50 Best Bars in Philadelphia

“Killer cocktails! We will be back!“

“A truly special and magical place that still exists. I hope it lasts forever. One of the beacons that keeps Philly unique. Looks like more tavern from the outside. Has these awesome musical notes bike locks. Live music. Incredible beer and shot specials. Crazy cool interior. Awesome bartenders and patrons. Protect this place at all costs.“

“Amazing place, delicious food, fun atmosphere and reasonable prices“

“I love visiting Philly as frequently as time allows me. If your looking for an amazing little pub with brews from around the world then this place is for you! The mussels are amazing too, with fresh bread. yum!. Great services, good food, great brew! I Highly recommend!“

“My husband took me out to Philly for an early Mother’s Day gift. He said we were going to a “speakeasy” type bar in Chinatown but I didn’t believe him. When we got to an iron screen door, he was like this is it and I was like you got to be kidding me. The owner came out, asked my husband if he knew it was a cash bar took our ids then went inside. The owner brought back our ids then took us inside to a foyer where he told us the rules of the bar. Cash only, absolutely, no photography and no phones. If you need to take a phone call, you go back to foyer area or outside to not disturb people. We agreed to rules and went inside. The bar was dimly lit with candles on each table. The decor was amazing with pictures and antiques on the wall. We were sat at a table and given a cocktail menu. The cocktails were unique and separated by whiskey, gin, vodka and rum. If you need a light since it is so dim in the bar, they will bring you a light because they brought one to my husband. There were no beers on the menu so if that is what you’re looking for then this isn’t the place for you. We ordered our cocktails and they were amazing. Since there is no phone usage, you have more of an intimate experience with the person you are with because you aren’t distracted by your phone. We sat and talked while drinking our drinks. The owner came over and asked us about our drinks and how we were doing. We then ordered another round of drinks and continued talking. We enjoyed our time at Hop Sing Laundromat. Service was great, bartenders were great, owner was great, and the ambiance was amazing. This is a great date night spot for anyone who wants to enjoy a intimate setting with a cocktail or two. I would post pictures but again, No Photography so you would have to go in order to see it to believe it. You will enjoy this experience and not be disappointed.“

“Super cute corner bar with upscale cocktail options and appertivo. We enjoyed manchego & macron almond appetizer and ordered mules made with the Boyd & Blair vodka (distilled in Glenshaw, PA) and a dash of bitters. They do not stock ginger beer, but instead offer a housemade ginger syrup which was delicious. Bar staff are super attentive. This place is small and cozy and busy but with patrons frequently coming and going so it was not too difficult to find a seat at bar. The atmosphere was bubbly, music bumping and they were playing a championship play off game on the TV but that was definitely not the focus of the room.“

“Didn’t come for the food, just wanted some drinks. Very nice venue and the food looks great. Bartenders were very friendly! Cool little event room off to the side for parties. Coolers up front for beer takeaway. Lots of cool merch. Great experience!

I just got their names… Jacob and Valerie were great!!! Made sure I tried all their best beers and that I left happy!“

“I just joined Five Iron Fishtown and I love it. The location is great and I love the vibes of the inside. The hours are perfect as I generally go to use the simulators before work in the morning and work on my swing or play a round. I’ve also had a few lessons with Senior Golf Pro Matt Davis and I can already tell my swing has gotten better. With the technology they have and following Matt’s direction I feel like I’ll be performing a lot better once I get on an actual course. Highly recommend.“

“Amazing food and service. Not a bad place to catch a game.“

“Tim is the friendliest bartender ever!!!!“

“The pizza was phenomenal!!!.“

“great service and good food“

“One of the best Japanese hand rolls I’ve had in so long! I can’t believe this place exists in Chinatown. Everything was so tasty, especially the miso cod hand roll. We also liked the sweet potato roll as well. Somehow we liked the wagyu one the least. But overall, very remarkable place!“

“A neighborhood institution for good reason. The food is good and the feel of the the New Wave is enhanced by a nearly endless collection of autographed photos, magazine covers and LP jackets of both local and global sport and entertainment personalities.“

“Delicious food, attractive atmosphere.“

“Wow what a great place! Great atmosphere, good food & the best beer on tap!! Highly recommended!“

“Friendly staff! Hostess was great as was our server. I only know she had a unique name. Not a large menu but what they do offer is amazing. Great atmosphere too!“

