The drinks are above average, with some subtle and surprising tastes and combinations (flavors like cumin or coconut or cilantro popping up where you'd least expect it). Bartenders are a little neurotic when you ask them for recommendations or don't stand against the bar, as if you're blocking floor space even when it's pretty much empty. Food is amazing, some of the best I've had in a bar; they push the burgers, but I can vouchsafe that the wax bean salad, gem salad, and gougeres were aces. read more

Solid cocktail bar and probably somewhere that I'd be a regular at if I lived in Rittenhouse Square. We actually initially went to a.kitchen because we'd popped in there once before for a drink but were thankfully redirected to a.bar because it was 10pm and a.kitchen was closing soon. We got two seats at the bar, although I will say it felt like we got lucky finding seats because the place was packed. Along with the bar seating, there are a few small tables, and no standing room. There was a host at the front seating people although we entered through the back/hotel side and accidently seated ourselves but it wasn't an issue. Cocktails were creative, perfectly made, and strong - I had the Following Icarus and my husband had the Brooklyn. Would certainly recommend! read more

a.bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The waitress was super attentive and sweet. On a Saturday night, we were able to get seated immediately! We didn't realize that there's a kitchen on the opposite side of the lobby as we were coming from Walnut st... but they let us eat dinner in the bar side. The vibes were very cool! To be honest, we went cause he heard it was one of the best burgers in Philly... and while it was tasty, I'm not sure if it was quite the best not sure if the burger itself was worth 26 dollars... it comes with two patties but was a little on the dry side and the bun was a little extra toasted too... but perhaps part of the cost is for the vibes and kind waitress! That made it worth it! Would definitely return to try something else! read more

a.bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This bar is SMALL, so if you want a table on a Saturday night get there when they open at 4pm (we did). Their biggest table only accommodates about five people. They gave it to us for a group of six and we could only fit five of us and had to snag a barstool for the sixth person to sit on.We were inside the front window. They do make some very interesting craft cocktails. And they do come with a price tag to match. Service was very friendly. It ended up that only one person in our group got a craft cocktail. The rest of us had wine, Prosecco and a rum & Coke. We only had one drink due to having a dinner reservation at a different restaurant. They are attached to a restaurant called a.kitchen. If you're looking for very unique cocktails & well mixed cocktails, and are willing to pay a larger price tag ($18-$20 a drink), I recommend stopping in. read more

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We were recommended to come here by a bartender at another bar we were at after theirs was closing. We just stopped by for 1 drink because I had work the next day and we already drank kind of a lot. We like cocktail bars that have creative drinks, make their own syrups, infuse alcohol, etc. so this place was a must visit . I actually heard about this place a while ago but we never made it in. I think the one time it might have been closed. I ordered the train to nowhere- gin, plum, miso infused honey , cocchi americano and lemon cordial . My husband ordered the long slow whisper- which had pandan infused honey, kumquat cordial, luxardo Bianco, alpine amaro, and caraway liqueur. I give them credit for creative drinks that I haven't seen before with ingredients that I've never had before. We did enjoy the drinks. But they were maybe a little too on the sweet side. And I like sweet drinks but it seemed a little unbalanced like it was missing something. It didn't have that wow factor. The drinks were also a little on the small side and pricer compared to some other bars we've been to. They were packed for a Tuesday night though, I'm glad we came then and not on a weekend. I would still return at some point and try new drinks when they add new ones . read more

a.bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Was taking a respite from a conference and the humidity and heat. The bar has an intimate cozy feel. Sidled up to a bar stool started perusing the menu. Went with the bars take on Fish House Punch since I was in Philadelphia and the drink originates from this part of the country. The original is a very old drink like beyond a cocktail classic. The drink was refreshing, not too sweet. I've only had a Fish House Punch once before. I know it's modern times and it was update I would have been tickled to see it served in some kind of vintage punch cup. read more

a.bar - Philadelphia Fish House Punch - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Not sure if it was a bad sign that there was space on a Saturday night but the drinks did not impress and the waiter said they were rotating things off the menu. I inquired about the new flavors and was given a vague response. The fish drink was so sweet although I was told it's not and and reminded me of medicine. read more

