It's a sunny day, in the Italian Market of Philadelphia. But there is nothing more refreshing than to skip the sunshine filled outdoors and descend the 12 steps to this dark, basement dive of loveliness and pleasure. It reminds me of the basement rec room I wanted as a teenager.. with board games, some TVs and unrestrained amounts of liquor and beer. Repeat after me: TWO DOLLAR MIMOSAS AND BLOODY MARY'S. one more time: TWO DOLLAR MIMOSAS AND BLOODY MARY'S. I'll be back in your arms real soon, 12 Steps Down. Real soon. read more

DON'T: complain about the amount of smoke forget to bring your id with you stand too close to the pool table be afraid to make eye contact with the cutie across the bar from you take too long in the bathroom, seriously DO: stop in on a tuesday night for karaoke bring a pack of cigarettes wear clothes you're okay having smell like smoke try a beer you've never had before laid-back is a pretty good way to describe this bar. read more

I had heard from a few friends that this was a good spot. So this past weekend while in South Philly, we decided to check it out. I was with a group of four and one of them lived down the block and was a regular. When we first walked into the place it pretty much looks like your typical super-divey bar. The two bartenders came over and we placed our orders for 4 Bell's beer. The tap happened to be kicked which sucks because I love Bells. Not a big deal, as they have tons of other beer options. We asked the bartender what was close, and it seemed like it pained him to answer. He literally looked like he would rather sit in traffic then be there. After serving us, him and the other bartender proceeded to go to the other end of the bar and eat their Chinese take out. They didn't seem to care that we needed a drink and just housed their food. It was really a gross kind of vibe. One of the girls we were with said the grilled cheese sliders were a must have so I ordered them. They are basically two pieces of small toast with a mini slither of cheese. In the middle is "tomato" soup which im pretty sure they ran out of and just gave marinara sauce. I was VERY unimpressed. When one of us asked for change to play some songs, it seemed like another huge ordeal. I would NEVER let these bartenders work in my establishment. I'm glad I came in this spot, because you often hear about it like it's some hidden gem. I think these people just go in really drunk and forget the experience. Won't be back. read more

This could be the worst place I have ever had to go to. It is dimly lit, the people are not friendly, the food sucks and the beer selection is no good. The only thing that it really has going for it is there is plenty of room to sit down. Be careful as you need to be from the area to get served. We went in with friends from Germany and they would not accept the passport ID as proof of age. read more

Yo, seriously. What more can you ask for from a bar that invites you obey the law of gravity and fall right off that wagon into this basement den of depravity. This is a dive, and it is right up the street from my house. What more can a recovering tea drinker ask for? The food here has changed a lot over the past month or so and their menu has been apparently reworked by some famous chef. I'm not sure if I like it yet or not. I definitely do not like the fancy beer battered chicken fingers. In my book, chicken fingers are supposed to be salty, greasy, and should pair well with a cold PBR. Gormet chicken fingers!? Fuck you 12 Steps! I am also extremely pissed off that they got rid of the quesadillas. They were huge, filling, and did a great job of lubricating my arteries. Since they have taken away these cheesy wedges of delight, I have responded by taking away one star from an otherwise five star rating. The fries are much better... The drink is what this place stands for. The bar tenders are fun, nice, and ready to be your buddy. However if you look like your under 60, they will card you. Bring that ID. The beer selection is way better than the dive setting would suggest and the mixed drinks are strong and tasty. There is always a "Beer of the Week," but it's not always something good. The premium beers will cost a bit more than I'm willing to spend, but I've gotten one or four PBR's on the house. Basically, this bar does what it advertises and gets you drunk. It's a great way to ease the tension of a day's haggling at the Italian Market or just to get wasted on a Monday even though I know I shouldn't because I have work in the morning. read more