“I am giving Tattoed Mom’s all of the stars possible. The vibe is immaculate, food is spectacular, staff are top notch and it’s a super inviting place to hang out. Sunday craft night was amazing as well. Anyone on South St. needs to check out this gem. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Lots of Vegan options that are very tasty!“

“I just joined Five Iron Fishtown and I love it. The location is great and I love the vibes of the inside. The hours are perfect as I generally go to use the simulators before work in the morning and work on my swing or play a round. I’ve also had a few lessons with Senior Golf Pro Matt Davis and I can already tell my swing has gotten better. With the technology they have and following Matt’s direction I feel like I’ll be performing a lot better once I get on an actual course. Highly recommend.“

“Music on South St. continues thanks to Katie and Tom from Milkboy South St. You know there is a very easy way to su0porrt Philadelphia venues. Show up“

“This was our first time at The Side Car and we were really pleased. It can be tough for me to find classic bar food that still works with being gluten free and mostly plant based, so I was thrilled to see both an appetizer and an entrée that fit my needs.\n\nThe brussel sprout appetizer was fabulous, though be warned, it’s spicy. I love heat, so it was perfect for me. My entrée, the new vegan enchiladas, was also great. They were flavorful without being overly heavy, which made the whole meal feel satisfying but not too filling.\n\nThe rest of my family raved about the Detroit style pizza and the wings. We will definitely be back. The service was spot on, the food was enjoyable, and while the atmosphere was loud, it was still manageable for a fun family night out. Best of all, the prices felt reasonable, especially compared to many places that feel a bit overpriced for a family dinner.\n\nHighly recommend!“

“Great bartender, incredible music selection and possibly the best burger in the city. Especially for the dollar it is the best burger. The beer list was absolutely incredible and diverse. Happy hour like everywhere in this town means two dollar off pints. Even on days like St. Patrick’s Day, they still are efficient and friendly at Fountain Porter.

Parking: It’s South Philly. You know what you’re getting into. It’s busy.

Kid-friendliness: Due to the neighborhood, there are kids around during happy hour, and strollers can be common“

“Food is great. Good spot for a quick dinner at the bar or taking your time with friends at a table. Haven’t had any cocktails here but the beer selection is solid and the bartenders are friendly and know what they’re doing. Amazing neighborhood spot that I’m glad to see back open after COVID. I only wish I could make it more often!“

“We traveled from Colorado and stumbled upon this place. We definitely lucked out. The atmosphere, the drinks, the people all deserve 5 stars or more. The bar tenders were fun to talk to and we felt right at home. They have great drink recommendations and my husband and I enjoyed the hour we spent just talking and hearing stories. Thank you for the good times“

“Just a regular old tavern with good food and brews“

“Great service, food and drinks. Dylan was our bartender and server. On point with everything, friendly and accommodating. We will be back!“

“It's my first time eating from this restaurant (I got take out) but I cannot find a single fault from the experience. Keep up the good work!“

“Awesome!! Never had a bad meal!! Wine was excellent as well…friendly staff ❤️“

“I'm reviewing this business because when my son had nowhere to go. The Owner allowed him to pass some time at his business even though he was a bit passed intoxicated. The owner helped my son get to his home by guiding him when nobody would help my son while he was lost and alone. Thank you so much on behalf of me and my son. DAVID“

“Me and my wife stopped by for the famous wings with house made sauce, It was super packed, only reason for giving a four star for service was because you had to go to the bar to get a menu and ask for service.

But with understanding they were very packed. The wings were very good and I would make a trip back for sure.“

“Great people!! Thanks so much Doug for taking care of us and letting us order in amazing cheese steaks you recommended! We will definitely be back my new/old-school nostalgic favorite stop any time I'm out in Philly! Great to meet some new phriends and phamily! Rock on🤘👍❤️💯💥“

“food and drinks were great“

“Awesome menu, great vibes and really tasty food. Must try this place.“

“Sassafras is a restaurant I have wanted to love for years, largely because its reputation and menu promise a refined take on Southern cuisine in a city that could use more thoughtful interpretations of that genre. The reality, however, lands somewhere in the middle. The space itself is intimate and charming, but it often feels dated rather than intentionally nostalgic. Tables are close enough that conversations bleed into one another, which detracts from what should feel like a relaxed, indulgent dining experience. On multiple visits, the room felt understaffed during peak hours, leading to noticeable delays before even basic service steps like drink orders or bread service were addressed.

