Drinks were outstanding, and so was the food! This actually came as a surprise since Almanac is marketed as more of a cocktail bar/speakeasy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, since they are located right about Ogawa (also amazing)! We tried the omakase cocktail, which was really fun and creative. Although if I'm paying $25 for a drink, I do expect a bit more of a presentation... The scallop crispy rice was absolutely a favorite, we had to order two! The toro was also a standout, although how can you go wrong with toro, uni, and caviar? The wagyu dog itself was great, but the roll it was on was dry. In my opinion, the bread makes or breaks a sandwich, so points off for that one. The ambiance was cozy, if a little dark at times. Our waitress was knowledgeable and attentive and gave us good recommendations on what to order. I will absolutely be back for the crispy rice alone! read more

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This place is a vibe. Perfect speakeasy style spot with moody decor. I had an intimate birthday celebration evening here. Service was great, we got recommendations, all questions answered with lots of knowledge about the menu, plus some birthday celebration shots. The regular menu drinks were next level, I loved the punch drink which is near the end of the menu and easy to miss. I did get an omakase drink but thought it was just ok, it was like a cucumber gimlet but I was expecting some more complex for the price ($25 I believe). I also thought it would be great if they asked about your taste, favorite cocktail, etc to truly customize the drink. Instead they don't ask about your preference, just if you want shaken vs stirred and to pick a season. So I'd recommend sticking to the actual menu . Other than that the food menu was fun. I enjoyed the wagyu hotdog, and all the appetizers I tried were delicious. read more

I had dinner and drinks at Almanac on Saturday, when I was in Philly for the day. It's a Japanese-American cocktail bar above Ogawa Sushi. You enter through Ogawa's front door and then wait to be taken to the second floor. I had two cocktails and three bites of food. My favorite of the cockails I tried was their Tomoe (their take on a Vesper martini), with American and Japanese gin, Yuzu vodka, Bermutto, Kome Shōchū, Mizunara, and Umami Oil. Definitely strong and savory. Their take on a sour I didn't enjoy quite as much, but I'd certainly drink another Tomoe. Their food menu is separated into snacks, small plates, cold plates, and seafood + rice dishes. I tried all three of their cool bites: Salmon Toast (1 piece; mayo, lemon zest, Parmesan, caviar, chives, and honey); Spicy Bay Scallop Crispy Rice (2 pieces; with masago, chives, and sesame oil); and Toro Taku (Bluefin fatty tuna, pickled radish, sushi rice, and chives), with caviar added for $14. The crispy rice and Toro Taku were classic and delicious. The salmon toast was interesting, but I think the honey was the wrong move - it made the overall taste of the dish too sweet for me. The service was okay. I appreciated that they started everyone off with a hot towel for your hands and a taste of Genmaicha (or similar) tea. As a solo diner, I sat the bar, but I found the service a little lacking there. The bartender went long stretches without checking in, even as drinks got low. The couple to my right intimated that they were ready to add some food, but he didn't come over to take their order for a while after that. The service could've been a little more attentive is all I'm saying; it wasn't perhaps the most welcoming place I've spent a few hours. Overall, my experience at Almanac was okay. If you're looking for a cocktail bar experience with speakeasy vibes (dark, moody, music playing), Almanac might be the right pick. The food is quite good (and has more snacks and bar bites - like wings and a wagyu hotdog and a karaage chicken sandwich) if you're looking for a place with cocktails and food as well. The bar is certainly well stocked with plenty of Japanese liquors, and the cocktails are creative and interesting. However, my experience wasn't so excellent that I feel the need to return. Definitely a cool spot though. read more

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We were little early for our reservation downstairs so we were able to get table upstairs. You definitely need a reservation. Then we realized we didn't have enough time to both get drinks, as you're not allowed to take the drinks from upstairs to the restaurant. They were really understanding when we ordered one drink for two people. Their service, graciousness and their attention to detail was amazing. I would come again, as you can order food upstairs as well! The Japanese Kit Kat with the check was a nice surprise! read more

Almanac - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Every time I come here, I am always reminded of how absolutely amazing this place is and why I continue to love it - from the ambience to the drinks and service, everything is impeccable! Each time I get the matcha martini, which is my favorite drink here, it keeps getting better and better somehow. The bartender really hit it out of the park this time in terms of presentation! read more