The scene: the near-blizzard of 2009. I'd decided to take full advantage of the storm and head across the city on my cross-country skis. I mean, how often can you ski down Walnut? In the midst of a pick-up snowball fight in Rittenhouse, I decided to see if any of my friends were up for a beer. Skiing makes one thirsty. They responded that they were already at 12 Steps Down, so as I skied south, I texted back, "Does it matter how I'm dressed?" "No. It's a dive," my friend answered. "Come as you are." I took that quite literally, since I was sweaty and clad in Under Armour and ski clothes. I had to take off the skis to get down the steps, but the bartender pleasantly agreed to let my skis melt in the corner while I rehydrated (let's pretend for the sake of the story that beer hydrates, mkay?). Patrons could purchase Christmas stockings to label and hang around the bar, and Troegs Mad Elf was on tap, so the whole thing was rather festive. A stroke of brilliance: grilled cheese sliders and tomato soup as one of the day's specials. Seriously - is there a more perfect food combination in the midst of a snowstorm? I was less than thrilled about the smoke, but this is certainly not a bar where one might don one's best clothes. The place lacked a certain ambiance that my favorite dives seem to have, and I'm not from the neighborhood and thus will never become a regular here, but it really was perfect on this particular night. I'm glad something compelled me to carry my ID on my ski. read more

Another neighborhood hang, weds nite is for quizzo, Tues movies, Monday free pools (all sbjt to change). Danielle and Freddy do a great job at the bar. I like the food, inexpensive and quick, go for the chicken quesadilla. Cash only though, and if it's your first time, bring your ID! It ain't swanky nor does it smell of cigarettes, grab a beer - something good is always on special. read more

The myth goes that the name 12 Steps Down actually has nothing to do with AA, rather the fact that the bar is located 12 steps down from the pavement. I don't know if I buy the conceit this funny (or unfunny if you are a recovering alcoholic) coincidince went completely unnoticed by the owners, but that's the story. The bar is a complete dive. There's a large circle shaped bar, pub food, crappy tables and a pool table. There is a ginormous flat-screen TV which seems to be primarily used for watching sports. There's not much in the way of beer, so I usually stick with the whiskey if, due to uncontrollable circumstances, I happen to find myself at 12 Steps. read more

I know Fred and his sister (from talking to them at the bar (they're really nice) and I like them so I added an extra star to a three star review. 12 Steps down is a fine place to go when you're in the Italian market and need a break from the Tony Danza inspired Itallianness of most of the places around there. They have booze and food, the food is pretty good. It always seemed to me like a nice bar with a good clientelle. But I should also say that the place does have a local bar type of vibe, generally I have to have a drink or two until I feel comfortable but when I settle in there it's pretty cool! The thing I do know is that the worst way to meet people is arguing in a chat room, so all the haters should just go here and drink some whiskey! read more

One of the most divey places in Philly and one of the few bars in the entire city that lets you smoke inside. So if you don't smoke, you may be overwhelmed and will definitely come home smelling like cigs. The beers are cheap ($3 Yuenglings when it's not happy hour). They have one of the best karaoke systems in town. MUCH more updated than bigger/more popular karaoke spots in Philly. Do you want to sing some Joy Division, Lil Wayne, and N Sync? Well, this place has that large of a variety. They keep their songs updated too, so there are Top 40-type songs that just came out in the past month already on their karaoke system. 3 stars because 1) I don't smoke 2) men's room is this awkward, super tiny, shared space (plus you can't poop here if needed because there's no lock on the door) 3) it's underground so I couldn't get cell service all night when waiting for friends read more

This place literally carded everyone when I was there. Middle aged women, elderly men, didn't matter. I witnessed several people walk out angrily after not being able to provide ID. You're a bar in the city, assholes. People walk a lot and don't feel the need to have ID on them. When someone's hair is gray and their face is wrinkled you don't need to card them. The law specifically says if you look "under 3" you have to card. Also, the bartenders are unfriendly but not in a cool way, the place reeks of cheap cigarettes and you don't get internet signal since it's underground. read more

I went here one night for their indie rock karaoke on a Wednesday night. The service was just ok. It was kind of crowded and it seemed a little cramped. The indie rock karaoke was ok, I kind of wished people didn't want to sing depressingly slow songs (I have no room to talk, I didn't sing any). I've heard it's pretty decent on a Sunday afternoon for some bloody mary's. All and all, I've been to better underground bars in my life. read more

