The best bars in Philadelphia for cold beer, stiff drinks and fun times

For the best dang daiquiris in all the land, head to the back alley behind El Rey to Ranstead Room. Cuban-American Nico Diaz commands this speakeasy cocktail bar, and the menu here is heavily influenced by the staff’s Hispanic and Caribbean roots.

If that’s your vibe, get in line now for when doors open at 7pm. Be sure to also check out the bar's “Home & Away” series featuring visiting bartenders from D.C., Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, Nashville, and other major drink destinations.

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Don’t be fooled by the childhood throwback design of this Fishtown hang. MidKid—as Middle Child Clubhouse is often referred to—is a destination restaurant with a sleeper-hit bar menu.

General manager Brandon Thrash, who is a Tales of the Cocktail Cocktail Apprentice Program mentor, is all about creating fun cocktail flavors through high-quality ingredients. The cocktails are batched, so they're ready to serve in no time; expect seasonal spritzes, milk punches, frozen piña coladas, and low-ABV sessionable drinks to round out your visit.

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This sleek restaurant and bar inside Hotel AKA Rittenhouse Square is a neighborhood staple. The award for most energetic, happy-to-always-see-you bartender goes to Paul Pavelka—post up at the cozy L-shaped bar near the windows and let him lead your evening libations (we recommend his espresso martini).

You can also walk down the hall for a nightcap at super sexy sister bar, a.bar, then return for a future Vine-yl Night, a quarterly wine dinner series curated by wine director Frank Kinyon.

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Philadelphia bartenders flock to R&D Cocktail Bar in Fishtown for new menu drops that showcase craft cocktails in a setting that's unlike any other in the city. Where else can you sit in a mid-century modern lounge and drink through a nineties-themed “Now That’s What I Call Cocktails” CD binder, or thumb through a menu with a Christmas-themed photoshoot?

Bloomsday is a female-led neighborhood restaurant, wine bar, and bottle shop in Headhouse Square that was named best wine bar in the city by Philadelphia Magazine and one of the region's “Best Wine Clubs” per Philadelphia Style Magazine.

Come here to sip on stellar natural wines from small producers (ask beverage director D’Onna Stubblefield for her picks) or try wine-based spirits or cocktails that utilize ingredients from the kitchen.

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Named to Esquire's Best Bars in America 2023 list, Superfolie serves natural wine and ice-cold martinis alongside small plates like steak tartare with house-made chips and seasonally rotating sourdough tartines. It’s a charming 600-square-foot space that's perfect for a solo glass of wine, a date, or a group catchup sesh.

Billed as “The Grande Dame of neighborhood bars,” Sassafras is a classic, cozy bar in the heart of Olde City that's been a fixture of the area since 2008. Drinking here feels like a portal to a swanky 1870s saloon (which is actually when the building was completed), especially when enjoying off-menu cocktails like the “Dirty Diamond” and “Las Fallas” all night until the bar closes at 2am. 

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French and Italian wines are king in most places, but Jet Wine Bar on South Street stands out by offering Ancient World wines, or wines from places where wine knowledge and production dates way back. The bar's wine list features dozens of producers from the Middle East, Greece, Lebanon, Croatia, Turkey, and Georgia. Its celebrated wine club won the title of “Best Wine Club” from The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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Lucky’s has not one but three locations across Philly: the O.G. location in Queen Village, college haunt-heavy Manayunk, and now a roadside stand in Roxborough.

Lucky’s has been around for more than a decade and should be a first choice for anyone who loves craft beer, burgers, and hot dogs. It’s a proper bar that never loses a sense of fun as demonstrated by its eclectic decor, large portions, and diverse clientele.

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This sexy, cool cocktail bar may be a newcomer to Fishtown, but it serves the classics. Familial ties are important here beyond just the bar's name—the menu is a photo album adorned with with childhood photos scattered throughout drink offerings like a Corpse Reviver #2. Next of Kin is low-key, but also impressive enough to be your next date night spot.

Abstaining from alcohol altogether? Nutmeg on Passyunk Ave. has you covered with nonalcoholic wine, beer, and cocktails. Owner Brian Rothbar, who is sober, wanted to create a watering hole for others to enjoy delicious zero-proof drinks. Current standouts include Weingut Johannes Leitz by the glass, Best Day Hazy IPA, and Nutmeg Chai Cooler with lemon, local honey, and spiced non-alcoholic bourbon.

Bob and Barbara’s Lounge has been a South Philly institution since the late ’60s. Go on a Friday or Saturday night to listen to the Hammond B-3 organ combo playing Liquor Drinking Music, or on a Thursday night to sit in the front row for Philly’s longest-running drag show. Be sure to grab a Citywide Special before the night is out. They say the Citywide, Philly's legendary drink—a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a shot of Jim Beam—originated here.

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The beau ideal of a corner neighborhood bar, this South Philly standby is romantic enough for a first date, familiar enough to be your local, and sublimely straightforward. The $6 cheeseburger is served one way—medium—and is perfectly juicy.

