Atmosphere: 1/1: If you have ever wanted to feel classy and sophisticated, this bar is the place! However, it’s a small space so not great for large groups.
Service: 0.5/1: staff was nice and professional, but service was slow for such a small bar (we waited like 20-25 mins after we ordered to get 2 drinks and that was after we waited 15-20 mins for the waitress)
Price: 0.5/1: it’s Expensive. Drinks are $22-$25!
Food: 2/2: We had the RH and the Lantern’s light. Both were amazingly well-balanced delicious cocktails! We also had the crème brûlée, which was just ok. But let’s face it you go to this place for drinks!
Overall: 4/5: If you want to have a well made cocktail in a classy atmosphere, then you have to come here! Just be prepared to pay extra.
This is one of my favorite high-end bars in Philadelphia. The atmosphere is dark and intimate. The menu is light and curated. The service is excellent. The drinks are great as well -- I particularly stick to the whisky based recipes. There is room for improvement though. I'd expect an Old Fashioned that costs over $20 to come with one solid, clear cube of ice -- not bar ice. I'd also like it if the glasses were chilled. Those are the fine details that make the premium price tag for a cocktail well worth it.
Still, this is a reliable bar to have a nice nightcap -- whether you're on a date, with friends or family, or just want to drop in for a drink and enjoy the cozy atmosphere.
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A somewhat low-key spot tucked behind the grand facade of The Rittenhouse Hotel. I came on a quiet Sunday afternoon towards the last hour of their 'happy hour' times- more on this later. The drinks were great, and the space was comfortable. It was a very dive / speakeasy environment, and the bartenders kept that mood throughout my time there. It really does give a sense of being in a library with grand bookshelves and polished wooden accents everywhere. I ordered two of their seasonal drinks, which came with complimentary bar snacks. Both drinks had a nice balance and a good spectrum of flavors and textures. The drinks themselves were at a higher price point, but that was expected for the quality of the space and hotel. I didn't realize until after I left, but they did charge me full price instead of their previously advertised happy hour prices. However, even at full price, I'd give it a chance for a spot on my bar rotation. I will definitely come by again for their signature old fashioned before the final say on this spot.
Update: came back a few more times, definitely on my regular spot for a pick me up at the end of a long week.
Great place! Ambiance is as close to perfect as you can get. This is a perfect location for meeting friends with a really nice cocktail in your hand or for sitting quietly and enjoying a book with a really nice cocktail in your hand. In fact, it's the first place I've ever felt comfortable just sitting quietly and reading a book by myself, and the cocktails were delicious. The bartenders are pleasant and accommodating. It's expensive (I forgot how expensive it was. I spent $30 on one drink. It was absolutely delicious though!), but the whole experience is worth it. Can't wait to go back!
This is by far one of the best bars I've ever been to. The cocktails are sophisticated and complex. The atmosphere is cozy yet glamorous, and the service is top notch. A must if you want superb drinks in an elegant atmosphere.
One of my favorite bars in the Rittenhouse area in Philly, very cozy chilled vibes, more of that speakeasy feel. Ordered some food along with the drinks to keep that balance 😂If you get there early enough you can score some of the good seats with the library books backdrop.
Great atmosphere for a cocktail bar. Dim, swanky, high end feel. Delicious, unique cocktails. I loved that the server explained each cocktail to us too when serving them. Come here for the experience not just the drinks!
Pretty neat bar in Rittenhouse. The actual bar space in the library is very small, but they do provide service into the larger lobby area. If I could snag a spot at the bar proper I'd likely go back.
One of my favorite bars in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse neighborhood; it has a quiet, laid-back atmosphere that feels more speakeasy-like. To maintain that balance, I ordered some food along with the beverages. You may be able to secure some of the desirable seats with the backdrop of the library volumes if you arrive early enough.
This bar is very very nice. Jesse the bartender is a real professional. I enjoyed watching him make drinks throughout the time I was there. It was my birthday, a fact which I normally would not make public, but my girlfriend made it known. They gave me a small fondant cake and a free glass of champagne. I will be back next time I'm in Philadelphia.
Very cool atmosphere! Go in the hotel and turn right down the second walkway. The cocktail menu currently has a Harry Potter theme.
Wonderful experience here the other night. The service was excellent. Our waiter was attentive and efficient. The atmosphere was inviting and chic. I’ll be returning.
Overall, really cool spot for a date or just to unwind with some pretty damn good drinks. I overall enjoy the atmosphere and how the bar spawls into the hallway. It can feel intimate even with a bunch of other people hanging out. The live music is also really good. I really liked the experience overall. Just fair warning, it is extremely--perhaps prohibitively--expensive.
Excellent old fashioned - on par with the best New Orleans bars. Great atmosphere. The drink was expensive, but you get what you pay for. I highly recommend.
Thu-Nga Ortega, DDS, MAGD
+5
Great cocktails surrounded by books. Waiter brings you pistachios and olives with your cocktails. Delicious!
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