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    Sassafras Bar

    4.4 (456 reviews)
    ModerateBars, American
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Sassafras Bar Photos

    Business Info

    SASSAFRAS BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Moderate noise
    Live music
    Outdoor seating

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    Korean Fried Chicken
    Brad M.

    Sassafras is housed in a historic building from 1870, full of vintage charm. We visited two years ago for drinks and decided to return for a meal. Our bartender, who also served as our waiter, was excellent and made sure we were well taken care of. The pomegranate martini was perfectly balanced and refreshing. The chicken sandwich was packed with flavor, served on a soft roll with slaw, and easily the best dish. The brisket sliders were tender with smoky BBQ sauce, though the portion felt small with only two. The fries were a highlight, perfectly seasoned with herbs and absolutely addictive. Sassafras is a great spot for a cozy meal or drinks.

    Stephanie R.

    Great spot for creative and/or classic cocktails. The drink menu has so many options no matter what liquor you are looking to have. Food is also very good-I recommend the burger!

    Bar
    Katherine P.

    What a gem of a cocktail bar. Fantastic ambience with a gorgeous bar and walls in a beautiful tile. Amazing assortment of classic cocktails with great service. Had both a gin fizz and the Sassafras gin gimlet - Amazing! And the double smash burger with tots. Great little space to take a break for the sightseeing of Old Town.

    Lavender champagne
    Beatrice V.

    Nice bar, friendly service. We came right when they opened and they quickly filled up. Pretty extensive cocktail menu, plenty of options for each liquor of choice. I got the lavender champagne which is what it sounds like, champagne with some lavender flavor and blueberries. It was good, the lavender was subtle.

    Whiskey fries
    sunny L.

    Love sassafras bar! I don't know why I don't go here more often as they have great cocktail and food menu and friendly staff. My friend and I met up for a drink and decided to get their whiskey fries and olives. We devoured them! As for our choice of cocktails, we got the Paloma and Saint Rick and they were perfect! It's a small neighborhood bar in old city neighborhood and offers a great ambiance.

    Looking towards the front from the back corner
    Kendal R.

    Usually I struggle to finish a meal at most places but holy cow, there was no way I couldn't not devour my whole double smash burger. Juicy, saucy, and just overall yummy. My counterpart got the Sassafras Burger and although they would never admit it (out loud) the sentiment stands. It's a pretty small bar in a historic building and some fun things to look at all around. Service was amazing and accommodating seeing as they were willing and able to make a mocktail for us when asked. Really makes me wish this were my local spot.

    Ali C.

    Stopped here for drinks before dinner and it had an amazing atmosphere! It has a dark ambiance and is great place to chat with your girls without having to scream over loud music. The drinks were well made! They have a selection of cocktails based on what type of alcohol you like.

    Small table in the back
    Emily B.

    Tiny cozy jazz bar with fancy cocktails! Dim lighting which adds to the vibe. Only stayed for one drink before a dinner res but would go back!

    Bar
    John A.

    This place has an old world vibe that feels mostly authentic. The wood and stone on the bar alone are worth the trip. Bartenders in vests and bow ties -- old school. How are the drinks you say? Kept us there for a couple of hours on a chilly day. Negroni, martini, espresso martini, and Oaxaca Old Fashioned. I didn't even know Oaxaca had an old fashioned but the chocolate note was refreshing and not too sweet. The bartenders have a lot of knowledge, so feel free to delve beyond the drink menu. Or -- order a Paloma or French 75 if you want good but boring. Tater tots great too! (But those are hard to screw up).

    Hemingway Daiquiri

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    8 months ago

    The ambiance is a step back in time! Food is delicious and the service is spot on. Worth stopping in when in Philly.

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    5 months ago

    I don't know if my friend and I were just really hungry or what but the burger was genuinely the best I've ever had. 10/10 so freaking good

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    Sassafras Bar Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sassafras Bar

    What time does the live music start?

    We host live jazz every Sunday from 6-9pm. And every second Monday from 6:30-9:30pm. Details at… Read more

    Can I bring a teenager with me for dinner or is this a 21 and over establishment?

    Hello Ashley, We are 21+… Read more

    Other than getting to the ladies room, are there any steps either getting into the restaurant or inside the restaurant itself?

    Yes, I believe two steps to get into the restaurant. There's a downstairs bathroom too(I use it and it has never been an issue).

    Do they have outdoor seating?