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Talk to the host in Ogawa. They will bring you upstairs. Finding the place was very confusing. I knew the restaurant name but not the logo. I ended up walking by twice. The side door on the right with the sign to talk to Ogawa host was also missed because the door was open. Great service, friendly staff, good food, knowledgeable about drinks. Did walk-in on a Friday at 5pm. I was the first seated at the bar. By the time I was leaving, all five walk-in seats were full. Fermented Grapefruit Soda $8 have you ever had the Chinese white fermented bean curds? If you like that, which I do, you'd enjoy the drink. Otherwise, I would hard pass. If I didn't grow up with this taste I'm not sure if I would have liked it lol Wagyu Hotdog $14 (Tonkatsu Sauce, Japanese Slaw, Bonito Flakes, Nori) - was a bit disappointed it just came out on regular hotdog bread. Otherwise, the beef had a nice bite, the Japanese slaw was a good mix with the saltiness of the tonkatsu sauce Yuzu Miso Glazed Wings $14 (Miso, Yuzu, Sriracha, Mayo) - the wings came out hot and crispy. A nice surprising kick from the sriracha. I only had one and took the rest home. The sauce was good the next day cold as well Overall, good experience read more

Almanac - Yuzu miso glazed wings (would get again) - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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We were lucky enough to get a table around 6 PM on a Saturday. We were celebrating my birthday. The service was top notch ~ courteous and professional. Our cocktails were all premium quality though I have yet to find one I really like. Our favorite dish was the Toro Taki with uni which we actually ordered twice. The Kombu Celery was so refreshing. I loved the kombu shiso like taste. We could not really taste the yuzu that much in the wings, but they were still good. The spicy scallop crispy rice was delicious. The crispy rice was really crispy! The ambiance was beautiful. Perfect for a cocktail bar. The house rules were were good to be in place (basically no flash photography, and to talk on your phone you must only do so by the waiting area at the reception area). Understandable to keep the ambiance. I loved the music choice. It was modern like Japanese enka and some American hip hop. I would be more impressed if they played some M-flo. The whole establishment is not accessible for handicap from the front entrance to the upstairs. There are two heavy doors to get in and a step up to get to the front door. The first floor restaurant is omakase and reservation only. It is called Ogawa. They only have bar height stools at the sushi bar. The restroom is not ADA accessible and all the way in the back. There is one restroom on the first floor and one in the basement. It is narrow flights of stairs to go up to the second floor. Definitely not a place to bring kids. All the better for a date night. Would love to come here again with friends. read more

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I had trouble finding the entrance, but you have to enter through the sushi restaurant and it's upstairs. Inside the bar is very dark and has cozy seating with a Japanese themed decor. Seating at the bar is limited, so I recommend making reservations if it's during peak late-dinner time. I sat at the bar and ordered the Yuzu chicken wings, tuna tartare, and yuzu cheesecake. The chicken wings were my favorite! The sauce was sweet with a nutty smooth sauce. The tuna tartare was good but nothing memorable other than how small the portion was. Their cheesecakes came "straight from Japan", but I wouldn't get this one again. It tasted a bit dry and not very creamy. read more

I had been wanting to check out this bar for a while. We went for a special book launching event this evening and enjoyed their soju based cocktails- the book launch was for a soju cocktail book, so fun. The space was intimate. The service was great. Everything we ate and drank at Almanac was absolutely delicious! The wagyu hotdog, octopus, fries and wings did not disappoint. read more

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We came here for drinks before a late dinner reservation, and we had a great time. Note this is on the second floor of a sushi restaurant, and there isn't a sign for Almanac (that I could see) from outside. When we entered, we checked in with the hostess who gave us some ground rules (no flash photography, must go to the entrance of the restaurant to take calls) to not ruin the ambience. Then, we walked up a somewhat steep staircase to the second floor (not sure if there's an elevator for people who can't take stairs). Note the restroom is on the ground floor. Upstairs is completely lit up by candlelight which was very cozy and charming. We received warm hand towels and complimentary hojicha (cold) to start. Our server was Wes, who was very friendly and great at explaining the menu. I ordered the matcha martini which didn't taste like much unfortunately, although the presentation was cute (comes with a pocky stick and nice latte art). My husband ordered the standard omakase cocktail and was asked how strong he likes his drinks / what season he relates to. We both really liked his drink. We also ordered the kombu (seaweed) celery and gochugaru pickled cucumber. Honestly, the menu descriptions didn't sound that appealing but I actually really loved both dishes! The portions were small but good for us since we were having dinner afterwards. I would definitely recommend this as a cool bar to check out. The playlist was also fun but wildly diverse (from old school rap to Daniel Caesar). read more

