Cocktails, wine bars and dives: drinking in Philadelphia for grown-ups.
Cocktail bars, wine bars, dive bars and gastropubs: drinking in Philadelphia for grown-ups.
Hop Sing Laundromat in Philadelphia is the unmarked Chinatown speakeasy on Race Street since 2012, with 1,000-plus rare spirits, strict house rules and the city's most theatrical room.
Signature drink: Whichever rare-spirits cocktail Lee Won mixes that night
Food: No food
McGillin's Olde Ale House in Philadelphia is the 1860 Drury Street Irish tavern between 13th and Juniper, the city's oldest continuously operating bar, run by the same family since 1958.
Signature drink: McGillin's Real Ale (house-brand lager)
Food: Pub menu, full kitchen
Tattooed Mom in Philadelphia is the 28-year South Street arts dive at 530 South, with vegan pierogi, drag shows, poetry readings and the city's most loyal late-night punk crowd.
Signature drink: Cheap beer, well shots, vegan pierogi
Food: Vegan and vegetarian bar menu
Bok Bar in Philadelphia is the seasonal South Philly rooftop atop the former Bok High School on Mifflin Street, with skyline views and rotating food partners from April through October.
Signature drink: Frozen cocktails and local craft beer
Food: Rotating food partners and bar bites
Ranstead Room in Philadelphia is the unmarked Sansom Street speakeasy behind El Rey, a 30-seat cocktail counter from the Stephen Starr team with a curated short list.
Signature drink: Whichever pre-Prohibition cocktail the bartender flags
Food: No food
The Twisted Tail in Philadelphia is the Society Hill bourbon bar at 509 S 2nd, with 150-plus bourbons and ryes, live blues nights and a Southern-American kitchen that runs late.
Signature drink: Old Fashioned with house bitters
Food: Southern American kitchen, full menu
The Franklin Bar in Philadelphia is the speakeasy under the South 18th Street townhouse near Rittenhouse, a low-lit cocktail room with a serious classic-drinks programme.
Signature drink: Manhattan with Pennsylvania-made rye
Food: Small bites
Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia is the Rittenhouse 16th Street Belgian beer bar since 1997 from Tom Peters and Fergus Carey, with 200-plus Belgian and craft beers and a mussel programme.
Signature drink: Sour Bruges (mussel-and-Belgian-beer combo)
Food: Belgian bistro menu
Peak food season in Philadelphia is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Philadelphia rewards trust.