Philadelphia

The 10 Best Bars with a View in Philadelphia

Philadelphia's most photographed drinks aren't on any menu — they're in the rooms with the right windows. The bars with a view on this list span every neighbourhood worth a trip — the central districts all show up — and every price tier from a $5 local pour to a $25 hotel-bar tasting. Each bar earns its spot for a different reason. We have visited every one.

  1. 01

    Attico Rooftop at Cambria

    CENTER CITY · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Attico Rooftop at Cambria draws a steady local crowd in Center City. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  2. 02

    Bok Bar

    SOUTH PHILLY · $$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Bok Bar draws a steady local crowd in South Philly. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

  3. 03

    Cherry Street Pier Bar

    OLD CITY · $$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Cherry Street Pier Bar draws a steady local crowd in Old City. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.

  4. 04

    XIX Nineteen at Park Hyatt

    CENTER CITY · $$$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    XIX Nineteen at Park Hyatt draws a steady local crowd in Center City. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.

  5. 05

    Rooftop at Revolution House

    OLD CITY · $$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Rooftop at Revolution House draws a steady local crowd in Old City. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  6. 06

    Stratus Rooftop at Hotel Monaco

    OLD CITY · $$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Stratus Rooftop at Hotel Monaco draws a steady local crowd in Old City. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

  7. 07

    a.bar Philadelphia

    THE CENTRE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    a.bar is the Rittenhouse Square casual cocktail-and-snack offshoot from the celebrated a.kitchen team — a tight programme of seasonal drinks paired with a small. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.

  8. 08

    Amada Bar

    OLD CITY · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Amada Bar draws a steady local crowd in Old City. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.

  9. 09

    Blackbird Pizzeria Bar

    BELLA VISTA · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Blackbird Pizzeria Bar draws a steady local crowd in Bella Vista. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  10. 10

    Brigantessa

    THE CENTRE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    East Passyunk Avenue is one of the most concentrated streets for eating and drinking in Philadelphia, and Brigantessa is among its finest. The osteria opened in. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

Use this guide either as a single curated route through Philadelphia or as a checklist to revisit over a long weekend. Reservations are flagged where they matter. Otherwise, walk in. Below: the ten bars with a view that any serious drinker in Philadelphia would tell you to put on the list.

Attico Rooftop at Cambria draws a steady local crowd in Center City. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

Bok Bar draws a steady local crowd in South Philly. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

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Looking beyond Philadelphia? See our guide to the best bars with a view worldwide, or compare bars with a view city by city.