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We were sent into the Almanac by another local bartender in the area. We had to take an Uber, but it was worth it. You get checked in on the first floor and taken upstairs to the bar. We couldn't get a seat at the bar, but we got a table for two. The service is excellent here and the drinks are very good. We tried the Wagyu hot dog, the octopus, and the pickled cucumber. The Japanese influence is unique and fun twist to the speakeasy vibe. If you go, you have to get the Gochugaru pickled cucumber. Absolutely amazing and refreshing. All of the food was very good. read more

So this place has decent cocktails but the service for a 23ish person place is terrible. They give you a table for 2 hours but good luck if you can order 2 drinks in that time. I'm sorry but if you are going to brand yourself as a an exclusive speakeasy with a waitlist at least be able to serve the customers in your small space. Go to Fork's bar next door. They'll seat you immediately and have cocktails just as good. read more

Cool bar with interesting drinks. Service was great as well. Love the Japanese inspired menu and the tea they brought out in the beginning was good and I liked the glassware. The stairs going up are super steep. They were sold out of one of the drinks I wanted which was sad and drinks were pretty pricey considering the area. read more

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Delicious drinks- had matcha cocktail and they also do omakase cocktails that they make personal to you. Bartender so knowledgeable. We were able to do walk in and sit at the bar Awesome playlist too they have a Spotify! read more

Almanac - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Loved checking out this place!!! The host at the front was so kind and helpful with explaining everything. It had a very secretive "iykyk" atmosphere. The food was really delicious and just what I needed after a long day. Their drink selection was lovely as well, I even asked the bartender to make me a fun mocktail and he delivered. Very clean as well. Definitely check this place out for an elevated dining experience and order the Wagyu Hotdog read more

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Staff was friendly and welcomed me without a reservation. Sushi spot that has an upstairs craft mixology bar. Drinks are not cheap but they take time with them. Cool little spot located in a quite part of town. read more

Almanac - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Few fantastic places that has kitchen open until 1am! Just a cozy small place with staff who have fantastic cocktail making skills. A few rules like no flash photography. No flash light to see the menu. No talking on the phone. They can provide table lamp (small). We had a few cocktails, chicken wings and chicken sandwich. Pricey but worth it. Food was very good. Sat at the bar- about 5-6 seats. The place is located upstairs. The 1st floor is a reservation only sushi place. No real sign. read more

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Fantastic ambience. Servers are incredibly attentive, which elevate this experience and makes each strength feel more curated. You're welcomed with a warm towel, which is so needed during these winter months. The menu is explained in detail by your server. There are many curated drinks. The menu also features an Omakase special. The drinks themselves, while, creative, did not feel like they were worth the extremely high price tag. The Kyukishi was reminiscent of a good old-fashioned. Overall, it was a good experience, but this may be best as a one time trial. read more

A great spot! I would say make reservations so you can either sit at the bar or a table! The portions of food ranged from small to large. The chicken sandwich was great and you must get the fries and matcha martini. read more

Almanac - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wow! Came here on Friday night for a pre show happy hour and nosh. What. A. Vibe! This is located above Ogawa Restaurant and they are available on OpenTable for reservations, which I recommend! They seat about 21 people and then only 5 spots at the bar for walk ins. The details from the wallpaper to wood & leather chairs are gorgeous. Eli was our waitstaff and guided us through the really great hyper seasonal beverage options. They anticipate that it will change at least monthly if not more than that. Also, many of the drink ingredients are being grown specifically for the bar!! I thought very cool. The drinks and everything are based on the book, Slow Drinks, and this really is a place to enjoy the drink and not just rush through the cocktail. (And I wouldn't want to because most drinks are like 20-25 dollars each!) We had two drinks each, and each one was delicious and very different flavor palate then we thought. Love the creativity here. Anyway, food wise we tried the cucumbers, miso wings, and then two specials. A panko tofu slider and wasabi coated fries with nori. I think everything was 10/10. Really tasty and flavorful. Not too much or overbearing. I'm looking forward to returning to enjoy the extensive Japanese whiskey they offer and more of the seasonal drinks throughout the year. read more

