10 quán bar hàng đầu ở Philly năm 2022

From the stickiest dives to the most closely guarded speakeasies, Philly's got something that'll speak your language.

Courtesy Philadelphia Distilling

You already know and love the Philly classics—the McGillinses and the Jonny Brendas—but a recent uptick in unexpected and undiscovered watering holes is providing renewed reason to drag you out on a Friday night. From Fishtown biergartens and craft distilleries to Passyunk speakeasies and themed bars, there are more than just old school pubs lining the streets of Philadelphia; and it's not all just concentrated in the City Center, either. Yet don’t think the city’s cocktail scene is simply riding the coattails of its foodie fame—like any good Philly story, there are seriously talented and intensely passionate people driving the engines forward on this front, too. Their mission: to turn the city they love into a spirit- and brew-centric hotbed. All you have to do is grab a stool and see. Wondering where to start? Read on for our editor's picks of Philadelphia's best bars.

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  Jillian Guyette

  The Thirsty Soul Arrow

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  Call it divine inspiration: The motivation behind the church theme at West Passyunk's Thirsty Soul came when lead mixologist Billy Hines was on a flight from New Orleans to Philadelphia and noticed how the overhead light brilliantly reflected the pattern of a drinking glass onto the tray table. He thought, "What if we did that with a bar top, lit from below?" And, lo—that’s exactly what you’ll find here (albeit with stained glass panels). The team took the traditionally religious decor element and ran with it, building a barroom complete with pew-style seating, a confession booth, and a throne worthy of the Pope. Naturally, the cocktail list builds on the theme, and is divided into two sections: Old Testament and New Testament. The former features classics, like a Sazerac and an Old Fashioned, while the latter focuses on house specialties, like The Saint—made with house-infused maple bourbon, Aperol, Domaine de Canton, and pear. If you’re interested in a little entertainment, the live music program covers broad genres—from blues and jazz to swing, funk, and country—in the Red Room, a cozy space with a fireplace and distinct bordello vibe (prepare for lots of red velvet).

• Jason Varney/Courtesy Friday Saturday Sunday

  Friday Saturday Sunday Arrow

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  Picture your favorite neighborhood restaurant. Now, multiply its cuteness factor by 10 and you’ve got Friday Saturday Sunday. The tiny bar and restaurant, just off of Rittenhouse Square, is the kind of hidden gem every city dweller dreams of: One long, narrow room with an oversize marble bar, just-right lighting, and a constantly rotating cocktail list that keeps your visits feeling fresh. Owners Chad and Hanna Williams brag culinary pedigrees, too—both are veterans of Jose Garces hotspots El Vez and Alma de Cuba—ensuring that FSS's food is as impressive as its bar program. Plates off the main menu, like dry-aged roasted duck breast and sweet potato agnolotti with braised oxtail, will tempt those with empty bellies.

• McGillin's Olde Ale House Arrow

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  The oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia, McGillin’s is a family-led institution: In its 158 year-history, the bar has been owned by just two families (the McGillins, who raised their 13 children upstairs, and the Spaniak/Mullinses, who still run it today). Opened in 1860, the year Lincoln was elected president (!), McGillin’s survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, and even Prohibition. Expect a mostly beer-centric bar menu, with over 30 varieties on tap. For the most authentic libations, try one of the three house beers, all made by P.A.-based Stoudts Brewing: the McGillin’s Real Lager, the McGillin’s Ale, and McGillin’s 1860 IPA, created in honor of the bar’s 150th anniversary, in 2010. The storied heritage and classic pub ambience draw all types of bar-goers, from college kids avoiding the library to young professionals grabbing after-work beers, families catching an Eagles game, to retirees. They belly up to the bar, reliving the glory days. Generally speaking, McGillin’s gets progressively louder, busier, and younger as the night goes on.