    Yes they do. They have tables set outside, and at night they close off a section of 2nd street. There they have a tent set up where it can shield you from the elements, yes it's still a little cold but you can still enjoy those amazing cocktails and… Read more

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    Royal Boucherie - Oyster

    Royal Boucherie

    4.0(340 reviews)
    0.0 miOld City
    $$$

    Came here for friends, bachelorette and absolutely fell in love…read more Our server, Max, was knowledgeable, kind, absolutely incredible. He gave suggestions when asked, make sure to check on us, and make the experience even better. Our whole table got the restaurant version of an espresso martini and holy cow. It was incredible. Almost everybody at the table got seconds. The site also gave us champagne in celebration, which was super tasty and super nice The food was incredible. Holy cow incredible. I vegetarian appreciated that they are allowed the menu to reflect an item without meat and then a second That includes it. Make sure if you order the charcuterie board do you understand charcuterie does not have cheese The avocado toast, incredible. I love alfalfa sprouts with my eggs, it was incredibly tasty, and the fries were superb. I don't frequent olde city often, but I would be happy to go out of my way to eat here the next time I'm in the city

    An absolutely exceptional dining experience from start to finish. From the moment we walked in, the…read morestaff made us feel like honored guests -- attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about every dish, and genuinely warm in a way that's increasingly rare. We started with a seafood tower and everything tasted fresh,delicate, and bursting with natural flavor. We also had the meat and cheese charcuterie which was artfully arranged and delicious. Our cocktails were crafted with care and they were perfect. We all enjoyed our entrees immensely but dessert is a must save room option-The spice cake was delicious and the creme brûlée is one of the best I've ever had! Our server Max was wonderful- he checked on us often and made sure that we had everything we needed. It really added to the dining experience to have such excellent service- The manager also came to the table and took our drink orders and was visible throughout our dinner. We all felt like very important guests adding to excellence of our experience. Every detail was handled with grace and intention. We had such an amazing dining experience, we'll be back without question.

    Photos
    Royal Boucherie - Bar

    Bar

    Royal Boucherie - Rabbit Fricassee

    Rabbit Fricassee

    Royal Boucherie - Outside

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    Outside

    Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen

    Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen

    4.6(330 reviews)
    0.1 miOld City
    $$

    Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen is a must if you're in the Independence Park area of Philly! My wife and I…read morevisited while we were there and loved it! They aren't lying when they say that they have an extensive beer menu! I had a Dancing Gnome Kolsch which was very good and then a Corsendork Christmas Ale which was fantastic! I normally don't like spiced beer, but this one was perfect! My wife and I shared the cheese and salumi plate which was so delicious! My only re is not getting the large! My wife had the crispy chicken sandwich which was really good. The crust was crunchy and the chicken was tender and juicy. I had the porchetta sandwich which was recommended by our waiter and was SO DELICIOUS! It is a must! At first my wife was concerned about the limited menu. They may not have an extensive menu but what they do, they do right! Our waiter was really great and very welcoming, especially as we were from out of town. The place has a rustic vibe which fits with its old town location. We loved it! If we ever find ourselves back in Philly, we will definitely visit Glory again!

    Pretty good overall!…read more Considerably big space for Philly. They had an upstairs too but I am not sure why it wasn't open during majority of the night. When the big crowd from the conference left they opened the upstairs. The Mac and cheese is SO GOOD. Very creamy and rich, the bread crumbs were an amazing surprise edition. This fatty finished it before the beer came. Lots of beer choices. I took off a start be size they were under staffed. So we were just waiting around for the check and the waitress kept forgetting what we asked for. Honestly, not her fault. There were like ~100 people and only 3 employees that I saw. So no designated waiter for tables. These poor 3 employees were the bartenders and the table waiters.

    Photos
    Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen - Mac and cheese

    Mac and cheese

    Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen - Chipotle lime wings

    Chipotle lime wings

    Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen

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    Almanac

    Almanac

    4.5(29 reviews)
    0.1 miOld City

    Drinks were outstanding, and so was the food! This actually came as a surprise since Almanac is…read moremarketed 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!

    This place is a vibe. Perfect speakeasy style spot with moody decor. I had an intimate birthday…read morecelebration 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.

    Photos
    Almanac - Table for two

    Table for two

    Almanac - Sweet Potato Cheesecake

    Sweet Potato Cheesecake

    Almanac - Complimentary tea

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    Complimentary tea

    117 Restaurant And Brewery

    117 Restaurant And Brewery

    3.9(8 reviews)
    0.0 miOld City

    Loved the interior. Looks like they have a roof leak to fix upstairs but we were seated across from…read morethe bar. The bathrooms were clean and European style. Each stall is a room with a small uand sink. Bar choices were a little limited for whiskeys. They had couple interesting ones though that you don't normally see. We had the cheesesteak egg rolls and mozzarella bricks to start. They were both very good. Our main courses were the duck, filet, New York strip, and a burger. My wife never finishes her filet. They forgot the Bernaise that she ordered but sent out a fresh bowl fairly quickly. She ate the whole filet and loved the Bernaise. My daughter ate almost the entire strip and loved it. My son inhaled the burger which they added bacon and bbq sauce to for him. My duck was cooked perfectly and I got fries instead of the mashed potatoes. The fries were good and a welcome choice since the mashed potatoes have garlic in them which I can't eat. Admittedly we didn't get dessert there since Franklin Fountain is around the corner. Our meal was excellent. Just good food prepared well without a bunch of excess ingredients covering the flavors of the main dish. We get so tired of ordering food and having to ask that half of the ingredients are left off. This was a nice and welcome change to be able to order dinner cooked to the temperatures we wanted without worrying about all the other additions. We will definitely go back. They've only been open a few months and have some interior finishing touches to do, but it didn't detract from our experience at all. Good Luck Brian.

