Excellent food , surprised a cocktail bar had such tasty appetizers. Recommend the coconut shrimp and nuggets tossed in spice. Service was 5 stars. From the welcoming of the hostess, to the intentional nature of the serving staff. I will definitely be returning. Interior is retro, and vibed. Be sure to check this one out. read more

Great place for happy hr and if you want to sit outside on a nice evening for a date or catching up with your friends Inside the Ac is on blast. The menu is very unique and yet straight forward if you like cauliflower or chicken nuggets. Portions not too big but still can get you full. Recommend coming around more often filling water :) we're downing them quite fast in this weather read more

What a cool bar. The vibe is tiki-inspired with a big bar, swanky seating and creative cocktails. Right away I was impressed by the menu which looks like a treasure map, perfectly playing into the tiki theme. I've never seen this before and thought it was so creative. The bartender was really friendly and helpful. The prices were reasonable for what you're getting - about $15 for expertly crafted cocktails. I can't for the life of me remember the exact names of what we ordered but I was especially impressed with my second drink which was mezcal based and came with a hollowed out lime containing peppercorns which was then set on fire! The toasted peppercorn notes paired very well with the rest of the drink. I'm not usually one to enjoy mezcal but I actually really liked this drink. I was really surprised and impressed by that. Their happy hour is pretty solid too with $9 select drinks, $5 snacks (including the curly fries), and $9 sandwiches. We also ordered curly fries because why not and they were amazing. I'd definitely return in the future to try more food and more drinks. read more

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This place is so neat. Love their happy hour menu - their smash burger goes crazy. Literally wanted seconds. The vibe is so chill. Bartenders worked nice and sick personalities. I like how the bar is set up as it breaks up the space very well. The cocktails are deliciously crafted. I would make this a frequent spot if I could read more

R&D - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Happy to have stumbled across R&D after having dinner in the area. The lounge offers moody and modern vibes. Menu had a few light bites (which we didn't indulge in) and fun cocktails. I loved my choice of a banana rum drink I got it twice. Flavor of the drink was tropical and smoky, done by a smoked cinnamon stick. It was served in a fun glass which was a cherry on top of a cool experience. read more

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This is a hidden gem! Trendy minimalistic cocktail bar. It's kind of "if you know-you know" place. Cocktails are phenomenal, interior is tasteful. Service is great! Good for dates. read more

R&D - Branded ice cubes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The vibes here are so cute for a nice place to catch up for cocktails. I got the espresso martini, hummus and curly fries. The fries were super yummy and I liked the pita that came with the hummus. The service was quick and our server was very attentive. Would definitely recommend this place for anyone who's looking for a cute cocktail bar read more

R&D - Espresso martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Great ambiance and a phenomenal happy hour deal. One of my favorite spots in fishtown for hh and drinks Drinks are solid nothing super creative more so leaning towards traditional drinks at for happy hour Their drink not on happy hour are quite fantastic. Great food on the hh menu too the hummus is from zahavs or suraya i cant remember but thats always a banger Smash burger wise, solid burger nothing mind blowing but i think it comes with fries read more

R&D - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I really REALLY liked this place. It's a nice grown and sexy vibe for any type of occasion. Service was warm and welcoming. Drinks are amazing. I would definitely come back. read more

R&D - Negroni - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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A fun cocktail bar. They have a really cool menu that shows their classic drinks. The prices are reasonable. Cool vibe and excellent service. Highly recommend read more

One of my new favorite spots in the city for a cocktail and good vibes. I went with the Paloma Milk Punch which is their most popular cocktail on the menu and for good reason - it pours clear, is arguably TOO smooth, and is served with R&D branded ice. I don't think I'll ever come here and not order this cocktail. I also tried a classic margarita that was tajin-rimmed to perfection and glorious. We bellied up to the bar and were served by bartender Mike who kept the drinks flowing and was generally a total rockstar with recommendations. R&D has an excellent happy hour menu (though their happy hour is literally only ONE hour Mon-Thurs) and if I wasn't headed to dinner directly after, I would have loved to have tried their house popcorn. Bonus? They also serve Suraya hummus! Will have to save for my next visit. I am also looking forward to heading back and enjoying the indoor/outdoor feel in the summertime. This is clearly a very popular spot for date night (I think we saw 3-4 first or second dates occurring all around us!) so come for the great cocktails and stay for the eavesdropping. Thank you for a wonderful time, R&D! read more