Awesome craft made cocktails and cute ambience. The service was friendly and fast. I'd be back to try more cocktails! Recommend the jungle bird. read more

Absolutely stunning and creative cocktails! So many options and the bartenders were so well versed in mixology they were willing to make something up special just for your tastes! read more

Had such a great experience here, the cocktails were incredible and complex and unique. The long slow whisper was one of the most interesting fantastic cocktails I've had. The people here were so nice and caring and quick with service!!! Prices were reasonable and the bar was so cute. Such a great spot. read more

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Classy bar, more like an upscale cocktail lounge feel. Romantic lighting, small quint tables. Very artisan drinks, quite pricy but exquisite. Very helpful and friendly waitstaff, didn't feel rushed. Very relaxing. read more

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Knowledgeable bartenders. Buzzy atmosphere. Great to pop in for a few pre-dinner drinks to start off the night. And then head back after dinner for your Amaro nightcaps - awesome selection! read more

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Great cocktails and service love the ambiance. True old school cocktail bar that knows how to make drinks.

Great date night spot with delicious cocktails and an intimate ambiance. The drinks are very unique with some unusual flavors, but I would just take a chance and try something new. I was very pleasantly surprised by how good black pepper flavor was in my fruity drink! Cocktails ~$16 and some beer/cider choices for $8. I only had drinks so can't speak to the food. read more

a.bar - WHAT KIND OF PLACE IS THIS?! ONE EGG IS AN OEUF - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We came here for drinks only! Cute ambiance and good cocktails! We would go back again if we are in the area! read more

a.bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Needed a break from holiday shopping and decided to stop in for a drink because of how cozy it looked through the window. Emily was my bartender and she was excellent to say the least. Very kind and willing to make my experience a great one. Would absolutely stop in next time I'm around and need a spot to hang for one or two. read more

Great ambiance for a variety of types of people going out. Whether you are looking to catch up one-on-one with a friend you haven't seen in a while, go in a trio friend hangout, go on a date with a partner (or, more likely, a complete stranger you met off your dating app), or read solo by the bar, this place is appropriate for all. The menu is clear-cut and has some twists on some classics. I've never been to a bar as clear and sharp/clever with their drink descriptions as this place (especially for me, who does not have much of a knack for remembering drinks). Got the Oy Oy Oy, which is a twist on a margarita with some spices. To be honest, I didn't quite taste the difference. I was expecting the herbal spice to be more present, but I was not mad about it. It was still a delicious drink. read more

a.bar - Bar view with the Oy Oy Oy (take on margarita) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Great spot in Rittenhouse. Saved our Valentine's Day when another place bungled our reservation. Bartender was fantastic, made great recommendations all night, and the food was fantastic and delivered promptly. Just can't say enough about how good the food, drinks and service were. Totally turned around what was looking like a disastrous evening for us. read more

One of my favorite cocktail bars in the city. It's hard to snag a table, but if you do, it is worth it. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and cool. You'll never get bored of the cocktails here - the wackiest combinations that actually work. They're delicious and interesting. It's teeny, intimate, cozy, and dark. Definitely a good spot for one/two friends or a date! read more

a.bar - Art in the age welcome back eve !!!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I heard rave reviews about the drinks at a.bar (including the James Beard award) so I had to get some friends together for a little happy hour. We made reservations for a.kitchen, but a.bar happened to have seating so we switched over to the bar. It's a small space with large windows peaking into the hustle and bustle of Walnut street. Bartenders (and the whole staff) were very attentive and had intimate knowledge of the drink menu. Even some historical facts about drinks and wines were tossed at us. We sampled a bunch of drinks but my favorite had to be "OY OY OY" which was a margarita like drink but very elevated. Overall had a great experience and can't wait to try a.kitchen. read more

a.bar - OY OY OY - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Just service beautiful ambience. The bartenders are amazing and the space is divine. Definitely pop in if you get the chance! read more

a.bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fun relaxing bar in Rittenhouse Square with a good drink selection. Beer selection was a bit limited and drinks were very expensive by any standard. Staff/service was very nice. read more

