Adventure Buddy received a gift card to Thistle Finch for Christmas last year, and somehow we'd made it all the way to OCTOBER without using it. Apparently we hadn't spent nearly enough time adventuring in Lancaster this year! But when a beautiful mid-October Saturday evening found us wrapping up a full day of Lancaster adventures, we decided it was FINALLY time to put that gift card to work. I'd checked out the menu beforehand and noticed it was fairly small, but there were several things I would've been happy to try. We found a parking lot directly across the street with plenty of available spaces, then walked over to the modestly marked building and entered through an open garage door. Inside, a sign welcomed us and instructed guests to order food and drinks at the bar. There were about ten people at the bar and nobody at the handful of surrounding tables, so we claimed a high-top toward the back where we could take everything in. Adventure Buddy ordered his usual Old Fashioned ($14), while I decided to step outside my comfort zone with a Grape Transfusion Vodka Seltzer ($7). I'm not usually a vodka seltzer girl, but CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. And I'm glad I did because it was REALLY good! Adventure Buddy was equally pleased with his Old Fashioned, especially because it was made with rye instead of bourbon. We were off to a fantastic start! For dinner, we decided to split two dishes: Dutch Fritters ($14), made with hot sausage, ground beef, sauerkraut and onions, breaded and fried with mustard and tzatziki, and the Blackened Shrimp Salad ($18), featuring mixed greens, vegetables, goat cheese, blackened shrimp and house pineapple vinaigrette. While we waited, I discovered one of my favorite things about Thistle Finch. THE OPEN KITCHEN. We could see the cook preparing our food from our table, and I was genuinely impressed by the attention and care he put into everything. Watching him carefully plate each dish with precision and pride was such a refreshing experience. It wasn't just food being thrown onto plates and sent out the door. He was clearly putting his heart into the presentation, and I loved getting to witness that. When our food arrived, it looked BEAUTIFUL! The Dutch Fritters were larger than I expected and absolutely delicious. The hot sausage and sauerkraut were the stars of the show, and although the tzatziki was a little more cucumber-forward than I personally prefer, everything worked together nicely. Then there was the Blackened Shrimp Salad. OH. LAWD! There were approximately six to eight LARGE blackened shrimp perched on top of a beautiful bed of greens. I meant to count them, but apparently my appetite had other priorities. And that house pineapple vinaigrette?! HELLO! It started with a wonderful burst of pineapple flavor before finishing with a surprisingly strong vinegar kick. Sweet up front, tangy in the back, and somehow exactly what the salad needed. I loved it! Between the cocktails, fritters and salad, our total came to around $60. Thanks to Adventure Buddy's Christmas gift card, most of that was already covered, making our Saturday evening dinner an especially affordable little adventure. What stood out to me most about Thistle Finch was the combination of a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere, genuinely good food and the care that went into preparing it. The menu may not be enormous, but everything we ordered was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. PRO TIP: If you're visiting for the first time, remember that you order at the bar rather than waiting for someone to come to your table. And if the kitchen is open while you're there, grab a seat where you can watch the magic happen! Would I return? Absolutely! If we find ourselves back in Lancaster looking for an easy, enjoyable dinner and a good cocktail, Thistle Finch will definitely be in the running. And apparently the secret to finally using a Christmas gift card is simply waiting until you've almost made it to NEXT Christmas. Better late than never! read more

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This place has a very cool atmosphere and the drinks are good. I had an espresso martini and my husband had an Old Fashioned. The service was good and friendly, and we ended up buying two bottles to take home. Definitely check it out! read more

Enjoyed coming back here, liked it more than I had remembered. We had a nice quick dinner at Burley Bar and Thistle Finch Distillery. Ordered the Wedge salad, and since tacos were on special, two of each the chicken and beef. They were also nice enough to make the elote pretzels without the finishing seasoning and give us cheez dip since that's what the kids prefer. Overall very nice and very good with a few small and tasty surprises read more

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Went here recently for a welcome party for a friend's wedding and WOW. Not only were they super accommodating of me being gluten free, but the drinks were delicious. Highly recommend their pickle martini!! And a huge thank you to the staff and servers who kept the food and drinks going all evening and were friendly and welcoming the whole night. read more