The food is where Sassafras both shines and disappoints. The menu reads beautifully and shows clear ambition, but execution is inconsistent. Some dishes are genuinely well-composed and flavorful, while others feel heavy, unevenly seasoned, or overly reliant on butter and salt without enough nuance. Proteins have arrived slightly overcooked, and plating can feel rushed or careless for a restaurant positioning itself as upscale. Specials, while enticing, sometimes lack refinement and feel more like test runs than finished offerings. For the price point, diners should expect greater consistency and precision from course to course.

Service is polite and generally well-intentioned, but it lacks the attentiveness and professionalism expected at this level. Servers appear knowledgeable about the menu, yet pacing is often off, with long gaps between courses and minimal check-ins once food has arrived. Requests are fulfilled, but not proactively anticipated, and there is a sense that the front-of-house team is stretched thin rather than confidently in control of the room. Sassafras is not a bad restaurant by any means, but it falls short of its potential. With tighter execution, refreshed service standards, and a more cohesive approach to both food and hospitality, it could easily justify a higher rating. As it stands, it earns a solid three stars for effort and concept, but leaves room for meaningful improvement.“

“Dope spot ....food great 👍🏾 nice vibes“

“Als Touristen sind wir ohne große Erwartungen ins Dirty Frank's. Wir wurden im Prinzip am ersten Tag schon als Stammgäste angesehen. Ab dem zweiten Tag, fühlten wir uns auch so. Absolut super Service, sehr nette Menschen im der Bar. Coole Jukebox, günstige Getränke. Sollte es uns jemals wieder nach Philly verschlagen, wird Dirty Frank's Bar das Erste sein, was wir besuchen werden.“

“Best bar in Philly. Kyle and the entire staff have been nothing but good to us over the years. Drink specials are great. New taco menu is fantastic. Live music and DJ nights rule!“

“This is straight up one of the coolest vibes in black Philadelphia. You get such a diverse crowd of people across the diaspora and the food is amazing. Karaoke night brings out some REAL singers but even if you aren’t good, the crowd is still so supportive and fun. I really love this place.“

“I understand why this is a Philly institution… you walk in and feel like you’ve transported back in time! Handwritten menu on the wall with no prices, food being prepared right in front of you.

Finally stopped in for lunch and got a hot beef & cheese (sharp provolone). While I love the modern day sandwich shops with crazy creative combinations, nothing beats a high quality yet simple sandwich like this. Fresh meat, roll, everything about it hit the spot. Added a bag of chips for $1 (sandwich was $15). My friend got the turkey special and loved it as well.

I will absolutely come back in the future whenever I’m craving a roast beef sandwich!“

“Bartender Bobby is great!!“

“I am a regular at Spin Philadelphia. I usually go and have a very good time. I enjoy the food, drinks, and the atmosphere. I recently had a situation where someone asked security to deal with me. I was upset and started acting up because I was being wrongfully accused. Even though my night was going bad, I felt better because of the way I was treated by some staff. The security guy with the bandana and the front desk ping pong player were very nice to me. They heard me out, showed me respect, and were very understanding of the situation. They assured me that I was welcomed back anytime. I really appreciated that. Thank you.“

“Probably the best and only $4 sandwich I’ve ever had. The menu feels like you’re taking a step back in time with the prices. It’s a dive, don’t expect gourmet. Service is great, food is great, and we will be coming back for a drink next time we are in the area.“

“It’s a great new dive-ish bar in the area. Big bar with 3 TVs with tables and TVs in the back. The draft list is just okay but I assume it’ll get better with time (they need more local beers and then a cheap domestic option). Haven’t tried the food yet. The service is awesome. The bartenders are super cool. It’s just a good vibe kinda place.

Edit: rooting for them still but I had jerk wings and they were just not good at all. So over-fried and dry with little flavor and skinny bones. I definitely won’t try wings here again but maybe some of the other food is okay.

Still love it but the need to do a better job with the draft beer - last time the only beer on draft out of 8 drafts that was available was Guinness (which I love so it was fine but still).

Good burger“

“Good people and fun place to enjoy a couple beers, bartenders treat everyone like family.“

“Very authentic American cuisine, I really like it.“

“Great food, Cold Beer! What more do you need?!?!?“

“Frankie and all the staff were fantastic. Met a few great local people too. Great to have a drink watch a game and a chat.“

“Great place, selection of spirits and the food is outstanding! Check out the bartender Eddie, that's my guy“

“Kind and Handsome server and delicious wine selection!“