    We were down in the city for the auto show and was looking for a place to eat and stumbled across…read morethis place while searching. Based on the limited reviews we could find, it seemed like it was a new place, and when we arrived, they confirmed they had only been open 7 weeks. We did arrive early on a Sat evening and there was only one other person at the bar when we arrived. She eventually left and only one other couple came in while we were there. I think the extreme cold weather that day was not helping. Place was nice inside and everyone we interacted with was very nice. We were well taken care of throughout our meal. My son enjoyed the chicken parm and I enjoyed my lamb bolognese. My wife, who is gluten free, went the crab cake. She said it was good but she would have liked to have seen an option for a GF pasta or crust for their pizzas as well as GF bread for their burgers and sandwiches. She ordered unsweetened tea, which oddly they were out of. It was kind of cold inside, but again, that may have something to do with just how cold it was outside. Portion sizes were large and both my son and I brought home leftovers. For dessert, we shared the cannoli cake. It was good but a bit on the dry side. We will definitely be back when the weather is warmer!

    Photos
    117 Restaurant And Brewery
    117 Restaurant And Brewery
    117 Restaurant And Brewery

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    Revolution House

    Revolution House

    3.4(643 reviews)
    0.1 miOld City
    $$

    Stopped in for a late night bite and decided to go for the mussels. They had incredible flavor and…read morecame with bread to soak up all the goodness. Sat at the bar and enjoyed conversations with the friendly staff. Will check out the outdoor area next time! Very chill place later in the evening and worth the stop!

    A friend and I had plans to see a show in Old City the other night and we found this place during…read moreour search to find dinner in the area. The experience was decidedly mixed, though I would definitely give it another shot. Atmosphere 5/5 First off, the space is beautiful. There are two floors, with a dining area downstairs, and a bar and a very large space for more dining upstairs. You can tell that this upstairs area is open-air during the warmer months, and would seem like an even better atmosphere to dine in. Aside from being spacious, the space is nicely decorated and comfortable. Food 4/5 Upon first glance, the menu has a wide variety of tempting options, from handhelds to steak, chicken, and shortrib, to all sorts of wood-fired pizzas, which the waiter told us was their specialty. My dining partner and I opted to share the Whipped Ricotta with flatbread and honey for an appetizer. Delish! For the main course, we both ordered the gnocchi with roasted eggplant, scallions, and parmesan. We were told that the gnocchi is house-made, which helped in our decision. In the end, the dish was tasty, but a bit too doughy. Service 3/5 The service at Revolution House is the reason for the overall rating of 3. Unfortunately, we waited a long time for everything, from our drinks to the food and even the check. It wasn't until the very end that the waiter explained that they were shorthanded, but by that time, we were a little frustrated to say the least As I alluded to earlier, the menu and the atmosphere was enough for me to be willing to try Revolution House again and hopefully next time the experience will be better.

    Photos
    Revolution House - The upstairs dining space at Revolution House.

    The upstairs dining space at Revolution House.

    Revolution House
    Revolution House - An empty outside area

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    An empty outside area

    Fringe Bar

    Fringe Bar

    4.0(41 reviews)
    0.4 miPenn's Landing

    We went for restaurant week. Awesome menu! I'm gluten free and there were so many options. The…read morerestaurant has very high ceilings and is quite loud so it can be a bit hard to hear if you're looking for an intimate dinner. My drink was just so so and pricy

    TLDR: What was once a great place, has lost its way…read more We've been regulars at Fringe Bar, always enjoyed their trivia night and the food -- but they've lost their way in a most dramatic fashion and a moment when it mattered. We booked a table weeks in advance for a fun family meal, but upon arrival the maitre d' informed us that the inside restaurant had been closed for a mariachi musical evening and they were going to seat us on a picnic table outside. Putting aside the fact that it was 90 degrees and muggy, and that one of our guests was 85 years old, we said "ok." The appetizers and drinks came promptly and then suddenly, we were blasted with mariachi music out of a speaker next to our picnic table. We asked the manager to turn the music down and it was ok for a little while, but then someone came outside and turned it back up. It was so loud, you couldn't speak. And remember: this was the Fringe Bar - blasting Mexican music was not what we signed up for. We politey but firmly told the waiter that if he wanted a good tip, he would turn the music down, and he said that since we were a party of five, our tip was automatically charged. WTF! Fortunately, the manager got it, and she turned the volume down again. And it stayed down for the rest of the meal. The food was not as good as previously -- the chicken sandwich was overcooked and dried out, the rice bowl as underseasoned and the rice was overcooked, and the french fries soggy, not crisp. The caesar salad lettuce was crisp. Thankfully! When the check came, it totaled $310 with the 20% automatic tip. I had ordered a Tito's on the rocks and they charged an extra dollar for Tito's and an extra $5 for the "rocks". I wish I had kept the receipt because I would posted it. This was the first time that I was charged for the "rocks". Rather than complaining again, I'm posting this review for others to see. Fringe Bar - adios (para siempre)

    Photos
    Fringe Bar
    Fringe Bar - Cheese fries

    Cheese fries

    Fringe Bar - Nice can options

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    Nice can options

    Sassafras Bar - bars - Updated May 2026

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