Thistle Finch Distillery - Pickle martini (delish) - Bars Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Thistle Finch's location is a reminder that "alleys" used to be streets will businesses. Their liquor is wonderful! A nice variety. The bartender did a great job explaining the liquors and answering our questions. We bought a bottle of the bourbon, then went back the next night to get the lavender vodka. Thistle Finch seems to attract a nice variety of people. It's comfortable inside t has outdoor seating. The website gives info on parking. read more

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Great Food and cocktails. service by Emily and Adian were excellent and ambiance was excellent read more

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I really like Thistle Finch's atmosphere and drink selection. It has not been crowded or noisy the couple times I've been there. They are pricey. read more

Liberty Pole Spirits out of Washington PA offers a PA Rye sampling tour that includes rye whiskey from Liberty Pole Spirits, Wigle Whiskey , Dads Hat Rye , and Thistle Finch Distillery . Until this tour, I had never heard of Thistle finch nor tasted any of their products. The rye at Liberty Pole was spectacular, with a savory aroma and taste. This weekend, we planned a mini family trip with our kids and their partners. Since we were in the area, I thought it would be a great opportunity to continue exploring the PA Rye trail that we started at Liberty Pole Spirits. Yesterday, we visited Thistlefinch, the first distillery in Lancaster since Prohibition. That's incredible! Our experience at Thistle finch was delightful. I enjoyed tasting several different small-batch whiskeys: unaged rye, straight rye, black coffee, black pepper, and bourbon. Each one was unique in its own way. The unaged rye had a charming smell and taste, perfect for mixing or drinking on the rocks. The straight rye was my favorite; I had tasted this at Liberty Pole Spirits and it had hints of sweetness on the nose, but the palate was even more impressive. The coffee whiskey had strong coffee notes and tasted great, ideal for blending. The black pepper whiskey, which the bartender recommended trying last, was spicy. It's something I personally can't drink neat or on the rocks, but the bartender mentioned that some people enjoy it mixed in an old fashioned. This was my first stop of two stops to finish what I started at Liberty Pole Spirits but in person which allows me to obtain the vibe, experience and enjoy in Pennsylvania. read more

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The spring sidecar is yummy and the place itself is cool too! Not what I was expecting the entrance is through like an industrial door in an alley read more

Thistle Finch Distillery - Spring Sidecar - Bars Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Great spot for a cocktail or 2. Fun distillery with a long bar and some seating. Check the menu for the cocktail list. They also started making their own canned cocktails. Friendly staff and fun vibe inside. They do serve some good food as well! The distillery is down a side street, but it has its own parking lot. Keep an eye out! read more

Thistle Finch Distillery - Bars Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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My mom & I went on the Tour and Tasting and had a blast! We're usually not "whiskey" people, but it's so much more than that. They have vodka, gin, bourbon, and whiskey. Lucas, our tour guide was fun and informational! Bring a coat if you go! It's a historic building of Lancaster City and can be cold. Both our mixed drinks were delicious! read more

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Tour was great the young lady was very informative and very happy. Would definitely stop in again.

Wow! Ambiance has a great vibe. It's very welcoming and takes you back in time. Got a tour and tasting which was just fabulous! Learned a lot and enjoyed finding out the history and exploring the samples of whiskey, vodka, and rum. Highly recommended! Not really a place for kids. Parking is limited but it's true for parking anywhere in Lancaster. read more

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Thistle Finch is a cute establishment. As a member of the LGBTQA+ community, I felt welcomed as I saw the pride flag hanging over the bar. Representation matters, to me, as my full-time work is doing diversity, equity, & inclusion work. I saw the sign that mentioned, " pick a table and order at the bar" I love a good instruction. I ordered an Old Fashioned. It was very light and created the intended vibe that I was going for. I appreciate bartenders who know how to make a good Old Fashioned. I had dinner as well and I chose to get their Winsona Burger (spell check). I was VERY pleased at how moist and seasoned the burger was for a pub. All the flavors truly had a dance party on my tongue and I am very grateful for it. The waffle fries were okay, but the burger truly set the tone of the meal. I then ordered another Old Fashioned because again, it was very good. I noticed throughout the week that they have different specials, so if you are new to Lancaster or a local and have yet to go to Thistle Finch, I would say check out their weekly specials to see what attracts you. Overall, the staff were attentive and welcoming! this is a great environment, good music, food, and drinks. read more

Thistle Finch Distillery - Old fashioned - Bars Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