. It's a small but cozy little spot that had a really great vibe. The food was really good too ! All the flavors blended together wonderfully and the steak was cooked perfectly. The service was friendly and fast too. All in all, I had a great experience and would definitely recommend this place. Just be ready to get real comfortable with the person next to you read more

nice cocktail bar, cozy atmosphere. solid and interesting cocktails, friendly service. the two cocktails I tried were good, but both were a bit unbalanced. read more

Hip bar with amazing drinks and tasty food! We were staying at the AKA Rittenhouse hotel and decided to have drink our second night (on a Sunday evening). We truly wished we would of came here our first night. First off, we were surprised how busy the bar was on a Sunday. It wasn't packed but nearly every seat was taken. We tried some of their different drinks with quirky names which were generously poured and crafted with care. The bartender on our end of the bar was friendly with everyone and his drinks were so good. The bar is dimly lit but not to dim that you need your phone to read the drink menu. We ordered some food to take back to our room which included the crispy oyster mushrooms, beet salad, and fettucine- all were delicious!! We will definitely be back! read more

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Consistently great and innovative drinks! The service is good and it can get quite busy so expect some wait.

Best date spot for drinks in Philly? This place has great drinks, service, and atmosphere. The bartenders are attentive to the customers while being helpful for their order selection. The staff was nice and friendly. They were interactive but not intrusive. The drinks were really good and smooth. I ordered a few of their cocktails, specifically the martinis. They didn't miss their mark. If you haven't, go check this place out. read more

a.bar - Vesper Martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Unfortunately was not allowed to have a seat after I waited out in the cold and a couple jumped the line in front of me. It was a sad and rude turn away and both the workers who talked to me were unfriendly and would not let me wait for a single seat, even though the couple who went in front of me were greeted warmly and were allowed to wait. Apparently they do not cater to single diners. read more

Jacob is an awesome bartender! He made me two great Old Fashioned with pineapple syrup but made without sugar. He also recommended two gin cocktails for my wife which she really enjoyed. Located right next to Rittenhouse Square. This place was crowded and had a lively atmosphere. It was a fun time. Cocktails are $15 each. read more

a.bar - Old Fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Visited during the flower show. The food is amazing. Small plates that were prepared to perfection. It's the place to be for excellent cocktails. Very small and the noise level is high from happy hour to about 7 pm. Recommend for good night on the town read more

We googled "good cocktail bars" and this popped up. We were thrilled to find a corner at the bar on a busy Friday night. We had the most wonderful bartender who was extremely helpful. I had the Papi's home and a Veruca darling (made slightly less spicy). The papi's home was delicious, however I will dream about the Veruca darling until I return to Philly to have another glass. My boyfriend had the boy wonder which was slightly edited - after he tried it, it was too gingery for his liking and the bartender took it back with no complaints, and added a bit more of the other ingredients to keep the overall flavor while minimizing the ginger kick. Amazing service, drinks and quality. read more

There has never been a time where I've visited this bar and had a bad experience. This cozy location is a good spot to either start or end your evening. The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly. The drinks are innovative and really tasty. I was fortunate enough to visit during their "down the rabbit hole" series and the Weekend in Wutai was a fav. I don't think I'll ever turn down an opportunity to visit this place. read more

Right at the corner of rittenhouse square, this is a cozy space that plays wonderful music. Drinks are very unique and they have a wide selection of cocktails, wine, and beer. Service was wonderful and bathroom is clean. What else could you ask for! read more

turned away guests an hour before closing. so sad usually they are accommodating and their drinks are delicious just sad that they are not doing service within the last hour read more

