Philadelphia's Best Bartenders

Neighborhood taproom serves up no-frills drinking and surprisingly inventive dining.

Reviews:

• “Quiet corner place with great food”
• “Reliable Neighborhood Hot Spot”
• “Amazing”
• “good food not so good service”
• “Why wait at Dmitri’s? Go eat at New Wave. Save yourself the grief.”

Tips: Feel free to linger at the bar if you’re waiting for a table across the street: Dmitri’s host will come and find you when your seats are ready.

New Wave Cafe

A family restaurant for sports lovers searching for a second home.

Reviews:

• “Great food, good prices and great service”
• “Good food plus great service”
• “Phils Ribs”
• “Great food”
• “Phil’s Is Unbelievable!!!!”

Tips: Wings go for 20 cents each on Monday nights.

Phil’s Tavern

Glitzy Old City gets a basic Belgian bar.

Reviews:

• “Most unprofessional staff I have ever experienced.”
• “Fun and Funky. Big Beer Selection.”
• “GREAT ATMOSPHERE & BEER SELECTION”
• “Stay downstairs!”
• “best beer and food in Philly!”

Tips: The selection changes more often than the list. Ask the bartenders what’s new or request a favorite.

Eulogy Belgian Tavern

This Old City bar takes on tony Rittenhouse with a cleaned-up version of the classic dive bar.

Reviews:

• “If you’re looking for A Great Spot all Weekend come HERE!!”
• “Great happy hour if you know when it starts!”
• “Cheap and fun”
• “Great food, drinks and service. "
• “Pretty Cool”

Tips: Don’t miss the daily drink specials.

Drinker’s Pub

Cheap prices and a friendly atmosphere make this corner taproom a neighborhood favorite.

Reviews:

• “Beam, Jim Beam”
• “best dive bar in town”
• “Michelle Rocks!”
• “Loco at Locust”
• “Sweet Misery”

Tips: Sunday is karaoke night. Get there early because the bar fills up quick with vocal hopefuls.

Locust Bar

Come for the creamy pints, stay for the food.

Reviews:

• “Love the Special Cocktails!”
• “Good food, but hated the "
• “A good restaurant – not a pub”
• “Great Sunday brunch experience”
• “The Plough and Stars do not honor the web advertizement”

Tips: Enjoy the raised waffle station for brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am to 3:30pm; don’t miss traditional Irish music sessions on Sundays from 4pm to 8pm.

the Plough & the Stars or email the Plough & the Stars

Homemade parmesan bread and crisp Napa vintages: An American bistro with the soul of a wine bar.

Reviews:

• “Best restaurant in the city!”
• “Eat Local”
• “just ok”
• “Best Bartenders in the city. Amazing food. "
• “good”

Tips: The bar’s 18 stools—and the barkeep’s talent for casual conversation—make this area a perfect spot for wining and dining oneself. The bar leads to a petite white-tablecloth dining room which overlooks a secluded courtyard filled with tables and chairs.

Southwark

Clubby corporate restaurant draws seafood lovers with fresh daily catches and posh atmosphere.

Reviews:

• “Try someplace else”
• “Terrible!!!”
• “Good seafood with great service.”
• “Excellent”
• “Good food, bad service”

Tips: All restaurant locations offer McCormick & Schmick’s seafood cookbooks for sale, as well as gift certificates in denominations of $50 and $100.

McCormick & Schmick’s

This friendly family-run tavern is one of the city’s oldest watering holes.

Reviews:

• “Not all that its hyped up to be”
• “ONE BIG PROBLEM”
• “Best Bar in Philly”
• “If you’re over 30… Leave after Happy Hour”
• ""

Tips: Late at night, McGillin’s is best approached from 13th Street, where street lamps cast light onto the otherwise vacant stretch of Drury.

McGillin’s Old Ale House

Old boys’ club serves up rich dishes with undeniable Bella Vista class.

Reviews:

• “bad food great service”
• “the only restaurant in philadelphia”
• “Poor, Poor, Poor.”
• “Kudos from a Constant Business Diner”
• ""

Tips: Though parking is free in the neighborhood, most patrons prefer to let valets take care of their cars.

Saloon