The beer list is long, quirky, and doesn’t just rely on the same local craft breweries that everyone carries. The wine selection takes interesting turns, too, featuring a healthy sampling of skin-contact and natural wines. The soundtrack here has been all vinyl since before that was cool again.

“The Vous” is the true locals' bar in Center City, the one we don’t tell the tourists about. “The Vous Crew” has been at it since 1989, and while the times change, the formula doesn’t. This is where your bar would go for a drink, if it could—the bio on an Instagram account claiming to belong to the Vous reads simply, “a bar’s bar.”

The beer is cold and cheap, especially for the neighborhood. The food will never leave you hungry. The waitress will learn your name on your second visit, if not on the first; if you're Philly born and bred, she probably served your dad at happy hour in 1996. How can you not love a bar that filmed a charmingly earnest commercial during the pandemic to remind the city to “stay strong?”

Whether you prefer your scotch straight or have a hankering for an old-fashioned, the brown liquor selection at The Library Bar is top-notch. Nestled within the Rittenhouse Hotel the Library Bar exudes the kind of quiet sexiness that you want in a luxe hotel bar experience. And yes, bibliophiles can browse the bar’s small library, so don’t be scared to show up alone for a stiff nightcap and a leisurely read by the front-room fire.

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A refreshing juxtaposition from the posh-ness of nearby Rittenhouse Square, Oscar’s Tavern is a Center City staple when you want to bypass all the fancy cocktail lounges and wine dens in the area for cheap beers, greasy pub grub, and friendly yet take-no-bullshit waitstaff. This is a Philly dive bar at its very best.

The joint, which opened in 1972, has an almost diner-like feel and is adorned with wood-paneled walls, a lineup of stools at the bar, and a row of ripped red-vinyl booths that fill up fast when the after-work crowd rolls in. In the back, you’ll find tables, single-stall bathrooms, and a jukebox cranking nostalgic tunes. 

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According to Monk’s, the only reason you’re not a fan of beer is because you haven’t found the right one yet—so let Monk’s help you. Browse through the “Belgian Beer Bible” and choose from over 25 varieties on tap and over 200 bottles from all over the world. Pair your beer with some mussels and frites, and you’ll be sure to have a jolly good time.

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Who is Charlie and what exactly did they do? No one’s telling here, not at this dark and playful cocktail bar in Midtown Village. Their signature cocktails stand up to any in the city and their zero-proof options are more extensive than most. The all-vegan menu of small plates makes it stand out from the crowded Center City bar scene.

Exposed brick walls juxtaposed with modern finishings characterize this hip distilling company housed in a former factory in Fishtown. The claim to fame here is that Philadelphia Distilling is the first post-Prohibition distillery in this city. They’re behind creations such as Bluecoat American Dry Gin, Vieux Carré Absinthe, and Penn 1681 Vodka—all of which can be found in state liquor stores and in many of the best bars in Philadelphia. Or you can just sidle up to the bar at Philadelphia Distilling and have one of their mixologists whip you up a cocktail in the very place where these spirits were born. 

Dirty Franks, which opened in November 1933 (just a month before Prohibition was repealed), is the dive bar to end all dive bars. Take part in the classic Philly bar scene in this low-ceilinged, raucous joint, which is also a stop on a Mural Arts Philadelphia walking tour—thanks to its illustrated outdoor wall full of well-known Franks such as Sinatra, Avalon, and even Aretha Franklin.

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In a narrow alleyway off of 13th Street in the Gayborhood Franky Bradley's, a gem that’s just loaded with character. This becomes apparent the moment you walk into the dimly-lit dining room and admire its vintage artwork—mostly of the female-focused, soft-porn variety—frilly lamps, and taxidermy fish. Grab a table for dinner or sit around the bar for a selection of beer—available on draft or in a bottle or can—wine, and cocktails.

The food menu features upscale bar fare that ranges from skirt steak and shrimp scampi to chicken wings and burgers. Upstairs, a performance space hosts a variety of shows throughout the month—from burlesque and drag shows to dance parties presided over by a solid lineup of local DJs.

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Way back in 1938, proprietor Anthony “Ray” Capozzoli greeted everyone who crossed the threshold of Ray’s with a booming “Happy Birthday!”—hence the current moniker. Take your birthday shot (complete with a candle tucked into a clever holder) at the long oak bar and enjoy live music, including a popular open mic night on the first and third Tuesday of each month and karaoke every Friday.

It's Oktoberfest all year round at Frankford Hall, where you can munch on Bavarian pretzels and bratwurst while browsing a huge selection of German and American beers on tap, bottles, cans, and beer cocktails (yes, beer sangria is a thing). Sit inside among the exposed brick and open windows, or gather out back with a bunch of friends at the long wooden tables.