TF hosted a yelp event and it was so amazing. Everything is make in small batches with favors you will not find anywhere else. I was already a fan of TF but it was so awesome to see the process and trying all the different types. I know what is going to be in all the gifts I hand out this year (hint: it is a bottle of TF). My favs: -Rose -Coffee read more

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Oh this place is fun! Classic cocktails, classy people, great passion, it looks cool, and the drinks are AMAZING. I wasn't too much of a fan of the pickle drink, but my wife loved it. I had 2 of their takes on an old fashion...and would have had more, but welp, driving...kinda puts a hamper on this. I enjoyed this Distillery sooo much, that I took home two bottles of their product to tide me over until I am back in the state: Rye Whiskey and Lavender Vodka. Yes...go here...often....and then again! read more

Thistle Finch Distillery - The only photo I had without people in it...but yes...this is a classy place! - Bars Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

The most enjoyable experience in Lancaster. Our tour guide was very entertaining and informative and their Gin is delicious!!! I will have to go back to Lancaster soon to stock up. read more

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We were in Lancaster for a wedding, so we stopped at Thistle Finch for a tour and tasting - would highly recommend! We honestly were not expecting much of a spirits vibe in Lancaster, but we were pleasantly surprised. The space is really cool - very industrial with a lot of wood panels, exposed brick, and a lot of preserved parts of the original building. We arrived slightly ahead of our scheduled tour, and we were greeted by our tour guide. He was fantastic - while I cannot remember his name, he was an older gentleman who started tours during his retirement, but he possessed so much knowledge about distilling and alcohol history, and his passion for the topics was palpable. We learned so much, and it was so fun to be led around by him. It was just him, myself, and my husband on the tour - we loved the intimacy and the close attention our tour guide paid to us. At the end of the actual tour, he led us through some tastings, taking his time and sharing fun tidbits for each variety with us, which we appreciated. Our favorites were the lavender vodka (perfect for the summer) and the black coffee whiskey (strong flavors and a unique taste). Their offerings are quite extensive and well executed - a true gem in Lancaster and something available for everyone! We snagged some vodka for the road, and when he learned it was my birthday the next day, he threw in a mini gin bottle for us too :) We truly enjoyed ourselves at Thistle Finch, and their products are top notch. Would highly recommend Thistle Finch to anyone in the Lancaster area looking for an informative and delicious whiskey experience! read more

Thistle Finch Distillery - bottles and glasses on a table - Bars Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

I really loved our visit to Thistle Finch Distillery during our long weekend in Lancaster a couple weeks back. I didn't realize they are connected with Shot & Bottle until I noticed a couple of the same exact cocktails on the menu. Notably, the Lanc Old Fashioned, which I absolutely loved at Shot & Bottle and was happy to revisit at Thistle Finch. A classic cocktail executed perfectly! There is also a small but well rounded selection of PA wines and beers/ciders by the glass. In these pandemic times, when you can't simply have a drink without also ordering some food, we did a lot of snacking around Lancaster. I will definitely give props to Thistle Finch for having a great menu filled with hearty sandwiches and some appealing snacks. We shared the joe nachos, which came topped with sloppy joe, nacho cheese, pineapple pico, lime aioli, sour cream and scallions. Definitely not your typical nachos but they were really delicious! Tables were spaced out in the parking lot and we were lucky enough to be there on a warm and sunny day. I look forward to returning next time we head to Lancaster! read more

Thistle Finch Distillery - Nachos - Bars Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Thistle Finch Distillery has truly delicious drinks and food. Not only is the building very cool and inviting, the service was fantastic and only made our visit even better! I would definitely recommend! read more

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Had our rehearsal dinner here last night and cannot say enough good things. They were so accommodating and friendly. thank you for such a special night!! read more

I'm glad we gave them another try because their food has gotten much better, although their menu is still a too eclectic and lacking. However, the pulled pork sandwich that I got was absolutely delicious. The wings were not very good. They seemed to be crunchy on the outside but whatever breading they had on was very soggy. It was a little deceiving. But they were cheap so we didn't care. I just would not recommend getting them. However their drinks are always delicious. Their sister restaurant is shot and bottle, so you know they have good cocktails! read more

Thistle Finch Distillery - Pulled Pork Sandwich - Bars Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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We came to do a tasting, but grabbed some food as well. The tasting was nice. The pizza was fantastic. The staff was friendly and helpful. If you're in the area you should stop by. read more

