Never write reviews but this place was underwhelming. I understand that sometimes there is hard days, but the host/waiter treated us very poorly by making some questionable comments about us to other parties. I always like to treat everyone with respect but this kind of soured our night. No shame on the guy, I think it speaks more to the place being understaffed leading to him being stressed out.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Tara Grier
I’ve never written a review for a place in my life but I had to say this is such a great spot! Went there this past weekend and had an excellent time. Good drinks, even better service. The bartender was so kind, and even paid for my partner’s drink because it was their birthday! Gorgeous atmosphere too. Can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emilie Mooney
Surprised this bar closes by 11 on a weekend, came all the way into the city just to be
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Aaron Blady
3 years ago, I went on a first date at writers block rehab. Last weekend, we got married. The staff was kind enough to open early and allow us to take our first look photos here. Easily our favorite cocktail bar in Philly with the most incredible staff!Thank you again,Aaron and Lia
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shannon Morales
Rude establishment. This was my friend and I first time visiting the bar. The bartender yelled at us from the bar that he was not taking orders and closing the bar an hour early. No apologies, or hospitality was shown even though he proceeded to serve all of the OTHER guests at the bar. What a jerk! Hire new staff that want to work in the hospitality industry. Disgusting.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
And Failing Spectacularly
Amazing bar with delightful staff, and amazing cocktails! S/O to bartender Mike for dealing with being short staffed with grace and excellent customer service. Please be kind to your servers and bartenders <3
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kayla O'Donnell
It’s been so long, but I loved this place prior to the pandemic. Excited to go back someday. Cheers!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steven Lopez
Cocktail was mediocre at best but the bartender was snarky and unwelcoming. He spilled the drink on arrival (no coaster or napkin) didn’t acknowledge it and informed us that a 20% tip would be automatically added until “everyone got used to it”. Apparently the bar was out of sprite, cherries, food? Other customers asked about food and the bartender responded that the server had not yet shown up as if they were supposed to know somehow? It was dive bar attitude and quality with exclusive cocktail bar prices.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Stephanie Evans
I came in on a Thursday night. Three people were sitting at the little bar downstairs. It was cute and I was only there for a snack and a drink. The bartender didn't greet me when I walked in and sat down, but I figured that was because he was talking to the customer in the middle. But then... He didn't come over to me for at least 5 minutes (I was also sitting next to the service bar so he came over to grab things in front of me without acknowledging that I was there). I had never been, so I didn't know the menu and fortunately the two women sitting next to me clued me in. When I put the drink in he set right to work on it. It was fine (an old fashioned). I nabbed him to ask about food, and he told me they had flatbread and I was like.. Haha great do... You have a menu? I ended up just getting chips because I was worried about the timing.Ultimately very strange experience. The space was really cute. Lots of faces on the wall up the stairs. A crossword puzzle on the wall behind the bar that's cute and has the names of authors on it.It made me sad, I was excited to go to this quirky cool writer/book lounge and instead was disappointed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Tracy Y.
I love a book-themed bar! This was a fun place to grab a couple of cocktails before dinner. Multiple floors, many books and the bartender was great!
I love the server Doug! He's so funny, witty, and charming. The kitchen guy also chefs up a good flatbread
Morris B.
My goodness this place is the definition of cozy and cute! Tried to come here on a Saturday and night but they were at capacity. I'd say there's only enough room for about 40-50 ppl in here. Came back on a random Wednesday night and got in tho.The preference here is to order your drinks and go upstairs so they and fill the place out top then to bottom. That's fair. Service was very quick and the drinks were very good. I ordered something called the Almost Nightcap which was coffee flavored with other things i couldn't recall because I was on drink number 4 by then. We ordered potato chips with drinks which was a random combo but the VIBE here was everything. Everything is book themed. What else could you ask for?
Alexander G.
Writer's Block is a great place to get a drink with a few friends. I LOVE the literary aesthetic. Coming into a bar and seeing books elegantly arranged along the counter like a mini library was so cool!The ambience is a nice mix of dark enough to feel cozy but bright enough that you can see what's going on. I don't like most bars cuz they often get really really noisy, but WBR was never so loud that I had trouble talking to my friends.Now, the real gem of the evening: the bartender. Mike, you are awesome, and this city needs more bartenders like you. Mike is so friendly, easy to talk to, and hilarious. In addition to that, he mixes a *mean* drink. I got the Latin Lover and it was so smooth, milky, and flavorful. All of the other staff I interacted with were friendly, professional, and courteous.In short, my experience at WBR was phenomenal, and you should check it out too!
Paayal J.
Cute cocktail bar tucked away in an alley-- perfect for a date night, small happy hour, a casual hang with a friend. The aesthetic is fantastic, with menus in various books, and incredible decor all around. Most of the seating is upstairs, so note that you get your drinks downstairs and then do have to climb up a flight. We got a variety of cocktails and mocktails. My personal favorite was the bright pink "Come on Barbie" drink with dragon fruit and coconut water (super tropical). Really enjoyed this spot!
