You've probably heard about the new wave of cocktail bars around Center City—but what if you'd rather drink in your own neighborhood? To make the most of close-to-home (or close-to-work, or close-to-dinner) drinking, here's our list of the ten best spots for an amazing beverage throughout the city.
Rittenhouse Square
The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company
Let's start with the most famous and centrally located speakeasy-style bar in the city, named after the Prohibition-era front of a local booze smuggling operation.
You'll find a big menu of classic cocktails and a rotating mix of new creations available in the dimly-lit, classy interior. Or head upstairs to the new tiki bar for juicier drinks and a more casual vibe.
Chinatown
With no sign installed outside, no phones or photos or credit card payments allowed inside, and a notoriously gruff doorman in the middle, this would-be speakeasy cocktail bar attracts a lot of attention, including controversy about its rules.
But it delivers on the quality cocktails, vast liquor options, and the intimate vibe—so it's one of the top spots in Chinatown and well beyond.
Fishtown
The combination of liquor-making and cocktail bar has returned from long ago to a state that only recently ended Prohibition-era bans on distilleries, and even tasting rooms.
The massive joint location opened earlier this year in an old factory of the formerly industrial neighborhood, to strong reviews, even in this beer-loving city. The cocktail bar portion stars the Bluecoat line of gins and other liquors that have already made a name for the distillers.
Rhawnhurst, Northeast Philadelphia
The Latin fusion restaurant offers a full bar that includes a variety of margaritas and other drinks (and often live music). It's one of the better-regarded places to eat in an increasingly diverse—and noticed— part of the city's food scene.
Germantown
Cresheim Valley Grain Exchange
This modern American-menu restaurant in an old city neighborhood serves up a dozen or so cocktails, many with locally-made ingredients and infusions that change with the seasons. It also has some of the best food in the area, if you're feeling hungry.
Manayunk
The modern American cuisine is complimented by a large whiskey selection and a range of artisan cocktails (and brunch), all locally sourced as much as possible.
It's the quality and style you'd expect in the middle of the trendy, nightlife-focused city neighborhood.
Brewerytown
Once the center of beer brewing in America, the area is slowly starting to get a local drinking scene back—and 2637 brings it all together with beer, food and a craft cocktail menu (with variety, like Vietnamese coffee spiked with Patrón). Enjoy the casual vibe and late hours, too.
University City
This colorful restaurant has more than 250 tequilas available and a range of margaritas and other flavorful cocktails. It's also home to high-end cuisine inspired by Mexico City, via famed Philly-based chef Jose Garces.
The more casual taqueria is downstairs, with fancier sit-down dining upstairs. Happy hour is highly recommended.
Spruce Hill
It's not as secret as it used to be, but go up the stairs behind the Ethiopian restaurant at the address, and you'll find a small bar with a big beer selection—and also a great mix of cocktails listed along the bar's back wall. You also can bring food up from the restaurant if you're hungry.
Queen Village
Revamped this year, the bar-restaurant is a favorite among locals, fine diners and restaurant industry folks looking for late-night food and drinks after work. Go earlier to enjoy the backyard patio in the daytime, and enjoy the extra extensive custom cocktail menu, available all day.
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