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Almanac is excellent! Very cool Japanese themed bar with a small number of inmate tables. Our server was very pleasant and very knowledgeable of the food and drink menu. We shared a few small plates, including their Wagyu hot dog, and cocktails. We'll definitely be back! :) read more

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While visiting Philadelphia I was unwinding and ending my night and happened to stumble upon almanac. When first walking in I thought to myself this is possibly one of the coolest and smallest tucked away jewels that I've ever seen. And let me tell you the food and drinks did not disappoint. I ordered a chicken sandwich, which had the perfect crisp and yet not oily. The soft bun made it more than a delight, and don't get me started on the french fries. When coming to places like this, I always worry about drinks. Either being too extravagant or underwhelming for the price. And I can honestly say if this was neither, the drinks were amazing and the price with my chicken sandwich was more than palatable. Made some friends at the bar. The bartender being one of them, I would highly recommend this bar to anyone that's coming on a date or just a night out with your friend. Cheers! read more

Almanac - Manhattan.... - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This place is cool. I really like the vibe - it's dark, moderately loud, sexy, but chill. It's small so there are seating limits to allow a rotation of people. The food is really good. We came here one night after a dinner we didn't like and had second dinner - it was way better that we came back a few weeks later mostly for the food. The service is good but slow. There's one waitstaff for about 10 tables and the drinks can be crafted omakase style, which requires tailoring and time. I do appreciate that this bar has mocktail options and it was crafted to my taste buds! Overall, would go back! I just hope the service can become more efficient. read more

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This spot is so cool! The vibes and the ambiance are the best part. Almost speak easy-like. The menu is small, but great quality. We ordered everything on the menu. My favorite were the wasabi dusted French fries! Also, don't miss the DRINK omakase! I've never done this before, such a fun experience. Your drink gets made tailored directly to you and your taste. The one thing I'll mention that could have been better was the service. The servers were very nice, but one of our drinks was made incorrectly and one sandwich took very long to come out. So long in fact that we went over our 90 minute dining time slot and thought they forgot about the sandwich all together. I understand things happen and the restaurant is new, so maybe things are still a bit rocky. read more

Almanac - Omakase drink and the AKA Carrot drink - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Really top of the line, inventive list of drinks. The bar successfully brings Japanese ingredients and dishes into complex cocktails. It is a small, dark, ambient upstairs bar with small plate options. Quiet and cozy to connect w friends. read more

Almanac - Bar- grilled eggplant miso based cocktail. Best cocktail I've had ever. - Japanese Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This place was so lovely! Located above Ogawa, intimately lit and great jams, Almanac sets it all up for a lovely evening with friends or a partner. Our waiter Eli, who was running the whole front end, did an AMAZING job educating us as first timers about Almanac and the hyper seasonal menu. With so many great picks for the Pine Moon season, it was hard to choose a single cocktail, so I opted for their standard Omakase cocktail. I answered a few questions about things I like/dislike, they take it to the back and out comes an exciting and mysterious curated cocktail. It was a very fun experience, especially at a place where you know everything is going to be good. My cocktail was a whiskey high ball (which is so fun that they have a suntory whiskey highball machine) which was light, refreshing, and with lots of nuanced flavours on the tail end. I also ended up getting their rendition of an espresso martini, the Kyōto Red Eye, which likely stands to be the best espresso martini I've ever had. Eli was super educated on all the drinks and their ingredients and taught us a lot, as someone who wasn't totally familiar with a lot of the japanese ingredients, he even let us try some of the raw sugar that went into the drink! His passion really elevated an already wonderful experience. Fun Fact! Since they don't allow flash photography, they give you a fun light if you opt to photograph your drink, which is a super fun detail. All in all, this was an INCREDIBLE experience, would come here once a week if I could. read more

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You definitely got a weird vibe to you, sweetheart... 20 minutes for a cocktail at a cocktail bar is abnormal when there's only 21 seats... cocktails were odd and expensive. We should have listened to the girl who warned us that the cocktails were poison when we walked in. read more

Staff is so incredibly friendly - Jordan and Jonathan in particular made it a point to connect with guests and make them feel welcome in the spot! read more

Memorable and romantic date night experience. From the hot towels to the pine water and the flavorful drinks and beautifully executed plates, this made for the perfect place for my husband and I to really reconnect for the first time since we had our second child. Great food, great drinks, great night! read more