I had a seriously awesome time here. I have walked past 12 steps down for some time now but never had a reason to enter. That all changed last night. After being outside and sampling some lovely food and beer from the no libs night market, we decided to check out 12 steps down for their yacht rock bingo. Just saying that name aloud made me chuckle so I knew I'd be going. After walking down the steps I entered into a surprisingly open space with a pool table and bar in the center that I could walk all around. I quickly eyed up the healthy beer selection and started scanning the room for people to play in pool. I dropped my quarters and found a game. I didn't end up winning (the first game) but I was fortunate enough to start up a small set of people who wanted to play subsequent rounds. If there is one thing I love in a bar, it's playing pool. I was a happy man. The smoking is unfortunate so when I return I won't wear something nice. Since smoking is basically outlawed in most places, my lungs can take the minor hit when I'm looking to play pool and drink beer. This place has character(s) and I'll be coming back. read more

I've been to 12 steps a few times before, but never really wanted to review it based on those experiences. I had mostly gone with friends to Karaoke Obscura, which was obscenely crowded so not a good indicator overall. I went to quizo there the other night because I had missed my usual trivia night. The questions were crazy hard, and not in a fun, "I should know that..." way, more like a "unless you actually read this obscure book, or visited this city, you're screwed" way. But I can't really hold that against the bar itself. The food has generally been decent, but I never really get excited about anything there. The beer selection would be good if it weren't in South Philly, but there are too many better selections nearby to make the trip worth it. The decor is nice, and I like a good downstairs bar feel. It definitely has an honest dive feel too, where old timers still come in with the hipsters. For some people thats great, but it's not something I'm really into. They still have smoking, which is something that I'm definitely not into. They are also aggressive about carding, which would be fine if they actually had a dedicated bouncer. Instead, a barback will chase you down shortly after you enter, asking for ID. Its one of the only places I still get carded. It's probably just what some people are looking for, but not up my alley. The food is probably better than what most people think of in a dive, but in that regard, I'd rather go up to the Locust Bar. 12 steps feels more like a bar in an acquaintance's basement, where I don't really feel like I belong. read more

Great selection of beer, and I would have loved a chance on the pool table, but I've never been a smoker, and I don't particularly like being around it. The bag I had with me still smells like cigarettes. I do appreciate that they provide a place for smokers where they don't have to go outside. The bartender was really nice, and I got to select a few songs on the jukebox. read more

I don't see the hype around 12 Steps. I have been here a good amount of times but it still does not tickle my fancy. That being said, it does have its positives. I think that there are a lot better options in the area. I do, however, enjoy that the bar attracts a lot of guys and girls. Compared to most smoking-allowed, divey atmospheres...this one tends to attract lots of both sexes. Good job on that. The staff here is friendly, the food is not that great, and the beer is priced reasonably. I think if you're a smoker, young, and looking to kick back and watch the Phillies...this is your type of bar. One other hidden gem: Free pool all-day Monday. read more

Summary: One of my favorite places in Philly. Great service, beer, and fries. Comfortable and unassuming atmosphere. When I moved to South Philly a few months ago, this was the first place to give me that neighborhoody feeling. 12 Steps Down is my go-to bar; a place where we end up, a place where we start the night, and a place where we go with full intentions of parking ourselves and not leaving until 2. It could be classified as "divey" in that it's not fancy and doesn't take itself too seriously. The menu is written on brown paper bags and they serve a lot of PBR. But this place is clean and the staff (especially the owners) are always friendly and quick with your drinks. The beer selection is well rounded, with rotating beers of the week. I've eaten a sandwich/burger there a few times and was pleasantly surprised. But, their fries are AWESOME! You have been warned. Unlike other hipster bars (The Dive), 12 Steps is totally unpretentious and has a decently mixed crowd. Just a really relaxed atmosphere. Yes, people smoke in there. Yes, they smoke a lot because they are drinking and you can't smoke anywhere anymore. So, if you are a crybaby about cigarette smoke, you might want to pass this one up. Otherwise, come on down! read more

