The 10 best bars in Philadelphia for craft beer, cocktails and every drink in between

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What is it? A lush, bustling cocktail and beer garden in the heart of Center City that’s open seasonally.

Why we love it: It’s the epitome of Philly’s contradictory nature of being a big city but feeling like a tight-knit neighborhood. At Walnut Garden, you’re tucked away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, all the while still being in the thick of it with views of the skyline towering overhead. The communal tables and busy crowd make it feel like a community spot, even though it’s in an area with more tourists and visitors than your average watering hole. 

They keep the dichotomy going with selections of both laid-back draft drinks and made-to-order cocktails. My personal favorites include the Rittenhouse Sour, potent with whiskey and fresh citrus, the Center City Tropic, made with gin, guava, pineapple, and lime, and the Hibiscus Lemonade, spiked with vodka. Craft beer fans will be happy to know that the menu also offers Philly brews, like the Yards Philly Standard American lager and Victory’s Brotherly Love, a hazy IPA. If you’ve never been, go for the Walnut Garden Lager, a 5% ABV helles lager. You won’t find it elsewhere. 

More impressive still is the food. The cheesesteak, served on a long roll and delicately crowned with fried onions and a long hot, is one of my favorites the city has to offer, despite the absence of Whiz. I also quickly became infatuated with the house Caesar salad last year, which was ridiculously refreshing on a hot summer day. So, I’m excited to try the new Southwest Caesar, topped with pickled jalapeño, cotija cheese, tomato, avocado, lime, corn nuts, and chipotle Caesar dressing. 

Time Out tip: It’s steps away from tons of shops and museums. I suggest making a day out of it, or at the very least, walking off dinner and drinks at Rittenhouse Square, where you’ll likely see buskers and get in plenty of people watching.

Address: 1706 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Opening Hours: Mon–Thu 4–10pm; Fri, Sat noon–10pm; Sun 11am–10pm

Expect to pay: $11-13 per cocktail, $5-8 per beer

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What is it? A casual, dimly lit bar offering fancy-ish cocktails in an artsy, cool setting.

Why we love it: This popular speakeasy, formerly known as Fiume, expertly toes the line between cocktail bar and dive. Its artsy, effortlessly cool ambiance (often epitomized by a Thin Lizzy-only playlist), paired with string lights, funky neons, and a hand-drawn, illustrated drink menu, makes it definitively West Philly. It has a distinct brand and vibe, made evident by its creative libations and event calendar (including local bands, poetry readings, karaoke, game night, and chess night). 

The cocktails are rotated often, but a few usuals include the Yuzunaut, a mix of Japanese gin, yuzu, honey, and lemon; the Corpse Reviver #5, made with silver tequila, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, lime, and absinthe, and the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, made with reposado tequila, mezcal, agave, and charred orange peel. You’ll also notice the stacked craft beer menu, which boasts beloved hazy IPAs and crisp pale ales, along with an impressive number of sours and Belgians and a few stouts for good measure.

If you’re drinking on a budget, this neighborhood gem has two versions of a Citywide, a Philly-famous concoction that traditionally pairs a shot of Jim Beam with a Pabst Blue Ribbon chaser. Here, it’s well whiskey and whatever generic light beer is in the cooler for $5, or the Silver Whale, which trades whiskey for silver tequila for $1 more. 

Time Out tip: If you’re hungry, there’s a stellar Ethiopian restaurant downstairs, Abyssinia. While you can’t technically order food at the upstairs bar, you can snag a table, head to the downstairs bar to order (where you can pay with a card, by the way—upstairs is cash only), then wait for it upstairs. I love the assa, a pan-fried whole fish served over rice and a spicy timatim salad of onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños. But for first-timers, I recommend the Abyssinia 1, a sampler of special kitfo (order it raw, trust me), beef tibs, spiced red lentils, yellow lentil chickpea stew, collard greens, and injera. 

Address: 229 South 45th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Opening Hours: Daily 10am–2am

Expect to pay: $15 per cocktail, $9 per craft beer

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What is it? A farm-to-table restaurant and cocktail bar with a short shareable food menu and hyper-local drinks.

Why we love it: The bar exclusively uses ingredients from the East Coast (more specifically, west of the Mississippi) in its drinks, from the spirits to the mixers to the herbs. So, the menu is not only refreshing, seasonal, and creative but also a bit more environmentally friendly than that of other venues. They walk the walk of farm-to-table instead of using it as an empty buzzword. 