• Jillian Guyette

  Graffiti Bar Arrow

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  Your mom may have taught you to avoid long, dark alleyways, but scout’s honor, this one leads somewhere safe (though, maybe less so for your liver). Just off Midtown Village’s bustling 13th Street, Graffiti Bar sits around back from Sampan, the much-lauded Asian restaurant from restaurateur Michael Schulson. (Bonus: the restaurant, with its kung pao chicken wings and edamame dumplings, also services the bar). Opening onto a 30-seat open-air patio, there's also a three-story-high mural commissioned by local artist Ali M Williams serving as a backdrop; the bartop and two rectangular communal tables are likewise decorated with graffiti. Drink choices consist largely of Asian-inspired revamps of the classics, like the Ming Mule (vodka, lychee, mint, and ginger) and the Hashi Old Fashioned (Applejack rum, bourbon, and smoked caramel), though we're also big fans of the sharing-sized (read: large) Scorpion Bowls with a tequila, vodka, or whiskey base.

• Courtesy Philadelphia Distilling

  Philadelphia Distilling Arrow

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  The current Fishtown iteration of Philadelphia Distilling is a far cry from its original outpost in an industrial park in northeast Philadelphia. After 12 years in a space solely licensed for production, the owners finally received approval to transform a 1950s metal foundry into a multi-use venue, which now includes a bar/lounge, production and bottling facilities, and top-floor event space. No matter where you land, the focus is nearly always on the gin itself, of which the distillery produces two Bluecoat varieties—barrel finished and American dry—and the cocktail program works hard to offer seasonally driven takes on the two. You’ll also see appearances from the 1681 vodka, Old Bay-infused vodka, called The Bay, and Vieux Carré absinthe. Each is carefully crafted to showcase the spirit, rounded out with all house-made bitters, macerations, and more. The menu focuses on small, seasonal plates that are perfectly portioned for sharing. The crispy Brussels sprouts, soaked in balsamic vinegar and topped with bacon bits, are the best we’ve had in Philly. Also notable: spent grain sliders, steak-frites, and pierogis with crispy onion rings. Finally, it's around the corner from Punch Line Philly, a comedy club, and The Fillmore, a popular live music venue, making it an ideal stop for pre- or post-show cocktails.

• Johnny Brenda's Arrow

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  Set on the corner of Frankford and East Girard avenues, Johnny Brenda’s is an anchor in the now-flourishing Fishtown neighborhood. The worn brick facade gives the place a weathered, lived-in look that extends to the interior (which probably hasn’t been painted in decades), but it’s this unapologetic grit that makes Johnny Brenda’s quintessentially Philadelphian. The multi-hyphenate joint, which does turns as a gastro-pub and bi-level live music venue, is a surprisingly democratic one: You're as likely to see families seated outside for Sunday brunch as you are indie music lovers rocking out from the balcony on a Saturday night. Don't underestimate the drink selection, either: On the beer front, there’s a constantly rotating, 12-tap, two-hand pump draft list; cocktails that feature spirits from local distilleries like Philadelphia Distilling and Art in the Age; and a state-of-the-art wine dispensing system that serves eight draft wines.

• Neal Santos/Courtesy Ranstead Room

  Ranstead Room Arrow

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  Walk about halfway down the nondescript alley that is Ranstead Street, keeping your eyes peeled for the double “RR” logo on a black doorway. Upon entering, you’ll find a small anteroom, where a hostess carefully controls entry based on a “one in, one out” policy. If you're lucky enough to score a seat at this veteran Stephen Starr outfit, you'll be guided to a leather banquette or an alligator-print barstool in the near-pitch-black barroom, and handed a hyper-focused list of cocktails: There are spirit-forward classics (Old Fashioned, Manhattan) and funky seasonal mixtures like Pinky & the Drank, a winter-worthy blend of cognac, sloe gin, madeira, lemon, and blackberry, as well as a carefully edited list of wine and beer—just one sparkling, one white, and one red blend on offer, plus three draft and four bottled beers. You won't be disappointed by the bartenders, who consider their work a form of art. If you need a recommendation, they know the menu inside and out; alternatively, give just a few keywords and they’ll gladly whip up a bartenders’ choice.