I have to give 12SD 5 stars. I spend so much time there that a lower rating would reflect poorly on me. The food is good. I specifically recommend the BLT, Humus, Grilled Cheese Sliders, Meatball Sandwich, and the amazing fries. I've woken up bleary-eyed on several a morning to find a take-out of their fries nestled into bed beside me. They're really good. They have a nice selection of beers, but sometimes they're a bit over-priced. The same Unibroue Ephemere i bought there for $6.50 (well, i think i bought like seven of them) cost $4.25 around the corner at Hawthornes. To avoid that ripped-off feeling, i tend to stick to the pounders of PBR that will run me $3 a piece. Other great things include the other regulars, the pool table, a relatively clean bathroom (with only the occasional mysterious bad smell), nice bartenders (there used to be a mean one but he's gone), Karaoke Tuesdays, Quizzo Wednesdays, Free Pool Mondays, local artwork that changes every first friday, and more! Oh, and i certainly can NOT forget to mention $2 mimosas and bloody marys until 3PM on Saturdays and Sundays. This information is particularly useful if you find yourself facing a lengthy wait across the street at Sabrina's. Or if you just like to drink early. Dont get your hopes up for brunch, though. The kitchen unfortunately doesnt open till 4. read more

This place is solid. Smokey and solid. We usually come in here for the $2 mimosas (yes, you read that right!). They have this offer from 11-3 everyday, but we're only here on a weekend. lol The food is good too. I recommend this place, if you can tolerate a smoking bar. read more

12 Steps Down - Christmas time at 12 steps down - Dive Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

As dive bars in Philadelphia go, this is one of the best. People are going to smoke, they're going to hog the pool table, there will be at least one goofball who crams $10 into the juke to play like, the entire catalog of Tom Waits or - God help me - the Cure, and loud, raucous conversation will no doubt dominate the bar making it impossible for you to do anything other than order another reasonably priced drink, prop your elbows on the smooth, lacquered wood and join in. And it will be awesome. Also, the bathrooms aren't near as terrifying as you'd expect. in a world of McGlinchey's and The Dive's dark, betoileted closets of festering bacterial doom, the well-lit area with a dry roll of toilet paper, hand soap and a decent lock mechanism at 12 Steps pretty much makes patronage by dive bar enthusiasts an imperative. read more

As an avid non-smoker, I should hate this place just because it's a smoking bar. I always leave smelling like an ash tray, but it's worth it. I've never eaten the food here, even though the menu looks really good, so I can't comment on that at all. The atmosphere, the pool table, the drinks, and the occasional karaoke is what keeps bringing me back here. If you're in the area and looking for a great, laid-back bar to hang out, maybe play some pool, maybe take over the jukebox, this is it! read more

This is a smoking bar, with decent drinks. It's a rarity nowadays in downtown Philly. They have special event on last Sunday every month with live music. read more

Wow, before I start the meat of my review: are people really complaining about this bar because they got CARDED? It's a bar people, sometimes they card, especially now that the city's been cracking down on bars, they have to crack down on us. If you want to go out drinking, maybe you should get your ID renewed. Seriously. I really enjoy this place. The bartenders are really friendly and talkative, but also attentive, and the drinks are reasonably priced. There doesn't seem to be any one type of person who goes there: old and young, cool and out of it, weird and more conventional all convene to have a good time. It's a great place to play pool if you're not very good, because no one who plays there is very good, they're just looking for a fun game of pool. It is not, however, a place to play darts, as the dart board is at a nonstandard height. I like the food OK, their idea of a new twist on bar food is interesting, but sometimes you just want conventional bar food, too. I really love the quizzo on Wednesday nights, Quizmaster Chris puts together something really challenging and very fun every week! read more

12 Steps Down isn't for everyone. 12 Steps Down isn't JUST for hipsters. 12 Steps Down doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. It's a dive bar with a pool table, weekly karaoke, cheap drinks and a pretty good beer selection. It's everything I need and more, and by "more," I mean that you can smoke in here, which, during the frigid winter, is much appreciated. It's a big enough place that it doesn't fill with smoke and I don't have to feel guilty about giving anyone, aside from myself, cancer. There is one bartender that I'm not too fond of, but I won't knock stars off for one jerk that can't manage to properly mix juice and vodka. read more

12 steps has become my local love affair. Don't be deceived by it's appearance because this dark and smoky cave of a bar has a lot of charm, humor, and friendly faces behind the murky air. You have to give it a few visits to see it's allure. Allow the courtship to occur before the engagement. Play a few games of pool to meet the friendly bar locals, or strike up a conversation with the friendly bar staff. The staff by the way is exceptionally nice and that is part of what makes this bar so charming. Only comment of criticism I have is the smoking. I am a social smoker, but the bar was much better without smoking. I do hate stinking like smoke every time I go there and I smoke way too many cigs because of it. This is not a hipster dive bar. This is just a place with good people, friendly service and a family to embrace every week if you are willing to make the commitment. read more