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Probably one of the best happy hour spots in fishtown. Absolutely stunning decor with indoor/outdoor seating and open space environment. Happy hour lasts for one hour and the deals are great! I ordered the gimlet, which was refreshing and heavy on the lime. My friend ordered the daiquiri, which I will order next time. It wasn't a fruity slushy like consistency I was expecting at all. For food, I ordered the smash burger which came with a single patty, but was honestly filling. Especially with all the fries it came with! Fun vibes, great food, tasty drinks and friendly service! read more

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Well made drinks with pirate theme. Charcuterie board was tiny with more cheddar than anything else. Curly fries were fun to share and the large caw can for 2 can be orders for a single person as well. Drinks were hard to order since it was dark and hard to see on the treasure map theme. read more

I love cocktails, so when my friend told me we must go to R&D to try their drinks, you couldn't get me there fast enough. My immediate thoughts upon entering were, this place is cool and welcoming. It reminded me of some of my fave cocktail bars back in Miami, because it had a friendly host, a poppin' bar crowd and a packed house in general. I started with the Paloma milk punch which is one of their most popular cocktails. Now, I love cocktails and yet I am not a big fan of clarified drinks. However, this was bomb! And when in Rome, I obviously had to try a martini. I opted for the Four Seasons Martini which has ramp gin, dry vermouth, aquavit, pickled ramp. It was vegetal, spirit forward, and everything you'd expect a drink to taste like from that description. I loved it! All in all, I would return as the drinks were superb and the vibes were even better. Put this on your list whether you live in Philly or not! read more

Wow, such a cool spot to grab drinks and food in Fishtown! Has the upscale feel but super casual and easy to get a seat (as long as you have a small party). I love a good cocktail bar and this place did not disappoint. Stunning decor, friendly staff, huge cocktail menu which also included a ton of options for NA drinks which is much appreciated whenever we go out with friends that don't partake in alcohol and they can still feel included and drink something other than just soda or water. I ordered the Espresso in Paradise - truly a great tropical twist on the espresso martini, I've had so many other variations of this drink and because I'm an espresso martini girly I have always been disappointed when there's a tropical twist on this but R&D by far was the best I've had!!! (surprisingly enjoyed it more than I would a regular espresso martini) We had just came from dinner so we were mostly full, but decided to get a side of curly fries to share and they were perfectly crispy, perfectly seasoned and hit the spot with our drinks. I love the long open windows and our table was seated in the doorway so we were half outside/half inside and had great views of the main strip and loved the city vibes. I'd definitely want to go back to try more food and drinks at this spot, definitely already thinking of taking people whenever they visit me in Philly! read more

Definitely one of the best cocktail bars in Philly! Very creative drinks (mine was literally on fire) plus your standard go-tos. The staff is very helpful if you have any questions or need a suggestion. Drinks are a bit pricey but we'll worth it. Highly recommend coming for a drink after dinner! read more

R&D - Retrograde - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Gaaaahhh!!! Please go here. It's a cute sexy vibe along a nice classy bar hop. The drinks are aaaaamazing. Try the Paloma milk punch (not shown and it's coconut and clear!) and then the tequila one that's on fire (disco nap) and the mezcal one (retrograde)... I forget the names but I guarantee they are all delicious. And cute big bathrooms! We couldn't get reservations cause we booked dinner prior and the OpenTable gods refused to believe we could do both. So walked in and the hostess told us 'yes! I just need the table back by 930' OK! I wish more restaurants did that. Gives the walk ins clear communication with direction AND you get that business . Others should follow cause how many times you be waiting and staring at an empty table--- yeah. Philly, we understand and can follow directions, give it to us direct. If it's gray... we will play! The server was friggin awesome. So personable, funny, charming and sweet. She saw our newlywed queerdos and fed us love and light! We will return, again and again. And one more time. Next time I'm bringing two more friends. Small intimate space and they have food but frfr you there to drink and be amazing. read more

R&D - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I really enjoyed R&D, which I presume stands for Research & Development. It's a great name given that they are a cocktail bar developing exclusive drinks for patrons to try. This establishment is great for a pre-game or a night cap, either way you will witness passionate bar tenders taking pride in the drinks they make. I arrived on a Friday night and walked into a small intimate cocktail space with very low light. It was relatively crowded and required seating only, with no standing room allowed. Luckily there were folks leaving the bar so seats were freshly available. I ordered a Pineapple upside down cake which was exactly what I expected and it was delicious. The drink was a bit pricey but I had a great show in watching the bartender make the spiked beverage. Would love to stop by again randomly, or during future plans but will keep in mind that there are no reservations, seating only, and no parties bigger than 6. read more