• Courtesy Frankford Hall

  Frankford Hall Arrow

  You’ll hear the sound of clinking glasses and buoyant laughter before you even step through Frankford Hall's iron-and-glass double doors. An unmistakable air of joviality greets you as you wander through the biergarten-style bar, complete with ping-pong, shuffleboard, and picnic tables. A broad swath of locals—from bubbly twenty-somethings downing one-liter pints to young families with napping babies—happily sip from their steins. Seeing as it’s a biergarten, the drinks are of the brewed variety. On a recent visit, there were a whopping 11 German beers, four American craft brews on tap, a few specialty drafts, bottled beers, beer cocktails, and a select few Rieslings on hand. Soak it all up with a warm Bavarian pretzel: the proofed dough is flown in all the way from Germany before it's baked on-site daily.

• Courtesy Charlie Was a Sinner

  Charlie Was a Sinner Arrow

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  Charlie's Prohibition theme hits you immediately: How could it not, what with the dark walls, dim lighting, pendant chandeliers, and brass bartop? In the dining area at the back, a projection machine flashes old news clippings, black-and-white photos, and scenes from vintage films. Whether or not you buy into the schtick, the moody vibe and modest square footage are romantic and inviting. What's more, the F&B works overtime to offer a complete menu, full of carnivore-deceiving winners like meatless meatballs, and drinks that, while a little theatrical (yup, they're lighting applewood chips on fire inside that glass), deliver on flavor and creativity. Nothing is ever without purpose: Every cocktail name contains a literary element or historical reference that plays off the Prohibition theme; ingredients are carefully sourced from different local farming co-ops to ensure quality and freshness; commitment to vegan cuisine even extends to the cocktails (the Penicillin, for example, incorporates agave instead of honey). If you can, try to sit at the bar: Mathias Bable, one of Charlie's most seasoned bartenders, has serious cocktail-shaking chops and the ability to strike up a conversation that'll your experience one to remember.

• Fiume Arrow

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  Part speakeasy, part dive bar, Fiume is a totally unique, very cozy nook located above West Philly Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia. (We’ll give you a tip: Go through the side door and head toward the restroom.) Upon entering the tiny space, you’ll find just six barstools, a handful of formica-top tables, and cases of beer stacked against a wall. Despite its size, it offers an impressive list of both American and international whiskeys, many of which you can try at a discount during daily happy hour, in addition to a unique range of craft brews and craft cocktails. There’s no kitchen at Fiume itself, but patrons can order off the Ethiopian menu at Abyssinia and have their plates delivered upstairs. Don’t miss the Doro Wat, spicy chicken slow-simmered in berbere sauce and served with a hard-boiled egg. Also, pad your wallet: Fiume is cash-only.

• Danya Henninger/Courtesy Garage Passyunk

  Garage Passyunk Arrow

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  Don’t get it wrong—the sign may read “Satellite Auto Body,” but the beers, games, and crowds signal you’ve come to the right place. This casual bar is the fifth business for Jason Evenchik, whose stable of successful bars and restaurants in Center City and South Philadelphia include Vintage, Time, Bar, Tiki, Heritage, and a second Fishtown location for Garage, thanks to much local love. Open the binder—er, menu—and you’ll find more than 300 different types of beer, broken out by brewery and style and many of which are served out of the can. Craft breweries from all over the country are represented, so feel free to see how Philadelphia brewers stack up against those from D.C., San Diego, Chicago, and more. Customers are allowed to order food to the bar or BYO (pro tip: it’s smack-dab between Pat’s and Geno’s). Gather the gang, because there’s no place better to while away a weekend afternoon over beers, bites, and a faux-friendly game of Skee-Ball than at Garage.