I went in on a Tuesday night and it was pretty packed- probably because the bar features karaoke on Tuesdays. The karaoke was pretty entertaining and there were actually some people who could sing. The scene is mostly hipsters, but everyone seemed pretty friendly and non-pretentious (except for the girl hogging the photo hunt). The bartender was super friendly, they have a great selection of beers on tap, and in bottles, there's a pool table, and although I didn't get any food, it smelled delicious. The only negative is that people can smoke inside. When you're drunk it doesn't seem like a bad idea until you wake up feeling like you can't breathe, and you go into work with a jacket that reeks of smoke. read more

Love love love the grilled cheese sliders are killer, then the $5 burger was on point, topped with crisp onion rings with a horseradish mayo...yep I ate it all, it was the bomb and I will be back for more! read more

I considered giving 12 Steps Down 4 stars, but then I realized I was taking away a star for the bar being exactly what it's supposed to be, which isn't fair. Allow me to explain. This is a dive bar. You can smoke here. It's below ground level and doesn't have a ton of ventilation. If you have a problem with any of that, this isn't the place for you. However, if you're looking for a neighborhood bar with great beer, surprisingly delicious food, awesome bar staff and friendly locals, this is definitely the place for you. I hang out at 12 Steps more often than I should probably admit. The people who work here are really awesome. I've had random conversations with many, many kind strangers here. The pool table is a nice diversion. The karaoke is supremely fantastic. The jukebox is like my own personal playlist. Hall and Oates, man...Hall and Oates. Moral of the story: I love 12 Steps. The end. read more

A great smoke filled dive bar that offers food till 1am! Be prepared it's very smoky in there and you WILL smell leaving. The bar is a dive, black ceilings, strange clientele and cheap well drinks ($4). They don't give a great pour on liquor but it's decent. We ate the chicken wings and $5 burger... ok the wings were great (and I'm from buffalo and don't say that for everyone's wings) and the show stopper was the $5 burger. Order it medium rare!!! It's awesome!!!! Their fries are banging too. Now only if they could get some malt vinegar for them. On Wednesday nights it looks like they have trivia night too! Overall a great dive bar, with good cheap drinks, excellent $5 burger... I'm going to go wash my hair now....till next time.. cheers! read more

Totally great dive bar with decent dive bar food and reasonable prices. Smoking is allowed which does not bother this non-smoker but it does limit the amount of time before fresh air is needed. Your entire being will reak of smoke so make this your last public destination of the night. There is outside seating but then you're not really 12 steps down - hmmmm. What makes this place for me is the crowd - real bar goers - A+! I've been in solo several times over the years. The bar keep and other patrons/regulars are always friendly and welcoming. You dont get that "what are you doing in my local" stare. Food is above average. There's a pool table & Touchtunes juke box. I really dig this spot but smoking with no ventilation is so 80's. read more

This was a great local spot to stumble upon. Great beer selection and the bar tender was awesome and loved how she said 'Asshole'. Thank you from Seattle!! read more

One thing I miss about living in Chicago is the great dive bars I used to frequent. So, when I came to Philly for the first time some local friends took us here. It brought me back to those nights I used to frequent the neighborhood Chicago bars. Even though there was smoking allowed, I still actually had a great time here. The drinks were cheap, the lager was flowing...and trust me..I drank myself silly of Yuengling since I need to take advantage of this when I'm out east! This is exactly what I hear when I hear the word "dive bar". The food is pretty decent too. Minus the smoky ketchup. read more