We went in for a cocktail last night, the manager made us give up one of our seats for another couple. Place is gross mostly painted plywood and has crappy barstools. This is a 3rd rate establishment. The bartender and the manager were taking trash about 2 women in one of their crappy booths that hadn't left quick enough. read more

I tried a.bar for the first time when they were having Philadelphia Distillery come do a flower "pop up" bar. The bar is small, but well decorated and on the side of the hotel and a.kitchen. The service was really good, and the seats were regularly taken up, but also people regularly left, so you could pick up seats if you waited for a bit. The cocktails here were amazing! The pop up bar had all bluecoat gin drinks, and I love gin. I probably had some of my favorite cocktails here, which were the Betsy Ross and the Damn good cup of tea (with early grey infused gin)! I will definitely be back, purely for their quality of cocktails. read more

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The a.bar. What can I say? It is, & always will be a bar amongst bars. There's no better place to grab a hand crafted drink made by some of the best bartenders in the Philly. The ambience is just right for a quick drink & a snack to eat - the lighting is perfect. read more

The place has both outdoor and indoor dining available now. I came here with a friend for dinner during restaurant week. The waiter was very friendly and gave great suggestions. The Meet Me in Valhalla was an ok drink to start off. It has a strong citrus taste to it so it's great for those that like a sourness to their drinks. The golden beets + strawberries is an unique combination that takes a bit to get use to. The more bites you take the better it gets. There is a huge clash of strong flavors between the arugula the sweet strawberries and beets. Personally not my type of dish. The octopus 'lyonnaise' is an amazing and must try starter. The initial bite was a very strong citric flavor to it, but it mellows out. The octopus was cooked to perfection, not mushy with just the right amount of bounce. The dish complements the octopus very well letting for it to speak for itself. The roasted chicken breast is by far one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had. Under the delicious skin, the chicken was moist and bursting with flavor. It's a dish that you would not regret getting. The flank steak frites, however, could not measure up. The rosemary fries are great. The steak was cooked perfectly. The steak itself had no flavor and was on top of a piperade that I personally don't think complimented it. I would have rather a well seasoned steak instead of all that. Then our favorite part, the dessert. The best part of the meal is the vanilla panna cotta. It's light and it melts in your mouth, sending your taste buds to heaven in a velvety coating of vanilla. One of the most amazing panna cottas I've had. This is a must have dessert here. The eclat chocolate tahini cake was delicious and great for those who love chocolate. It's slightly dense and would have been amazing if there was a molten chocolate center or some more melted chocolate to compliment the cake. All in all it was well worth the experience. It's a great place to try in restaurant week and some of the food are hit or misses. I'd personally go back for that panna cotta. read more

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This is a quaint little spot in center city. It's quite an intimate setting so it's always packed and loud, but worth the wait if you can get in. The vibe is my favorite part - it's very much a bar and can loud because it's so small, but it's still very sexy and upscale. You can order food through a.kitchen (next door) if you want. I didn't think it was amazing, but it is yummy. The drinks here are some of the best I've ever had. The attention to detail makes all the difference. This is one of my go-tos when I'm out with friends. read more

We have been to a kitchen before, but never had a chance to sit on the bar side of things given the pandemic and all. That was until a few weeks back. We finally made it in for an after work drink or two and also wanted to get some snacks. And boy, we were so happy that we came in. We have also already been back, since it was such a good experience and all. We had a number of bites to stay on the lighter and healthier side since we didn't know what we would be doing after the visit. And I have to say, it was perfect. We got several dishes - and nothing disappointed. We had some wine and cocktails, and the cocktails were definitely some of the better ones we have had in Philly (ranking up there with our few faves). The service is great. Ambiance is chill. Prices are more than fair for the neighborhood and what you get. We will certainly be keeping this in our rotation! Well some, a bar and team! read more