R&D - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

R&D is truly magnificent. If you are into delicious cocktails and sexy, cozy, cool vibes, this is the spot for you. Last week, my team decided to buy out R&D for a private event, an after-party for our annual company holiday party. I am so glad that R&D was available and willing to accommodate us. Communication with the team at R&D was super straightforward, we were given a food and bev minimum and picked out some food ahead of time. When we arrived, the food was out for us and the team was ready to serve up delicious drinks. I loved that they had someone going around to take drink orders while our attendees mingled, in addition to the option to order directly from the bar. I have to say that I am a bit of a snob when it comes to espresso martinis but wow did the espresso martini at R&D impress me. It was perfection and I need to get back there to have another soon. When it was poured you might think that there was some kind of dairy creamer because of how well shaken it was. The foam on top was perfection!!! R&D is an absolute gem! read more

So I only had one cocktail that was absolutely fantastic. I will say the vibe is so great and spot on with lighting. My only complaint is service. I appreciate them needing to card me a 31 year old woman, but the stare down combined with him bending my ID was intense. It was a slow hour on a Wednesday so I was confused. It kind of made my friends feel weird so they chose to not order and we moved on. I do think I'd give it another chance and hopefully find a better overall experience. Maybe he was having a weird day? read more

R&D - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I'd give the drinks 3 stars but 5 stars for the vibe and 4 for the food. It's such a nice space with great music. I loved the dim lighting and the colors used in the design. The bathroom was also pink and perfect for photos :) The food was definitely above average for bar food. The hummus was delicious and a good portion. We also got the smashed potatoes which were so yummy with an even larger portion (sadly forgot to take a pic). The service left something to be desired, but to be fair I think there was only one server that evening. The drinks just didn't live up to the hype for us. Maybe we just didn't get the right things? The spicy margarita was a total miss. We couldn't taste the Baja Blast at all and it was not balanced. The gingerbread old fashioned was much better but we wished the gingerbread flavor was more prominent - it was extremely subtle. I had high hopes for the spruce Negroni, but it was not bitter enough and was way too sweet. The Saturnalia was definitely the best of the night and is a good option if you like passion fruit. read more

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I stopped by R&D with my husband and some friends as we were making way through Fishtown (from dinner to a concert). The menu is varied and interesting (fitting, given their name, a lot of the cocktails are unique, a little out there/surprising, experimental). We didn't love every single one we tried, but we enjoyed trying them. The menu was in the form of a calendar, which was cool, but that got whisked away at one point (I guess they were low on the calendars, so our server asked if she could take ours to another table and asked if we could use the QR code). They were full inside, so we sat at one of their outside tables. The cocktails were fun, and the vibes inside were cool (I wandered in to use the bathroom). The service was okay - definitely not the highlight of the experience. It's a place I'd return to - especially to try more unique cocktails. read more

Recently went to this place and it has the vibes, the cocktails are amazing, and great wine also; the host was very friendly, great music + atmosphere. read more

I have had this spot on my cocktail radar for a while and was so happy to finally try for an after dinner drink! There was copious amounts of seating on a Saturday night around 7:30 p.m. I ordered the Retrograde and my bf ordered the Espresso Martini. My drink was well balanced and presented beautifully. It was served on fire. It is a show to sit at the bar and watch them craft the cocktails. Service is quick and the bartenders know what they are doing! My bf loved his espresso martini. I tasted it and was probably one of the best I've ever had. Would definitely return. read more

R&D - Retrograde - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The whiskey sour I ordered was so fucking good. I told the bartender he makes it better than I would've Solomon is a keeper. This is a cute place. Love the decor. Omg they make "ginger ale " here. Fucking goodness. Would return for sure !! read more

R&D - Made by the talented Solomon !! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This is one of the best cocktails bars in the area. Vibes are immaculate, great music, awesome lighting, beautiful decorations and comfy seats. The control options are endless. Everything from cold to warm drinks. Perfect date night spot or to kick out with the homies The Irish coffee was just ok but everything else was perfect read more