Met up with some of my Philly friends to watch the Flyers game. Although we disagree on hockey teams, we bond through our hatred of the Penguins. And so, I found myself here for the 12:00 puck drop yesterday. For such a small hole-in-the-wall, the beer list is surprisingly diverse. There is a wide variety of bottles and about ten or so drafts, organized by beer type on a board. I went with the Bell's Two Hearted, a favorite I can't get at home. Beer is also very moderately priced so if you come here, you won't break the bank. There are TVs in every corner, all of which were tuned into the game. They also have a pool table in the back which got some good use for most of the time we were there. It is easy to see why my friends go here so often, aside from the fact that it's within stumbling distance from their apartments. The staff is cool and the atmosphere is laid-back. Oh, and of course, that beer selection makes the trip worthwhile too. Despite these awesome things, though, the bar still allows smoking. The smoke wasn't too bad that afternoon, but I don't know if I would have been comfortable if it was busier. It didn't bother me much when I was inside (I also got pretty hammered, though, so that may have also had something to do with it), but later, after I left, all I could smell was smoke. So if you are averse to cigarettes, this probably isn't the place for you. It would have also been nice if their kitchen was open when the bar was. The game began at 12, and the kitchen didn't open until 4. By that time, I was several drinks in and couldn't bring myself to eat anything (food makes me nauseous if I've been drinking more than one or two beers; however I do not suffer from red "Asian face," so that's a plus). Overall, though, I would come back again to hang with my friends and enjoy the good beer. I would just make sure it wasn't too crowded and that I ate in advance. read more

Great divey bar which is indeed 12 steps down (I counted the stairs). Besides offending a few AA members, 12 steps is a great bar for any demographic. There is a large selection of draft and bottled beers and the three dollar mimosas on a hungover Sunday morning are life savers. Go in to escape the heat, play some erotic photo hunt and pool and leave a little happier than before. read more

I've never eaten here as the kitchen doesn't open until the late afternoon. Great mimosa deal that doesn't skimp on the champ. Not a place for brunch with girlfriends but definitely a place to continue day drinking if you had an early brunch and trying to figure out your next move. read more

I'm a fan of this little underground bar on the fringe of the Italian Market. The menu is small, but the food is as good as bar food gets. Its a great place to go with a small group of friends if drinking and being able to hear yourself think over the music is on your agenda. read more

A no-frills dive bar in South Philly serving delicious (and cheap!) Bloody Marys. I'm not really sure what to say about this place but I know that I like it. I feel like it's a no expectations kind of place. I see they are getting a lot of flack for it's attraction of the "hipster" crowd, but I always feel out of place in those types of crowds. I don't feel out of place when I come here. No, I'm not crazy about the smoking but that that doesn't effect the rating. I've been in far smokier establishments. Besides, if you go here you know what you're getting yourself into. read more

I fucked up. I'm not going to lie, I couldn't appreciate a dive because I'm not a dive kinda guy. But, I'm one to leave my comfort zone, and so I was brought back to 12 Steps Down. I don't know what I missed the first time around, but it probably had to do with the fact that I didn't get food, because the food is really, really good. The beer selection is decent, and the food is really, really good. The drinks flowed, the food was plentiful, and awkward dancing was enjoyed by all, and the food was really, really good. read more

12 steps down has been straddling the line between dive bar and hip drinking establishment for some time and unlike a lot of other places in the city it seems to be doing so successfully. I am not a dive bar fan per se, I just like to go to places with good beer, service and possibly food. One thing I like about 12 Steps is the beer list is good, they have some cheap options but then there are also Belgian bottles if you are in the mood to splurge. Being a dive though everything is priced a buck or two cheaper than the trendier places in Center City or Northern Liberties. The beer list gets rotated frequently as do the food specials. It has been a while since I have eaten here but I do recall the pub food to be good and inexpensive as well. The bartenders are all friendly, willing to chat if they have time and always ready to let you try a sample of something. The only problem I have had here, and this is my preference, is that being a basement bar the smoke can get a little oppressive at times. It is better in the milder warm months when they will prop the door open. It doesn't have to get that crowded here for the smoke to just sit in the basement though. Just be prepared if this can be an issue for you. read more

This place is a dive. And it's a smoking bar so if you aren't okay with leaving like stale cigarettes and regret you probably shouldn't come here. But it is what it is and it is unapolegetic. Welp, I can't spell (clearly), but this place does it's job and does it well. There is always a lively crew in here and the drinks are cheap. Never had the food, but it's there. Basic bar food but I've heard it's not all that bad. It's a dive, the bathroom isn't exactly spotless (luckily I'm a guy? Maybe the lady's room is better) and it doesn't have a gold counter, but it has a surprisingly nice beer selection and everyone is super friendly. What more can you want? And yes, it's not the prettiest or cleanest. It's a dive bar. Be social, and you will meet some interesting people. read more