Visiting is a great way to try stellar liquors from purveyors you’ve likely never heard of. Take the Big Paw Paw cocktail, made with Paw Paw aperitif, Maggie’s Farm dark rum, Hidden Harbor tropical rum, Philadelphia Distilling oaked orange liquor, toasted barley syrup, and limequat. Citrus lovers will adore the She’s So 75, made with shiso cordial, Kura Blue Door sake, yuzu superjuice, lemongrass syrup, rosemary-lavender bitters, sparkling wine, and shiso oil. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, try the Amateur Corn, made with elote-spiced agave, Mountaineer cheese, boquinho pepper, “The Bay” vodka, corn cob orgeat, limequat superjuice, cilantro bitters, and ancho chili on the rim. For those who want to skip the booze, there are three house-made mocktails on the menu with unexpected components, like condensed oat milk, smoked pear juice, and pandan. 

Word to the wise: If you’re searching for a weekend happy hour (or a HH any night that Post Haste is open), head there between 5 and 7pm for $11 classic cocktails, $8 bar snacks, and 20 percent off draft beers. 

Time Out tip: Tourists are encouraged to order two city-inspired menu items: Philly Beignets, served with roast pork, fried cauliflower, and fondue, and the Post Porchetta Sammy with giardiniera relish, dijonnaise, pork jus, Jasper Hill Whitney cheese, and chicharrón, piled high on a house-made pretzel bun.

Address: 2519 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Opening Hours: Wed–Sat 5pm–midnight; Sun 5–11pm

Expect to pay: $12 to $16 per cocktail

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What is it? A quirky gastropub with a varied craft beer menu and a penchant for sardines.

Why we love it: There’s no better place to drink outdoors on a warm summer evening than in the backyard of this Point Breeze staple—that is, unless you’re drinking there during the holidays, with colored lights and Santa’s sleigh twinkling overhead, illuminated by fire pits shooting columns of flame into the night. The inside is just as gorgeous, featuring a long wooden bar that runs through the length of the space, which has hosted a bar room since prohibition.

The craft beer list is arguably the crown jewel of the bar. Styles range from Belgian wheat beers and American IPAs to fruit sours, funky ciders, and English pub ales. Of course, the list is ever-rotating, so it’s bound to change between visits. You’ll also find plenty of macro and microbrews in cans, along with a few non-alcoholic options. The wine list has reds, whites, and rosés, mostly from Italy, Spain, and France. As far as cocktails go, the offerings are fancy without costing $25 a pop. Take the Tamale Old Fashioned, made with mezcal instead of whiskey and mole xocolatl bitters, or the Elvis Old Fashioned, made with peanut butter bourbon, banana liqueur, and bacon bitters. If you’re into sour sippers, go for the fresh pickle lemonade with your choice of either vodka or bourbon. 

I’d also be remiss not to mention the food, which includes many, many sardines. Really—there’s a tinned fish board, sardine dip, panko-crusted sardines with citrus-turmeric aioli, a sardine slider, and a sardine wedge salad. There are also plenty of elevated bar bites, like beef hot dogs topped with sweet relish and pickled fennel, hot wings, a daikon Caesar salad, and salt and pepper fries with pickle dip. 

Time Out tip: If you want to save a few bucks at this semi-swanky spot, head there Monday through Friday between 4 and 6pm for happy hour, or between 10pm and midnight on Mondays and Tuesdays for late-night happy hour. 

Address: 1800 Federal Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

Opening hours: Daily noon–2am

Expect to pay: $5-7 per craft beer, $12-14 per glass of wine, $9-16 per cocktail

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What is it? An iconic, no-frills dive bar in Passyunk Square.

Why we love it: This is the definition of a neighborhood watering hole. For a night of Citywides over a Phillies game, there’s no better option than Ray’s. (It’s one of the last places in Philadelphia where you can still get the signature drink special for $4; here, it’s a shot of Windsor whiskey and a can of Lucky Streak.) No matter what day or time you go, it’s always a party, which makes the name all the more fitting. There’s live music every week, along with anything-goes open mics every Wednesday and DJ’d karaoke every Friday. 

Full disclosure: This isn’t a place you go to for fancy cocktails made with exotic spirits and all the trimmings. This is a beer-and-shot, rum-and-Coke type bar. Don’t let that (or the cash-only policy) discourage you, though. You’ll be instantly charmed by the nostalgic wooden-panel walls, which are brightly littered with neon signs, old posters, and a miniature light-up marquee. 

