10 Philly Wine Bars We’re Crushing on Right Now
Wine bars in Philadelphia have never been better than they are right now. Here are 10 — some tried-and-true, some fresh and splashy — that consistently remind us of what it means to have great taste.
Vanessa Wong toasting at Fishtown Social / Photography by Ed Newton
Wine bars in Philadelphia have never been better than they are right now. Whether it’s because of the challenges or despite them, purveyors in Philly have gotten savvy with sourcing, and the results are ephemeral wine lists with fleeting vintages, creating experiences that are ever-evolving. And that’s the joy of wine. We don’t go to wine bars to kick back the same-old. We go to tantalize our senses with new flavor profiles and to learn about wine regions we never knew existed but now must visit. That’s exactly what these spirited renegades do. Here are 10 wine bars — some tried-and-true, some fresh and splashy — that we love and that consistently remind us of what it means to have great taste.
Jet Wine Bar
Go for globe-trotting wine tastings.
Archaeologist Jill Weber opened Jet Wine Bar as a way to share international wines — and their history — in an approachable and fun way. “Jet has always been focused on the underdog,” Weber says, explaining its emphasis on lesser-known varietals from the Ancient World. (Think Lebanon, Turkey and Greece.) Relax in the colorful wine garden, or come on Tuesday nights for weekly events that showcase different regions, with notes and food pairings. And if you fall in love, visit the bottle shop, or join the wine club to get two specially selected bottles per month. Jet’s cocktail program also emphasizes global spirits — you’ll find plenty of arak — and the fan-favorite za’atar-garita. 1525 South Street, Grad Hospital.
Jet Wine Bar
A.Kitchen
Go to vibe with the Vine-yl Night playlists.
“When I put a record on, as opposed to music on my phone, I tend to listen a little bit more seriously,” A.Kitchen beverage and service director Frank Kinyon tells us. “That level of concentration is something you can also apply to wine.” A.Bar next door rightfully gets attention for its craft cocktails and selection of low-intervention wines, but don’t sleep on A.Kitchen’s monthly Vine-yl Nights, at which Kinyon invites a resident expert for a wine-list takeover and full sides of vinyl to pair. To add to the experience, chef Eli Collins makes one-night-only snacks, with an on-theme “A-Side” and “B-Side” menu. Even if you sit at the bar solo, it won’t be long before you’re in conversation about some complex macabeo and dreamy shoegaze. 135 South 18th Street, Rittenhouse.
Fishtown Social
Go to try something new and explore unexpected vintages from unexpected places.
The wide selection of wines at Fishtown Social is simultaneously overwhelming and exciting. It’s overwhelming because there are so many options for organic, biodynamic and natural wines made by small producers from underappreciated wine regions around the world. It’s also exciting because no matter how much of a wine lover you are, there are likely several on this list you’ve never tried and several more you’ve never heard of (like Quinta do Infantado white port). According to owner Vanessa Wong, building the list is a balancing act of selecting wines that feel exclusive while remaining approachable. “The whole idea is to get people to dip their toe in the water,” says Wong, “and as they go, they can feel more comfortable and try new things.” Think of Fishtown Social as a delicately balanced wine: It’s light and fun, with a bit of funk to pique your wine curiosities but enough structure to make you feel grounded in familiarity. 1525 Frankford Avenue, Fishtown.
Bloomsday Cafe
Go knowing you’ll be in good hands — and get hooked by the Fancy Wine Club.
Since opening in 2019, Bloomsday has been a go-to for Euro-style all-day cafe vibes, a knowledgeable staff, and a wine list full of surprises. Stop by for weekly “Chalkboard Wines” specials — they open new bottles each Friday and pour them through the weekend till they’re gone. “It’s a chance for us to bring out the heavy hitters,” co-founder Zach Morris says. The by-the-glass program changes daily and always has a theme, so you’ll find something new each time you go. Bloomsday recently welcomed D. Stubblefield as its new beverage director. (This allows Morris and Tim Kweeder- to focus on producing their Fell to Earth vermouth, which you can pick up at Bloomsday’s Fancy Wine Shop along with an ever-changing selection of natural wines and other favorites.) Join the Fancy Wine Club, a monthly release of three bottles that’s had a loyal following for four years running. 414 South 2nd Street, Society Hill.
French hot dogs paired with wine at Le Caveau
Le Caveau
Go for an approachable but rich wine education … and the French hot dog.