Sofya
Stopped by for a cocktail on a lil date night with myself and was charmed by the atmosphere. Great cocktails. Will definitely be back.
Never write reviews but this place was underwhelming. I understand that sometimes there is hard days, but the host/waiter treated us very poorly by making some questionable comments about us to other parties. I always like to treat everyone with respect but this kind of soured our night. No shame on the guy, I think it speaks more to the place being understaffed leading to him being stressed out.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
I’ve never written a review for a place in my life but I had to say this is such a great spot! Went there this past weekend and had an excellent time. Good drinks, even better service. The bartender was so kind, and even paid for my partner’s drink because it was their birthday! Gorgeous atmosphere too. Can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Surprised this bar closes by 11 on a weekend, came all the way into the city just to be
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
3 years ago, I went on a first date at writers block rehab. Last weekend, we got married. The staff was kind enough to open early and allow us to take our first look photos here. Easily our favorite cocktail bar in Philly with the most incredible staff!Thank you again,Aaron and Lia
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rude establishment. This was my friend and I first time visiting the bar. The bartender yelled at us from the bar that he was not taking orders and closing the bar an hour early. No apologies, or hospitality was shown even though he proceeded to serve all of the OTHER guests at the bar. What a jerk! Hire new staff that want to work in the hospitality industry. Disgusting.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Amazing bar with delightful staff, and amazing cocktails! S/O to bartender Mike for dealing with being short staffed with grace and excellent customer service. Please be kind to your servers and bartenders <3
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It’s been so long, but I loved this place prior to the pandemic. Excited to go back someday. Cheers!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cocktail was mediocre at best but the bartender was snarky and unwelcoming. He spilled the drink on arrival (no coaster or napkin) didn’t acknowledge it and informed us that a 20% tip would be automatically added until “everyone got used to it”. Apparently the bar was out of sprite, cherries, food? Other customers asked about food and the bartender responded that the server had not yet shown up as if they were supposed to know somehow? It was dive bar attitude and quality with exclusive cocktail bar prices.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
I came in on a Thursday night. Three people were sitting at the little bar downstairs. It was cute and I was only there for a snack and a drink. The bartender didn't greet me when I walked in and sat down, but I figured that was because he was talking to the customer in the middle. But then... He didn't come over to me for at least 5 minutes (I was also sitting next to the service bar so he came over to grab things in front of me without acknowledging that I was there). I had never been, so I didn't know the menu and fortunately the two women sitting next to me clued me in. When I put the drink in he set right to work on it. It was fine (an old fashioned). I nabbed him to ask about food, and he told me they had flatbread and I was like.. Haha great do... You have a menu? I ended up just getting chips because I was worried about the timing.Ultimately very strange experience. The space was really cute. Lots of faces on the wall up the stairs. A crossword puzzle on the wall behind the bar that's cute and has the names of authors on it.It made me sad, I was excited to go to this quirky cool writer/book lounge and instead was disappointed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
I love a book-themed bar! This was a fun place to grab a couple of cocktails before dinner. Multiple floors, many books and the bartender was great!
Restaurantji Recommends
I love the server Doug! He's so funny, witty, and charming. The kitchen guy also chefs up a good flatbread
My goodness this place is the definition of cozy and cute! Tried to come here on a Saturday and night but they were at capacity. I'd say there's only enough room for about 40-50 ppl in here. Came back on a random Wednesday night and got in tho.The preference here is to order your drinks and go upstairs so they and fill the place out top then to bottom. That's fair. Service was very quick and the drinks were very good. I ordered something called the Almost Nightcap which was coffee flavored with other things i couldn't recall because I was on drink number 4 by then. We ordered potato chips with drinks which was a random combo but the VIBE here was everything. Everything is book themed. What else could you ask for?
Writer's Block is a great place to get a drink with a few friends. I LOVE the literary aesthetic. Coming into a bar and seeing books elegantly arranged along the counter like a mini library was so cool!The ambience is a nice mix of dark enough to feel cozy but bright enough that you can see what's going on. I don't like most bars cuz they often get really really noisy, but WBR was never so loud that I had trouble talking to my friends.Now, the real gem of the evening: the bartender. Mike, you are awesome, and this city needs more bartenders like you. Mike is so friendly, easy to talk to, and hilarious. In addition to that, he mixes a *mean* drink. I got the Latin Lover and it was so smooth, milky, and flavorful. All of the other staff I interacted with were friendly, professional, and courteous.In short, my experience at WBR was phenomenal, and you should check it out too!
Cute cocktail bar tucked away in an alley-- perfect for a date night, small happy hour, a casual hang with a friend. The aesthetic is fantastic, with menus in various books, and incredible decor all around. Most of the seating is upstairs, so note that you get your drinks downstairs and then do have to climb up a flight. We got a variety of cocktails and mocktails. My personal favorite was the bright pink "Come on Barbie" drink with dragon fruit and coconut water (super tropical). Really enjoyed this spot!
Stopped by for a cocktail on a lil date night with myself and was charmed by the atmosphere. Great cocktails. Will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5