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A cocktail being set on fire at the top of it. Gab Bonghi for 48 Records Bar

The Best Bars in Philly

From dives to cocktail bars, here’s where to drink in Philadelphia

by Ernest Owens Updated
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by Ernest Owens Updated
Gab Bonghi for 48 Records Bar

From dives to neighborhood taverns to spiffy cocktail bars, Philadelphia has plenty of drinking options, whether you’re looking for a local beer or an inventive mix of liquors. Philly already knows the best dive bars, cocktail bars, margarita spots, rooftop and patio bars, sports bars, happy hours, everyday happy hours, and bars with alcohol-free cocktails. Now, here are the 15 essential Philadelphia bars — the tried and true for every occasion.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Post Haste

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Located in East Kensington, Post Haste is an eclectic cocktail bar with a passion for direct farm-sourced ingredients and nationally-acclaimed bartending. Here, one can order a boozy blueberry “sno cone” cocktail that’s made with a PA rum blend, Laird’s Jersey Lightning, West 32 Soju, blueberry agrodolce, and lemon verbena.

2519 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
A green cocktail with a mint garnish and large ice cube. Post Haste

R&D

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Aaron Deary — who is also behind the drinks list at Suraya — runs the show at R&D Cocktail Bar, with excellent drinks specialist Resa Mueller behind the bar. Featuring a mid-century aesthetic and small bites on the food menu, the moody bar has a cocktail list that changes regularly, with themes like 1950s and tiki.

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

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Philadelphia Distilling

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The distillery behind popular craft gin Bluecoat (and a number of other boozy products) has a 13,000-square-foot home in an 1800s-era Fishtown warehouse. It’s open to the public not just for tours, but with a full bar, a patio, and a spacious lounge outfitted with leather furniture. Bartenders shake up and stir creative cocktails that feature Philadelphia Distilling’s signature spirits.

25 E Allen St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 671-0346
(215) 671-0346

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Two Locals Brewing

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This University City beer joint serves as both a sports bar with enormous wall televisions behind their main bar, and a social hub that features tasty food from Liberty Kitchen. Some nights, there’s live performances from diverse musicians and comedians — a slice of raw Philly talent in one spacious building.

3675 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
(267) 969-3837
(267) 969-3837
A pint of beer next to a fried snack and dip. Two Locals Brewing

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Ranstead Room

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When Stephen Starr is involved, one thing is pretty much guaranteed: There is going to be a concept. Swing around the corner from his lively Mexican restaurant El Rey and down an alley to find the speakeasy-style Ranstead Room. Inside the intimate spot, choose a drink from a focused menu that takes its cues from spirit-forward, classic cocktails, including throwbacks like smashes and flips.

2013 Ranstead St, Philadelphia, PA
(267) 475-4812
(267) 475-4812

Also featured in:

a.bar

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For wine lovers, a.bar is a destination. a.kitchen+bar was named a 2024 semi-finalist for James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. The Rittenhouse bar is modern in both the decor and the menu, serving up innovative cocktails and featuring outstanding new organic and natural wines by winemakers making waves in the industry.

1737 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 825-7035
(215) 825-7035

Also featured in:

Andra Hem

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The sophisticated interior design and flawless beverage program of this Rittenhouse cocktail lounge with a Scandinavian flair have attracted national attention. Their inventive cocktails, such as their Gucci breakfast (yogurt-washed gin, banana liqueur, amaro, strawberry, and citrus) and spice world (rum, cachaca, mango, ginger, citrus, bird’s eye chili, and sumac), draw customers from all over.

218 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
(215) 545-0823
(215) 545-0823
A fruity cocktail in a smaller wine glass. Andra Hem

Also featured in:

Friday Saturday Sunday

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Follow bartender Paul MacDonald on Instagram to see what he’s mixing up behind the Friday Saturday Sunday downstairs bar — now affectionately named The Lover’s Bar. He’s always got something new that’s seasonal, tasty, and photogenic. Come for the exciting menu additions (such as The Carousel, a cocktail experience created by MacDonald based on his Fibonacci drink series), but stay for the very special desserts from Amanda Rafalski (such as her truffle sundaes and ice cream sandwiches).

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

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48 Record Bar

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48 Record Bar is located on the renovated upper level of a renowned jazz and dining establishment in the Old City. You can browse its record collection in this small lounge to listen to your favorite records, find something new, or buy a ticket to one of its many events, which include author chats, podcast recordings, and vinyl listening parties.