With exposed brick and racks of wine bottles framed by frosted windows, this upstair bar with underground vibes makes you feel like you’ve entered a casual wine bar in the Loire Valley. Le Caveau — “the cave” literally, it means “wine cellar” in colloquial French — rocks more than 120 labels, all reflective of owner Chloé Grigri’s wine experiences. “I always lean more classic in style — terroir-driven wines with a story,” she says. The consistently rotating wine list means there’s always something new to try, whether it be Cati Ribot “Son Llebre” — a natural callet red from Mallorca — or a Calabrian orange dessert wine from Cantine Benvenuto. If you’re craving a snack, don’t skip the French hot dog, a steamed wiener stuffed into a butter-and-Dijon-coated baguette that Grigri recommends pairing with a salty, mineral-driven white from the Loire or a juicy red like gamay or pais. “Either will cut through the fat and umami of the hot dog and complement the cornichon butter and Dijon,” she says. 614 South 7th Street, Bella Vista.
Superfolie
Go for the wine-cellar raids, but get there quickly.
Petite, typically packed, and with a tightly edited by-the-glass wine menu, Superfolie is where you go to try something worth crushing on. The selection leans French, but with plenty of picks from elsewhere — like the Heidi Schröck & Söhne blaufränkisch-blend rosé from Burgenland, Austria, offered this past spring. And wine director Kaitlyn Caruke’s Wednesday “Cellar Raids” bring one of-the-moment bottle (think: an experimental chenin blanc) to those who get there before the juice runs dry. There are some 70 bottles in that cellar; the rest of the menu features small plates, a few beers and four cocktails, including a freezer martini worth getting every time, no matter the wine. 1602 Spruce Street, Rittenhouse.
Wine and bites at Superfolie
Vernick Wine
Go to shop limited-run wines and book your next tasting dinner, too.
Okay, there’s not technically a bar here — that’s next door, at Vernick Food & Drink — but there is a cozy bottle shop celebrating small-production wineries. And that same shop uncorks a new bottle for shoppers to try every Saturday. So the next time you’re in Rittenhouse, mosey up the stairs of the 1840s brownstone to find a counter appealingly crowded with bottles of natural, orange and old-world selections, like those from Sicily’s Arianna Occhipinti (a female winemaker championing the biodynamic style), all curated by wine director Felix Hughes. Many are available next door by the glass, too — or served as optional pairings during Vernick Wine’s tasting-menu-only dinners every Friday and Saturday. 2029 Walnut Street, Rittenhouse.
Mural City Cellars
Go for hyperlocal wine and the community events.
In just a couple years, Mural City Cellars has made a name for itself with its locally sourced wines and community-building mission. Partners Francesca Galarus and Nicholas Ducos host private tastings at the cellar, but in the warmer months, their Kensington Station wine garden is abuzz with live music, chef pop-ups, and a bar made from an antique SEPTA trolley car. They also host Saturday wine classes, vendor markets, yoga, story times, and more fun events to bring the neighborhood together. 2211 Frankford Avenue, Kensington.
Pizza and wine at Pizzeria Beddia
Pizzeria Beddia
Go to elevate your pizza experience with European wines.
Pizzeria Beddia has long been known as a pizza destination, but what we don’t talk about often enough is the wine, a personal passion of Joe Beddia. With the help of his general manager, Kim Capehart, and the Hoagie Room’s manager, John Walker, Beddia’s wine offerings lean more toward lighter wines from cooler regions in Italy, France, Germany and Oregon. That may seem limiting at first glance, but when you consider the menu, there are a lot of pairings to explore. “We try to offer wines that complement the food,” says Beddia. A crisp, effervescent Italian prosecco cuts through the spicy heat of the “angry” pizza arrabbiata, while the Cantabrian anchovies hit differently against the acidity of a German riesling. If you didn’t think the pizza at Pizzeria Beddia could get any better, you should pair it with wine. 313 North Lee Street, Fishtown.
Solar Myth
Go when you want to show off your great taste in wine and music.
There’s a reason both wine and vinyl records can be described as crisp and full-bodied, with a rich smoothness and warm notes. Solar Myth sits in the center of the Venn diagram between wine lovers and avid record collectors, offering up a thoughtful playlist of wines and jazz music. This spot feels like your coolest friend’s basement — there’s an impressive library of avant-garde jazz records and art books (both of which you can buy); as the home venue for the nonprofit presenter Ars Nova Workshop, it hosts concerts; it’s always packed with a very hip crowd sipping French chardonnay and bittersweet amaro; and oh yeah, there’s tomato pie. Plus, the dim lighting sets a very chill mood while allowing you to focus on the nuanced subtleties of the music and the wine. 1131 South Broad Street, East Passyunk.
Published as “Wine Bars We’re Crushing on Now” in the November 2023 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
