visit Website
"I know they recently got a sign, which I guess takes some of the hidden-ness away from it, but the lifers behind the bar make fantastic cocktails, and no one goes there to drink martinis. But they should."

4. Penn's Port Pub

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1920 S Delaware Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
"Sure, it's the lunchtime minor league strip club, but they've got an underrated beer list and real deal top shelf product. And, honestly, watching the talent have to hunch over when they head down the catwalk is pretty funny over a Caesar salad."

5. The Dandelion

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124 S 18th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 558-2500
(215) 558-2500
Visit Website
"I don't know if you can call it a hidden gem, but I know that no one talks about the cocktails at The Dandelion, as they're all focused on beer and hearty food. But there are some damn good cocktails and some damn good cocktail makers behind that bar."

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6. Cherry Street Tavern

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129 N 22nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 561-5683
(215) 561-5683
"Love the Cherry Street Tavern, not just because of the old school decor and tile floor, but most of the bartenders are from a different era. They rock the vest and apron look and make a mean gimlet. Which you just can't find anymore."

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7. Ray's Happy Birthday Bar

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1200 E Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 365-1169
(215) 365-1169
"You can't order anything complicated, but if you want a huge glass of G&T for like $3, this is the place for you. And really, without all that overwrought crap, isn't that all a cocktail should be? Bring your smokes, too."

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1. The Druid's Keep

149 Brown St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
"The Druid's Keep is my spot on Sunday afternoons especially in Spring. You can bring your own food, they have a sweet backyard with lit cornhole boxes, and they show sports projected on the wall. And you can, uh, smoke out there, too."
149 Brown St
Philadelphia, PA 19123

2. McGlinchey's

259 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
"Lots of people talk about McGlinchey's as this legendary Philly dive, but their bartenders throw together really solid classic cocktails. After serving nothing but Powers and beers, they're happy to flex drink-making muscles that they haven't used in awhile."
259 S 15th St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 735-1259

3. Doobie's

2201 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
"I know they recently got a sign, which I guess takes some of the hidden-ness away from it, but the lifers behind the bar make fantastic cocktails, and no one goes there to drink martinis. But they should."
2201 Lombard St
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 546-0316
Visit Website

4. Penn's Port Pub

1920 S Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148
"Sure, it's the lunchtime minor league strip club, but they've got an underrated beer list and real deal top shelf product. And, honestly, watching the talent have to hunch over when they head down the catwalk is pretty funny over a Caesar salad."
1920 S Delaware Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148

5. The Dandelion

124 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
"I don't know if you can call it a hidden gem, but I know that no one talks about the cocktails at The Dandelion, as they're all focused on beer and hearty food. But there are some damn good cocktails and some damn good cocktail makers behind that bar."
124 S 18th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 558-2500
Visit Website

6. Cherry Street Tavern

129 N 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
"Love the Cherry Street Tavern, not just because of the old school decor and tile floor, but most of the bartenders are from a different era. They rock the vest and apron look and make a mean gimlet. Which you just can't find anymore."
129 N 22nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 561-5683

7. Ray's Happy Birthday Bar

1200 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
"You can't order anything complicated, but if you want a huge glass of G&T for like $3, this is the place for you. And really, without all that overwrought crap, isn't that all a cocktail should be? Bring your smokes, too."
1200 E Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 365-1169

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