48 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
Two vibrant cocktails, a spritz and martini, alongside each other on a bar table. 48 Record Bar

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Monk's Cafe

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Monk's Cafe is the place for beer nerds in Philly. With 25 Belgian brews on tap and over 200 beers — often rare — in bottles, this always-buzzing spot is frequently recognized as one of the best beer bars nationwide. Monk’s is the OG: Founders Tom Peters and Fergus Carey opened it more than 20 years ago, before beer bars were cool. Grab one of the Beer Bibles and ask the bartender for ordering advice.

264 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 545-7005
(215) 545-7005
Two beer beverages right next to each other at a bar. Monk’s Cafe

Superfolie

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One of the newest bars in Rittenhouse is serving up rare wines in a sophisticated manner. Come to this fancy hole-in-a-wall for freezer martinis, white wine from Macedonia, and Victorine de Chastenay bubbly, and more memorable libations.

1602 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Also featured in:

Tattooed Mom

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With its green walls full of art and tchotchkes, vintage furniture, candy on the tables, and punk-leaning crowd, Tattooed Mom has fit right into its neighborhood since it opened two decades ago. Beer offerings — in bottles and on tap — are plentiful and the food menu is full of delicious fried snacks and sandwiches, including a very good vegan selection. Cocktail-wise, try a pickletini.

530 South St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 238-9880
(215) 238-9880

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Le Caveau

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Located above The Good King Tavern is a wine bar for folks who love to nerd out about wine. Le Caveau offers a wine list loaded with unique vintages and natural wines that pair well with their small but might snack menu featuring chips and roe as well as a daily selection of cheese and charcuterie. For an extra flavorful expedition for your taste buds, stop by on Thursday nights at 5 pm for Night Class (until one each of the selected bottles is poured) and Study Group that’s usually on the first Thursday of each month.

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

Also featured in:

Southwark

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This Queen Village mainstay has something for everyone at a bar that serves the most classic cocktails and imaginary libations simultaneously. With drinks called “chaos & Mondays,” “what do witches do,” and “get off your horse,” it’s not hard to imagine why both neighbors and tourists love this spot.

Southwark, Philadelphia, PA 19147

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Fountain Porter

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Burgers at a neighborhood bar just hit different. At Fountain Porter, burgers are simply patties topped with lettuce, tomato, and onion stacked on a sesame seed bun, but when paired with one of the nearly 20 draft beers they’ve got on tap and glasses of natural wine, it’s perfection. Best of all, the burgers are $6. Fountain Porter is a solid choice if you’re in the mood for a no-frills corner bar.

1601 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 305-8338
(215) 305-8338

Also featured in:

Ernest Owens is the Editor of Eater Philly, and the food expert to go to when you’re out of options.

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Post Haste

2519 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Located in East Kensington, Post Haste is an eclectic cocktail bar with a passion for direct farm-sourced ingredients and nationally-acclaimed bartending. Here, one can order a boozy blueberry “sno cone” cocktail that’s made with a PA rum blend, Laird’s Jersey Lightning, West 32 Soju, blueberry agrodolce, and lemon verbena.

2519 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
A green cocktail with a mint garnish and large ice cube. Post Haste

R&D

1206 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Aaron Deary — who is also behind the drinks list at Suraya — runs the show at R&D Cocktail Bar, with excellent drinks specialist Resa Mueller behind the bar. Featuring a mid-century aesthetic and small bites on the food menu, the moody bar has a cocktail list that changes regularly, with themes like 1950s and tiki.

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

Philadelphia Distilling

25 E Allen St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

The distillery behind popular craft gin Bluecoat (and a number of other boozy products) has a 13,000-square-foot home in an 1800s-era Fishtown warehouse. It’s open to the public not just for tours, but with a full bar, a patio, and a spacious lounge outfitted with leather furniture. Bartenders shake up and stir creative cocktails that feature Philadelphia Distilling’s signature spirits.

25 E Allen St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 671-0346
(215) 671-0346

Two Locals Brewing

3675 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

This University City beer joint serves as both a sports bar with enormous wall televisions behind their main bar, and a social hub that features tasty food from Liberty Kitchen. Some nights, there’s live performances from diverse musicians and comedians — a slice of raw Philly talent in one spacious building.

3675 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
(267) 969-3837
(267) 969-3837
A pint of beer next to a fried snack and dip. Two Locals Brewing

Ranstead Room

2013 Ranstead St, Philadelphia, PA

When Stephen Starr is involved, one thing is pretty much guaranteed: There is going to be a concept. Swing around the corner from his lively Mexican restaurant El Rey and down an alley to find the speakeasy-style Ranstead Room. Inside the intimate spot, choose a drink from a focused menu that takes its cues from spirit-forward, classic cocktails, including throwbacks like smashes and flips.