• Ed Newton/Courtesy The Franklin Bar

  The Franklin Bar Arrow

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  Like any good speakeasy worth its weight in faux-secrecy, there’s no sign marking the entrance to The Franklin Bar. (The boîte is named after The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company, a ring of Prohibition-era bootleggers who once operated out of the space.) Let the line outside be your cue: Bouncers take their jobs seriously, and there's a strict “one in, one out” policy when the bar is at capacity. Once you're in (down two flights of stairs and a long hallway, that is), don't be surprised if a few of the ingredients on the menu look unfamiliar: Lords of the Night, for example, mixes tequila reposado with changunga, capulin, cupreata, orgeat, lime, cherry, and sal de gusano. Fortunately, the servers have near-encyclopedic knowledge of the cocktail list (and beyond), and can talk you through the choices. They may even suggest an off-menu special that appeared on the list three years ago, making the experience here that much more unique.

• The International Arrow

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  When William Reed and Paul Kimport, the guys behind Johnny Brenda’s and Standard Tap, opened this bi-level bar in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood earlier this year, locals came running. It's at least in part because there's a vibe for everyone: The downstairs bar is casual, with brightly hued barstools and a corner DJ booth for nightly live beats (plus Sunday brunch). The upstairs, dubbed the Service Bar, has an appropriate amount of swank (dark walls, dim lighting) to highlight the sophisticated craft cocktails. But the cocktail program goes beyond just creating inventive drinks: The International makes its own house spirit, Service Bar Rye, in collaboration with Rowhouse Spirits. For the best sampling, order the “At Your Service,” a classic high ball that uses it. Downstairs, bop around the world with Belgium wild ale, unfiltered German lager, and Polish sour ale, or keep it closer to home with an American IPA from Brooklyn, a Brett fermented ale from Portland, Maine.

• Hop Sing Laundromat Arrow

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  You really have to want to go to Hop Sing: Since there's no phone number, website, or even sign pointing to the space, you'll have to seek out the unmarked, brushed-steel door on Chinatown’s Race Street on your own. Have your ID at the ready for a quick scan by the bouncer to sure your name isn't on the “banned list”—the bar's indexed nearly 3,000 “no longer welcome” patrons, who either ignored the rules (no phones, hats, or photos) or tipped poorly. Once inside, though, you’ll be seated in a spacious, high-ceilinged, candlelit room with plaster artfully peeling off the walls, where the whole experience will start to unfurl. Not only does Hop Sing have bragging rights to one of the largest selections of spirits in the country, but their meticulously crafted cocktails are extraordinary mixtures of supremely high-quality well spirits. The Hop Sing Manhattan, for example, costs $16, but is made with an $80 bottle of Booker’s bourbon. You won't get that value anywhere else. The air of exclusivity and commitment to rules may put off some bargoers, but this is one of the only speakeasy-style bars in Philadelphia that still feels like a secret, so embrace it.

• Michael Persico/lịch sự của Irwin

  Mũi tên của Irwin Arrow

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  Từng là một trường trung học dạy nghề, tòa nhà Bok hiện là nhà của nghệ sĩ Studios, một cửa hàng cổ điển, cửa hàng xe đạp, người bán hoa, thợ sửa chữa guitar, và quán ăn Hip Sicilian này. Quan điểm, mì ống và Price Point đã biến Irwin, thành một vị trí phổ biến cho lễ kỷ niệm và ngày tháng. Không giống như thực phẩm, các chai phân kỳ từ Ý đến từ Quần đảo Canary, Tây Ban Nha và Đức. Hầu hết lơ lửng xung quanh mốc 70 đô la và một số có sẵn bằng kính. Đối với những người thích cocktail, hãy thử Zio Ubriaco (hoặc chú say rượu) được làm bằng rượu gin, aperol và vermouth khô, hoặc một lựa chọn không bằng không với thuốc bổ và thuốc bổ bưởi. Trong số những người mới bắt đầu, Caponata đã nhận được rất nhiều lời khen ngợi. Vào mùa hè, nó được làm bằng cà chua, ca cao, nho khô vàng, cà tím rán và hàng mi. Trong khi graffiti kết hợp với các nhà máy và thảm khu vực tại Irwin, có thể không gây ấn tượng với các luật sư hoặc ông chủ trong tương lai của bạn, thì thực phẩm và tầm nhìn chắc chắn sẽ nổi bật với cuộc hẹn của bạn.

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