A stalwart bar, music club, and restaurant just off the always-busy 13th Street corridor, Time hosts live local musicians every night it’s open, their jazz/rock/experimental sounds floating out onto Sansom Street through big picture windows that open onto the sidewalk. There’s also an under-the-radar second-floor lounge that hosts DJs and unorthodox bookings like readings of poetry and erotic fiction.

Stop into West Philly mainstay Local 44 after work to be greeted by the friendly bar staff, who will serve you delicious food and excellent craft beer. The menu boasts vegan and vegetarian options, and you can grab a drink to go from the bottle shop on your way home.

The Trestle Inn hosts go-go shows straight out of the 1960s and 70s. Open Thursday through Saturday, this watering hole has been a haven for a colorful assortment of patrons ranging from circus performers to traveling salesmen for more than one hundred years. If you can’t choose between the seemingly unlimited selection of whiskey and rye, opt for a flight and sample several varieties.

For locally produced draft beers served up in a simple and friendly atmosphere, head to Standard Tap in Northern Liberties. There are at least 20 beers on tap every day, and although the décor of this tri-level space (which includes a rooftop deck) is simple, the drink offerings keep customers coming back.

This funky bar—spacious and complete with graffiti and lots of makeshift seating—is a must for beer lovers. Catch cheap drafts with a lax vibe and billiards, to boot. Cocktails are inventive, and the food menu is heavy on veggie and vegan fare, like a vegan pickle fried chicken sandwich and even a vegan Philly cheesesteak.

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If the only thing Interstate Draft House was ever known for was being the originator of the “Fishtown Iced Tea,” it still might have made this list. But this is an outstanding neighborhood bar that every part of the city would be proud to claim for its own. It’s the kind of place where you go to catch a college hoops game on a Friday afternoon and find yourself leaving early Saturday morning.

There’s no reason to change locations, with an expansive tap list and a Southern-inspired bar menu that’s much better than it needs to be. Don't miss the signature Fishtown Iced Tea, a deceptively smooth combination of vodka, rum, tequila, and Triple Sec that goes down nearly as easy as the cartons of Arctic Splash that inspired it.

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There’s no better place to drink outside in South Philly than in the backyard of this Point Breeze staple on a warm summer evening. That is, unless you’re drinking there during the holidays, with the colored lights and Santa’s sleigh twinkling overhead as the fire pits shoot their columns of flame into the night. (Pro tip: book a table on their website.)

The inside is just as gorgeous, featuring a long wooden bar that runs through the length of a space that has hosted a bar room since Prohibition. And yes, they serve a sardine sandwich.

An instantly recognizable beacon situated at one of the busiest intersections in the city, Johnny Brenda’s has become synonymous with the slow-and-steady growth of Fishtown as a citywide commercial and artistic draw. Partners Paul Kimport and William Reed, owners of the nearby Standard Tap, took over the longstanding neighborhood bar in 2003, infusing new life into the space.

Up front still has that comfy tavern vibe, with local draft beers and billiards. But the rest of the space offers multiple options, from a small dining room in the back to the balcony-equipped music venue upstairs that local and touring artists champion for its intimate layout.

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Besides the ornate iron door, no sign lets you know that this speakeasy-type bar exists in the middle of Chinatown. Ring the bell and ask to be let in, but ensure you’re dressed appropriately. It’s cash-only, and no cell phones are allowed inside, but rumor has it they serve the best Pisco sour in town.

If you’re looking for a friendly neighborhood bar, stop into the Bishop’s Collar, where they serve “salvation by the pint” by way of a good beer selection, a hip crowd, and lots of regulars. Find a seat on one of the church pews, old Veterans Stadium chairs, or outdoor tables lining the sidewalk.

In the back of Sampan restaurant in Midtown Village, Graffiti Bar, decorated with custom street art, serves daily cocktail specials under a modern clear ceiling. Catch the game on one of the wall-mounted televisions while taking in offerings like the cheap satay happy hour.

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Situated on busy 2nd Street in Northern Liberties, Bourbon & Branch offers a restaurant downstairs and an adorable upstairs bar with live music and a vast selection of whiskey, beer and inventive mixed drinks.

What Knock lacks in a lively atmosphere, it makes up for with an intrepid team of bartenders who put heart and soul into their classic cocktail creations. The Makers Manhattan is a particular winner, a lightly spicy, booze-forward concoction that finds balance with just the right amount of sweet vermouth.

Abutting the bar area is a fine dining area serving a mix of pub grub and upscale New American fare. Grab a table outside when it’s warm to enjoy some prime people-watching from behind your shades.

Tavern on Camac, situated on a quiet cobblestoned side street in the Gayborhood, is most known for its sleek piano lounge, which draws seasoned songbirds and—and the occasional theater major from the nearby University of the Arts—for hours of boozy showtune sing-alongs.

But you don’t have to have pipes like Judy to have fun here. The upstairs dance floor, compact as it may be, is a particular favorite on weekends for nightlifers looking for an alternative to the meat market that is Woody’s.