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Well, we got there early, but bartender next door offered to sell is a bottle of whatever we wanted. We told him we'd like to taste before purchasing, that we'd never been there before. He said it was closed until 5 p.m. So we left, had an early dinner and came back closer to 6 p.m. Still no one in distillery. Bartender next door then offered me a taste of the gin I was interested in trying. It was mint forward, not juniper, so I passed. Strange set up anyway. All in all, rather disappointing after effort trying to find place and correct parking lot. read more

Excellent cocktails and a great vibe. Friendly bartenders and nice atmosphere in a historic building. read more

Thistle Finch Distillery - Their own products! Great gifts for friends and family. Or better yet take a bottle home for entertaining. - Bars Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

My husband and I were in the city for the weekend and stayed about a block away from Thistle Finch. We were excited to learn that they do tours and that a few spaces were still available that day. We each grabbed a drink before the tour and enjoyed learning about the distillery, the history of whiskey, gin & vodka making as well as how things are made at Thistle Finch. Our tour guide (Jim) was knowledgeable and entertaining. After the tour you sample 8 or 9 different spirits. I recommend waiting until after the tour to get your cocktail, so you'll have a better idea of what you liked best. We started with the charcuterie, I believe my husband had a burger and I had the steak sandwich. Everything was really good and the we enjoyed our experience on the tour and in the bar. read more

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Hands down the best liquor made in Pennsylvania. Ever since Arvin took over as head distiller everything has been getting better and better. Not a fan of mixed drinks, I like my liquor to taste like liquor, so I don't hang out here often but I'll always enjoy some of their Rye neat. Kudos thistle finch. read more

Since I am visiting my friend in PA, we decided ti do a distillery tour. Thistle finch was the first. The location is downtown Lancaster but easy to find. We walked in and sat at the bar. A flight of 4 tastings were $5 and totally worth it. They also have a full drink menu. The prices were very reasonable. The bar stools werent the most comfy though. I highly recommend the Lavender vodka which was actually quite reasonably priced. There is also a brewery attached(see that reivew) so there is a lot of room. We dudnt do the tour because you see one distillery tour.....well you get the idea. If you want something to do in central PA....do a distillery tour but include Thistle Finch fer sure! read more

Closed. Due to a "special event." I guess us neighbors are not special enough. My husband and I planned a special night out only to walk to the distillery to find that it was closed. We saw another couple also turned away. read more

What a great little find. Great food and cocktails. The whiskey is fantastic too! We went on a tour led by Jim. We learned so much about the distilling process. We cannot wait to go back read more

Lancaster has an a tremendous history. Like most of Pennsylvania, it was a dry city until just a few years ago when breweries made a comeback. Thistle Finch is Lancaster's first and only distillery to currently operate. Located on Grant Street, right in the heart of the city, it's an easy place to find and get to. They have a dedicated parking lot around its historic red brick building. Our most recent visit was in a private group setting. Before coming, I received the best customer service I could have hoped for. Laura organized our tour at a time of day the distillery wasn't even open and had a bartender come in to serve us. This was our final stop on an alcohol tour of Lancaster and it was the perfect place to end. We were greeted by a distiller who took us through the facility including the basement laboratories and tasting floor, talked us through the distilling process, and ended with a sample taste of three of their signature liquors: Thistle Finch Small Batch White Rye Whiskey, Market Alley Gin, and Penn Square Vodka. Admittedly, hard liquors are not my forte, but I still enjoyed trying something produced locally and with passion from the owners. Thank you to all the staff for your hospitality on our visit and accommodating us. The facility is beautiful. The red brick building exterior houses an antique-feeling facility with gleaming stainless steel and copper brew kettles, all wood floors and tables, barrels everywhere, both for aesthetics and function, and local homages in hex signs. Our visit was before Wacker Brewing Company took over part of the facility, but it does not look to have changed much. The bar is big, with a very high backed shelf showcasing their wares. It is a very functional, yet fun place. The seating area is large, with standing room and tables alike. They have a dart board area, which is a classic addition to any bar. Besides being able to try their liquors neat is a good way to experience their quality, but the bar also has full capability to do cocktails and mixed drinks for people looking for something more refreshing and fun. Prices are higher than a standard bar, as everything is locally made on-site. I love their classy brand; the iconography, labeling, and artwork is well developed and beacons people to try their clear liquids. It is such a great testament to Lancaster's modern resurgence that it can support a distillery and clientele to frequent it. It is a worthwhile place to stop both for liquor tasting, and also for beer with the recent addition of the brewery (one I have not tried and am excited to sometime soon). Cheers! read more

