The Franklin Bar

Category:	Bar
Address:	112 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone:	+1 267-467-3277
Site:	thefranklinbar.com
Rating:	4.3
Working:	5PM–2AM 5PM–2AM 5PM–2AM 5PM–2AM 5PM–2AM 5PM–2AM 5PM–2AM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 87

Matt Peppes

One of the best places to grab cocktails in Philly! We weren’t sure when we walked up if we were in the right place but a staff member sitting outside asked us if we wanted to sit upstairs in the tiki bar area or downstairs we knew we were on the right place. We chose to go downstairs and he took us down and sat us at our table. The service was quick and before you knew it, our drinks were table side! The atmosphere was amazing and the drinks were super tasty. Yeah they might be on the pricey side, ~$15, but the aromas and flavors of each cocktail were great! We’ll definitely be coming back!

Theresa Tang

Speakeasy with great cocktail selections. I loved how their drinks are divided into sections with interesting names like "She Brought Me Gasoline" and "Required Reading". The place did not seem overwhelmingly crowded as you would see at the speakeasies in NYC. I tried their Larceny and Old Lace, a delicious gin based drink with lavender lemon tea syrup and grapefruit bitter. Friendly staff from bouncer at the door to waitress. Definitely worth checking especially when visiting from out of town.

Ada Lee

Intimate, dimly-lit speakeasy-style bar that has a nice whiskey selection. The dark unmarked door is manned by two dapper gentlemen monitoring guest capacity. On a weekend, expect to wait 30min to two hours to get in. Only con besides the wait is that they should expand their whiskey selection to include some of the amazing Japanese whiskeys (the bar tender did mention they were working on it).

Hector Arias

Not impressed. The only Pro, was the waitress: very professional; timing, service attention. A real Pro. Not sure about her personal presentation, but she is a 7 of 10. Cocktails? Very poor presentation on the cocktails. Vague garnish. Very plain flavors on too many ingredients for a cocktail. Space, is pretty but not cozy. Cold enviroment, music going from a electro tango to a punk rock.

Will Foley

Truly artisans, these bartenders will take care you; drinks are mixed to perfection and always top-notch. Perfect place to take your date after a nice dinner and/or a night on the town. The upstairs bar was just remodeled to provide a more relaxed (and arguably cheaper) environment while the basement is the fancy swanky speakeasy we all know and love.

Sarah Melcher

I enjoyed this bar, and their cocktails were all superb. The waiter we had was a little pushy and snarky, as if he deals with tourists all day, which he does because this comes up first in a search for hidden bars in Philadelphia. Overall, it was a good experience and the vibe was awesome in the downstairs portion!

Rich M

Downstairs I found the greatest Old Fashioned this side of the 21st Amendment. The care and attention to cocktail craft echoed the incomparable Japanese style of bartending, but accompanied by casual American social emphasis. A pleasure and a great diversion from any day to drink here.

Scott McFadden

Walked up to the bouncer on a wednesday evening about 9pm and was told it was a 45 min wait while at the same time, you could see no one was inside. The artificial exclusivity is lame. I guess they hate money. Wont waste my time coming back. Plenty of great places in Philly to patronize.

Natalia Prado

Great staff from host to bartenders. Sat at the bar (downstairs) and got to watch the drinks being made. The We Got The Funk was fruity like a beach drink yet not too sweet and the Triforce was similar to a Manhattan. Very intimate atmosphere and highly recommend it.

Mike Hunter

If your in the neighborhood, or even if your not... This place is a must visit if your are into truely interesting drinks. These folks are Mixologists in the truest sense. Looking for shots or White Zin? god elsewhere so I can get in quicker ;-)

Samuel Lee

Came here after dinner with a friend to hangout and chill. The vibe was more suited to bring a romantic interest than just hangout with a friend but still very nice. Friendly staff and good drinks.

Steven Burnett

We bar crawled across Philly and this was by far my favorite. A little bit pretentious, it more than makes up for it in inventive and delicious cocktails. Be prepared to spend a little here though.

Randall Elliott

Not really a speakeasy but more of a two level bar with the top being a very narrow crowded bar and the lower floor seating only. Cocktails were standard and nothing to write home about.

Mike Tinelli

Decent cocktails, but felt lacking. Got mad when my date and I sat on the same side of the bench. Apparently were saving that space for other people to do the same -___-

M. Barra

Nice, quiet atmosphere. Makes it really easy to have a conversation and enjoy your company. Can get packed on the weekends, of course, but staff is pretty friendly

Dmitry Avtonomov

Ordered a Guiness and a Firestone pale ale. Got two cans already opened, no indication it was not draft beer. A can of Guiness for $7. Thanks, but no thanks.

B Gilbert

One of the best for cocktails and conversation. Small space, no food. When in doubt, get the prohibition punch. Servers very helpful. No weak drinks here.

Josh N

I have tried too many drinks to list here. All of the drinks are so smooth, and somehow so strong, and so flavorful. I wish I could drink my breakfast.

Clint Green

Not bad cocktails - need to serve up instead of on rocks, and less vodka base drinks (go gin for these) but the British theme is pretty well done.

Evan Kaverman

Some of the best cocktails in Philly. Great knowledge behind the bar, string menu of classics and innovations. Try some peanut butter whiskey.