R&D - Irish coffee, Bees on Leashes, All is Full of Love, espresso martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Excellent cocktails in a super-stylish setting. Highly recommended. We had a bit of time before our reservation at Laser Wolf, so we stopped in for a drink and were able to sit down right away. Inside, R&D is dark but not too dark, with mood lighting and a bit of a 70s vibe. They were playing good soul music. Service was great, and the cocktails--the why you come here in the first place--were excellent. My husband, a cocktail snob, said his might have been the best cocktail he's ever had. And we've be fortunate enough to sample some of the best cocktail bars across the country. My Manhattan was great, down to the perfectly clear ice cube, stamped with R&D. I only regret that we had to leave for our dinner reservations. This is a place to sit for a while and savor a cocktail or two. read more

R&D - a glass of pink liquid with an orange slice - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What a fun date night! We have heard such good things about R&D for cocktails, so we stopped by on a Friday night before a late night reservation at Middle Child. The beauty of R&D is that it's right in the heart of Fishtown and close to so many other good spots, so it's easy to pop in for a pre- or post-dinner drink. The vibe is speakeasy-esque, which we loved and is spot on for a cocktail bar. We were easily seated at a small table near the window, and even though the bar was busy, we still felt like we had an intimate experience. Not surprising, their menu is vast - truly something for everyone but also makes the decision so much more difficult! We steered away from the Back to Basics section since we wanted something more unique. We loved our selections, especially the R&D branded ice and the mini pancake garnish on my husband's old fashioned. The cocktails were incredibly well crafted with high quality ingredients - while we don't splurge on cocktails often, this experience was certainly worth the money! I would love to revisit R&D for other options and to try some food. It's just such a vibe, so I would highly recommend R&D for a date night or for out-of-town visitors who are into cocktails and want a showstopping experience. Thanks for a memorable evening, R&D! read more

R&D - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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TLDR: Inventive cocktail bar with awesome retro decor and flawless service. Vibes: 5/5. This place oozes 80s cocktail lounge. Art deco booth seating, geometric floor tiling and large wall mirrors really set the vibe. A large U shaped mahogany bar with ample seating takes center stage at R&D. Service: 5/5. We arrived promptly at their 5pm opening time on New Years Eve to be greeted by what appeared to be the GM. Seated immediately and drink orders taken when we were ready. Waitstaff was very helpful in navigating the menu and when settling up on the bill. Drinks: 5/5. Inventive, festive and delicious! We ordered the from both their Christmas themed and regular menu. Highlights included the espresso martini and the gingerbread old fashioned. All drinks were beautifully created and well balanced from start to finish. Bonus points for festive glassware! read more

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R&D is such a cozy spot! I loved the service we received as soon as we entered and the drinks are fantastic ! We went around the holidays so we got a martini, gingerbread infused drink & a coffee espresso martini... while I don't recall the exact names, I can say each drink was well balanced! Although we knew what we wanted the lady at table next to us didn't ... she in fact complained about every drink but the server was so patient and provided a wealth of suggestions which was impressive!! You have to really appreciate that kind of service! The vibe is great for dates so a must check out spot ! read more

R&D - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Despite the recent restaurant boom, Fishtown still evokes a grungy vibe. Staple bars like Johnny Brenda's and Garage echo the more divey feel one expects from the neighborhood. R and D's moody ambiance, exclusive feel, and focus on craft cocktails distinguish it as an alternative to the more standard options for a drink in the area. My wife and a couple dear friends chose this small bar for pre dinner cocktails. We very luckily got seated immediately during Friday peak hours and saw many would be patrons turned away, so I would advise making reservations. R and D's cocktail menu cutely comprises a calendar with a different, signature cocktail representing each month of the year. The cocktails here have a lot of novel flavors and ingredients; if your palette skews conservative the bar offers classic libations, too. The four cocktails we sampled ranged from good to great. I really dug my "Corn Hub" cocktail, which possessed a mezcal base complimented by a sweet, buttery flavor of Corn Pops cereal. My wife liked her "Recess" which arrived garnished with Fruity Pebbles, though she found the drink a little cloying at the end of the glass. Not all drinks here have cereal motifs, as our friends enjoyed their equally good but slightly more straightforward selections. The space at R and D feels swanky with dim lighting, neon accents, and a lounge-y feel, which again lies in strong contrast to the gritty surrounds. A small selection of light food is also on offer here, though the bites definitely play second fiddle to the beverages. Drinks here run upwards of $15 per, so prepare to shell out. We enjoyed our time here, as our cocktails and the ambiance felt cool. R and D may not be the best cocktail bar in the city, but nonetheless is a welcome choice for a more upscale bar experience on the neighborhood. read more

