The 2013 Foobooz 50 Best Bars of Philadelphia

Every year Foobooz polls a list of writers, bloggers, twitterers and even just drinkers who like in order to determine the fifty best bars in Philadelphia. Here is the 2013 version of the Foobooz 50 Best Bars list.

1. Johnny Brenda’s Fishtown ★★★★★ “Ten years after opening, JB’s is better than ever. Local beer, local music and local grub keep it hopping till last call.”
2. Alla Spina Fairmount “Italian craft beer, Negroni cocktails, and Marc Vetri and Jeff Michaud’s take on bar food. We didn’t know we needed it, but we do.”
3. Pub & Kitchen Rittenhouse ★★★★★ “The Pabbit may have lost chef Jonathan Adams and star bartender George Costa, but it’s still pumping out tasty eats and delicious drinks.”
4. American Sardine Bar Point Breeze “This sandwich and canned-beer haven makes the Breeze feel even cooler. And yes, they serve sardines, if you’re into that.”
5. Khyber Pass Pub Old City “The former punk rock haven now boasts one of the best beer lists in town, and a N’awlins-inspired menu to accompany it.”
6. Hop Sing Laundromat, Chinatown “Out of town guests think you’re a rock star for knowing about it, and the cocktails are amazing and inventive without being overpriced or overwrought.”
7. Kraftwork, Fishtown “Down to earth and approachable, yet also hip and on trend.”
8. Brauhaus Schmitz, South Street “Great choice for large parties, loooong list of beers and it always feels festive”.
9. Devil’s Den, South Philly “The greatest happy hour in the city for beer lovers.”
10. Good Dog Bar, Center City ★★★★★ “Grabbing a shot here is a good way to end your night on a high note. Plus their burgers and fries are great to preempt a hangover!”
11. Southwark, Queen Village ★★★★★ “Ten years in and still one of the best places to get a classic drink.”
12. Loco Pez, Fishtown “Cash only but don’t let that scare you.”
13. Jerry’s Bar, Northern Liberties ❊ “Great food and great cocktails.”
14. South Philadelphia Tap Room, South Philly ★★★★★ “An ever-changing list of great brews plus, their brunch can’t be beat.
15. Frankford Hall, Fishtown “There isn’t an occasion, group of people, or time of year, where this bar hasn’t been the perfect go-to spot.”
16. Tria Café, multiple locations ★★★★★ “Most knowledgeable staff in the city.”
17. Memphis Taproom, Fishtown ★★★★★ “Phillies games projected in the beer garden. What more could you want in life? (besides a winning baseball team).”
18. Sidecar Bar & Grille, Graduate Hospital ★★★★★ “A neighborhood bar that appeals behind its borders. And they always have cool events.”
19. The Prohibition Taproom, Center City  “Always a well curated beer list with special attention to smaller Philadelphia area brewers.”
20. Monk’s Cafe, Center City ★★★★★ “Still kicks ass after all these years.”
21. The Industry, South Philly “It’s like Cheers for Industry folk.”
22. Royal Tavern, Bella Vista ★★★★★ “Their vegan stuff is supposed to be great but why would I try it when they have that meatloaf sandwich?”
23. Ranstead Room, Center City  “Dark and sexy, a perfect date spot.”
24. The Corner Foodery, Rittenhouse “What goes better with 800 beer choices than sick, sick, sick hoagies.”
25. Standard Tap, Northern Liberties ★★★★★ “The staunch supporter of local beers is a great place to take out-of-towners.”

1. Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co., Rittenhouse “Rock-solid booze, and an inspirational level of polish and expertise.”
2. Cantina Los Caballitos, South Philly ★★★★★ “Al fresco drinking doesn’t get better in South Philly.”
3. Grace Tavern, Graduate Hospital ★★★★★ “Where else can you get a burger cooked perfectly to temp at 1:58 a.m.?”
4. Lloyd, Fishtown  “The bartenders are almost as friendly as the prices.”
5. Fiume, West Philly “As awesome as it is tiny.”
6. Pub on Passyunk East, South Philly ★★★★★ “Full of nooks to cozy up in and everyone seems to be having a great time.”
7. Resurrection Ale House, Graduate Hospital “The fried chicken gets the hype but ignore the rest of the menu at your risk.”
8. Jose Pistola’s, Center City ★★★★★ “It seems like Pistola’s is better than ever.”
9. Bob & Barbara’s, Graduate Hospital “Like Pabst Blue Ribbon, B&B’s is a classic that doesn’t go out of style.”
10. City Tap House, West Philly “Fire pits and more beers than anywhere.”
11. McMenamin’s, Mount Airy “If you haven’t been to McMenamin’s you’re losing out.”
12. Stateside, Passyunk Square “Open windows onto Passyunk Avenue provide one of the best people watching perches in the city.”
13. Locust Rendezvous, Center City “With bargain beers and shots each week, it always feels like happy hour at the Vous.”
14. Fountain Porter, Passyunk Square ❊ “$5 burgers every day and 20-craft beers on tap. Those are the only numbers you need to know.”
15. Oyster House, Center City “A great spot to slurp briny bivalves while knocking back some punch with punch.”
16. McGillin’s Olde Ale House, Midtown Village “It’s easy to take the oldest bar in Philadelphia for granted. Don’t.”
17. Doobies, Rittenhouse “You can’t beat Doobies’ juke box.”
18. Grey Lodge, Northeast Philly ★★★★★ “Friday the Firkinteenth alone would be enough.”
19. Pour House, Westmont ❊ “Yes! There is a great beer bar in Jersey.”
20. Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro, Midtown Village “Sophistication without price.”
21. A.Bar, Rittenhouse ❊ “$1.50 oysters and a great wine list.”
22. Bottle Bar East, Fishtown ❊ “Grab a beer from the almost 700 available, watch some sports on the humongous TV before heading upstairs for foosball. What more do you need?”
23. Emmanuelle, Northern Liberties ❊ “Phoebe Esmon and Christian Gaal make ridiculously addicting drinks.”
24. Varga Bar, Washington Square West ★★★★★  “Richard Colli is the man.”
25. Barcade, Fishtown “Old school video games and an underrated beer selection.”

★★★★★  – Appears on all five years of the Foobooz 50 Best Bars List.
❊ – New to the list in 2013.

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