Max Png

Speakeasy. Upstairs -> casual, Downstairs -> cosy. Ask the bartender for the baseball bat (not on the menu) if you make it downstairs.

Hayes Histand

I "assessed" this place and it sucks ass! So very Pretentiously Pathetic that its fitting they occupy a subterranean space, lol!!!

Kevin Peters

Ask the bartender for a recommendation. They will guide you in the perfect direction and have you loving the drinks.

Shaun Skura

Excellent tiki selection. All the classics and some killer bowls to share. Finally Philly got a tiki or their own...

Ramin Herati

Drinks are complex and atmosphere is good. Drinks tending towards cocktails and fruitier tastes these days though.

Emily Wilson

This seemed to be the only place open late on Tuesday night in that area. Neat little place with fun cocktails.

Juan G. Buritica

The best old fashioned you can get around rittenhouse. Excellent place for pregame. Cocktails are best quality.

Mark Waller

Amazing service and drinks. Definitely go for some interesting cocktails. They even make drinks off the menu.

Amanda Owens

Phenomenal! The downstairs is classy and intimate. The upstairs is newly renovated and has a cool Tiki vibe

Geraldina Leech

Great speakeasy bar, with amazing cocktails. Bar tenders are no joke here, they know what they are doing!

Nicholas Goss

Modern takes on classic cocktails. Neat atmosphere with a speak easy vibe. Great place for small groups

Jack Thomas

The drinks are greats guys, but please fill me up more than once while I am there for an hour...

Melissa Barrow

Intimate, cozy, amazing cocktails. Perfect date place. Wait outside to get in moved quickly.

Chelsea Schmidt

Super cool speakeasy themed place, awesome cocktails (expensive) and really great service.

Gulben Solakoglu

Terrible staff at the door. They think they own the world just because they have this job.

Kate S.

Great place to catch an incentive cocktail but certainly not every worth any sort of wait

Joshua Brunton

Great way to start a night out. Truly custom drinks catered to your personal preference.

Troy Bergwall

An amazing atmosphere for romantic nights. Delicious drinks, but be ready for a wait.

Mathew Turner

Low key place to get high end drinks. Huge menu of unique and interesting cocktails.

Kevin Janssen

Very nice, finely crafted cocktails. Highly recommended for any cocktail enthusiast.

Cody Venzke

Complex cocktails in a speakeasy environment with a more relaxed tiki bar upstairs.

Jake Steinerman

Great place for delicious drinks. The pína colada and Joy Spring are excellent.

Nathan Weigert

Some of the best drinks in the city. Plus the Upstairs Bar is tiki done right!

Jason Rhoades

The cocktails were above average but the atmosphere trended toward self-harm.

Curtis Brent Bozeman

What great fun, drinks and staff Stellar! We look forward to our next visit!

Barbora Zunová

Great place. Awesome bartenders with lot experiences! Highly recommended.

Benjamin Frommer

Swanky cocktail bar. Great for date night, not so much for large groups.

Stephen Cann

Fun, usually crowded bar with an international feel and a tiki theme.

A Private User

Nice for a one time drink. Kind of expensive to drink in a dungeon

Scott Kelly

Fine drinks. ..not amazing, but good. Pretentious staff, tho.

A Private User

Authentic and delicious cocktails in a wonderful atmosphere.

Abigail VanderLek

Pricey, but still a fun place to grab a drink with friends.

kendall martin

Great staff, incredibly erudite and creative bartenders!

Alex Cruz

This place makes amazing drinks. Love the ambiance as well

Alexander Soler

Formal speakeasy downstairs with a fun tiki bar upstairs.

Cynthia Heider

The drinks were great, but it was rather loud downstairs.

Mitch Mull

Love the drinks. Made the way their supposed to be.

Jason Hayes

Do yourself a favor and get a classic old fashioned.

Rabindra Shrestha

Great spot to grab a booth for drinks with friends.

Rebecca

The cocktails are innovative and delicious.

Ryan McWilliams

Great tiki drinks. A little pricey though

Michael Ryan

Fantastic cocktails. Excellent service.

Aaron Weston

Pretentious bar with fantastic cocktails

Konrad Kording

Amazing drinks. Great personnel. Style!

Keli Mule

Cool place to try some different drinks

Daniel Jafari

Best speakeasy style bar of center city

Caitlin Clark-Zigmond

The drinks and atmosphere are divine.

Nicolas Outcast

Last word is realy nice but not last)

Vijay Khurana

Stellar service and stellar drinks.

bryan Thompson

Terrible service, staff is arrogant

Luda Korobenko

Canned beer for 7 dollars, no draft

Ishwarya Venkatachalam

Great drinks! And great date spot!

Jenna Scoma

Amazing drinks and atmosphere.

Maxime Roger

Great! Ask for the penicillin!

K Ped

Drinks filled with liquorrrrr

Curt Howard

Best cocktails in the city

Joshua Q Meyers

Great unique cocktails

Aleksey Belousov

BEST COCKTAILS PERIOD

Vanessa Guilarte

Loved the cocktails!!

Calvin Smith

Drinks were superb

Calvin Smith

Drinks were superb

Taylor Jacobs

Great environment.

Brando Garcia-Rovai

Great cocktails!

chandraa ckerson

perfect martini

Wissam Raji

Cosy place.

Jeremy Rouse

Excellent.

Darren Allender

Amazing!

The Franklin Bar

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 87

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