The Best Bars in East Passyunk, Philadelphia

Stateside runs one of the tightest cocktail menus in South Philadelphia — eight drinks, all built around American spirits with seasonal modifiers. The bar itself seats twelve comfortably and the bartenders work with the quiet focus of people who take the job seriously. The Rittenhouse rye Manhattan here is one of the better versions in the city. Book ahead for weekend evenings.

Order: Rittenhouse Rye Manhattan (rye, sweet vermouth, Angostura, orange bitters)

The bar attached to the legendary Melrose Diner is not trying to be anything other than what it is — a good neighbourhood bar where the beer is cold, the shots are cheap, and the crowd is genuinely Philly. Open at 5pm on weekdays and drawing a mix of shift workers, neighbourhood regulars, and people who wandered in from the avenue. Cash only.

Order: Whatever is cheapest on draft — this is the right move here

A narrow wine bar with a well-chosen list of small-producer European bottles and a short cocktail menu that does not try to compete with its neighbours. The back section has enough room to settle in for an evening. The staff know the list and give recommendations without pressure. Best on a Tuesday or Wednesday when the pace is right and you can actually have a conversation.

Order: A glass of whatever orange wine they have open — they always have one

Thirty taps covering a rotating selection of Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic craft breweries, with a refrigerated bottle wall that runs to over two hundred labels. The staff know the list in detail and will steer you towards something you have not had before if you let them. The space is small but the selection is one of the best in South Philly. No food, but they are fine with takeout.

Order: Ask for a half pour of whatever IPA just came in from a local brewery

P'unk Bar is the neighbourhood local that East Passyunk deserves — cheap, unpretentious, and genuinely welcoming to everyone who walks through the door. The jukebox is stocked with actual good music, the bartenders are fast and friendly, and the back patio is the best free-standing outdoor space on this stretch of the avenue. Happy hour runs until 8pm every day.

Order: A pint of local lager and whatever shot the bartender recommends

The bar programme at South Kitchen is more serious than you might expect from a neighbourhood restaurant. The cocktail list changes seasonally and the bar manager clearly has opinions — a recent celery and gin iteration with dill brine was one of those drinks that makes you think about the bartender. The dining room supports with a menu that pairs well if you decide to eat.

Order: The house daiquiri — they do one seasonal variation at all times

The walls here are covered in rotating work from local artists, which sounds gimmicky until you realise the bar itself is just as carefully considered. The cocktail list is short and creative, and the space fills up from around 10pm on weekends. The back bar has a pool table that is actually in good condition, which is rarer than it should be in this city.

Order: The rotating seasonal punch — they serve it by the glass late in the evening

A proper pub in the South Philly tradition — nothing flashy, everything working. Eight draft taps, a good whisky selection, and a kitchen that sends out food until midnight. The crowd here is neighbourhood-heavy on weeknights and picks up visitors on weekends. The bartenders have been here long enough that they are part of what makes the place worth returning to.

Order: A pint of Guinness — they pull it correctly, which matters

A mezcal and tequila bar that takes the category seriously without making it intimidating. The agave list runs to about forty expressions, the margaritas are made with fresh lime and nothing artificial, and the bar seats are occupied most evenings by people who have clearly been here before. Open until 2am on Friday and Saturday.

Order: Spicy Margarita (blanco tequila, fresh lime, jalapeño, salt)

Technically a social club — you need to join to get in — but membership is genuinely available and the process is straightforward. Once inside, you find one of the most atmospheric bar rooms in Philadelphia: a preserved Italian-American social club with original decor, a tight bar programme, and food that is better than most proper restaurants in the neighbourhood. Worth the effort to get in.

Order: The house Negroni variation — it changes with the season but is always well-made