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Tonight was a long night after work and I just wanted a good quality drink. Jordan the bartender was well versed in the spirits served. His knowledge on whiskey was very apparent and made the night memorable. If you want to get a good drink with a knowledgeable understanding of what is being poured, consider this place. read more

A very cool place to checkout downtown with some friends! We did the tour and tasting and it was so interesting. Connected to it is also Wacker Brewing which is also very good. Prices are fair and the service is friendly. They have some games you can play and plenty of seating. Parking is a tough the lot in the back is small. It's hard to find it if it's your first time. Worth it though! read more

Thistle Finch Distillery - Pickle Martini - Bars Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Exceptionally polite bartender with 15 years of experience recommended the 3-yr aged old fashioned, noting that the distiller himself was drinking one just three chairs down. !! Shares space with Wacker brewing, broadening your thirst-quenching options. Wacker serves pretzels and brats so there's some food options as well. Pleasant space has a shelf full of games should you need entertainment (we spotted pop-o-matic trouble). At least 12 craft cocktails on the menu, our party tried at least six kinds and we were pleased. read more

Thistle Finch Distillery - Find this off the alley and you will be close to the door - Bars Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Thistle Finch Distillery offers free tours on Saturdays at 3 and 4. They run about half hour and you get samples of their spirits after the tour. I got a chance to try the white rye whiskey, coffee rye, pepper rye, gin, and vodka. They all have this very yeasty taste to it so if you're not a fan of that, you probably won't like it. The most interesting ones were definitely the coffee and the pepper. The coffee has a subtle taste to it. The pepper, you can't really taste the spiciness while drinking it but it will hit you afterwards. My boyfriend and I headed over to their bar afterwards to try some of their concoctions. I would definitely recommend the Martin Mule, which is their variation of a Moscow Mule. One thing I would recommend Thistle Finch improve on is their paying system at the bar. Each time you order a drink, you have to get up, and walk over to their iPad (which is connected to a security stand) in order to pay. read more

This is a great tasking room style bar. This is where they actually distill the product. It's a cool location that's a little adventure because it's a little hard to find...or at least it's hard to feel confident when you get there that this IS the place.... They share their space with Wacker Brewery so there is a light fare menu that is provided by the brewery that you can also enjoy while enjoying cocktails at Thistle Finch bar/seating area. The prices for their cocktails are quite reasonable and quite creative--with interesting pairings of fruits, juices, spices, etc. Definitely worthwhile...just don't expect a meal! read more

A wonderful experience. We walked to the distillery from the downtown Marriott hotel. Since it was first visit, we started with a flight of their four Rye varieties. We learned about each from the helpful bartender. Then we tried a number of their creative cocktails, each made with a different spirit made at the distillery. We ended up buying two bottles of their spirits for home - by not the varieties that we would "guessed" we would have liked. The moral: enter open minded and try things you normally don't drink. We did not take the tour or try the beers made there due to time constraints. The location is an old tobacco warehouse a little "off the beaten path." We will return. read more

Great place to visit! They have a wonderful mixed drink selection made only with their delicious thistle finch rye whiskey. Friendly bar tender and really cool vibe. Grab yourself a great cup of coffee from square one while you are there! Support Lancaster and one of its first distilleries! read more

Thistle Finch Distillery - The basement where yummy goodness awaits - Bars Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Thistle Finch has a great atmosphere in an old tobacco warehouse. The tour is informative and there is plenty of time for questions. I can't say that I have a favorite spirit here because I like so many of them. In my opinion this is the best small regional distillery around. The cocktails at the bar are made to perfection so stop and have a couple and they buy a bottle or two to take home. read more

It was not your typical spot, this place goes above and beyond the expectations of a local distillery. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and house work had been completed. We hopped in the car and took off to wherever the wind would take us, Thistle Finch it was! Upon arriving we were greeted politely and offered many options, we tried them all! This is when the experience truly starts, Nate the bartender started crafting some of the best PA crafted spirit cocktails I have ever had. His passion for the spirits shined through in every aspect of the service. The food, I could go on and on about the food, but I think it is best that I just tell you to try it for yourself. The wings, delicious. The cheesesteak fries, worth the 45 minute drive, and that is and understatement. Overall 10/10 would recommend. read more