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Thistle Finch Distillery

4.4 (87 reviews)
Open • 4:00 pm - 11:00 PM

About Thistle Finch Distillery

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Thistle Finch Distillery Photos

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THISTLE FINCH DISTILLERY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Hipster
Classy
Casual
Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - Thistle Finch Distillery

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A tasting  flight plus a tasting of the bourbon
Jill H.

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.

Old Fashion
Theresa H.

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

Spirited R.

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.

Spring Sidecar
Tiana M.

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

Dan M.

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!

Drinks!
McKenzi D.

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!

Mariah S.

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.

Old fashioned
Evan W.

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.

Cass O.

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

The only photo I had without people in it...but yes...this is a classy place!
Mark J.

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!

Salma M.

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.

bottles and glasses on a table
Rebecca K.

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!

Nachos
Michelle C.

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!

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

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Ask the Community - Thistle Finch Distillery

Review Highlights - Thistle Finch Distillery

“Shares space with Wacker brewing, broadening your thirst-quenching options.”

Mentioned in 5 reviews

Read more highlights

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We had such a lovely time at Our Town Brewery on our day trip to Lancaster during our July vacation…read morein Philadelphia. We made the journey to meet up with my cousin and his husband, who suggested this was a LGBTQ friendly place with comfortable seating for our visit. They open at 4 pm and we were waiting when the doors opened! What a gorgeous venue! Bright and light with colorful decor, I loved the feel here. Happy hour to boot, we claimed a nice modern seating group with several chairs and a sofa with coffee table and headed to the bar to order drinks. And four waters, as it was HOT outside. Two beers, a soda and a can of cider got us started, and after those were gone we decided to order food. Back to the bar for another round of drinks and an assortment of appetizers. French fries in a basket, a big soft pretzel, ten buffalo wings and an order of sweet heat totchos ($2 off for HH). Well that's not very healthy, but boy was it good! The wings were huge and I had trouble finishing them all. US Foods supplies their chicken wings and they are meaty and the preparation was excellent! My cousin loved his totchos, and the other guys consumed the pretzel and fries easily. I am ashamed to admit we didn't take a single photo, not of the food, drinks, our group or the beautiful venue. But we had such a blast and stayed a very long time I wanted to recognize them with a strong review. Bathrooms were clean, bartender was friendly and accommodating, and the air conditioning was cold. Give them a try!

Cool atmosphere, friendly service. I LOVED The Mocha Stout. We would've bought some merch but we…read moredidn't see any on display.

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To the owner - If at all possible add partition style seating/tables. It may help with the noise…read moretraveling in the room. Music isn't the issue, it's other loud tables that drown out conversation. We love the music and atmosphere but it's a bit uncomfortable. For visitors - it's a theme/gimmick bar, a lot of fun. However, the food & drink is the real surprise here! It's absolutely phenomenal. Best smash burger I've ever had. Best fries. Best veggie sandwich. It's simple, yet top quality. The drinks - the shots - locked in my memory forever! Plus the music selection has always been on point for the theme. Best in the county. Overall - so why not 5 stars? This bar is a must. I want to spend more time there drinking and hanging out. It's just missing some comfort features that prevents that. It's a small space so business wise it makes sense. I'm a little selfish wanting to spend more time there, but with more personal seating options. Owner(s) Help make this a 5 star and hear me out! Far from a 3.8 rating. I would offer some type of help/investment if needed.

If you're looking for a bar with personality, this place definitely delivers. The goth and punk…read moreaesthetic is carried throughout the entire space, from the music to the eclectic decor, with plenty of quirky details that make it fun to look around while you sip your drink I was pleasantly surprised by the food menu, too. It's much more extensive than I expected for a bar. While the food isn't necessarily the star of the show, it's solid and pairs well with the drinks. We ordered the kimchi fries, which made for a great snack to share The cocktail menu is the real highlight. There are plenty of creative drinks with clever goth-inspired names, including the signature Death Mix. Whether you like something sweet, strong, or adventurous, there's a good chance you'll find something that catches your eye. It's the kind of menu that makes you want to come back and work your way through the rest Service was fantastic from start to finish. Everyone was warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly, creating a welcoming atmosphere that matched the fun energy of the bar If you're in the area, this spot is absolutely worth checking out. Between the unique theme, creative cocktails, and great hospitality, it's a memorable experience that's a refreshing change from the usual neighborhood bar!

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Stopped in to Mad Chef unexpectedly while traveling through Lancaster…read more My wife and I were hungry and tired from traveling through Pennsylvania. Thankfully Mad Chef was open later than most places so we got in before the kitchen closed. I enjoyed the low lighting with the brewery equipment shining in the background. Having the Phillies game on the tv's only added to our experience. Our drinks and food were excellent. I always like to enjoy a local craft beer, having it paired on site with fabulous eats is even better. I ordered Mr Dynamite Brown, their American brown ale which was fabulous. We ordered a small Pommes Frites (French fries) that were cooked in Canola oil. While light in color, these fries were cooked to perfection. Crispy outside, fluffy inside, salted just right. My wife ordered the pretzel and said it was her type, buttery, salty, and doughy. I ordered the Korean Pork Nachos, by far the best nachos I've ever had the pleasure to devour. I can't begin to describe how well the roasted corn poblano medley brought this plate together. Every bite had an explosion of flavor with the Korean glaze and Gochujang aioli. This dish blows Guy Fieri's trash can Brisket nachos out of the water. If ever in Lancaster don't pass up on the Mad Chef Craft Brewing gem.

This was my 2nd time coming to Mad Chef!…read more The first time I came here was about 2 years ago (before doing yelp reviews). I was not very impressed. This time around I cannot complain! Their specials are all revolving around the Masters which was unique! We tried the Pimento, Fried Green Tomato, Chicken Sandwich (The Pimento Birdie). This was a delicious sandwich that just screams Georgia! We also tried the Madfather Chicken Sandwich! Pesto, Vodka Sauce, Mozzarella, this thing was outstanding! The fries are always a highlight here! We got the bucket (had a bigger group) and it came with 3 sauces. 1 tiny little knock on the fry bucket....the entire bucket was not filled with fries. The bottom of the fry bucket had about an inch or 2 of crinkled up paper..... All of the food was outstanding. The beer was good. Tons of space and seating. Very easy ordering process. Go up to the counter, tell them your table number, and your food arrives shortly! Prices are high here! Expect a larger number on your check if consuming both food and alcohol!

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Thistle Finch Distillery - bars - Updated October 2026

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