R&D is a delightful cocktail bar to go on a date or to catch up with friends! The space is comfortable to have personal conversations. The place is vibey with its design and music. I like how it's a modern take on retro style. The drinks are so good! I ordered the spruce Negroni and it's good holiday twist on the cocktail. This negroni didn't have Campari in it which made me like the drink. Instead R&D adds Amaro Pasubio and gentian which will bring out the pine & Smokey flavors of the drink! R&D also has great small bites to enjoy with your cocktail. I ordered the arancini and the hummus and both were good. The service is excellent and they weren't in your face. My friend and I stayed for 2 hours catching up and our server didn't push us to leave. I'm coming back here again! I want to bring more people here! read more

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Top notch venue! I attended an industry event for bartenders and loved this place. Drinks were perfectly balanced. Service was friendly and attentive, and the the ambiance was great with a retro vibe. There was lots of seating for our large party and additional seating at the bar. I would had stayed all night if I had time to. Will definitely return and recommend to others! Keep up the good work! Just wow! read more

R&D is a very hip, mid-century modern decorated cocktail bar in Fishtown that specializes in tiki/tropical drinks. We were able to get a table for 2 on a Friday night and were quickly served. The cocktails come in fun tiki themed glasses. The Paloma milk punch drink was probably the best drink I've had in Philly. The cocktail had a creamy mouth feel and a layering of flavors that all worked so well together. The N/A colada was also a great drink with a nice cinnamon twist. Definitely worth checking out this spot! read more

R&D - NA Colada and Paloma milk punch - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Such a cool fancy little cocktail bar in Fishtown. Loved my elevated Old Fashioned drink and my girlfriend liked her espresso martini as well. Extremely impressive ice cubes as well! read more

R&D - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I love me some fancy drinks. This place has classics to mixers and seasonal, and to hot drinks. They can also make you anything that's not on the menu as well. The bartenders are very skilled and can whip up anything your heart desires. I decided to start off with some classics. The dirty martini was just ok. I felt the olives were more on the sweeter side vs tangy. However, the olives off the appetizer menu was delicious and wish those were the ones in my drink. Old Fashion - man was it strong. I have come to realize that whiskey is more my wifes drink than mine. She stated that it was quite smoothe and the bartender balanced it out great, but for me, I felt it was just BAM! Hit me in the face. Rattlesnake - this isn't on the menu but the wife ordered it. Wow, this was great! the egg white on top balanced so well with the drink. Pineapple upside-down cake - Mmmm! I could drink this all day. I can taste the pineapple and the freshness of it all. Now we ate dinner before hand, but wanted something to munch on with our drinks so ordered the oliver (as stated above) and the bruschetta with anchovies. I probably would skip on the bruschetta next time. Although flavorful, it was so thick and very hard to eat. read more

R&D - Rattlesnake and Dirty Martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Stopped in for happy hour and enjoyed our time. Drinks were strong and a good price. A shame happy hour is only 5-6pm but otherwise good! Great atmosphere as well. read more

R&D - happy hour menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Very hip mid-century decor lounge. Wednesday night is drag night and it was fire Nice seating indoors and outdoors with fun food and cocktails. I would strongly suggest you check it out. I went for after dinner cocktails and fun but the food looked delicious with big portions. read more

R&D - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Great little cocktail bar with semi-intimate vibes. They have a great menu that's pretty extensive and I believe they switch it up from time to time. If you're a whiskey drinker, I recommend the bees of leashes for a strong pour that highlights the whiskey. Pricing is fair. Check it out for yourself! read more

R&D - Seafaring Strangers (left), Bees on Leashes (right) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Very good cocktail bar! We came here with a couple friends for a night cap after dinner and everything we ordered was so good! The drinks are strong enough to taste the the liquor but not over the top. I had a tropical drink that came on fire, which was really fun! Another person in the group got an espresso martini, which was one of the best I have every have. I also loved the decor. It was dark inside and gave off the vibes of an old speak easy type, but while being high end at the same time. The wait staff is awesome and very good at giving suggestions. read more