50 Years of Best of Philly: A Boozy Timeline of Philly’s Cocktail Scene
From a poorly conceived cocktail competition to a thriving craft cocktail scene, our nightlife has evolved significantly over the past 50 years, as chronicled in the history of Best of Philly.
BOP50: 1980’s Best Bartender / Photograph by Joe Bowman
In the late ’90s, in honor of the 25th anniversary of Best of Philly, we held a contest, one grounded in, it seems, Big Apple resentment.
New York City has the Manhattan, that exceptionally simple cocktail that has nonetheless (or perhaps consequently) become one of the most popular drinks in the world. So we set out to create a Philadelphia, a drink that could become synonymous with our fair burg. Since none of you has ever ordered a Philadelphia, we can attest to the fact that this plan did not work.
Bartenders from across the city’s top bar and restaurant scene — ’90s hot spots like Continental, Zanzibar Blue, and Striped Bass — submitted concoctions. The winning recipe, submitted by someone whose identity I will protect for reasons that will become apparent in a sentence or two, was equal parts Jack Daniel’s and triple sec, plus the juice of half a lemon. In the interest of research and journalism and the pride of the Fourth Estate, I re-created this cocktail while writing this (it was a Friday!), and all I will say is that there’s a reason it did not catch on.
But, like a pine cone exploding in a forest fire only to release its seeds and give life to new trees, the Philadelphia cocktail scene would soon erupt. Philadelphia Distilling released Bluecoat gin in 2006. Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. twisted its handlebar mustaches on to the scene. A few years later, Southwark started growing its collection of American whiskeys and luring in the cocktail-curious. Now it’s impossible to walk through just about any neighborhood in the city without tripping over a bottle of amaro.
Which brings us back to the Philadelphia, and the same question: What should a Philadelphia be?
BOP50: Nightlife Timeline
Notable wins and winners
1977
Best Locally Brewed Beer: Yuengling — a case of the lager cost just $4.70 then. “It’s made by a small brewer in Pottsville who doesn’t advertise it,” we wrote, an astonishing sentence considering the beer’s ubiquity now.
1980
BOP50: 1980’s Best Bartender / Photograph by Joe Bowman
Best Bartender: Mario Giampaolo, of Piccolo Padre, served drinks and looks.
1983
Photograph by Joe Bowman
Best Place to Watch Men Disrobe: Back in the ’70s and early ’80s we had a whole Best of Philly section called THRILLS that, well, highlighted some of the more sordid ways to enjoy some brotherly love and sisterly affection. Flash here was a member of the All-Male Revue at PT’s in Old City, which took home our award. Looking good, brother!
1992
Best Unlikely Nightspot: “Borders Book Shop is not just a store/coffeeshop. For those with no lives, it’s become a way of life.” Jesus, guys, that seems a bit harsh.
2003
Photograph by Scott Nibauer
Best Old City Bar: “Buffalo Billiards is one of the precious few drinking holes near the east end of Market Street that are devoid of muscle-shirted bouncers, Eurotrash and wannabe VIPs.”
2005
Best Place to Flirt With Pat Burrell: “All over town! If you want to find the hot Phillie, it helps to a.) be a model, b.) start with dinner at Capital Grille (it’s also a favorite haunt of Eagles, Flyers and Sixers), and c.) lounge at 32 degrees in Old City, and at about 1 a.m. head uptown to Denim Lounge or the Walnut Room.”
To see more of 50 years of Best of Philly, explore our BOP50 rewinds, here.
Published as “BOP50: Nightlife!” in the December 2024/January 2025 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