Time Out tip: Way back in 1938, proprietor Anthony “Ray” Capozzoli greeted everyone who entered with a booming “Happy Birthday!”—hence the current moniker. Visit on your birthday with valid ID in tow to score a free shot of vodka. 

Address: 1200 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 7am–2am; Sun 9am–2am 

Expect to pay: Less than $10 per drink

What is it? A funky, spacious bar with creative cocktails, lots of craft beer, and inimitable decor.

Why we love it: Nestled on South Street, this Philly gem always brings a crowd. Complete with graffiti, stickers, and lots of makeshift seating at every turn, Tattooed Mom is in a league of its own. It has all the grit of a less-than-savory music venue, minus the grime. 

It’s a must for beer lovers, whether you’re into craft brews (see what newness is flowing on draft) or a standard PBR. While the beers run the gamut, the cocktails are certainly more inventive. Take the Mandalorian Punch, a fruity elixir of rum, raspberry liqueur, peach brandy, pineapple, cranberry, lemon, and mango boba pearls, or the Pop Rocket, made with raspberry vodka, raspberry liqueur, lemon soda, and Pop Rocks. The Cosmo Cloud is another you’ll want your camera handy for, since the base of vodka, fresh lime juice, and cranberry are crowned with a fluffy cloud of pink strawberry cotton candy. If you’re a simpler kind of drinker, opt for the lemon bourbon smash, made with house mint lemonade, or the Mom’s Mule, a Moscow Mule with rhubarb and candied ginger. 

Another highlight of Tattooed Mom is its robust event calendar. It’s home to weekly food pop-ups, art markets, live comedy, trivia, drag shows, punk rock karaoke, and even yoga. Most excitingly, there are billiards tables, if you’re lucky enough to snag one between games. 

Time Out tip: The food menu is heavy on veggie and vegan fare, like vegan corn dogs, vegan “wings,” vegan pickle-fried chick’n sandwiches, and vegan cheezy tots. But if you do eat meat, head there on a Wednesday for $6 smashburgers. They’re a total steal (and downright delectable). 

Address: 530 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4–11pm; Fri, Sat noon–2am; Sun noon–11pm 

Expect to pay: $4-7 per beer, $13 per cocktail

What is it? A hip distillery housed in a converted factory.

Why we love it: Exposed brick walls juxtaposed with modern finishings characterize this sleek Fishtown distillery. Philadelphia Distilling’s claim to fame is being the first post-Prohibition distillery in the city. It’s beloved for its Bluecoat American Dry Gin, Vieux Carré Absinthe, and Penn 1681 Vodka, all of which can be found in liquor stores in the area and in many of the best bars in the city proper. Instead of hunting them elsewhere, simply strut up to the bar and order a cocktail in the very place where the spirits being used were born.

If you’re new to the brand’s wares, opt for a flight in the tasting room. You can sample all the Bluecoat wares (American dry, barrel-finished, and elderflower gins), Few whiskeys (bourbon, rye, and American), a selection of vodkas, amaro, and absinthe, or just absinthe, served in the French tradition with or without sugar. 

If you’re more in the mood for a cocktail, I recommend ordering something classic, like a negroni or Bee’s Knees. This way, you’re already familiar with what the drink tastes like, so the quality of the spirit will be more apparent. That said, I wouldn’t knock you for trying something off the Reimagined Cocktails list instead. If you’re an espresso martini stan, go for the Gold Medal Baker’s Breakfast, made with gin, amaro, coffee from local café, Reanimator, vanilla, and cinnamon. If you’re more of a dirty martini person, the On the Contrary, made with gin, feta, dill, tarragon, and your choice of spicy olives or a lemon twist, won’t disappoint. 

Time Out tip: First-timers should opt for a tour of the distillery, where they can see the liquors being produced and learn the history of the space and brand. Better yet, your $20 ticket includes a welcome cocktail and a tasting flight. 

Address: 25 East Allen Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Opening hours: Thu 4–10pm; Fri 4–11pm; Sat 1–11pm; Sun 1–9pm

Expect to pay: $10-16 per cocktail or flight

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What is it? A cash-only barroom where the original Citywide was created.

Why we love it: Bob and Barbara’s has been a South Philly institution since 1969. Known as a laid-back music venue with a long history, this dive is a key part of the city’s drinking culture. Of course, you can get a Citywide, also called “The Special,” if you’re up for a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a shot of Jim Beam for $5. But these days, the lounge also carries plenty of craft beer and cider in addition to standard Budweisers. 