2013 Ranstead St, Philadelphia, PA
(267) 475-4812
(267) 475-4812

a.bar

1737 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

For wine lovers, a.bar is a destination. a.kitchen+bar was named a 2024 semi-finalist for James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. The Rittenhouse bar is modern in both the decor and the menu, serving up innovative cocktails and featuring outstanding new organic and natural wines by winemakers making waves in the industry.

1737 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 825-7035
(215) 825-7035

Andra Hem

218 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102

The sophisticated interior design and flawless beverage program of this Rittenhouse cocktail lounge with a Scandinavian flair have attracted national attention. Their inventive cocktails, such as their Gucci breakfast (yogurt-washed gin, banana liqueur, amaro, strawberry, and citrus) and spice world (rum, cachaca, mango, ginger, citrus, bird’s eye chili, and sumac), draw customers from all over.

218 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
(215) 545-0823
(215) 545-0823
A fruity cocktail in a smaller wine glass. Andra Hem

Friday Saturday Sunday

261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Follow bartender Paul MacDonald on Instagram to see what he’s mixing up behind the Friday Saturday Sunday downstairs bar — now affectionately named The Lover’s Bar. He’s always got something new that’s seasonal, tasty, and photogenic. Come for the exciting menu additions (such as The Carousel, a cocktail experience created by MacDonald based on his Fibonacci drink series), but stay for the very special desserts from Amanda Rafalski (such as her truffle sundaes and ice cream sandwiches).

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

48 Record Bar

48 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

48 Record Bar is located on the renovated upper level of a renowned jazz and dining establishment in the Old City. You can browse its record collection in this small lounge to listen to your favorite records, find something new, or buy a ticket to one of its many events, which include author chats, podcast recordings, and vinyl listening parties.

48 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
Two vibrant cocktails, a spritz and martini, alongside each other on a bar table. 48 Record Bar

Monk's Cafe

264 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA

Monk's Cafe is the place for beer nerds in Philly. With 25 Belgian brews on tap and over 200 beers — often rare — in bottles, this always-buzzing spot is frequently recognized as one of the best beer bars nationwide. Monk’s is the OG: Founders Tom Peters and Fergus Carey opened it more than 20 years ago, before beer bars were cool. Grab one of the Beer Bibles and ask the bartender for ordering advice.

264 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 545-7005
(215) 545-7005
Two beer beverages right next to each other at a bar. Monk’s Cafe

Superfolie

1602 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

One of the newest bars in Rittenhouse is serving up rare wines in a sophisticated manner. Come to this fancy hole-in-a-wall for freezer martinis, white wine from Macedonia, and Victorine de Chastenay bubbly, and more memorable libations.

1602 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Tattooed Mom

530 South St, Philadelphia, PA

With its green walls full of art and tchotchkes, vintage furniture, candy on the tables, and punk-leaning crowd, Tattooed Mom has fit right into its neighborhood since it opened two decades ago. Beer offerings — in bottles and on tap — are plentiful and the food menu is full of delicious fried snacks and sandwiches, including a very good vegan selection. Cocktail-wise, try a pickletini.

530 South St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 238-9880
(215) 238-9880

Le Caveau

614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Located above The Good King Tavern is a wine bar for folks who love to nerd out about wine. Le Caveau offers a wine list loaded with unique vintages and natural wines that pair well with their small but might snack menu featuring chips and roe as well as a daily selection of cheese and charcuterie. For an extra flavorful expedition for your taste buds, stop by on Thursday nights at 5 pm for Night Class (until one each of the selected bottles is poured) and Study Group that’s usually on the first Thursday of each month.

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

Southwark

Southwark, Philadelphia, PA 19147

This Queen Village mainstay has something for everyone at a bar that serves the most classic cocktails and imaginary libations simultaneously. With drinks called “chaos & Mondays,” “what do witches do,” and “get off your horse,” it’s not hard to imagine why both neighbors and tourists love this spot.

Southwark, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Fountain Porter

1601 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Burgers at a neighborhood bar just hit different. At Fountain Porter, burgers are simply patties topped with lettuce, tomato, and onion stacked on a sesame seed bun, but when paired with one of the nearly 20 draft beers they’ve got on tap and glasses of natural wine, it’s perfection. Best of all, the burgers are $6. Fountain Porter is a solid choice if you’re in the mood for a no-frills corner bar.

1601 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 305-8338
(215) 305-8338

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