There are also eight house cocktails to choose from. They may not have all the bells and whistles of some other cocktail bars in Philadelphia, but they’ll get the job done for a few bucks less than the average. For instance, you can get a fruity spin on a Cosmopolitan made with raspberry vodka instead of citrus, a classic old-fashioned, or an espresso martini for just $10. A no-frills margarita and a potent Manhattan will also only cost you $11 (which is basically unheard of in actual Manhattan, by the way). 

Charmingly enough, they also serve some simple corner-store snacks to soak up all that booze. Think bagged chips, cookies, candy, Slim Jims, ramen noodles, or house snack mix, all priced from $1 to $4. Better yet, Bob and Barbara’s opened a restaurant next door called The Window in December 2024. Handhelds like hot dogs, grilled cheeses, patty melts, and breakfast sandwiches await you from 6pm to midnight from Wednesday to Sunday. 

Time Out tip: Besides the Citywide, Bob & Barbara’s is most famous for free live music. Head there on a Friday or Saturday night for live jazz, coined “Liquor Drinkin’ Music” by Nate Wiley and the Crowd Pleasers, who performed there for decades until Nate’s passing in 2013. On Thursdays, you can see Philly’s longest-running drag show, hosted by the lovely Miss Lisa Lisa. 

Address: 1509 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

Opening hours: Daily 4pm–2am

Expect to pay: $3-8 per beer, $6-11 per wine, $9-11 per cocktail

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What is it? An essential bistro and bar in Rittenhouse for over a decade.

Why we love it: Located in Hotel AKA Rittenhouse Square, this chic spot is nothing short of a neighborhood staple. If you’re there for dinner and drinks, you’ll want to snag a table at a.kitchen for small plates and an extensive, James Beard-nominated list of natural wines. Whether you’re seeking a round white, a bubbly grenache, or an earthy red, the offerings run the gamut. If it’s just drinks you’re craving, walk down the hall to its sister brand, a.bar.

Here, it’s all about innovative cocktails (although there are wines and craft beers on the menu, too). My favorite feature is that the menu is divided into categories (like light and bright and bold and confident) and includes brief descriptors before the ingredients. So, even if you don’t know much about cocktails or spirits, you can easily get something that you’ll actually enjoy instead of choking down a $20 cocktail that tastes like regret.

Mezcal lovers should opt for The View from the Mezzanine, a savory mezcal sour spiked with rum, oregano, clementine, lime, paprika, and a French apèritif wine called quinquina. Manhattan regulars will like For the Lore, which stars pine nut-infused whiskey, rum, Averna, sherry, and mole bitters. If you tend to keep your drinks classic, go for The March of Industry, a stirred spin on an Aviation made with local gin, mezcal, lavender, Lillet Blanc, crème de violette, maraschino, and lime cordial. 

Time Out tip: Follow a.bar on social media to stay on top of exclusive events for foodies and budding mixologists. Think cheeseburger-and-rye specials, late-night happy hours hosted by various liquor brands, and curated, themed cocktail tastings. 

Address: 135 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 4pm–midnight; Sun, Mon 4–10pm 

Expect to pay: About $20 per cocktail, $15-20 per wine

What is it? A Fishtown music venue known for craft beer and solid food.

Why we love it: When you first move to Philly (or if you’re into music), you’ll quickly hear about Johnny Brenda’s. Partners Paul Kimport and William Reed, owners of the nearby Standard Tap, took over the longstanding neighborhood bar in 2003. Since, it’s become a big draw for tourists and locals alike, as well as a representation of the artistic evolution of Fishtown. 

Soak up a cozy, tavern-like vibe at the front of the house (and play some pool). The rest of the joint includes a small dining room and a balcony-equipped, famously intimate indie music venue. But most important are the hyper-local microbrews that are on tap and in the cooler, just waiting to be sipped. The list is ever-rotating, but you can expect picks from Philadelphia breweries like Love City, Victory, and Philadelphia Brewing Co. Of course, there’s a Citywide on the menu, but it’s a step above the standard. For $10, you’ll score a Miller High Light and a shot of Libelula tequila or Heaven Hill whiskey. 

To soak up all that deliciousness, share a few small plates between friends. Johnny Brenda’s is known for its smoked wings, smashburger, and candied bacon deviled eggs, complete with Aleppo-spiced yolks and toasted pecans. 

Time Out tip: Don’t sleep on brunch! Snack on everything from a pork roll, egg and cheese on a seeded bun to buttermilk pancakes on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3pm. 

Address: 1201 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Opening hours: Daily 11am–2am

Expect to pay: $5-7 per craft beer